Solicitation Notice - Humanitarian Officer 2009

SOLICITATION NUMBER 383-09-508: FOOD FOR PEACE OFFICER

AMENDMENT #1: HUMANITARIAN OFFICER (replacing previously advertised Food for Peace Officer position) USAID Sri Lanka U.S. Personal Services Contractor: Humanitarian Officer 1.

SOLICITATION NUMBER:

383-09-508 (Amendment #1) 2.

ISSUANCE DATE:

October 28, 2009 3.

CLOSING DATE / TIME:

November 12, 2009 (4pm Colombo, Sri Lanka time/6.30am

Washington, DC time))

4.

POSITION TITLE:

Humanitarian Officer (USPSC) 5.

MARKET VALUE:

Equivalent of a GS-14 (no locality base pay rate)

Salary range from $83,445 to $108,483 per annum.

Final compensation will be based on the individual’s salary and work history, experience, educational, background as well as the benefits and allowances provisions in effect for AMEMBASSY

Colombo, the post of assignment.

6.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

One year with an option for second year 7.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:

Colombo, Sri Lanka

8.

DIRECT SUPERVISOR:

Office Director, Office of Humanitarian Assistance & Transition

Initiatives, USAID/Sri Lanka 9.

AREA OF CONSIDERATION:

U.S. Citizens Only (Security Clearance required)

I.

Scope of Work:

A. Background and Basic Function of the Position

Over the last few years, Sri Lanka has faced a host of complex disasters and emergencies requiring both food assistance and non-food humanitarian assistance. Poverty is acute and widespread, and the country has a relatively high global hunger index within the region. Additionally, more than 253,000 persons remain internally displaced, and that has seriously eroded livelihoods especially in northern Sri Lanka.

The Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA), in the U.S. Agency for International Development has two offices that have provided assistance to the humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka. The Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) provides emergency non-food humanitarian assistance in response to international crises and disasters, working with and through international NGOs, indigenous NGOs, and the United Nations. The Office of Food for Peace (FFP) provides food assistance grants to private voluntary organizations (PVOs) and the UN World Food Program (WFP) under Title II of Public Law 480. FFP responds to emergencies arising from natural disasters, such as floods or droughts, and complex emergencies often characterized by insecurity and population displacement) and non-emergency food aid (which aims to address the underlying causes of chronic food insecurity).

In fiscal year 2009, FFP provided 2.1 million metric tons of commodities, worth over $1.8 billion, to over 40 million people in 64 countries. In fiscal year 2008, OFDA provided more than $553 million for emergency relief supplies, to support humanitarian interventions in several sectors, and for disaster risk reduction activities, benefiting at least 202 million people in 62 countries.

In FY 2009, Sri Lanka received $28.7 million in Title II food assistance, which supported World Food Program’s Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation (PRRO) in support of over 200,000 Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) as a result of the civil conflict between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Tamil separatists. OFDA provided non-food humanitarian assistance in FY 2008 and FY 2009 $5.4 million and $7.9 million, respectively. This assistance included funding for WASH, Health, Nutrition, Protection, Transitional Shelter and Humanitarian Coordination programs. In FY 2010, it is anticipated that emergency food and non-food assistance will continue to be provided to address the humanitarian needs as the populations begin to return to their homes.

To fulfill its mandate to effectively respond to disasters worldwide, OFDA has established regional offices. The regional offices are headed by Principal Regional Advisors (PRAs) who are supported by the Regional Advisors (RAs). The DCHA Humanitarian Officer’s primary responsibility for OFDA programs is to assist the PRAs or RAs with assessment and monitoring of existing or evolving crises and maintenance of partner relationships. The DCHA Humanitarian Officer will also work closely with the Agreement Officer’s Technical Representative (AOTR) for all assigned awards and the Regional Team, both of which are located in OFDA/Washington (OFDA/W) and hold responsibility for the technical oversight of OFDA awards. It is expected that the DCHA Humanitarian Officer, under the guidance of the PRA or RA, will also coordinate closely with Embassy and USAID Mission staff where applicable.

Title II food aid grants are signed by the Director of FFP, and the FFP/Washington (FFP/W) Country Backstop Officer usually serves as the Agreement Officer’s Technical Representative (AOTR) who is responsible for the technical oversight of the grants. The USAID Mission in Sri Lanka has overall responsibility for assistance programs in the country.

To help manage DCHA emergency food aid programs under the Title II Food aid program and non-food humanitarian assistance programs in Sri Lanka, USAID requires the services of a DCHA Humanitarian Officer hired through a Personal Services Contract. The position is based in Colombo, but the DCHA Humanitarian Officer is expected to spend approximately forty (40) percent of his/her time traveling throughout the country to monitor program activities and assess food aid and other humanitarian needs.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The Humanitarian Officer will ensure effective management of Title II food resources in Sri Lanka. His/her primary responsibility is to monitor Title II-funded emergency food aid programs in order to report on their implementation to FFP/Washington and the Mission. The Humanitarian Officer will monitor and report on the overall humanitarian situation to the USAID Mission, the OFDA PRA, FFP Office and DCHA/Washington. It is anticipated that the Humanitarian Officer will spend approximately 50 percent of his/her time on FFP emergency activities and 50 percent on OFDA activities.

Regarding Title II activities, the Humanitarian Officer will plan, develop, and implement program/project development activities that affect broad mission areas, such as the assigned country or program areas in the international cooperation sector. Activities include assessing gaps in mission approach, interacting with PVOs/NGOs, bilateral and multi-lateral donors, other USG institutions, and others, assessing capabilities and identifying various organizations to serve as change-agents, and ensuring appropriate program/project documentation is professionally executed. Under the guidance of the AOTR, he/she advises Mission staff on a variety of Title II food program/project issues, provides programmatic backstopping and management on high visibility projects, consulting with professionals in various sectors, and advises senior Mission management on key issues/constraints to program/project development. He/she communicates regularly with USAID Mission and through FFP Regional Office to FFP/W, and through OFDA PRA to OFDA/W on all key issues.

B. Period of Performance: The Personal Services Contract will be for approximately 12 months with an option for a second year.

C. Duties and Responsibilities:

The Humanitarian Officer will undertake the following duties with regard to:

DCHA/FFP Title II emergency programs:

1. Serve as point of contact for all issues pertaining to Title II food aid in Sri Lanka for the Sri Lanka Mission, USAID/Washington, the regional FFP Office, other parts of the U.S. government, PVOs, international organizations, host nation governmental ministries and agencies, and others in the country.

2. Monitor and report on implementation of ongoing Title II programs, including progress and problems encountered by grantees, as well as commodity management, including following up with cooperating sponsors on the status of loss claims.

3. Provide information and guidance to Title II assistance award recipients on Title II regulations, policies and procedures.

4. Report on all food security issues, to include changes in the food security situation and food aid requirements, government policies and actions affecting food aid programs, government food aid programs, and donor pledges and programs.

5. Coordinate with the Country Team (consisting of the USAID Mission, U.S. Embassy, and/or other USG staff in-country), host government, PVOs, international organizations, donors, and others to address issues impacting Title II food aid.

6. Undertake and report on assessments to inform Title II food aid funding decisions or modifications to ongoing programs.

7. Work with PVOs on preparation of annual workplans and program modifications for Title II programs, and coordinates with WFP on ongoing programs and future emergency food requirements.

8. Work with other parts of the U.S. government and other donors to promote integration of food aid with other programs to increase the effectiveness of the programs overall.

9. When delegated authority to do so by the FFP Director, serve as AOTR for Title II programs.

Further, the Humanitarian Officer will undertake the following duties with regard to:

DCHA/OFDA non-food humanitarian assistance programs:

10. Participate, as requested by the PRA or RA, in a broad spectrum of assessments of emergency conditions and report on findings to the Mission and through the PRA to OFDA/W.

11. Meet regularly with donors, host government officials, United States Government (USG) agencies, and others on humanitarian issues in order to explain, advocate for, and advance the Mission and OFDA’s priorities and to help coordinate USG and international humanitarian activities. Report on all meetings to Mission and PRA.

12. Provide regular reporting, through official cables and other means, on issues related to the humanitarian situation. Provide overviews of patterns and trends in the humanitarian situation and keep the Mission and PRA or RA current on response issues. Provide regular reports on site visits, meetings, general atmospherics and other issues that impact humanitarian relief efforts. Assist the PRA or RA with the communication of this information to OFDA/W.

13. Prepare agendas and briefings for official USG visitors interested in humanitarian issues.

14. Undertake other related tasks, as assigned.

D. Supervision Received

The Humanitarian Officer will be supervised on a day-to-day basis by USAID/Sri Lanka’s Office Director for Humanitarian Assistance & Transition Initiatives. The Humanitarian Officer is expected to be in regular contact with FFP/Washington, through the regional FFP Office, OFDA/Washington through OFDA PRA/RA and to report any information to them on issues pertaining to ongoing Title II and non-food humanitarian assistance programs.

E. Supervision/Oversight of Others

The incumbent is expected to take initiative and act independently with little direction, but will have no authority to make financial commitments on behalf of the U.S. government unless such authority is specifically delegated.

F.

Minimum Qualifications:

· Bachelor’s degree plus at least eight to ten (8-10) years of progressively responsible experience in international development or relief (one of which must be related to food assistance);

OR

· Master’s degree with significant study in a pertinent field (including, but not limited to international relations, agriculture, economics, public health,) plus at least four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in international development or relief (three of which must be related to food security;

· Experience working on development or relief issues in the field.

· Advanced level proficiency in written and spoken English.

· Basic computer skills, to include knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel, e-mail, and the internet.

· U.S. citizen;

· Ability to obtain a SECRET level security clearance;

· Ability to obtain a Department of State medical clearance for Sri Lanka.

G.

Position Elements:

Supervisory Control:

The incumbent works within broad policy and professional guidelines at times with minimal supervision. The work is complex, requiring continuous exercise of mature judgment, expert knowledge and professional discretion. The incumbent is responsible for identifying work objectives, priorities, constraints and to employ the resources available to produce satisfactory results and achieve the level of performance required.

Available Guidelines & Reference Documents:

1) USAID’s Automated Directive System

2) USAID Sri Lanka’s Country Strategic Plan

3) USAID Sri Lanka Mission Orders

4) U.S. Government and USAID policy directives

Excise of Judgment and Independent Work:

The incumbent has broad latitude in exercising individual judgment and is responsible for carrying out work independently according to U.S. Government policies, his / her professional knowledge and experience, Mission guidelines and best accepted practices.

Authority to Make Commitments and Obligations:

None

Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts:

The incumbent will contact Government ministers and senior level officials up to Permanent Secretary at the national level. At the provincial level contacts will include all Ministerial officials. Other contacts will include the U.S. Ambassador, United Agency Heads and Heads of bilateral aid agencies. The nature of contact will be programmatic in nature and may include policy dialogue and participation in working groups.

Additional Requirements:

Applicants must be able to obtain Department of State medical clearance for Sri Lanka and security clearance (SECRET level). U.S. Nationality is also a requirement.

H.

Evaluation Criteria:

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and selective factors will be further evaluated based on the Quality Ranking Factors (QRF) listed below. Applicants are strongly encouraged to address each of the factors on a separate sheet describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, and/or education that are relevant to each factor. Be sure to include your name, social security number, and the announcement number at the top of each additional page.

A. Professional Experience – 50 pts

(i) Knowledge and experience with international development and relief (20 points)

(ii) Knowledge and experience with Title II food aid programs (20 points)

(iii) Technical expertise in a food aid related field, such as nutrition, agronomy, economics, or public health (10 points)

B. Program Management – 30 Points

(i) Ability to manage programs, to include programmatic and financial issues

(ii) Ability to monitor and evaluate programs, to include programmatic and financial issues

(iii) Ability to review, evaluate and apply complex policies and regulations

C. Interpersonal and Communication Skills – 20 Points

(i) Ability to provide rapid, concise, accurate reporting, both verbally and in writing

(ii) Ability to work effectively as a team member and in diverse cultures

II.

Benefits, Allowances and Taxes:

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a U.S. Personal Service Contractor is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances.

a.

Benefits:

Employee’s FICA Contribution

Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

Pay Comparability Adjustment

Eligibility for Worker’s Compensation

5) Annual & Sick Leave

6) Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service b.

Allowances:

Temporary Lodging Allowance (per Section 120, STR i.e., Standardized Regulations, Government Civilians Foreign Areas)

Living Quarters Allowance (per Section 130, STR)

Post Allowance (per Section 220, STR)

Supplemental Post Allowance (per Section 230, STR)

5) Post Differential (Chapter 500, STR)

6) Payments during Evacuation / Authorized Departure (per Section 600, STR)

7) Danger Pay (per Section 650, STR)

8) Education Allowance (per Section 270)

9) Separate Maintenance Allowance (per Section 260, STR)

10) Educational Travel (per Section 280, STR ) c.

Taxes:

U.S. Personal Service Contractors are not exempt from payment of Federal Income Taxes under the foreign earned income exclusion.

III.

Application Forms & Procedures:

a.

Forms:

List of Required PSC Forms outlined below can be found at:

http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/forms.html

1. Standard Form OF-612.

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

**3. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or

**4. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85).

**5. Finger Print Card (FD-258).

NOTE: Form 5 is available from the requirements office.

* Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas).

** The forms listed 2 thru 5 shall only be completed upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job.

b.

Application Procedures:

Qualified individuals are requested to submit a U.S. government Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612 which are available at the USAID website http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/forms.html, http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/forms.asp, or at Federal offices. Applicant’s resume (optional) and three references including full name, address, e-mail, and telephone number should also be included as an attachment.

All applications can be submitted via by fax, courier, or USPS to:

Mr. Michael Sampson

USAID

No. 44, Galle Road Colombo 3. Sri Lanka.

Email – msampson@usaid.gov Fax - 94-11-2472850 U.S. Postal Service mailing address:

Mr. Michael Sampson Department of State/USAID

6100 Colombo Place

Washington DC 20521-6100 Applications via Internet email can be submitted to:

hrcolombo@usaid.gov Applications must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in the cover letter or they will not be considered eligible for evaluation or award, unless the Contracting Officer determines that the document were mishandled by the receiving agency. The closing time for the receipt of applications is 4.00 pm (Local Time, Colombo/6.30 am Washington DC time)) on the date specified in the cover letter. You are directed to Federal Acquisition Regulation, Part 15.208 "Submission, modification, revision, and withdrawal of proposals" for further information.

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, as well as the address/delivery point specified in this solicitation.

Any questions may be directed to Mr. Saliya Navaratne who may be reached at FAX No. 94-11-2472850, or E-Mail: snavaratne@usaid.gov. Please ensure all email messages also copy Mr. Michael Sampson at msampson@usaid.gov.

IV.

Contract Information Bulletins (CIBs and AAPDs) pertaining to Personal Service Contractors:

Various Contract Information Bulletins (CIBs) and Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives (AAPDs) pertain to Personal Services Contracts. Those documents can be found online at:

http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/cib/subject.html#psc Additionally, AIDAR Appendixes D or J also apply to PSCs, which can be found online at: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf

* * * * SUBJECT TO FUNDS AVAILABILITY * * * *