Offshore USPSC - Development Specialist Advisor, GS-14, Guyana

U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT T+ (809) 567-7775 Avenida Rep'blica de Colombia #57 RNC: 4-30-00171-6 Altos de Arroyo Hondo, Santo Domingo, D.N. drinfo@usaid.gov Dominican Republic, 10605 USAID.GOV | @USAID SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72053820B00001 ISSUANCE DATE: July 14th, 2020 CLOSING DATE AND TIME: July 31st, 2020 1630 ET SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) Dear Prospective Offerors: The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking offers from qualified persons to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation. Offers must be in accordance with Attachment 1 of this solicitation. Incomplete or unsigned offers will not be considered. Offerors should retain copies of all Offer materials for their records. 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 offer. Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in the Attachment 1. Sincerely, Samuel Carter Contracting Executive Officer I. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72053820B00001 2. ISSUANCE DATE: July 14, 2020 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: July 31, 2020 1630 ET 4. POINT OF CONTACT: Farah Canaan / Soraya Morillo USAID/Dominican Republic Telephone Number: 809-368-7101 Cell Phone Number: 809-754-8570 E-mail: fcanaanlachapelle@usaid.gov E-mail: smorillo@usaid.gov. 5. POSITION TITLE: Development Specialist Advisor (DSA) 6. MARKET VALUE: $92,977.00 - $120,868.00 equivalent to GS-14 Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value. 7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years from the date of appointment, with the possibilities of extensions up to five (5) years. Any option to renew is based on need of the position and funds availability. 8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: The position will be based in Georgetown, Guyana but will require regular travel to Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and to Bridgetown, Barbados for coordination with USAID/ESC Mission leadership, as well as occasional regional and extra-regional travel to support the needs of the mission. 9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: United States Citizens (USs), and U.S. permanent resident aliens 10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret security clearance. The selected applicant must be able to obtain and maintain an employment authorization security clearance as provided by USAID. 11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES: OVERVIEW OF PROGRAM AND ROLE OF THE POSITION The USAID Mission to the Eastern and Southern Caribbean (USAID/ESC) supports climate resilience, environmental protection, natural disaster preparedness and response, energy financing, and reducing crime and violence through assisting at-risk youth, primary education, and Zika prevention and awareness, throughout the Eastern and Southern Caribbean, a region covering 11 countries and five U.S. Embassies. Initiatives and programs are managed jointly by a technical team spread between Bridgetown, Barbados and Georgetown, Guyana with overall management responsibility held in Bridgetown. To support these efforts, USAID/ESC requires contracted services of a development assistance professional with strong leadership, teamwork, and skills to advise on USAID activities mainly in Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname. Additionally, a key responsibility of the Development Specialist Advisor (DSA) would be to liaise with the U.S. Embassies in Georgetown, Port of Spain, and Paramaribo, and keep the Ambassador and Deputy Chief of Mission informed of USAID programs as requested by the Regional Representative. The Specialist responsibilities would require engagement with the Government of Guyana, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, and the Government of Suriname officials, donors, and other key partners, as appropriate. A critical role that this person will perform will be to interact with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), USAID's principal development partner in the region. The position reports to the USAID Regional Representative for USAID/Eastern and Southern Caribbean. DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION: Coordinated by the Regional Representative and in close consultation with the Program Officer, and General Development Officer, the candidate will advise, inform and make recommendations regarding development matters to the U.S. Ambassador and the wider U.S. Embassy Country Team in all three countries. He/She shall also provide similar inputs in discussions with other donors and counterparts; and, represent USAID in the three countries to other donor agencies, private sector organizations, civil society organizations, and the host country government. This will include drafting and occasionally delivering public remarks during USAID sponsored public events, representing USAID at -donor-agency meetings, and attending high-level events with senior officials of the governments of the three countries and CARICOM. The individual should research, identify, analyze and prepare reports on key political/social, trade/economic, defense/security issues and emerging trends and contacts of interest/relevance to USAID; effectively use and contribute to the mission's map of relationships with various stakeholders, decision-makers, policy makers, thinkers and influencers; use this network proactively to ensure smooth access for the USAID/ESC mission staff; communicate and coordinate with other USAID/ESC staff, USAID/Washington, officials in government agencies, bilateral and multilateral donor agencies, business associations, and private sector institutions involved in the economy; deliver written and oral briefings to officials of governmental organizations, business associations, multilateral institutions, international and national organizations, Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs), and other stakeholders on policy, strategy and program issues as it affects the ESC economy. Coordination (80%) The Development Specialist will need to maintain excellent communication and coordination with the mission in Barbados to ensure he/she has a clear understanding of the strategy, approach and risks of all issues relevant to the position. He/She must have sound knowledge of the various activities being carried out by implementing partners in the relevant countries, drawing on partner reports and including results, and compiling and providing summary reports to the interagency and ESC. The incumbent is expected to develop relationships with all relevant colleagues from offices such as Department of State Political and Economic Offices from the DoS, and the Offices of the Defense Attach (DAT) and of Security Cooperation (OSC) from DoD, as well as other US agencies in Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. He/She will be responsible for the following tasks: - Contribute to shaping USAID policies on economic growth and poverty reduction including commenting on countries strategic and operational documents, preparing reports to Front Office, USAID senior management, and external audiences, and liaising with external partners. - Advise and inform the U.S. Ambassador and Country Team in each of the three southern countries on relevant matters: provide strategic guidance, analysis, advice, and recommendations regarding development