R -- U.S. Personal Service Contractor (PSC) for Senior Governance/Anticorruption Advisor

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (PSC) for Senior Governance/Anticorruption Advisor (GS-14 equivalent) in the Europe and Eurasia Bureau 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) from qualified U.S. Citizens interested in providing Personal Services Contract (PSC) services 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. Incomplete or unsigned applications shall not be considered. Application forms, U.S. Government Standard Form (SF) 171 or Optional Form (OF) 612, can be located at http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms/ The U.S. mail system, courier, overnight mail services or hand delivery may be utilized. 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: Jonathan Palmer, Contracting Officer U.S. Agency for International Development Office of Acquisition & Assistance, M/OAA/GRO/ALPS 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., Room 7.8-078 Washington DC 20523 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. MARKET VALUE: GS-14 ($88,369 - $114,882). 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. Sincerely, Jonathan Palmer Contracting Officer I. SCOPE OF WORK Background The USAID Europe and Eurasia Bureau (E&E) is involved in a comprehensive program of assistance to the states of the former Soviet Union and to Central and Eastern Europe. E&E's strategy focuses on three core areas: economic restructuring and growth, democracy and governance and the social dimensions of transition. In addition, USAID develops cross-sector approaches to address critical obstacles and changing circumstances in the region. During 2003'2004, these include: systematically addressing corruption and conflict in program analysis and design; further developing social sector initiatives to broaden the benefits of reform and thereby sustain public support for it; and raising the profile of values inherent in transition programs. . Three essential elements of E&E's assistance to the region include helping to establish full democracies rooted in good governance and anticorruption, nurturing vibrant market economies, and supporting the emergence of a responsive social safety net to meet the needs of the people, especially those disadvantaged during difficult times of transition. Within E&E, the Office of Democracy, Governance and Social Transition (E&E/DGST) provides the Bureau and the USAID field missions in the region with technical and strategic expertise on policy and strategies; program design, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation; and program management for democracy and governance and social transitions, especially marginalized populations, health, labor and social safety nets. The Office has three teams; Social Transition, Health and Democracy. The teams serve as the Bureau's key technical liaison in their respective fields with other USAID Bureaus and Offices, U.S. government agencies (particularly the Department of State and Department of Justice), international donors and external stakeholders. E&E recognizes that corruption constrains progress in all development sectors and subsectors, including democracy, rule of law, health, social transition, economic growth and energy. E&E anti-corruption assistance is cross-cutting by supporting reforms intended to combat corruption within individual sector and subsector assistance programs. E&E's strategic approach in combating corruption utilizes USAID's Anti-Corruption Strategy, as well as the Bureau's programming emphasis on sector reforms that enhance Transparency, Accountability, Prevention, Education and Enforcement. E&E countries frequently suffer from poor governance and public administration practices, particularly in executive branches. Recent changes in leadership in certain E&E countries, including Georgia and Ukraine, have enhanced opportunities in reforms and practices that enhance good governance within executive branch bodies. Areas that may require assistance include developing procedures and practices that assist officials in: establishing priorities for policy formulation amidst competing priority needs and public expectations; supporting and monitoring the implementation of new policies and reforms; ensuring the accountable performance of duties by officials and staff, including the proper handling of resources entrusted to them; establishing appropriate information flows vertically and horizontally within and across government bodies; and enhancing information flows to media and citizens. Position Overview The incumbent is a member of E&E/DGST's Democracy Team. As part of the Democracy Team, S/He has primary responsibility for providing technical advice to the E&E Bureau, State Department, USAID field offices in the E&E region, and other units of USAID in all areas related to good governance and anti-corruption, including anti-corruption issues and efforts that impact progress in democracy, health, social transition [and economic growth] areas. The incumbent works closely with other E&E sector specialists, the E&E Program Office, and others in the Agency or Bureau involved with anticorruption, especially coordinating with DGST's Senior Rule of Law Advisor. The incumbent also plays a critical role in defining and formulating the strategic focus and content of USAID's anti-corruption assistance in E&E