Acquisition and Assistance Policy Advisor

Overview:

Team Credence is a multi-company partnership proudly led by Credence Management Solutions, an industry leading government contractor with a longstanding commitment to USAID and its global health and humanitarian missions. In concert with our small business partners—ZemiTek (8(a), EDWOSB), Claro KC (SB), EnCompass (WO), and Global Emergency Group (SB)—Team Credence operates as one team, bringing together exceptional USAID institutional support experience, technical leadership, and an unmatched commitment to BHA and its mission.

USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA) is the lead federal coordinator for international disaster assistance. USAID/BHA provides and coordinates U.S. Government (USG) international humanitarian assistance to save lives, alleviate human suffering, and reduce the physical, social, and economic impact of rapid and slow-onset disasters by supporting at-risk populations to build stable foundations to withstand humanitarian shocks and stresses. Team Credence, through the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance Support Contract (BHASC), provides operational and administrative support to provide and coordinate humanitarian assistance and maintain 24/7 response capability.

The Acquisition and Assistance (A&A) Division in USAID/BHA’s Office of Humanitarian Business and Management Operations (HBMO) is looking for a mid-level Advisor to support the Policy, Guidance, and Training (PGT) team. 

The mid-level A&A Policy Advisor reports to the PGT Team Lead or designee, with formal supervisory and evaluation functions performed by a Credence contract supervisor. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The mid-level A&A Policy Advisor will perform the following responsibilities in direct support of the PGT team:

Guidance and Research Support

• Provide guidance to BHA staff on Federal and USAID award making and management issues based on regulations and policies such as the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Agency for International Development Acquisition Regulations (AIDAR), USAID Automated Directive Series (ADS), and Bureau-level policies.
• Upon direction from the BHA technical lead, research, review, analyze, and/or interpret acquisition and/or assistance statutes, regulations, policies, or procedures to ensure consistent adherence to USG and USAID requirements. 
• Support in translating assistance and/or acquisition policy, guidance, and processes into business processes and data management recommendations, interventions, and Bureau implementation strategies.
• Support analysis to identify gaps and make improvements in office-level award management systems and processes, in collaboration with other BHA teams.

Training Development Support

• In coordination with other stakeholders, support the creation and revision of formal and informal in-person and/or virtual training for BHA staff and/or training for potential applicants.

Strategic Support and Policy Dissemination to BHA

• Provide support in the identification, creation and execution of short- and/or long-term solutions to address assistance and/or acquisition challenges.
• Contribute to internal strategies and work plans and participate in BHA and USAID working groups as needed to ensure that BHA assistance and/or acquisition needs are reflected in deliverables.
• Support division activities to advise, guide, and train staff on team processes, templates, and standard operating procedures.
• Support quality assurance on final work products. Ensure accurate and error free work products of the team.

Tool Support and Resource Development

• Support the development of BHA-specific assistance and/or acquisition tools, policies, guidelines, and resources to manage procurements in collaboration with other key BHA stakeholders, including but not limited to the two A&A Division teams (Quality Assurance and PGT), as well as teams across USAID.   
• Support the documentation of best practices and lessons learned to strengthen internal office pre- and post-award processes/systems.
• Provide support in the creation, publishing, disseminating, and archiving of assistance and/or acquisition award management documents and information products such as but not limited to policies, procedures, briefings and presentations, guidelines, policy papers, thematic briefs, talking points, job aides, user manuals, newsletters, and other forms of documentation. 
• Communicate BHA policy guidance, templates, memos, and resources to BHA staff in a manner easily understood to ensure compliance

Team and Capacity Building

• With the PGT Team Lead, identify ways to actively build and sustain an equitable and inclusive work environment where cultural diversity is celebrated and valued.
• Support the Team Lead in creating an environment oriented to trust, open communication, creative thinking, strong team cohesion and workplace collaboration, and promoting and cultivating high team morale.
• Support capacity-building of BHA staff to understand applicable USG and USAID regulations and policies for more effective award making and management.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Minimum Education and Experience
  • MA/MS and 0 years of relevant experience, OR
  • BA/BS and 2 years of relevant experience, OR
  • Or high school diploma and 6 relevant years of experience
  • Experience must culminate in a set of responsibilities similar to those of this position.
• Preferred Education and Experience
  • MA/MS and at least 3 years of experience working in emergency relief or humanitarian assistance and knowledge of award making and management processes. OR
  • BA/BS and at least 5 years of experience working in emergency relief or humanitarian assistance and knowledge of award making and management processes.
• Required to have US citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance.

Additional Qualifications and Requirements

• Familiarity with the Federal Acquisition Regulation, USAID Automated Directives System, Code of Federal Regulations, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars, or other directives governing Assistance Awards.
• Understanding of current best practices and tools related to federal acquisition and assistance procedures.
• Experience working with U.S. Government Agencies.
• Knowledge of award making or management processes, including use of information management systems.
• Ability to support the creation and translation of policy and guidance into business processes as well as support the capture of information in data management systems and training materials.
• Ability to support the identification of gaps and help make improvements in office-level award management systems and processes.
• Ability to support the presentation of information both through formal training and informally to different stakeholders.
• Ability to interpret, communicate and summarize acquisition and assistance findings and recommendations to non-technical professionals.
• Ability to participate in consultative processes involving a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to prepare products independently with appropriate content and minimal errors in a timely manner.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and consistently meet deadlines.
• Ability to contribute to a collaborative team environment, respectful of diversity and that promotes inclusion.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in writing reports and analyzing data.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Ability to travel internationally and/or domestically approximately 5% or less of the time, as needed.
• Preferred but not required:
  • Understanding of USAID/BHA, the USG Interagency context and international humanitarian community.
  • Understanding of information management, data and systems tools and platforms.

Team Credence Values and Core Performance Competencies

• Accountability: Takes ownership of work responsibilities and holds high standards. Keeps commitments and takes appropriate actions to meet obligations. Pursues efficiency and effectiveness and adheres to organization policies and procedures.
• Collegiality: Recognizes that everyone at BHA and USAID unites in a common purpose and respects each other's abilities to work toward that purpose. Treat others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations. Adheres to organization philosophies on culture, diversity, and inclusiveness.
• Capability: Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses; pursues professional development aligned with organizational role, contribution, and goals. Proactively shares knowledge with others to foster learning across the organization.

Full pay range for this position is $115,000.00 to $130,000.00 per year, with the starting wage determined based on candidate’s knowledge, skills, experience, as well as budget availability.