A contracting officer represents the U.S. Government through the exercise of his/her delegated authority to negotiate, sign, and administer contracts on behalf of the U.S. Government. The contracting officer’s duties are sensitive, specialized, and responsible. In order to insure proper accountability, and to preclude possible security, conflict of interest, or jurisdiction problems, it is USAID policy that USAID contracting officers must be U.S. citizen direct-hire employees of the U.S. Government.