countries such that it complements programs implemented by other USG departments, including the Department of Justice and the Department of State/International Narcotics and Law Enforcement. S/He represents the E&E Bureau in discussions regarding USAID/E&E anti-corruption and good governance assistance programs with the Office of the Assistance Coordinator for Europe & Eurasia at the Department of State. S/He serves as an interlocutor among the E&E Bureau, USAID's DCHA Bureau, State Department, and the Department of Justice The advisor is responsible for developing and/or managing regional projects to assist in development of good governance models and regional cooperation among states in pursuit of government reforms and, where relevant, issues pertaining to accession to the European Union or other international bodies. The incumbent also assists USAID field offices in the region in responding to appropriate foreign government requests for consultation and technical assistance supporting good governance at any level of state government and combating corruption. Duties and Responsibilities a) Provide Bureau leadership in the analysis of governance/public administration and corruption in the region. This includes assisting USAID missions to formulate good governance and anticorruption strategies for individual countries; reviewing strategies submitted; leading and participating in governance and anticorruption assessments; directing good governance and anticorruption contract and/or grant evaluations; reviewing unsolicited proposals; and responding to Congressional inquiries. b) Serve as a senior advisor to the Europe and Eurasia Bureau with regard to the status of good governance and major anti-corruption initiatives in the E&E region, including activities of other USG agencies, host governments, other donors and non-governmental organizations. With an in-depth knowledge of USAID's good governance and anticorruption programs across the region, represent the Agency in inter-agency and international forums. c) Represent Bureau and Agency interests and best practices to senior'level and other host-government officials, as well as to NGO, business, and other host country stakeholders. Coordinate and liaise with other USG agencies and donors from other countries. d) Design new project components and activities to be implemented by Missions or contractors and/or grantees. This includes preparing scopes of work, requests for proposals/applications, Acquisition and Assistance requests, decision memos, Congressional Notifications, and inter-agency agreement letters. e) Travel within the E&E region to provide hands-on consultations, strategy formulation, assessments, and monitoring of on-going good governance and anticorruption activities. Represent the Bureau and/or the agency at international conferences and workshops relevant to governance and anticorruption. f) Provide briefings to U.S. and foreign officials, Congress, and other donors on USAID programming in the region. g) As needed, act as Cognizant Technical Officer (CTO) for assigned contracts and grants, including day-to-day responsibility for monitoring implementation of activities, tracking financial issues, processing obligation actions and other requests to OP under the contracts/grants, and responding to requests for approvals of individual activities. Supervision While the incumbent works under the direction of the Democracy Team Leader and coordinates with the Senior Rule of Law Advisor on Anti-Corruption, he/she needs to demonstrate a high degree of autonomy and responsibility. As a recognized authority in the analysis and evaluation of programs and issues, the incumbent is subject only to administrative and policy direction concerning overall project priorities and objectives. The incumbent is typically delegated complete responsibility and authority to plan, schedule and carry out major projects concerned with the analysis and evaluation of programs or organizational effectiveness. Analyses, evaluations and recommendations developed by the incumbent are normally reviewed by management officials only for potential influence on broad agency policy objectives and program goals. Findings and recommendations are often accepted without significant changes. Required Skills and Qualifications The Senior Governance/Anticorruption Advisor must be an individual with sound judgment, excellent writing and communication skills and have a well-developed understanding of U.S. foreign policy interests and the role USAID programming can play in the development of democracy. The successful candidate must be able to accomplish a wide range of assignments on short notice. Since work often involves changes in program direction and implementation, including frequent coordination, the individual must be someone who is highly flexible and able to work on multiple tasks simultaneously. He/she must be able to work effectively and productively as a member of a team. In order to be considered for the position, a candidate must be a U.S. citizen and must submit an application in accordance with the guidance below in Section III, Applying. In addition, a candidate must meet the Selective Factors listed below. Consideration and selection will be based on panel evaluation of the Evaluative Factors. Interviews and a writing exercise may be requested. Applicants are encouraged to write a brief appendix to the OF-612 or SF-171 to demonstrate how prior experience and/or education and training address both the Selective and Evaluative Factors. Selective Factors (Minimum Qualifications) - An advanced degree such as Masters of Public Administration, Political Science, or International Relations or Juris Doctor preferred. Relevant high level work experience may be a substitute. Minimum of five (5) years experience in any combination of the following: - Managing, designing, implementing and/or evaluating governance or anticorruption activities on behalf of an international donor, the US Government, or an NGO. Hands on experience in public administration at a senior level (e.g., chief of staff) may be substituted for this requirement, however the incumbent will need to demonstrate appropriate experience in the international development field. - Work experience in democratic development, democracies in transition, political science, international affairs or a related area, preferably working for USAID, another U.S. government agency, or a similar organization with programs fostering the development of democracy. - Work experience in working with and/or familiarity with post-communist governments in Central and Eastern Europe and/or Eurasia. - Work experience in a multi-disciplinary team context, while maintaining an aggressive work pace, in order to produce results under intense scrutiny. Candidates who meet the above qualifications will be evaluated according to the following criteria: Evaluative Factors (Ranking Qualifications) - Demonstrated experience in managing, designing, implementing and/or evaluating governance or anticorruption activities on behalf of an international donor, the US Government, or an NGO. Hands on experience in public administration at a senior level (e.g., chief of staff) may be substituted for this requirement, however the incumbent will need to demonstrate appropriate experience in the international development field (35 points) - Demonstrated experience in democratic development, democracies in transition, political science, international affairs or a related area, preferably working for USAID, another U.S. government agency, or a similar organization with programs fostering the development of democracy. (25 points) - Cultural Environment: Knowledge of history, culture, and politics of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia with background in pertinent issues such as corruption, governance, economic growth, and democracy development challenges. (20 points) - Working proficiency in Russian and/or other language of the region. (5 points) - An advanced degree such as Masters of Public Administration, Political Science, or International Relations or Juris Doctor. (5 points) - Work experience dealing with the complexity of diverse ethnic and religious populations and/or Islamic cultures desirable but not required. (5 points) - Work experience in a multi-disciplinary team context, while maintaining an aggressive work pace, in order to produce results under intense scrutiny. (5 points) Duration of Contract: Two years II. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES: As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: A. Benefits: (1) Employee's FICA Contribution (2) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance (3) Pay Comparability Adjustment (4) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation (5) Vacation & Sick Leave (only earned for actual work days) B. Allowances (If Applicable): (1) Post Differential (Chapter 500*) and (2) Danger Pay (Section 650*) * Dept. of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). C. Federal Taxes: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes. III. 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 or there is acceptable evidence to establish that it was received by the Government installation prior to the time and date specified in the solicitation. The closing time for receipt of applications is 4:00 pm on the date specified in the cover 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 well the subject line in any cover letter, as well as using the address/delivery point specified in this solicitation. 3. The highest ranking applicants may be selected for an interview, but an interview is not always necessary. B. List of REQUIRED Forms for PSCs Forms outlined below can be found at: www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/ 1. 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 Federal Offices). 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. Applicants are encouraged to write a brief appendix to the SF-171 or OF-612 to demonstrate how prior experience and/or education and training address both the Selective and Evaluative Factors listed in Section I above. 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. A prerequisite for employment is a completed background investigation that reflects one's qualification for a Secret security clearance. 2. Medical History and Examination (DS-1843). 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). IV. ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPD) AND CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) PERTAINING TO PSCs AAPDs and CIBs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to the below web site to determine which AAPDs and CIBS apply to this contract. http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/cib/subject.html#psc