Program and Training Specialist - Peace Corps

The Peace Corps is a United States federal agency that promotes international peace, friendship and sustainable development by providing trained men and women to serve in local communities.  In Ghana, these trained men and women (Peace Corps Volunteers) work in the areas of Health, Education, and Agriculture.

Job Description

Number: PC-22-001

• Position:   Program and Training Specialist (Health), PSC
• Office: U. S. Peace Corps, GHANA
• Open to: All Interested Candidates
• Work hours: 40+ a week
• Closing Date: January 28, 2022
• Salary: ¢81,407.00 – 126,179.00 PA plus benefits

PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACTOR (PSC) 

The agency in Ghana is seeking to hire a highly-skilled professional to provide leadership in developing and maintaining a program that contributes to the Post’s goal of nurturing and supporting resilient, culturally sensitive, responsible, and able Volunteers. Peace Corps Volunteers are US citizens. This position requires extensive and frequent travel throughout Ghana.

• Position: Program and Training Specialist (Health)
• Supervisor: Program Manager for Health
• Duty Station: Kumasi, Ghana

POSITION DESCRIPTION

STATEMENT OF WORK:

Programming and Training Specialist

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

The U.S. Peace Corps is an agency that promotes world peace and friendship and by providing trained men and women, Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs), to serve in countries that have requested assistance.

In PC Ghana, the Program and Training Specialist (PTS) works as part of an interdisciplinary Programming and Training Team and provides support to ensure that PC Ghana’s Training, Education, Health and Agriculture Programs are performing optimally.

The PTS implements approved activities providing continuing programming and training support for staff and Volunteers and works under the general supervision of the Associate Peace Corps Director/ Program Manager (APCD/PM).

During Pre-Service Training (PST), the PTS will be the full-time lead technical trainer for his/her project area and take direction from the Training Manager. The PTS is assigned to a specific region and/or sector of operation where they perform the majority of their duties.

Post is currently seeking applications for the following positions:

• Programming and Training Specialist for Health located in Kumasi

PTS supports the U.S. Peace Corps mission in Ghana in the following main areas:

• Project and Program Support 40%
• Administrative and Volunteer Support: 40%
• Training 15%
• General Service 5%

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Project and Program Support (40%)

• In collaboration with the Program Manager/APCD, prepares and reviews project documentation, project plans, ministry/host agency agreement and recruiting and evaluating materials.
  • Assists in compiling Project Status Reports (PSRs), writing periodic and annual reports, and participates in project plan reviews;
  • Promotes Peace Corps’ programs within the context of the Government of Ghana’s development priorities. Contributes programmatic input to IPBS and Ops Plan development.
• Responsible for carrying out site identification and Volunteer visits individually or in conjunction with the Program Manager/APCD.
  • Carries out thorough site identification to ensure that prospective sites meet the minimum criteria for safe housing and overall safety and security
  • Advises APCD, DPT, and SSM of any safety and security concerns identified during site development and during Volunteer visits.
• Organizes and implements conferences, national and regional workshops preparing all needed documentation, such as agenda, quotes and budgets.  Obtains necessary approvals from the Director of Management and Operations, Director of Programming and Training, and Country Director. Participates in the workshops and other training events.
• Provides technical assistance and guidance to the Volunteers through site visits, phone calls, e-mails, zoom meetings, or during appointments in the office.  Assists PC staff to plan and revise trek schedules;
• Provides program support and ensures that PCVs are safe, engaged in meaningful work, and living well in their communities;
• Responds to PCV field reports and issues in assigned region/sector when appropriate;
• Collects and uploads information about communities, trainees, and volunteers in an accurate and timely manner for the Volunteer Information Database (VIDA) (i.e. notes and documents about sites, work locations, housing location, community contacts, information on volunteer site changes, and notes on relevant communication with Trainees/Volunteers).
• Enters and searches for information in Volunteer Reporting and Grants system (VRG) related to PCV projects/activities and for report generation, relevant communication and follow-up with Volunteers’ grant activities and reporting.
• In collaboration with the APCD, reviews Volunteers’ activity reports in VRG and provides quality and timely feedback.

Administrative and Volunteer Support (40%)

• Motivates and supports Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs);
• Builds and maintains healthy relationships with PCVs, Peace Corps staff, and partners;
• Assists PCVs in project implementation and development, including development of secondary activities;
• Counsels PCVs on technical and cross-cultural issues;
• Writes award nominations, letters of recommendation, or performance plans when relevant; and
• Responds in a timely fashion to additional assignments from the Director of
• Programming and Training or the Country Director.
• Prepares documentation for Volunteer travel to project workshops, groups meetings, conferences, project and administrative travel, in order to maintain correct information regarding sector expenses
• Maintains project libraries by technical area used by Volunteers in conjunction with APCD.
• Provides safety and security guidance and support to Volunteers and Trainees.
• Advises Volunteers and Trainees on travel regulations and arrangements, and orients them regarding payment conditions. Works directly with Volunteer Support Administrator for knowledge of travel allowance calculations and revisions
• Is knowledgeable of and able to advise Volunteers and Trainees on Peace Corps and Peace Corps Ghana policies.
• Performs administrative support duties as requested and assigned.
• Responds to PCVs via e-mail/phone/whatsapp requests within 24 hours.
• Occasional cash carrier: The PTS may be requested to courier cash and/or purchase orders to various vendors who furnish supplies and/or services to PST/IST training site or other locations as directed by the Contracting Officer.
• Other duties as assigned

