Program Officer/Associate Director MC 0301-4
Millennium Challenge Corporation
- Phone: 253-573-1877 x 209
- Posting Date: 5/20/2008
The following job is on the Millennium Challenge Corporation website. If you are interested in applying please login to the Millennium Challenge Corporation jobs site at: http://www.avuedigitalservices.com/mcc/applicant.html
Once you have logged in, please enter the code WGIUX into the "Reference Code" field in the top right on the screen.
SALARY RANGE: $57,000.00-$136,000.00
CLOSE DATE: None
ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: MCC-08-0056
OPENING DATE: 5-7-2008
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 03
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: US citizens
WORK SCHEDULE: Full Time
TIME LIMIT: Permanent - No time limit
CONTACT NAME: Help Desk
CONTACT PHONE NUMBER: 253-573-1877-209
CONTACT EMAIL: www.avuedigitalservices.com/mcc/applicant.html
The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is a U.S. Government corporation whose mission is to provide assistance that will support economic growth and poverty reduction in carefully selected developing countries that demonstrate a commitment to just and democratic governance, economic freedom, and investments in their citizenry. To receive assistance, eligible countries are required to enter into a public agreement (Compact) with the MCC that includes a multi-year plan for achieving shared development objectives and the responsibilities of each country in achieving those objectives, regular benchmarks to measure progress, multi-year financial plan, and a plan to ensure accountability for the use of MCA assistance. The Department of Compact Implementation manages MCC's relationship with eligible countries and maintains continuous contact with countries for compact implementation. The Department also acts as the coordinator for MCC's implementation oversight activities relating to country compact projects and works closely as a team with MCC staff from other departments as relevant. The Department works closely with the country during the program's implementation. MCC is rated as one of the top ten places to work in the Federal government by Office of Personnel Management survey.
NOTES:
This position is located in the Infrastructure, Environment and Social Assessment (ESA) Team within the Department of Compact Implementation. The incumbent will serve as either the Program Officer or Associate Director (depending on qualifications) for ESA and reports to a Group Manager for ESA. The incumbent will be responsible for supporting ESA Directors in overseeing implementation of Compacts, including infrastructure-related projects in specific eligible countries. The incumbent is expected to place strong emphasis on technical analysis and project management.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
Applicants are encouraged to apply soon since a Best Qualified List can be drawn at any time without prior notice.
This position may be filled as a Program Officer, Senior Program Officer or Associate Director based upon applicant's qualifications.
More than one position may be filled from this vacancy announcement.
This is a career ladder position. The incumbent may be promoted to the higher pay band without further competition. MCC is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at the higher pay band and the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher pay band.
Employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background investigation, granting of a federal security clearance, and ability to pass a drug test.
Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.
Must be available for extensive overseas travel (up to 30%), sometimes on short notice and to remote areas.
A one year probationary period is required unless met during prior Federal service. During this time period, employee's conduct and performance will be monitored in order to determine if employee will be retained.
Relocation expenses will not be authorized.
Recruitment incentives may be authorized.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.
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:(The duties described reflect the full performance level of this position)
The Program Officer/Associate Director performs a variety of assignments. He or she is responsible for supporting Directors in their oversight of implementation activities and providing pro-active guidance to country counterparts regarding the environmental and social Impacts of Compact-funded projects and activities in specific countries. The Program Officer is expected to place strong emphasis on technical analysis, process management and research. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
-Conducting environmental and social/gender reviews of Compact projects; collecting and analyzing data and information.
-Coordinating with contractors or consultants; identifying opportunities for project improvement; performing technical assessments such as evaluating specific environmental and social/gender impact assessments and environmental management plans.
Working on implementation teams, providing guidance, advice and leadership to team members related to the implementation of environmental and social activities and the remediation of critical issues within the Compact.
Developing, reviewing and commenting on Terms of Reference, work plans, consultant reports, feasibility studies and detailed designs, contract documents, construction specifications for environmental, health and safety and social matters and other documentation related to Compact implementation.
Evaluating issues such as participation, gender integration, indigenous populations, cultural heritage, resettlement, health and safety, and social inclusion and recommending specific actions for remediation and/or mitigation, as necessary.
Assisting in the development of environmental and gender indicators and monitoring tools.
Where necessary, assisting ESA team and project implementing entities in the development of an implementation plan, including a workplan and budget, for environmental and social/gender assessment.
Providing technical and analytical support during the implementation of projects.
Preparing relevant documentation and reports, and maintaining any relevant databases.
Undertaking research and constructing models to assist in enhancing the ESA knowledge base and diagnostic tools for the Department of Compact Implementation.
Assisting in the development of materials related to participatory methods for social inclusion in consultative and assessment processes, and development of environmental, social and gender assessment training.
Strengthening external partnerships to enhance attention to environmental and social/gender issues.
Keeping abreast of current thinking, techniques, and information resources related to environmental and social/gender assessment, particularly in the context of international development.
Performing other duties as assigned by the Senior Director.
Highly Desired:
An advanced degree in environmental engineering, environmental sciences or the natural sciences, natural resource management, social science, economics, or a related field.
- Experience working or living in a developing country.
- 5 or more years of experience in the field of environmental management and/or social assessment or a related field.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in French, Portuguese or Spanish.
SCREEN OUT ELEMENT(S):
Knowledge and experience with methodologies for environment and social impact assessment and environmental management and monitoring.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES :(The KSAs below may not apply at all pay bands)
Ability to communicate environmental and social assessment concepts effectively to MCC staff, stakeholders, and country counterparts, both orally and in writing.
Ability to draft terms of reference for environment and social assessment with affiliated cost estimates, participate in procurement evaluation panels, and/or conduct technical management of contracts.
