Conflict and Security Advisor

I. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72066318R00012 2. ISSUANCED ATE: March 21, 2019 3. CLOSINGDATE/TIMEFORRECEIPTOF OFFERS: April 20, 2019 (5:00pm Ethiopia's local time.) 4. POSITION TITLE: Conflict and Security Advisor 5. MARKET VALUE: $75,628 to $98,317 equivalent to GS-13. The final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based on the successful candidate's salary history, work experience, and educational background. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated. 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years, with three additional one-year extensions pending approval, need, performance, and funding, not to exceed five years. 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Work. 8. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: The final selected candidates must obtain both the appropriate security and medical clearances within a reasonable period of time. If such clearances are not obtained within a reasonable time or negative suitability issues are involved, any offer made may be rescinded. The requirements of the position will require the candidate to obtain a USG Secret clearance. 9. STATEMENT OF DUTIES 1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract USAID works with local communities and the Government of Ethiopia to prevent and manage conflict. Closely linked to these efforts is assistance to enhance good governance by supporting the government's efforts on building accountable institutions, thereby promoting transparency and public accountability. One part of good governance is instilling confidence within the local population of long-term peace and security in the country. Peace and security is vital for all - whether government institutions, international donors, private companies or individuals - to commit towards making the necessary investments required for transformative and sustainable development. USAID assists the Government and local communities with internal conflict mitigation and reconciliation, working across several regions and federal universities. Programs have increasingly been able to address root causes of conflict and establish productive links with humanitarian and livelihood promotion activities. Activities also promote inter-state efforts to manage conflict and promote development along their common boundaries. Position Overview Advises the Mission Director, Deputy Director, Democracy and Governance Office (DGO) Chief, Office Directors, and other Mission staff on conflict, security/justice, democracy and governance issues as they relate to strategy development/adjustments, most appropriate USG response, and program design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. The incumbent assists the DGO Director to manage programs; supports and contributes to DGO regular and ad hoc reporting; and coordinates with senior Government of Ethiopia (GOE), African Union (AU) and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Peace & Security Officials, civil society and donor representatives. Reinforcing use of the "conflict lens" is a mission priority. Position will help improve conflict sensitive programming approaches across the mission portfolio. ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION OF POSITION: The incumbent serves as the Conflict & Security Specialist/Advisor to USAID/Ethiopia under the immediate supervision of the Democracy and Governance Office (DGO) Chief/Director. This position is the key leader in assisting USAID/USG to understand the causes of insecurity, drivers of violent conflict and in developing effective means for addressing vulnerabilities, promoting stability and strengthening resilience in Ethiopia. The Conflict & Security Specialist/Advisor provides program management and technical expertise to USAID/Ethiopia within the full scope of its democracy and governance portfolio, and in its outreach to and coordination with the US Embassy, the GOE, IGAD, AU, USAID/East Africa regional office, and other international donors. 2. Statement of Duties to be Performed Specific responsibilities will include but are not limited to the following: Technical Expertise (40%) 1. Stay abreast of and report on matters pertaining to preventing and managing violent conflict with an emphasis on key drivers of conflict such as ethnic and/or religious identity, land, natural resources and climate change. 2. Provide strategic direction and technical guidance on conflict sensitive and people centred approaches for conflict mitigation and management (CMM) activities, including security sector reform (SSR) and preventing/countering violent extremism. 3. Delivers presentations and facilitates trainings/awareness-raising sessions on relevant security/justice and conflict topics (such as Do No Harm) as appropriate. 4. USAID representative and lead for improving policies and practices (including humanitarian assistance and development assistance) in the nexus between land, natural resources, climate change and conflict/security. 5. Develop, manage and implement research activities that consolidate and advance USAID/USG understanding of key policy challenges and responses relating to relevant areas of work, particularly security, justice and conflict programming. 6. Support and contribute to the drafting and submission of regular USAID strategic, planning and reporting documents, including but not limited to strategy statements, the Operational Plan, Semi-Annual Reviews and Annual Reports, annual CMM alert lists report; and ad hoc requests for updates and reports from the broader US Embassy in Ethiopia and USAID and State Department in Washington. 7. Maintain effective working relationships with and represent USAID to senior representatives of GOE ministries/agencies and state officials, IGAD and AU officials, Ethiopian civil society, multilateral and bilateral donors in his/her areas of program responsibility. Coordination, Collaboration, Knowledge Management and Dissemination (30%) 1. Liaise with other USAID offices to ensure synergies between the DGO strategies and activities and those of other sectors. 2. Provide guidance and support development assistance on Preventing/Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE), conflict, security, and democracy and governance issues as other USAID offices forge and sustain relationships with various bilateral partners and other donors. 3. Identify and build synergies between USAID/USG CMM, P/CVE and/or SSR policy/plans/strategies and the plans and strategies of other Donor Partners, regional entities (e.g. IGAD, USAID/East Africa Mission) and GOE programs. 4. As required, s/he will provide in-depth briefings on areas of responsibility to the interagency, Mission Director and Ambassador, as well as other Mission staff. 5. Maintain institutional awareness and understanding of the following as they relate to the above-mentioned program areas: I. Conflict and security developments, trends and climate as they pertain to Ethiopia and its relationships with neighbors in the wider Horn of Africa, accounting for the growing geo-political/security and economic influence of the gulf countries (UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Yemen); II. Political developments, trends and climate, particularly as they relate to the establishment of the culture and practices of multi-party democracy. This includes tracking the relationship within the ruling party and its coalition members and following the relationship between various regional states and the center (federal government); III. Issues that become the focus of wide public debate, policy development within the executive branch, legislation in the House of People's Representatives and local councils, and the interests and positions of concerned and relevant stakeholders inside and outside of government; IV. Relations and interactions between different branches of government and between the ruling and opposition parties in and outside of Parliament and local councils; V. Relations and interactions between key identity groups (religious, ethnic, clan, political, class/economic, urban/rural, livelihood and on university campuses); VI. Institutional strengthening, capacity building and reform needs and strategies for government and civil society organizations, political parties and government and private media; VII. Government, political party, civil society and donor strategies and activities that either further or hinder the promotion of conflict prevention/mitigation as well as the advancement of democracy and good governance. Activity Management (15%) 1. Serves as Activity Manager, Contracting/Agreement Officer's Representative (COR)/AOR for projects as agreed with the Office Director, managing projects within the total portfolio value of $34 million. 2. Provide oversight for the DGO conflict mitigation and management portfolio, including related engagements for USAID/Ethiopia. This includes reviewing budget requests for appropriateness, providing advice for realignments of budgets, and assisting the Office Director to align portfolio activities with Ethiopia's socio-political realities. 3. Perform other duties as assigned. Administrative Management and Supervision (15%) 1. The Conflict/Security Advisor is responsible for overall administrative management of the CMM portfolio, including supervision of at least one Foreign Service National (FSN). S/he oversees all related administrative processes for employee(s) on his/her team, including day-to-day management and completion of annual performance reviews, review of position descriptions, professional development plans and leave requests. The incumbent will also advise, consult, and notify DGO leadership of personnel matters that require action. 2. The Incumbent will be responsible for understanding and incorporating USAID core values and USAID Ethiopia's Leadership Behavior Charter into all aspects of his/her work. 3. Supervisory Relationship: Incumbent reports directly to the USDH FS-01 Democracy and Governance Office Chief. S/he may receive guidance from senior Mission management as the situation warrants. The Conflict/Security Advisor will be expected to show strong independent initiative and work with minimal supervision. 4. Supervisory Controls: The incumbent will manage at least one FSN. 10. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens, and Resident Aliens. For USPSC: • Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident ("green card holder"); • U.S. resident alien means a non-U.S. citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States; • Submit a complete application as outlined in the solicitation section titled APPLYING; • Be able to obtain facility access authorization; • Be able to obtain a Department of State medical clearance; • Be willing to travel to work sites and other offices as/when requested; • Employment is subject to funds availability and all the required approvals obtained. 11. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands. 12. POINT OF CONTACT: Supervisory Executive Officer, Shelby Hunt and HR Specialist, Fekadu Tamirate at [email protected]. Note: No in-person appointments or telephone calls will be entertained, unless you are required to have more information about this solicitation. II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION Applications will be initially screened by the Human Resources Office to determine whether applicants have met the advertised minimum qualifications. A list of qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring office for further consideration and screening. EDUCATION: REQUIRED: A minimum of a master's degree in conflict/peace building, political science, law, human rights or a related field. Evidence that applicant is actively engaged in maintaining an updated knowledge/skill set in the advancement of theory and practice in the relevant field. A master's degree can be substituted with an additional three years of relevant development experience. WORK EXPERIENCE: REQUIRED: A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in the design and management of development programs, at least five of which have included specific and extensive involvement in conflict prevention, mitigation and management, P/CVE, community security/justice, early warning architecture and/or capacity building of formal and customary conflict prevention/management structures and systems. DESIRED: Prior work or consultative experience with USAID or other bilateral or multilateral development agencies. Prior work experience with the Government of Ethiopia and/or Ethiopian Non-governmental Organizations. LANGUAGE: REQUIRED: Fluent English speaking, reading and writing. A test of written English will be administered. Amharic or other local language skill at the conversational level will be an advantage. III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS The following evaluation factors for evaluating applications are established. Applicants are encouraged to provide a narrative for each selection criteria listed below in this section. This information will be used for evaluating and scoring each criterion. The Evaluation Factors listed will be the basis for evaluating and ranking applicants for the position. Applicants will be scored based on the documentation submitted within the application. Only the highest-ranked applicants will be interviewed. FACTOR #1: TECHNICAL EXPERTISE REQUIRED (25 points) Demonstrated knowledge of and expertise in the theory, tools and practice of conflict analysis, management and mitigation (CMM), and the proven ability to apply this knowledge and expertise effectively in real life situations. Relevant experience in strategy and policy formulation, particularly in the areas of CMM/peacebuilding, security sector reform, and preventing and countering violent extremism. FACTOR #2: COUNTRY KNOWLEDGE (10 points) Understanding/knowledge of Ethiopia through a historical and contemporary socio-politically lens and how this perspective influences and shapes the possible CMM/CVE landscape for USAID programming. Ability to identify and prioritize drivers of conflict and sources of resilience in Ethiopia, including windows of vulnerability, opportunity and entry points for USG programming. FACTOR #3: ABILITIES AND SKILLS (15 points) Demonstrated capacity to develop and maintain an extensive range of high-level contacts in governmental, civil society and broader community circles. Rigorous analytical skills successfully applied within a complex and potentially volatile socio-economic/political landscape with proven ability to effectively articulate this analysis in writing, verbal briefs and presentations. Demonstrated ability to fulfill all aspects of program management. FACTOR #4: COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH (10 points) Demonstrated experience in chairing and facilitating meetings and/or public speaking and presentations. Relationship development, negotiation, advocacy, and consensus building experience with donors, other development partners, and host government officials. 1. BASIS OF RATING Applicants who clearly meet the Education/Experience requirements and basic eligibility requirements will be further evaluated based on scoring of their Evaluation Factor responses. Those applicants determined to be competitively ranked will also be evaluated on their interview performance and satisfactory professional reference checks. The Applicant Rating System is as follows: Evaluation Factors: 60 points Factor #1 25 points Factor #2 10 points Factor #3 15 points Factor #4 10 points Interview Performance: 40 points Oral interview and timed, written test Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks - Pass/Fail (no points assigned) Total Possible Points: 100 IV. APPLYING For your application to be considered, the following documents must be submitted: 1. Eligible offerors are required to complete and submit the offer form AID 309-2,"OfferorInformationforPersonalServicesContractswithIndividuals,"availableathttp://www.usaid.gov/forms. 2. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3,and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section I, item 12. 3. To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission. 4. Letter of Application and current resume. 5. To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission. 6. Application must be submitted ONLY via [email protected] and the email subject must say -: 72066318R00xxx Conflict and Security Advisor. 7. Please submit the application only once; and 8. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered; the application must be submitted before or on the closing date at local Ethiopia time 5 p.m. (Local Ethiopia, Addis Ababa Time). V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRES Once the CO informs the successful Offeror about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Offeror instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms. 1. Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms) 2. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-86),or 3. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85) 4. Finger Print Card (FD-258) VI. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: 1. BENEFITS: (a) Employer's FICA Contribution (b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance (c) Pay Comparability Adjustment (d) Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation) (e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation (f) Annual and Sick Leave 2. ALLOWANCES (if applicable): Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas) (a) Temporary Quarter Subsistence Allowance (Section 120) (b) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) (c) Cost-of-Living Allowance (Chapter 210) (d) Post Allowance (Section 220) (e) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) (f) Education Allowance (Section 270) (g) Education Travel (Section 280) (h) Post Differential (Chapter 500) (i) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600), and (j) Danger Pay Allowance (Section 650) VII. TAXES USPSCs are required to pay federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable state income taxes. VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs USAID regulations and policies governing USPSC a wards are available at these sources: 1. USAID Acquisition Regulation(AIDAR),Appendix D, "Direct USAID Contracts with a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for Personal Services Abroad," includingcontractclause"GeneralProvisions,"availableathttps://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf. 2. Contract Cover Page form AID309-1availableathttps://www.usaid.gov/forms. 3. Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins(AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs. 4. Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the "Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch," available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5CFR2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations. END OF SOLICITATION EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The U.S. Mission in Ethiopia provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation. USAID/Ethiopia also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs. The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation. Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.