THE FOLLOWING IS A POSTING FOR A PAST POSITION AND IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY

BACKGROUND
Latin America is extremely vulnerable to both natural and technological disasters which have worsened in recent years due to population pressures, urbanization, and extreme climatic events.   Hurricane Mitch's passage through Central America in October 1998 resulted in billions of dollars in damages and dramatically illustrated the need to intensify and institutionalize mitigation efforts in order to reduce the region's vulnerability to natural disasters.

On March 11, 1999, President Clinton announced a regional disaster mitigation program to be implemented by USAID/OFDA in collaboration with other USG agencies.  The Presidential Initiative is designed to reduce vulnerability to natural disasters by linking to efforts to promote sustainable growth and development in Central America. The three-year, $11 million Presidential Initiative for disaster mitigation in seven Central American countries will complement USAID/ODFA's ongoing preparedness and response training programs in Latin America.  This funding is not part of the USG supplemental funding package for Central America provided after Mitch.  However, it is critical that USAID/OFDA closely coordinate its assistance with other donors, Central American governments, regional organizations, and the supplemental-funded USG agencies, including U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, U.S. Geological Survey, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Peace Corps, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Transportation, Centers for Disease Control, and U.S. Southern Command.

To support economic and social recovery and improve the region's resilience to natural disasters, the U.S. Government (USG) is emphasizing disaster preparedness and mitigation as integral elements of its two-year hurricane reconstruction program.  Approximately $50 million is being provided through supplemental funds to USG agencies for natural disaster preparedness and mitigation programs, and each program for Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Guatemala will be coordinated by the USG team led by the USAID Mission Director.

STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Mitigation Program Specialist (MPS) for LAC will be based in Washington, D.C. as part of the AsiaLAC Regional Team and will report to the Regional Coordinator for LAC in Washington.  The MPS will be responsible for program development and monitoring of the CAMI, interagency liaison and coordination in Washington as they relate to the CAMI, and coordination with the OFDA/LAC San Jose office and the OFDA/Washington LAC Regional Team and the TAG.
The specific duties and responsibilities of the MPS will include:

a)  Guiding the strategic development and assisting in program administration, implementation, and management of OFDA's $11 million, three-year Central America Mitigation Initiative, working closely with the regional teams in Washington and San Jose, other appropriate OFDA staff, USAID's Bureau for Latin America and the
Caribbean, and other partners.   Ensure the complementarity of the mitigation program with ongoing OFDA programs and with other USG and donor programs in
the region.

b)   On behalf of USAID/OFDA, guiding the coordination of the USG disaster mitigation activities in Latin America and the Caribbean at the headquarters level as they relate to the CAMI, working to ensure that the USG disaster mitigation programs in Central America represent a concerted and coherent USG effort.  This will involve close coordination with, but may not be limited to, the following entities: USAID offices, including the Bureau for Humanitarian Response; the Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean and the Global Bureau; appropriate USG agencies (including U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, U.S. Geological Survey, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Peace Corps, Housing and Urban Development, Department of Transportation, Center for Disease Control, and U.S. Southern Command); other donor agencies and multilateral finance institutions, including the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank; and regional organizations, including the Pan American Health Organization, CEPREDENAC, and the Organization of America States.

c)Ensuring that interagency coordination activities conducted in Washington, D.C. is consistent with and adequately represents programs being undertaken in Central America.  This will involve maintaining regular communication with the OFDA San Jose office and/or its representatives in USAID Missions in Central America.

d) Reporting orally and in writing on USG coordination efforts and the progress of USG, including OFDA's, disaster mitigation programs in Central America.

e) Representing OFDA at interagency meetings and events as necessary.

f) Ensuring that OFDA activities in Central America are consistent with the Draft OFDA/LAC Strategic Plan.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS
The incumbent shall possess the following minimum qualifications:

a) Experience in program management and administration;

b) Demonstrated ability to work with a wide array of organizations involved in disaster response/mitigation and humanitarian assistance, including U.S. Government agencies (e.g., USAID, State, Defense, CDC, NOAA, USGS), international organizations (e.g., IFRC, ICRC), non-governmental organizations, UN agencies, and host governments;

c) At least five years relevant work experience with developing countries for the U.S. Government, an international organization or a non-governmental organization, of which at least two years will have been in disaster management or a related field, preferably in the LAC region;

d)  Understanding of U.S. Government's role (past and present) in disaster response and mitigation in Latin America;

e) Masters degree in international relations/development, environmental studies, or a related field preferred;

f) Bilingual or fluency in Spanish preferred;

g) Demonstrated leadership and management abilities;

h) Demonstrated verbal and written communications skills, and interpersonal skills;

i) Demonstrated ability to work effectively and harmoniously in a team environment;

j) Qualification for a secret level USAID security clearance; and

k)  U.S. citizenship.

AS A MATTER OF POLICY, AND AS APPROPRIATE, A PSC IS NORMALLY AUTHORIZED THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS:

1. BENEFITS
Employee's FICA Contribution
Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance
Pay Comparability Adjustment
Annual Increase
Eligibility for Worker's Compensation
Annual & Sick Leave

2. ALLOWANCES (if Applicable).
* (A) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120).
(B) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130).
(C) Post Allowance (Section 220).
(D) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230).
(E) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260).
(F) Education Allowance (Section 270).
(G) Education Travel (Section 280).
(H) Post Differential (Chapter 500).
(I) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600), and
(J) Danger Pay (Section 650).

3. CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) PERTAINING TO PSCs _
98-25 Defense Base Act (DBA) Coverage and DBA Waiver List _
98-24 Use of Compensatory (Comp) Time by PSCs _
98-23 Guidance Regarding Classified Contract Security and Contractor Personnel Security Requirements _
98-16 Annual Salary Increase for USPSCs _
98-14 Change in Required Application Form for USPSCs _
98-10 Personal Services Contracts (PSCs) Annual Health Insurance Costs _
98-5   CONTRACTUAL COVERAGE FOR MEDICAL EVACUATION (MEDEVAC) SERVICES _
98-3   Class Deviation to 31.205-6(g)(3), Foreign National Severance Pay Under Professional Services Contracts _
97-16 Class Justification for Use of Other Than Full & Open Competition for Personal Services Contracts with U.S. Citizens Contracted with Locally with CCNs
and TCNs Subject to the Local Compensation Plan, and for Overseas Contracts of $250,000 or Less _
97-11 (Corrected) 1997 FICA & Medicate Tax Rates for Personal Services Contracts _
97-6   Contractual Coverage for Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) Services _
97-3   New USAID Contractor Employee Physical Examination _
96-23 Unauthorized Provision in Personal Services Contract _
96-19 U. S. Personal Services Contract (USPSC) - Leave _
96-11 PSC's Annual Health Insurance Costs _
96-8   Determining a Market Value for PSCs Hired Under Appendix D, Handbook 14 _
94-9   Sunday Pay for U.S. Personal Services Contractors (PSCs) _
93-17 Financial Disclosure Requirements Under a Personal Services Contractor (PSC)

LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs
Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612.
**2. Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62).
**3. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86),or
**4. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85).
**5. Finger Print Card (FD-258).

NOTE: Form 5 is available from the requirements office.
_______________
 * Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas).
** The forms listed 2 through 5 shall only be completed upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job