Experience living and/or working in developing countries.
Ability to work collaboratively and effectively within multidisciplinary teams and with domestic and international experts who represent the interests of governmental and non-governmental sectors.
MINIMUM FEDERAL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Pay Band 04: Qualifying experience for Pay Band 04 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to the GS-9 or an equivalent level, which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Examples are researching or analyzing established administrative issues; or interpreting regulations and organizational policy regarding administrative or program issues to provide advice and guidance on well-precedented issues.
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: The experience requirement for Pay Band 04 may be met by three (3) full academic years of graduate level education or the successful completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed education and experience may be used to meet the experience requirements.
Pay Band 03: Qualifying experience for Pay Band 03 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to the GS-13 or an equivalent level, which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Examples are providing expert analysis and advice on complex program issues; managing special projects for major office or program issues of broad impact; or managing special cross cutting initiatives or task force groups to accomplish programmatic goals.
BASIS OF RATING
Candidates who meet the basic qualification requirements for this vacancy will be rated according to Category Rating Procedures. This means that candidates will be assigned to a pre-defined quality category based on their application and veteran preference. Generally, only candidates in the top quality category will be referred to the hiring manager.
Individuals with veteran's preference will be placed ahead of other applicants within each rating category. Preference-eligible veterans who have at least a 10 percent compensable service-connected disability, and who have met the basic qualification requirements, will be placed ahead of other applicants in the highest category for all but professional and scientific positions at the GS-09 or equivalent and above. For this type of position veterans will be placed ahead of other applicants in the category to which they are assigned based upon rating of their application.
There may be two or three quality categories: If three, they will be Highly Qualified, Well Qualified and Qualified. If two, they will be Highly Qualified and Qualified.
OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTS:
The MCC does not recognize academic degrees from schools that are not accredited. A check as to whether any academic degree you have achieved was obtained from an accredited college or university will be conducted as part of the on-line application process. Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service.
Applicants submitting proof documents can electronically attach them, or scan and attach them, to the employment application. If this is not possible, copies of documents can be faxed to 253-573-9869, or mailed to the following address: MCC, c/o Avue Technologies Corporation, ATTN: Direct Services, 1145 Broadway Plaza, Suite 800, Tacoma, WA 98402. All faxed or mailed proof documents must be identified with applicant's name and vacancy announcement number.
Applications and supporting documents must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
Applicants must meet all of the general qualification requirements listed in order to receive consideration for this position. Also, demonstration of work supporting the general qualifications and KSAs MUST be documented and reflected in your work history within the body of your profile. Reference to an attached resume does not fulfill this requirement. Failure to provide this information will result in the application not being given consideration for the position.
All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, political affiliation, age, sex, sexual orientation, handicapping condition, membership in an employee organization, or any other non-merit factors.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the corporation. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.
BENEFITS: MCC offers a wide array of benefits to its employees. Your type of appointment determines the benefits for which you are eligible.
MCC participates in the WMATA SmartBenefits Program. Employees are provided with a tax-free or pre-tax transit benefit up to $110 per month and a Metro parking lot benefit of $90 per month to cover the cost of parking at metro station lots.
Health Insurance - As a MCC employee, you may participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, which offers over 100 optional plans. MCC pays a portion of your premiums. Your portion is paid with pre-tax dollars.
Life Insurance - The Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program (FEGLI) offers numerous life insurance options covering employees and dependents.
Flexible Spending Accounts - the Federal Flexible spending Accounts program (FSAFeds) allows you to pay for certain health and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Retirement Program - New employees are automatically covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). FERS is a three-tiered retirement plan. The three tiers are: Social Security Benefits, Basic Benefits Plan, and Thrift Savings Plan. If you are transferring from another agency and covered by Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), you may continue in this program.
The Federal leave program offers exceptional time off benefits, including annual leave, sick leave, a leave share program and ten (10) paid holidays per year.
Other benefits include convenient location to metro, eligibility to join State Department Federal Credit Union, and free use of an on-site gym and locker room with shower facility.
As a condition of employment, all male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must have registered for the selective service. If selected for this position, the applicant must sign a statement certifying his registration, or the applicant must demonstrate exempt status under the Selective Service Law.
DIRECT DEPOSIT: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
The Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) gives veterans access to job vacancies that might otherwise be closed to them. The law allows eligible veterans to compete for vacancies advertised under an agency's promotion procedures when the agency is seeking applications from outside of its own workforce.
Generally, preference is granted to veterans who entered military service prior to October 14, 1976; or served on active duty during the period from August 2, 1990, through January 2, 1992, and who are otherwise eligible; or who have served in a military action for which they received a Campaign Badge or Expeditionary Medal. This includes the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) awarded to those who participated in Operation Joint Endeavor or Operation Joint Guard. Also, you may be entitled to veterans' preference if you are a disabled veteran; you have received a Purple Heart; you are the spouse or mother of a disabled veteran; or you are the widow, widower, or mother of a deceased veteran. You will need to submit a Standard Form (SF) 15 and proof of your claim.
If you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, or you are applying for consideration under the Veteran Employment Opportunity Act or Veteran Readjustment Authority, attach a copy of your DD-214 "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty" or other proof of eligibility. If you are applying for consideration under the 30% or more Disabled Veteran Authority, you must attach a SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form.
If you are an eligible Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) applicant you may apply for special selection over other applicants for this position. Individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position. To be well qualified, applicants must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position. CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must submit one of the following as proof of eligibility for the special selection priority: a separation notice; a "Notice of Personnel Action" (SF-50) documenting separation; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; OR a Military Department or National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456.