Development and Implementation of Training Activities (15%)

• Serves as a technical trainer for Pre-Service Training (PST). Mid-service Training (MST), and In-Service Training (IST) as needed.
• Collaborates with a key member of the Project team in the development and implementation of training activities. Coordinates with the Training Manager (TM) and Language and Cross-Cultural Facilitators on all technical aspects of the training, beginning one month in advance of the three-month training.
• Performs necessary pre-training research as defined in coordination with the APCD and TM.
• Provides input to develop the Calendar of Training Events.
• Performs technical training, practical and classroom instructions, and field activities for Trainees.
• Provides support to Trainees by serving to guide them during their cultural and language adjustments.
• Assists with the identification, selection, and preparation of the Community Based Training (CBT) site in coordination with the APCD/DPT and TM.
• During the CBT period serve as a liaison with the host community.
• Provides input to the TM for the development of requisitions, supplies, materials needed to support technical activities during the Community Based and Field-Based portions of the training.
• Collaborates with language facilitators and APCD to lead periodic assessments of Trainees’ progress during PST.

General Services 5%

• Perform general office management;
• Conducts facilities’ maintenance duties when appropriate;
• Coordinates with the General Services Manager (GSM) regularly;
• Helps deliver mail to PCVs in assigned region;
• Develops relationships with vendors; and
• Works with sub-cashier to distribute funds; may become a sub-cashier after passing appropriate training and testing

This position may act as an Occasional Money Handler, as assigned or be designated at a sub-cashier with appropriate training, to perform work within the scope of duties.  The PSC may be required to courier cash and/or purchase orders to various vendors who furnish supplies and/or services to PST/IST training sites, or other locations as directed by the Contracting Officer.

The PSC may also be required to courier cash to PC trainees or volunteers. The PSC will not be functioning as procurement or disbursing official but will only be acting as an intermediary between the Contracting or Disbursing Officer and the recipient.

In the case of dealing with vendors, the PSC will not exercise any procurement discretion concerning the supplies or services to be purchased or the cost limits of these purchases; these will be determined by the Contracting Officer; of the Peace Corps Act.

Safety and Security Duties (updated Feb 2021):

• Addresses safety and security proactively by ensuring appropriate assignments for Volunteers and adhering to Peace Corps site development policies and procedures.
• Identifies and immediately communicates Volunteer safety and security concerns or issues to the Safety and Security Manager (SSM) and the CD.
• Ensures prospective sites meet established programmatic and safety/security criteria (e.g., safe housing, a clearly defined assignment with an organization that shows real interest in working with a Volunteer, etc.).
• Reviews and references site history files when evaluating potential sites.

• Incorporates appropriate site-specific safety and security-related information into site history files.
• Ensures designated host country counterparts participate in counterpart orientation/training and are prepared to work with and support Volunteers, including their role in Volunteer safety and security.
• Maintains communication with each Volunteer and solicits periodic feedback, including information about Volunteer safety and security.
• Maintains a calendar of Volunteer site visits, and completes an appropriate number of site visits to assess Volunteer progress, safety, and security, and to provide technical guidance and moral support.
• Monitors Volunteer compliance with Peace Corps policies, especially related to safety and security, and initiates corrective action as necessary.
• Participates in the design and implementation of the Emergency Action Plan (EAP).
• Acts as duty officer, as needed.
• Knowledgeable and supportive of Peace Corps safety and security policies and procedures, including the timely reporting of suspicious incidents, persons, or articles.

Miscellaneous:

To the extent Contractor operates a US government-owned, leased, or rented vehicle (GOV) to perform his or her job duties, Contractor must operate that vehicle safely at all times and only operate it for official business purposes as defined in 31 USC 1334 and Peace Corps MS 522.

The contractor must refrain from texting or from engaging in any behavior that distracts attention from driving safely at any time.

Except in an emergency situation, Contractor must not text message (i) when driving a GOV; (ii) when driving a privately-owned vehicle (POV) while on official government business; or (iii) while using electronic equipment supplied by the government while driving any vehicle (even during off-duty hours).

Authorization must be given by the Country Director for any staff to drive a Peace Corps Vehicle.

PSC is expected to adhere to Peace Corps code of conducts as mentioned in the PSC contract with reference to PC Manual Sections and the Ghana Staff Handbook.

Temporary Duties (TDY):

The contractor is subject to worldwide availability and may be requested by the Peace Corps to be reassigned or transferred permanently to another Peace Corps Post/Headquarters or perform temporary duties (TDY) as required and to travel to other assignments within Peace Corps’ as assigned.

Required Skills or Experience

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Community Development, Public health or related field.
• Four years progressively responsible experience managing community health projects (malaria, nutrition, water sanitation, maternal and child health, or others)
• Demonstrated ability to use adult learning techniques in teaching/training adults in community development, project management, and/or health topics
• Ability to work on a team and maintain good working relationships with Peace Corps Staff and Volunteers/Trainees.  Ability to develop and maintain mid-level contacts within the host government, international aid agencies and the private sector.  Ability to render advice employing sound judgment within Peace Corps guidelines.
• At least two years of experience working in a multi-cultural setting
• Excellent spoken and written English
• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft suite

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience as a volunteer and as a team lead of volunteers
• Master’s degree in Health or any related field
• Knowledge and understanding of US values and culture
• Experience working with U.S. Peace Corps or similar international development or volunteer organization