Senior Justice Advisor

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE BUREAU OF INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AFFAIRS (INL) 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 this solicitation. The Department is not responsible for any data and/or text not received when retrieving this document electronically. Amendments to solicitation documents generally contain information critical to the submission of an application. Position Title: Senior Justice Advisor Location: Tbilisi, Georgia Salary Level: FS-02 - $99,700 - $146,413 (Equivalent GS-14) Period of performance: The period of performance for this contract is twelve (12) months from the date of award with four (4) optional one-year extensions. Issuance Date: September 19, 2024 Closing date: October 10, 2024 Closing Time: 3:00 p.m. EST Solicitation Number: PSC-24-068-INL Job description: See below Dear Prospective Offerors: The Department of State is seeking offers from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal services for the subject position under a personal services contract, as described in this solicitation. Submittals must be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Applicants interested in applying for this position MUST submit the following materials: 1. Form SF 171 (Completed and signed) 2. Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your offer your resume must include: a. Paid a non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. Dates (month/year) and locations for any overseas experience must also be detailed. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements. b. Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work. c. Names and contact information (phone and email) of your current and/or previous supervisor(s). d. Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments. e. U.S. Citizenship Note: Resume must contain explicit information to make a valid determination that the candidate meets the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information needs to be clearly identified in the resume. Failure to provide explicit information to determine qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration. 3. Evaluation Factor document specifically addressing: Each of the Evaluation Factors shown in the solicitation below. Responses must be limited to 500 words per Evaluation Factor. Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored. Note: The Evaluation Factors are worth 70 out of 100 points. Offerors are required to address each of the Evaluation Factors in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have receive that are relevant to each Factor. 4. Professional References: Three (3) names and contact information (phone and email) of current and/or previous supervisors to serve as professional references. Additional documents submitted will not be accepted. Incomplete or late offers will not be considered. Complete applications must be emailed to: Cecille D. Washington U.S. Department of State INL/EX/GAPP WashingtonCD@state.gov Sincerely, Margaret R. Gaudreau Contracting Officer U.S. Department of State SUBJECT A solicitation for a Personal Services Contractor (PSC), Department of State (DOS), Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). The United States Government (USG), represented by the DOS, seeks applications from US citizens interested in providing PSC services as described in this solicitation. PRE-AWARD ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF PSC (JUN 2011) This solicitation may result in the award of one or more personal services contracts as defined in FAR 2.101. Prior to contract award, all offerors or quotes must advise the cognizant Contracting Officer if they have a personal conflict of interest, such as a financial conflict, that would prevent them from either meeting the requirements of the clause entitled, - Post-Award Ethical Responsibilities of Personal Services Contractors, or otherwise objectively performing their contractual duties upon contract award. HOW TO APPLY Offerors proposal shall be in accordance with the requirements stated in this solicitation at the place and time specified. A proposal will be determined non-responsive and ineligible for consideration unless all required documents and information are included in the submission. Offerors shall ensure their resume demonstrates their possession of the minimum qualifications outlined in this Solicitation, as well as their ability to fulfill all required duties. The Government is not responsible for any costs incurred by the offeror during the solicitation process. NOTE REGARDING GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FOR THIS SOLICITATION This solicitation in no way obligates the Department of State to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit the Department of State to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the application. Proposals must include the following and not exceed twenty (20) pages (additional pages will not be accepted or reviewed): 1. Form SF 171 (Completed and signed) 2. Resume 3. Evaluation Factor Responses 4. Three (3) names and contact information (phone and email) of current and/or previous supervisors to serve as professional references. Note: Your resume should contain explicit information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information should be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide explicit information to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration. Additional documents submitted beyond the requirements will not be accepted or reviewed. *** ONE PDF ATTACHMENT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED VETERAN'S PREFERENCE Veteran's preference is not applicable to this position therefore do not submit DD-214. ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED REGARDLESS OF AGE, RACE, COLOR, SEX, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, LAWFUL POLITICAL AFFILIATION, NONDISQUALIFYING DISABILITY, MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AFFILIATION WITH AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION, OR OTHER NON-MERIT FACTOR. Equal employment opportunity policy - The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. Submit proposal via e-mail to the attention of: INL/Cecille D. Washington E-mail: WashingtonCD@state.gov Direct questions regarding this solicitation to: INL/Cecille D. Washington E-mail: WashingtonCD@state.gov INL will not accept proposals beyond the closing time/date; unless it can be determined DOS mishandled the proposal. GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT Mission of the U.S. Department of State: The U.S. Department of State is the lead institution for the conduct of American diplomacy and the Secretary of State is the President's principal foreign policy advisor. The Department of State's mission is to advance U.S. national security interests, fight terrorism, protect U.S. interests abroad, and implement foreign policy initiatives that build a freer, prosperous, and secure world. Mission of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL): The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is part of the Under Secretariat for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights (J) within the Department of State (DOS). INL's mission is to minimize the impact of international crime and illegal drugs on the United States and its citizens by providing effective foreign assistance and fostering global cooperation. INL's Office of Europe and Asia (INL/EA) develops and manages criminal justice sector reform programs and contributes to policy formation on civilian security issues in both regions. INL/EA and INL personnel in Embassy Tbilisi's INL Section administer U.S. government assistance to Georgia to develop its criminal justice sector, reform its security sector, and disrupt transnational organized crime. The purpose of this Personal Services Contract position is to fill the new position of Senior Justice Advisor (SJA) for the INL section in Tbilisi. The SJA will serve as the in-country coordinator for providing program implementation, direction, and execution oversight of the INL justice sector assistance program. As such, the SJA will coordinate INL programming to strengthen the rule of law and support Georgia's goal for Euro-Atlantic integration. This position will focus on training, mentoring, advising, and developing the capacity of Georgian defense attorneys and judges. The SJA will manage projects that include institutional development of the judiciary, the Georgian Bar Association, and the Legal Aid Service, assessment of professional training and capacity-building requirements of Georgian defense attorneys and judges, implementation of training by appropriate subject-matter experts and practitioners, and technical advice on procurement of appropriate equipment as needed. Specific areas of focus will include, but are not limited to, practical trainings to increase defense attorneys professionalism and ability to mount an adequate defense for their clients, courtroom management and security, the use of jury trials, the use of continuous trials, and public outreach. In addition to training on jury trial skills, other areas of focus for both defense attorneys and judges will include building skills in the areas of juvenile justice, cybercrime, and gender-based violence. The SJA will be expected to formulate innovative, targeted, and sustainable approaches for engaging with and building the capacity of the judiciary and defense attorneys in Georgia as well as promote institutional reform. The SJA will need to coordinate their activities in the judiciary with the Department of Justice OPDAT Resident Legal Advisor (RLA) who currently has primary responsibility for recommending specific systemic and institutional reforms to improve the integrity, transparency, and accountability of the Georgian judiciary. In addition, the RLA's work plan includes institutional reform of the Prosecution Service of Georgia (PSG) and capacity building for prosecutors in many of the same areas outlined above. Therefore, close communication and coordination is paramount. The SJA will also work closely with the INL Senior Law Enforcement Advisor and INL Senior Corrections Advisor. The SJA will coordinate activities with the INL Director and the INL/EA Program Officer in Washington, DC. The SJA will also advise the Embassy Front Office and INL staff on justice sector reform and regularly report on developments in the rule of law space. During any vacancy between INL Directors, at the request of the outgoing INL Director, the SJA may serve as the in-country program coordinator for implementation, direction, execution, and oversight of the INL portfolio in Tbilisi. The Senior Justice Advisor will provide advice and support to the INL Director and colleagues, and representatives of development and law enforcement agencies at the Embassy. The SJA will work closely with officials in the Georgian judiciary, Georgia Bar Association, and Legal Aid Service. Upon the absence of the INL Director, the Advisor will represent INL in internal and external meetings, ceremonies, and representational events as required. The Advisor will articulate and promote the policies and goals of the United States Government, the U.S. Mission to Georgia, and INL, and will provide programmatic guidance and analysis of developments in the Georgian criminal justice sector to the Mission, INL, and State Department colleagues in Washington, D.C. DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Under the direct supervision of the Tbilisi INL Director or his/her designee, the Senior Justice Advisor will perform the following duties: 1. Provides strategic planning and development of all phases of the INL justice sector reform program in coordination with the INL team, with a particular focus on identifying and pursuing medium and longer-term strategic opportunities and objectives to assist the Georgian judiciary, Georgian Defense Bar, and Legal Aid Service. Such efforts include project execution from study period and development through acquisition, implementation, and evaluation, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, monitoring, and coordination among vendors, contractors, and Georgian government officials to support INL Georgia's strategic goals. These duties will include resolution of conflicts and other issues. 