Duties:

The Development Specialist serves as the Locally Employed (LE) Staff project implementation expert in Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Freetown. Under the supervision of the Resident Country Director (RCD), develops and manages a wide range of project activities, policy positions, budget oversight, and other issues related to the programs under the Compact agreement between Sierra Leone and the US. The incumbent is responsible for creating effective working relationship with MCC Washington, government and private officials and key stakeholders in Freetown, and the donor community.

Advises the MCC and Sierra Leone partners on program operations, implementation planning, compliance with MCC and USG control procedures, program audit, monitoring and impact evaluation, quarterly program review and program reporting. This requires a thorough understanding of the Compact agreement, program activities, implementation processes and benchmarks.
Develops regular technical interactions and close working relationships with all relevant Sierra Leone Government Ministries and agencies, Compact partners including designated procurement agent and fiscal agent.

Requirements:

All selected candidates must be able to obtain and hold a: 

• • security certificate

• • Valid National ID card

All selected candidates will be subject to a background investigation and may be subject to a pre-employment medical exam.

Selected candidate must be able to begin working within a reasonable period of time [Five (5) upon receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.

Education Requirements:

Master’s degree in the particular specialization relevant to the Compact Program at post, such as Procurement, Finance, Engineering, Project Management and International Development.

Evaluations:

You will be evaluated against the qualifications and requirements in this vacancy announcement.
You may be asked to complete a pre-employment language or skills test.
You must complete the application form and provide the required documents.  Your application must address all the position qualifications and requirements including education, experience, language, and any knowledge/skills/abilities listed.  If you fail to submit a complete application, then your application may be disqualified for this position.

Qualifications:

Experience:

At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in strategic planning, project design, budgeting, analysis, and reporting in a government or private sector entity, development organization, international NGO or international commercial bank; experience in research and drafting reports, negotiating and managing complex activities in team setting.

Language: 

Good Working Knowledge (in speaking/reading/writing English) is required. (This may be tested).

Good working knowledge of Krio is required.

Knowledge:

Must have good working knowledge of economic development policies and practices; knowledge of the principles, concepts and methodology involved in the development, implementation, management, and evaluation of international development and investment programs, in particular those involving large scale infrastructure and resettlement

Skills And Abilities:

Ability to interpret data and prepare analytical reports regarding implementation and impacts of investments and assistance:
• Ability to interpret extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Ability to prepare and maintain financial, budgetary, economic, technical analyses and evaluations.
• Ability to negotiate and manage complex activities in a team environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; ability to develop and engage a broad range of contacts in the public and private sectors and with key US Embassy posts.