Solicitation for USPSC - Program Officer(s)

The Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights and Governance (DRG) provides technical advice and support to USAID missions implementing programs in democracy, human rights, and governance (DRG); generates and disseminates knowledge to build the DRG evidence base; and elevates the role of DRG in key USAID, U.S. Government, and multilateral strategies. The functions of the Bureau are described in ADS 101.

USAID currently manages over $1.7 billion a year on a broad range of democracy programs covering justice, human rights, citizen security, civil society, labor, media, local government, legislatures, constitutional reform, political parties, elections, anti-corruption, and counter-trafficking in persons. These efforts are critical to improve government effectiveness, accountability, transparency and legitimacy, and to ensure citizens are empowered to play a role in public affairs and the decisions that affect their daily lives. They also underpin the sustainability of the Agency’s socio-economic development sectors. The DRG Bureau leads the Agency in supporting overall efforts to advance democracy, human rights, and governance.

The DRG Bureau's annual budget is $269 million, with a staff of over 150 composed of U.S. Direct Hires (USDHs), United States Personal Services Contractors (USPSCs), Institutional Support Contractors (ISCs), and fellows. The DRG Bureau has nine operational units: Anti-Corruption Center (ACC); Civil Society, Labor, and Media (CLM); Elections and Political Processes (EPP); Governance (GOV); Justice, Rights, and Security (JRS); Global Trends and Technology (GTT); Policy, Coordination, and Integration (PCI); Program Office (PO); and Management and Cadre Support (MCS). The DRG Bureau's mission is “...to invigorate democracy, enhance human rights and justice, and bolster governance that advances the public interest and delivers inclusive development.”  The DRG Bureau achieves this by providing high quality support to USAID Missions, generating and disseminating knowledge on best practices, and providing leadership on DRG to the wider USG and the international development community.

The Program Office (PO) manages program functions for the DRG Bureau to operate efficiently and effectively. The PO leads, coordinates, and provides guidance for the Bureau on: a) strategic planning, project design, and procurement management; b) all aspects of budgeting and financial management; c) statutory compliance (including environment), performance monitoring and reporting; and d) strategic communications and outreach. The PO defines Bureau-wide processes, sets standards, develops systems, and liaises with intra/interagency stakeholders (e.g. State/F, PLR/BRM, M/OAA, LPA, Congress, etc.).

As part of PO, the Program Officer(s) will leverage considerable knowledge in procurement; monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL); and/or programming activities in the field of democracy, human rights, and governance (DRG) to advise and support the development of appropriate and practical approaches.

The successful offeror(s) is expected to carry out work assignments using independent professional judgment to ensure the effective technical leadership and technical support for USAID’s DRG sector in Washington and overseas Missions. The Program Officer will work closely with USAID and other U.S. Government (USG) colleagues, implementing partners, and recognized experts in the DRG sector. The program officer’s responsibilities will be geographically worldwide, varied, and dynamic to reflect changing circumstances facing USAID and the DRG Bureau.