Senior Program Advisor

Solicitation No. 279-11-501 ISSUANCE DATE: 09/05/2011 CLOSING DATE: 4:30 pm Cairo time on 10/05/2011 SUBJECT: USAID/ Sanaa, Yemen Solicitation for U.S. Personal Services Contractor [USPSC ] Senior Program Advisor Ladies/Gentlemen: The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications from U.S. citizens interested in providing PSC services as described in the attached solicitation. Applicants must be able to obtain secret clearance. Submissions shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified and must include signed OF-612 and a written statement that responds to the requirements of the position (Education/Experience required for the position). Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to Nancy Rofael, Human Resources Assistant, USAID/Egypt, EXO, who may be reached at fax#: 011-202-2522-7197 or 011-202-2516-0388, tel.#: 011-202-2522-7182, and email address: nrofael@suaid.gov or usaidhr@usaid.gov. If you would like to apply electronically, please send your application & CV as an email attachment to (usaidhr@usaid.gov). [PLEASE DO NOT SEND CVs TO nrofael@usaid.gov E-MAIL] Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. All applications and the required documents should be submitted to: EXO/HR - USAID/ Egypt U.S. Mail: EXO/HR C/O Nancy Rofael USAID/ Egypt- Unit 64902 APO AE 09839-4902 Air courier: Nancy Rofael EXO/HR USAID/ Egypt Plot 1/A Nady El Etesalat st., off Laselki St, New Maadi, Cairo, Egypt Postal Code 11435 For those who wish to send their application via pouch, please also send your application & CV by Email attachment (usaidhr@usaid.gov) or FAX [(202) 2522-7197 or (202) 2516-0388] to ensure receipt of your application before the closing date. Application forms, USG Optional Form 612(OF-612) can be located at: OF-612: http://www.usaid.gov/forms/of-612.doc Offerors are requested to provide their full mailing address and contact information (telephone, fax or email). The U.S. Government is under no obligation to award a contract based on this notice. Sincerely, Samia Joseph HR Officer SOLICITATION NUMBER: 279-11-501 ISSUANCE DATE: 09/05/2011 CLOSING DATE/TIME: 4:30 pm Cairo time on 10/05/2011 POSITION TITLE: Senior Program Advisor MARKET VALUE: GS-14 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 2 years with possibility of extension. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Sanaa, Yemen SECURITY ACCESS: Secret AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens who are able to obtain the required security clearance. Note: A candidate who is otherwise qualified, but does not meet full requirements of the position, may be appointed as a trainee and be required to serve at a lower grade level for the period of one year. A. ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION OF POSITION: USAID/Yemen, US Embassy, Sana'a, Yemen. Yemen is a limited unaccompanied post with 4 R&Rs, 25% post differential and 30% danger pay B. INTRODUCTION Yemen's development and political challenges are considerable. Its human development indicators are comparable to Sub-Saharan Africa, and its weak governance, diminishing natural resources, rapidly growing youth population, and chronic insecurity pose significant threats to the stability of the country and to the middle-eastern region. USAID assistance to Yemen, aimed at mitigating these "drivers" of instability and conflict, is vital to U.S. national interests in the region. Homegrown reform movements that have arisen in Yemen as in other countries during the "Arab Spring" make for real opportunities to support social, economic and democratic development. The current USAID program features an integrated community livelihoods program, and a responsive governance effort, both designed to improve services and promote social-economic and democratic development, and a dedicated monitoring and evaluation project designed to support evidence-based assistance policy and program development. The Senior Program Advisor serves as Deputy Program Office Director for a growing mission. S/he supports vital mission functions and contributes to integrated programming across all sectors, while helping establish compliant systems for program design, and strengthening implementation and performance monitoring, budget planning and execution, evaluation and reporting, and management controls in a high threat environment with considerable scope for influence and impact. S/he serves as COTR for Yemen's cutting-edge Monitoring and Evaluation Project covering the Mission's full portfolio and intended to empirically test stability and development hypotheses. S/he will supervise 6 FSNs and report to the Supervisory Program Officer, or the Mission Director in the absence of the Supervisory Program Officer. The selected candidate will require maturity and dedication to the humanitarian, stabilization and development objectives of the Mission. The position requires substantive program office experience and initiative, and strong interpersonal, staff development, and communication skills. The Senior Program Advisor will benefit from Yemen's pay differentials, which include: 25% post differential, 30% danger, and a 15% Special Needs Differential. Staff enjoy 4 R&Rs over a two year posting. Subject to security conditions, USG employees reside in comfortable and spacious housing. Travel outside of Sana'a, the capital, currently is restricted. C. SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Reports to the American direct-hire Supervisory Program Office Director, or to the Mission Director in their absence. D. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: I. Project Management: (35%) 1) Serves as the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) for the Yemen Monitoring and Evaluation Project (YMEP), monitoring the work plan, performing the full range of COTR functions, including overseeing the timeliness of inputs, sufficiency of funding against the budget plan and progress on deliverables. Processes vouchers, accruals and, in consultation with the Contracts Officer, provides approvals. Insures all necessary program documentation. 2) Meets at least weekly with Project staff to gather monitoring, evaluative and reporting information, and to discuss communication strategy, environmental oversight and other work done in conjunction with USAID's implementing partners. Oversees implementation reporting to USAID/Yemen and Washington, as appropriate. Keeps USAID and US Embassy staff fully apprised of related YMEP program developments. Based upon YMEP deliverables and findings, makes recommendations to USAID regarding program-wide planning. 3) Supervises and monitors the YMEP Information Clearinghouse (CH - a program-wide data base of implementers, activities, beneficiaries, project locations, outputs and other relevant information) implementation, helping identify and resolve implementation challenges. Reviews CH data, baselines and targets, and narrative reports and helps ensure smooth functioning by facilitating consistent participation of other USAID and USG implementing partners, as needed. Recommends and determines suitable audiences for CH information products, for instance the Quarterly Stability Report. Insures coherence and linkage between CH products, USAID's Communication strategy and DOC needs and objectives. Advises on needs and liaises between USAID and YMEP subcontractors to meet the Mission's communication support needs, insuring the quality and timeliness of communication products and translations. 4) Oversees YMEP's monitoring and assessment work. Ensures conformance of project-level documentation with Agency policy and Mission requirements to identify and help prioritize the Mission's need for assessments and its analytic agenda, including analysis of inputs from Performance Management Plans and the CH. Plans analytic agenda and scopes for assessments, working with YMEP staff, including recommending and approving SOWs and preparations for the YMEP mid-term strategy assessment. Organizes and participates in briefings on YMEP analytic products, studies, other assessments and report findings, including the YMEP Youth Assessment and DG Baselines. II. Planning, Policy and Analysis: (25%) 1) Guides and facilitates USAID/Yemen's participation in Agency and US Mission planning processes, including but not limited to the Operational Plan (OP) and the Mission Strategic Resources Plan (MSRP), by analyzing the country context and assistance financing needs against USG priorities and budget. Analizes proposed changes and adjustments to USAID's strategy, projects, activities and objectives against opportunities, host country capacity and budget; and advises on planning processes and approval requirements. Assures finalization, clearance and completion all required planning documentation. Drafts and reviews the OP, USAID's contribution to the MSRP and other reporting requirements and documents for accuracy, quality, completion and adherence to guidance and policy. Analizes ongoing needs and opportunities and recommends approaches and procedures for additional planning and program adjustments. Advises the USAID Mission Director and other senior USAID and US Embassy personnel on assistance policy, legislative and procedural developments that affect planned USG objectives and USAID programs; and recommends necessary programmatic, procedural, or other actions to be taken in response to such changes. Serves as senior program planning advisor to the Mission Director. 2) Advises USAID/Yemen regarding the administration of the USAID Assistance Agreement (AA) with the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MOPIC) and any needed changes or amendments, in conjunction with the Regional Legal Advisor. Analizes the AA budget against program plans and host country needs. Under the direction of the Mission Director, liaises with MOPIC officials to ensure the objectives of USAID's strategy are met. Coordinates with USAID's Regional Legal Advisor as appropriate and advises on USAID - MOPIC relations toward the furtherance of program implementation under the Agreement. Identifies and recommends linkages with and leveraging Yemen Government and other donor programs and priorities. 3) Provides supervision for Mission budget management, including program and OE resources. Coordinates on planned budget adjustments with the Technical Office, advises the Mission Director of key budget developments and related approvals and required documentation and procedures. Coordinates the Mission's response to budget-related requests from AIDW and other related requests for information, insuring adherence to guidance and deadlines. 4) Supervises and oversees USAID/Yemen's development outreach and communication (DOC) activities. Along with DOC staff, represents USAID interests at meetings of the US Mission Strategic Communication Group. Facilitates relations and ensures coordination between USAID and the Embassy's Public Diplomacy (PD) Office, Asia Bureau communication staff and Legislative & Public Affairs Office at USAID/W. Advises on the coherence and implementation of USAID Communication Strategy across USAID's portfolio. 