Solicitation - OSD Office Director.pdf

SOLICITATION FOR US PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACTOR

OFFICE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

USAID/JAMAICA

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 532-08-001

2. ISSUANCE DATE: July 25, 2008

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS:

August 25, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. local time.

4. POSITION TITLE: Office Director, OSD

5. MARKET VALUE: GS-14 equivalent; US$81,093.00 – US$105,420.00 Salary to be paid within this grade will depend on experience, qualifications, and salary history. The standard compensation package also includes a contribution for life and health insurance and a contribution to FICA

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year, pending the availability of funds

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Kingston, Jamaica

8. SECURITY ACCESS: Secret

9. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens

10. SCOPE OF WORK:

USAID/Jamaica seeks the services of a U.S. citizen to serve as Office Director of the Office of Sustainable Development (OSD) located in Kingston, Jamaica for one (1) year, pending the availability of funds.

I. BACKGROUND

As program resources have diminished, USAID/Jamaica has narrowed the focus of its program around the issues of basic education, HIV/AIDS, crime and violence reduction, community development and rural development, with the cross-cutting themes of youth and income generation. Also, as program, human, and operating expense resources have dwindled, USAID/Jamaica has consolidated its program management structure within one technical office

– the Office of Sustainable Development (OSD). The OSD manages all of the Mission’s technical activities.

II. FUNCTIONS

The role of the Director of the Office of Sustainable Development is to provide the USAID Mission, the US Embassy Country Team, and other development partners with technical and intellectual leadership in the design, implementation, management and evaluation of Mission programs. S/he will provide leadership in several areas: HIV/AIDS; Education; Community Policing; Community/Civil Society Development; Rural Development; Environmental Management; and Economic Growth/Competitiveness. The Office Director will advise Mission management on policy issues related to the Mission’s programs. S/he will maintain liaison with and provide advice to civil society organizations, especially on capacity-building issues.

The Director of OSD plays a leading role in strategic planning, donor coordination, report preparation, managing Mission resources. The incumbent reports to the USAID Director or his/her designee on all matters pertaining to the OSD. The incumbent also manages the OSD, which, in its consolidated form, is comprised of six senior Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs) and two FSN support persons.

III. RESPONSIBILITIES

Major responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Office Management and Mission Leadership

Supervises OSD staff and manages workload Creates and maintains a cohesive, high-performing office team Oversees the hiring and training of all OSD staff, ensuring that adequate support is provided for efficient and effective office operations and that OSDG staff is trained in and utilizing USAID policies, procedures, and processes

Evaluates the performance of OSD staff and provides feedback to strengthen and maintain high performance

Participates as a member of the Mission’s executive management teams, including providing input on Mission management issues

Program Management/Oversight

Oversees management and implementation of USAID’s HIV/AIDS, education, crime and violence reduction, community development, rural development, environmental management, and economic growth/competitiveness activities, including periodic consultations as appropriate with Government of Jamaica policymakers and private sector partners

Manages procurement planning and implementation for the OSD, including ensuring all OSD procurement actions are properly identified, scheduled, developed and implemented

Coordinates all planning, program implementation and performance monitoring within the assigned organizational area

Based on plans and identified needs, collaborates with appropriate officials on analysis of the overall sector, policy formulation and design of specific projects

In consultation with cooperating country officials, recommends required amounts, types and timing of human and financial resources inputs for specific projects. Directs or advises on the preparation of project documentation and related agreements with GOJ officials

In conjunction with GOJ officials, participates in the evaluations of projects, including the performance of intermediary contractors and/or project implementation personnel and prepares the project appraisal and the contractor performance reports

Evaluates audit report findings, recommends and participates in corrective action

Technical Leadership and Analysis

Monitors and provides technical direction/guidance to the work of OSD technical staff and advisors to conceptualize and implement new and ongoing activities

Provides leadership in establishing performance-based monitoring systems and ensure that such systems can be used as effective management and decision-making tools

