R -- Elections and Political Processes Advisor

Ladies/Gentlemen:Subject: Elections and Political Processes Advisor The United States Government represented by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeing applications (Standard Form 171 or 0F 612) from qualified U.S. Citizens interested in providing the services as described in the attached solicitation. Submittals shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain a secret level security clearance and medical clearance are mandatory requirements. USAID is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive appropriate consideration without regard to non-merit factors such as race, color, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age, politics or disability which do not relate to successful performance of the duties of this position. Otherwise qualified applicants with disabilities who need reasonable accommodation may notify the agency Point of Contact on this announcement of their need. Any questions on the solicitation may be directed to Monica Drazba USAID/Nicaragua Acting Executive Officer Phone: (505) 267-0502, ext. 252 Facsimile (505) 278-3828 e-mail: mdrazba@usaid.gov Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. All applications and the required documents should be submitted to: Courier U.S.Mail USAID/Nicaragua Executive Officer De la Loter'a Nacional Amemb. USAID/Managua 200 metros abajo Edificio AID Unit 2712, Box 9 Managua, Nicaragua APO AA 34021 Sincerely, Monica Drazba Acting Executive Officer SOLICITATION NUMBER: RFP 524-05-002 ISSUANCE DATE: March 9, 2005 CLOSING DATE/TIME: April 11, 2005 (4:30 p.m. Local time) POSITION TITLE: Elections and Political Processes Advisor MARKET VALUE: $64,478 - 83,819 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 20 months (subject to availability of funds) PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Managua, Nicaragua SECURITY ACCESS: Secret AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens POSITION DESCRIPTION 1. Background Nicaragua will carry out national elections in November 2006. This will be the fourth general election since the restoration of democratic rule in 1990. As such, the election of 2006 will be a consolidation election rather than a transition election. Despite this, the last election in November 2001, revealed a number of flaws in the process of registering voters and conducting the elections. Most notable were problems with the preparation of voter rolls and the delivery of voter identification documents. USAID/Nicaragua wishes to contract with an individual under a Personal Services Contract (PSC) to plan, manage and monitor a significant set of USAID-funded Elections and Political Processes (EPP) related activities. The contract will be for 20 months (subject to availability of funds). The contractor will be stationed in Managua, work from the USAID/Nicaragua offices in the USAID compound, and travel as necessary outside the capital city. The Democracy Initiatives technical office staff consists of one Foreign Service Direct Hire, one USPSC (EPP Advisor), and four Foreign Service Nationals. 2. Specific Duties and Responsibilities The USAID/Nicaragua Elections and Political Processes (EPP) Advisor has a broad range of strategic, programmatic, administrative, and coordination responsibilities pertaining to the implementation of USAID's extensive EPP and governance activities in Nicaragua. Management and provision of technical assistance to EPP activities require attention to an array of substantive issues including but not limited to: strengthening the ability of the GON, political parties, and civic representatives to more effectively advocate for and assist in the implementation of electoral and governance processes that are more transparent, competitive, open and efficient including election-related activities as well as a range of governance endeavors that may include anti-corruption/transparency efforts and military transition to civilian control, among others; enactment and implementation of appropriate amendments to the electoral law; preparation of the voter rolls and the delivery of voter identification documents; improving the enforcement of elections procedures; better oversight of the electoral process; more informed and increased voter participation; strengthening the relationship between political parties and their constituencies and improving parties representation of constituency interests; strengthening the democratic management and organization of political parties; and donor coordination and collaboration including the establishment of a donor coordination group for the November 2006 election. Specifically, under the direction of the direct hire Chief of the Office of Democratic Initiatives the EPP Advisor shall: 1. Serve as USAID's principle, in-country technical expert and advisor to the U.S. Government on EPP issues, as well as be informed of and collaborate with DI team on a range of on-going governance activities including, but not limited to electoral processes, anti-corruption/transparency efforts, and military transition to civilian control, as appropriate. This will encompass strategic, administrative and technical requirements for electoral administration and operations, as well as political party development, voter enfranchisement, elections monitoring, governance, and other tasks as appropriate; 2. Manage the various contracts, grants and cooperative agreements with contractors and grantees that will be implementing USAID's elections and political processes assistance strategy. Concentrate his/her management effort on ensuring that USAID's implementing partners are providing timely and appropriate technical assistance, training, and materials to their Nicaraguan counterpart agencies and civil society groups to ensure a successful election; 3. Serve as USAID's and the U.S. Embassy's lead interlocutor on EPP matters with the GON, civil society organizations, and bilateral and multilateral donors. The Advisor must ensure effective coordination with other USAID activities, U.S. Embassy activities, and projects of other organizations, such as multilateral, bilateral, and private donors. S/he will regularly participate in or lead donor coordination meetings and other venues to maximize this coordination. Opportunities for joint programming should be identified and pursued as appropriate and information widely shared to prevent duplication; 4. Design, draft and/or coordinate the preparation of necessary documents related to EPP assistance (e.g. Concept Papers, Project Approval Documents, Congressional Budget Justification, Annual Reports, Congressional and Technical Notifications, briefing papers, and talking points). These documents should be well written and timely, requiring no editing or minimal editing; 5. Provide performance monitoring and evaluation of EPP programs and ensuring acceptable performance and attainment of defined objectives of USAID activities. S/he must oversee the collection of EPP performance monitoring data, reviewing to ensure data quality, timeliness, and on-going utility of the data for documenting program performance and identifying management issues. The data should also be analyzed to pinpoint problem areas, corrective steps and successes to be replicated to improve achievement of EPP results and the DG strategy; 6. Engage in public outreach and coordination. The advisor will team with USAID Mission public outreach/relations staff in the development of briefing materials for public outreach. In addition, the Advisor must maintain dialogue with in-country partners, customers, and stakeholders as well as relevant Washington stakeholders to build their support for the Mission's EPP activities. 3. Supervision and Relationships A. The EPP Advisor shall work under the direction of the Chief of the Office of Democratic Initiatives (ODI) of USAID/Nicaragua. Performance of the Contractor shall directly relate to the above statement of work (SOW), the U.S. Embassy's Mission Performance Plan (Democracy Objectives), and the general technical and administrative objectives of USAID/Nicaragua's Democracy Results Framework. B. Standards for performance evaluation shall include timely and effective completion of tasks, high quality and acceptance of written products, effective interpersonal communication and management skills, creativity, full participation as a team member, and effectiveness in accomplishing the SOW. Performance benchmarks will be established through the preparation of annual work objectives and requirements. A review/update of these objectives will be carried out during a mid-cycle review and at the end of the contract. This performance evaluation will include a review of program objectives as well as the performance of the Contractor. Therefore, if the specific duties and responsibilities are determined by USAID/Nicaragua to have changed over a period of time, the Contractor will be expected to adapt to and perform the necessary duties as modified. C. Nature, level, and purpose of contacts: The Contractor shall ensure effective coordination and information sharing with ODI members, other USG agencies or departments, bilateral and multilateral donors, GON, and civil society groups. D. The EPP Advisor shall supervise one or more FSN Team Leaders, to be determined by the ODI Chief. S/he shall provide substantive input to FSN evaluations of staff working under his or her guidance. S/he will also closely collaborate with and advise other FSN Team staff as appropriate. 4. Qualifications - Selection Criteria A. Skills and Qualifications: (35 points in total) the successful candidate will demonstrate the following competencies: - Advanced Academic degree (M.A., equivalent, or higher) in social science, political science, international relations, international development, management, public policy, or law. -- 10 points - Spanish language oral and written presentation skills (minimum FSI 3/3) -- 10 points - English oral and writing skills reflecting an ability to analyze and report to a wide audience on the issues and progress of the democracy program, and ability in reviewing and editing documents (minimum FSI 4/4) -- 10 points. - Computer skills in word processing, and preferably in spreadsheet software as well -- 5 points B. Employment Experience: (65 points total) - At least five years of direct experience in designing, implementing and monitoring/evaluating EPP programs (e.g. electoral systems, election administration, voter education, political party development, voter registration, and election observation) is required. -- 20 points. - At least 10 years of practical experience designing, implementing and monitoring/evaluating cross-cutting democracy programs (e.g. transparency, anti-corruption, municipal development, decentralization, legislative strengthening, political party development, election administration, civil society, rule of law, et al). -- 10 points - Interpersonal skills: Demonstrated success in pro-active management and attainment of one's work responsibilities, forward-planning to meet a variety of contingencies and working effectively as a member of a multi-cultural team with the trust and respect of colleagues. -- 10 points - Three to five years of overseas work experience. Proven organizational, administrative, teamwork and cross-cultural skills in an overseas setting (preferably in Latin America). -- 10 points. - Two years work experience with USG foreign affairs agencies or programs. -- 10 points - Computer Skills: Proficiency in Word processing programs, PowerPoint, the internet, and e-mail is required. -- 5 points 7. Applying: Qualified individuals are requested to submit: For USPSCs a U.S. Government Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612 (available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms or internet http://fillform.gsa.gov, or at Federal offices); Applications must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in the cover letter. 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. 8. List of Required Forms for PSCs Forms outlined below can found at http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/ 1. Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612. 2. Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62). ** 3. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or ** 4. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85). ** 5. Finger Print Card (FD-258). ** * Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). ** 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. 9. Contract Information Bulletins (CIBS) or Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives (AAPDs) pertaining to PSCs. CIBs/AAPDs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to this website: http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/ to determine which CIBS apply to this contract. 10. Compensation, Benefits and Allowances: The position has been identified as GS-13 ($64,478 - $83,819). The actual salary of the successful candidate will be negotiated depending on qualifications and previous earning history. Currently, the positions allowance includes a Post Allowance (see also detail list of allowances below). As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: (NOTE: An individual defined as a Resident Hire employee may only be eligible for those benefits listed below.) 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 ALLOWANCES (If Applicable): (1) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) (2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) (3) Post Allowance (Section 220) (4) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) (5) Post Differential (Chapter 500) (6) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) and (7) Danger Pay (Section 650) (8) Educational Allowance (Section 270) (9) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) (10) Educational Travel (Section 280) For more information, please see Standardized Regulations: http://www.state.gov/m/a/als/c1843.htm * Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas).