For full information about this position, as well as instructions on how to apply, please visit www.ofdajobs.net
INTRODUCTION
Junior Disaster Operations Specialists (JDOSs) play a central role in the USG’s disaster response, humanitarian assistance, and disaster risk management programs. They assist in managing all aspects of grants for humanitarian donor organizations, and in preparing information products, and briefing materials. They support portfolios consisting of one or several countries, and are members of regionally focused humanitarian response teams consisting of other JDOSs, Disaster Operations Specialists, a Team Leader, Information Officers, and Technical Specialists.
JDOSs are part of the Disaster Response Team within ALE Division. This team consists of four regional groups, each covering the following areas: Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia (EMCA), South Asia (SA), East Asia and the Pacific (EAP), and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Each regional group is managed by a Team Leader.
OBJECTIVE
Due to an increase in the number as well as the complexity of disasters and an increase in disaster risk reduction (DRR) activities over the last few years, the ALE Division requires the services of multiple JDOSs at the GS-9 equivalent level to enhance its capability to manage its portfolios and effectively respond to international crises and disasters.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The JDOSs must serve a minimum of one year in the GS-09 Junior Disaster Operations Specialist position, receive a performance rating that exceeds fully successful, and meet the minimum education and experience requirements for a GS-11 in order to be considered for promotion to the GS-11 position.*
The JDOSs primary focus will be managing the grants and awards process for various geographic teams but will also provide policy support and informational products. The JDOSs will have primary responsibilities for some tasks and secondary responsibilities for others.
At the GS-9 level:
Working under the guidance and supervision of the Team Leader for the assigned region of responsibility, the Junior Disaster Operations Specialist will perform the following:
Contextual Specialty:
· Establish an understanding of incipient disasters, international disaster response plans and efforts, and major humanitarian issues and challenges in the area of responsibility.
· As requested maintain contact with OFDA field representatives and the OFDA Regional Office to maintain current triangulated understanding of existing and impending humanitarian crises in the area of responsibility;
Portfolio Management:
· Facilitate the processing of proposals and award modifications. Ensure that all requests meet the Agency standards and appropriate regulations, upload proposals to SharePoint and Abacus, compile first draft of issues letters, track due dates throughout the process and compile award package.
· Manage awards as assigned. Ensure partners have turned in all reporting in accordance with the award requirements, generate no cost extensions and travel approval letters, process modifications, evaluate accruals, complete program closeouts.
· Draft ad hoc administrative requests, including finance inquiries regarding the portfolio.
· Write program summaries in word format for uploading into Abacus including protection program summaries for countries.
· Track disaster declarations and outstanding paperwork needed from Missions.
· Support regional team efforts to develop appropriate programmatic strategies for disaster responses and disaster risk reduction efforts in the area of responsibility.
· Assist with ad hoc requests for information, including: inquiries regarding OFDA’s programs from a variety of audiences and inquiries from the diaspora.
· Ensure filing systems are maintained and updated, coordinate with other geographic teams to ensure a reasonable level of consistency among all teams.
· Provide monitoring support during award management and track partner progress on indicators.
· Provide OFDA Outreach and Information Offices with information on OFDA’s programs, including success stories from reports (OFDA Outreach) and salient points that should be reported on in internal products (Information Officers).
· The USPSC is responsible for carrying out assignments, and consults with the supervisor for policy interpretations.
Representation:
· Attend bureau-wide coordination meetings as assigned by the Team Leader; and
· Participate in other interagency and partner-wide meetings as assigned by the Team Leader.
General Duties:
· Attend team, office, and other meetings as assigned by the Team Leader and, when necessary, prepare summaries of these meetings.
· Track the flow of programmatic and other documents through the clearance process.
· Deploy on short notice to serve on DARTs or serve on the Washington-based RMTs, as a program officer supporting an experienced program staff.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
(Determines basic eligibility for the position. Applicants who do not meet all of the education and experience factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.)
For the GS-9 equivalent level:
Bachelor’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field (including but not limited to international relations, public administration, political science, international development and/or disaster management) and least two (2) years of cumulative experience working in government, a large organization, or a business setting, with responsibilities related to planning, budgeting, writing business letters and memos, and renewing project or funding proposals. Work history must include at least one (1) year of cumulative experience working with an international development, international training or humanitarian assistance organization. Must be proficient in Microsoft Word, and in preparing and manipulating Excel spreadsheets.
QUALITY RANKING FACTORS (QRFs)
(Used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified applicants in comparison to other applicants. The factors are listed in priority order from highest to least.)
QRF #1 In 350 words or less, compose an original briefing memorandum for senior level
officials that describes the current humanitarian situation in Syria or Iraq and your recommended response options. Please include a word count at the end of the memo; and
QRF #2 In 400 words or less, please cite specific, illustrative examples of your
demonstrated experience administering, implementing, and reviewing grant proposals, and independently managing multiple, competing tasks in high-pressure environments. Please include a word count at the end of the response.
How to apply:
Applications must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in the cover letter.
Qualified individuals are required to submit:
1. Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your application, your resume must include:
(a) Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.
(b) Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work.
(c) Names and contact information (phone/email) of your current and/or previous supervisor(s). Current and/or previous supervisors may be contacted for a reference.
(d) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments.
(e) U.S. Citizenship
(f) Optional: Where you heard about this job (FedBizOps, OFDA Jobs, Career Fair, etc.).
Your resume should contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation for each grade level for which you are applying. This information should be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide information sufficient to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration.
2. Supplemental document specifically addressing the QRFs shown in the solicitation.
3. USPSC Application form AID 302-3. Applicants are required to complete sections A through I. This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.
Additional documents submitted will not be accepted.
By submitting your application materials, you certify that all of the information on and attached to the application is true, correct, complete, and made in good faith. You agree to allow all information on and attached to the application to be investigated. False or fraudulent information on or attached to your application may result in you being eliminated from consideration for this position, or being terminated after award, and may be punishable by fine or imprisonment.
To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application, and as the subject line in any email.
DOCUMENT SUBMITTALS
Via email: recruiter@ofda.gov
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