5) At the request of the Mission Director, represents USAID at various Embassy and donor meetings in support of USAID's interests. Works with the Mission Director, recommending and organizing meetings with USAID partners, donors and other implementers to exchange information and enhance program coordination. 6) Keeps the Mission current on relevant USAID and USG policies, assistance legislation, regulatory requirements and program operations procedures. Advises the USAID Mission Director and other personnel on USG and USAID policy (USAID Forward), legislative changes, identifying critical issues and problems related to USAID's program in Yemen and with regard to USAID/Yemen compliance with any new requirements. Drafts and edits procedural documents and policies to improve Mission program systems in compliance with USAID policies. III. Program Monitoring, Assessment and Reporting: (30%) 1) Responsible for quality and timeliness of USAID/Yemen reporting, including standard reports, cables, informal requests for information and the Mission's Weekly Report. Insures that reporting adheres to guidance, is appropriate for the audience(s), and is accurate and complete. 2) Guides and supports the Technical Office in matters pertaining to project planning, design and implementation. Provides recommendations to determine the planning, operational, technical and budgetary requirements for specific project activities; recommends and oversees that planning, approval, and pre-obligation requirements are met. Prepares specific program and project development and approval documents and ensures conformance of project-level documentation with Agency policy and Mission requirements. May serve on Technical Evaluation Committees for new project designs. Recommends and drafts project briefing material for VIPs, Embassy and/or AIDW needs, helping ensure accuracy, quality and up-to-date materials. Assists in coordination at the project-level coordination with other Embassy elements, as needed, to facilitate and improve implementation. 3) Initiates, leads and coordinates Portfolio Reviews to facilitate the proper oversight of project-level implementation and compliance. Provides related guidance to the Technical Office and activity managers. Insures that Reviews are documented and monitors follow-up on all action items. Ensure proper record keeping of reviews, accurate and up-to-date budget tracking, and oversees the program support budget. 4) Coordinates with Technical Office staff and implementing partners on administration, communication and security issues, particular those relating to relations with the Yemen Government. in order to facilitate effective project implementation. Identifies key implementation issues for the Mission Director's attention, researches applicable USAID guidance and best practices, consulting with USAID regional and Washington staff, when appropriate. IV. Administrative Support: (10%) 1. At the request of the Mission Director supports and supervises administrative actions and requirements, facilitating coordination between Embassy and USAID systems and supervising USAID's administrative staff, including one Administrative Assistant, and one EFM staff. Facilitates communication with Cairo's regional support offices on administrative and other matters. 2. Analizes administrative challenges and provides recommendations consistent with USAID and Embassy policy to improve the administrative efficiency, compliance and implementation of best practices. Areas of work may include: administrative close-out of former projects, official records and mission orders. Drafts any necessary procedures, trains staff and enforces implementation. 3. Supervises, mentors and manages Program Office staff, including responsibility for performance evaluations. May assist in hiring process and/or selection of new USPSC staff. 4. Additional duties, as needed and assigned by the Mission Director. REQUIRED/DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION: The Senior Program Advisor shall have the following qualifications. To be considered, the applicant shall meet those qualifications marked "required". Candidates will be evaluated according to the following criteria: - Be a U.S. citizen. - Ability to obtain secret level security and medical clearances are required. - Ability to begin work in Yemen as soon as candidate obtains the required clearances. Start date negotiable. 1. Education and Language Proficiency: (10 points) Minimum of a master's degree in a field related to international development, such as economics, social sciences, or development studies is required. Advanced degree(s) in a related field or development studies is desired. English fluency is required; Arabic language ability would be advantageous. 2. Prior Work Experience: (40 points) Seven to Ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in international development is (required). At least five years of this requirement should involve working with a donor organization, preferably an international organization, in leadership and decision-making positions involving strategic planning, budgetary analysis, and program policy. Experience in developing country context working with diverse teams, host governments, international donors and NGO implementers is (required). Professional experience should also include the design and development of international programs, monitoring implementation and assessing results. Evaluation experience and work in post-conflict environments is strongly preferred. 