SOL-72044219R00003_Children_in_Adversity_and_Education_Advisor_final.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72044219R00003

ISSUANCE DATE: February 15, 2019

CLOSING DATE/TIME: March 8, 2019

4:00PM, Local Time

SUBJECT: Solicitation for a U.S/Third Country National Personal Services

Contractor (PSC)

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International

Development (USAID), is seeking offers from qualified persons to provide personal services under contract as described in this 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.

Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in the attached information.

Sincerely, Andrew Reese

Executive Officer

ATTACHMENT 1 72044219R00003

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72044219R00003

2. ISSUANCE DATE: February 15, 2019

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: March 8, 2019, 4:00PM, Cambodia Time

4. POSITION TITLE: Children in Adversity and Education Advisor

5. MARKET VALUE: $89,370 -- $116,181, equivalent to GS-14

Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value, based on the successful candidate’s salary history, work experience and educational background.

Compensation package for Cambodia includes a contribution for life and health insurance and a contribution to FICA. This is a resident-hire position. It does not include offshore benefits such as housing, post differential, and post allowance.

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two Years (2 years), o/a June 13, 2019 to o/a

June 12, 2021, with the possibility of extensions. Extensions will depend on the need for continuation of such services, availability of funds, satisfactory performance, and the needs of the USAID/Cambodia Mission.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Cambodia – Phnom Penh, Cambodia with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Work.

8. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facilities Access / Employment

Authorization

9. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

Cambodia is a priority country for the U.S. government (USG) under the Action

Plan for Children in Adversity (APCA) which seeks to integrate internationally recognized, evidence-based good practices into international assistance for children.

APCA has three principal objectives:

Build Strong Beginnings: Integrate a child’s biological need for stimulation and responsive caregiving into health, nutrition, and early education programs for young children.

Put Family Care First: Support and enable families to care for their children, prevent unnecessary family-child separation, and promote appropriate, protective and permanent family care.

Protect Children: Facilitate the efforts of national governments and partners to prevent, respond to, and protect children from violence, exploitation, abuse, and neglect.

In 2015 USAID/Cambodia launched programming for APCA with a focus on Family

Care First with a goal to develop sustainable solutions to substantially reduce the number of children outside of family care in Cambodia.

In addition to initiating the above APCA in Cambodia, FY 2016 was a turning point for USAID/Cambodia education programs. USAID/Cambodia currently implements education programs in support of national education reforms and priorities, particularly in the areas of early grade learning. USAID’s education work is in alignment with the Agency’s Education Policy and complements the work currently undertaken by other donors and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports in

Cambodia.

Under the direct supervision of the Director, USAID/Cambodia Office of Public

Health and Education (OPHE), or his/her designee, the Advisor will work as part of the USAID OPHE office to provide technical oversight to USAID’s Children in

Adversity and Education programs. S/he will provide day-to-day program management and oversight for specific Children in Adversity and Education activities and cross-cutting, multi-sectoral approaches.

The Advisor will facilitate communication and maintain collaborative working relationships with mid-to senior level government officials of the Cambodian government, development partners and non-governmental organizations. S/he is expected to function with a high degree of independence and work as a member of the

USAID OPHE office and work closely with other USG agencies, including the State

Department and Peace Corps. The Advisor will liaise with the Consular Section and the US Special Advisor on Children’s Issues. S/he will provide updates on

Cambodia’s progress toward becoming Hague compliant and support the U.S.

Government’s commitment to the Hague convention regarding inter-country adoption and assuring that all necessary child protection measures are in place. The Children in

Adversity and Education Advisor will act as the local counterpart to the Staff Care program in DC. He/she will work with the Staff Care program in DC to provide planning and facilitation support for in-country activities and any follow on programming.

The Children in Adversity and Education Advisor will provide technical and management leadership among all USG agencies, development partners, all levels of government, the private sector and international technical organizations. The Advisor must have experience and skills in strategic thinking and analysis; technical leadership; program planning and implementation; advocacy, communication and program management. The Advisor will be a social sector expert with relevant practical experience. As part of an overall coordination and advocacy role with USG and all other social sector and education partners, s/he will be responsible for providing direction, management, technical assistance and oversight to the USG’s portfolio of social sector (non-health) projects/activities in Cambodia. S/he will serve in an advisory and program management capacity for all social sector (non-health) activities in the USAID/Cambodia portfolio. S/he will provide technical and management leadership among development partners, all levels of government, the private sector and international technical organizations in support of USAID’s social sector (non-health) programs. S/he will provide advice to USAID and USG agencies to ensure and enhance the effectiveness of activities through high quality design, well-managed implementation and appropriate monitoring and evaluation. S/he will be responsible for relevant report writing components of the annual Operational Plan, and semi-annual and annual reporting.

2. Statement of Duties to be Performed:

Children in Adversity Program Management 60%

Serve as the lead technical expert on Children in Adversity for the U.S. Government in Cambodia. Provide strategic direction, identify opportunities, and coordinate program initiatives related to the USG Action Plan for Children in Adversity and its subsequent iterations. Other duties and responsibilities include, and are not limited to:

Oversee APCA-related activities funded from USAID Washington, including funding to UNICEF, Family Care First, and any new projects that result from

USG objectives to support children in adversity. In this role as Contracting

Officer Representative (COR), Agreement Officer Representative (AOR), or

Activity Manager, coordinate projects, facilitate quarterly meetings, review and provide comments on work plans and reports, initiate or participate in relevant government meetings, brief senior US government staff as necessary or as requested, coordinate with USAID Center on Children in Adversity with the Displaced Children and Orphans Fund (CECA/DCOF) staff, and support events, visits, and outreach-related tasks.

Function as the COR, AOR, or Activity Manager for Mission-based programming supporting APCA objectives. Manage project performance through a robust monitoring and evaluation plan, review semi-/annual project reports, project accrual information, and quarterly financial reports, prepare documents if financial or programmatic amendments to agreements are necessary, review project vouchers for accuracy, and approve project requests.

Track and fully understand the status of all significant activities supported by the U.S. government and other donors that contribute to APCA.

Communicate information to other development partners, the Cambodian government, U.S. government interagency team in Cambodia, and relevant

USAID CECA/DCOF staff, and maintain positive and collaborative relationships with all stakeholders through regular meetings.

Write USAID documentation such as action memos, waivers, justifications and acquisition documents, operational plan narratives, project design documents, scopes of work, and other correspondence as required. Provide draft language for the Cambodia section of the Annual Report to Congress that USAID CECA/DCOF is required to submit under U.S. Public Law 109-

95.

Hold regular meetings with implementing partners and perform assessments as needed to provide programmatic and technical support and assurances to the USAID Mission. Visit USAID-funded project field sites to anticipate, recognize, and resolve any potential problems with partners and bring major program issues to the attention of appropriate USAID staff as necessary.

Ensure involvement by the Cambodian government and promote alignment of

APCA objectives within its policies and programs. Advocate, as relevant, with government through formal and informal means.

Act as a technical team lead on the design of new APCA related awards, and as a support team member for awards that may impact children.

Education and Child Well-Being Program Management 25%

Assist with coordination on education and child well-being programs to the

USAID Mission, the broader USG team, and USAID implementing partners in coordination with the AOR, COR, or Activity Manager.

Provide on-going program advice for the Mission’s education, child well-being, and child protection strategies including development of key planning and reporting documents.

Work closely with the Cambodian government, bilateral and multilateral agencies and other key stakeholders to strengthen education and child well-being collaboration at the national level to support the development of country ownership and capacity.

Monitor current education and child protection and well-being literature, reports, international guidelines and standards as well as best practices and provide recommendations in developing innovative approaches to designing, implementing and evaluating education and child well-being-related programs for Cambodia.

Conduct regular site visits to review program implementation and meet with beneficiaries

Communicate findings from information collected during site visits, assessment reports, performance statistics and other available data to provide programmatic recommendations to the OPHE Office, and, as appropriate, implementing partners and Cambodian government counterparts.

Provide inputs on annual project work plans and participate in USAID project portfolio reviews and evaluations.

Provide program assistance (including drafting briefing papers, cables, and memos for information and action) for education and child well-being activities.

Stakeholder Engagement and Advisory Support 15 %

The Children in Adversity and Education Advisor will work within the context of supporting the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh’s development assistance goals. The

Children in Adversity and Education Advisor will represent USAID/Cambodia in appropriate international fora. S/he will work closely with Mission team members, to include the FSN Education Specialist and FSN Program Specialist, as well as other

Missions in the region as needed. The Children in Adversity and Education Advisor will mentor and/or coach Cambodian staff on best practices in social services (non-health). The incumbent may also be called upon to support special projects or events which may require compiling information and/or escorting and briefing visitors.

3. Supervisory Relationship: N/A

4. Supervisory Controls: The incumbent will report to the OPHE Office Director or his/her designee.

5. Other Important Information

Should a third country national (TCN) PSC be selected for award, during the period of the contract, the TCN contractor shall devote at least 10% of working hours to training to a cooperating country national (CCN) designated by USAID. The PSC

Supervisor will establish a training plan with benchmarks to measure the contractor's progress toward achieving this training deliverable.

10. AREA OF CONSIDERATION:

To meet basic eligibility requirements, the applicant must:

Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident/registered alien (“green card holder”)

A Third Country National (e.g.; a citizen of a country other than Cambodia)

Submit a complete application as outlined in the section titled APPLYING;

Be able to attain employment authorization/facility access;

Be able to obtain a Department of State medical clearance;

Be available and willing to work additional hours beyond the established 40-hour workweek, including weekends, as may be required or necessary;

Be willing to travel to work sites and other offices as/when requested.

Hiring Preference:

In accordance with ADS 309.3.3, Cooperating Country National and Third

Country National Personal Services Contracts, USAID policy is that the use of

CCNPSCs is preferred over the use of TCNPSCs in order to integrate the foreign assistance effort into the community, enhance the skills of the cooperating country's population, and contribute to the local economy.

USPSCs are also preferred over TCNPSCs. TCNPSC positions must only be used when:

o Qualified CCNs are not available;

o Limitations on Agency and Mission operations do not allow sufficient time to train CCNs; and o Program efficiencies and policy objectives can only be achieved using

TCNPSCs as a substitute for available, eligible, and qualified U.S.

citizens (as defined in AIDAR Appendix D) and persons from the host country.

A TCNPSC hired under this contract will receive compensation in accordance with the applicable, approved Alternate Compensation Plan (ACP). All other compensation, allowances, and benefits, will be accorded under the applicable

AIDAR Appendix J contract clauses.

11. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

12. POINT OF CONTACT:

Complete, signed application packages should be submitted by email to Mr. Andrew

Reese at areese@usaid.gov with a courtesy copy to Ms. Chhorvy Heng at cheng@usaid.gov. Incomplete or unsigned applications will not be considered.

Digital signatures are acceptable.

mailto:areese@usaid.gov mailto:cheng@usaid.gov

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

All candidates must meet the Minimum Qualifications. Applications will be screened accordingly, and only those that meet the below, required criteria, will be moved forward in the recruitment process:

Education: A Bachelor's degree in social work, social welfare, education or international development.

Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in development and/or social services, including policy, program design, oversight and implementation is required. Experience on alternative care and child protection programming is preferred. Experience in Southeast Asia is desired, experience in Cambodia is preferred.

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

Upon closing of the solicitation, a committee will convene to review the applications. Applicants who meet the education and experience requirements will be scored and ranked based on the following selection factors:

1. Education Requirements (10 points)

A Bachelor's degree in social work, social welfare, education or international development.

2. Relevant Experience (30 points)

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in development and/or social services, including policy, program design, oversight and implementation is required. Experience on alternative care and child protection programming is preferred. Experience in Southeast Asia is desired, experience in

Cambodia is preferred.

3. Job Knowledge (30 points)

Demonstrated through relevant experience and training:

Must have proven relevant knowledge of the USG Action Plan for Children in

Adversity and international best-practices for child well-being and care reform.

Must have proven knowledge or experience with program design, implementation, evaluation, and alternative care and child protection.

Understanding of the social, economic and cultural determinants that impact child-wellbeing in Cambodia and its neighboring countries.

Knowledge and experience with other U.S. government programs, procedures and systems for program design, procurement, implementation, management and monitoring.

4. Skills and Abilities (30 points)

Demonstrated through relevant experience and training:

Ability to take technical leadership in national child protection coordination and technical approach of implementing the Action Plan for Children in Adversity.

Ability to build capacity of and mentor local staff.

Ability to work effectively both independently and in a team environment with a broad range of USG personnel and agencies particularly within

USAID/Cambodia as well as partners; have demonstrated skills in donor coordination and collaboration; and achieve consensus on policy, program, and administrative matters.

Tact and diplomacy are required to establish and develop sustainable working relationships at the highest level and a high level of trust with public/private organizations.

Ability to negotiate activity plans and resolve activity implementation issues with counterparts, partners, and team members.

Ability to navigate and manage politically sensitive issues related to child protection and alternative care.

Ability to analyze and interpret public policies and assist in the development of revised policies as required, as well as, integrate short and long-range objectives of USAID Cambodia with the cultural/organizational needs of the host country government and civil society partners.

Ability to conceptualize programs, policies, and plans and developing strategies for their management and implementation.

Proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly and concisely – both orally and in writing in English. Demonstrated ability to make sensitive oral presentations logically and persuasively to senior U.S. and Cambodian government officials and other donors.

Ability to communicate highly technical child-wellbeing information to both health and non-health audiences.

Excellent written communication skills are required to prepare regular and ad hoc reports, activity documentation, and briefing papers.

Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook, Access, SPSS or Stata) and Malaria Information System (MIS/DHIS2) or other similar statistical software are required for effectively operating in this position. Good computer skills are required to implement, analyze, and monitor, and manage activity goals, inputs, outcomes, and achievements, both program and impact.

On a supplemental document included in the application package, applicants should provide specific, illustrative examples for each below question. Responses are not to exceed 2 pages and each question should be limited to approximately 500 words (approx. 1/2 typewritten page) per question.

Question #1: Describe your comprehensive knowledge, most up-to-date approaches, and understanding of social sector reforms and policies that would support the primary objectives of the USG Action Plan for Children in Adversity and Alternative

Care models and how it relates to USAID’s approach in Cambodia.

Question #2: Outline your experiences and successes working collaboratively with senior managerial and technical host-country counterparts, donors, and other stakeholders at national and decentralized levels.

Question #3: Describe your ability to work effectively in teams and collaborate in a multi-agency setting. Please highlight any experience you have working within large, multi-sector networks.

Question #4: Outline your management and analytical skills to strategize, develop, manage, implement and evaluate effective development activities.

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 finalist candidates will be contacted.

Reference checks will be conducted only for the candidates who are considered to be finalists, based on the results of their interviews. The applicant’s references must be able to provide substantive information about his/her past performance and abilities.

If an applicant does not wish USAID to contact a current employer for a reference check, this must be stated in the applicant’s cover letter; USAID will delay such reference checks pending the applicant’s concurrence.

IV. APPLYING

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

b. Offerors are also required to submit:

1. Cover Letter;

2. Curriculum Vitae or resume;

3. Supplemental document addressing the questions

4. Salary history for the previous three years; and

5. A list of three professional references.

http://www.usaid.gov/forms

c. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section I, item 11.

d. To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission.

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRES

Once the CO informs the successful offeror of their being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide instructions on how to complete and submit the following forms.

1. Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306)

2. Medical History and Examination Form (DS-6561)

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)

VI. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances (section 2 Allowances, does not apply to resident-hire PSCs):

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

2. ALLOWANCES:

Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized

Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas)

(a) Temporary Quarter Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)

(b) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

(c) Cost-of-Living Allowance (Chapter 210)

(d) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(e) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

(f) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(g) Education Travel (Section 280)

(h) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

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

(j) Danger Pay Allowance (Section 650)

VII. TAXES

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

VIII. USAID PSCs 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.

[The CO must check http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs to determine which AAPDs/CIBs apply and insert the relevant text as required.]

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 .

USAID regulations and policies governing CCN/TCN PSC awards are available at these sources:

1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix J, “Direct USAID

Contracts With a Cooperating Country National and with a Third Country

National 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 http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs

3. Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins

(AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs

[The CO must check http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs to determine which AAPDs/CIBs apply and insert the relevant text as required.]

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

ALL QUALIFIED APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED REGARDLESS OF AGE,

RACE, COLOR, SEX, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, LAWFUL POLITICAL

AFFILIATION, NON-DISQUALIFYING DISABILITY, MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL

ORIENTATION, AFFILIATION WITH AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION, OR

OTHER NON-MERIT FACTOR.

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