Duties and Responsibilities
1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract
As the Deputy Office Director, the Specialist is a senior member of the USAID/Zimbabwe Mission
and the Program Office. The Specialist provides technical leadership and expert advice to
USAID/Zimbabwe management and all U.S. Mission offices on a wide range of development
assistance activities, partnerships, policies, and budgeting processes, and provides problem-solving
program management assistance on a wide range of activities. The job holder serves as a principal
Mission advisor for the analysis, planning, budgeting, design, approval, justification, monitoring, implementation, evaluation, and communication of USAID/Zimbabwe’s development programs.
S/He provides guidance on the application of U.S. legislation, foreign policy priorities, Agency
guidelines, and Mission requirements throughout the project cycle, as well as oversight on strategy,
budgeting, reporting, and monitoring and evaluation. S/He will support the implementation of
USAID/Zimbabwe’s 2022-2027 Country Development Cooperation Strategy, promoting
collaboration and coordination among Mission staff, partners, and the interagency.
The incumbent provides technical assistance to the Mission and Program Office Leadership
regarding the implementation of the CDCS and the priorities espoused in it, as well as emerging
strategic priorities not included in the strategy. S/he designs/supports innovative approaches to
programming that strengthen overall portfolio impact on development problems identified in the
CDCS and associated planning documents. The incumbent also plays a critical role leading the
Mission to adapt programming during implementation by channeling learning into adaptive
management and by facilitating integration, cross-office coordination, and implementing partner (IP) coordination.
The Specialist is familiar with GoZ and U.S. Government strategies and initiatives and keeps the
USAID Mission informed of trends relevant for programming and planning that complies with
Agency policy, USG regulations, and other relevant guidance. The job holder represents USAID
with senior-level host country government, civil society, and donor counterparts. The position
provides advice to USAID’s senior management on host-country political, cultural, and/or
economic developments that may impact strategic plans, policy issues, and program performance.
The Specialist plays a key role in the implementation, monitoring, and performance reporting of
the overall U.S. development assistance program in Zimbabwe; and independently performs the
full range of professional consultative, advisory, monitoring, analytical, operational and informational services of broad scope in connection with the USAID portfolio in the country. S/he reports to the Program Office Director, and directly supervises and manages up to three (3) Program
Office staff members. The Specialist often serves as Acting Program Office Director in his/her
absence assuming the full responsibility of the position.
2. Statement of Duties to be Performed
Technical Leadership and Policy Implementation, Analysis, and Project/Activity
Development 40%
The Specialist provides leadership and technical assistance and guidance in the development and
implementation of the overall Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS). The Specialist
serves as an advisor on project and activity design teams across the Mission and leads Program
Office and Technical Offices to ensure the quality of concept/project/activity designs and
solicitation documents and that they are in line with USAID strategy. Plays a key role supporting
the Mission to analyze performance and facilitates the adaptation of programming during
implementation in response to evidence received or generated. Supports coordination among and
between Development Objective Teams and works with DO Integration Leads to advance
integration-related objectives. Shepherds project and activity design and modification
documentation through the clearance process. Trains and advises USAID technical staff and office
directors on design policy and formulates and maintains Mission policies and Mission Orders. The
incumbent ensures quality control, including in the drafting, review and clearance of memos,
talking points, diverse correspondence and technical documents for the Front Office and technical
teams.
As a senior professional, advises Mission management, technical office directors and project
officers on important aspects of the USAID programming processes, including the effects of U.S.
legislation and GOZ policies and priorities on the program, budgetary levels and constraints.
Advises Mission senior management, including the Front Office, on host-country political and/or
economic developments that may impact the Mission’s strategic plans and program performance.
Makes recommendations to Mission management and USAID Washington for improvements in
Agency performance management and resource allocation practices and procedures, with the
intended result of achieving Mission and Agency-wide improvements in program management,
oversight, and development results.
The Specialist actively participates in the preparation of key annual and mid-term planning and
reporting documents including the Congressional Budget Justifications, Technical Notifications,
Quarterly, Semi-Annual and Annual Progress Reports, among others. Prepares reports and
responses to a wide range of requirements including responding to requests for information from
USAID/Washington and the Congress.
Office Leadership, Supervision, Coaching/Mentoring and Staff Support 30%
As the most senior CCN in the Office, the Specialist serves as acting Program Office Director when
the Director is absent, and productively engages with the Mission Director, Deputy Mission
Director, the Deputy Chief of Mission, and the Ambassador. S/he participates in senior leadership
meetings, discussions, and represents the Program Office and USAID/Zimbabwe in external
meetings and functions. The job holder manages and supervises up to three Program Office staff
members. The Specialist leads and directs the team members to manage for results and ensure there
is continuous learning and transfer of knowledge. Prepares work plan to ensure that subordinates
remain current in USAID budget and program operations process, procedures/systems and program
formulation/analysis techniques. Assigns operational tasks to subordinates and provides
instructions and guidance for completion of assigned tasks in a timely and efficient manner. As a
subject matter expert, advises members of staff and provides mentoring and guidance to newly
hired CCNPSC and USDH staff within the Mission as needed.
Program/Project/Activity Management 20%
Serves as the Activity Manager, A/COR, or alternate, for one or more awards. Responsible for the
day-to-day award design, management, administration, associated reporting, and communications.
Coordinates closely with all Technical Offices to ensure adequate reporting and clarity on annual
budget requirements for mechanism(s). Serves as principal liaison with implementing partners for
projects under his or her authority. Assumes responsibility for compliance with all USAID
program, financial, procurement, and audit requirements. Provides quality control and direction for
evaluation of activities. Analyzes and reports on progress toward achieving program goals and
objectives.
Liaison/Coordination and Representation 10%
The job holder facilitates partner coordination, collaboration, and communication to advance
USAID policies; attends and reports on donor coordination meetings. Works with C/AORs to boost
thematic and geographic coordination. Promotes and furthers the Agency’s localization and private
sector engagement efforts in Zimbabwe. Supports multilateral implementing partners meetings at
national and sub-national, or “geo-focused,” levels. Travels throughout Zimbabwe to engage with
partners and sub-partners and to facilitate coordination and capacity development.
The Specialist establishes and maintains high-level contacts with key Government of Zimbabwe
counterparts and serves as primary Program Office representative to the Government of Zimbabwe.
Represents the U.S. Government (USG) with the Government of Zimbabwe (GoZ), bilateral and multilateral donors, and implementing organizations in order to strengthen implementation of one
or more cross-cutting policy priorities that further priorities established in GoZ development
strategy documents, the USAID CDCS, or other policy priorities. S/he organizes high-level
meetings with GoZ Ministers, particularly with the Minister of Finance & Economic Development.
Provides support for high-level CODEL/STAFFDEL and VIP visits to Zimbabwe. Prepares
briefing documents and answers questions for high-level USG officials visiting Zimbabwe, in
coordination with the Development Outreach Communication team.
The contractor is eligible for temporary duty (TDY) travel to the United States, or to other Missions
abroad, to participate in the "Foreign Service National" Fellowship Program, in accordance with
USAID policy.
3. Supervisory Relationship: Reports to the Program Office Director. Supervision received is
minimal and the completed work is reviewed primarily in terms of results achieved and for
compliance with policies and program objectives. The incumbent has wide latitude in planning
his/her work schedule, and independently performs all assigned duties and responsibilities.
4. Supervisory Controls: Supervision of up to three Cooperating Country Nationals, providing
guidance and assistance in resolving problems and achieving objectives.