Guides the design and implementation of initiatives that will use all types of USG resources, as well as resources of other donors and partners, to effect changes that will facilitate the adoption and replication of technical and management best practices throughout Jamaica

Liaison and Communications

Identifies/develops linkages with other donor programs, ensures compliance with commitments and resolves problems, particularly with DFID, CIDA, United Nations, World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, and European Union

Maintains close coordination with multilateral and bilateral donors working on health, education, crime and violence reduction, and economic growth issues as well as rural development and environmental management

Meets regularly with high-ranking public and private sector representatives, including Parliamentarians, the Prime Minister’s Office, Cabinet Secretary, Ministers, directors of private sector associations in order to promote OSD’s programs and to overcome problems that arise in the process of planning and implementation of program activities

Provides regular and frequent reporting to the USAID Director or his/her designee and other staff on progress, impact, challenges, constraints and other key issues relating to USAID”s assistance programs

Ensures that OSD reporting, documentation, and written communications are responsive, reasoned, accurate and prompt.

IV. Qualifications Required for Effective Performance

1. Education: The position requires at least a bachelor’s degree in a social science, agriculture, environmental management, rural development, health, education, democracy & governance, international relations, business, economics, or related area.

2. Prior Work Experience: At least eight years of progressively responsible, professional level experience in development program management, agricultural business development, natural resource management, democracy & governance, and/or sustainable tourism with an international organization.

3. Language Proficiency: Excellent written and oral proficiency in English (English Level IV - Fluent)

4. Knowledge: Excellent knowledge of USAID’s program and project management procedures and of the concepts, principles, techniques, and practices of international development in sustainable rural development, including biodiversity and environmental management considerations, democracy & governance, and/or economic growth.

Computer literacy, including word processing, spread sheet preparation and analysis, project scheduling, and database management is required.

5. Abilities and Skills: Ability to lead and manage work teams and work independently in managing USAID-financed projects. Ability to establish and maintain contacts with implementing partners, grantees, clients, and counterparts in relevant host government and private sector organizations. Ability to undertake analysis and understand multi-sector programs. Ability to develop and manage budgets. Ability to obtain and analyze a variety of data relating to program activities. Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, both verbal and written, are required. Ability to prepare reports and documents of various types related to program issues in a professional and competent manner that requires few editorial changes prior to dissemination is essential.

Position Elements

1. Supervision Received: The position is directly supervised by the USAID Director. The incumbent works independently with significant latitude in planning and executing work assignments. Work is reviewed for conformance with Mission and Agency policies.

2. Available Guidelines: Incumbent works within Mission and Agency policies, regulations and guidelines.

3. Post-Entry Training: None

4. Exercise of Judgment: The position requires the exercise of excellent judgment in the management of personnel and program management issues to ensure achievement of planned results.

5. Authority to Make Commitments: The incumbent has no independent authority to make resource commitments on behalf of the US Government, including USAID and OSD.

6. Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: Frequent contact with government ministerial officials and technical staff, including heads of departments. Engages, consults and coordinates with representatives of other donor organizations, leaders of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and representatives of private sector groups such as chambers of commerce and industry associations.

7. Supervision Exercised: The position supervises personnel in OSD, which includes six project management specialists, one project management assistant and one secretary.

V. Evaluation Criteria

1. Education – 15 points

At least a bachelor’s degree in a social science, agriculture, environmental management, rural development, international relations, business, economics, health, education, democracy & governance or related area.

2. Experience and Past Performance - 45 points

At least eight years of progressively responsible, professional level experience in development program management, agricultural business development, natural resource management, democracy & governance, and/or sustainable tourism with an international organization; demonstrated ability to manage work teams effectively to achieve results;

demonstrated knowledge of USAID’s program and project management procedures;

demonstrated computer literacy, including word processing, spread sheet preparation and analysis, project scheduling, and database management.

