Solicitation .doc

SOLICITATION NUMBER:

267-11-000015

ISSUANCE DATE:

July 21, 2011

CLOSING DATE/TIME:

August 11, 2011 / 17:00 Baghdad Time

POSITION TITLE:

Performance Management Specialist

MARKET VALUE:

GS-13 ($ 71,674 to $ 93,175) PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Thirteen Months with possible extension

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Iraq

SECURITY ACCESS: N/A

AREA OF CONSIDERATION:

US/Third Country National (TCN) Personal

Services Contractor (PSC)

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Performance Management Specialist, USAID/Iraq – Technical Offices

I. INTRODUCTION

The USAID Mission currently consists of three technical offices and four support offices. This position will be located in one of the Mission’s technical offices.

Under the supervision of the Office Director in USAID/Iraq, the Performance Management Specialist will serve as the lead for measurement of office program results and provide guidance to field based locally employed staff. The selected candidate will serve as a member of one of the technical office management teams and will be called on to develop and implement results frameworks and a comprehensive performance monitoring plan for the office that measures the immediate and long-term impact of Mission programs in relationship to USAID strategic goals and U.S. policy objectives in Iraq.

II. BACKGROUND:

Since 2003, USAID has been a major contributor to the U.S. Government (USG) reconstruction effort in Iraq. Collaborating with other USG agencies, USAID works closely with the Government of Iraq, provincial and local governments, international institutions such as the United Nations and the World Bank, and a network of partners from non-governmental organizations, local community groups, and Iraqi citizens.

U.S. assistance to Iraq has changed substantially over the past years and will change even more dramatically in 2011. From 2003 to 2006, USAID focused on restoring essential services such as in health, education, water and electricity, improving economic opportunities, building the foundation of democracy and governance, and managing conflict. In 2007, the focus shifted to strengthening the effectiveness of government and civil society, expanding private sector opportunities, supporting focused stabilization activities, and providing humanitarian assistance and support for internally displaced persons. These types of activities continued until 2009 when USG assistance began shifting from reconstruction to enhancing Iraq’s capacity to rebuild and govern itself effectively. Our efforts today are helping Iraq to build and to sustain a healthy economy, to provide essential human services, and to achieve full utilization of its natural resources.

III. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The specialist’s major duties and responsibilities include:

1.

Results Management (60%)

a. Lead technical officers and contracting office technical representatives (COTRs) in developing and/or refining office-wide assistance objectives and corresponding results frameworks, as well as logical frameworks at the project level to be incorporated into results frameworks, following the guidance provided in the USAID Automated Directives System (ADS) Chapter 201.

b. Lead technical officers and COTRs in the development and implementation of performance management plans, following the guidance provided in ADS Chapter 201. Implementation is to include field-based data collection and validation systems, in particular, leading the training and mentoring of field-based locally employed staff. Implementation also includes the development of a system at the office level, in coordination with the Program Office at the Mission level, to compile and analyze information across projects and over time.

c. Plan, implement, participate in, and/or comment upon Mission reviews, evaluations, assessments or program audits of designated office activities. Participate as required in the development of Mission strategic plans, updates to the Operational Plan and other strategic planning and reporting documentation. Coordinate closely with others in the Mission to assure complementarity of strategic planning and performance management across offices and programs.

2.

Program Design (25%)

a. Participate on program design teams to ensure results measurement data are utilized when designing new programs, and to build into each program design the systems that will be required to assure adherence to results frameworks as well as the collection of the necessary data for performance management.

b. Lead and/or participate in assessments and other baseline data collection exercises to inform new programming.

3.

Others (15%)

Incumbent will carry out other duties as required.

III. REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND SELECTION CRITERIA

Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the following selection criteria:

Education (10 points): Bachelor’s degree in a pertinent field (e.g. political science, international development/affairs, public administration, public policy, or social sciences) is required. Master’s Degree is preferred.

Experience (50 points): At least six years of relevant experience are required. Three years of experience with a developing country either 1) directly supervising and/or leading or 2) focused primarily on developing and implementing monitoring systems, performance monitoring plans, and/or overall quality assurance for technical assistance or related services.

Knowledge (5 points): Knowledge of post-conflict development environments. Knowledge of development prospects and priorities in the Middle East and Iraq. Knowledge of Middle Eastern history and culture is required. Understanding of U.S. foreign/national security policy implications for development assistance in post-conflict settings.

Language (20 points): Excellent written and spoken English level IV (Fluent). Knowledge of Arabic is preferred but not required.

Skills and abilities (15 points): Demonstrated ability to act independently and with a minimum of direct supervision. Demonstrated interpersonal skills and the ability to work as part of a team and build consensus around decisions.

