EAC-USAID Program Liaison Officer Employment Opportunity at The East African Community (EAC), February 2018

AJIRALEO

EAC-USAID Program Liaison Officer at The East African Community (EAC), February 2018

NAFASI ZA KAZI/AJIRA JUMUIYA YA AFRIKA MASHARIKI

The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organization comprised of the Republic of Burundi, the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Rwanda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Republic of Uganda and the Republic of South Sudan with its Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. The EAC mission is to widen and deepen economic, political, social and cultural integration to improve the quality of life of the people of East Africa through increased competitiveness, value added production, trade and investments.

USAID is the lead U.S. Government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential. This includes supporting inclusive, sustainable growth; promoting free, peaceful, and self-reliant societies with effective, legitimate governments; building human capital and creating social safety nets that reach the poorest and most vulnerable.

The U.S. Government (USG) has a long history of partnership with the EAC. On September 23, 2009, USG, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Kenya and East Africa (KEA), approved the Assistance Agreement for Comprehensive Regional Development (AA-CRD). The main objective of the AA-CRD is to increase regional economic growth and integration in the EAC region. The EAC-USAID partnership continues to expand and be strengthened through mutual development objectives and funding for technical programs, such as trade and customs, environment, agriculture, health, energy and institutional support. On September 29, 2016 EAC and USAID signed a 5-year Regional Development Objective Grant Agreement (RDOAG).
The position of EAC-USAID Program Liaison Officer represents an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated, results-driven professional citizen from all EAC Partner States (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan) to apply for the following position, based in the East African Community Secretariat. 

EAC-USAID PROGRAM LIAISON OFFICER
(REF: EAC/HR/2017-18/01)

Organ/Institution: EAC Secretariat 
Duty Station: Arusha –Tanzania
Job Grade: Professional Staff Category (P2 Equivalent)
Job reports to: EAC Principal Resource Mobilization Officer

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB:
To serve as the focal point for USAID/KEA initiatives under the EAC-USAID/KEA strategic partnership. He/she will report to the EAC Principal Resource Mobilization Officer and will work collaboratively with all supported EAC Institutions/Directorates/Departments to facilitate implementation and reporting on USAID-funded programs and policies of joint EAC-USAID strategic interest, and ensure compliance with USAID financial and reporting requirements and activity development and prioritization processes. The incumbent will be provided office space within the EAC Secretariat as part of the EAC's organizational structure. The position will be fully funded by the USAID/KEA to further consolidate the strategic partnership.

A respected development professional, the EAC-USAID Program Liaison Officer will liaise directly with USAID/KEA technical offices on behalf of the EAC Secretariat. The successful candidate will be fluent in English and have the past professional experience to provide the broad variety of technical and representational duties required.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
To serve as the principal point of contact (POC) within the EAC Secretariat regarding EAC-USAID joint programs as agreed under the AA-CRD and RDOAG, including the responsibilities listed below and others as required:

1. Respond in a timely fashion to queries from the Secretary General of the EAC and/or his/her delegates, and/or USAID/KEA on issues related to the policies, program implementation, financial and other resource management and program performance against mutual development objectives as defined under the strategic partnership and attendant results framework.
2. Advance the strategic EAC-USAID partnership by ensuring incorporated programs respond to strategic objectives and priorities of the U.S. and the EAC.
3. Ensure that USAID sponsored programs in the EAC yield the desired results for both the EAC and USAID.  
4. Provide direct support to relevant EAC Institutions, Directorates, and Departments for the successful planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluating and reporting of joint EAC-USAID programs.  
5. Support EAC technical personnel to deliver quarterly briefing reports or other reporting as requested on EAC-USAID activities and accomplishments, as well as progress and annual reports, inclusive of indicators and valid data, and ensure that all reports to USAID meet USAID requirements as described in the RDOAG and individual implementation letters.  
6. Serve as the chief POC for the scheduling and coordination of meetings as requested between the EAC Secretariat and USAID/KEA as well as support communications, events and related outreach activities to enhance the visibility of program objectives and achievements under the EAC-USAID strategic partnership and to report results on the same.  
7. Ensure the timely delivery of information required to process vouchers and/or other financial management inquiries essential to the implementation of EAC-USAID joint programs.  
8. Ensure that that the minutes of all official and/or technical meetings conducted between USAID/KEA and the EAC Secretariat under the strategic partnership are captured in written form and presented to both parties for timely ratification and accurate record-keeping, particularly at the level of Secretary General or his/her delegate and/or any USAID Mission Director, Deputy Mission Director or their designate.  
9. Undertake relevant tasks that may be assigned by the Principal Resource Mobilization Officer necessary to fulfill objectives under the AA-CRD, as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
-Master’s Degree in any of the following fields: economics, planning, business, or law with not less than 10 years of regional and/or international experience.
-Past work experience as a senior officer in economic development with crosscutting duties and demanding responsibilities.
-Proven experience in achieving results with inter-governmental partners in a development setting.
-Past experience or knowledge of USAID foreign policy programs and initiatives in the EAC region.
-Fluent in English, with incomparable English report writing and communication writing skills.

KEY STRENGTHS:

1. Be one who understands EAC regional integration and the entailing challenges therein. 
2. Be a senior regional or international expert with considerable exposure to general development policies and programs, particularly regional integration, excellent professional, organizational, interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, highly developed negotiation, with tact and diplomacy skills. 
3. Be a self-motivator with the ability to work independently in an efficient and timely manner. 
4. Be one who understands USAID procedures and requirements, especially on financial and progress reporting. 
5. Be practiced with analytical problem solving, while possessing an innate ability to work cooperatively and in a team-oriented manner. 
6. Be one who prioritizes independently, identifies problem areas, determines solutions and takes action and keeps appropriate peers and supervisors apprised, while seeking additional guidance and assistance when needed. 
7. Be able to shepherd projects in various stages of design and implementation; this may include developing budget spreadsheets and statements of work and/or reviewing and analyzing project reports, financial statements and quarterly/annual results reporting to ensure on-time achievement of project deliverables. 
8. Be one who understands the governmental operations in the region. 
9. Be proficient in using computers, Microsoft Office Suite programs and Internet-based programs including presentation skills based on the same. 
10. Respect diversity and be able to develop and maintain strong working relationships across cultures, on teams, and with a broad range of development partners.
    

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE:
The assignment will be on a performance-based contract for initial period of one (1) year, which may be renewed subject to performance, and availability of funds. The above position offers attractive salary.

EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS:
All candidates applying must have qualifications that are recognized by the relevant national accreditation body in their respective Partner State. This condition is applicable for locally and internationally attained qualifications.

All professions that require registration with the specific professional bodies will be expected to do so in compliance with the requirements of their respective Partner States.

RELEVANT WORKING EXPERIENCE:
Internship, training and apprenticeship will not be considered as relevant work experience.

FRINGE BENEFITS:
The post offers attractive fringe benefits including housing allowance, transport allowance, education allowance, a medical scheme, and insurance cover.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY:
The EAC is an equal opportunity employer; therefore, female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply. EAC will only respond to those candidates who strictly meet the set requirements.

HOW TO APPLY:
Interested candidates who meet the qualification and experience requirements for the above mentioned positions are advised to send their applications, detailed curriculum vitae, photocopies of academic certificates, names and contact details of three referees, and copy of National Identity Card, or Birth Certificate or Passport showing date of birth. Please quote the respective reference number on both the application letter and envelope. For electronic submission, please quote the respective reference number on the subject of the email and send to the address given below.

Applications should be submitted to the address below not later than Friday, 23 February 2018.

The Secretary General
East African CommunitY
P. o Box 1096
Arusha - Tanzania.
Tel: +255 27 2162100
Fax: +255 27 2162190
E-mail: vacancies@eachq.org
Website : www.eac.int

Please note:
You may submit your application either electronically or in hard copy but not both.
Applications which do not: indicate nationality and age; the reference number; or have an application letter attached; have certified copies of their academic degrees and other professional Certificates; or fail to provide three referees will be disqualified.
Only qualified candidates will be contacted
EAC Staff Rules and Regulations precludes considerations of applicants above 55 years of age. 

Please note that EAC does not require candidates to pay money for the recruitment process. The only source of information for the above positions is on the link www.eac.int . The EAC declines the responsibility for the information gotten from other websites. All invitations for interviews will be done in writing.