USPSC - OTI Transition Advisor/Senior Transition Advisor - Worldwide

Request for Personal Service Contractor USAID Office of Transition Initiatives Position Title: Transition Advisor/Senior Transition Advisor - Worldwide (Intermittent, Multiple Positions) Solicitation Number: SOL-OTI-14-000039 Salary Level: GS-13 Equivalent: $72,391 - $94,108 GS-14 Equivalent: $85,544 - $111,203 Issuance Date: August 4, 2014 Closing Date: August 18, 2014 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 Transition Advisor/Senior Transition Advisor 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 five (5) 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. 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 807 Washington, DC 20045 E-Mail Address: advisor@globalcorps.com Facs'mile: (202) 403-3911 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 Anna Cowell Telephone Number: (202) 706-6115 or (202) 706-6114 E-Mail Address: advisor@globalcorps.com Website: www.globalcorps.com Facs'mile: (202) 403-3911 Sincerely, Cristina Sylvia Contracting Officer Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (PSC) Transition Advisor/Senior Transition Advisor (Intermittent, Multiple Positions) 1. SOLICITATION NO.: SOL-OTI-14-000039 3. ISSUANCE DATE: August 4, 2014 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: August 18, 2014, 5:00 pm EDT 4. POSITION TITLE: Transition Advisor/Senior Transition Advisor 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 ($72,391 - $94,108 per annum) or GS-14 ($85,544 - $111,203 per annum) equivalent level, non-locality pay. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based upon the candidate's past salary, work history and educational background. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated. The title of the position at the GS-13 level will be "Transition Advisor." The title of the position at the GS-14 level will be "Senior Transition Advisor." NOTE: Applicants who submit an application for the GS-14 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-13 position if they have not submitted a separate application for the GS-13 level. Similarly, applicants who apply for the GS-13 position even though they might meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-14 position will not be considered for the higher graded position if they have not submitted a separate application for the GS-14 level. Applicants who are unsure of which grade level they meet the minimum qualifications for should submit separate applications for both the GS-13 and the GS-14 positions. 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year, with four one-year option periods. 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 contract employee and 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. 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Worldwide 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 partners advance peace and democracy in 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 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 and the field, often with little time for preparations. 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 16 of this solicitation. For more information about OTI and its country programs please see: http://www.usaid.gov/political-transition-initiatives INTRODUCTION The OTI Transition Advisor/Senior Transition Advisor position utilizes the experience and skills gained from working with political transition programs and operations oversight and management in the field, to provide ad hoc support for assessments, new country start-ups and program implementation support, as well as training and mentoring of staff both in the field and in Washington. The employee will also be involved in strategic design of various OTI country programs and the development of management products for OTI based on lessons learned. The Transition Advisor/Senior Transition Advisor is considered an expert in the field of political transition programming overseas. The OTI Transition Advisor/Senior Transition Advisor position was developed to allow OTI to take advantage of the accumulated experience of field staff following closure of the country program(s) that they managed. As OTI is evolving to carry out more assessments, provide more experientially based technical advice and analysis, and facilitate earlier consideration of countries that face possible political crises, having access to individuals with hands-on experience in transition programming will enhance our ability to deepen understanding, identify opportunities and constraints, and be more prepared to execute programming when necessary. OBJECTIVE To hire qualified personnel to provide expertise in transition programming. 9. CORE FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The work of the Transition Advisor/Senior Transition Advisor requires teamwork, the exercise of discretion, judgment, and personal responsibility. As a member of a highly operational office, the incumbent is willing and able 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 OTI systems and procedures to maintain effective and efficient management of funds, programming, and monitoring and evaluation. The incumbent is highly 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 positive relationships with his or her respective team both in the field and in Washington, 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 track and respond to incoming requests and routine tasks, filling in gaps as needed to ensure the responsiveness of the team. The incumbent is highly responsible, service-oriented, organized, pays close attention to detail, and is able to receive and respond to constructive criticism in a professional manner. The Transition Advisor/Senior Transition 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 direction of the Washington-based Chief, Field Programs Division (FPD) or his/her designee, the incumbent will perform the following duties: At the GS-13 Transition Advisor Level: - Fill critical program implementation staffing needs in the field and in Washington, DC, including the provision of ad hoc support to new OTI country program start-ups, ongoing OTI country programs and on-call technical assistance; - In collaboration with the relevant OTI regional team, participate in assessments for possible new country programs and visits to field sites in areas where OTI has projects; - Assist the OTI Country team with new country start-ups, or provide support while the OTI Country Representative or Deputy Country Representative is on leave or when OTI has not determined the length of a new country program, but is required to have a presence on the ground; - Support, if required, closeout activities related to OTI programs, and provide technical assistance to ongoing evaluations of OTI programs in the field; - Participate in conceptualizing and designing country program strategies and objectives in close coordination with OTI staff, USAID and U.S. Department of State personnel and other governmental and non-governmental actors, based on political analysis and U.S. Government policy; - In collaboration with the OTI Country team, update and revise, as needed, program management guides, including strategic planning and field operations materials; - Ensure appropriate resource allocation among OTI field offices and implementing partners; - Assist with the development of information management products and improved business practices for OTI based on research and personal field experience lessons learned; - Assist in drafting documents outlining future planning and vision in the development and implementation of OTI programs and assist in developing and improving country program monitoring and evaluation systems and in providing guidance on designing and managing final evaluations; - Analyze and report on current political developments and security concerns as well as other pertinent information required to achieve OTI's program objectives; - Review program budgets and propose changes and adjustments and draft any written justifications that will assist in securing quick approvals; - Help ensure that OTI's programs and their activities are monitored and evaluated and that lessons learned from the activities feed into ongoing or future activities; - As requested by Embassies or USAID Missions, provide support for the design and execution of programs that follow OTI's quick impact programming model. Support to Embassies and USAID Missions may also include attendance and/or facilitation of program management processes for follow-on programming including but not limited to rolling assessments, strategy review sessions, program performance reviews and management reviews; - When required by the OTI Country team, represent OTI's mission and global programs to visitors, senior officials from international organizations, bilateral donors and national and local foreign government officials; - Assist the OTI team in identifying or seeking out NGOs, international donors, USG agencies and other organizations of importance to OTI programs in Washington and the field, and develop and maintain professional relationships with them; - When required, serve as a liaison with other DCHA offices, other USAID divisions and the U.S. Department of State on program and policy direction; - Assist the OTI Country Team in determining program and project agreements with governmental and non-governmental counterparts, within the guidelines provided by the OTI Chief, FPD, or his/her designee; - Provide training and mentoring on OTI program implementation for OTI staff both in Washington and the field as required; - Supervise staff as delegated by the supervisor (e.g. Program Managers, Program Assistants, Program Admin Assistants, etc.). 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; - Perform other duties as determined by the supervisor to help ensure successful OTI program implementation. SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP: The Transition Advisor will be supervised by the OTI Chief, Field Programs Division or his/her designee, and will also work under the general guidance and direction of the OTI Country Representative and/or the USAID Mission Director (or Ambassador when no Mission Director is present) in the field. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: At the GS-13 grade level, the supervisor sets overall objectives and identifies resources available. The employee consults with the supervisor to develop deadlines, projects and work to be done. The employee is responsible for planning and carrying out assignments, resolving most conflicts, coordinating with others, and interpreting policy in terms of established objectives. The employee may also determine the approach to be taken and the methodology to be used, keeping the supervisor informed of progress. Completed work is reviewed only from an overall standpoint in terms of feasibility, compatibility with other work, or effectiveness in meeting requirements. At the GS-14 Senior Transition Advisor Level: - Fill critical program implementation staffing needs in the field and in Washington, DC including the provision of ad hoc support to new OTI country program start-ups and on- call technical assistance; - Conduct, in collaboration with the relevant OTI regional team, assessments for possible new country programs, and visits to field sites in areas where OTI has projects; - Act as OTI's in-country Start-Up Manager for limited periods of time for new country start-ups, or provide support while an OTI Country Representative is on leave, or when OTI has not determined the length of a new country program, but is required to have a presence on the ground; - Execute, if required, closeout activities related to OTI programs, and provide technical assistance to ongoing evaluations of OTI programs in the field; - Advise Senior Management and Team Leaders on budget processes and reviews, preparing justification documentation when necessary; - Monitor local and regional political developments and regularly brief staff on their potential programmatic impact; - Conceptualize and design the country program with project managers and grantees; - Monitor and evaluate the country program, individual projects, and contractor and grantee performance; - Update and revise, as needed, program management guides, including strategic planning and field operations materials; - Ensure appropriate resource allocation among OTI field offices and implementing partners; - Ensure that all field staff adhere to security restrictions; - Conceptualize and design country program strategies and objectives in close coordination with OTI staff, USAID and U.S. Department of State personnel, and other governmental and non-governmental actors, based on political analysis and U.S. Government policy. When necessary, assist in refining strategic objectives and advocate on behalf of new programmatic approaches in-country possibly linked to neighboring country programs if considered appropriate; - Independently plan, design, and monitor OTI programs; - Assist with the development of information management products and improved business practices for OTI based on research and personal field experience lessons learned; - Analyze and report on current political developments and security concerns as well as other pertinent information required to achieve OTI's program objectives; - Advise and/or assist in drafting documents outlining future planning and vision in the development and implementation of OTI programs, and assist in developing and improving country program monitoring and evaluation systems, providing guidance on designing and managing final evaluations; - Help ensure that OTI's programs and their activities are monitored and evaluated and that lessons learned from the activities feed into ongoing or future activities; - As required by Embassies or USAID Missions, provide support for the design and execution of programs that follow OTI's quick impact programming