Maximum Points Available: 100

IV.

TERM OF PERFORMANCE / COMPENSATION

Within two weeks after written notice from the Contracting Officer that all clearances, including medical and security clearances, have been received, or unless another date is specified by the Contracting Officer in writing, the contractor shall proceed to the Washington, D.C. area for mandatory pre-deployment training and orientation, and then directly to Baghdad, Iraq, where s/he shall promptly commence performance of the duties specified above. The term of the contract will be for approximately thirteen months (including the mandatory training period in Washington, D.C.), with a period of service of one year at post.

The position has been classified at a GS-13 level. The actual salary of the successful candidate will be negotiated within the GS-13 pay band, depending on qualifications and previous salary history. It is unlikely that an individual will be selected who does not already have the prior training and experience to fully perform at the GS-13 level, or who in some other way does not fully meet all requirements for the position. However, should such an individual be offered a position, the offered salary may be at less than the minimum salary in the GS-13 pay band.

In addition to the basic salary, differentials and other benefits in effect at the time, and which are applicable and subject to change on a similar basis as for direct-hire USG employees, will be added. Illustratively, these may include 35% Post Differential, 35% Danger Pay, 5% Sunday Differential, and a Separate Maintenance Allowance, if applicable (Iraq is a no-dependent post).

The employees serving in Iraq are authorized three short regional rest breaks and two Rest and Recuperation (R&R) breaks per year, or, alternatively, three R&R breaks and no regional rest breaks. Twenty days of administrative leave are provided per year in addition to annual leave and may be taken during these rest breaks.

USAID will provide furnished housing and three meals per day within the guarded and fortified International Zone in Baghdad.

V.

MEDICAL AND SECURITY CLEARANCES

The selected candidate must be able to obtain both a background security clearance and a worldwide available medical clearance. The security clearance involves a comprehensive investigation performed by the appropriate U.S. Government agency. Details on how to obtain US Department of State Medical Unit clearance will be provided once a job offer is made and accepted.

VI.

BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES/TAXES

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a US/TCN PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: (NOTE: An individual defined as a Resident-Hire employee may only be eligible for those benefits listed under item A below.)

A. BENEFITS:

Employer's FICA Contribution

Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

Pay Comparability Adjustment

Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

Annual & Sick Leave

Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service

B. ALLOWANCES (If Applicable):

Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120)

Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

Post Allowance (Section 220)

Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230)

Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

Education Allowance (Section 270)

Education Travel (Section 280)

Post Differential (Chapter 500)

Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) and

Danger Pay (Section 650)

C. FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs and TCNPSC green card holders are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes under the foreign earned income exclusion.

VII. APPLYING

Interested applicants MUST submit the following materials:

- Most current Curriculum vitae or resume

- Completed and hand-signed federal form OF-612 (including OF-612 continuation sheets as needed). The OF-612 can be downloaded from: www.usaid.gov/forms/.

- Three references, who are not family members or relatives, with telephones and e-mail contacts

- Brief appendix to demonstrate how prior experience and/or training address the minimum qualifications and selection criteria shown in the solicitation

Applicants are required to sign the certification at the end of the OF-612. Applications that are received without a signature will not be considered for the position.

Late, incomplete or unsigned applications will NOT be considered.

All applications should be submitted electronically to:

iraquspscjobs@usaid.gov

All applications should be received by the closing date and time previously specified. To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application and as the subject line in any cover letter. The selection will be based on the panel evaluation of the applicants vis-à-vis selection criteria mentioned previously. Applicants should also note that the salary history for the purpose of the OF-612 is the salary paid, excluding benefits and allowances such as housing, travel, educational support, vehicle use, etc.

Points of Contact

Mr. Francisco Santos, Human Resources Specialist, Phone (in Iraq) - (+1) 202-216-6276, xt4659; Email: frsantos@usaid.gov

1. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs

Forms outlined below can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/

1. Optional Form 612.

2. Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62)**

3. AID 6-1 (Request for Security Action)**

4. SF-86 (Questionnaire for National Security Positions)**

5. FD-258 (Fingerprint Cards) 2 ach**

6. AID 610-14 (Authority for Release of Information)**

7. AID 6-85 (Foreign Residence Data)**

8. Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1970, As Amended**

9. Notice Required by the Privacy Act of 1974**

** Forms 2 through 9 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job. Note: The selected individual shall be required to obtain a security clearance.

2. ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) PERTAINING

TO PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACT (PSC)

AAPDs contain information or changes pertaining to USAID policy, regulation and procedures concerning acquisition and assistance. A number of AAPDs pertain to Personal Service Contracts. Please refer to the USAID website: http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/ to locate relevant AAPDs. Additionally, AIDAR Appendix D or J also applies to PSCs and can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf