USPSC OTI Field Officer - Afghanistan

Note: The purpose of this amendment is to extend the closin date for applications. Request for Personal Service Contractor USAID Office of Transition Initiatives Position Title: OTI Field Officer - Afghanistan (Multiple Positions) Solicitation Number: SOL-OTI-12-000030 Salary Level: GS-11 Equivalent: $50,287 - $65,371 GS-12 Equivalent: $60,274 - $78,355 GS-13 Equivalent: $71,674 - $93,175 Issuance Date: June 4, 2012 Closing Date: June 26, 2012 (Deadline Extended) Closing Time: 5:00 P.M. EDT Dear Prospective Applicants: The United States Government (USG), represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications (Optional Form 612 only) from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal services as an OTI Field Officer under a personal services contract, as described in the attached 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. Complete and hand-signed federal form OF-612 (including OF-612 continuation sheets as needed) (downloadable forms are available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms, or at www.globalcorps.com). NOTE: Submission of a resume in addition to the required forms is encouraged. A submitted resume, however, is considered supplemental application material. Submission of a resume alone or in lieu of the OF-612 form IS NOT a complete application. All information to be evaluated must be contained in the OF-612 form and must not depend on references to your resume. Failure to provide the required information and/or materials will result in your not being considered for employment. 2. Supplemental document specifically addressing: Each of the Education/Experience requirements shown in the solicitation. Each of the six (6) Evaluation Factors shown in the solicitation. NOTE: The Evaluation Factors are worth 70 out of 100 points. Applicants are required to address each of the Evaluation Factors on a separate sheet describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received that are relevant to each factor. Incomplete or unsigned applications will not be considered. These signed forms must be mailed, delivered, faxed, or emailed (email applications must be signed) to: GlobalCorps 529 14th Street, NW, Suite 700 Washington, DC 20045 E-Mail Address: fieldofficer@globalcorps.com Facs'mile: (202) 403-3911 or (202) 403-3941 Applicants can expect to receive a confirmation email when application materials have been received. Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to: Stephanie Hsu or Marie Morse Telephone Number: (202) 706-6110 or (202) 706-6115 E-Mail Address: fieldofficer@globalcorps.com Website: www.globalcorps.com Facs'mile: (202) 403-3911 or (202) 403-3941 Sincerely, Cristina Sylvia Contracting Officer Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (PSC) OTI Field Officer - Afghanistan (Multiple Positions) 1. SOLICITATION NO.: SOL-OTI-12-000030 2. ISSUANCE DATE: June 4, 2012 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: June 26, 2012, 5:00 pm EDT (Deadline Extended) 4. POSITION TITLE: OTI Field Officer 5. MARKET VALUE: This position has been designated as a "tandem" position that, depending on the qualifications of the candidate, can be filled at either the GS-11 (Salary Range: $50,287 - $65,371), GS-12 (salary range: $60,274 - $78,355), or GS-13 (salary range: $71,674 - $93,175), equivalent level, non-locality pay. The actual salary of the successful candidate will be negotiated within the pay range of the GS-11, GS-12, or GS-13 equivalent level depending on qualifications, previous relevant experience and work history, salary and educational background. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated. Extension of the contract is not guaranteed. (There is no promotion potential in this contract between grade levels, though candidates may apply for the higher level positions when they feel they meet the minimum qualifications for those levels, if/when the position is being advertised again in the future.) NOTE: Applicants who submit an application for the GS-13 grade level, but do not meet the minimum qualifications as outlined in this solicitation and as reviewed by the Technical Evaluation Panel (TEC) will not be considered for the GS-12 or GS-11 positions if they have not submitted separate applications for them. Similarly, applicants who apply for only the GS-11 position even though they might meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-12 or GS-13 positions will not be considered for the higher graded positions if they have not submitted separate applications for each of them. Applicants who are unsure of which grade level they meet the minimum qualifications should submit a separate application for each grade level. 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 2 years, with up to three one-year options 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Afghanistan (various field posts) 8. STATEMENT OF WORK POSITION DESCRIPTION BACKGROUND USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) is seeking highly motivated, highly qualified individuals who want the opportunity to help support rapid international transition programs for priority conflict-prone countries. Created in 1994 as a distinct operating unit within USAID, OTI helps local, indigenous partners advance peace and democracy in priority conflict-prone countries by providing fast, flexible, short-term assistance targeted at key transition needs. Countries experiencing a significant political transition in the midst of a disaster or emerging from civil conflict have unique needs that cannot be fully addressed by traditional disaster relief. Timely and effective assistance to promote and consolidate peaceful, democratic advances can make the difference between a successful or a failed transition. OTI assists in securing peace by aiding indigenous local partners such as civil society groups (non-governmental organizations or informal community groups), local governments, private businesses, media groups, and others, through identification of quick-impact community self-help projects to meet urgent economic needs; development of initiatives to promote national reconciliation; re-integration of ex-combatants into civilian society; and aid to independent media outlets and community-based organizations to help promote informed debate and broaden public understanding