3. Knowledge: (30 points) Current knowledge of international development theories and best practices, planning and operating systems is (required). Superior intellectual, analytic and problem-solving skills to address development challenges and resolve implementation obstacles exemplified through work history. Advanced organizational and management skills, including excellent ability to synthesize information, identify needs and set realistic priorities, keep multiple tasks on track and meet tight deadlines is (required). The successful candidate must have demonstrated supervisory skills and the capacity to professionally represent USAID. 4. Abilities and Skills: (20 points) Demonstrated history of effectiveness in a multicultural team environment, working with a wide range of individuals and organizations in a developing country context. Proven ability to explain complicated processes clearly, facilitate productive multi-disciplinary teamwork, motivate subordinates and professionally mentor less experienced colleagues. Strong human relations skills and demonstrated ability to be persuasive, culturally sensitive, and diplomatic with a range of audiences, including successful relations with high level officials, such as the host government, Embassy and USG, VIP visitors, NGO and donor representatives. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to mentor and train new and junior staff is strongly preferred. Superior written and oral communication skills are (required) along with demonstrated ability to gather and convey information clearly and concisely, to make oral presentations and prepare verbal interpretation, concise documents, reports and other written materials. Strong computer skills and proficiency in MS Office software is (required). Total points: 100 points SELECTION CRITERIA: To be considered, the applicant shall meet those qualifications marked (required). Candidates will be evaluated according to the following criteria: Ranking Factors: Factor Points Education & Language Proficiency 10 Prior Work Experience 40 Knowledge 30 Abilities & Skills 20 Total 100 APPLYING: Qualified individuals are requested to submit: (1) A cover letter of no more than 3 pages that demonstrates how the candidates' qualifications meet the work requirements; (2) A curriculum vitae which at a minimum, describes education, latest experiences and career achievements; (3) A completed and signed OF-612; (4) A relevant writing sample, minimum of two pages and maximum of ten pages; (5) Names, contact numbers, and addresses of three professional references; (6) A written statement certifying the date and length of time for which the candidate is available for the position. The U.S. Government Optional Form 612 is available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/forms/OF612.pdf or at Federal offices 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. Applicants may choose any of the methods in the Cover Page to submit their applications but USAID accepts no responsibility for delay in transit, mis-routing, etc. Submissions shall be in accordance with the above information at the place and time specified. Given the often intermittent problems people experience in the world with fax and email, all candidates are notified that, should they choose to utilize this method, they should confirm with the USAID/ Cairo Human Resources office that all documentation submitted was received prior to the closing date of this notice. Equipment failures at USAID or by the applicants network are not acceptable reasons for late submission, as candidates have the option of sending their application hard copy by courier. No, repeat no, applications will be considered after the closing time and date, and it is the applicant's full responsibility to ensure that all their documentation has been received by our office. TYPE AND DURATION OF APPOINTMENT: Employment shall be through an A.I.D. Personal Services Contract for a period of two years with possibility of extension. This Personal Services Contract is subject to the availability of funds. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES: As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, the offshore USPSCs are normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: BENEFITS: Employee's FICA Contribution (USPSCs only) 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 (USPSCs only) Annual Increase APO mail service as per post policy (USPSCs only) ALLOWANCES (If Applicable):* (1) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) (not applicable) (2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) (not applicable) (3) Post Allowance (Section 220) (not applicable) (4) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) (not applicable) (5) Post Differential (Chapter 500) (6) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) and (7) Danger Pay (Section 650) (8) Educational Allowance (Section 270) (not applicable) (9) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) (10)Educational Travel (Section 280) * Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes. CIBs 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.