72026720R00003.pdf

ATTACHMENT 1 SOL 72026720R00003

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72026720R00003

2. ISSUANCE DATE: February 19, 2020.

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: March 11, 2020 no later than 17:00 Baghdad time.

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Francisco Santos, Supervisory Executive Specialist, USAID/Iraq, frsantos@usaid.gov or Maura O’Brien, Supervisory Executive Officer, mobrien@usaid.gov (inquiries only). Applications will NOT be accepted to these email addresses. Please see item IV for instructions on how and where to submit applications.

5. POSITION TITLE: Senior Management Advisor (intermittent position).

6. MARKET VALUE: USD 109,366 – USD 142,180 equivalent to GS-15. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The period of performance is one year, with the possibility of extensions. The intermittent contract and extensions cannot exceed 5 years. The Personal Services Contractor hired under this intermittent contract must not exceed a maximum of 300 calendar days of service (including travel time) on an annual basis.

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Baghdad, Iraq with possible travel as stated in the statement of duties.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens only.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: The successful applicant shall be required to obtain a Secret level security clearance, as a pre-condition for employment.

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

1) BACKGROUND

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

In 2019, the operations and management structure of the mission has begun a transformation after an Ordered Departure (OD), and to adhere to the realities of the imposition of a smaller USG footprint in Iraq. USAID will continue to have two operating locations headquartered in Baghdad with additional offices in Erbil. USAID’s development engagement in Iraq remains robust, and the mailto:frsantos@usaid.gov mailto:mobrien@usaid.gov management of operations requires increased coordination as new support relationships are forged with the USAID headquarters support and operational elements, the Middle East Regional Platform (MERP) in Frankfurt, and a number of geographically dispersed support staff. The near-future mission structure has the Executive Officer, Financial Management (Controller) Officer and Contracting Officers not being part of the core staff remaining full-time at post. The authorities for those staff functions and workload support for USAID/Iraq will be vested in staff who will execute those authorities remotely in the MERP. Coordinating administrative staff (a minimal number of PSCs and those already assigned CCNs) will remain in Iraq.

2) STATEMENT OF DUTIES

BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITION:

Within the Executive Office (or Directors Office), the Intermittent Senior Management Advisor will provide analysis, advice and planning on the complex support relationships that are resulting, and will provide liaison between internal support offices and those support elements external to the core Baghdad-based staff. The Advisor will be responsible to ensure the mission can continue to provide required support services. In doing so the Advisor will facilitate USAID/Iraq personnel to perform critical fiduciary and management functions. In this manner s/he will help the mission ensure USAID/Iraq is operating within the framework of USG, Agency, and other applicable regulations and directives.

Services provided by the Advisor will include the following: analyze, recommend, and initiate changes to the mission’s personnel and management structure; liaise with the US Embassy Baghdad and US Consulate Erbil on management issues; coordinate with USAID Washington support offices including SEC, HCTM, OMS, CIO, OAA, CFO and others. Additionally, the Advisor will help to coordinate issues with support personnel in MERP and make recommendations and enact changes regarding the written (MOUs) and verbal support agreements where/when needed.

The Advisor will be required to be conversant and coordinate with Washington DC on administrative as well as program support operations and must be able to represent critical mission issues to the Middle East Bureau, the technical bureaus, and Bureau for Humanitarian Affairs, and the Agency senior leadership to solve dilemmas or clarify operational issues. These efforts may also include collecting/sharing of programmatic information with sister agencies, implementing partners, and the Government of Iraq (GOI) under the direction of the USAID/Iraq Director.

DETAILED DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Internal Administrative Management: 35% of time

The incumbent is responsible for assessing highly complex information and support requirements and devising recommendations for changes in personnel responsibility, staffing levels, and staffing options based on improving operations and reducing vulnerabilities. S/he must possess broad expertise in the relationship of supporting offices to the program/technical offices, and will be responsible to; improve systems efficiency and culpability through design, planning and managing organizational change; including managing the relationships among USAID/IRAQ staff and the external support structure(s) that are in place.

1. In the absence of the EXO, CO, and FMO at post, the incumbent will serve as the focal point for coordinating administrative management functions internally, and provide guidance for solving problems of a day-to-day nature that cannot or are not managed by the Iraq-based staff or not managed by responsible officers in the MERP. In that sense, s/he plans, directs, and administers the management of the mission; while not directly supervising the staff, s/he provides clarification and direction when there is confusion or a need for further clarity for administrative operations.

2. Develops, interprets, and assures implementation and adherence to mission management policies, regulations and procedures and maintains an awareness of and ensures compliance with host country statutory and other regulatory requirements affecting administrative support operations. Is familiar with and ensures adherence to US Embassy’s current administrative guidance as well as the general guidance of USAID and the USG.

