REFS Office of Acquisition and Assistance

Contract Specialist

Background and Introduction:

Jefferson Solutions was awarded a five-year contract to provide technical, administrative, and programmatic support to the Bureau for Resilience, Environment, and Food Security (REFS). REFS coordinates across USAID Missions, Bureaus, and independent offices to advance inclusive agriculture-led growth, resilience, nutrition, environmental sustainability, infrastructure and energy, and water security, sanitation and hygiene initiatives in priority countries around the world to help accelerate and protect development progress. The Bureau's overarching goal is to strengthen USG's global leadership for achieving inclusive agriculture-led growth, resilience, nutrition, environment, and water security, sanitation, and hygiene.

The Contract Specialist will provide support to the Office of Acquisition and Assistance team within REFS, providing all required support to perform the full range of procurement activities for acquisition and agreement awards. This position remote eligible with option to utilize office space as required.

Position Summary:

The Contract Specialist will provide day-to-day support in the full life-cycle of USAID/REFS procurements. Daily activities will include aspects of research and analysis, coordination, budget assessment, planning and program management.

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Support

• Perform a full range of complex procurement activities
• Provide procurement advice to the technical Offices on all acquisition matters, ensuring actions are executed in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, accounting standards, pricing practices, and current business methods
• Negotiate procurement of products and services under a variety of potential assistance and contract mechanisms
• Manage procurement planning activities such as preparing and maintaining current acquisition plans, appropriate milestone charts, and related schedules
• Participate in strategy and planning phases, evaluation of offers, negotiations, contract award, and contract administration
• Conduct market research to determine procurement strategies

Assistance, Coordination, and Management

• Serves as key liaison with other Offices and Centers to gather information and collaborate with others in the Bureau, Agency, and interagency as needed
• Develop and maintain trackers for use throughout the Office/Center
• Provide program management support according to the needs of the Office/Center
• Provide logistical support to organize meetings, schedule conference rooms as necessary and ensure proper equipment and materials are available for meetings at least one day prior
• Capture and distribute meeting minutes, summaries of conclusions, and action items

Knowledge Management

• Generate and maintain documents and spreadsheets using the Google Suite of tools
• Save documents and maintain file structures using USAID portals
• Develop and maintain internal trackers including for logistics and milestone tracking
• Track and follow clearances for Bureau documentation and ensure that formal documentation is of high quality
• Maintain awareness of and follow Agency and Federal guidelines for file retention
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Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree and a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience
• In lieu of a bachelor's degree, a candidate may substitute years of experience: an Associate's degree plus a minimum of 10 years' relevant experience or a Diploma and 12 years' relevant experience
• Ability to obtain a USAID facility access clearance
• Demonstrated experience supporting offices of acquisition and procurement in support of federal agencies with expertise in the FAR
• Excellent oral, interpersonal, and written communications skills to effectively interact with government clients, high-ranking officials, and other stakeholders
• Strong prioritization and organization skills with keen attention to deadlines
• Excellent anticipatory skills, customer service and a proactive approach to work
• Positive and professional attitude and demeanor
• Detail-oriented and interested in producing quality work products
• Proficiency in Google Suite of products
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite of products including excel, word, and PowerPoint
• Experience with USAID, USG or other related organizations is a plus