and participation in their country's political process. To respond quickly and effectively and meet its program objectives and mandate OTI retains a group of high level professionals and experts under U.S. Personal Services Contracts (USPSCs). These knowledgeable and skilled professionals make up the vast majority of the OTI work force and are at its forefront implementing and achieving the office's programmatic goals and objectives. USPSCs are considered employees of USAID for all purposes except programs administered by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) - such as federally sponsored health insurance, life insurance, and retirement benefits. However, there are several other similar benefits that USPSCs may participate in, such as partial reimbursement for health and life insurance costs, as well as full coverage of workers' compensation, among other benefits. For more complete information on USPSC benefits, please see page 17 of this solicitation. Stabilization programming in Afghanistan is one of the United States government's top priorities. This program will actively work to support counterinsurgency operations, development in crisis prone areas of the country, and the Afghan government. For more information about OTI and its country programs please see: http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/cross-cutting_programs/transition_initiatives/ INTRODUCTION In July 2009, USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) launched the first phase of its current program in Afghanistan to support the U.S. Government's stabilization and reconstruction initiatives. The objective of the Afghanistan Stabilization Initiative (ASI) was to address instability by fostering and strengthening conditions that build links between the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) and local Afghan communities. In close coordination with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), the OTI program has increasingly supported communities in violence-prone areas where stabilization projects are needed most. In March 2012, OTI began the second phase of OTI's current engagement in Afghanistan. Through the Community Cohesion Initiative (CCI), USAID/Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) seeks to improve stability in areas vulnerable to insurgent exploitation in order to create an enabling environment for sustainable peace and traditional development programs by (1) strengthening ties between local actors, customary governance structures, and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) and (2) empowering community-based resiliencies to mitigate sources of instability. Grounded in the principle that durable stability is a result of local will, empowerment, initiative, and leadership, OTI designs and implements clusters of small grants through a process-oriented, community driven approach. In OTI programming the project processes are as important as project outputs in contributing to the program's strategic goal of stabilization. OTI utilizes both "soft" (community-leadership shuras, District Governor outreach visits) and "hard" (small scale infrastructure) activities to strengthen linkages between communities vulnerable to insurgent exploitation and positive GIRoA influencers. Community resiliencies are strengthened by improving their ability to resolve issues, promote viable economic activity, and communicate effectively within the community and with various government entities. OBJECTIVE The objective of hiring for this position is to support the OTI/Afghanistan team in the development, oversight and management of the OTI/Afghanistan program. 9. CORE FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The OTI Field Officer is a member of the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA)/OTI Afghanistan/Pakistan (Af/Pak) Regional Team, reports to the OTI Country Representative (CR) or his/her designee, which may include the OTI Deputy Country Representative (DCR) or OTI Senior Field Program Manager (S/FPM), and is based in Afghanistan. This post is not a family-accompanied post and does not allow minor or adult dependents, although a separate maintenance allowance will be authorized for incumbents with dependents. The OTI Field Officer's principal responsibility is to support the OTI country team in the development, oversight and management of the OTI country program. The exact locations for these positions has not been determined, but the majority will be based outside of Kabul with a civilian Regional Platform, a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) or a District Stabilization Team (DST) housed in Forward Operating Bases established, led and maintained by U.S. or NATO/ISAF military forces. The OTI Field Officer is expected to be in daily communication and collaboration with a variety of U.S. or NATO/ISAF military units including U.S. Special Forces. The work of the OTI Field Officer requires teamwork, the exercise of discretion, judgment, and personal responsibility. As a member of a highly visible and rapid response office, the OTI Field Officer requires a willingness and ability to perform a wide range of administrative functions to help ensure programmatic success. The OTI Field Officer is highly flexible and the working conditions are subject to ongoing change(s), while maintaining a professional and respectful conduct towards colleagues and authority in a diverse workforce. S/he places a premium on the building positive relationships with his/her respective team, with the rest of OTI and with key stakeholders both in and outside of USAID. The OTI Field Officer is a team player, able to prioritize and follow up on their own actions without prompting, while also assisting a busy supervisor and fellow colleagues to track and respond to incoming requests and routine tasks, filling in gaps as needed to ensure the responsiveness of the team. The OTI Field Officer has a strong sense of responsibility, service-oriented, highly organized, pays close attention to detail, is able to complete administrative tasks with minimal guidance, and is able to receive and respond to constructive criticism in a professional manner. The OTI Field Officer is a strategic thinker, articulates innovative ideas, presents solutions, and is a positive role model for colleagues both in and outside of OTI. Under the direct