solicitation General Development Advisor.pdf

U.S. Agency for International Development

US Embassy

Entoto Road

P. O. Box 1014

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Tel. : 251-11-306002

Fax : 251-11-242438

Website: www.usaidethiopia.org

USA Address:

2030 Addis Ababa Place

Washington, DC 20521-2030

FFIC

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72060324R000001

ISSUANCE DATE: 04/12, 2024

CLOSING DATE/TIME: 05/11 2024, 5pm (EAT)

SUBJECT: Solicitation for a U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) – General

Development Advisor

Dear Prospective Candidates:

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 of this solicitation. Incomplete or unsigned offers will not be considered. Offerors should retain copies of all offer materials for their records.

USAID will evaluate all offerors based on the stated evaluation criteria. USAID encourages all individuals, including those from disadvantaged and under-represented groups, to respond to the solicitation.

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 offers.

Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in the Attached 1.

Sincerely, James Cerwinski

Supervisory Executive Officer

ATTACHMENT1 72060324R00001

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72060324R00001

2. ISSUANCE DATE: 04/12, 2024

3. CLOSINGDATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: 05/11, 2024, no later than 5:00 p.m

(EAT) (close of business).

4. POINT OF CONTACT: James Cerwinski, Supervisory EXO and Fekadu Tamirate, HR Specialist, email at djiboutiusaidjobs@usaid.gov.

5. POSITION TITLE: General Development Advisor.

6. MARKET VALUE: $104,604to $135,987, equivalent to GS-14. The final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based on the successful candidate’s salary history, work experience, and educational background. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated. USPSCs performing overseas are not entitled to Locality Pay.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Djibouti with possible travel as stated in the Statement of

Work.

USPSCs may be authorized to telework or remote work only from a location within the country of performance, in accordance with Mission policy. Telework or remote work from outside the country of performance may only be authorized in certain situations in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract.

8. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: For two base years. Estimated to start on 08/01/2024.

The base period will be 08/01/2024– 07/31/2026.

Base Period: 08/01/2024 – 07/31/2026

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens, Resident Aliens Offerors

● Submit a complete application as outlined in the solicitation section titled SUBMITTING

AN OFFER.

● Be able to obtain SECRET security clearance.

● Be able to obtain a Department of State medical clearance.

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

mailto:djiboutiusaidjobs@usaid.gov

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: The final selected candidates must obtain both the appropriate security and medical clearances within a reasonable period. If such clearances are not obtained within a reasonable time or negative suitability issues are involved, any offer made may be rescinded.

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract:

Located in the Horn of Africa at the mouth of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, Djibouti’s strategic position in a conflict-prone region with Yemen, Eritrea, Somalia and Ethiopia, combined with its commitment to peaceful, moderate views, underscores the importance of the US-Djibouti bilateral relationship. Djibouti plays a crucial role in promoting regional stability. The country hosts Camp Lemonnier, the only permanent U.S. military installation in Africa. USAID/Djibouti is a “Limited Presence Country (LCP)”, based within the U.S. Embassy and headed by a USAID Country Representative who reports to the Mission Director for USAID/Ethiopia and Djibouti. It receives operational guidance and key support services from USAID/Ethiopia. USAID/Djibouti’s $50 million development program portfolio supports workforce development, civil society strengthening, health, education, and energy. In addition to managing USAID core development programs and relations with the government and other in-country stakeholders, USAID/Djibouti plays an active role in 3D

(Defense, Diplomacy and Development) coordination meetings and serving as a liaison between the Government of Djibouti and the Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) civil and humanitarian affairs projects. The USAID/Djibouti Office functions with two USDH positions, a USAID Country Representative and a General Development Advisor, as well as 10 Cooperating

Country Nationals (CCN).

The USPSC The General Development Advisor (GDA) will support the management and implementation of the USAID portfolio in Djibouti.

2. Statement of Duties to be Performed:

The General Development Advisor will be responsible for leading USAID/Djibouti initiatives, which includes supervisory oversight of three Cooperating Country National staff (Finance Specialist, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, and the Development and Outreach Coordinator.)