model. Support to Embassies and USAID Missions may also include attendance and/or facilitation of program management processes for follow-on programming including but not limited to rolling assessments, strategy review sessions, program performance reviews and management reviews; - Represent and articulate OTI's mission and global programs to visitors, senior officials from international organizations, bilateral donors and national and local foreign government officials; - Identify or seek out NGOs, international donors, USG agencies and other organizations of importance of OTI programs in Washington and the field, and develop and maintain professional relationships with them; - Serve as a liaison with other DCHA offices, other USAID divisions and the State Department on program and policy direction; - Negotiate, within the guidelines provided by the OTI Chief, FPD, or his/her designee, program and project agreements with governmental and non-governmental counterparts; - Provide training and mentoring on OTI program implementation for OTI staff both in Washington and the field as required; - Supervise staff as delegated by the supervisor (e.g. Program Managers, Program Assistants, Program Admin Assistants, etc.). 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; - Report to the Chief of Field Programs or his/her designee, and to the USAID Mission Director (or Ambassador when no Mission Director is present) in the field; - Perform all other duties as assigned. SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP: The Senior Transition Advisor will be supervised by the OTI Chief, Field Programs Division or his/her designee, and will also work under the general guidance and direction of the OTI Country Representative and/or the USAID Mission Director (or Ambassador when no Mission Director is present) in the field. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: At the GS-14 grade level, the supervisor provides administrative directions in terms of broadly defined missions or functions. The employee independently plans, designs and carries out programs, projects, studies or other work, the results of which are considered technically authoritative and are normally accepted without significant change. Work is reviewed in terms of fulfillment of program objectives, influence on overall program, or contribution to the advancement of the objective. 10. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The work is generally sedentary and does not pose undue physical demands. During deployment on assessment teams, country start-ups, and during site visits, 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). 11. WORK ENVIRONMENT While in Washington, the work is generally performed in an office environment. However, the position also requires overseas travel, 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 the education and experience factors are considered NOT qualified for the position. See detailed instructions for demonstrating Education/Experience under "Applying") The OTI Transition Advisor/Senior Transition Advisor position calls for an experienced professional with the presence, knowledge and leadership skills necessary to perform the assigned duties. The incumbent must possess the program, project management and budgetary skills to help ensure successful start-ups, management, and close-outs of OTI country programs. The complex demands of the position require that the incumbent be able to travel overseas with short notice, and be able to immediately respond to the challenging demands often faced by OTI programs. The proper execution of OTI programs requires a Transition Advisor/Senior Transition Advisor with a high level of managerial and operational skills. The Transition Advisor/Senior Transition Advisor must be prepared to work or collaborate with senior officials from other international organizations, bilateral donors, and non-governmental organizations who may be important to OTI's programs and objectives, and must have an in-depth knowledge of international relations. At the GS-13 Transition Advisor level: At a minimum, to be considered at the GS-13 level, the applicant must have: (1) A Bachelor's degree with seven (7) years of work experience; OR A Master's degree with five (5) years of work experience; AND (2) A minimum of five (5) years of project management experience with a U.S. Government 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; (3) A minimum of three (3) years of overseas field experience working in a developing country, of which one (1) year must consist of field experience in one or more countries undergoing a political transition. At the GS-14 Senior Transition Advisor level: At a minimum, to be considered at the GS-14 level, the applicant must have: (1) A Bachelor's degree with nine (9) years of work experience; OR A Master's degree with seven (7) years of work experience; AND (2) A minimum of six (6) years of project management experience with a U.S. Government 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; (3) A minimum of four (4) years of overseas field experience working in a developing country, of which two (2) years must consist of field experience in one or more countries undergoing a political transition; (4) A minimum of four (4) years of supervisory experience. 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 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 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. NOTE: The incumbent must obtain Department of State medical clearance within six months after the contract is issued. If a medical clearance is not obtained within this period, USAID may terminate the contract at the convenience of the government. Due to anticipated program needs, individuals should be able to travel to post within 60 days after a 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.) Applicants 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 interacting with and representing an organization to U.S. Government agencies, donor and international organizations, and local counterparts including beneficiaries; Factor #2 Demonstrated experience working in complex political transition and post-conflict environments where program implementation is complicated by fluid situations on the ground; Factor #3 Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating political transition activities, especially small grant activities; Factor #4 Demonstrated experience operating in a professional environment using French, Spanish or Arabic; and Factor #5 Active or recent U.S. Government security clearance. 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 - 20 Factor #2 - 20 Factor #3 - 20 Factor #4 - 05 Factor #5 - 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 addition, applications (written materials and interviews) will be evaluated based on content as well as on the applicant's writing, presentation, and communication skills. 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:...