Country Representative/Senior Country Representative--Syria

Request for Personal Services Contractor USAID Office of Transition Initiatives Position Title: Country Representative/Senior Country Representative - Syria Solicitation Number: SOL-OTI-17-000003 Salary Level: GS-14 Equivalent: $87,263 - $113,444 GS-15 Equivalent: $102,646 - $133,444 Issuance Date: October 18, 2016 Closing Date: November 1, 2016 Closing Time: 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time Dear Prospective Applicants: The United States Government (USG), represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal services as a Country Representative/Senior Country Representative under a personal services contract, as described in the attached solicitation. Submittals must be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Applicants interested in applying for this position MUST submit the following materials: 1. Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your application, your resume must include: (a) Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. Dates (month/year) and locations for all overseas field experience must also be detailed. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements. (b) Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work. (c) Names and contact information (phone and email) of your current and/or previous supervisor(s). (d) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments. (e) U.S. Citizenship. Your resume should contain explicit information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation for each grade level(s) for which you are applying. If you do not specify which grade level(s), your application will be considered at the lower grade level. This information should be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide explicit information to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration. 2. Supplemental document specifically addressing: Each of the three (3) Evaluation Factors shown in the solicitation. Responses must be limited to 500 words per factor. Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored. NOTE: The Evaluation Factors are worth 60 out of 100 points. Applicants are required to address each of the Evaluation Factors in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received that are relevant to each factor. 3. USPSC Application form AID 302-3. Applicants are required to complete and sign the form. This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted. NOTE ABOUT THE DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM/SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS All USPSCs with a place of performance in the United States are required to have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior to receiving an offer. You will be disqualified if you either fail to comply with this requirement or if your name appears on the excluded parties list. The selectee will be provided with guidance regarding this registration. Additional documents submitted will not be accepted. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Your complete resume and the supplemental document addressing the EFs must be mailed or emailed to: Office of Transition Initiatives 529 14th Street, NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20045 E-Mail Address: contact@example.gov Applicants can expect to receive a confirmation email when application materials have been received. Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. Applicant resources are available at www.otijobs.net/#!guidance-for-applying/c1ggu. Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to: OTI Recruitment Team Telephone Number: +1 (555) 000-0000 E-Mail Address: contact@example.gov Website: www.OTIjobs.net Sincerely, Cristina Sylvia Contracting Officer ATTACHMENT 1 Solicitation for U.S. Personal Services Contractor (PSC) Country Representative/Senior Country Representative - Syria I. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. SOLICITATION NO.: SOL-OTI-17-000003 2. ISSUANCE DATE: October 18, 2016 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: November 1, 2016, 5:00 pm Eastern Time 4. POSITION TITLE: Country Representative/Senior Country Representative - Syria 5. MARKET VALUE: This position has been designated as a "tandem" position that, depending on the qualifications of the candidate, can be filled at either the GS-14 ($87,263 - $113,444 per annum) or GS-15 ($102,646 - $133,444 per annum) equivalent level, non-locality pay. Final compensation will be negotiated within the GS-14 or GS-15 equivalent levels based upon the selected candidate's salary history, qualifications, previous relevant experience and work history, and educational background as reported on AID-302-3. For selected candidates whose salary has been established on a Federal pay scale (i.e. General Schedule) or its equivalent, the base salary (not including locality pay) of their grade/step will be the basis of the salary negotiation. Salaries over and above the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated. The title of the position at the GS-14 level will be "Country Representative - Syria." The title of the position at the GS-15 level will be "Senior Country Representative - Syria." Note: Applicants who submit an application for the GS-15 grade level, but do not meet the minimum qualifications as outlined in this solicitation and as reviewed by the Technical Evaluation Committee, will not be considered for the GS-14 position if they have not submitted a separate application for the GS-15 level. Similarly, applicants who apply for the GS-14 position even though they might meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-15 position will not be considered for the higher graded position if they have not submitted a separate application for the GS-15 position. Applicants who are unsure of which grade level they meet the minimum qualifications for should submit separate applications for the GS-14 and the GS-15 positions. The application will be considered for the lower grade level if the applicant does not specify the grade level in the submission. 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year with four one-year option periods. START DATE: Within 45 days of receiving notification that required security and medical clearance(s) have been obtained. 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Istanbul, Turkey 8. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret 9. STATEMENT OF DUTIES POSITION DESCRIPTION BACKGROUND USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) is seeking highly motivated, highly qualified individuals who want the opportunity to help support rapid international transition programs for priority conflict-prone countries. Created in 1994 as a distinct operating unit within USAID, OTI helps local partners advance peace and democracy in politically-transitioning countries. In support of U.S. foreign policy, OTI seizes emerging windows of opportunity in the political landscape to promote stability, peace, and democracy by catalyzing local initiatives through adaptive and agile programming. Countries experiencing a significant political transition in the midst of a disaster or emerging from civil conflict have unique needs that cannot be fully addressed by traditional disaster relief. Timely and effective assistance to promote and consolidate peaceful, democratic advances can make the difference between a successful or a failed transition. OTI assists in securing peace by aiding indigenous, mostly non-governmental, civil society and media organizations. OTI uses such mechanisms as support for re-integration of ex-combatants into civilian society; development of initiatives to promote national reconciliation; identification of quick-impact community self-help projects to meet urgent economic needs; and aid to independent media outlets and community-based organizations to help promote informed debate and broaden public participation. To respond quickly and effectively and meet its program objectives and mandate OTI retains a group of high level professionals and experts under U.S. Personal Services Contracts (USPSCs). These knowledgeable and skilled professionals make up the vast majority of the OTI work force and are at its forefront implementing and achieving the office's programmatic goals and objectives. There are several benefits that USPSCs may participate in, such as partial reimbursement for health and life insurance costs, as well as full coverage of workers' compensation, among other benefits. For more complete information on USPSC benefits, please see Section VI of this solicitation. For more information about OTI and its country programs please see: http://www.usaid.gov/political-transition-initiatives INTRODUCTION The Country Representative is a member of the DCHA/OTI Middle East Regional Team, reports to the OTI Regional Team Lead or designee, and is based in Istanbul, Turkey. The incumbent will be required to travel regularly within Turkey to Adana, Ankara, and/or Gaziantep, and regionally as required. The Country Representative's principal responsibility will be development, oversight and management of DCHA/OTI's Syria country program. The incumbent will be called upon to represent OTI's mission and programs to senior-level government officials, in-country visitors, senior officials from other international organizations, bilateral donors and local government officials. The OTI Syria program will support the larger objectives of the U.S. Government to promote stability and democracy in Syria by providing assistance to support the political transition. In close coordination with the State Department representatives and other USG actors and with consideration of USG priorities, OTI's rapid and targeted programs will address emerging issues and empower local partners potentially to include non-governmental organizations, civil society groups, media outlets, and local and national government offices to reduce or mitigate conflict, increase transparency and accountability, and foster positive political change. CORE FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES At the GS-14 Country Representative level: Note: Duties and responsibilities are listed in order of importance for this position ? Manage a high-profile program in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and provide programmatic, operational, and strategic guidance to OTI's implementing partners (contractors and/or grantees) ensuring that activities are contributing to OTI's program objectives and are within the partner's scope; ? Based on political analysis and U.S. Government policy, conceptualize and design program strategies and objectives in close coordination with OTI staff, USAID personnel, U.S. Embassy, and other U.S. agencies and departments, as well as national and local civil society officials, and local civil society representatives. When necessary, refine strategic objectives and advocate on behalf of new programmatic approaches in country, linked to neighboring country programs, where appropriate; ? Communicate and coordinate OTI's in-country activities between OTI and its implementing partners, USAID, the U.S. Embassy and other donor organizations; ? Supervise, lead, build, and motivate a team comprised of multiple USPSCs, and a significant number of implementing partner staff, in multiple locations in the country of performance. Continuously review and design staffing plans to meet overall program objectives and recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate the performance of in-country OTI staff. Maintain staff morale in a difficult security and work environment; ? Monitor local and regional political developments and regularly brief OTI and partner staff on their potential programmatic impact; ? Analyze and report on current political developments and security concerns, as well as other pertinent information required to achieve OTI's program objectives; ? Travel extensively in low security areas of focus to monitor and assess political conditions, meet with potential grantees, and develop activity ideas; ? Provide recommendations to the Washington-based Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and/or the Regional Team Leader on implementing partner performance, the appropriateness of the partner's scope to OTI's country objectives, partner's budgets, and modifications thereto; ? Provide USAID concurrence on all implementing partner activities, including final approval of grantees for grants under contract up to $250,000 with OTI COR approval, in accordance with the ADS (USAID's Automated Directives System); ? Ensure the use of OTI systems and procedures to maintain effective and efficient management of funds, programming, and monitoring and evaluation; ? Ensure that OTI's programs and their activities are monitored and evaluated and that lessons learned from the activities feed into ongoing or future activities; ? Ensure appropriate resource allocation among OTI field offices and implementing partners; ? Prepare and maintain OTI program budgets for field operations; ? Serve as OTI's primary liaison with USAID personnel, U.S. Embassy staff, Ambassadors, local government officials, UN organizations, indigenous and international NGOs, and other pertinent agencies and organizations. Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with them in order to ensure close coordination at the field level, identify the widest range of potential partners and opportunities, and achieve maximum synergy with other programs; ? Prepare operational plans in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy, including logistics and property use guidelines, closeout and hand-over, security procedures, and contingency and evacuation plans; ? Ensure that all OTI and partner field staff adhere to in-country security guidelines set by the U.S. Embassy Regional Security Officer and other organizations such as the United Nations or host government, as appropriate; ? Articulate program strategy to external actors and communicate and coordinate OTI's in-country activities between OTI and its implementing partners, USAID, and other donor organizations; prepare and disseminate programmatic, financial and periodic reports to the USAID Mission, OTI/Washington and other organizations as appropriate; ? Perform related duties as assigned by the supervisor to ensure the successful completion of country programs and operations. At the GS-15 Senior Country Representative level: Note: Duties and responsibilities are listed in order of importance for this position ? Manage a high-profile program in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and provide programmatic, operational, and strategic guidance to OTI's implementing partners (contractors and/or grantees) ensuring that activities are contributing to OTI's program objectives and are within the partner's scope; ? Play a lead role in helping the Syria Transition Assistance Response Team and USG interagency partners understand the Syria context and develop a USG assistance strategy for Syria; ? Based on political analysis and U.S. Government policy, conceptualize and design program strategies and objectives in close coordination with OTI staff, USAID personnel, U.S. Embassy, and other U.S. agencies and departments, as well as national and local civil society officials, and local civil society representatives. When necessary, refine strategic objectives and advocate on behalf of new programmatic approaches in country, linked to neighboring country programs, where appropriate; ? Communicate and coordinate OTI's in-country activities between OTI and its implementing partners, USAID, the U.S. Embassy and other donor organizations; ? Expertly supervise, lead, build, and motivate a team comprised of multiple USPSCs, and a significant number of implementing partner staff, in multiple locations in the country of performance. Continuously review and design staffing plans to meet overall program objectives and recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate the performance of in-country OTI staff. Maintain staff morale in a difficult security and work environment; ? Monitor local and regional political developments and regularly brief OTI and partner staff on high level analyses and their potential programmatic impact; ? Analyze, synthesize, and report on current political developments and security concerns, as well as other pertinent information required to achieve OTI's program objectives; ? Travel extensively in low security areas of focus to monitor and assess political conditions, meet with potential grantees, and develop activity ideas; ? Provide high level and nuanced recommendations to the Washington-based Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and/or the Regional Team Leader on implementing partner performance, the appropriateness of the partner's scope to OTI's country objectives, partner's budgets, and modifications thereto; ? Provide USAID concurrence on all implementing partner activities, including final approval of grantees for grants under contract up to $250,000 with OTI COR approval, in accordance with the ADS (USAID's Automated Directives System); ? Ensure the use of OTI systems and procedures to maintain effective and efficient management of funds, programming, and monitoring and evaluation; ? Ensure that OTI's programs and their activities are monitored and evaluated and that lessons learned from the activities feed into ongoing or future activities; ? Ensure appropriate resource allocation among OTI field offices and implementing partners; ? Prepare and maintain OTI program budgets for field operations; ? Serve as OTI's primary liaison with USAID personnel, U.S. Embassy staff, Ambassadors, local government officials, UN organizations, indigenous and international NGOs, and other pertinent agencies and organizations. Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with them in order to ensure close coordination at the field level, identify the widest range of potential partners and opportunities, and achieve maximum synergy with other programs; ? Prepare operational plans in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy, including logistics and property use guidelines, closeout and hand-over, security procedures, and contingency and evacuation plans; ? Ensure that all OTI and partner field staff adhere to in-country security guidelines set by the U.S. Embassy Regional Security Officer and other organizations such as the United Nations or host government, as appropriate; ? Articulate program strategy to external actors and communicate and coordinate OTI's in-country activities between OTI and its implementing partners, USAID, and other donor organizations; prepare and disseminate programmatic, financial and periodic reports to the USAID Mission, OTI/Washington and other organizations as appropriate; ? Perform related duties as assigned by the supervisor to ensure the successful completion of country programs and operations. SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP: The Country Representative/Senior Country Representative will be supervised by the Washington-based DCHA/OTI Regional Team Leader for the Middle East (ME) or his/her designee as part of OTI's Field Programs Division. The Country Representative/Senior Country Representative will also work under and be responsive to the Director of the Syria Transition Response Team at Embassy Ankara The incumbent is expected to take initiative, act independently, and manage his/her tasks with minimal supervision. Though this is a senior field-based position, the incumbent is expected to actively and proactively collaborate with OTI/Washington leadership, and to fully utilize, embrace, and become an expert on OTI systems and processes. Failure to adequately perform the scope of work above and/or failure to take direction from the supervisor may result in corrective actions, including denial of step or grade increases, extension of contract probationary periods, performance improvement plans, and/or termination for the convenience of USAID/OTI. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The supervisor will provide administrative directions in terms of broadly defined missions or functions. The employee will independently plan, design and carry out programs, projects, studies or other work assignments. The employee's work will be considered technically authoritative and normally accepted without significant change, and will be reviewed in terms of fulfillment of program objectives, influence on the overall program, or contribution to the advancement of the objective. 10. PHYSICAL DEMANDS PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While in Turkey, the work is generally sedentary and does not pose undue physical demands. However, the position also requires travel throughout the country of assignment, which may involve some additional physical exertion including long periods of standing, walking over rough terrain, or carrying of moderately heavy items (less than 50 pounds). WORK ENVIRONMENT: While in Turkey, the work is primarily performed in an office setting. However, the position also requires travel throughout the country of assignment, which may additionally involve special safety and/or security precautions, wearing of protective equipment, and exposure to severe weather conditions. 11. POINT OF CONTACT: OTI Recruitment Team 529 14th Street, NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20045 Telephone Number: +1 (555) 000-0000 E-Mail Address: contact@example.gov II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION (Determines basic eligibility for the position. Applicants who do not meet all of the education and experience factors are considered NOT qualified for the position. See detailed instructions for demonstrating Education/Experience under "Applying") At the GS-14 Country Representative level: (1) A Master's Degree with seven (7) years of work experience; OR A Bachelor's Degree with nine (9) years of work experience; AND (2) Minimum of six (6) years of recent project management experience with a USG foreign affairs agency, international assistance organization, or non-governmental organization, in community development, stabilization programming, economic development, mediation/arbitration, conflict resolution, democracy and governance, international law, human rights activities, and/or political analysis; (3) Minimum of three (3) years of overseas field experience working in one or more developing countries undergoing political instability; (4) A minimum of three (3) years of supervisory experience (including but not limited to mentoring, training, and guiding staff), of which at least one (1) year must include supervisory management experience (defined as supervising at least one other supervisor within an office, division, or team). At the GS-15 Senior Country Representative level: (1) A Master's Degree with nine (9) years of work experience; OR A Bachelor's Degree with eleven (11) years of work experience; AND (2) Minimum of seven (7) years of recent project management experience with a USG foreign affairs agency, international assistance organization, or non-governmental organization, in community development, stabilization programming, economic development, mediation/arbitration, conflict resolution, democracy and governance, international law, human rights activities, and/or political analysis; (3) Minimum of five (5) years of overseas field experience working in one or more developing countries undergoing political instability; (4) A minimum of five (5) years of supervisory experience (including but not limited to mentoring, training, and guiding staff), of which at least two (2) years must include supervisory management experience (defined as supervising at least one other supervisor within an office, division, or team). SELECTION FACTORS: (Determines basic eligibility for the position. Applicants who do not meet all of the selection factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.) - Applicant is a U.S. Citizen; - Complete resume submitted. See cover page for resume requirements. Experience that cannot be quantified will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements; - Supplemental document specifically addressing how the candidate meets each of the Evaluation Factors submitted; - Ability to obtain a SECRET level security clearance (NOTE: Dual citizens may be asked to renounce second-country citizenship); - Ability to obtain a Department of State medical clearance; - Satisfactory verification of academic credentials. A USAID Secret level security clearance and Department of State medical clearance are required prior to issuance of the contract for this position. NOTE: If a full security investigation package is not submitted by the selected within 30 days after it is requested, the offer may be rescinded. If a security clearance is not able to be obtained within four months after the selected submits the initial security clearance documentation, the offer may be rescinded. NOTE: The selected must obtain Department of State medical clearance within four months after offer acceptance. If medical clearance is not obtained within this period, the offer may be rescinded. Due to anticipated program needs, individuals should be able to travel to post within 60 days after a contract is awarded. III. EVALUATION FACTORS EVALUATION FACTORS: (Used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified applicants in comparison to other applicants. The factors are listed in priority order from highest to least.) Applicants should cite specific, illustrative examples for each factor. Responses must be limited to 500 words per factor. Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored. Factor #1 Demonstrated experience operating independently in high visibility, high-pressure environments overseas in complex emergency or political crisis situations with minimal home office support. Factor #2 Demonstrated experience in contract and grant management and experience working on the conceptualization, design and management of post-conflict, political transition, democracy-building, and/or humanitarian assistance programs. Factor #3 Demonstrated experience interacting with, and representing organizations to U.S. Government agencies, donors, international organizations, and local counterparts, including beneficiaries. BASIS OF RATING: Applicants who clearly meet the Education/Experience Requirements and Selection Factors will be further evaluated based on scoring of the Evaluation Factor responses. Applicants are required to address each of the Evaluation Factors in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received that are relevant to each factor. Be sure to include your name and the announcement number at the top of each additional page. Failure to specifically address the Selection and/or Evaluation Factors may result in your not receiving credit for all of your pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards. The Applicant Rating System is as Follows: Evaluation Factors have been assigned the following points: Factor #1 - 20 Factor #2 - 20 Factor #3 - 20 Total Possible - 60 Points Interview Performance - 40 points Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks - Pass/Fail (no points assigned) Total Possible Points: 100 The most qualified candidates may be interviewed, required to provide a writing sample, and demonstrate an ability to operate commonly used office applications. OTI will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. In addition, applications (written materials and interviews) will be evaluated based on content as well as on the applicant's writing, presentation, and communication skills. In the event that a candidate has fully demonstrated his/her qualifications and there are no other competitive applicants, OTI reserves the right to forego the interview process. Professional references and academic credentials will be evaluated for applicants being considered for selection. IV. APPLYING Applications must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section I, item 11. Qualified applicants are required to submit: 1. Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your application, your resume must include: (a) Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. Dates (month/year) and locations for all overseas field experience must also be detailed. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements. (b) Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work. (c) Names and contact information (phone and email) of your current and/or previous supervisor(s). (d) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments. (e) U.S. Citizenship. Your resume should contain explicit information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation (for each grade level(s) for which you are applying. If you do not specify which grade level(s), your application will be considered at the lower grade level). This information should be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide explicit information to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration. 2. Supplemental document specifically addressing: Each of the three (3) Evaluation Factors shown in the solicitation. Responses must be limited to 500 words per factor. Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored. NOTE: The Evaluation Factors are worth 60 out of 100 points. Applicants are required to address each of the Evaluation Factors in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received that are relevant to each factor. 3. USPSC Application form AID 302-3. Applicants are required to complete and sign the form. This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted. Additional documents submitted will not be accepted. To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, applicants must prominently reference the solicitation number in the application submission. Applicant resources are available at www.otijobs.net/#!guidance-for-applying/c1ggu. DOCUMENT SUBMITTALS Via mail: Office of Transition Initiatives, 529 14th Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, D.C. 20045 Via email: contact@example.gov Please note in your document submittal where you heard about this position. NOTE REGARDING GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FOR THIS SOLICITATION This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the application. NOTE REGARDING DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBERS AND THE SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT All individuals contracted as US PSCs are required to have a DUNS Number. USAID will provide a generic DUNS Number. For general information about DUNS Numbers and SAM, please refer to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Clause 52.204-6, Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number and FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management. https:/acquisition.gov/far/current/html/52_200_206.html or www.sam.gov. ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED REGARDLESS OF AGE, RACE, COLOR, SEX, CREED, NATIONAL ORIG...