The position provides analytical support and advises the USAID/Djibouti team on policy and programmatic opportunities and approaches. The General Development Advisor will be expected to show strong independent initiative and work with minimal supervision. Incumbent reports directly to the USAID/Djibouti Country Representative. The incumbent will support a multi-year development program worth $50 million.

Program Cycle Management (50%)

● The incumbent will be responsible for overseeing the successful implementation of Djibouti’s development programs. He/she will analyze opportunities and risks associated with proposed and ongoing activities, and oversee performance monitoring, collaboratio n, learning and adaptation, and evaluation of results of activities. He/she will visit program sites as necessary to observe program results and to interface with project implementation partners.

● The incumbent will also be responsible for guiding the design of any new activities, guide programmatic investment decisions; assist to respond to requests for information from USAID/Washington and USAID/Ethiopia and ensure that required reporting is completed accurately and timely.

● The incumbent will also be responsible for overseeing visibility of USAID/Djibouti’s programs in Djibouti and in the United States through high-quality communications. The incumbent will oversee the implementation of a comprehensive communications and outreach strategy that promotes USAID’s activities to external and internal audiences. The incumbent will guide the Communications Specialist to identify communications objectives, messages, audiences, products, and budgets consistent with USAID and overall Embassy strategic goals.

● The GDA will also serve as Agreement/Contracting Officer Representative (A/COR) or Activity Manager for one or more activities, overseeing and providing support to CCN staff who manage ongoing activities with guidance and coaching.

Analytical Leadership and Counsel (25%)

● The incumbent will provide analysis and advice to guide USAID/Djibouti’s efforts to address technical issues in the implementation of its activities in the governance, energy, workforce development, education and health sectors. S/he shall serve as a resource to all staff to ensure that important technical issues are adequately considered in ongoing and future development activities.

● The incumbent shall be responsible for directing strategic reviews of existing programming as applicable. S/he shall identify opportunities to leverage USAID programming with public and private-sector investments.

● S/he will summarize key social, political, and economic issues and challenges, and guide mission’s dialogue in appropriately adapting programs.

Government and Military Coordination (25%)

● The incumbent will support USAID/Djibouti and the Country Representative as a key liaison with other bilateral donors operating in Djibouti, members of the U.S. military and civil affairs teams stationed at Camp Lemonnier (including the Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa), and other agencies at post. S/he shall be expected to formulate analyses and programmatic options for decision-makers that incorporate a broad set of USG interests.

● The incumbent will provide hands-on support to the Country Representative in his/her capacity as the chair for donor coordination by organizing donors meetings, formulating agenda items, preparing meeting notes, and support in facilitating discussions. In addition, support the Country Representative in deepening relationships with other donors by organizing informal meetings, identifying points of mutual interest, and supporting efforts to build coalitions and communities of practice. S/he will therefore be expected to adequately represent USAID priorities, and coordinate development interventions with international donors and host-government institutions.

● The incumbent shall also support USAID/Djibouti staff to coordinate with local structures within the private sector and civil society.

3. USAID Consultation or Orientation (if applicable): None

4. Supervisory Relationship

The incumbent works directly under the supervision of the USAID Djibouti Country Representative, or his/her designee.

5. Supervisory Controls:

The incumbent supervises a team of three to four CCNs.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Applications will be initially screened by the Mission Human Resources Office to determine whether they have met the minimum qualifications listed below. All candidates who meet the minimum qualifications requirements will be referred to the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) for further consideration and screening.

EDUCATION: Master’s Degree in a development-related field, technical area, management, economics, business, or a related activity.

WORK EXPERIENCE: Eight years progressively responsible experience in strategy development and managing large international organizations, or the equivalent.

LANGUAGE: English fluency for speaking, reading, and writing. Working knowledge of French preferred.

II. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

The Government may award a contract without discussions with candidates in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of candidates with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c). In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of candidates in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers. The FAR provisions referenced above are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far

EVALUATION FACTORS

EDUCATION (10 points): Points will be given for (1) education above the minimum level and/or

(2) specialized education pertinent to the position. and/or (3) specialized training pertinent to the position.

WORK EXPERIENCE (40 points): Points will be given for (1) experience above the minimum levels required, (2) specialized experience pertinent to the position, (3) experience in pertinent development assistance activities, (4) experience in development organizations that are large and/or international.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (50 points):

Demonstrated understanding of project and activity design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, collaboration, learning and adaptation principles, and mastery of program budget planning and oversight.

Demonstrated ability to work independently within agreed-upon parameters with minimal supervision or guidance, while exercising sound judgment. Demonstrated ability in communication skills. Demonstrated ability to produce professional-quality analytical pieces, and to deliver authoritative, persuasive oral presentations to senior U.S, government officials from multiple agencies, other donors, and/or the host country. Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to work in a diverse, multicultural team setting.

BASIS OF RATING: Candidates who meet the Minimum Qualifications will be evaluated in accordance with the Evaluation and Selection Factors.

Candidates should address these factors in the offer package, describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received as it pertains to the factors.

Failure to address the Evaluation and Selection Factors may result in not receiving credit for all pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards .

The highest-ranking applicants may be selected for an interview. Interviews may be conducted either in person or by telephone/video call at USAID’s discretion.

Final TEC recommendations for the candidates will be based on the initial evaluation of the applications, and interview performance. USAID/Djibouti will not pay for any expenses associated with interviews.

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks – Pass/Fail (no points assigned). Reference checks will be conducted only for the first-ranked candidate. Please be advised that references may be obtained independently from other sources in addition to the ones provided by an offeror. If a candidate does not wish USAID to contact a current employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the candidate’s cover letter, and USAID will not contact those references without contacting the candidate.

III. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

For your application to be considered, the following documents must be submitted:

1. Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals, available at AID- 309-2 Form

2. Letter of Application

3. Current curriculum vitae (CV).

Further Guidance:

To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation Number in the offer submission.

Application must be submitted ONLY via djiboutiusaidjobs@usaid.gov and the email subject must say –:72060324R00001 – General Development Advisor. Be sure to include your name and the solicitation number at the top of each page.

offeror submission must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents.

Please do not submit more than one application; and

The application must be submitted before or on the closing date at local Djibouti time 5 p.m.

(Local Djibouti Time or EAT). Late and incomplete applications will not be considered.

Ensuring Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors. USPSCs performing overseas must follow the Mission policies and/or directives from the Department of

State regarding COVID-19 requirements.

IV. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

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

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

2. Fingerprint Card (FD-258), and either

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

4. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85), whichever is applicable.

V. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES

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

1. BENEFITS:

(a) Employer's FICA Contribution https://www.usaid.gov/forms https://www.usaid.gov/forms mailto:djiboutiusaidjobs@usaid.gov

(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) Leave and Holidays

2. ALLOWANCES (if applicable):

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)

VI. TAXES

USPSCs are required to pay federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable state income taxes.

VII. 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/ads/policy/300/aidar

2. Contract Cover Page form AID309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms.

LINE ITEMS

ITEM

NO

(A)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES

(DESCRIPTION)

(B)

QUANTI

TY

(C)

UNI

T

(D)

UNIT

PRICE

(E)

AMOUNT

(F)

0001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe

Benefits and Other Direct Costs

(ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: [e.g. R497]

1 LOT $ _TBD__ $_TBD at

Award after negotiations with

Contractor_ https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar http://www.usaid.gov/forms

- Accounting Info: [insert one or more citation(s) from Phoenix/GLAAS]

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 5CFR2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations.

5. PSC Ombudsman. The PSC Ombudsman serves as a resource for any Personal

Services Contractor who has entered into a contract with the United States Agency for International Development and is available to provide clarity on their specific contract with the agency. Please visit our page for additional information: https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman.

The PSC Ombudsman may be contacted via: PSCOmbudsman@usaid.gov.

6. FAR Provisions Incorporated by Reference

END OF SOLICITATION

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The U.S. Mission in Djibouti provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation. USAID/Djibouti also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs.

The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation. Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.

52.304-27 PROHIBITION ON A BYTEDANCE COVERED

APPLICATION

JUN

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