PSC - Rule of Law - Justice Sector Program Advisor, Kabul, Aghanistan

You have received this "Personal Services Contractor (PSC)" solicitation through the Department of State (DOS) Internet site. If you have any questions regarding this PSC you may contact the DOS Official named in the cover letter of this solicitation. The number of pages contained in this electronic copy may not exactly correspond to the hard paper copy, although generally all the information is contained herein. The Department is not responsible for any data/text that may not be received when retrieving this document electronically. If the recipient does not notify the contact person that they have obtained this document then any amendments to the document may not be available to the recipients. Amendments to solicitation documents generally contain information critical to the submission of an application. PSC - Rule of Law - Justice Sector Program Advisor, Kabul, Aghanistan ISSUANCE DATE: 11/05/2013 CLOSING DATE: 12/08/2013 SOLICITATION NUMBER: PSC-14-001 (INL) Gentlemen/Ladies: SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (PSC), Department of State, Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. The United States Government, represented by the Department of State, is seeking applications from U.S. citizens interested in providing the PSC services described in the attached. HOW TO APPLY: Submissions shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. An application includes: (1) OF-612 (see attachment) (2) a resume (3) 3 Referral letters (4) any other documentation you need or want to provide. Please reference the Solicitation Number of this posting when sending your application, additional documents or ask any clarification questions(fax any other questions or, telephone and/or e-mail where applicable). Applicants are also requested to provide their full mailing address and a phone number where they can be contacted. All applications shall be submitted by e-mail and, ONLY if necessary, faxs or originals may be sent via FedEx to Larry Parr. They must arrive on time. Any questions may be directed to Larry S. Parr, Senior Advisor, INL/RM/GAPP, DOS, who may be reached at FAX No. (202) 776-8775 or E-Mail parrls@state.gov. If sent via FedEx to: Larry S. Parr, INL/RM/GAPP, Navy Hill, SA-4 South, Room 104 Department of State 2430 E. Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20520 Late applications shall not be accepted, unless there was a mishandling once received in DOS. Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures that accompany their proposals. Sincerely, Mary Pat Hayes-Crow, Contracting Officer 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: PSC-14-001 (INL) 2. ISSUANCE DATE: 11/05/2013 3. CLOSING DATE: 12/08/2013 4. TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: midnight Eastern local time 5. POSITION TITLE: ROL -Justice Sector Advisor, Kabul, Aghanistan 5. MARKET VALUE: $80,728 - 118,552 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: January 2014 - December 2014 (extendable up to 4 yrs) 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Kabul, Afghanistan 8. JOB DESCRIPTION: See below STATEMENT OF DUTIES GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONTRACTOR A. BACKGROUND The Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan Programs (INL/AP) is part of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) in the U.S. Department of State. The Bureau is responsible for the development, supervision, coordination, and implementation of international narcotics control assistance activities and international criminal justice assistance programs for the Department of State. INL/AP provides policy guidance, and develops and monitors programs to address the full range of criminal justice issues as they relate to stabilization and reconstruction activities in Afghanistan. INL has been engaged in an effort with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) to build the capacity of the Afghan justice sector. Program activities include institutional capacity building, professionalizing justice sector personnel through legal education and training initiatives, improving gender justice services, expanding legal aid services, fostering coordination within the criminal justice system, increasing public awareness and access to justice, and extending the formal justice system throughout the country. Period of Performance The Period of Performance for this position will be one year, with 4 additional option years available. B. PURPOSE. The Justice Sector Program Advisor works closely with the Bureau's program managers and specialists responsible for developing and implementing the INL justice-related programs. The Justice Sector Program Advisor will be under the leadership and direction of the INL Section's (INL/Kabul) Director and Deputy Director, reporting through the INL/Kabul Justice Program Manager. The Justice Sector Program Advisor will work with the INL/Kabul section of the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan to manage the day-to-day operations of INL's criminal justice programs and frequently coordinate with INL/AP in Washington. The Justice Sector Program Advisor will also serve as a liaison with various U.S. Government agencies, Afghan justice institutions, and international entities working on rule of law, focusing specifically on criminal justice. The Justice Sector Advisor will provide technical expertise in a wide variety of settings, including internal U.S. embassy and multi-national meetings and to assist the Government of Afghanistan in reaching its stated goals and objectives in reforming its justice system. The Justice Advisor will offer assistance in a variety of areas, including justice sector development; mentoring and training of legal practitioners; legal education promotion; gender justice initiatives; and combating major crimes, including anti-corruption, counter narcotics, and national security. S/he would also serve as a resource to the INL/Kabul Director, the Senior Liaison to CJIATF-435, the INL/Kabul Justice Program Manager, the Afghan leadership in government justice organizations, the Afghan leadership of civil society organizations, and the INL/AP Rule of Law Team Lead on justice issues. The Justice Sector Program Advisor is expected to draw on expertise from the United States, as well as innovative justice projects from other countries that could be considered by the Government of Afghanistan. C. RELATIONSHIPS The Justice Sector Advisor will be under the leadership and direction of the U.S. Embassy-Kabul INL Section's (INL/Kabul) Director and Deputy Director, reporting through the INL/Kabul Justice Team Lead. The Justice Sector Advisor works closely with INL/AP's program managers and specialists responsible for developing and implementing INL programs. D. STATEMENT OF WORK Develops and maintains a comprehensive knowledge of the Afghan legal system, with a particular focus on criminal justice, human rights standards, humanitarian law, national security, gender initiatives, access to justice, anti-corruption, and legal education. Conducts legal research, maintains a comprehensive knowledge, and provides expertise to INL and Embassy front office on international justice system development and the Afghan criminal justice system. Coordinates with INL/Kabul and INL/AP to conduct strategic planning in the justice sector, including developing new initiatives, reviewing existing programs to advise U.S. government officials regarding program compliance with U.S. and Afghan law, and reviewing program effectiveness in relation to the goals of both the U.S. Government and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA). Serves as an advisory resource for INL/Kabul, INL/AP, U.S. Embassy Kabul's Coordinating Director for Afghanistan, and Afghan justice officials on specific aspects of planning and implementation of justice reform programs in Afghanistan. Assists in the oversight, monitoring, coordination, and assessment of INL programs to ensure deliverables and foreign assistance priorities set by the Embassy are being fulfilled as directed by the INL/Kabul justice team lead. Fosters interagency cooperation, including coordinating work between the U.S. military and NATO forces conducting rule of law support operations and INL. Supports the development and maintenance of relationships with members of the international community, non-governmental organizations, Afghan justice officials, the United Nations, and NATO, and closely liaises with other international donors and Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) to partner on specialized initiatives and ensure that justice programs are well coordinated and not duplicative. Organizes and participates in meetings, seminars, and exercises to develop plans and programs for implementation of judicial sector assistance in Afghanistan and improve overall capacities to effectively reform the judicial system. Participates in outreach activities with domestic and international rule of law communities to increase awareness of INL programs and policies and solicit greater cooperation and participation. Assists GIRoA in conducting outreach to the Afghan population. Develops, delivers, and/or supports and oversees training and capacity building for GIRoA personnel as necessary and ensures that all projects are independently sustainable through internal capacities. Supports the training, mentoring, and support of Afghan justice officials in developing sensitive and high profile cases in such areas as corruption, kidnapping, national security and counter-narcotics. Mentors GIRoA officials and justice professionals on improving government function and organizational reform targeted at building capacity to independently meet Afghanistan's justice sector needs. Deploys programmatic initiatives targeted at reducing corruption across all community sectors, including justice, advocating principles of good governance and reform. Advocates for greater transparency in the traditional justice system and increased use of the formal justice system for criminal disputes. Provides oversight to programs to advance gender justice, including grants to Afghan women's shelters, legal aid, and access to justice organizations. Introduces innovative technological applications that increase the efficiency, expediency, and organization of the justice delivery system. Advises and supports Afghan law schools to build the capacity to effectively implement legal education programs. Ensures that INL/Kabul and the Embassy front office receives timely information and reporting on programs to ensure that policy decisions are fully informed by programmatic reporting. Ensures that INL/AP in Washington receives timely information and reporting to ensure that senior department, interagency, and budget briefings are fully informed of developments on the ground. Drafts reports and cables detailing pertinent activities in the justice sector. Prepares background materials and reports used by the INL/Kabul and INL/AP leadership in preparing reports, speeches, briefings, and testimony to articulate INL engagement on justice sector reform in Afghanistan. Aids in preparing written schedules of events and acts as a control officer for visiting U.S. officials and coordinates all activities and required support with proper personnel, and serves as note taker to senior level meetings. Works effectively under pressure, within short time constraints, and during times of rapidly developing events in austere conditions in and/or outside the capital. Other duties as requested and assigned by the INL/Kabul Director and Deputy Director, including supporting projects for the other sections of INL. E. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS a. U.S. citizen, eligible to attain and maintain a State Department Secret security clearance and a medical clearance. b. At least 3 years of development or legal experience. c. Excellent writing and communication skills. d. Superior negotiation, interpersonal, and managerial skills. e. Experience in planning, strategizing, implementing, and reporting on projects. f. Proven ability to work well with others. g. Proficient at basic office computer programs. h. Prior international experience. i. Basic understanding of U.S. foreign policy in Afghanistan. F. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS a. J.D. from an accredited law school, or Master's Degree in a field related to the performance of this job. b. Experience in post-conflict nations. c. Knowledge of Sharia law and civil law systems. d. Regional language skills. e. Overseas experience in implementing rule of law projects. f. Experience working at the U.S. Department of State or USAID. g. Experience working at a legal development organization. h. Demonstrated experience managing large U.S. assistance programs. i. Ability to work effectively with host-nation counterparts, departments, organizations, and ministries to further U.S. program goals and objectives and communicate those issues in a timely and concise manner. j. Familiarity with international organizations involved in justice program components in missions around the world, and demonstrated ability in coordinating programs in a multi-agency, multi-donor environment. G. POSITION DESCRIPTION Guidelines Guidelines consist of USG and Department of State Acquisition Regulations, and accepted legal principles and theories. In addition, the incumbent must be able to determine application of basic administrative policy statements concerning the issue or problem being studied, and may include reference to pertinent legislative history, related court decisions, state and local laws, or policy initiatives of agency management. The incumbent must also consider and adhere to various other existing federal regulations, and the interaction between DOS policies, legislation, the Foreign Assistance Act, and other authorization and appropriations in the INL account, applicable National Security and Presidential Decision Directives, OMB Circulars, and DOS financial operating procedures and policies. The incumbent is recognized as a substantive authority on overall management and/or interpretation of guidance on program and project planning and evaluation in a specialized area. Complexity Develops detailed plans, goals, and objectives for the long-range implementation and administration of the program(s), and/or develops criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the program(s). Coordinates and communicates complex, multi-part plans and updates with various other groups including international donors, the U.S. military, and the Government of Afghanistan. Projects require dynamic leadership and expertise and complex innovation, strict adherence to high level policy without lower level interpretive assistance, and the ability to single-handedly or in concert with a variety of other stakeholders resolve critical problems and achieve difficult goals that may impact broader programs. Projects are often broad in scope and complicated by many complex features: technical, administrative, and/or political in nature. Physical Demands In Afghanistan, the work is principally sedentary, however frequent travel in and around Afghanistan is likely; station post in either Kabul or other Afghan provinces is possible. While on site visits, there are physical demands associated with travel to and from remote areas in restrained time frames over underdeveloped infrastructure and conveyances - the position requires an above average resistance to fatigue and physical hardships. Extended on-site visits to remote project sites will occasionally be required, necessitating the ability to walk medium to longer distances (hundreds of yards or more) on generally irregular dirt or stone surfaces, in both hilly and flat terrain, and wearing heavy body armor. Those who use wheelchairs, have respiratory difficulties, or require assistance walking will find this difficult. Additionally, those undergoing medical treatment or taking certain medicines that limit their physical or mental abilities may find it difficult to adhere to the limitations recommended by their physician(s). Travel on helicopters and/or cargo-oriented fixed wing aircraft will also be required. Those with ear or other problems, who do not easily adapt to pressurized environments or higher but non-pressurized environments, will find the travel requirements of these positions difficult. Climate conditions are also often a factor. Work is often done in extremes of cold and heat, in dusty, windy, and polluted environments, and frequently outdoors. Those with circulation problems or difficulties adapting to climate extremes or extremely dusty or polluted environments will find this aspect of the position difficult. Level of Effort Hours for this full-time position will be the core hours of U.S. Embassy Kabul: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm Saturday through Thursday, with additional hours to fulfill a minimum of 55 hours per week. Travel and Position Location Frequent travel in and around Afghanistan's provinces is likely; other international and U.S. domestic travel is possible. All movements within Afghanistan will be covered by Chief of Mission transport and U.S. Government vehicles and aircraft; all travel outside of Afghanistan will be covered by commercial airline. Security Clearance The position requires the selectee to attain and maintain a Department of State Secret security clearance. F. EVALUATION FACTORS - Ability to provide expert justice subject matter and policy recommendations to senior level policy makers within the Embassy and INL. 20 % - Experience and ability to assess current programs and assist in developing and plans for improving U.S. capacities to implement justice programs. 20 % - Ability to liaise with members of relevant USG agencies, Host National representatives, and the international community in developing and coordinating justice programs. 20% - Ability to liaise with members of relevant USG agencies, Host National representatives, and the international community in developing and coordinating justice programs. 20% - Ability to communicate complex issues in a timely and concise manner, both orally and in written form. 10 % - Experience in working in a complex, stressful, or overseas environment. 10 %