R -- Senior Program Advisor/s

SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (PSC); Senior Program Advisors (two positions) USAID Nicaragua To all interested applicants: The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications (Standard Form 171 or 612) from U.S. citizens interested in providing intermittent Program Advisor PSC services to the Strategic Management and Assessment Office, mission technical teams and the Director?s Office in USAID/Nicaragua, further described in the attached solicitation. Submissions shall be in accordance with the attached information and delivered to the Executive Office of the USAID Mission in Managua, Nicaragua by the specified closing date. Applications, which shall include salary history for the prior three years and the names and contact information (telephone/fax numbers, email addresses) for at least two references with knowledge of the applicant's prior work skills, may be faxed, mailed, emailed, or hand-carried to the Executive Office/Human Resources division of USAID/Nicaragua. E-mail submissions are recommended and shall be sent to: mdrazba@usaid.gov . If the applicant does not have ready access to Form 171 or 612, the same information may be submitted in resume form, so long as the requested information identified above is included. The award of a contract is subject to the availability of funds. Only short listed candidates will be contacted. Any questions regarding this position should be directed to the above email address or to fax no.: +(505) 278-3828 Applicants should retain for their record copies of all enclosures accompanying applications. Sincerely, Monica Drazba Acting/Executive Officer USAID/Nicaragua Mailing Address: AMEMB. USAID/Managua Unit 2712, Box 9 APO AA 34021 or United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Loteria Nacional 150 Mts. abajo Frente a Syscom Managua, Nicaragua FAX No. : + (505) 278-3828 ATTACHMENT 1, SOL 524-07-006 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 524-07-006 2. ISSUANCE DATE: April 14, 2007 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: April 30, 2007, 4:00 p.m. local Nicaragua time. 4. POSITION TITLE: Senior Program Advisor - Two positions 5. MARKET VALUE OF POSITION: (GS 14 - $79,115 - $102,848 per annum). The salary to be paid within this grade will depend on experience, qualifications, and salary history. The standard compensation package also includes a contribution for life and health insurance and a contribution to FICA. If the selected candidate/s qualifies as an off-shore hire under USAID regulations, the employee/s will receive additional benefits. 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The total length of the contract(s) is for two years, contractor performance will not exceed 80 workdays in the first year. Number of performance days in the second year will depend on availability of funds. 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Managua, Nicaragua. 8. SECURITY ACCESS: ?No Access? (unclassified) security clearance. 9. JOB DESCRIPTION: Position Title: Senior Program Advisor Organizational Location of the Position: USAID/Nicaragua. Managua, Nicaragua. I. Direct Supervisor The direct supervisor is the Deputy Mission Director or her designee, who provides both general guidance and specific assignments to the USPSC Senior Program Advisor. II. Supervisory Controls and Supervision Exercised The incumbent will independently carry out the functions of this position, based on general procedural guidelines and policy direction. The incumbent may exercise supervision over non-USDH employees and will serve as acting Office Chief as needed. III. Introduction USAID/Nicaragua?s SMA Office is responsible for strategic planning and policy formulation; serves as program advisor and support staff to Mission management; and provides direct and indirect support to Mission technical offices to ensure compliance with USAID policies, rules and regulations. Additionally, SMA takes the lead in overall performance monitoring and reporting, program budgeting, public outreach and information, liaison with USAID Washington offices, especially the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Bureau, and liaison with the US Embassy on program coordination and public diplomacy. SMA manages cross-cutting interests and initiatives that do not fit into one single technical office. Currently, USAID/Nicaragua implements an annual program of approximately $45 million including, democracy, economic growth, food aid, health and education. SMA is staffed by one USDH Office Chief, a USDH FSL Outreach Coordinator, an International Development Intern, one senior FSN Budget Specialist, an FSN Outreach Assistant and a secretary. Major Duties and Responsibilities The incumbent will fill the role of Senior Program Advisor on an intermittent basis to support USAID/Nicaragua?s SMA office as well as carry out special projects for the Director?s Office in all program areas. The incumbent?s primary responsibility will be to provide advice, guidance and training to the SMA and all technical teams to carry out the functions of strategy and program design, program implementation support, program monitoring and evaluation, outreach and communication during peak and critical programming periods. This assignment includes strategic oversight and management support of day-to-day operations of the SMA Office. In this capacity, the Senior Program Advisor will backstop teams in the Mission as assigned to plan and implement a broad range of programs. He/she may provide mentorship support to team leaders and office chiefs, particularly New Entry Professional staff on their first assignment tours. As needed, he/she may also be expected to lead major efforts relating to the implementation of regular and special program activities such as the Operational Plan, the Annual Report and the CBJ, among others. The incumbent will have broad latitude in exercising independent judgment and is responsible for carrying out the function of this position independently according to USG policies, professional knowledge, and operational best practices. To strengthen project management capabilities, the incumbent will be required to assess training needs in SMA and Technical offices. Based on these assessments, and in consultation with the Director?s office, the incumbent then will develop training materials and modules that will serve as a future training resource for the Mission. Specific assignments may include but are not limited to the following list. Actual scope for each intermittent assignment will vary depending on the needs of the Mission, as determined by the Director?s Office. 1. Coordinate efforts in support of the SOTs in implementing their activities. This will include preparing and reviewing program design and results frameworks. The incumbent will also review and analyze results reported by implementing partners and will prepare summary reports with analyses and recommendations. The incumbent may be asked to lead activities or sub-activities implemented by the SO teams. 2. Independently carries out special project as required by the Director?s Office in a wide variety of program and technical areas. 3. As determined by the Director?s Office, carry out needs-assessment for professional development to develop training modules and materials for current and future use to strengthen project management capabilities for technical teams, including Office Chiefs and FSN specialists. 4. Incumbent will ensure quality control on all day-to-day actions and requests from the Embassy and USAID/Washington. 5. Provide guidance and support related to changing strategy to include advice on GDA initiatives, the F Foreign Assistance Framework and Operational Plan structure. 6. Provide expert advice to SMA and the SOTs in updating performance monitoring plans (PMPs), preparing performance reports, and reviewing/designing performance indicators, including their baselines, targets, and Data Quality Assessments in preparation for the Mission?s semi-annual portfolio reviews and Annual Reporting. 7. Provide guidance to the SO Teams in developing documents such as Scopes of Work and Requests for Proposals/Assistance for procurement actions. 8. Prepare annual and other mission reports to Washington, portfolio review documents and pipeline analysis narratives. 9. Provide expert advice and guidance to improve current implementing mechanisms with the Government of Nicaragua. 10. Provide expert advice and training to the SMA office and SOTs on program-related issues, USAID policies, and creative solutions to program management and implementation issues. 11. Serve as mentor to New Entry Professional direct-hire staff and International Development Interns. 12. Perform other duties as assigned, including interim SO team leadership, when needed. The incumbent is also expected to respond flexibly and capably to a wide-range of work-related requirements; responding to Washington policy and operational requests, and carrying out ad hoc assignments as dictated by unforeseen operational requirements at the discretion of the Mission Director or Deputy Mission Director. Qualifications and Skills General Requirements ? U.S. Citizenship ? Bachelor?s degree in international development, international affairs, economics, development policy, business or public administration or related is required. A master?s or doctorate degree in the above fields is preferred. ? At least fifteen years of experience in developing, managing and evaluating social and economic development programs; ? At least 3S/3R in Spanish; ? Ability to obtain a ?No Access? (unclassified) security clearance. Specific Knowledge, Experience and Skills ? A broad understanding of issues related to international development, Central America and Nicaragua, is required. ? Strong knowledge of economic and sectoral issues, specifically in agriculture, business, trade and investment, environment and food security; anti-corruption, transparency and governance; rule of law and justice sector reform; elections; health and education is required. ? Knowledge and prior experience in preparing project design and analysis, and program/project management and implementation, including knowledge of development policies and regulations, and performance monitoring standards and practices is required. ? Knowledge and experience with the new Operational Plan framework is preferred. ? Excellent written and spoken English communication skills, as well as personal initiative, organizational skills, and the capacity to present information effectively and creatively. VI. Evaluation Criteria 1. Broad Development and Program Management Experience, including expertise in economic growth, natural resources management, environment, democracy and governance, the social sectors, and food security (50 points) 2. Interpersonal, teamwork and leadership skills (15 points) 3. Oral and written communication skills, including the ability to read and speak Spanish (at least FSI 3/3 level) (15 points) 4. Education (10 points) 5. Experience in the Latin American region; Nicaragua experience preferred (10) Selection Process: After the closing date for receipt of applications, a committee will be convened to review applications and evaluate them in accord with the evaluation criteria. Applications from candidates which do not meet the required selection criteria will not be scored. As part of the selection process, finalist candidates may be interviewed either in person or by telephone at USAID?s discretion. Reference checks will be made only for applicants considered as finalists. If an applicant does not wish USAID to contact a current employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the applicant?s cover letter, and USAID will delay such reference check pending communication with the applicant. Only finalists will be contacted by USAID with respect to their applications. The final selected candidates must obtain security and medical clearances within a reasonable period of time (USAID will provide details regarding these clearances to the selected candidate). ATTACHMENT 2: Personal Service Contract (PSC) Contractor Benefits (As allowable under applicable regulations) AS A MATTER OF POLICY, AND AS APPROPRIATE, AN OFFSHORE USPSC IS NORMALLY AUTHORIZED THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS: 1. BENEFITS (1) Employee's FICA Contribution (2) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance --50% of Health Insurance Annual Premium (not to exceed $7,750 for a family and $3,410 for employees without dependents) --50% of Life Insurance Annual Premium (not to exceed $500) (3) Pay Comparability Adjustment --Annual across the board salary increase for USG employees and USPSCs (4) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation (5) Vacation & Sick Leave 2. Allowances* (If Applicable): As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, an offshore USPSC is normally authorized the following allowances: (1) Post Differential (Section 500) (2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) (3) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) (4) Post Allowance (COLA)(Section 220) (5) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) (6) Payments During Evacuation (Section 600) (7) Education Allowance (Section 270) (8) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) (9) Danger Pay (Section 650) (10) Educational Travel (Section 280) * Dept. of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). 3. Federal Taxes: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes. 4. List of REQUIRED Forms for USPSCs a. Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612. (U.S. Government Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612 are available at the USAID web site, http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms or internet http://fillform.gsa.gov, or at USG offices.) Forms (b) through (e) shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the position. b. Medical History and Examination (DS-1843). c. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or d. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85). e. Finger Print Card (FD-258). (NOTE: Form is available from the requirements office.) 5. Contract Information Bulletins (CIBs.) and Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives (AAPDs) Pertaining to PSCs CIBs and AAPDs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to this website http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/psc_solicitations.html to determine which CIBS and AAPDs apply to this contract.