United States of America: Contract Specialist

Macfadden is an employee-owned, international professional services corporation that applies integrated information technology solutions and program/project management expertise to help solve critical issues impacting the health, safety and security of the world around us. Since 1986, federal agencies have relied on Macfadden for mission critical support in the areas of international disaster response, development and humanitarian assistance, compliance and monitoring support, information management, and systems engineering and integration.

Today, Macfadden provides innovative solutions that enable our customers to protect America's food supply more efficiently and bring medical breakthroughs to market sooner; rapidly respond to complex international disaster relief efforts; develop and maintain critical government IT financial systems and safeguard key government information systems. We support our customer's mission to help emerging democracies in Eastern Europe and Eurasia develop their economic infrastructures; help meet compliance requirements and improve transparency through effective records and information management programs; and help preserve many of our nation's most treasured historical documents through our data capture and digital conversion services.

With more than 225 employees, Macfadden is headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland with multiple client site operations worldwide. When you work with a Macfadden employee-owner, you will be working with a competent, experienced professional who cares deeply about your success. That's what sets us apart and drives our commitment to our customers.

Position Summary:

Key Internal Interfaces: DCHA/FFP PSC Recruitment and Contracts Team

Key External Interfaces: Personal Service Contractors (PSCs), FFP POM, FFP Program Teams, USAID OAA/FFP

The Team Lead manages the PSC Contracts and Recruitment Unit in support of USAID/Office of Food for Peace (FFP). The Team Lead is highly organized, motivated, detail-oriented, and able to excel in a deadline-driven, customer-driven work environment. The Team Lead must be able to work closely with a variety of personality types, and possesses exceptional oral and written communication skills. The Team Lead demonstrates leadership skills and is a team player. The Team Lead is able to prioritize, assist, and guide the unit to ensure the responsiveness of the team.

Essential Functions:

• Execute the USAID FFP PSC recruitment process: developing a recruitment plan, assisting in the development of solicitations, managing the application process, arranging interviews, and providing information on positions to candidates;
• Track status and progress of PSC recruitments and provide customer service to client;
• Review quality and accuracy of outgoing contracts, budgets, modifications, solicitations, selection memos, and other contract and recruitment-related documents; ensure documents are error-free;
• Assist in the development of contracts and recruitment-related documents, presentations, and other written reports;
• Monitor upcoming PSC actions and deadlines, and ensure all assigned contracts/tasks are completed in a timely manner;
• Respond to FFP and OAA inquiries on PSC contract status, progress and issues;
• Provide ad hoc and regular reports to OAA and/or FFP and ensure that all reports are accurate, complete, and timely;
• Liaise with FFP and with the Contracting Officers to address and resolve priority and complex issues and provide crisis management as needed;
• Responsible for training new contracts and recruitment staff;
• Maintain ASIST files, and perform other administrative tasks related to PSC recruiting;
• Represent the agency at external events and identify qualified recruitment sources, networking leads, job fairs, conferences, and advertising resources to recruit and further expand the recruitment network;
• Responsible for maintaining systems and templates, and provide recommendations for improvements as needed;
• Mentor contracts unit on client business processes, policy interpretation and application;
• Ensure PSC contracts are in compliance with USAID, US Government, and other regulations, laws, standards, procedures and update templates, systems, and processes as needed;
• Provide expert interpretation of and recommendations on policies and USG regulations as it pertains to PSCs;
• Advise contracts staff on communication with FFP, OAA, and individuals being hired on all aspects and execution of contract and contract modifications for assigned actions;
• Report quarterly data and ensure data accuracy;
• Liaise with FFP and USAID/OAA Contracting Officers to ensure good working relationships and that needs and expectations are met;
• Anticipate client and PSC needs, and advise on recommendations;
• Research and recommend ways in which PSC contracts can be improved and/or processes can be streamlined and innovated;
• Other duties as assigned.

Key Accountabilities:

• Serve as primary point of contact for FFP on PSC contracts and recruitment issues;
• Supervise and support staff in the PSC contracts and recruitment unit;
• Monitor workflow for PSC unit, from receipt of MVD to contract award and distribute workload;
• Assist unit with the execution of main duties and responsibilities by participating as a member of the team drafting contract documents, including budgets and memos necessary from solicitation, execute contracts, contract modifications and de-obligations for PSC actions.
• Review and route all contract actions through GLAAS to the Contracting Officer.
• Facilitate and supervise the recruitment process for government staff by communicating with current and potential applicants, agency staff, and the general public and providing administrative support from preparing and posting job announcements, to collecting and reviewing application materials, conducting interviews, checking references and academic credentials, and drafting memos.

Education: Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of experience or Master's degree with 6 years of experience Experience:**

• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience and Government contracting experience, including demonstrated understanding of and experience with applicable laws, rules, FAR, AIDAR, and ADS regulations, and procedures required
• Experience with Basic Human Resources personnel intake processes
• Work in environments where contracts had to be produced both quickly and accurately with highly demanding clients preferred

Qualified candidates must possess the following skills and abilities:

• Outstanding customer service, interpersonal, and supervision skills
• Reliable, highly organized, and motivated
• Must excel in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment while maintaining focus and balance priorities
• Excellent attention to detail
• Superior oral and written communication skills
• Superior computer skills (MS Office Suite in a network environment) including the ability to learn new software and databases quickly.

U.S. Citizenship is required; selected candidate must be able to qualify for a government sponsored security clearance.

Physical Requirements
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds.

This position description reflects Macfadden’s assignment of essential functions; nothing in this job description restricts the Company’s latitude to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Macfadden provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Macfadden complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. Macfadden expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Macfadden’s employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge. This policy covers conduct occurring at Macfadden’s offices, client sites, other locations where Macfadden is providing services, and to all work-related activities.

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