USAID is hiring Cuba program managers
Along the Malecon | Tuesday, 15 September 2015 | Click here for original article
The U.S. Agency for International Development announced on 9 September that it is seeking managers to run its Cuba programs.
Salaries will range from $90,823 to $139,523 per year. The job announcements - here and here - do not say how many people will be hired, but describe a need for "multiple" managers.
Experience in the areas of democracy promotion, human rights, civil society development, community development, and youth programs, is preferred.
Expert knowledge and experience in the development of civil society, social capital, and the promotion of community development, as well as human rights, especially in closed societies, is highly desired. Monitoring and evaluation expertise and experience in environments that are difficult to assess is also desired.
Successful candidates must obtain a "secret" security clearance within nine months of accepting the position. Information deemed "secret" is defined as that which would "cause serious damage to national security" if disclosed.
The Office of Cuban Affairs is composed of three U.S. Direct Hire staff and three U.S. Personal Services Contractors. The Program Manager reports to the Office Director, who exercises general oversight of the work of the position by establishing overall objectives for the assignment and by communicating relevant policies, and priorities established at higher levels. The Office Director, in turn, reports to the Deputy Assistant Administrator of LAC. The incumbent will be coordinating with a wide variety of individuals in USAID, the U.S. Congress, the Departments of State and Department of the Treasury, and other organizations. Exceptional interpersonal skills and written and verbal communication is required. The Program Manager operates with a high level of independence in planning, organizing, and carrying out assigned responsibilities.
The program managers will be based in Washington, according to the announcements.
Cuba is a "non-presence" country, which means that USAID does not have an in-country office and programs are managed from Washington.
The Program Manager will manage all aspects of procurement planning activities, program design, program management, implementation, budgeting, monitoring and reporting of a portfolio of activities for USAID's program in Cuba.
The incumbent shall be responsible for preparing and finalizing the full range of USG project design documents, including the Project Appraisal Documents (PAD), implementation plans, and monitoring and evaluation plans. S/he will be a lead member of the Cuban Affairs Office team working within a unique closed-society context. The high-visibility and political priority associated with the Cuba Affairs Office place special responsibilities on all office personnel.
Those hired will be given two-year contracts with the option of up to three one-year extensions. However, the job ads state:
USAID reserves the right to end the employment contract before the end of the initial two-year contract.
Applications are due at 9 a.m. Oct. 8. Oddly, the jobs' estimated start date is listed as "September 2015."
USAID must be in a hurry.