issues to the U.S. Ambassador and the wider U.S. Embassy Country Team. Also, provide similar inputs in discussions with other donors and counterparts. - The Specialist should closely coordinate with the USAID/ESC Program Office on interacting with the Embassy's Public Affairs Specialists (PAS) in Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago to ensure USAID messaging is meeting USG communication goals and objectives. - Liaison with CARICOM; Ministries in Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago; and other Development Partners in the three countries. Build and maintain strong relationships with government officials including senior advisors and officials at ministerial level, representatives from the university and research community. Maintain collaborative working relationships with private business, banking and donor community as needed to perform responsibilities. As needed, serve as the Mission's focal point on committees and working groups organized within the USAID Mission, by other donors or CARICOM, on matters related to the strategy and goals of the USAID Mission in the country areas of responsibility. - Conduct analysis on development assistance issues including donor coordination. Maintain dialogue with key donors to stay abreast of developments and emerging cross cutting issues which include but are not limited to economic conditions, institutional reforms, good governance, gender, and security. - Participate in outreach program coordination. This may include drafting and delivering public remarks during USAID sponsored public events, representing USAID at heads-of-donor-agency meetings, and attending high-level events with senior Government officials. Economic Analysis/Advisory (20%) - Serve in an advisory capacity to the Mission for strategy and program design, evaluation and performance monitoring, and activity implementation by providing relevant economic information and analysis. This could include, inter alia, analysis and reporting on current economic conditions, the countries in the Caribbean's fiscal policy; trade and investment policies; multi-donor initiatives and positions; and private sector and civil society initiatives with implications for poverty reduction. - Analyze economic policies and economic trends for their impact on ESC's economic development and their potential implications for USAID program and results achievement. Prepare reports and briefing materials on economic issues and developments as appropriate and useful to U.S. Mission and its partners. - Work closely with senior management team members from the US Embassy and USAID to analyze the economic situation and advise the Mission on issues affecting U.S. Mission programs and results achievement. The incumbent will exercise delegations of authority granted to PSC senior technical staff, as described in Mission Orders however, he/she will have no authority to commit USG funds. Degree of responsibility for decision-making assigned to the position: - Level of complexity of work assignments: The Development Specialist Advisor must work in close coordination with USAID/Barbados based team and other staff as well as staff in the Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago offices. - Knowledge level required: In-depth knowledge of development is required, with a preference for management and strategy experience. A developed understanding of USAID programming policies, regulations, procedures, and documentation, and the objectives, methodology, and status of the programs and projects to which assigned is preferred. Knowledge of the ESC's economic, political, social, and cultural characteristics and of the history of development assistance activities in the region is desired. A good understanding of the economic development sector including business enabling environment, public financial management and private sector led competitiveness and growth as well as knowledge of energy is desirable. - Supervisory Controls: The Development Specialist Advisor is directly supervised by the Regional Representative for USAID/ESC. Performance will be evaluated based on specific work objectives/benchmarks pre-determined with the USAID/ESC management team in Barbados. - Complexity of the work environment/effect on the position's responsibilities: The assignment, as outlined in Section 6. Duties and Responsibilities, will entail interaction with senior level USG and regional officials. The incumbent therefore must exercise wide and independent judgment to interpret and enforce USAID rules and regulations. Must be able to discuss sensitive issues with host country officials and other donor partners, to analyze and solve difficult problems related to the overall goals and objectives of USAID/ESC. Must be able to provide rapid independent analysis of problems, issues, and opportunities as they arise, and make recommendations to senior management. There will be a combination of office work, facilitating and conducting meetings, liaising with partners, counterparts, private sector and host country officials (by phone or face to face). - Level and purpose of contacts: Must provide consistent and credible representation of USAID to U.S. Government partners, donors, and other partner contacts and coordination bodies for technical, policy and program management issues. Will have frequent contacts with high level officials of DoD and DoS, high level officials and other partners to define and/or re-orient strategies and translate policy into program action. - Supervision/oversight over others: The incumbent is not expected to supervise any staff. - Guidelines: USAID general guidelines and Automated Directive Systems (ADS) 12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands. II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION In order to be considered for this position a candidate must meet the Required Minimum Qualifications listed below. Consideration and selection will be based on panel evaluation of Required Minimum Qualifications, Desired Qualifications and Evaluation Factors. Additionally, interviews and writing samples may be requested. Minimum Qualifications: A minimum of a Master's degree in international business, International Finance, Economics/private sector development, International Development and related fields. Professional Experience: At least 10 years of progressively responsible, professional-level experience in the management of development assistance, humanitarian or conflict-prevention programs or related work required. This should include experience with donor agencies, host-government organizations, non-government organizations, or private-sector institutions. Strong preference for candidates with experience working with Departments of State and or Defense. Significant experience in economic growth, or energy and/or environment programming (required). Significant experience in program design, and monitoring and evaluation (desired). Familiarity with USG/USAID regulations is highly desirable. Latin America and Caribbean experience (highly desired) development related fields. Skills and Abilities: Proven ability to communicate and work cross-culturally at a high level, in a challenging and ever-changing environment (required); excellent written and oral communications skills in English (required); strong interpersonal skills, team player, and the proven ability to multi-task. (required); knowledge of Microsoft Office suite of applications (required). The incumbent must be capable of working independently on a number of tasks simultaneously with minimal supervision. The incumbent must be able to identify, mobilize, and effectively draw upon the expertise of technical and managerial personnel in the Mission and other USAID offices. In addition, the incumbent will be expected to participate actively in meetings as appropriate with the Embassy, USAID/Washington representatives, other donors, counterpart government officials, partners, and technical experts. Demonstrated capability for perceptive analysis. Ability to develop and maintain a network of experts and partners in technical and geographic areas. Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills are required. The incumbent must possess excellent communication skills. English fluency (Level IV) coupled with excellent written and spoken English language skills are critical for job success. The above-mentioned factors will be the basis for the evaluation of all applications. All applications will be evaluated based on the documentation submitted with the application. Applicants are required to provide a cover letter addressing how they meet the requirements of each criterion listed and submit three to five professional references with complete contact information. Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the selection criteria (listed in descending order of importance). 3. The ability to obtain the security level and medical clearances as required for the position. III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS Offerors will be evaluated and ranked on the extent and quality of their education, professional work experience, technical knowledge, and professional presentation as they relate to this position against the following criteria: 1. Professional Experience (40 points): The incumbent must have a minimum of ten (10) years' experience working with USG and development work, of which eight (8) years is relevant overseas experience. 2. Education (10 points): A graduate degree from an accredited college or university in International Business, International Finance, Economics/private sector development, International Development related fields.is required. (Educational requirement must be met at the time of application for the subject position.) 3. Language Proficiency - English (20 points): The incumbent must possess excellent communication skills. English fluency (Level IV) coupled with excellent written and spoken English language skills are critical for job success. 4. Technical knowledge, Skills and Abilities (30 points): The incumbent should have specific knowledge and understanding of US development policies and processes and how an overseas development mission functions. S/he must demonstrate: - In-depth knowledge of development, with a preference for development assistance, humanitarian or conflict-prevention programs. Experience and being able to work with donor agencies, host-government organizations, non-government organizations, or private-sector institutions is critical to this role. Knowledge of the ESC's economic, political, social, and cultural characteristics and of the history of development assistance activities in the region is desired. A good understanding of the economic development sector including business enabling environment, public financial management, agriculture, and private sector led competitiveness and growth as well as knowledge of energy is desirable. Maximum Points Available: 100 Professional Experience: 40 points Education: 10 points Communication skills: 20 points Technical Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 30 points Total: 100 points After the closing date for receipt of offers, a committee will be convened to review offers and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation criteria. Offers which do not meet the required qualifications will not be scored. Only shortlisted offerors will be contacted. No response will be sent to unsuccessful offerors. As part of the selection process, finalist offerors may be interviewed either in person or by telephone at USAID's discretion. Reference checks will be made only for offerors considered as finalists. If an offeror does not wish USAID to contact the current employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the offer's cover letter, and USAID will delay such reference check pending communication with the offeror. Only finalists will be contacted by USAID with respect to their offers. IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER 1. Eligible offerors are required to complete and submit the offer form AID 309-2, - Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts, available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms. 2. Offers must be received by the closing date and time Section I, item 3, and submitted to the Point of Contact specified in Section I. 3. Offeror submissions must clearly reference the number of this Solicitation to ensure the offer is for the position of this Solicitation. 4. An up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV) or resume: Your CV/resume must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the application in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria. Broad general statements that are vague or lacking specificity will not be considered as effectively addressing particular selection criteria. Applicants are required to provide a cover letter addressing how they meet the requirements of each criterion listed and submit three to five professional references with complete contact information. V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award. Forms outlined below can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ 1. Form AID 309-2, - Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals, 2. Medical History and Examination Form (DS-1843) ** 3. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (SF-86) ** or 4. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85) ** 5. Finger Print Card (FD-258) ** ** Forms 2 through 5 shall be completed ONLY upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job. VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a USPSC 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: Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas) Temporary lodging allowance (Section 120), - Living quarters allowance (Section 130), - Post allowance (Section 220), - Supplemental post allowance (Section 230), - Separate maintenance allowance (Section 260),4 Education allowance (Section 270),4 Educational travel (Section 280),4 Post differential (Section 500), Payments during evacuation/authorized departure (Section 600), and Danger pay (Section 650). - Mission Directors may authorize per diem in lieu of these allowances. 4These allowances are not authorized for short tours (i.e., less than a year). 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 awards are available at these sources: USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix D, - Direct USAID Contracts with a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for Personal Services Abroad, including contract clause - General Provisions, available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf . Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms 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 . 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 5 CFR 2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations END OF SOLICITATION