3. As a senior staff officer participates and often leads the formulation of management policies.

Advises the Director’s Office of USAID/Iraq on developing issues and the management impact on the mission, seeking guidance when necessary.

4. If the advisor is delegated the appropriate USAID warrant, exercises contract authority for entering into/modifying contract to purchase goods, services (personal and non-personal services), supplies, facilities and equipment. If not delegated USAID warrant authority, assists the designated EXO in developing governmental needs assessments, market research, and costs estimates, while facilitating the procurement system.

5. Plans and directs internal mission management systems and policies. Plans and directs continuous evaluation in accordance with MCRIC findings, audits, and via ad-hoc needs.

6. Plans and directs the personnel management program for American, Cooperating Country National, and Third Country National employees. S/he participates in Post level personnel issues including wage surveys, benefits, and awards as necessary and when available. And verifies post personnel data reports, to include Washington data calls as possible and necessary.

7. Participates in the development and coordination of the mission Operating Expense Budget and ICASS participation/reimbursement with the US Embassy.

8. Provides coaching, mentorship and on-the-job-training to EXO and mission staff on administrative management related issues.

9. The Advisor may serve as the unit security officer, Accountable Property Officer, Information Systems Security Officer, Privacy Liaison, Property Management Officer and Records Liaison Officer.

External Administrative Management Development/Coordination 40% of time

On behalf of the mission management team, the Advisor provides general leadership that helps establish and/or maintain the tone of professional cooperation and mutual support between in-country staff and external supporting units/individuals. S/he will;

1. Use expert communication skills to liaise directly with the MERP to facilitate functioning of the EXO, Controller, Contracting Officer, and Legal Officer. Those services are provided through the MERP Front Office and anticipated to be delivered by the USAID/IRAQ Front Office. Acts as a bridge to ensure constant communication is maintained, rolls/responsibilities are understood and clarified, and issues are discussed before they amount to problems in performance of the in-country staff and MERP support staff. Ensure timely resolution of issues with MERP front office, and conducts coordination visits as necessary.

2. Provides advice on the existing MOU’s, and investigates, drafts and negotiates future MOUs with parties with the aim to clarify rolls and to enhance the efficiency of the relationship, creating win-win scenarios.

3. Plans, in conjunction with Iraq/MERP staff, for periodic program and administrative management reviews and monitors the progress of corrective action plans involving IRAQ and MERP staff.

4. Analyzes mission resource requests with staff and coordinates same with Washington offices of SEC, HCTM, OMD, CIO, OAA and CFO when necessary. Coordinates and communicates convincing requests for mission requirements and ensure visibility of Iraq needs is given the appropriate priority and attention in WDC.

5. Monitors and makes recommendations on the utilization and continued need for USAID/Iraq staff that is neither in Iraq nor in MERP. Ensures that continuing needs are being resourced by existing personnel, and those people have a management contact.

6. Represents Mission management issues to the interagency when necessary and provides timely input on ad-hoc post management requests that require higher level discretionary input with post administrative policy implications.

Program Support Coordination 25% of time

As directed by the Front Office, the Advisor, may be required to help support program coordination, including working directly with the Middle East bureau Desk officer on program issues that have support implications. As such, the Advisor will:

1. Work directly with senior elements of the Middle East Bureau, including the NEA Office, the Front Office and the Iraq Desk Officer(s) on program issues, including the expertise for explaining the resource impacts of programming options that may be considered for USAID/Iraq.

2. Exercise independent judgement in providing authoritative advice on options to engage Washington DC decision makers on issues that affect the mission’s portfolio. As such, the Advisor needs to be familiar with structure and functioning of a US Government Agency/Departmental

3) SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP

Reports directly to the Deputy Mission Director or designee.

4) SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

Provides guidance for solving problems of a day-to-day nature for EXO, CO and FMO. Does not directly supervise staff.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: When deployed to Iraq (Baghdad or Erbil), the Intermittent Management Advisor will live and work principally inside the Embassy/Consulate Compound otherwise will work remotely from home or when deemed necessary from another USG location.

Incumbent may be required to deploy to Iraq in excess of 45 consecutive days. The selected applicant must meet new fitness for duty standards for Iraq (stated in 15 State 11055) which includes: (1) a full medical evaluation, and (2) must obtain medical clearance from State/MED in order to deploy to post.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

In order to be considered for the position, a candidate must meet the Minimum Qualifications.

Applications will be pre-screened and only those that meet the Minimum Qualifications will be considered. These are the minimum qualifications necessary to be considered for the position:

1. Education: A bachelor's degree or higher (or international equivalent) in management, business, economics, political science, area studies, and/or related field to the Statement of Duties is required. A master’s degree or higher (or international equivalent) in one of the above fields is desirable.

