Regional Engagement Officer

Overview

CAMRIS International, LLC, (CAMRIS) is seeking a REGIONAL ENGAGEMENT OFFICER to support USAID AFRICA BUREAU/POWER AFRICA

 

This position will perform work under the Africa Bureau Institutional Support and Services II contract (AFR ITSS II). AFR ITSS II assists USAID in achieving its program priorities by providing contracted technical, professional, operational, and administrative support staff in support of USAID’s African programs on both short- and long-term bases. Work performed under this contract will cover a range of technical and administrative areas aimed at advancing USAID’s development objectives in sub-Saharan Africa.

 

CAMRIS is a dynamic international development and research firm that achieves innovative solutions to health and development challenges through high-quality, cost-effective programs and research management services. We combine our proven systems with today’s most effective, evidence-based best practices to improve the lives of people around the world. Our core capabilities include: public heath, such as strengthening health systems and combating HIV/AIDS, TB and other infectious diseases; fostering trade and investment; expanding power and electrification; strengthening democracy and governance; expanding access to and improving the quality of education; and ensuring environmental sustainability for generations to come by fighting climate change.

Our employees enjoy a diverse, collegial environment where individual contributions matter at all levels. At CAMRIS, you will notably improve the lives of people at home and abroad.  

 

BACKGROUND:

A U.S. government-led partnership, Power Africa harnesses the collective resources of public and private sectors to double access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa.  As a unit within USAID’s Africa Bureau, Power Africa (AFR/AA/PA) addresses one of the most pressing challenges to sustainable economic growth and development in sub-Saharan Africa – access to electricity.   Two out of three people in sub-Saharan Africa have no access to power affecting their access to health care, education and economic opportunities. And yet, sub-Saharan Africa has significant energy resources that can be developed to meet the continent’s energy needs.  Power Africa supports an African driven vision to increase clean and efficient energy generation capacity in sub-Saharan Africa.

Since its launch in 2013, over 200 million people in sub-Saharan Africa gained first time electricity access.  And yet a staggering 580 million still lack access to electricity. There is still much work to be done.

Responsibilities

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Regional Engagement Officer will support Power Africa in advancing its goals as a critical member of Power Africa’s Washington, DC office.  The incumbent, under the guidance of the Mission Liaison Officer, will work with office leadership as well as technical staff in DC and overseas as a member of the Program Office. The Regional Engagement Officer will serve primarily in the role of a manager of information flow across Power Africa Coordinator’s Office and with the 42 sub-Saharan African countries in which the initiative works.

The Regional Engagement Officer will rank tasks in order of importance and impending deadlines, and handle several tasks simultaneously. The individual must develop a working knowledge of USAID policies, systems, and guidelines, as well as Zemitek’s corporate practices and procedures.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

Coordination and Engagement 70%

• Improves relationships with the field by focusing on communication and facilitation for the country missions. Maintaining regular contact and sharing information with the USAID Mission Economic Growth Offices and Energy Specialists, State POL/ECON, and any other USG presence that works in the energy sector.
• Lead on relevant briefing materials for the region assigned. Contribute relevant country information to interagency and/or Coordinator’s Office briefers.
• Help represent Power Africa’s interests in Washington, DC and the Power Africa Coordinator’s Office at relevant events, meetings, and other forums related to the assigned region (e.g., Embassy consultations, Ambassador in-briefs, workshops, etc.).
• Facilitate coordination with USAID and State Country Desk Officers (CDOs). Keep CDO counterparts updated on Power Africa activities, and facilitate coordination on relevant tasks (e.g., event / high-level visit coordination, briefers, etc.).
• Update Power Africa’s contact list and country Fact Sheets. Ensure that Power Africa’s Embassy contact list and Power Africa’s Fact Sheets are kept up-to-date.