USPSC_Solicitation___72039118R00005_(Attachment_1).pdf

SOLICITATION NO: 72039118R00005

ISSUANCE DATE: DECEMBER 22, 2017

CLOSING DATE: 5:00 PM ISLAMABAD TIME ON JANUARY 22, 2018

OPEN TO: U.S. CITIZENS ONLY (Off-shore hire)

SUBJECT: USAID/PAKISTAN - SOLICITATION FOR THREE (3) UNITED

STATES PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACTOR (USPSC) POSITIONS

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications from qualified individuals interested in providing services as a Community Resilience Activity Manager as described in the attached solicitation.

Offers must be in accordance with Attachment 1, Sections I through V of this solicitation. Incomplete or unsigned offers will not be considered. Offerors should retain copies of all offer materials for their records.

This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the offer.

The selected offerors must be able to undergo a thorough background check and obtain a United States Government (USG) security clearance and a Department of State medical clearance.

USAID IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: In selecting personnel there will be no discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, politics, marital status, physical handicap, age or membership or non-membership in an employee organization.

Unless otherwise stated, the information contained in the Solicitation (attachment 1) is applicable for each of the positions.

Sincerely, /s/

Nathan Drury Contracting Officer Office of Executive Management USAID/Pakistan

U.S. Agency for International Development Embassy of United States of America, Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad

Tel: [+92] 51 208 0000 Fax: [+92] 51 208 8061 www.usaid.gov/pk http://www.usaid.gov/pk

ATTACHMENT 1

Unless otherwise stated, the information contained in this Solicitation (attachment 1) is applicable for each of the three positions.

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72039118R00005

2. ISSUING DATE: December 22, 2017

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: January 22, 2018 (5pm local time)

4. POSITION TITLES: Community Resilience Activity Manager –

Pakistan (multiple positions):

1. Community Resilience Activity Manager (Sindh) based in Karachi, Pakistan

2. Community Resilience Activity Manager (Punjab) based in Islamabad, Pakistan

3. Community Resilience Activity Manager

(FATA) based in Islamabad, Pakistan

Note – offerors may apply for any or all positions listed.

5. MARKET VALUE: $74,584 – $96,958 (equivalent to GS-13).

Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The USPSC contract will be for an initial one (1) year period, with four (4), one-year option years. Option years may be exercised based upon satisfactory contractor performance, mutual agreement between the Contractor and USG, continued Mission requirements and the continued availability of funds.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Islamabad, Pakistan – with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties

Note – the Community Resilience Activity Manager (Sindh) will ultimately be based in Karachi, Pakistan. However, the position may be initially based in Islamabad until such time when space is available in the Karachi Provincial Office

8. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: SECRET

9. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: US Citizens only (Off-Shore hire)

10. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

A. Background

USAID/Pakistan manages one of the largest and most complex United States Government (USG) assistance programs in the world. The Mission’s high profile and politically sensitive portfolio, valued at nearly $4 billion, is implemented across six technical sectors (Energy, Economic Growth, Agriculture, Health, Education, and Governance) by more than 300 positions, including 64 U.S. Direct Hire (USDH) positions. As first among USG civilian assistance agencies, which are all loosely embedded within a larger civilian assistance formation in Pakistan, USAID takes a lead role in ensuring continual interagency coordination.

B. Basic Function of the Position:

USAID/Pakistan requires experienced individuals to provide management support, representation, and technical advice to the Community Resilience Program (CRP) in Sindh, Punjab and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). The Activity Manager will be a member of the Community Resilience Office (CRO) and will report directly to the CRO Director. The Activity Manager will be based in either Islamabad or Karachi.

The Community Resilience Program is high priority / high-visibility program with a portfolio of two activities totaling approximately $90M. This includes one 5-year activity focused on FATA, and one three-year activity focused on in Punjab and Sindh. The activities are implemented by separate partners. Each implementing partner executes projects and sub-awards to local community leaders, organizations, and contractors to achieve CRP goals of countering violent extremism and increasing resilience to violent extremist influence in target geographic areas. The CRP employs adaptive program management and a highly collaborative model with both implementing partners.

The work of the Activity Manager requires teamwork, the exercise of discretion, judgment, and personal responsibility. As a member of a highly operational office, the incumbent is willing and able to perform a wide range of administrative functions to help ensure programmatic success. The incumbent has a high level of integrity and attention to detail to ensure the use of USAID systems and procedures to maintain effective and efficient management of funds, programming, and monitoring and evaluation. The incumbent is highly flexible and willing to work under conditions of ambiguity and ongoing change, and remains professional and respectful of colleagues and authority in a diverse workforce. She or he places a premium on the building of positive relationships with his or her respective team both in the field and in

Washington, and with key stakeholders both in and outside of USAID. The incumbent is able to prioritize and complete tasks with minimal supervision, while also filling in gaps as needed to ensure the responsiveness of the team. The Activity Manager is a strategic thinker, articulates innovative ideas, presents solutions, and is a positive role model for colleagues.

C. Major Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Coordination and Representation

• Serve as an advisor on Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) within the Community Resilience Office, the USAID mission, and the U.S. Embassy, staying informed about CVE issues, research, approaches, and policies;

• Analyze and report on current political developments and security concerns, as well as geographic context and other pertinent information relevant to the program;

• Represent CRO interests during meetings with USAID Mission personnel, U.S. Embassy staff, host-country government officials, international organizations, indigenous and international NGOS, international donors, and others;

• Prepare briefings and talking points about CRO activities for delivery by USAID principals; the incumbent will be required to deliver both internal and external presentations.

• As appropriate, communicate regularly and share program information with other USAID project managers, the US Embassy, bilateral donors, UN Organizations, International Organizations, and indigenous and international NGOs to ensure visibility and synergy of CRO activities;

• Take the lead in responding to requests for information regarding CRO programs from within and outside of the agency in collaboration with Office of Program Management and ensure that CVE success stories and lessons learned are adequately disseminated;

• When required, assume higher representational responsibilities, potentially serving as CRO Director in his/her absence;

• Regularly brief the CRO Director on the status of: 1) grant development and implementation,

2) implementing partner performance, 3) Cooperating Country National (CCN) staff needs and morale, 4) communication and coordination issues among other U.S. Government entities,

5) security concerns, 6) relations with local partners, including local, state and national government representatives, and 7) other pertinent information required to achieve CRP’s objectives;

2. Program Management, Monitoring, and Evaluation

• Provide continuous technical guidance to implementing partner staff on the identification and development of projects that meet CRP programmatic objectives, and complement other projects and programs implemented by other USAID offices, U.S. Government agencies and donor organizations;

• Work with implementing partner staff to advice on adjustment of tactical approaches to take advantage of emerging program opportunities and/or to respond to lessons learned on the program;

• Work with CRO M&E Specialist to ensure all projects/grants have a robust monitoring and evaluation plan at the output and outcome levels. The incumbent will work with the implementing partners to develop relevant indicators and performance monitoring;

• In collaboration with the implementing partners, lead the grant development process to ensure timely grant approvals;

• Monitor the performance of the CRO implementing partners in the implementation of CRO-financed activities designed to achieve CRO strategic objectives and work closely with the implementing partners and stakeholders to resolve issues that may affect attainment of intended results;

• Serve as Contracting Officer Representative (COR) or Agreement Officer Representative (AOR) for one of the Community Resilience Activities, ensuring USAID’s legal and regulatory requirements are met (serving as COR/AOR requires the successful completion of USAID training);

• If required, travel to areas of focus to monitor and assess political conditions, meet with potential grantees, and develop activity ideas;

• Mentor/train CRO Team and implementing partner field staff as required;

• Take the lead on collecting information and drafting/editing regular program reporting products;

• Ensure the use of USAID systems and procedures to maintain effective and efficient management of funds, programming, and monitoring and evaluation;

• Take lead, participate and offer advice on the design and implementation of new program operations to include management of administrative, budget, logistics, personnel and contractual management, and maintaining program files and records;

3. Supervisory Responsibilities

• The incumbent will supervise up to one Cooperating Country National (CCN) staff and build capacity of the CCN in program/administrative support; assign work; explain how duties are to be performed to meet expectations; communicate how the successful performance of those duties will be measured; evaluate staff performance; recognize good performance; communicate where performance needs to be improved; resolve complaints; approve leave requests and timesheets as well as training, travel and program and operations requests.

D. Direct Supervisor: Director, Community Resilience Office, Islamabad, USAID/Pakistan or his/her designee

E. Supervisory Control: The incumbent is expected to take initiative, act with wide latitude of independent judgment, and manage his/her tasks with minimal supervision. The incumbent will supervise the work of one professional CCN; he/she may oversee several simultaneous TDY and consulting teams and institutional contractors. Deadlines, specific results and action plans are developed in consultation with the CRO Director. The incumbent is technically proficient in this field and thus carries out his/her work independently, providing technical leadership to one CCN staff, other contractors, partners and customers in the development, implementation and monitoring of program activities. The work is reviewed in terms of achievement of established milestone, effectives in facilitating teamwork, and appropriateness of program activity focus. Though this is a mid-level position, the incumbent is expected to actively and proactively collaborate with CRO team and fully utilize, embrace, and become highly proficient on USAID systems and processes.

11. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Routine office work with occasional field visits to project sites or partner office locations throughout Pakistan.

12. POINT OF CONTACT: Completed offers (including all required documents - see section IV below) must be submitted electronically to: hrislamabad@usaid.gov. When submitting an application, the Solicitation number should be included in the subject line. The position title of each position applied for must be mentioned in the cover letter.

Any questions regarding this solicitation may be directed to Samina Riaz, Human Resources Specialist, Pakistan, phone: 92-51- 201-4975, fax: 92-51-233-8061, and to Hina Junaid, Human Resources Assistant, Pakistan, phone: 92-51- 201-5473, fax: 92-51-233-8062, E-mail: hrislamabad@usaid.gov.

mailto:hrislamabad@usaid.gov mailto:hrislamabad@usaid.gov

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Education: A Bachelor’s degree or higher in a field of study relevant to the Major Duties and Responsibilities of the position, such as International Relations, International Economics, Law, International Development, Public Administration, Political Science, Security Studies, or Conflict Resolution.

Work Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in international development programming with the U.S. Government, an international assistance organization, and/or a non-governmental organization.

At least two (2) years of experience must be in work directly related to countering violent extremism (CVE), conflict resolution, peace-building, democracy and governance, human rights, strategic communications, and/or political analysis. Other fields directly related to above sectors may be considered.

At least one (1) year of cumulative overseas field experience working in politically unstable developing countries or sub-regions.

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

Visas, Security and Medical clearances: The ability to obtain the required visas and security and medical clearances for the position is considered a minimum qualification. See section V below.

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

Selection Process and Basis of Evaluation: Offerors who clearly meet the aforementioned minimum education and work experience qualification requirements may be further evaluated through review of the offeror’s submitted required documents (see section IV below) and ranked based on the below evaluation and selection factors. A competitive range will be established of the highest-ranked offerors, who may be further evaluated through technical tests and interviews to determine the most qualified/highest-ranked offerors. Reference checks will be conducted with the highest-ranked offerors at the conclusion of evaluations and as part of the final responsibility determination process, prior to negotiations. Reference checks may be conducted with individuals not provided by the offeror. Any offeror not receiving satisfactory reference checks will no longer be considered for the position.

Negotiations may be conducted with the most qualified/ highest-ranked offerors who have successfully passed the responsibility determination process.

Education (10 Points):

A Bachelor’s degree or higher in a field of study relevant to the Major Duties and Responsibilities of the position is required, such as International Relations, International Economics, Law, International Development, Public Administration, Political Science, Security Studies, or Conflict Resolution.

Additional education, such as a Master’s degree or Ph.D., in a field of study relevant to the Major Duties and Responsibilities of the position is desired.

Work Experience (35 Points):

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in international development programming with the U.S. Government, an international assistance organization, and/or a non-governmental organization is required. Additional experience in the aforementioned areas, especially working overseas, is desired.

At least two (2) years of experience must be in work directly related to countering violent extremism (CVE), conflict resolution, peace-building, democracy and governance, human rights, strategic communications, and/or political analysis. Additional experience in the aforementioned areas, especially working overseas in politically unstable developing countries or sub-regions is highly desired.

Experience in contract and grant management, especially overseeing a non-governmental organization implementing an assistance activity under a USG contract, grant, or cooperative agreement is highly desired.

Prior management or supervisory experience to include mentoring, guiding, and training staff is desired.

Knowledge (25 Points) Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of one or a combination of the below fields is essential:

• Countering violent extremism (CVE), conflict resolution, peace-building, democracy and governance, human rights, strategic communications, and/or political analysis;

• International assistance programming, budgeting and program planning cycle;

• Monitoring and evaluation plans, especially for small grants activities and/or program level outputs and outcomes;

• Regulations, policies, and procedures related to contract and grant management

Skills and Abilities: (30 points) Demonstrated Skills and Abilities in the below areas are essential:

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

• Working independently, prioritizing and completing tasks with minimal supervision;

• Excellent oral communication skills in English, including the ability to communicate extemporaneously, clearly, and with brevity;

• Ability to develop and present briefings for an audience, especially senior officials, including the presentation of narrative and quantitative information in a concise and organized manner using Word, Excel, and/or PowerPoint;

• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to develop concise, well-written products geared toward a variety of audiences and at different levels of technical complexity under time constraints;

• Designing interventions to counter violent extremism (CVE);

• Managing grants, especially small grants to local partners;

• Developing close, collaborative, and effective working relationships both in the field and in

Washington, and with key stakeholders both in and outside of USAID, such as U.S. Government agencies, donor and international organizations, and local counterparts, including beneficiaries;

• Managing and adapting programming under conditions of ongoing change

Total points = 100

IV. APPLYING

1. Eligible Offerors are required to complete and submit all the following documents and information in order to be considered for the position.

a. Completed and signed form AID 302-3,“Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-302-3. Only include base salary information in box 4 of sections B and C. Do not include bonuses, differentials, cost of living allowances, or other types of compensation. During negotiations, salary history may be verified through pay slips, earnings and leave statements, or other appropriate documentation.

b. A cover letter of no more than 1 page that describes: 1) how the Offeror’s qualifications meet or exceed the Minimum Qualifications Required for this Position stated in section II of this solicitation, and 2) the position title of each position applied for. Note – offerors may apply for any or all positions listed.

c. A writing sample of no more than 500 words describing the Offeror’s experience, skills, and abilities implementing development programs in countering violent extremism (CVE) or an area closely related to CVE such as conflict resolution, peace-building, democracy and governance, human rights, strategic communications, and/or political analysis. Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored.

d. A resume or curriculum vitae (CV) of no more than 3 pages which, at a minimum, describes education, experience, and career achievements relevant to the Minimum Qualifications Required for this Position stated in section II, and the Evaluation and Selection factors stated in section III of this solicitation. The resume or CV should clearly show full-time vs. part-time work. For part-time work, the resume or CV should include the average number of hours worked per week.

e. Names of three professional references that have detailed knowledge of the offeror’s ability to perform the duties set forth in the solicitation, including current and accurate contact information. This information may be included in the cover letter, resume/CV, or in a separate document.

Incomplete offers will not be considered.

2. Offers containing all required documents must be received by the closing date and time specified in

Section I, item 3, and submitted electronically to the email Point of Contact in Section I, item 12.

3. To ensure consideration of offers for the intended positions, Offerors MUST prominently reference the position title of each position applied for in the cover letter.

V. PRE-AWARD DOCUMENTATION / LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRES

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

https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-302-3

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 (SF-85)

4. Finger Print Card (FD-258)

5. Pakistan and United Arab Emirates (UAE) Visa application forms

Timely completion and submission of the required documents are needed to obtain the necessary Visas and Security and Medical Clearances. Failure of the selected offerors to accurately complete and submit required documents in a timely manner may be grounds for the CO to rescind any conditional pre-contract offer letter and begin negotiations with the next most qualified/highest ranked offeror. Selected offerors who are unable to obtain required Visas, Security and Medical Clearances are considered not qualified for this position.

Within 2 weeks after written notice from the CO that all required Visas and clearances have been received, or unless another date is specified by the CO in writing, the selected offerors shall proceed to Islamabad, Pakistan to perform the services specified in section I, item 10.

VI. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the benefits and allowances listed in this section.

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

(g) Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service per Post policy

2. ALLOWANCES (If Applicable)*:

(1) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120)

(2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

(3) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(4) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230)

(5) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

(6) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) and

(7) Danger Pay (Section 650)

(8) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(9) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) (10)Education Travel (Section 280)

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

Islamabad currently has a 25% Post Differential allowance and 35% Danger Pay, housing, and other benefits per USAID regulations. Karachi currently has a 30% Post Differential allowance and 35% Danger Pay, housing, and other benefits per USAID regulations. Basic household furnishings will be available in quarters to be provided by USAID. FICA and federal income tax will be withheld by USAID. U.S. Resident hire PSCs are not eligible for any fringe benefits (except contributions for FICA, health insurance, and life insurance), including differentials and allowances. Pakistan is a no-dependent post.

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 http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations