Solicitation No. 279-08-501 ISSUANCE DATE: 01/22/2008 CLOSING DATE: 4:30 pm Cairo time on 02/27/2008 SUBJECT: USAID/ Sanaa, Yemen Solicitation for U.S. Personal Services Contractor [USPSC ]/Third Country National PSC [TCNPSC] For Senior Democracy & Governance Advisor Ladies/Gentlemen: The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications from U.S. citizens or U.S. resident alien or third country nationals, interested in providing PSC services as described in the attached solicitation. Applicants must be able to obtain an employment authorization clearance. Submissions shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified and must include signed OF-612 or SF-171 and a written statement that responds to the requirements of the position (Education/ Experience Required for the position). Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to Nancy Rofael, Human Resources Assistant, USAID/Egypt, EXO, who may be reached at fax#: 011-202-2522-7197 or 011-202-2516-0388, tel.#: 011-202-2522-7182, and email address:
[email protected] or
[email protected]. If you would like to apply electronically, please send your application & CV as an email attachment to (
[email protected]). [PLEASE DO NOT SEND CVs TO
[email protected] E-MAIL] Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. All applications and the required documents should be submitted to: EXO/HR - USAID/ Egypt U.S. Mail: Nancy Rofael Human Resources Assistant EXO/HR USAID/ Egypt- Unit 64902 APO AE 09839-4902 Air courier: Nancy Rofael Human Resources Assistant EXO/HR USAID/ Egypt Plot 1/A Ahmed Kamel Street, off Laselki St, New Maadi, Cairo, Egypt Postal Code 11435 For those who wish to send their application via pouch, please also send your application & CV by Email attachment (
[email protected]) or FAX [(202) 2522-7197 or (202) 2516-0388] to ensure receipt of your application before the closing date. Application forms, USG Optional Form 612(OF-612) can be located at: OF-612: http://www.usaid.gov/forms/of-612.doc Offerors are requested to provide their full mailing address and contact information (telephone, fax or email). The U.S. Government is under no obligation to award a contract based on this notice. Sincerely, Samia Joseph HR Officer SOLICITATION NUMBER: 279-08-501 ISSUANCE DATE: 01/22/08 CLOSING DATE/TIME: 4:30 pm Cairo time on 02/27/2008 POSITION TITLE: Senior Democracy and Governance Advisor MARKET VALUE: GS-14 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 2 years with possibility of extension. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Sanaa, Yemen SECURITY ACCESS: Employment Authorization AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens, U.S. resident aliens or third country nationals who are able to obtain the required security clearance. Note: A candidate who is otherwise qualified, but does not meet full requirements of the position, may be appointed as a trainee and be required to serve at a lower grade level for the period of one year. A. ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION OF POSITION: USAID/Yemen, US Embassy, Sana?a, Yemen. B. POSITION TITLE OF DIRECT SUPERVISOR: The USAID/Yemen Senior Democracy & Governance (DG) Advisor will support the Foreign Service National (FSN) DG Strategic Objective (SO) Team Leader to form the USAID/Yemen DG SO Technical Support Team. The Senior DG Advisor will directly report to and be supervised by the DG Team Leader at USAID/Yemen. C. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The incumbent will be expected to work independently, take initiative, and be responsible for advising on all aspects of USAID and some U.S. Government (USG) supported DG activities. In carrying out specific assignments, the incumbent will work closely, as requested, with representatives from The Republic of Yemen Government (ROYG), international donor organizations, local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and USG officials at the US Embassy/Sana?a, USAID/Egypt and USAID/Washington. S/He will be expected to coordinate and collaborate with a number of USG contacts, including but not limited to the Embassy?s Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM), the Embassy?s Development Working Group (DWG), the Embassy?s Pubic Diplomacy and POL/ECON Sections, the Department of State?s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), the US Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and the DG Officers in the USAID/Asia Near East (ANE) and USAID/Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA) Bureaus. More information about these initiatives, offices and bureaus can be found on the USAID website. D. WORK DESCRIPTION There is a pressing need to support democratization and to increase its credibility in Yemen. Democratic governance is essential to both the economic growth that Yemen desperately needs and to manage the conflicts that threaten to destabilize its internal equilibrium. It is therefore imperative for the USG to prioritize activities to encourage Yemen?s movement towards increased democracy and governance by strengthening representative institutions and the capacity and roles of their reform-minded members, and supporting more representative participation and a more representative environment. The Governing Justly and Democratically Strategic Objective includes four Program Areas : Rule of Law and Human Rights, Good Governance, Political Competition and Consensus Building and Civil Society. Program Area 2.1 Rule of Law and Human Rights is a new program area which will be funded in FY 2009 and will include USAID interventions to strengthen the justice system and work with pilot courts. Program Area 2.2 Good Governance includes a comprehensive Parliament and Political parties assistance program, Local Government and Decentralization Program, and a Limited Scope Grant Agreement with the Government of Yemen for anti-corruption reform. Program Area 2.3 covers USAID?s work in conflict mitigation activities and support to elections and political processes. Program Area 2.4 includes the newly funded civil society and media program Strategic Objective: ?The Governing Justly and Democratically StrategicThe following activities under each Program Area are illustrative: Program Area 2.1 Rule of Law and Human Rights Train judges and court administrators, strengthen pilot courts Program Area 2.2 Good Governance includes a comprehensive Parliament and Political parties assistance program, Local Government and Decentralization Program, and a Limited Scope Grant Agreement with the Government of Yemen for anti-corruption reform. ? Local Councils: Train local council members in their basic roles and responsibilities; support the technical capacity of local council committees to identify community needs, plan and provide oversight of local projects; assist local councils engage with communities and ROYG line ministries in participatory mechanisms; train community groups to identify and articulate interests; increase the level of fiscal decentralization and local budgeting, planning and responsibility for public services ? Parliament: Train reform-minded Parliament members to increase their role in legislation, budgeting, monitoring ROYG expenditures and oversight of the executive; convene consultations for committee members with experts, NGOs and government officials; train women to campaign for and participate in parliament. Train party leaders and activists in crafting policy positions on major issues and public outreach; train women to participate in political parties. ? Anti-Corruption: work closely with the Government of Yemen to promote anti-corruption reforms; strengthen key institutions such as such as Supreme National Authority for Combating Corruption, the High Tender Board, the Central Organization for Control and Audit and the Journalism Syndicate. Program Area 2.3 covers USAID?s work in conflict mitigation activities and support to elections and political processes. ? provide grants and technical assistance for conflict mitigation and community programs in tribal governorates ? strengthen the Supreme Commission for Election and Referendum, assist voter registration, delimitation, election monitoring efforts Program Area 2.4 Civil Society ? Civil Society: Assist the development of enabling legal environment for NGOS and Media, increase capacity of key NGOs and media outlets throughout the country, support advocacy and public awareness activities.. ? Women: Foster public dialogues for more women candidatures; convene ?town hall? meetings between party leaders and women?s NGOs; provide opportunities for women to increase their participation in government, elections, and public policy. E. Duties and Responsibilities of the Position The US/TCN PSC will serve as the Senior DG Advisor to USAID/Yemen. In tandem with the FSN DG Team Leader, the incumbent will be expected to coordinate with ROYG officials at the national and provincial levels, local DG institutions, local and international non-governmental organizations, and other donors to achieve program objectives. The Senior DG Advisor will be expected to: a. Manage Projects: ? Insure that planned results are being achieved in an efficient and timely manner, consistent with USAID regulations and policies. Identify and work with partners to seek resolution of issues affecting the achievement of results. ? Monitor program implementation through site visits and close contact with groups involved in implementing educational activities. Advisor will work with partners to develop relevant indicators and to develop data collection systems and monitoring strategies for ongoing and new activities. ? Develop strategies and programs for new activities. ? Prepare all requisite USAID documentation including semi-annual program reports, annual reports, and scopes or statements of work and/or program descriptions. Incumbent will also prepare additional reports, as required, to brief the US Embassy and USAID on specific issues or situations impacting program success. In addition to the U.S. Embassy, the incumbent will provide copies of all reports to the SGDO, Program Management team, USAID/ANE Bureau, and USAID/DCHA Bureau. b. Coordinate with the ROYG and other Donors: ? In concert with the U.S. Embassy, the contractor will work with implementing partners to identify key policy constraints/issues that impede the success of USG, other donor and the Government?s programs to improve the Democracy & Governance system in Yemen. ? Work with USAID-funded implementing partners, the contractor will raise these issues and recommended courses of action in discussions with ROYG representatives, donor coordination meetings, and discussions with key advocacy networks emerging in Yemen. ? Focus on enlisting support from other donors, senior government officials, and from civil society organizations for policy changes that will overcome program implementation issues or facilitate replication of positive program results to other provinces in the country. c. Provide Technical Support: ? Provide technical guidance and support to USAID-funded implementing partner organizations in the development, implementation, and monitoring/evaluation of program activities. ? Serve as the USAID Activity Manager or Cognizant Technical Officer (CTO) or Alternate CTO as assigned for contractors, grantees and cooperating agencies implementing USAID?s DG programs in Yemen. d. Perform Financial Reviews: ? Perform financial reviews of budget proposals, accrual information and project workplans. ? Ensure the DG budget stays within the fiscal budget allotted for the DG SpO. ? Working with the program office, the Senior DG Advisor will engage in budget projections and pipeline analyses. e. Develop Relationships: The incumbent will be expected to develop and maintain a collaborative, professional relationship with members of the US Embassy in Sana?a, ROYG officials at the national, governorate, district, and local levels, and with representatives of other donor organizations supporting Democracy & Governance programs in Yemen, and with USAID-funded implementing partners. REQUIRED/DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION: The Senior DG Advisor shall have the following qualifications. To be considered, the applicant shall meet those qualifications marked ?required?. Candidates will be evaluated according to the following criteria: ? Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. resident alien or a Third Country National (TCN). ? Ability to obtain employment authorization level security and medical clearances may be required. ? Ability to begin work in Yemen as soon as candidate obtain the required clearances. Start date negotiable. 