USPSC OTI Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Advisor/Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Advisor - Worldwide (Tandem, Intermittent) (GS-13/GS-14)

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72D0T120R00023 ISSUANCE DATE: March 19, 2020 CLOSING DATE AND TIME: April 3, 2020, 1:00 PM Eastern Time SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) Dear Prospective Offerors: The United States Government (USG), represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking offers from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal services as a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Advisor/Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Advisor - Worldwide (Tandem, Intermittent) 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. Offerors interested in applying for this position MUST submit the following materials: Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your offer, your resume must include: (a) Paid and 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 all overseas field 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: Your resume should contain explicit information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation each grade level(s) for which you are applying. Offerors must specify in their offer materials whether they would like to be considered for the GS-13 or GS-14. Offerors who would like to be considered for both the GS-13 and GS-14 positions should submit separate offers specifying which grade level in the submission. Offerors will only be considered for the grade level specified in the submission. The offer will be considered for the lower grade level if the offeror does not specify the grade level in the submission. Offerors who are unsure of which grade level they meet the minimum qualifications for should submit separate offers for the GS-13 and the GS-14 positions. 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. Supplemental document specifically addressing: Each of the three (3) Evaluation Factors shown in the solicitation. Responses must be limited to 500 words per 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 received that are relevant to each factor. USPSC Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete and sign the form. This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted. Additional documents submitted will not be accepted. Incomplete or late offers will not be considered. Your complete resume and the AID309-2 form must be mailed or emailed to: Office of Transition Initiatives 529 14th Street, NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20045 E-Mail Address: contact@example.gov Offerors can expect to receive a confirmation email when offer materials have been received. Offerors should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their offers. This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the offer. Offeror resources are available at www.otijobs.net/#!guidance-for-applying/c1ggu. Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to: OTI Recruitment Team Telephone Number: +1 (555) 000-0000 E-Mail Address: contact@example.gov Website: www.OTIjobs.net Sincerely, Cristina Sylvia Contracting Officer 72D0T120R00023 I. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72D0T120R00023 2. ISSUANCE DATE: March 19, 2020 3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: April 3, 2020, 1:00 pm Eastern Time 4. POINT OF CONTACT: OTI Recruitment Team, +1 (555) 000-0000, e-mail at contact@example.gov. 5. POSITION TITLE: OTI Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Advisor/Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Advisor 6. 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-13 ($78,681 - $102,288 per annum) or GS-14 ($92,977 - $120,868 per annum) equivalent level, non-locality pay. Salaries over and above the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated. Final compensation will be negotiated within the GS-13 or GS-14 equivalent level based upon the selected candidate's salary history, qualifications, previous relevant experience and work history, and educational background as reported on the AID 309-2. For selected candidates whose salary has been established on a Federal pay scale (i.e. General Schedule) or its equivalent, the base salary (not including locality pay) of their grade/step will be the basis of the salary negotiation. The final salary will be negotiated at a step on the General Schedule (Base) Salary Table articulated as an annual rate amount; however, as an intermittent position, the PSC hired under this contract will provide a maximum of 250 workdays of services on an annual basis (see Section I, item 6, Period of Performance). The selected candidate will be eligible for applicable allowances as described in Section VI on the same basis as U.S. government (USG) employees while on temporary duty in foreign areas. As this is a Worldwide, non-locality position, incumbents who do not live in the Washington, DC metropolitan area will be provided with travel and/or per diem if they are required to work in Washington, DC. The title of the position at the GS-13 level will be - Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Advisor. The title of the position at the GS-14 level will be - Senior Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Advisor. Note: Offerors must specify in their application materials whether they would like to be considered for the GS-13, GS-14, or both. Offerors will only be considered for the grade level specified in the submission. The offer will be considered for the lower grade level if the offeror does not specify the grade level in the submission. Offerors who are unsure of which grade level they meet the minimum qualifications for should submit separate offeror for the GS-13 and the GS-14 positions. 7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year, with four one-year option periods. START DATE: Within 45 days of receiving notification that required security clearance has been obtained. The Personal Services Contractor hired under this contract will provide up to a maximum of 250 workdays of services on an annual basis. The specific projects, as well as dates, number of days and locations to be worked, will be determined by mutual agreement between the contractor and his/her OTI supervisor according to the programmatic needs of OTI. There is no obligation by OTI to provide assignments for a minimum number of days, and the contractor is free to provide - blackout dates during which he or she will not be available to accept assignments. 