Foreign Service Limited Position Opportunity: Program Officer (Maghreb (Tunisia) Desk Officer) - FSL-0343-03 - FSL-0343-03 (U.S. Citizens only)

Agency: U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Organization: Bureau for the Middle East, Office of North Africa and Arabian Affairs (ME/NAA) Location of Position: Washington, DC Open Period: December 11, 2023 - December 21, 2023 Appointment Type: This is an excepted service, time-limited appointment that is not to exceed five years; may be considered for further extension. Grade levels: FSL-03 Salary: $97,493 - $143,172 (Includes Washington, DC Locality) Number of Vacancies: 1

The Bureau for the Middle East, Office of North Africa and Arabian Affairs (ME/NAA) at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking a qualified and highly motivated Country Desk Officer for the Maghreb portfolio. As part of the Maghreb team, the Desk Officer position is intended to primarily support USAID’s Mission in Tunisia (USAID/Tunisia), and provide support, as needed, to team members for USAID’s Libya, Morocco, and Regional programs. The ME/NAA Maghreb team consists of six staff. The incumbent will have strong interpersonal, problem-solving, communication and teamwork skills, with an demonstrated ability to organize and manage multiple, competing priorities. Individuals with regional experience, cultural understanding, and/or fluency in Arabic or French are encouraged to apply. The position is based in Washington, DC and semiannual travel to the region is expected. The incumbent will be responsible for all standard responsibilities of a USAID Country Desk Officer briefly outlined below.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: All employees are measured on how they foster a climate of respect in interactions with others, value differing perspectives, and treat others in a fair, equitable, and culturally sensitive manner. All employees are expected to adhere to equal employment opportunity (EEO) policies and value diversity and inclusion in performing everyday duties and responsibilities.

Description of Organization: The Middle East is a region in transition, with USAID operations and programming across 12 Operating Units, including five limited and non-presence countries, five full Missions, one regional platform, and the Bureau itself. Program priorities fill the entire spectrum from relief to development with the one constant through the region being change.

Responsibilities: The Desk Officer, in collaboration with the fellow Maghreb Desk Officers, will provide technical and operational support to client Missions and facilitate the flow of information between the Mission and Washington. Given the politically sensitive and high U.S. foreign policy priority of the NAA programs, the incumbent interacts and coordinates regularly with counterparts at the Department of State and the National Security Council. The Maghreb team regularly represents the interests of USAID Missions to Washington stakeholders and advises on foreign policy priorities and USAID policy, program, and operational issues that affect programming.

The incumbent’s primary responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Representing the interests of USAID Maghreb missions in Washington interagency and intra-agency discussions;
• Playing a key role in coordinating issues related to the Maghreb;
• Liaising closely and regularly with State Desk Officers and assistance coordinators on budget, program, and policy issues;
• Briefing USAID leadership, U.S. Government senior officials, and Congress on policy, program, and operational issues that may affect regional programming;
• Representing USAID in engagements with implementing partners and the wider development community on program progress and issues;
• Following current events, trends, and research that relate to the Maghreb;
• Participating in the creation and review of strategic planning documents such as Country Development Cooperation Strategies; and
• Other duties and special projects as assigned by ME/NAA leadership.

Qualifications:

• Must be a U.S. citizen;
• Must hold at least a bachelor’s degree;
• Must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, FSL-04 or GS-12, of this position. Examples of specialized experience include: advancing international development or foreign policy priorities; implementing and managing international assistance programs; field work focused on themes related to democracy and governance, economic growth, education, or health; experience in budget analysis, project administration, and management procedures;
• Preference for experience working in or working directly on international development or foreign policy issues affecting the Maghreb region of North Africa or the Middle East region;
• Preference for Arabic or French fluency and/or cultural experience from this region;
• Preference for experience working with USAID and working overseas; and
• Must be able to obtain a Secret security clearance.

Interested candidates should submit a:

• Cover letter (one page or less) expressing interest. Within your cover letter, please indicate:
• Security clearance level, if applicable;
• U.S. citizenship (if citizenship is not stated, application will not be considered).
• Resume/CV; and
• Three professional references.

Please submit your application to the Middle East Bureau’s Administrative Management Services (AMS) Team at [email protected] with the subject line “Maghreb FSL” and your name. Application submissions are required by 11:59 p.m. EST on December 21, 2022.

EEO Policy Statement

Reasonable Accommodation Policy

Any questions concerning this notice may be directed to:

• Sylvia Ayub, ME/NAA, (202) 216-3255, [email protected], or
• Allison Noble, ME/NAA, (202) 712-4695, anoble@usaid.gov