supervision of the OTI Country Representative (CR) or his/her designee (e.g. the OTI Deputy Country Representative (DCR) or the Senior Field Program Manager (S/FPM), the OTI Field Officer will: At the GS-11 equivalent level: - When required, serve as Senior Field Program Manager or Monitoring and Information Officer. May provide staffing coverage for other OTI Field Officers when they are away from their posts for extended periods. - Maintain overall knowledge of the OTI program and implementing partner (IP) issues, and attend meetings to maintain productive relationships. - Support the OTI Senior Field Program Manager and OTI Monitoring and Information Officer to ensure that agreed monitoring and evaluation benchmarks and standards are met as required by the program's grants manual. - Participate in weekly programming calls. - As necessary, help set the conditions for a District Stabilization Team (DST) or other Chief of Mission (COM) deployment or programming by developing relationships with military maneuver units, developing situational awareness of the local area, and making other arrangements for COM deployment to a Forward Operating Base (FOB). - Work closely with military and civilian structures in priority areas in order to plan stabilization strategies. - As necessary, serve as one of the initial Chief of Mission (COM) staff to enter an area that is being evaluated for COM deployment, such as a new DST. - As needed, assist the OTI Monitoring and Information Officer and implementing partner staff in monitoring of OTI-financed activities designed to achieve OTI strategic objectives. - With implementing partner staff, draft and deliver regular programmatic and analytical reports. - As necessary, liaise with the OTI implementing partner staff at the local/regional level, and ensure team goals and objectives are being met and are understood by all. - Support stability working groups, identifying sources of instability, developing relationships with local stakeholders and making recommendations about stabilization assistance. - Assist the OTI Country Team in the overall monitoring and evaluation of OTI-sponsored activities in the implementation of OTI-financed activities designed to achieve OTI strategic objectives. Provide feedback regarding OTI activities to the OTI Senior Field Program Manager, implementing partner, and OTI/Kabul. - Perform other duties as determined by the supervisor to ensure successful OTI/Afghanistan program implementation. At the GS-12 equivalent level: Perform the same duties as the GS-11 level but with less supervision, greater decision-making authority, and less restricted independence of action. - Maintain overall knowledge of the OTI program and implementing partner issues, and attend meetings to maintain productive relationships. - When required, serve as Senior Field Program Manager or Monitoring and Information Officer. May provide staffing coverage for other OTI Field Officers when they are away from their posts for extended periods. - Participate in weekly programming calls. - Support the OTI Senior Field Program Manager and Monitoring and Information Officer to ensure that agreed monitoring and evaluation benchmarks and standards are met as required by the program's grants manual. - As necessary, help set the conditions for a District Stabilization Team (DST) or other Chief of Mission (COM) deployment or programming by developing relationships with military maneuver units, developing situational awareness of the local area, and making other arrangements for COM deployment to a Forward Operating Base (FOB). - Work closely with military and civilian structures in priority areas in order to plan stabilization strategies. - As necessary, serve as one of the initial Chief of Mission (COM) staff to enter an area that is being evaluated for COM deployment, such as a new DST. - As needed, assist the OTI Monitoring and Information Officer and implementing partner staff in monitoring of OTI-financed activities designed to achieve OTI strategic objectives. - With implementing partner staff, draft and deliver regular programmatic and analytical reports. - As necessary, liaise with the OTI implementing partner staff at the local/regional level, and ensure team goals and objectives are being met and are understood by all. - Advise various entities, including OTI, military counterparts, and other USAID/USG initiatives on the use of stabilization resources and programming. - As necessary, work with military and civilian counterparts to help shape and develop stabilization and transition strategies at the local level, a role that might include the development of individual grant activities. Provide regular analysis of the political and security situation in the areas in which OTI works. - Coordinate with civilian and military stakeholders to ensure that activities and objectives are in line with locally identified stabilization priorities. Ensure that activities and strategies do not duplicate those of other actors, and help set the conditions for follow on programs or initiatives. - Develop productive relationships with and regularly communicate, collaborate and identify complementarities between activities with military personnel, other USAID project managers in the field; bilateral donors, UN Organizations, International Organizations, and indigenous and international NGOs to ensure visibility and synergy of OTI/Afghanistan activities. - Meet and collaborate with USAID Mission personnel, military personnel, U.S. Embassy staff, host-country government officials, implementing partners, international organizations, indigenous and international NGOs, international donors, and others key players who may be interested in OTI activities or have important information related to the start up or ongoing development of OTI activities. - Present monitoring and evaluation results to a range of audiences in the U.S. Government, the military, local government, and others in the field. - Assist the OTI Country Team in the overall monitoring and evaluation of OTI-sponsored activities in the implementation of OTI-financed activities designed to achieve OTI strategic objectives. Provide feedback regarding OTI activities to the OTI Senior Field Program Manager, implementing partner, and OTI/Kabul. - Support stability working groups, identifying sources of instability, developing