INTERAGENCYCOORDINATORAUG 08.doc

USAID INTERAGENCY COORDINATOR

USAID/Colombia

Issuance Date: August 22, 2008

Closing Date: September 10, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. Colombian time Subject: Solicitation for Off-Shore Personal Services Contractor (PSC)

Ladies/Gentlemen:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID/Colombia), is seeking applications (Letter of interest, and OF 612 available at the USAID website http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/forms.asp) from qualified U.S. citizens interested in providing the PSC services described herein.

Submissions shall be in accordance with the time and place specified below.

Any questions may be directed to Mr. John P. Peevey, Supervisory Executive Officer USAID/Colombia, who may be reached at: Fax No. (571) 3832319, or email at jpeevey@usaid.gov.

Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications.

John P. Peevey

Supervisory Executive Officer

USAID/Colombia

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 514-08-0001

2. ISSUANCE DATE: August 22, 2008

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPTOF APPLICATIONS:

September 10, 2008, 5:00 p.m. Colombian Time

4. POSITION TITLE: USAID Interagency Coordinator

5. PLACE OF SUBMISSION: All applications shall be submitted to Mr. John P. Peevey, Executive Officer, either by fax, (571) 3832319 or email to (jpeevey@usaid.gov) or Mary

Belisa Mansilla (mmansilla@usaid.gov), Carrera 45 No. 24B-27 Bogota, Colombia.

6. MARKET VALUE: US $ per annum $81,093 up to $105,420 (GS-14 equivalent). Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based upon the candidate’s past salary, work history and educational background.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two year base period plus three one-year options to extend.

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Bogota, Colombia. It is anticipated that the incumbent will travel approximately 10% - 20% of time to remote areas of Colombia.

9. SECURITY ACCESS: Secret

10. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U. S. Citizenship

11. JOB DESCRIPTION/STATEMENT OF WORK: See following text

SCOPE OF WORK

USAID Interagency Coordinator I. Background:

This off-shore U.S. Personal Services Contract (PSC) position is needed to support USAID/Colombia’s complex conflict resolution portfolio implementation program in technical area in which USAID’s initiatives overlap or are complementary to those of other agencies in the USG and GOC, particularly those related to security, consolidation, and illicit crop eradication. Over the past year, the Mission has expanded its program to work more directly in Colombia’s post-conflict zones. This critical position has been established to oversee USAID/Colombia’s coordination with other USG entities that overlap with USAID’s strategic orientation objectives.

USAID/Colombia manages one of the largest and most complex programs with the lowest staff/program ratio of any Mission in Latin America. This leaves the Mission vulnerable as it implements an expanding program. In FY08, USAID/Colombia’s assistance level is expected to increase to over $215 million from $140 million in FY07.

II. Basic Function of Position:

This position reports to the Deputy Mission Director of USAID/Colombia. The purpose of this position is to serve as the USAID Mission’s primary liaison to other USG agencies in order to build stronger linkages between security and development. The position is intended to be the point of contact as it relates to the technical, policy, strategic, and tactical aspects of security where other USG stakeholder operations are involved. “Security operations” are defined as those relating to police, law enforcement, eradication, civil-military affairs and related efforts.

The position serves as a liaison with the U.S. military group and will interact with Embassy counterparts (particularly those from all groups of the U.S. Military, Justice, and NAS), Government of Colombia (GOC) counterparts, and other U.S. Government officials. The incumbent will report to USAID’s front office but be a key member of the Alternative Development Office. The position requires travel (10%-20% of time) to activity sites and ability to identify and resolve problems in coordination with other USAID technical teams and other stakeholders.

III. Duties and Responsibilities:

1. The incumbent is the principal liaison between USAID and the U.S. Military Group and will coordinate USAID activities with relevant U.S. Southern Command initiatives to improve synergies. The incumbent will have full knowledge of U.S. Southern Command activities in Colombia and will identify opportunities for integration.

2. The incumbent establishes and maintains an extensive range of high level contacts with host government officials, implementing partners, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and other institutions to exchange information, coordinate efforts, and to support communications and planning of civil-military activities.

2. The incumbent liaises with the other USAID staff to ensure successful coordination of civil-military operations.

3. The incumbent will monitor political and military progress throughout the country as it pertains to USAID’s development strategy and briefs USAID management and other technical teams.

4. The incumbent prepares briefing documents for high-level visitors on status of USAID efforts as they relate to coordination with security and military operations.

5. The incumbent contributes to and, in some cases, may lead strategic/policy and tactical discussions and/or input related to the incumbent’s field of expertise and program management. This may require the development of analytical and policy papers that help shape USAID programming in Colombia.

6. The incumbent is responsible for preparing technical, policy, and other reports periodically and ad hoc reports during the year.

7. The incumbent will design and manage an evaluation of the effectiveness and lessons learned from joint counter narcotics programming since 2000 as it relates to the efforts of USAID, NAS, MILGRP, and other select stakeholders.

IV. Work Environment: Work is primarily performed in an office setting though in- country travel is required.

V. Start Date: Immediately, once necessary clearances are obtained.

VI. Required Qualifications:

a. Education: A Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s preferred) in the field of Public Policy, Conflict Resolution, Economics, Rural Development, International Development, Business Management, Business Administration, International Relations, or a related subject is required with strong technical emphasis or specialization in the areas security and/or military operations (as defined above).

b. Prior Work Experience: The incumbent is required to have a minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in the design, implementation, management and/or monitoring and evaluation of development activities in conflict regions with the military and/or counter narcotics operations. Experience in development assistance or related work is required. Experience is required in the collection, analysis, and presentation of information related to projects. Prior management experience in a position of similar complexity is required.

c. Language Proficiency: Fluent English (level V) and Proficient Spanish (level III), both oral and written, is required. Excellent writing skills reflecting the ability to analyze and report clearly and concisely related issues to be demonstrated through sample reports or articles written by the applicant. Computer skills in both word-processing and spreadsheet software is required.

d. Knowledge: Must have a sound, experience-based knowledge of security and military operations, policies, strategy, tactics, and practices; must possess a thorough knowledge of the social, political, economic, and development realities of Colombia. Must be knowledgeable of technical/project implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and project financial oversight.

e. Abilities and Skills: The incumbent must be organized and have demonstrated success in project and/or program management. S/he will have a high degree of technical, analytical, and quantitative skills. Strong interpersonal and team work skills; proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision or guidance is required. Must have operational and management skills; computer skills; multi-tasking skills; and the ability to conceptualize both strategically and programmatically. S/he should have proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, including preparation of technical reports.

VII. Selection Factors:

a. Demonstrated ability to motivate, guide and manage contractors and grantees (10 points);

b. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in difficult, complex, conflict or post-conflict circumstances fraught with political and economic instability (15 points);

c. Demonstrated experience in conceptualization, design and management of projects (20 points);

d. Experience with humanitarian response, conflict resolution, democracy/governance, alternative development and/or other assistance programming in post-conflict environments (25 points);

e. Demonstrated ability to deal with counterparts on both the highest and lowest political, social and economic levels (10 points);

f. Immediate mobilization/availability (10 points);

g. Strong command of Spanish Level III (10 points).

VIII. Other Considerations: Class 1 (State) medical clearance required and a Secret or higher (State) security clearance required as a condition of employment.

IX. Length of Contract: The term of the contract is two (2) years plus three one year options to extend . The contract will be awarded subject to availability of funds.

X. Compensation:

The position has been classified at a GS-14 level. The actual salary will be negotiated within that range depending on qualification and previous earnings history. In addition a full off-shore benefit and allowance package is provided consisting of dependent travel, R&R, shipment of household effects, unaccompanied baggage and privately-owned vehicle, housing and utilities, educational allowance/travel and separate maintenance allowance, as permitted for U.S. direct hires. Also covered are employee’s FICA contributions, contributions towards Health and Life Insurance, Pay Comparability Adjustment, Annual Step Increase, Eligibility for Worker’s Compensation, Annual and Sick Leave.

XI. List of Required Forms for PSCS:

Forms outlined below can found at: http://www.usaid.gov/forms/

1. Optional Form for Federal Employment (OF-612)

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

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

4. Finger Print Card (FD-258)*

*Forms 2 through 4 shall be completed ONLY upon de advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job.

XII. CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) or ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) PERTAINING TO PSCs:

AAPDs and CIBs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Those documents can be found at this website:

http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/cib/subject.html#psc

BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES:

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances in addition to the basic salary: (NOTE: An individual defined as a Resident Hire employee may only be eligible for those benefits listed under item 1. below.)

1. BENEFITS:

a. Employee's FICA contribution

b. Contribution to Health and Life Insurance

c. Pay Comparability Adjustments

d. Annual Salary Increase

e. Eligibility for Workers Compensation

f. Annual and sick leave

g. Shipment of household effects

h. Shipment of POV

i. R&R, dependents travel, and other off-shore benefits and allowances as permitted.

2. ALLOWANCES (if applicable):

a. Temporary Lodging Allowances (Section 120)

b. Living Quarters Allowances

c. Post Allowance (Section 220)

d. Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

e. Education Allowance (Section 270)

f. Education Travel (Section 280)

g. Post Differential (Chapter 500)

h. Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600)

i. Danger Pay (Section 650) (15%)

· Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas)

FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes, FICA, and Medicare.

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