2. Develops and maintains a comprehensive knowledge of the Georgian legal system with a particular focus on the criminal justice sector and the judiciary. Assesses host country judges and defense attorney needs; manages, prioritizes, and evaluates USG-sponsored justice sector assistance projects under the guidance and direction of the INL Director, and keeps him/her informed of the details of such implementation, including progress and problem areas. When needed, assesses capabilities of implementing partners, as well as any sub-contracted agencies performing services or supplying trainers in support of INL programming. 3. Manages and oversees INL justice sector reform programs, including developing program design, monitoring and evaluation related plans and documents in compliance with INL program design, monitoring, and evaluation standards. 4. Provides policy analysis and program guidance to INL, U.S. Embassy Tbilisi, and other U.S. government entities on effective mechanisms for, progress in, and impediments to, achieving justice sector reform objectives in Georgia. Advises the INL Director and INL/EA on developments in the Georgian criminal justice sector, and provides recommendations on U.S. policies and messaging, suggested shifts in assistance to support and encourage requisite reforms, and analysis of Georgian capacity and willingness to undertake reform efforts. 5. Regularly communicates and coordinates with other local and international donors to avoid duplication of effort and to combine efforts with other donors on large-scale, strategic initiatives, including attracting funding for initiatives that are beyond the scope of INL Georgia's budget; for example, coordination with the European Union (EU) on justice sector training initiatives. 6. Coordinates with other components of the host country's criminal justice system to ensure system-wide integration and functionality. 7. Remains aware of the personalities that staff and lead key justice sector institutions in Georgia to ensure that INL is working with the most effective players who are most likely to accept, learn, and benefit from INL training and development programs. Continuously builds a network of contacts across the criminal justice sector and leverages these relationships to promote INL and U.S. Embassy mission objectives. 8. Establishes and maintains relationships with defense attorneys, judges, and other Georgian justice sector actors. Ensures adequate follow-up with study groups and trainings (train-the-trainer, alumni conferences) to encourage participants to put the skills they have learned to use in practice and maintain the advisory relationship long-term. 9. Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and the equitable administration of U.S. foreign assistance in the development of implementing partner relationships, program content development, and delivery of assistance. 10. Serves as a representative of the U.S. and communicates, promotes, and defends U.S. government policies, demonstrating professional judgement, diplomacy, tact, and sensitivity. 11. Develops and maintains relationships with other U.S. Embassy agencies involved in criminal justice, including but not limited to, the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration to ensure activities are complementary and not duplicative. Drafts and provides advice and assistance in the preparation and formulation of required strategic reports such as the Operation Plan and Mission Performance Plan to the U.S. Congress, INL Bureau, and other U.S. federal agencies. Provides input, per INL Washington guidance, to the annual budget development process. 12. Develops and coordinates program activities with the INL Director and ensures that the program and administrative budgets are monitored routinely and that the projects fall within program guidelines notified to Congress and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Ensures compliance with INL program management policies and procedures, which will include monitoring procurements, end use monitoring, and drafting program planning documents, such as work plans, budget plans, and monitoring and evaluation frameworks. 13. Provides mentoring and technical assistance to Georgian judges and courtroom staff at all levels on a range of issues, including courtroom management and security, the use of continuous trials, and the use of jury trials. In addition to a focus on jury trial skills, builds capacity to handle juvenile justice, cybercrime, and gender-based violence cases. Mentoring activities could include courtroom observation and subsequent constructive advice for judges. Ensures program activities develop local capacity. 14. Provides mentoring to defense attorneys and technical assistance to the Georgian Bar Association and Legal Aid Service to increase jury trial skills, as well as improve capacity to handle juvenile justice, cybercrime, and gender-based violence cases. Provides technical assistance as the Georgian Bar Association seeks to stand up a specialized jury trial unit and carry out mock trials throughout the country to better build jury trial skills amongst both current attorneys and future attorneys who are studying law. Facilitates technical assistance to the Legal Aid Service as they seek to better analyze data regarding certain types of proceedings and judges to aid in preparing new defense attorneys. 15. Facilitates trainings for the Georgian judiciary and defense attorneys and serves as a trainer, when appropriate. Trainings should reflect issues identified through mentoring and advising activities and include, but are not limited to, issues of courtroom management and security use of continuous trials, use of jury trials, and public outreach. Other training topics may include juvenile justice, cybercrime, and gender-based violence. Identifies Georgian and outside experts, when appropriate, to serve as trainers. Collaborates, as appropriate and feasible, with the High School of Justice, Georgian Bar Association and Legal Aid Service on trainings to build local capacity and institutionalize trainings to ensure sustainability. 16. Identifies opportunities for public outreach by the judiciary to explain concepts such as the role of a judge in the justice system and the procedure of a criminal case under Georgian law. Public outreach activities can also focus on the importance and use of jury trials in Georgia and provide educational materials for Georgian citizens called for jury duty. Identifies opportunities for public outreach by defense attorneys to raise awareness of individual rights to an adequate defense in criminal court. 17. Provides guidance on the development of standard operating procedures and organizational structure reform to establish judicial integrity, accountability, and transparency, including but not limited to, the development of standard procedures for randomized case assignments, and judicial recruitment, selection, promotion, and discipline. Provides guidance on areas of reform to establish integrity, accountability, and transparency within the Georgian Bar Association and Legal Aid Service, including but not limited to support for their Ethics Department. 18. Attends conferences and multilateral and regional meetings that relate to the assigned areas of responsibility. 19. Participates in visits by senior officials and serves as an escort or control officer, including arranging itineraries and logistical support for official visitors. 20. Prepares regular reports for the INL Director, the Political/Economic Chief, the Deputy Chief of Mission and INL Washington on various program requests, cables, Congressional Notifications, and briefings, as requested. 21. When required, performs the role of Duty Officer. 22. Performs other duties as requested and assigned that are directly related to this Statement of Work. CONTRACT DELIVERABLES The Contractor shall prepare and submit two copies of each technical report required by the schedule of this contract (e.g., progress reports, final reports, etc.), to the Embassy INL Section and to the Program Officer, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), Department of State Washington, DC. The title page of all reports forwarded pursuant to this paragraph shall include a descriptive title, the author's name(s), contract number, project number, and title, contractor's name, name of the State Department project office, and the publication or issuance date of the report. When preparing reports, the Contractor shall refrain from using elaborate artwork, multicolor printing, and expensive paper/binding, unless it is specifically authorized in the Contract Schedule. Wherever possible, pages should be printed on both sides using single spaced type. The following deliverables are required: 1. Annual Work Plan: The SJA, in cooperation with the INL/EA program officer, shall prepare a work plan within 90 days of the beginning of the date of the contract. Work plans must be approved by the INL Director, INL/EA and the DCM. 2. Three-Year Program Strategy: The SJA, in cooperation with the INL Director and INL/EA, shall prepare a three-year program strategy, outlining the priorities and proposed activities. 3. Monthly Status Reports: Monthly reports shall be submitted to the INL Director and INL/EA. Items that shall be reported upon include: i. Major achievements and impediments to reform identified during the reporting period. ii. Updates on noteworthy policy and political developments impacting the rule of law. iii. Feasible opportunities to train and equip criminal justice sector actors in line with INL Bureau and Embassy goals. Readouts and analysis of meetings with key Georgian interlocutors, to include those attended with other Embassy personnel. iv. Updates on program activities, to include grant monitoring, donor coordination, and demonstrating implementation of the work plan. v. Ad hoc tasks completed for the Embassy. vi. Updates on major criminal and corruption cases. vii. Readouts of trainings conducted by both the PSC and the LES staff. viii. Description of upcoming activities. Per FAR Part 4, the above referenced documents shall be incorporated, and copies stored in the PSC's hard file under Section V.; Tab E - Receiving Reports. TRAININGS & DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES 1. Completes the Contracting Officer Representative (PA296) distance-learning (DL) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within 120 days of arriving at Post. 2. Completes the Introduction to Working in an Embassy (PN113) distance-learning (DL) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within the first six (6) months of arriving at Post. 3. Completes the mandatory Foreign Affairs Counter-Threat (FACT) Course (CT650) prior to deployment to Post. 4. Completes the INL PREP course prior to deployment to Post. 5. Consultations with the INL Program Office may be required. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS The place of performance for this position is US Embassy Tbilisi, Georgia. Frequent local travel will be required. Occasional travel to other countries in the region, travel to training sites outside Tbilisi, and/or travel to the United States may also be required. RELATIONSHIPS The SJA will report to the INL/Tbilisi Director in the INL Section at Post and liaise and coordinate with INL/EA staff in Washington, D.C. The SJA will provide general administrative and policy direction concerning overall program priorities and objectives, as well as work with INL/EA to develop and manage programs and related issues. The SJA will liaise with other agencies/governments active in the fields of rule of law and administration of justice, and with host government contacts. The SJA will monitor INL programs in Georgia, analyzing their effectiveness and suggesting improvements. The SJA will present these approaches to INL/EA for discussion and final approval. The Contract Administrator shall be the INL Contracting Officer in Washington. In no instance shall the INL Director or any other individual be authorized to alter or modify the terms and conditions of the contract or waive the Government's requirements, price, delivery, or other terms and conditions. The Contracting Officer must authorize such changes in writing. The INL/Tbilisi Director will provide yearly performance reviews to the INL/EX/GAPP Contracting Officer in Washington, D.C. to contribute to the incumbent's official yearly review. COMPLEXITY This position involves planning, organizing, and completing financial and organizational analysis of enormous complexity. Due to the high visibility and political sensitivity of the issues in which INL is involved, there is extreme difficulty in identifying the nature of the issues and planning, organizing, and determining the scope and depth of studies/audits to be undertaken. The PSC is expected to address difficult scenarios by separating the substantive nature of the programs or issues into their components and determining the nature and magnitude of programs or issues, as well as in discerning the intent of the legislation and policy statements and determining how to translate the intent into program actions. SCOPE & EFFECTIVENESS The PSC performs broad and extensive assignments related to a complex administrative/financial program spanning the full range of citizen safety, law enforcement, rule of law, and counternarcotics programs in Georgia, which is of significant interest to the public and to Congress. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE The period of performance for this contract is twelve (12) months from the date of award with four (4) optional one-year extensions. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 1. U.S. citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain Department of State Secret level security clearance, medical clearance, and ethics clearance (if applicable). (Security clearance upgrade to Top Secret level may be required.) 2. Juris Doctor degree from an accredited U.S. institution. 3. Demonstrated ten (10) years of professional legal experience as a U.S. prosecutor, defense attorney, or judge. 4. Demonstrated experience developing and managing long-term rule of law programs, including experience writing assessments, and conducting project design, monitoring, and evaluation. 5. Minimum of five (5) years of successful supervisory and leadership experience, preferably in a multicultural or international environment. 6. Demonstrated experience drafting program reports/documents, annual budgets, and strategic plan submissions. 7. Demonstrated experience drafting analytical briefing papers, memoranda, letters, and reports for review and/or signature by senior-level officials. 8. Excellent oral and written English communication skills. Demonstrated ability to write for and orally communicate with senior officials. 9. Demonstrated experience working with host-nation counterparts, departments, and ministries to further program objectives. 10. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite. EVALUATION FACTORS (Used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified offerors in comparison to other offerors.) Offerors should cite specific, illustrative examples for each factor. Responses must be limited to 500 words per factor. Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored. Factor 1: Work & International Experience (30 Points) Demonstrated robust criminal justice sector work experience, including serving as a judge and/or a defense attorney, mentoring and training judges, judicial staff, and/or defense attorneys, and/or developing critical analysis and recommendations for procedural reform within a criminal justice system. Experience developing and professionalizing defense bar organizations and building judges and/or defense attorney capabilities in areas including but not limited to jury trial skills, gender-based violence, cybercrime, and juvenile justice. Experience working and living in an international environment; liaising with foreign government officials; working with U.S. government agencies and other partner governments; working with translators; and operating effectively in multicultural situations. Factor 2: Program Experience (20 points) Demonstrated experience in managing programs, preferably foreign assistance programs, including program design, development, implementation, and oversight. Experience designing and managing complex projects, preparing budgets, developing strategic plans, working with implementing partners, conducting program monitoring and evaluation, and reporting on justice sector issues. Factor 3: Management & Communication Experience (20 points) Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in a timely and concise manner; to interact effectively with others at all levels to prepare, analyze, explain, and defend determinations and requirements with respect to conformance to applicable laws, policies and other regulatory guidelines; and to advise program officials. Demonstrated experience working effectively within a group, including collaborating with staff, and cultivating a positive work environment, soliciting ideas and views from staff, and sharing recommendations with leadership. Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills and experience resolving conflict. BASIS OF RATING: Offerors who clearly meet the Education/Experience Requirements will be further evaluated based on scoring of the Evaluation Factor responses. Offerors are required to address each of the Evaluation Factors in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received that are relevant to each factor. Failure to specifically address the Evaluation Factors may result in your not receiving credit for all your pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards. The Offeror Rating System is as Follows: Evaluation Factors have been assigned the following points: Factor #1 - 30 Factor #2 - 20 Factor #3 - 20 Total Possible - 70 Points Interview Performance - 30 points Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks - Pass/Fail (no points assigned) Past performance evaluation of applicant's ability to perform under the contract. In conducting the evaluation, the U.S. government reserves the right to utilize all evaluation information available at the time of evaluation, whether provided by the applicant or obtained from other sources. Total Possible Points: 100 The most qualified candidates may be interviewed, required to provide a writing sample, and demonstrate an ability to operate commonly used office applications. INL will not pay for any expenses as...