relationships with local stakeholders and making recommendations about stabilization assistance. - Perform other duties as determined by the supervisor to ensure successful OTI/Afghanistan program implementation. At the GS-13 equivalent level: Perform the same duties as the GS-12 level but with less supervision, greater decision-making authority, and less restricted independence of action. - Work with military and civilian counterparts to help shape and develop stabilization and transition strategies at the local level, a role that might include the development of individual grant activities. Provide regular analysis of the political and security situation in the areas in which OTI works. - Assist in the development of entry and exit assessments and strategies that ensure reasonable time to transition from OTI programs to follow-on USAID or other donor programs, or to host government control. - Represent OTI among civilian and military stakeholders at various levels, specifically related to design and development of overarching stabilization and transition strategies. - Present monitoring and evaluation results to a range of audiences in the U.S. Government, the military, local government, and others in the field. - Advise the OTI Country Team in the overall monitoring and evaluation of OTI-sponsored activities in the implementation of OTI-financed activities designed to achieve OTI strategic objectives. - Work closely with military and civilian structures in priority areas in order to plan stabilization strategies. - Help set the conditions for a District Stabilization Team (DST) or other Chief of Mission (COM) deployment or programming by developing relationships with military maneuver units, developing situational awareness of the local area, and making other arrangements for COM deployment to a Forward Operating Base (FOB). - Provide feedback to OTI's Senior Field Program Manager (S/FPM), implementing partner, and OTI/Kabul on program performance at the local level, and offer input regarding the improvement of programmatic and operational modalities. - Serve as one of the initial COM staff to enter an area that is being evaluated for COM deployment, such as a new District Support Team (DST). - Support concept development and design by contributing to "yellow light" review, prior to approval by the OTI Senior Field Program Manager (S/FPM). In particular, provide updated situational awareness based on knowledge of changing coalition tactics. - Coordinate with civilian and military stakeholders to ensure that activities and objectives are in line with locally identified stabilization priorities. Ensure that activities and strategies do not duplicate those of other actors, and help set the conditions for follow on programs or initiatives. - Develop productive relationships with and regularly communicate, collaborate and identify complementarities between activities with military personnel, and other USAID project managers in the field; bilateral donors, UN Organizations, International Organizations, and indigenous and international NGOs to ensure visibility and synergy of OTI/Afghanistan activities. - Meet and collaborate with USAID Mission personnel, military personnel, U.S. Embassy staff, host-country government officials, implementing partners, international organizations, indigenous and international NGOs, international donors, and others key players who may be interested in OTI activities or have important information related to the start up or ongoing development of OTI activities. - Take the lead in establishing stability working groups, identifying sources of instability, developing relationships with local stakeholders and making recommendations about stabilization assistance. - Advise the OTI In-Country Team (CR, DCR, S/FPM) and Implementing Partner on program performance at the local level, and offer input regarding the improvement of programmatic and operational modalities. - Under the guidance of the OTI Senior Field Program Manager, provide input into, suggest revisions and monitor overall, regional and local OTI strategies and work plans. Work closely with the Senior Field Program Manager and implementing partner field staff to ensure concepts and activities align with OTI/Afghanistan's strategic objectives, meet established guidelines and benchmarks as delineated in the program's grants manual, and provide quality control during activity development and clearance according to established standards. - Work collaboratively with the OTI Senior Field Program Manager and implementing partner to assess the area of operations and develop work plans. Collect information from existing USG and military counterparts to inform programming decisions. Help track and develop lessons learned from grant activities to improve on-going programming. - Liaise with the OTI implementing partner staff at the local/regional level, and ensure team goals and objectives are being met and are understood by all. - Mentor implementing partner and OTI staff in line with OTI objectives and as related to geographic area of responsibility. - Perform other duties as determined by the supervisor to ensure successful OTI/Afghanistan program implementation. SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP: The OTI Field Officer will report to OTI's Country Representative in the assigned country or to his/her designee (for example, the Deputy Country Representative or Senior Field Program Manager). SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The Supervisor will set overall objectives. The employee and the supervisor together will develop deadlines, projects, and work to be accomplished. The incumbent is expected to take initiative, act independently, and manage his/her tasks with minimal supervision. 10. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The work is, at times, physically demanding. During site visits, there may be some additional physical exertion including long periods of standing, walking over rough terrain with military issued body armor weighing up to 40 pounds, or the carrying of moderately heavy items. 11. WORK ENVIRONMENT Depending on the assignment location in-country, the work may be performed in an office environment and/or on a military compound. The position also requires travel throughout the country of assignment, which may additionally involve special safety and/or security precautions, wearing of protective equipment, and exposure to severe weather conditions. 12. START DATE: Immediately, once necessary clearances are obtained. 13. POINT OF CONTACT: See Cover Letter. EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION (Determines basic eligibility for the position. Applicants who do not meet all of education and experience factors are considered NOT qualified for the position. See detailed instructions for demonstrating Education/Experience under "Applying") The USAID Office of Transition Initiatives Field Officer position requires excellent communication skills and experience in political analysis and program reporting. Prior coordination experience with various USG offices is required. Solid interpersonal skills, and the ability to serve as an effective liaison with a wide array of individuals and institutions, are extremely important. A prerequisite for success in this position is familiarity with contract/grant management, mediation/arbitration, democracy and governance and/or human rights activities. A demonstrated strength in policy analysis and formulation is strongly preferred. Since work may require continued changes in program direction and implementation, including frequent coordination, the individual will be someone who is highly flexible and willing to work under conditions of ongoing change. A solid understanding of community development and counter insurgency operations is a plus. The successful candidate will possess excellent political analysis and reporting skills and the ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy, responsibility and authority in a highly stressful environment while exercising sound judgment in politically charged and challenging security environments. At a minimum, the applicant must have: At the GS-11 equivalent level: (1) A Bachelor's degree with a minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible work experience; OR A Master's degree (with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field, including, but not limited to, international development and social sciences) and a minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible work experience; (2) A minimum of two (2) years of recent project management experience with a USG foreign affairs agency, large international assistance organization, or non-governmental organization, in community development, economic development, mediation/arbitration, conflict resolution, democracy and governance, international law, human rights activities, and/or political analysis; (3) A minimum of six (6) months overseas experience working in a developing country, of which three (3) months must have been spent working in one or more countries undergoing political instability. At the GS-12 equivalent level: (1) A Bachelor's degree with a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible work experience; OR A Master's degree (with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field, including, but not limited to, international development and social sciences) and a minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible work experience; (2) A minimum of four (4) years of recent project management experience with a USG foreign affairs agency, large international assistance organization, or non-governmental organization, in community development, economic development, mediation/arbitration, conflict resolution, democracy and governance, international law, human rights activities, and/or political analysis; (3) A minimum of one (1) year overseas experience working in a developing country, of which six (6) months must have been spent working in one or more countries undergoing political instability. At the GS-13 equivalent level: (1) A Bachelor's degree with a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible work experience; OR A Master's degree (with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field, including, but not limited to, international development and social sciences) and a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible work experience; (2) A minimum of five (5) years of recent project management experience with a USG foreign affairs agency, large international assistance organization, or non-governmental organization, in community development, economic development, mediation/arbitration, conflict resolution, democracy and governance, international law, human rights activities, and/or political analysis; (3) Minimum of one (1) years of overseas field experience working in a developing country, of which six (6) months must have been spent working in one or more countries undergoing political instability. SELECTION FACTORS (Determines basic eligibility for the position. Applicants who do not meet all of the selection factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.) - Applicant is a U.S. Citizen; - Complete and hand-signed federal form OF-612 submitted (see detailed instructions under "Applying"); - Supplemental document specifically addressing how the candidate meets each of the Education/Experience requirements, AND each of the Evaluation Factors submitted; - Ability to obtain a SECRET level security clearance (NOTE: Dual citizens may be asked to renounce second-country citizenship); - Ability to obtain a Department of State medical clearance; - Satisfactory verification of academic credentials. A USAID Secret level security clearance and Department of State medical clearance are required prior to issuance of the contract for this position. Due to the urgent program requirements, individuals must be able to travel to post within 90 days after contract is awarded. EVALUATION FACTORS (Used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified applicants in comparison to other applicants. The factors are listed in priority order from highest to least.) Factor #1 Demonstrated experience working on humanitarian assistance activities, transition programs or democracy-building programs in the field, including providing both administrative operational support and the conceptualization, design and management of programs; Factor #2 Demonstrated ability to operate operationally and independently in high visibility, high-pressure environments overseas in complex emergency or political crisis situations with minimal support; Factor #3 Demonstrated experience interactin...