2. Prior Work Experience: A minimum of 10 years of experience in one or a combination of fields of administrative management for a USG agency, USG Implementing Partner, Non- Governmental Organization, and/or other donor in the international development arena, is required. Experience must include:

● At least one year experience at the senior (office director or above) level within an organization specializing in international development

● At least seven years of supervisory experience

● At least five years of overseas work experience in a developing country are required

Additional experience in the aforementioned areas, as well as in administering /overseeing travel and/or Information Technology management platforms, is desired.

Only offerors clearly meeting the above minimum qualifications will be considered for further evaluation.

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

Applicants must submit a summary statement of no more than one letter-size page, which describes how their relevant professional experience and education has prepared them to meet the specific challenges of the duties and responsibilities described above. The Contracting Officer will establish a competitive range and only shortlisted candidate will be contacted for interview.

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

a. Education (10 points): A bachelor's degree or higher (or international equivalent) in management, business, economics, political science, area studies, and/or related field to the Statement of Duties is required. A master’s degree or higher (or international equivalent) in one of the above fields is desirable

b. Prior Work Experience (40 points): A minimum of 10 years of experience in one or a combination of fields of administrative management for a USG agency, USG Implementing Partner, Non-Governmental Organization, and/or other donor in the international development arena, is required. Experience must include:

o At least one year experience at the senior (office director or above) level within an organization specializing in international development o At least seven years of supervisory experience o At least five years of overseas work experience in a developing country are required

c. Knowledge (25 points): A mastery level/ highly specialized knowledge related a broad array of administrative management fields, is essential, including: Human Resources, Personal Services Contracting, Simplified Acquisition contracting, USG Travel procedures/ policies , Information Technology, Security, Logistical and administrative support , and organizational management in an overseas , multi-cultural context.

d. Skills and Abilities (25 points): The candidate must possess:

- Demonstrated Skills and Abilities in the below areas are essential:

- Superb, native-level (or equivalent) English communication skills (written and spoken) are required.

- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work professionally in a high-stress, multi-cultural team setting with different stakeholders;

- Ability to develop relationships and professionally represent USAID before senior interlocutors on a broad array of administrative management issues.

- Demonstrated ability to supervise staff and work flows, and to participate as a solid team member while providing leadership in his/her areas of competence, is required.

- Excellent ability to work independently with minimal supervision along with the ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize on tight deadlines.

- Excellent ability to research, interpret, and explain USG administrative management related policies, regulations, and guideline s covering a variety of unusual and/or complex administrative issues.

- Intermediate user skills in following IT applications and platforms: Google and Google Calendar, Microsoft Office suite (especially Excel and PowerPoint)

Total possible points: 100

Candidates meeting the above required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented within the application. The Contracting Officer reserves the right to establish a competitive range. Those applicants determined to be competitively ranked will be invited to participate in an interview. Only those applicants in competitive range, if established, will be contacted. The interview will be one of the determining factors in the final selection.

Reference checks will be conducted with the highest-ranked offeror at the conclusion of evaluations and prior to negotiations to assess the applicant’s technical knowledge, work performance, communication skills, and group dynamics, using the above criteria.

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

1. Qualified applicants are requested to submit:

A. Most current Curriculum Vitae or resume;

B. Eligible offerors are required to complete and submit the offer form AID 309-2, (https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-309-2) “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals,” available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms.

C. Three professional references, which could be your current and former supervisors and be able to comment on your suitability for employment, with telephones and e-mail contacts to be provided on a separate sheet;

D. Brief appendix of no more than one letter-size page to demonstrate how prior experience and/or training have prepared them to meet the specific challenges of the duties and responsibilities described in the solicitation.

2. Applications must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted electronically to: IraqUSPSCjobs@usaid.gov.

3. To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, Applicants must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the application submission.

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRES

Once the Contracting Officer (CO) informs the successful Applicant about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Applicant instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms.

1. Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms)

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

3. Questionnaire for non-Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-85),

4. Finger Print Card (FD-258)

5. OF-306

VI. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a Personal Service Contracting (PSC) employee is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

1. BENEFITS:

(a) Employer's FICA Contribution

(b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

(c) Pay Comparability Adjustment

(d) Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation)

(e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

(f) Annual and Sick Leave https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-309-2 mailto:IraqUSPSCjobs@usaid.gov

2. ALLOWANCES:

Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas)

(a) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

(b) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600), and

(c) Danger Pay Allowance (Section 650)

(d) Sunday Differential

VII. TAXES

USPSCs are required to pay Federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable State Income taxes.

VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO

PSCs

USAID regulations and policies governing USPSC awards are available at these sources:

1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix D, “Direct USAID Contracts with a U.S.

Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf.

2. Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms .

3. Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs .

4. Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch,” available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635.See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations .

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/forms https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations