U.S. Personal Services Contractor - Democracy and Governance Program Management Specialist, Kyiv, Ukraine, GS-13

1. Solicitation Number: SOL-121-11-000002 2. Issuance date: April 12, 2011 3. Closing date: May 11, 2011, 5:00 PM EST U.S. 4. Position title: DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST 5. Position type: Offshore hire USPSC, full time. 6. Market value: GS-13 ($71,674 - $93,175) Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based upon the candidate's past salary history, work experience, and educational background 7. Direct Supervisor: Director of the Office of Democracy and Governance (ODG) 8. Supervisory Control: The incumbent is expected to take initiative and act independently with little direction but will have no authority to make financial commitments 9. Period of Performance: One year with possible extension 10. Number of Position: One 11. Place of Performance: Kyiv, Ukraine 12. Security Access: Facility Access 13. Area of Consideration: U. S. Citizens only 14. Special Factors: Please note that no PSC contract will be executed until a candidate has received a medical and security clearance STATEMENT OF DUTIES The Regional USAID Mission in Kyiv, Ukraine has responsibility for the formulation and implementation of the U.S. assistance programs for Ukraine, Moldova, and Belarus. The Office of Democracy and Governance (ODG) is one of three technical offices in the Mission. This office is responsible for achieving results primarily under the U.S. Foreign Assistance Goal Governing Justly and Democratically with a smaller emphasis on Peace and Security. Activities fall within the following Program Areas: 1. Rule of Law and Human Rights; 2. Good Governance; 3. Political Competition and Consensus-Building; 4. Civil Society and Media; and 5. Transnational Crime. ODG is responsible for managing all USAID activities in democracy-building in Ukraine, both governmental and non-governmental. ODG provides technical leadership and manages activities that support development of a civil society, foster free and open elections, strengthen independent media, and strengthen legal systems and processes in support of democratic and economic reforms. It additionally works to support anti-trafficking efforts. ODG manages 11 diverse projects and an Operating Year Budget (OYB) for FY 11 of approximately $18 million. The office also provides a significant amount of democracy-related technical assistance to the Country Program Offices in Moldova and Belarus, which have OYB of $6 million and $9 million respectively. SCOPE OF WORK Summary This long-term position is located in the USAID/Ukraine Regional Mission in the Office of Democracy and Governance (ODG) in Kyiv, Ukraine. The Program Management Specialist will report directly to the Director of ODG. He/she will be primarily responsible for working on activities within the Governing Justly and Democratically program area in the Ukraine portfolio, advising on program design, implementation, strategic direction, and also serving as the lead drafter for all documents informing inter-agency processes, particularly related to the political process and civil society program areas. The incumbent will be regionally focused and will devote time to the Ukraine and Belarus DG portfolios, as well as to a lesser extent the DG portfolio in Moldova. Duties and Responsibilities Program Management and Design (35%) - Assist in the development and oversee the implementation of programs in the Governing Justly and Democratically Program Areas for the Ukraine and Belarus portfolios. - Participate in and lead all aspects of program design, including sectorial assessments as needed, especially those related to political processes, civil society, and media programs. - Participate and lead technical review panels related to USAID procurements. - Implement the results dictated by interagency strategy discussions, including, but not limited to, what changes to program content/direction and program review are needed in order to fully support the mission's vision. - Coordinate with the PCS Director and ODG Director on steps to organize, review and submit Performance Reports, Operational Plans, Mission Strategic Resource Plans, Annual Portfolio Reviews and other reporting documents. - Assume as needed Agreement Officer's Technical Representative (AOTR) duties for democracy and governance procurements. - Design plans for monitoring and evaluating USAID DG programs that may include problem identification, data collection and analysis, and the development and evaluation of program options. - Provide USAID with other technical and program support as deemed appropriate by the ODG Director and Mission management. Planning and Coordination (25%) - Participate in ODG strategic planning, providing technical advice, developing new projects, and refining current ones. - Regularly brainstorm with the ODG Director, and other USAID staff to determine how best to address implementation issues which impact project results. - Serve as lead DG advisor for Belarus and travel as needed to Belarus and Moldova for program assessment, design and reviews. - Provide regular and frequent reporting to the Regional Mission Front Office, the Embassy and E&E offices as required on progress, impacts, problems, constraints, opportunities and issues related to the implementation of USAID DG programs in Ukraine. - Liaise with U.S. Embassy representatives, including those in the Political section, Public Affairs, and INL on USAID programs and objectives. Provide input and draft cables talking points, and other documents as necessary to feed into the inter-agency process and ensure USAID interests are adequately addressed. - Coordinate with implementing partners, other donors and host country government officials on issued related to USAID Ukraine and Belarus DG program activities. Supervision (25%) - Supervise for the political process, civil society and media program team, including two senior FSNs and one program assistant and provide programmatic oversight. - Mentor staff on career development. - Prepare annual evaluations of FSN staff. - The Mission has made a major commitment to support the Agency's DLI program. The incumbent of this position will be required to mentor and support DLIs. Analytic Drafting (15%) - Drafting all briefing papers, talking points, and white papers for internal discussions based on analysis of ODG and Belarus DG programs, as well discussions with staff and implementing partners; - Drafting all briefing papers, talking points, and white papers for inter-agency discussions based on analysis of ODG and Belarus DG programs, as well discussions with staff and implementing partners; - Provide input for public information and outreach products; - Draft or assist with the drafting of reports on USAID events of interest. Contractor's Experience and Skills - Master's degree in a related field - including international development, political science, economic or international relations. - At least 5 years of technical and management experience in democracy and governance development-related programs and policy work, including the fields of civil society, political processes, media, and community development. - Experience working overseas in Central or Eastern Europe or the Newly Independent States is required. Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova experience is highly desirable. - Superior writing skills and extensive experience in analytic writing. - Knowledge of USAID and interagency foreign policy objectives, regulations, operations and principles. - Proven track record of working with various USG agencies in the inter-agency process. - Excellent interpersonal and communications skills as well as the ability to think creatively and work independently. - Ability to assign, review and supervise the work of others. - Ability to adjust to change, work pressures, or difficult situations without undue stress. - Ability to prepare reports and analytical briefs, sometimes with short deadlines. - Fluent English skills are required. Conversational Russian skills are highly desirable. - US citizenship. - Ability to obtain Facility Access. - Ability to obtain a Department of State Medical Clearance. PERIOD OF SERVICE The contract shall be a long-term contract. The contractor's period of service shall be approximately from August 2011 to August 2012 in Kyiv, Ukraine with an option to extend by an additional year if requested by the Mission Director. Though it is envisioned that a majority of time will be spent in Kyiv, the contractor will be requested to undertake frequent regional travel in the Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus mission area. EVALUATION FACTORS The following evaluation factors are listed in descending order of importance and will be the basis for the evaluation all applications that meet the Minimum Qualifications. All applications will be evaluated and scored based on the application, documentation submitted with the application, and the following factors. The evaluation committee may conduct interviews by phone or in person. - (30%) Demonstrated experience in the implementation of democracy and governance development programs and/or the development of USG policy for states in the former Soviet Union. Previous experience in or in-depth knowledge of current dynamics in the Ukraine/Moldova/Belarus region is highly desirable; (25%) Demonstrated ability to consistently perform in a high visibility, high-pressure environment, with a particular focus on producing results within a limited time period; (20%) Excellent written and oral communication skills (include samples of written documents); (15%) Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, displaying excellent interpersonal skills; (10%) Demonstrated ability to motivate and guide local staff, implementing partners and collaborate with local counterparts in complex situations; The successful candidate must be available to begin work at post no later than August 2011. A USG security clearance (Facility Access level) will be required prior to arrival at post. OTHER Medical and Security Clearances: The selected applicant must be able to obtain security and medical clearances. The selected applicant must obtain USG security clearance level of Facility Access. Facility Access level may be upgraded to a secret clearance, if required, at a later stage. For medical clearances, the contractor must obtain Department of State Medical Clearance. Benefits and Allowances: As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, an individual meeting the requirements of an offshore hire USPSC is normally authorized the following benefits. 1. Benefits: (i) Employee's FICA Contribution (ii) Health & Life Insurance: Health Insurance Annual Premium (not to exceed $20,339 for contractor with family; and $7,266 for contractor only. The Contractor shall be provided a maximum contribution of up to 72% against the actual costs of the Contractor's annual health insurance costs, provided that such costs may not exceed the maximum U.S. Government contribution as announced periodically by USAID's Office of Acquisition and Assistance. The Contractor shall be provided a contribution of up to 50% against the actual costs of annual life insurance not to exceed $500.00 per year. (iii) Medical Evacuation (Medevac) Insurance: 100% Medical Evacuation Insurance annual premium for contractor with family will be reimbursed to the contractor, if not covered by Health Insurance. (iv) Pay Comparability Adjustment--Annual across the board salary increase for US Government employees and US Personal Services Contractors. Currently this Pay Comparability Adjustment is frozen until further notice. (v) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation (vi) 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) Educational Travel (Section 280) * Dept. of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). 3. Other Benefits: Additional benefits are available for individuals hired from outside Ukraine in accordance with the AIDAR, Federal Travel Regulations and Standardized Regulations, e.g., international airfare from place of residence, R&R, international shipment of personal effects, unaccompanied baggage allowance, POV Shipment, Repatriation Travel and furnished housing. Federal Taxes: USPSCs are not exempted from payment of Federal Income taxes under the foreign earned income exclusion. INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACTORS: For initial consideration: 1. Application Form OF-612 Upon advice by the Contracting Officer, the finalist candidate will complete and submit the following forms: 2. Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet (AID 1420-17) 3. Medical Clearance Form (DS 6561) 4. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86) 5. Finger Print Card (FD-258). **(Available from the law enforcement offices or in USAID/Washington). APPLICATION PROCESS Application stating their interest along with updated OF-612 (Application for Federal Employment), a current resume, and a cover letter. Please send your application package to this e-mail account: kyv04-2011@usaid.gov. The candidate must sign the completed OF-612, the resume, and the cover letter, and scan and send them to the above-mentioned e-mail account. Incomplete, unsigned applications and late submissions will not be considered. ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) PERTAINING TO PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACTS (PSC) AAPDs contain information or changes pertaining to USAID policy, regulation and procedures concerning acquisition and assistance. There are a number of AAPDs pertaining to Personal Services Contracts. Please refer to the USAID website http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/ to locate relevant AAPDs. Additionally, AIDAR Appendix D applies to PSCs and can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdfPoints of Contact 1. Patricia Alexander, Deputy Executive Officer, USAID/Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova (palexander@usaid.gov) 2. Oksana Shvaitser, Human Resources Assistant, USAID/Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova (oshvaitser@usaid.gov)