R -- Food for Peace Officer

SOLICITATION NUMBER: M/OAA/DCHA/ AFP-05-269ISSUANCE DATE: December 21, 2004 CLOSING DATE: January 19, 2005; 10 A.M. EST SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personnel Service Contractor (PSC) for Food for Peace Officer (GS 13 equivalent) in the Food For Peace Office, Emergency Program Division in Washington, D.C. Ladies/Gentlemen: The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications (Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612) of qualified individuals from U.S. Citizens interested in providing Personal Services Contract (PSC) services for one PSC Food For Peace Officer position (GS 13 equivalent), Bureau for Humanitarian Response, Office of Food for Peace - as described in the attached solicitation. Submittals shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Resumes may be attached to the SF-171 or OF-612. Applicants are required to sign the certification at the end of the SF-171 or OF-612. Applications that are received without a signature will not be considered for the position. Application forms, U.S. Government Standard Form (SF) 171 or Optional Form (OP) 612, can be located at: http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/forms.html The U.S. mail system is not as reliable as other methods of submitting applications, such as courier, overnight mail services, hand delivery, fax or by e-mail. Applicants are responsible for submitting the SF 171 or OF 612, so as to reach the government office designated in the solicitation by the closing date and time specified in the solicitation, regardless of the method of submission. An application received after the closing date and time will be considered late, unless there is acceptable evidence to establish that it was received by the Government installation prior to the time and date specified in the solicitation. Any questions as well as submission of proposals in response to this solicitation must be directed to: Anne Sattgast, Contract Specialist U.S. Agency for International Development Office of Acquisition & Assistance, M/OAA/DCHA/AFP RRB, Room 7.09-145 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20523 Telephone: 202-712-0338 Fax: 202-216-3396 e-mail: asattgast@usaid.gov Applications that are submitted by courier service or hand carried must be accepted at the 14th Street entrance of the Ronald Reagan Building. Applicants should retain for their record copies of all enclosures that accompany their applications. Sincerely, Kimberly J. Ball Contracting Officer Attachment 1 ATTACHMENT: Solicitation for PSC - V Food for Peace Officer, Emergency Program Division, Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA), Office of Food For Peace (FFP) 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: M/OAA/DCHA/AFP-05-269 2. ISSUANCE DATE: December 21, 2004 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: January 19, 2005; 10 A.M. EST 4. POSITION TITLE: Food for Peace Officer, Emergency Program Division, Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA), Office of Food for Peace (FFP) 5. MARKET VALUE: GS-13 Equivalent ($72,108 - $93,742). Final compensation will be based upon the candidate's past salary, work history and educational background. Candidates who live outside the Washington, D.C. area will be considered for employment but no relocation expenses will be reimbursed. 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years with one option year. 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Washington, D.C. with possible field trip assignments. 8. POSITION DESCRIPTION: See Below INTRODUCTION The Food for Peace Officer, Emergency Program Division, Office of Food for Peace, Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA/FFP/EP), manages Title II programs of Public Law 480 of the U. S. Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, as amended to combat hunger and malnutrition in emergency situations thus resulting in lives saved. The functions of the Food for Peace Program are outlined in the ADS Handbook 9. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Analyzes and develops country and regional P.L. 480 program strategies both within USAID and within the U.S. Government structure for emergency food programs. Develops and monitors program responses, updates total food requirements and inputs including pledges and commitments from other donors. (10 percent) 2. Coordinates the provision of food aid in emergency situations with the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (DCHA/OFDA), the appropriate USAID regional Bureau staff and with the State Department Population Refugee and Migration Office (PRM). For specific emergencies, ensures that appropriate assessments of food needs are conducted for emergency food relief planning and implementation. (20 percent) 3. Reviews emergency assistance proposals and programs and ensures that they are consistent with policy and legislative guidelines and with accepted programming principles and practices. Recommends appropriate DCHA/FFP food response to each emergency food proposal, in the context of overall budget levels and programs. Coordinates with regional bureaus, the Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs), and international organizations such as the World Food Programme (WFP) to reach agreement on program priorities. (25 percent) 4. Recommends appropriate U.S. Government responses to appeals to food aid for refugees or displaced persons received from the State Department/PRM, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, the World Food Programme, and other multilateral agencies. Provides advice in interagency meetings on issues concerning relief food aid requirements. (5 percent) 5. Develops and maintains liaison within USAID and with representatives of Private Voluntary Organizations, World Food Programme and other international cooperating sponsors to keep them fully informed about Food for Peace emergency food assistance policies and procedures, and to discuss and resolve mutual problems. (10 percent) 6. Represents DCHA/FFP/EP, as required, in meetings with USAID staff, U.S. PVOs, other government departments and agencies, and private associations on policy and program matters related to P.L. 480 emergency food relief programs under DCHA/FFP's direction. (10 percent) 7. Provides technical assistance and policy guidance to USAID Missions (in the field) regarding emergency food aid program planning and implementation to ensure effectiveness of emergency relief programs. (10 percent) 8. Monitors, evaluates and assess the effectiveness of emergency programs, developing lessons learned for application to other emergency programs; participates, as observer on U.N. assessment teams, to determine the level and appropriateness of the international humanitarian response. (5 percent) 9. Develops recommendations on a wide range of policy questions relating to the use of food aid resources in the emergency relief assistance program. (5 percent) SUPERVISION The Office Director of DCHA/FFP and Emergency Division Chief provides policy and general direction. The incumbent functions as a part of a geographic team led by the Team Leader, working independently on implementing projects, coordinating with other office, agency or interagency personnel and backstopping other team members as needed. Project accomplishments are reviewed for compliance with broad Title II legislation, A.I.D. policy and responsiveness to DCHA/FFP programs and Bureau strategic objectives. EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION A four year degree from a U.S. institution (preferably in humanitarian response, international relations or development, public