Federal Position Descriptions
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Assistant Administrator for Africa

Assistant Administrator for the Bureau for Africa, United States Agency for International Development
Responsibility
Management Scope

The assistant administrator for Africa oversees the following offices: Administrative Management; Coordinator for Power Africa; Development Planning; East African Affairs; Southern African Affairs; Sudan and South Sudan Programs; Sustainable Development; and West African Affairs.5

Primary Responsibilities

• Directs the formulation of U.S. development programs, and approves programs and projects
• Authorizes the execution of development assistance agreements with African countries and regional organizations
• Submits an annual budget
• Assists in presenting the bureau’s program and budget to Congress
• Ensures, within the region, the integration of food aid resources and sustainable development with USAID-financed resources
• Approves and directs the allocation of available resources among African offices and overseas missions
• Oversees the implementation of programs and projects
• Monitors performance under loan and grant agreements, contracts and other operating agreements
• Takes or recommends required remedial action6

Strategic Goals and Priorities
[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration.]
Requirements

• Prior government experience; knowledge of the legislative and federal budgeting process
• Experience in foreign affairs and with the region (preferred)
• Strong management experience
• Strong relationships with relevant stakeholders, or ability to form them

Competencies

• Strong communication and public-speaking skills
• Strong leadership and managerial skills
• Ability to work under high pressure and handle sensitive matters
• Energy for frequent travel
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Ability to work across party lines

Past Appointments
  • Linda Etim (2015 to 2017): Deputy Assistant Administrator, USAID; Director for African Affairs, National Security Council; Senior Security Analyst, Department of Defense7
  • Earl W. Gast (2012 to 2014): Mission Director for Afghanistan, USAID; Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Africa, USAID; Mission Director, Ukraine, Belarus & Moldova, USAID8
  • Katherine Almquist (2007 to 2012): Mission Director for Sudan, USAID; United States Representative to the Assessment and Evaluation Commission; Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Africa, USAID; Special Assistant and Senior Policy Advisor to the USAID Administrator9
AGENCY

United States Agency for International Development

Mission: To partner to end extreme poverty and promote resilient, democratic societies while advancing our security and prosperity1

COMPENSATION

Level IV $155,500 (5 U.S.C. § 5315)3

REPORTS TO

Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)4

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Footnote
  1. Partnership for Public Service position description
  2. OPM position description
  3. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-31, May 5, 2017), contains a provision that continues the freeze on the payable pay rates for certain senior political officials at 2013 levels during calendar year 2017.
  4. Leadership Directories: https://lo.bvdep.com/OrgChart.asp?curp=1&LDIBookId=19&LDISectionId=201&LDIOrgId=155119
  5. https://lo.bvdep.com/OrgChart.asp?curp=1&LDIBookId=19&LDISectionId=201&LDIOrgId=155119
  6. OPM position description
  7. https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-etim-99a491132/
  8. https://www.linkedin.com/in/earlgast/
  9. https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/results/leadership/bio_1183.html
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