Basic Functions of the Position:
The USAID Development Assistance Specialist serves as the locally engaged staff Official Development Assistance analyst for USAID’s presence in the Republic of Korea (ROK). The objectives are to advance the U.S.-ROK development and humanitarian assistance cooperation alliance through policy and budget alignment, develop activity-level opportunities for collaboration, and build and enhance relations with key Korean development stakeholders. The USAID Development Assistance Specialist is fundamental to the achievement of these objectives. S/he will independently derive and manage a variety of research, reporting, coordination, networking, advisory, operational, monitoring, and analytical duties under the supervision of the Tokyo-based USAID Senior Development Counselor. This position is part of the broader USAID Japan/Republic of Korea office based in Tokyo.
S/he closely advises the Counselor and other U.S. Embassy leadership on the planning, design, and development of strategies and programs that strengthen the U.S.-ROK development assistance alliance. This requires close working relationships with a number of key organizations, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MOEF), the Ministry of Environment (MOEnv), and other ministries, as well as the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) the Korea Export-Import Bank (KEXIM), and non-governmental organizations (including universities, think tanks, and private corporations). The Specialist also provides technical services for and training to U.S. government and local partners on development cooperation, activity design and management, budgeting, policy development, and diplomatic engagement.
This position is regularly involved in work that is high-volume, fast-paced with long hours, and critical for the overall operation and reputation of USAID and the U.S. Mission to the ROK. Analytical products, reporting, and other tasks must be completed at a high-quality within a short time frame. S/he must be able to communicate in a highly professional manner with senior level officials.

Major duties and responsibilities include: Strategy, Advisory and Analytic Duties (40%), Portfolio Management (40%), and Office Support and Communications (20%).
 

Minimum Qualifications-

Experience: 
Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible, professional-level experience in any of the following is required: supporting or managing policy decision-making, political relationships, donor coordination; development programming, research and analytics, budgets, and operations. Note: Additional experience may NOT be substituted for education.

Job Knowledge: 
The Specialist must have deep knowledge of the Government of the ROK and ability to quickly acquire understanding of the U.S. government, Korean, and U.S. Official Development Assistance decision-making processes and priorities, as well as USAID principles, policies, and procedures. Must have knowledge of the U.S. and Korean foreign assistance legislative processes, and an understanding of the wide range of mechanisms. S/he must have some knowledge of the development needs in Asia, the Pacific Islands, the America and Caribbean, the Middle East, Europe and Eurasia, and Africa, and how other donors, international financial institutions, and other development actors support these needs. Must also have a solid network of government, nongovernmental, private sector, academia, and other donor country actors.

Skills and Abilities: 
Must have exceptional diplomacy, technical, analytical skills, and mental ability to identify wide-ranging policy, programming, partnership, and operations opportunities; articulate U.S. and Korean Official Development Assistance goals; assess strategies and assistance programs of the U.S. and the ROK, and establish and maintain an extensive range of contacts with senior and key officials of the Governments of the ROK, the U.S., and other embassies, technical experts, and other donor agencies; must have wide latitude in exercising her/his responsibilities and in planning and executing work assignments; be a skilled communicator; be able to work under pressure; and produce high-quality results quickly; and be able to predict issues of concern and recommend solutions. Advanced user of Microsoft office applications (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) to accomplish assigned tasks and the ability to quickly learn new software applications. Excellent communication (verbal and written) skills are critical. Must be able to translate quickly and accurately articles/documents and interpret as needed.

Language Proficiency/ Communication Skills: 
The ability to speak, read, comprehend, and write in English and Korean at Level IV (Fluent) is required. Communications can be challenging at times; thus, the USAID Development Assistance Specialist must have a high level of professional, presentation, and diplomatic communications skills.

Education Requirements:
Minimum Qualification Education: 
Bachelor’s degree in a field relevant to development assistance work, such as government, public policy, education, economics, business, or environment is required.

Note: Additional education may NOT be substituted for experience.