#3526 Program Design and Procurement Specialist

III. Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution in international relations, public administration, business, economics, project management, or a related field.*
• U.S. Citizenship
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of State issued Medical Clearance
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and oral
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team and resolve conflicting views to promote cooperation and support for national security objectives
• Demonstrated expertise in project design and procurement, including developing project proposals, scopes of work, implementation plans, and procurement documentation
• Knowledge of U.S. government project design, procurement, and foreign assistance regulations
• Experience with research and analytical methods to validate, evaluate, and interpret project and procurement information from diverse sources
• Five years of relevant specialized experience in project design, procurement, international development, or related fields**

*BASIC REQUIREMENTS:
Have a bachelor’s or graduate degree from an accredited college or university in international law, international relations, public administration, business, economics, project management, or a related field; OR
Have completed at least 4 years of appropriate experience in one or more of the fields listed above in work associated with international organizations, problems, or other aspects of foreign affairs.
Note: If you are qualifying based on education, you MUST submit transcripts WITHIN ONE DOCUMENT WITH YOUR RESUME as verification of educational requirement by the closing date of this announcement.

IN ADDITION to the basic requirements, this position requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the FS-02 level in the Federal service, which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position:

• Experience advising on project design, procurement, or program management for foreign assistance or international development programs.
• Experience developing and managing internal project proposals, scopes of work, implementation plans, and procurement documentation.
• Experience applying program and project management principles and techniques.
• Experience serving as a project manager and primary point of contact for a project or program and possibly GOR/COR as needed.

Program Design and Procurement Specialist

U.S. Personal Service Contractor (FS-02 equivalent)
(Duration of contract: 2 years with possibility of up to 5 years total)
U.S. Department of State
Office of the Under Secretary for Political Affairs (P)
Bureau for European and Eurasian Affairs (EUR)
U.S. Embassy in Kyiv

I. Introduction
This position is located in the Assistance Coordination Section of the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv. The Program Design and Procurement Specialist oversees the development of innovative and impactful project designs and procurements that align with U.S. foreign assistance priorities and address critical needs in Ukraine. The incumbent ensures that new State Department project designs and procurements are consistent with the America First Agenda and are realistic, achievable, measurable, and accountable.

The Specialist provides technical leadership in drafting internal project proposals, scopes of work, and implementation plans, as well as procurement documentation, to ensure a timely and effective design process that aligns with broader program strategies and priorities. The position requires close collaboration with Embassy sections, interagency partners, and implementing organizations to ensure that foreign assistance projects are strategically designed, properly resourced, and effectively implemented.

We seek candidates who demonstrate creativity, strategic thinking, and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, high-profile environment. The incumbent must be able to produce high-quality project documentation, provide expert guidance on program design and procurement, and ensure that all activities support U.S. foreign policy objectives in Ukraine.

 
II. Major Duties and Responsibilities

1) Project Design and Development (35%)

• Lead the development of innovative and impactful project designs that address critical needs and advance U.S. foreign assistance priorities in Ukraine.
• Apply and adapt qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques to address complex program challenges where information may be incomplete or conflicting.
•  Analyze and reconcile data from multiple sources with varying formats and requirements to inform evidence-based project design decisions.
• Ensure project designs are realistic, achievable, measurable, and accountable, and align with the America First Agenda.
• Collaborate with Embassy sections, interagency partners, and implementing organizations to ensure strategic alignment and effective project development.

2) Technical Leadership and Documentation (25%)

• Provide technical leadership in drafting internal project proposals, scopes of work, and implementation plans.
• Develop procurement documentation, including solicitations, evaluation criteria, and contract requirements, to support timely and effective project award and implementation.
• Ensure all documentation meets U.S. government standards and supports program objectives.
• Provide expert advisory services to Embassy leadership, interagency partners, and implementing organizations on complex program design and procurement issues.
• Navigate organizational conflicts and competing priorities to build consensus and secure acceptance of recommendations.

3) Procurement Process Management (20%)

• Support the procurement process for new projects, ensuring compliance with U.S. government acquisition regulations and timely execution.
• Interpret and apply complex regulations and policies to novel situations.
• Coordinate with Embassy and Washington-based procurement offices to facilitate efficient procurement activities.
• Monitor procurement timelines and resolve issues to ensure successful project launch and implementation.

4) Strategic Alignment and Accountability (15%)

• Exercise independent judgment in determining project scope, methodologies, and courses of action within the framework of U.S. government policy.
• Interpret and apply complex U.S. government regulations, policies, and guidance to ensure all project designs and procurements are aligned with broader program strategies and priorities.
• Develop project outcomes within project designs to ensure accountability for results.
• Develop and apply metrics and evaluation frameworks to assess program effectiveness and efficiency, analyzing results against established objectives and recommending adjustments to improve outcomes.
• Provide regular updates and recommendations to Embassy leadership on project design and procurement activities.
• Contribute to the development of Department-wide guidance, best practices, and evaluation criteria for foreign assistance project design and procurement.
• Develop recommendations for policy refinements or new guidance based on operational experience and program evaluation findings.
• Serve as a recognized expert whose findings and recommendations are considered authoritative in shaping program direction and resource allocation decisions.

5) Administrative and Other Duties (5%)

• Assist with administrative tasks, visitor scheduling, and note-taking as required.
• Schedule and conduct monitoring visits for team activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission and team initiatives.

III. Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution in international relations, public administration, business, economics, project management, or a related field.*
• U.S. Citizenship
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of State issued Medical Clearance
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and oral
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team and resolve conflicting views to promote cooperation and support for national security objectives
• Demonstrated expertise in project design and procurement, including developing project proposals, scopes of work, implementation plans, and procurement documentation
• Knowledge of U.S. government project design, procurement, and foreign assistance regulations
• Experience with research and analytical methods to validate, evaluate, and interpret project and procurement information from diverse sources
• Five years of relevant specialized experience in project design, procurement, international development, or related fields**

*BASIC REQUIREMENTS:
Have a bachelor’s or graduate degree from an accredited college or university in international law, international relations, public administration, business, economics, project management, or a related field; OR
Have completed at least 4 years of appropriate experience in one or more of the fields listed above in work associated with international organizations, problems, or other aspects of foreign affairs.
Note: If you are qualifying based on education, you MUST submit transcripts WITHIN ONE DOCUMENT WITH YOUR RESUME as verification of educational requirement by the closing date of this announcement.

IN ADDITION to the basic requirements, this position requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the FS-02 level in the Federal service, which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position:

• Experience advising on project design, procurement, or program management for foreign assistance or international development programs.
• Experience developing and managing internal project proposals, scopes of work, implementation plans, and procurement documentation.
• Experience applying program and project management principles and techniques.
• Experience serving as a project manager and primary point of contact for a project or program and possibly GOR/COR as needed.