administration, food security/nutrition, or related field), and at least three years of related work experience is required. Relevant Master's Degree and/or field experience desirable. GUIDELINES Guidelines consist of Title II laws and legislative initiatives and Agency and Bureau rules and regulations, governing the use of the U.S. food assistance. Incumbent must exercise considerable judgment in determining the application of current legislative provisions and executive policies to assigned responsibilities. Given the unique emergency requirements inherent in the majority of the regions of the world, the incumbent is expected to be innovative and original in formulating new or improved approaches to problem resolution, including the initiation of actions that may result in new policy. COMPLEXITY The work requires the application of extensive knowledge of planning and developing emergency food aid programs. Issues are often characterized by unusual demands of the vital role that food aid plays in meeting the emergency and short-range needs of the hungry. Incumbent evaluates and interprets policies and projects, develops a range of alternatives for the solution of policy problems, and coordinates the work with other professionals in the accomplishment of several phases of complex projects concurrently and sequentially. The necessary analytical skills require full awareness of food aid program complexities with changing economic, social and programmatic circumstances in which the efficient use of resources remain under constant review and assessment. SCOPE AND EFFECT The purpose of the work is to meet the nutritional needs of targeted, vulnerable groups, or to plan and manage responses for USAIDs worldwide food assistance program to combat hunger. The position requires a high degree of initiative, originality, foresight and judgment to assure attention to policy and effective implementation of the purposes of P.L. 480. The incumbent provides senior DCHA and USAID management with the basis for decisions affecting major current DCHA/FFP projects that affect the U.S. Governments effort to combat hunger abroad. PERSONAL CONTACTS The incumbent develops and maintains close contact with senior level USAID personnel; Bureau and Agency staff; other U.S. Government agencies; and the U.N. agencies. Incumbent works with private voluntary organizations and officials of foreign governments. Some contacts with specific individuals are recurrent since the incumbent functions in a coordinating capacity to convey policy and discern policy differences. Other contacts may be characterized by their unstructured settings and by the flexibility of approach and breadth of subject matter. PURPOSE OF CONTACTS The purpose of contacts is to direct USAIDs food assistance programs, provide guidelines and procedures for responses to specific countries suffering from natural disaster or civil strife; and to provide technical guidance in identifying, developing and monitoring emergency food aid programs. WORK ENVIRONMENT Work is primarily performed in an office setting. The position is based in Washington D.C. with travel as required. The requirement for field trips to visit food aid programs may expose the incumbent to difficult working surroundings and security risks. Historically, the FFP Officer has been required to travel 3-5 times a year for a total duration of 5 to 10 weeks. However, travel may vary depending on the requirement and the situation in the countries covered by the selected candidate. SECURITY CLEARANCE This position requires the ability to obtain a SECRET security clearance. Person must be a U.S. citizen to obtain a security clearance. SELECTIVE FACTORS In order to effectively carry out the responsibilities of this position, the following knowledge and skills are required: - X Sufficient experience to provide a working understanding of the legislative and policy mandates, objectives and functions of the P.L. 480 Title II Food for Peace Program. - X Experience with and/or knowledge of the causes of food insecurity necessary to recommend policies, strategies, and procedures to effectively use food aid resources to implement Agency Food Security and U.S. foreign policy objectives. - X Professional experience generating and applying new concepts in planning, implementing and evaluating activities to address complex issues relating to food security. - X Demonstrated experience with pertinent statistical, accounting, and budget principles to accurately review and analyze financial information and budgets required. Experience with U.S. government budget process desirable. - X Familiarity with Bellmon and Usual Marketing Requirement analyses sufficient to appropriately advise cooperating sponsors, USAID, USDA, and U.S. interest groups on the appropriate U.S. commodities and tonnage for individual activities. - X Analytical skills to review and evaluate regulations, reporting, and other relevant material as a basis for implementing agency and office guidelines and/or procedures, and recommending use of Title II program resources. - X Proven capacity to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including establishing and maintaining appropriate relationships with the various food aid stakeholders. - X Experience using all Microsoft Office software to successfully create reports, memos, budgets, presentations, graphs and tables. Proficiency with email and internet applications required. - X Conversational French or Spanish desirable. =================================================================== BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits (Under Automated Directives System (ADS), "www.usaid.gov/policy/ads") A. Benefits (1) Employee's FICA Contribution (2) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance (3) Pay Comparability Adjustment (4) Annual Increase (5) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation (6) Annual & Sick Leave B. 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) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) (6) Education Allowance (Section 270) (7) Education Travel (Section 280) (8) Post Differential (Chapter 500) (9) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600), and (10) Danger Pay (Section 650) NOTE: None of the above allowances are applicable to this solicitation with the exception of (10) which is ONLY applicable for TDY performance. * Dept. of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). APPLYING A. Qualified Individuals should note that: 1. Applications must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in the cover letter or they will not be considered eligible for evaluation or award, unless the Contracting Officer determines that the documents were mishandled by the receiving agency. The closing time for receipt of applications is 10:00 A.M. on the date specified in the covering letter. You are directed to Federal Acquisition Regulation, Part 15.208 Submission, modification, revision, and withdrawal of proposals for further information. 2. 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, as well as using the address/delivery point specified in this solicitation. B. List of REQUIRED Forms for PSCs (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). 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. Forms outlined above can found at: http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/forms.html CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) PERTAINING TO PSCs CIBs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. To determine which CIBs apply to this contract, please refer to http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/psccibs.html End of Announcement