1. Experience (60 points): a) At least five (5) years of experience designing and implementing Democracy & Governance or closely related development programs (Required) Relevant education beyond the Master?s degree level may be substituted for up to two years of required experience. b) Relevant prior experience (at least 4 years) in the following fields is preferred: Rule of Law, Anti-corruption, Women in Development, Election Systems, Civil Society, Human Rights, and Conflict Resolution. c) Proven familiarity with international Democracy & Governance development issues ? work experience in international Democracy & Governance development programs is preferred. d) Significant experience managing complex programs in complex development environments and problem solving skills is preferred. e) At least four years experience working in developing countries. (Required) Previous experience in the Middle East/North Africa is highly desirable. 2. Education and Training (20 points): a) A Masters Degree in a field related to DG (eg. International Development, International Relations, Law, Political Sciences). (Required) b) Training and experience in operational research and/or data analysis is preferred. 3. Communication and Interpersonal Skills (20 points): a) University level English speaking, reading and writing proficiency. Demonstrated ability in English Foreign Service Institute (FSI) level 4 in speaking and 4 in reading/writing. (Required). Candidates will be expected to provide a recent sample of their writing. b) Ability to speak Modern Standard Arabic at the Speaking-2, Reading-2 proficiency levels, based on the FSI scale, is preferred. c) Demonstrated ability to work collegially, and effectively communicate with colleagues and work within a multi-cultural team is preferred. d) Significant interpersonal and communication skills, especially related to policy dialog with government officials and program coordination with other donors is preferred. e) Understanding of USAID policies, procedures, regulations, and reporting requirements is preferred. Total points: 100 points SELECTION CRITERIA: To be considered, the applicant shall meet those qualifications marked (required). Candidates will be evaluated according to the following criteria: Ranking Factors: Factor Points Experience 60 Education and Training 20 Communication and Interpersonal Skills 20 Total 100 APPLYING: Qualified individuals are requested to submit: (1) A curriculum vitae which at a minimum, describes education, latest experiences and career achievements; (2) A completed and signed OF-612 or SF-171; (please send signed and scanned copy if applying by e-mail) (3) A relevant writing sample, minimum of two pages and maximum of ten pages; (4) Names, contact numbers, and addresses of three professional references; (5) A written statement certifying the date and length of time for which the candidate is available for the position. (please send signed and scanned copy if applying by e-mail) The U.S. Government Standard Optional Form 612 is available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/forms/of-612.doc or at Federal offices. You can also use the SF-171 Application form. To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application, and as the subject line in any cover letter. The highest ranking applicants may be selected for an interview. Applicants may choose any of the methods in the Cover Page to submit their applications but USAID accepts no responsibility for delay in transit, mis-routing, etc. Submissions shall be in accordance with the above information at the place and time specified. Given the often intermittent problems people experience in the world with fax and email, all candidates are notified that, should they choose to utilize this method, they should confirm with the USAID/ Cairo Human Resources office that all documentation submitted was received prior to the closing date of this notice. Equipment failures at USAID or by the applicants network are not acceptable reasons for late submission, as candidates have the option of sending their application hard copy by courier. No, repeat no, applications will be considered after the closing time and date, and it is the applicant?s full responsibility to ensure that all their documentation has been received by our office. Yemen is currently an accompanied post for spouses, children 3 years of age and under and family members aged 18-21. At present, dependant children between the ages of 3 - 18 are not permitted at post. Nevertheless, education and/or separate maintenance allowances will be provided. TYPE AND DURATION OF APPOINTMENT: Employment shall be through an A.I.D. Personal Services Contract for a period of two years with possibility of extension. This Personal Services Contract is subject to the availability of funds. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES: As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, an offshore USPSC or TCNPSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: BENEFITS: Employee's FICA Contribution Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual & Sick Leave Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service Annual Increase APO mail service as per post policy ALLOWANCES (If Applicable):* (1) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) (Not applicable) (2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) (Not applicable) (3) Post Allowance (Section 220) (4) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) (Not applicable) (5) Post Differential (Chapter 500) (6) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) and (7) Danger Pay (Section 650) (8) Educational Allowance (Section 270) (Not applicable) (9) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) (10)Educational Travel (Section 280) * Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes. CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBS) PERTAINING TO PSCS CIBs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to this website http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/cib/subject.html#psc to determine which CIBS apply to this contract.