8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Worldwide 9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: United States Citizens 10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret 11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES 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 partners advance peace and democracy in politically-transitioning countries. In support of U.S. foreign policy, OTI seizes emerging windows of opportunity in the political landscape to promote stability, peace, and democracy by catalyzing local initiatives through adaptive and agile programming. 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, mostly non-governmental, civil society and media organizations. OTI uses such mechanisms as support for re-integration of ex-combatants into civilian society; development of initiatives to promote national reconciliation; identification of quick-impact community self-help projects to meet urgent economic needs; and aid to independent media outlets and community-based organizations to help promote informed debate and broaden public participation. 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. Some of these USPSCs serve on intermittent contracts and are referred to in OTI as - bullpenners, providing support in a surge capacity. Those serving in the bullpen must be prepared to work both in Washington, D.C. and the field, often with little time for preparations. There are several 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 Section VI of this solicitation. For more information about OTI and its country programs please see: http://www.usaid.gov/political-transition-initiatives Introduction The OTI MEL Advisor - Worldwide position utilizes the experience and skills gained from working with political transition, stabilization, and conflict mitigation programs, to provide support and guidance for country program staff to help ensure the successful implementation of OTI program activities in the field. OTI's success now and in the future depends in large part on its ability to achieve an overarching organizational goal: the effective transfer and ongoing analysis of knowledge and experience - comprised of values, management processes, lessons learned, best practices, standards, and innovations - in real time, with a variety of stakeholders. These stakeholders include: OTI staff in the field and headquarters; OTI's implementing partners around the world; USAID Missions overseas; other USAID offices and bureaus in Washington D.C.; other USG agencies and branches; other donors; other transition, stabilization and reconstruction practitioners; host government and/or other local counterparts; and the U.S. public. The MEL Advisor supports OTI's mission to provide fast, flexible, short-term assistance targeted at key political transition and stabilization needs by building the knowledge, skills and abilities of OTI staff to continually improve country program performance. The MEL Advisor does this by: designing and providing innovative solutions that are adapted to OTI's fast-paced global needs; developing and facilitating learning and training events; and providing support services ranging from procurement to monitoring and evaluation. The MEL Advisor supports learning and innovation through the application of technology - including OTI's knowledge management platform, mapping, data visualization, and other analytic tools - to continually improve OTI country program analysis, management and performance and coordinates closely with other units, teams, and divisions within OTI to achieve these goals. CORE FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The work of the MEL Advisor requires teamwork, the exercise of discretion, judgment, and personal responsibility. As a member of an operational office, the incumbent is willing and able to perform a wide range of administrative functions to help ensure programmatic success. The incumbent is flexible and willing to work under conditions of ongoing change and remains professional and respectful of colleagues and authority in a diverse workforce. She or he places a premium on the building of positive relationships with his or her respective team both in the field and in Washington, D.C. and with key stakeholders both in and outside of USAID. The incumbent is a team player, able to prioritize and follow up on their own actions without prompting, while also assisting a busy supervisor to track and respond to incoming requests and routine tasks, filling in gaps as needed to ensure the responsiveness of the team. The incumbent is responsible, service-oriented, organized, pays close attention to detail, and is able to receive and respond to constructive criticism in a professional manner. The MEL Advisor 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 Field Programs Division (FPD) Deputy overseeing Program Performance Management (PPM), Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and Creative Digital Team (CDT) and or his/her designee, the MEL Advisor will perform the following duties: At the GS-13 MEL Advisor level: Facilitate and provide support for the implementation and ongoing adaptation of a range of program performance management processes designed to integrate learning into OTI country program strategic design, program implementation and evaluation; Provide remote or in-person technical assistance, guidance, and training based on research and personal field experience to enable OTI country programs to develop cutting-edge program monitoring and evaluation systems, and continually refine and improve them; Coordinate with key stakeholders to routinely conceptualize, update and revise OTI guidance related to action learning, M&E, and PPM processes; Fill critical needs for program advisement, management and implementation in Washington, D.C. and the field, including providing support to new OTI country program start-ups, management and close-out; Oversee the design and provision of innovative learning and training solutions that are well-adapted to OTI's fast-paced global needs, including organizing and planning events to increase OTI and implementing partner staff members application of OTI's approach to M&E; Develop and maintain collaborative relationships across OTI's three divisions - Program, Learning and Innovation (PLI), FPD, and Operations and Management Division (OMD) - to coordinate and ensure the effective integration of lessons and knowledge into OTI's learning and training and knowledge management resources; Represent and articulate OTI's mission and global programs to select visitors, officials from international organizations, bilateral donors, and national and foreign government officials. Serve as a liaison with other Conflict, Prevention, and Stabilization (CPS) Bureau offices, USAID divisions and the State Department, to develop appropriate program and policy direction; Assist in developing knowledge management systems, resources, tools and products and drafting documents outlining future planning and vision in the development and implementation of OTI programs, and Provide orientation, training, and mentoring for staff supervised; assign work, explain how duties are to be performed to meet expectations and communicate how the successful performance of those duties will be measured; evaluate staff performance; recognize good performance; communicate where performance needs to be improved; resolve complaints; and approve leave requests and timesheets as well as training, travel and program and operations requests. At the GS-14 Senior Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Advisor level: Advise, facilitate, and manage the implementation and ongoing adaptation of a range of program performance management processes designed to integrate learning into OTI country program strategic design, program implementation and evaluation; Independently provide remote or in-person technical assistance, guidance, and training based on research and personal field experience to enable OTI country programs to develop cutting-edge program monitoring and evaluation systems, and continually refine and improve them; Advise key stakeholders and office leadership on the routine conceptualization and revision of OTI guidance related to action learning, monitoring and evaluation, and program performance management processes; Independently fill critical needs for program advisement, management and implementation in Washington, D.C. and the field, including providing support to new OTI country program start-ups, management and close-out; Independently oversee the design and provision of innovative learning and training solutions that are well-adapted to OTI's fast-paced global needs, including organizing and planning events to increase OTI and implementing partner staff members application of OTI's approach to monitoring and evaluation; Develop and maintain collaborative relationships across OTI's three divisions - Program, Learning and Innovation (PLI), Field Programs Division (FPD), and Operations and Management Division (OMD) - to coordinate and ensure the effective integration of lessons and knowledge into OTI's learning and training resources; Represent and articulate OTI's mission and global programs to select visitors, officials from international organizations, bilateral donors, and national and foreign government officials. Serve as a liaison with other Conflict, Prevention, and Stabilization (CPS) offices, USAID divisions and the State Department, to develop appropriate program and policy direction; Develop knowledge management systems, resources, tools and products and draft documents outlining future planning and vision in the development and implementation of OTI programs, and Supervise staff as delegated by supervisor. Provide orientation, training, and mentoring for staff supervised; assign work, explain how duties are to be performed to meet expectations and communicate how the successful performance of those duties will be measured; evaluate staff performance; recognize good performance; communicate where performance needs to be improved; resolve complaints; and approve leave requests and timesheets as well as training, travel and program and operations requests. SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP: The MEL Advisor/Senior Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Advisor will be supervised by the FPD Deputy overseeing PPM, M&E and CDT, or his/her designee. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: At the GS-13 level, the supervisor will set overall objectives and resources available, and work with the incumbent to develop deadlines, projects, and work to be accomplished. The incumbent will be responsible for planning and carrying out assignments, resolving most conflicts, coordinating with others, and interpreting policy in terms of established objectives. Keeping the supervisor informed of progress, the incumbent may determine the approach to be taken and the methodology to be used. The supervisor will review completed work from an overall standpoint of feasibility, compatibility with other work, or effectiveness in meeting requirements. At the GS-14 level, the supervisor will provide administrative directions in terms of broadly defined missions or functions. The incumbent will independently plan, design and carry out programs, projects, studies or other work assignments. The incumbents work will be considered technically authoritative and normally accepted without significant change, and will be reviewed in terms of fulfillment of program objectives, influence on the overall program, or contribution to the advancement of the objective. 12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS While in Washington, D.C. the work is generally sedentary and does not pose undue physical demands. While traveling overseas, there may be some additional physical exertion including long periods of standing, walking over rough terrain, or carrying of moderately heavy items (less than 50 pounds). 13. WORK ENVIRONMENT: While in Washington, D.C. the work is generally performed in an office environment. While traveling overseas, the work may additionally involve special safety and/or security precautions, wearing of protective equipment, and exposure to severe weather conditions. II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION (Determines basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do not meet all of the education and experience factors are considered NOT qualified for the position. See detailed instructions for demonstrating Education/Experience under - Submitting an Offer) At a minimum, the offeror must have: At the GS-13 MEL Advisor level: A Master's Degree with five (5) years of work experience; OR A Bachelor's Degree with seven (7) years of work experience; AND Four (4) years of project management experience with a USG foreign affairs agency, international or domestic 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; AND One (1) year of demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and managing M&E efforts in international development programming; AND One (1) year of overseas field experience working in a developing country; AND Six (6) months of supervisory experience At the GS-14 Senior Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Advisor level: A Master's degree with seven (7) years of work experience; OR A Bachelor's degree with nine (9) years of work experience; AND Six (6) years of project management experience with a USG foreign affairs agency, domestic or international assistance organization, or non-governmental organization, in community development, economic development, mediation/arbitration, conflict resolution, democracy and governance, international law, and/or human rights activities; AND Two (2) years of demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and managing M&E efforts in international development programming. AND Two (2) years of overseas field experience working in a developing country; AND (5) One (1) year of supervisory experience. III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS (Determines basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do not meet all of the education and experience factors are considered NOT qualified for the position. The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c). In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers. FAR provisions of this solicitation are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far. SELECTION FACTORS: (Determines basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do not meet all of the selection factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.) Offeror is a U.S. Citizen; Complete resume submitted. See cover page for resume requirements. Experience that cannot be quantified will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements; Supplemental document specifically addressing how the candidate meets 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); Satisfactory verification of academic credentials. A USAID Secret level security clearance is required prior to issuance of the contract for this position. NOTE: If a full security investigation package is not submitted by the selected within 30 days after it is requested, the offer may be rescinded. If a security clearance is not able to be obtained within four months after the selected submits the initial security clearance documentation, the offer may be rescinded. Evaluation Factors: (Used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified offerors in comparison to other offerors. The factors are listed in priority order from highest to least.) 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 Demonstrated experience designing and/or implementing monitoring, evaluation and learning approaches adapted to dynamic, short-term political transition and/or stabilization programs in complex environments. Factor #2 Demonstrated experience coordinating with a variety of stakeholders (e.g. implementing partners, field and headquarter-based staff, interagency colleagues, external research firms) on program performance management and program learning efforts, including mentoring and providing training, support and guidance for non-M&E experts. Factor #3 Demonstrated experience providing remote technical assistance and/or maintaining communication and relationships with a range of stakeholders based in different countries. BASIS OF RATING: Offerors who clearly meet the Education/Experience Requirements and Selection Factors 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. Be sure to include your name and the announcement number at the top of each additional page. Failure to specifically address the Selection and/or Evaluation Factors may result in your not receiving credit for all of 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) Total Possible Points: 100 The most qualified offerors may be interviewed, required to provide a writing sample, and demonstrate an ability to operate commonly used office applications. OTI will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. In addition, offers (written materials and interviews) will be evaluated based on content as well as on the offerors writing, presentation, and communication skills. In the event that an offeror has fully demonstrated his/her qualifications and there are no other competitive offerors OTI reserves the right to forego the interview process. Professional references and academic credentials will be evaluated for offerors being considered for selection. OTI reserves the right to contact previous employers to verify employment history. IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER Offers must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section I, item 4. Qualified offerors are required to submit: Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your offer, your resume must include: (a) Paid and 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 all overseas field 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. Your resume should contain explicit information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the minimum qualification requirements as stated in this solicitation for each grade level(s) for which you are applying. If you do not specify which grade level(s), your offer will be considered at the lower grade level. 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. Supplemental document specifically addressing: Each of the three (3) Evaluation Factors shown in the solicitation. Responses must be limited to 500 words per 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 received that are relevant to each factor. Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete and sign the form. This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted. Additional documents submitted will not be accepted. To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position offers must prominently reference the solicitation number in the offer submission. Offeror resources are available at www.otijobs.net/#!guidance-for-applying/c1ggu. DOCUMENT SUBMITTALS Via mail: Office of Transition Initiatives, 529 14th Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, D.C. 20045 Via email: contact@example.gov Please note in your document submittal where you heard about this position. NOTE REGARDING GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FOR THIS SOLICITATION This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the offer. NOTE REGARDING DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBERS AND THE SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT All individuals contracted as USPSCs with a place of performance in the United States are required to have a DUNS Number and be registered in the SAM database. USAID will provide a generic DUNS Number for USPSC's with a place of performance outside the United States. The selected offeror will be provided with guidance regarding this registration. For general information about DUNS Numbers and SAM, please refer to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Clause 52.204-6, Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number and FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management. https:/acquisition.gov/far/current/html/52_200_206.html or www.sam.gov. ALL QUALIFIED OFFERORS WILL BE CONSIDERED REGARDLESS OF AGE, RACE, COLOR, SEX, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, LAWFUL POLITICAL AFFILIATION, NON-DISQUALIFYING DISABILITY, MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AFFILIATION WITH AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION, OR OTHER NON-MERIT FACTOR. V. ...