USPSC - OTI Senior Field Program Manager - Afghanistan (Multiple Positions)

Request for Personal Service Contractor USAID Office of Transition Initiatives Position Title: OTI Senior Field Program Manager Afghanistan (Multiple Positions) Solicitation Number: SOL-OTI-13-000041 Salary Level: GS-13 Equivalent: $71,674 - $93,175 GS-14 Equivalent: $84,697 - $110,104 Issuance Date: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 Closing Date: Wednesday, June 26, 2013 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 from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal services as a Senior Field Program Manager in Afghanistan 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 resume. In order to fully evaluate your application, 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 sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation for each grade level(s) for which you are applying. This information should be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide information sufficient to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration. 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 in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received that are relevant to each factor. Additional documents submitted will not be accepted. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Your complete resume and the supplemental document addressing the EFs must be mailed, delivered, faxed, or emailed to: GlobalCorps 529 14th Street, NW, Suite 700 Washington, DC 20045 E-Mail Address: contact@example.gov Facs'mile: +1 (555) 000-0000 or +1 (555) 000-0000 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: Travis Axton or Dominique Chittum Telephone Number: +1 (555) 000-0000 or +1 (555) 000-0000 E-Mail Address: contact@example.gov Website: www.globalcorps.com Facs'mile: +1 (555) 000-0000 or +1 (555) 000-0000 Sincerely, Cristina Sylvia Contracting Officer Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (PSC) OTI Senior Field Program Manager - Afghanistan (Multiple Positions) 1. SOLICITATION NO.: SOL-OTI-13-000041 2. ISSUANCE DATE: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at 5:00 pm EDT 4. POSITION TITLE: OTI Senior Field Program Manager - Afghanistan 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-13 (salary range: $71,674 - $93,175), or GS-14 (salary range $84,697 - $110,104) equivalent level, non-locality pay. The actual salary of the successful candidate will be negotiated within the pay range of the GS-13 or GS-14 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. NOTE CONCERNING MARKET VALUE: The applicant(s) chosen for SFPM will be recommended for hire at the GS level (GS-13 or GS-14) commensurate with his/her overall experience, training, and qualifications as determined by the OTI Selection Committee, and based on team need and budget. 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year, with up to two one-year options. 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Afghanistan (various field posts) 8. STATEMENT OF WORK POSITION DESCRIPTION BACKGROUND The Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) was created in 1994 as a distinct operating unit within USAID to help local partners advance peace and democracy in priority conflict-prone countries. Seizing critical windows of opportunity, OTI works on the ground to provide 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, 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 organization'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 15 of this solicitation. For more information about OTI and its country programs please see: http://www.usaid.gov/what-we-do/working-crises-and-conflict/promoting-peaceful-political-transitions INTRODUCTION USAID/OTI's current engagement in Afghanistan began in 2009 with the Afghanistan Stabilization Initiative (ASI). In 2012, ASI transitioned into the Community Cohesion Initiative (CCI). CCI aims to build strong, resilient communities in districts vital to Afghanistan's overall stability and development by strengthening communities' ability to withstand political and social upheaval, insurgent infiltration, and other shocks and pressures as international donor funds and military support draw down. With CCI support, Afghans will be able to rebuild, strengthen and connect their communities to the wider social and political structures. Through CCI, USAID/OTI seeks to increase resilience in areas vulnerable to insurgent exploitation by (1) strengthening ties between local actors, customary governance structures, and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) and (2) increasing cohesion among and between communities. CCI operates in the east, south, and southwest regions of Afghanistan. To achieve these objectives, OTI incorporates a number of programming principles that emphasize a process-oriented, Afghan-led approach to implementation. CCI implements clusters of community-focused small grants through a process-oriented approach with Afghan ownership of decisions and results. In CCI programming, the project processes are as important as project outputs in contributing to the program's strategic goal of stabilization. CCI utilizes both "soft" (e.g., community cohesion jirgas, outreach visits by district government; cultural and recreational activities) and "hard" (e.g., small-scale infrastructure) activities to strengthen linkages between vulnerable communities and positive community resiliencies and customary leadership, increasing community cohesion in the process. The OTI Senior Field Program Manager (SFPM) is a member of the OTI/Afghanistan Team, reports to the OTI Country Representative (CR) or his/her designee, and is based in Afghanistan. The SFPM's principal responsibility is to support the OTI/Afghanistan team in the development, oversight and management of the OTI/Afghanistan program. The location for the position is in Kabul or at a regional platform, such as Kandahar Airfield. OBJECTIVE The objective of this position is to ensure that OTI has a highly-qualified Senior Field Program Manger in the field that will represent OTI and fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the position. 9. CORE FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The work of the Senior Field Program Manager requires teamwork, the exercise of discretion, judgment, and personal responsibility. As a member of a highly visible and rapid response office, the Senior Field Program Manager requires a willingness and ability to perform a wide range of administrative functions to help ensure programmatic success. The incumbent has a high level of integrity and attention to detail to ensure the use of DCHA systems and procedures to maintain effective and efficient management of funds, programming, and monitoring and evaluation. The Senior Field Program Manager 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 Senior Field Program Manager 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 Senior Field Program Manager 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 Senior Field Program Manager 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 or his/her designee, the Senior Field Program Manager will: At the GS-13 level: - Develop, revise and monitor strategies and work plans in close collaboration with the IP leadership. Work closely with Field Program Managers (FPMs) and the institutional partner (IP) 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; - Assist, at the regional level, the OTI/Afghanistan program to monitor and evaluate (M&E) OTI activities. Present M&E results to a range of audiences in the US Government, the military, local government, and others. Also, ensure that M&E benchmarks and standards are met as required by the program's grant manual; - Provide staffing coverage when FPMs are away from their posts for extended periods; - Perform other duties as determined by the supervisor to ensure successful OTI/Afghanistan program implementation; - At the request of his/her supervisor, serve as Acting Deputy Country Representative as needed; - Perform other duties as assigned; - Using entry and exit criteria, as well as other agreed upon procedures, identify and communicate opportunities for new OTI activities and transition as defined in USAID and OTI transition plans, as appropriate; - Draft and deliver regular programmatic and analytical reports incorporating information from OTI activities. Assist FPMs in drafting the same documentation; - Track, develop and cross-fertilize best practices and lessons learned across geographic areas of operation, as well as communicate these lessons learned and best practices to audiences outside of OTI such as US government officials, military personnel, local government officials, and other donor personnel, as required; - Represent OTI among civilian and military stakeholders at various levels, specifically related to design and development of overarching stabilization and transition strategies; - Develop productive relationships with and regularly communicate, collaborate and identify complementarity between activities with military personnel, other USAID project managers, bilateral donors, UN Organizations, International Organizations, and indigenous and international NGOs to ensure visibility and synergy of OTI/Afghanistan activities; - Serve as the lead programmatic and implementation liaison with the IP at the regional level, which includes ensuring team goals and objectives are being met and understood by all; - Supervise, train and mentor OTI FPMs. Collaboratively manage IP expatriate staff and locally hired teams. Provide regular mentoring and guidance, and play a consultative role with FPMs and IP field staff during the execution of assessments and development of activities; - Ensure that FPMs and the IP use and update the Activity Database as a program management tool according to the requirements of the program's grant manual and provide feedback to the FPMs and IP, as necessary. At the GS-14 level: Perform the same duties as the GS-13 level but with significantly less supervision, increased decision-making authority, and reduced restrictions on independent actions. - Develop, revise and monitor strategies and work plans in close collaboration with the IP leadership, which will significantly change, interpret or develop important public policies or programs. Work closely with FPMs and the IP 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; - Assist, at the regional level, the OTI/Afghanistan program to monitor and evaluate (M&E) OTI activities. Present M&E results to a range of audiences in the US Government, the military, local government, and others. Also, ensure that M&E benchmarks and standards are met as required by the program's grant manual; - Provide staffing coverage when FPMs are away from their posts for extended periods; - Perform other duties as determined by the supervisor to ensure successful OTI/Afghanistan program implementation; - At the request of his/her supervisor, serve as Acting Deputy Country Representative as needed; - Perform other duties as assigned; - Using entry and exit criteria, as well as other agreed upon procedures, identify and communicate opportunities for new OTI activities and transition as defined in USAID and OTI transition plans, as appropriate, with wide latitude for exercise of independent judgment and decision-making; - Draft and deliver regular programmatic and analytical reports incorporating information from OTI activities. Assist FPMs in drafting the same documentation; - Track, develop and cross-fertilize best practices and lessons learned across geographic areas of operation, as well as communicate these lessons learned and best practices to audiences outside of OTI such as US government officials, military personnel, local government officials, and other donor personnel, as required; - Represent OTI among civilian and military stakeholders at various levels, specifically related to design and development of overarching stabilization and transition strategies; - Develop productive relationships with and regularly communicate, collaborate and identify complementarity between activities with military personnel, other USAID project managers, bilateral donors, UN Organizations, International Organizations, and indigenous and international NGOs to ensure visibility and synergy of OTI/Afghanistan activities; - Using judgment and ingenuity, serve as the lead programmatic and implementation liaison with the IP at the regional level, which includes ensuring team goals and objectives are being met and understood by all; - Supervise, train and mentor OTI Field Program Managers (FPMs). Collaboratively manage implementing partner (IP) expatriate staff and locally hired teams. Provide regular mentoring and guidance, and play a consultative role with FPMs and IP field staff during the execution of assessments and development of activities; - Ensure that FPMs and the IP use and update the Activity Database as a program management tool according to the requirements of the program's grant manual and provide feedback to the FPMs and IP, as necessary. SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP: The OTI Senior Field Program Manager will report to OTI's Country Representative, or his/her designee. 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. There may be some additional physical exertion including wearing 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 may also require 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 Senior Field Program Manager position requires excellent communication skills and experience in program development and implementation. 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; activity conceptualization, design, development and implementation in conjunction with an IP, including a local national team; basic principles of stabilization, counterinsurgency, 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 experience working with the military 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-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) 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; AND (4) A minimum of one (1) year of supervisory experience (including but not limited to mentoring, training, and guiding staff). At the GS-14 equivalent level: (1) A Bachelor's degree with a minimum of nine (9) 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 seven (7) years of progressively responsible work experience; (2) A minimum of six (6) 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 two (2) years of overseas field experience working in a developing country, of which one (1) year must have been spent working in one or more countries undergoing political instability; AND (4) A minimum of two (2) years of supervisory experience (including but not limited to mentoring, training, and guiding staff). 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 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 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. Note that due to the urgent program requirements, individuals must be able to travel to post within 90 after a contract is awarded (this includes completion of all required documentation and receipt of all necessary clearances). 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, stabilization or transition programming or democracy-building programs in the field, including the conceptualization, design and management of programs; Factor #2 Demonstrated ability to operate independently in high visibility, high-pressure environments overseas in complex emergencies, ongoing or post-conflict areas or admits political crisis with minimal support; Factor #3 Demonstrated experience interacting with U.S. government agencies, donor and international organizations, military personnel, and local counterparts on both the lowest and highest political, social, and economic levels; Factor #4 Excellent communication, interpersonal, cross-cultural, negotiating and team building skills evidenced by the ability to maintain team morale and unity in a challenging security environment with the lack of usual infrastructure and amenities; Factor #5 Demonstrated experience in using political analysis to inform programming strategies and objectives, especially in conflict-prone environments in the assigned country and/or region; and Factor #6 Demonstrated ability to oversee and monitor a non-Federal organization implementing an assistance activity under a Federal contract, grant, or cooperative agreement. BASIS OF RATING: Applicants who clearly meet the Education/Experience Requirements and Selection Factors will be further evaluated based on scoring of the Evaluation Factor responses. Those applicants determined to be competitively ranked may also be evaluated on interview performance and satisfactory professional reference checks. In the event that a candidate has fully demonstrated his/her qualifications and there are no other competitive applicants, OTI reserves the right to forego the interview process. Applicants 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 Applicant Rating System is as Follows: Evaluation Factors have been assigned the following points: Factor #1 - 15 Factor #2 - 15 Factor #3 - 15 Factor #4 - 10 Factor #5 - 10 Factor #6 - 05 Total Possible - 70 Points Interview Performance - 30 points Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks - Pass/Fail (no points assigned) Total Possible Points: 100 The Evaluation Factors are worth 70 out of 100 points. Be sure to fully respond to each of the Evaluation Factors and include all relevant experience, training, and/or education in your responses. Sample Evaluation Factors are provided on the GlobalCorps website at www.globalcorps.com. The most qualified candidates may be interviewed and required to provide a writing sample. OTI will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. In the event that a candidate has fully demonstrated his/her qualifications and there are no other competitive applicants, OTI reserves the right to forego the interview process. Professional references and academic credentials will be evaluated for applicants being considered for selection. APPLYING: Applications must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in the cover letter. Qualified individuals are required to submit: 1. Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your application, 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 sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation for each grade level(s) for which you are applying. This information should be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide information sufficient to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration. 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 in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received that are relevant to each factor. Additional documents submitted will not be accepted. By submitting your application materials, you agree to allow all information on and attached to the application to be investigated. False or fraudulent information on or attached to your application may result in you being eliminated from consideration for this position, or being terminated after award, and may be punishable by fine or imprisonment. To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application, and as the subject line in any email. DOCUMENT SUBMITTALS Via mail: GlobalCorps, 529 14th Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20045 Via facs'mile: +1 (555) 000-0000 or +1 (555) 000-0000 Via email: contact@example.gov Please note in your document submittal where you heard about this position. NOTE: If a temporary or full secret security clearance is not obtained within four months after offer acceptance, the offer may be rescinded. NOTE: The incumbent must obtain Department of State medical clearance within four months after offer acceptance. If medical clearance is not obtained within this period, the offer may be rescinded. 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 application. NOTE REGARDING DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBERS All individuals contracted as US PSCs are required to have a DUNS Number. USAID will provide a generic DUNS Number and PSCs are not required to register with CCR. For general information about DUNS Numbers, please refer to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Clause 52.204-6, Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number (10/2003) https:/acquisition.gov/far/current/html/52_200_206.html LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs Forms outlined below can found at: http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ or at http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Reference-Shelf/forms.shtml 1. Optional Form 612. 2. Medical History and Examination Form (DS-6561). 3. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or 4. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85). ...