3. Communication/Interpersonal/Management Skills – 40 points

Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, including demonstrated ability to prepare reports and documents of various types related to project issues in a professional and competent manner that requires few editorial changes prior to dissemination;

excellent interpersonal skills, including demonstrated ability to establish and maintain contacts related to work activities. Exceptional leadership and management skills are critical. S/he must be able to effectively lead the OSD team to achieve its goals and objectives. In addition, the incumbent must be able to interact effectively with a broad range of internal and external partners and USAID clients, and with host country government officials.

VI. TERMS OF APPOINTMENT

Subject to the availability of funds, this will be a one-year contract, depending upon continuing need of the services, and availability of funds.

The position has been classified at a U.S Government GS-14 level. The actual salary of the successful candidate will be negotiated within that range depending on qualifications and previous earnings history.

VII. SECURITY AND MEDICAL CLEARANCES:

The position is open to U.S. Citizens. The selected applicant must be able to obtain a Secret Security Clearance and appropriate Medical Clearance from STATE/MED. The selected applicant must obtain these clearances prior to departure for post. All accompanying dependents must also obtain Medical Clearances prior to departure for post.

VIII. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCS

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

1. Optional Form 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). **

** Forms 2 through 5 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job.

Policy Guidance Pertaining to PSCs

Contract Information Bulletins (CIBs) and Acquisition and Assistance Policy Documents (AAPDs) contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to the following website to determine which CIBs/AAPDs apply to this contract:

http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/psc_solicitations.html

Additionally, Appendix D of the USAID Acquisition Regulations (AIDAR) also applies to PSCs.

Appendix D can be found at:

http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf

Benefits/Allowances:

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a USPSC recruited off-shore is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

1. BENEFITS:

Employee's FICA Contribution Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Annual Increase Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual & Sick Leave Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service Shipment of Household Effects Shipment of POV (Privately Owned Vehicle)

2. ALLOWANCES (if applicable, as found in the Standardized Regulations (Government

Civilian Foreign Areas):

Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) Post Allowance (Section 220) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) Educational Allowance (Section 270) Educational Travel (Section 280) Post Differential (Chapter 500) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) and Danger Pay (Section 650)

FEDERAL TAXES:

USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes.

IX. APPLYING:

Qualified individuals are requested to submit Optional Form 612 (available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ or internet http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/formslibrary.do, or at Federal offices) and a resume containing the following information:

1. Personal Information: Full name, mailing address (with zip code), email address, day and evening phone numbers, social security number, country of citizenship, highest federal civilian grade held (also give job series and dates held).

2. Education: Colleges and universities, name, city and state, majors, type and year of any degrees received (if no degree, show total credits earned and indicate whether semester or quarter hours).

3. Work Experience: Provide the following information for your paid and non-paid work experience related to the job for which you are applying (do not send job descriptions);

job title (include series and grade if Federal job), duties, and accomplishments, employer’s name and address, supervisor’s name and phone number, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours per week, salary. Indicate if we may contact your current supervisor.

4. References: Applicants are required to provide three professional references with complete contact information including email address and telephone numbers.

5. Statement of Availability: A written statement certifying the date and length of time for which the candidate is available for the position.

6. Applications may be submitted by e-mail, fax or courier by the closing time and date to:

Sheila Samuels / Maxine Hutchinson Executive Office, USAID/Jamaica 2-4 Haining Road Kingston 5, Jamaica, West Indies

FAX NUMBER: (876) 929-9944

E-MAIL ADDRESS: jmjobs@usaid.gov

Incomplete or unsigned applications shall not be considered.

7. 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.

8. Applications received after the date and time shall be considered late and shall not be considered for award. We suggest you confirm with the Executive Office that all documents submitted were received prior to closing date and time of this notice.

Equipment failures at USAID or by the applicant’s network are not acceptable reasons for late submission as applicants have the option of sending hard copy via courier.