WHO ARE WE?
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has a long history of extending a helping hand to those people overseas struggling to make a better life, recover from a disaster or striving to live in a free and democratic country. It is this caring that stands as a hallmark of the United States around the world - and shows the world our true character as a nation.

USAID is listed as one of the top ten best places to work in the Federal Government by the Office of Personnel Management's survey (Summer 2006).

WHAT ARE WE?
USAID is an independent federal government agency that receives overall foreign policy guidance from the Secretary of State. With headquarters in Washington, DC, USAID fosters transformational development around the world. Our work supports economic growth and trade; agriculture and the environment; education and training; democracy and governance; global health; global partnerships and humanitarian assistance. We operate in four regions of the world: Sub-Saharan Africa; Asia and the Near East; Latin America and the Caribbean; and Europe and Eurasia. USAID employs individuals in the Civil Service and Foreign Service, as well as through Personal Service Contracts for service in Washington, DC and overseas.

WHERE ARE WE?
USAID's headquarters is centrally located in downtown Washington, DC, at the prestigious Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center on 14th Street between Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues, N.W. We are located above the Federal Triangle Metro Station (Blue and Orange Lines). The office is within walking distance of restaurants, shops, Smithsonian Institution museums and the Washington Monument.

NOTES:

Multiple vacancies will be filled through this announcement.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early as referral lists may be forwarded to selecting officials at any time.

Federal base salary levels are adjusted annually to accommodate cost-of-living increases. These are base salary levels and do not include the current 20.89% locality pay that is paid while on training in Washington, DC. Applicants who accept these positions are Federal Government employees.

USAID is continually looking for opportunities to expand partnerships with the private sector to promote development goals. While they are not required, candidates with private sector experience, knowledge, skills and abilities are encouraged to apply.

USAID is seeking to expand its capability to respond to crises and disasters around the globe. The Agency is planning to develop "surge" capacity among its Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) for such a response, after going overseas. Persons applying for the JO positions are eligible to serve as "surge" officers and will be provided special training during their initial Washington rotation.

DIVERSITY

USAID is committed to recruiting and deploying a diverse Foreign Service (FS) workforce that exemplifies the diverse nature of the U.S. labor force.

THE JUNIOR OFFICER PROGRAM

The Junior Officer (JO) program is USAID's entry-level program into the Foreign Service. The JO program seeks the best-qualified junior professional candidates who are willing to make a long-term career commitment to the Foreign Service and international development. JOs begin their careers in formal training programs that are followed by rotational on-the-job, Washington-based training for up to one year, which may include language training. After completion of Washington training, JOs are assigned to an overseas office and receive broad-based training through rotational assignments. The total JO training plan is approximately three years. Successful candidates will become representatives of USAID and the U.S. Government in the worldwide development arena. New Foreign Service Officers have five years in which to earn tenure in the Foreign Service. Tenure requirements include foreign language proficiency, and successful completion of at least three years with the Agency, of which 18 months have to have been on a permanent overseas assignment in one of USAID's field offices. The three-year JO training program is included in the five-year tenure requirement.

BENEFITS

Federal benefits include: 10 paid Federal holidays per year; 13 days of sick leave each year; 13 to 26 days of vacation, depending on years of employment with the federal government ; nationally recognized health insurance plans that offer choice and flexibilities; group term life insurance program; long-term care insurance; flexible spending accounts; Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS); and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), a self-directed retirement savings program through multiple investment options similar to a 401(K) plan.

In addition to the Federal benefits package, USAID employees can take advantage of: public transportation subsidy; flexible work schedules; telecommuting; tuition assistance program (TAP); training and developmental opportunities; on-site Lafayette Federal Credit Union; physical fitness facility; health unit; and extensive food court.

This announcement solicits both internal Merit Promotion and external candidates.You will be considered under all categories for which you are eligible.

FSO-PROGRAM ECONOMIST POSITION BACKGROUND:

USAID employs Program Economists to lead, manage and contribute to U.S. assistance programs overseas in developing countries. USAID economists contribute to assistance programs in the areas of country strategy development, macroeconomic and sectoral economic analysis, project design and analysis, and monitoring and evaluation.

This announcement is being used to consider internal Merit Promotion and external candidates. You will be considered under all categories for which you are eligible.

DUTIES:

Strategic planning: For country, regional or agency-wide programming, performs strategic analysis of trends, and future areas of opportunity and problem, as input to Agency strategic planning. Develops or contributes to strategic planning documents, country assistance strategies, sector strategies and similar planning exercises. Employs economic analysis tools and insight to assist managers in decisions about allocation of resources across sectors and as input to cross-cutting issues such as environment or gender.

Program management: Assists in the design and implementation of programs directed at achieving more rapid, sustained and broadly-based economic growth. Develops project proposals, and helps prepare technical project specifications and analyses as necessary for project approval and for initiating related procurement actions. Guides, monitors and evaluates project implementation progress. Programs typically include technical assistance and institutional development support to host country government economic policy agencies (central bank, finance ministry, etc.), as well as private NGOs, business associations, think tanks and academic organizations.

Program analysis: Performs analyses of macroeconomic and sector trends relating to country of assignment, to inform management of relevant factors that may affect the U.S. assistance program. Supports design and evaluation of projects in all sectors. Analyzes new project proposals. Reviews statistical soundness of data used to track program performance, proposes statistical indicators of program success and provides input into data collection and analysis performed by sectoral offices. Collects and analyzes data on the macro economy, poverty, and sectoral economic performance. Communicates results of analysis both verbally and in writing to specialist and nonspecialist audiences. Contributes economic criteria into scopes of work for project and program evaluations, and briefs evaluation teams regarding the economic background and conditions within which USAID programs operate.

Economic policy guidance: Analyzes economic policies present in country of assignment and briefs and advises USAID and Embassy management regarding economic policy issues relevant to successful achievement of USG assistance objectives. Develops professional contacts with economists and other officials in the host country government, resident missions of the international financial institutions, bilateral donors, embassies, as well as within the local academic and business communities.

Contact Information:USAID
1-800-407-0147
joeavue@avuetech.com