Sr._DOC_Solicitation2,_2017.pdf

RH-USPSC SENIOR DEVELOPMENT OUTREACH & COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Solicitation No. 72062118B00006

ATTACHMENT 1

United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Tanzania Solicitation for RESIDENT HIRE USPSC Senior Development Outreach and

Communication (DOC) Officer

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. SOLICITATION NO.: 72062118B00006

B. ISSUANCE DATE: DECEMBER 29, 2017

C. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: JANUARY

17, 2018 at 17:00 Dar es Salaam time.

D. POSITION TITLE: SENIOR DEVELOPMENT OUTREACH AND

COMMUNICATION OFFICER

E. MARKET VALUE: Ranging from $88,136.00 to $114,578.00 equivalent to GS-14. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

F. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: TWO (2) Years with the possibility of extension. Extension(s) will depend upon the availability of funds, continued need for the requirement, contractor performance and any future hiring freeze guidance.

G. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA

H. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: FACILITY ACCESS

I. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

The Senior Development Outreach and Communications Officer (Senior DOC) reports directly to the USAID/Tanzania Deputy Program Officer and works with Mission and Embassy leadership and staff to implement development, outreach, and communications efforts to increase awareness of USAID assistance programs in Tanzania. S/he leads the four person development outreach and communications team in Dar es Salaam. S/he functions with a high degree of independence in the management and planning of the work of the DOC team, providing overall vision for communications for the Mission and team, planning work over several months, tracking day-to-day tasks, prioritizing and adapting work plans based on frequent high-level urgent tasks, and ensuring tasks are completed on time and of sufficient quality.

2. Statement of Specific Duties to be Performed

Supervisory and Coordination:

● Lead the Mission’s Development Outreach and Communications (DOC) team to ensure overall quality and coherence of the team’s communications and outreach products and initiatives.

● Supervise all staff members in the team: Deputy DOC, Writer/Editor, Translator/Communications Specialist, and seasonal interns.

● Lead the development, implementation and regular updating of the Mission’s communications strategy and outreach plan. Lead the development, implementation, and updating of a social media strategy relevant to Tanzania to complement the broader communications plan.

● Represent the Mission at the senior level in all matters pertaining to public affairs and outreach activities within USAID/Tanzania, other branches of the U.S. Government, the Government of Tanzania, implementing partners, other donors, the UN, World Bank and other stakeholders.

● Serve as the senior advisor to Mission management regarding all public information, media relations, and outreach matters.

● Train and advise USAID/Tanzania’s technical staff in support of their public speaking and media outreach roles. Oversee the integration of communications in the project and activity design and implementation processes.

● Maintain up-to-date knowledge of all USAID/Tanzania activities and processes, as well as related political and policy issues.

● Advise USAID staff and implementing partners on developing appropriate public information programs and initiatives.

● Serve as a resident expert on USAID branding and style guidelines, ensuring regulations are followed by recommending revisions and appropriate application as outlined in ADS 320 and the Agency’s Graphic Standards Manual.

● Oversee and provide regular trainings to USAID staff and implementing partners on the appropriate use of branding and marking; work closely with CORs/AORs to ensure adherence to branding in the field; and, seek guidance from USAID bureau of Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA) on any disputes or waiver requests.

● Plan for the procurement of additional DOC related services and products, receiving appropriate approvals, drafting specifications and requests for offers, and coordinating with the Executive Office or Contracting Office; act as COR and manage contracts for related DOC services (such as event planning and management).

● Coordination with other U.S. Government agencies (including the U.S. Embassy’s Personal Agreement Services (PAS), President’s Emergency Plan For Aids Relief (PEPFAR), Centers for Disease Control, Department of Defense) and initiative actors (for Power Africa, Wildlife Trafficking, etc.), and USAID implementing partners to achieve maximum exposure and understanding of U.S.

development assistance efforts and initiatives in Tanzania as defined by the Chief of Mission and USAID/Tanzania Mission Director.

Public Information and Publicity Materials:

● Coordinate information dissemination within the Mission; with the Mission’s Development Objective teams, offices, and technical staff; and with all relevant non-U.S. Government organizations.

● Oversee the drafting, editing, and dissemination of timely and accurate information, fact sheets, press releases, newsletters, brochures, presentations, responses for requests for information, and all other public information materials relating to USAID/Tanzania’s activities. These must be written in clear, concise English, and to the extent possible, in Kiswahili, and prepared with both the media and general audiences in mind, and designed for print and PowerPoint presentations.

● Oversee the preparation and maintenance for the entire Mission of a bi-weekly calendar of public events, submissions for the Weekly Administrator’s Report, and submissions for USAID Frontlines and other USAID public information platforms including Impact Blogs, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr and other new or emerging social media sites.

● Oversee the use of social media platforms as an engagement tool with a focus on digital advocacy and outreach.

● Manage the preparation and maintenance of an updated standard information package on the USAID program in Tanzania for briefings and for distribution to the public, the media, and for USAID/Washington, USAID bureau for Legislative Public Affairs (LPA), Department of State, the U.S. Congress, etc.; including scene setters, program briefing papers, project status reports, maps, photos, information about other donors, and general information about Tanzania.

● Oversee the maintenance of the Mission’s English-language web materials to ensure they are accurate and up-to-date.

● Oversee the writing and distribution of press releases on program successes, project inaugurations, significant developments, etc.

Coordinate with technical offices, PAS, and LPA to produce and release timely, accurate, and useful written information to local and international media.

Media and Public Relations:

● Promote separate, pro-active, targeted, information and media outreach activities. These activities are designed to push accurate information about USAID programs deep into local, regional and national markets, through the selective use of radio, television, newspapers, magazines, and relevant social media platforms.

● Oversee all international and local media relations. Work closely with PAS on local press relations from all media outlets and coordinate with PAS and LPA on requests from international press.

● Advise and coordinate with PAS to expand opportunities to keep media abreast of USAID/Tanzania programs, including TV, radio and other media. This may include arranging interviews, briefings, media tours of USAID projects, etc.

● In collaboration with PAS, advise the Mission Director and USAID staff on press and media relations. Ensure a targeted, coherent, and consistent message from all USAID staff and implementing partners.

● Supervise the monitoring of local and international press coverage, awareness, and attitudes concerning USAID programs.

● Follow up with media to encourage and support coverage of public events.

● Monitor effectiveness of the communications strategy. Provide feedback to inform ongoing activities and future programming.

● As directed by the Mission Director, Deputy Directors and in collaboration with PAS, respond to inquiries from the general public, media, and other sources about USAID programs and projects.

Publicity Events:

● Serve as the Mission’s primary point of contact for publicity events and site visits by official visitors from the U.S. Embassy, USAID/Washington, Congress, and other U.S. Government agencies or entities. Coordinate VIP site visits as necessary.

Coordinate with the Embassy on schedules and logistics. Lead the preparation of briefing materials, scene setters, and other information products and processes to support these visits.

Maintain a diverse list of potential site visit locations appropriate for a variety of CODEL, STAFFDEL, and other high-level visitors to Tanzania coordinating closely with partners in advance.

● Organize, coordinate, or oversee the coordination of press events for USAID projects in conjunction with PAS, the USAID Mission Director and Deputy Directors, technical teams, and implementing partners. This includes conferences, openings, ribbon-cuttings, and other ceremonies.

● Manage protocol issues, site selection, staging, and logistical issues; identify and schedule speakers; and liaise with U.S. and local government officials for USAID events.

● Write, edit or advise on press releases, speeches, and talking points; write, edit, or advise on Briefing Checklists (BCLs), scene setters, briefing materials and memorandums for the Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission, USAID Mission Director and Deputy Mission Directors, and USAID office directors and other high level staff.

● Ensure press releases, speeches, talking points, BCLs and scene setters drafted by implementing partners for USAID events meet quality and formatting standards.

● Organize background briefings for media; compile and disseminate press packets; and provide on-site coordination of media.

● Shepherd all press releases and interview requests from within the Mission and implementing partners through the approvals and clearance process, including PAS and LPA, ensuring all required edits or changes are addressed.

● Oversee the development and implementation of plans for photography and video of USAID events (including taking photos or shooting video) for the USAID and Embassy websites and for USAID/Tanzania social media accounts and archives.

● Perform other development outreach and communications duties/activities that the U.S. Ambassador, USAID Mission Director and Deputy Directors, USAID/Washington and circumstances may dictate.

Willingness to Travel:

● The incumbent must be willing to travel extensively and frequently (up to 25%) in Tanzania.

3. Supervisory Relationship

The Senior DOC Officer directly reports to the Deputy Program Officer.

Overall guidance and supervision of Senior DOC Officer duties are under the Mission’s Deputy Program Officer.

4. Supervisory Controls

In the event of the Deputy Program officer’s absence, or at his/her direction, the Senior DOC Officer will be responsible for the overall management of strategic communications, including day-to-day office operations; VIP visits; managing the budget for DOC activities;

overseeing the publication of materials; supervising the maintenance of DOC materials and files; taking primary responsibility for public inquiries, press relations, special events, and social media.

5. Available Guidelines

USAID general guidelines regarding allowable communications activities and relationships with the Public Affairs Office (PAO) and the media, including Branding Guidelines; standard Agency contracting procedures;

priorities set by approved strategies; and U.S. Embassy guidelines on public outreach and media relations.

6. Authority to Make Commitments

Because the position will be procured through a personal services contract, the incumbent cannot make financial commitments on behalf of the U.S.

Government. The incumbent will be responsible for budget planning and the preparation of procurement requests for publicity materials and related technical services, which will be processed through a U.S. Direct Hire staff member and/or Mission Director. However, because of the anticipated incumbent’s expertise and standing as a highly qualified professional in his/her field, weight will be given to his/her conclusions and recommendations when commitments are made by those with the authority to do so.

7. Exercise of Judgment:

Substantial reliance is placed on the employee’s use of judgment concerning priority and effectiveness of public relations documentation and activities. The Employee will periodically have to make important decisions out of the office (perhaps out of town) with perhaps no ready facility for consulting with the U.S. Direct Hire supervisor. The Employee must react to and interpret changing priorities and circumstances in Tanzania’s media and their effects on his/her work in coordination with various mission elements. Many important decisions will be based on the employee’s experience and managerial skills. The employee must plan his/her work schedule independently.

8. Nature, Level, and Purposes of Contacts

The incumbent will maintain contacts and work with USAID staff in USAID/Tanzania, with considerable interaction with occasional high-level contacts within the U.S. community in both Tanzania and Washington, D.C. (including with the USAID Mission Director, U.S. Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission and Public Affairs Officer; and USAID/W senior staff), the host country community (such as Ministers, Members of Parliament, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’S), and Chiefs of Party of implementing partners.

J. AREA OF INTEREST: Offerors must be Resident US Citizens.

K. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

L. POINT OF CONTACT: John G. Butler, email: jbutler@usaid.gov

Please DO NOT send applications to this email address. For the mailbox to send applications, see section IV of this solicitation.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

The following are the minimum required qualifications for the position. All applications will be evaluated based on the documentation submitted with the application.

A. Education: A Master’s degree with significant coursework in relevant fields is required. Relevant fields include – but are not limited to – journalism, communications, marketing, public relations or affairs, international relations, international development, public administration, development/area studies, and social studies.

B. Prior Work Experience: At least ten years’ experience as a journalist, in public relations, international development communications or similar field is required.

At least eight years of this experience must be in a developing country. Previous related work experience with the U.S. Government or another international development organization is highly desirable as is related work experience in Tanzania or the Africa region.

C. Skills and Abilities: Must have demonstrated capacity in the following skills and abilities:

● Demonstrated ability to exercise sound, independent, professional judgment.

● Excellent organizational and critical thinking skills.

● Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a demonstrated ability to translate highly technical material into easy to understand narrative.

● Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to influence relationships positively.

● Effective team leadership skills and the ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural team.

● Superior project management skills and the ability to take initiative working with the direction of management; must be able to take ownership of projects, creatively solve problems and see activities through to completion.

● Strong and demonstrated knowledge of the principles and practices of public relations, media relations, and journalistic writing and reporting techniques.

● Knowledge of technical aspects involved in the production of different public outreach activities, such as editing, graphic design, printing, photography, video production, or publishing.

● Maintain superior levels of professionalism while working under pressure in a fast-paced and sometimes difficult or dangerous environment.

● Willingness to assume duties and responsibilities in all public communications and outreach areas, as needed.

In addition, knowledge of Tanzania culture and work environment are an asset.

D. Language Proficiency: Must have native level fluency in written and spoken

English. Familiarity or fluency in Swahili is not required, but preferred.

E. Specialized skills: Excellent working knowledge of Google and of MS Office, including PowerPoint, and knowledge of digital photography. Experience with different types of social media platforms and applications, i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Flickr, as well as skills in graphic designing, manipulation of scanning software, Adobe Photoshop, Indesign, and ImageReady software.

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application and reference checks. For purposes of this solicitation, Offerors will be required to have the minimum qualifications expressed in Section II and will be assessed based on the following factors:

1. Knowledge Skills & Abilities 30 points

2. Work Experience 25 points

3. Specialized Skills 25 points

4. Education 10 points

5. Language Proficiency 10 points

6. Eligible Family Member Status1 10 points

USAID/Tanzania reserves the right to interview only the highest ranked offerors in person or by

1 A family member at post on assignment orders of a U.S. Government employee.

phone or not to interview any candidate.

In order to be considered for the position, a candidate must meet the Minimum Qualifications listed above. Consideration and selection will be based on a panel evaluation of the Evaluation Factors. Please note that not all applicants will be interviewed or contacted. USAID will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews unless expenses are pre authorized.

The applicant's references must be able to provide substantive information about his/her past performance and abilities.

After the closing date for receipt of offers, a selection committee will be convened to review offers and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation criteria. Offers from candidates who do not meet the minimum requirements will not be considered or scored.

Reference checks will be made only for offerors considered as finalists. If an offeror does not want USAID to contact a current employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the offeror’s cover letter, and USAID will delay such reference checks pending communication with the offeror.

IV. TERM OF PERFORMANCE

The base term of the contract will be for a period of two years, which may be extended upon mutual agreement and subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds. This position has been classified as equivalent to a GS-14 position in the USG Civil Service. The actual salary of the successful candidate will be negotiated depending on qualifications and previous salary history. In addition to the basic salary, differentials and other benefits in effect at the time and which are applicable and subject to change on a similar basis as for direct-hire USG employees will be added.

V. SECURITY AND MEDICAL CLEARANCE

No formal offer of employment can be made, and no contract can be signed, until USAID/Tanzania has received medical and security clearances. The successful applicant will be required to obtain and submit a certification from a licensed physician that there are no physical or health impediments to working in Tanzania. A Facility Access security clearance is also required for this position. The selected applicant will be issued instructions on how to obtain the necessary clearance; a copy of the USAID/SEC-approved clearance must be received by the Mission prior to signature of a contract.

USAID/Tanzania reserves the right to withdraw an offer if the required clearances cannot be obtained within a reasonable period of time.

VI. APPLYING

Interested applicants must submit the following:

1. TWO WRITING SAMPLES of 350 to 1,000 words (preferably 750-1,000 words);

2. a current Form AID 302-3, Offeror Information for Personal Services Contract - attached to this solicitation;

3. a current resume or curriculum vitae;

4. a cover letter, not to exceed three pages, addressing how the applicant meets the Required

Qualifications and addresses the Evaluation Criteria and Selection Factors outlined above;

5. any other documents (certificates, awards, copies of degrees earned, etc.) that address the qualification requirements of the position as listed above, and a list of three (3) to five (5) references with complete contact information, including email address and telephone numbers.

Submittals should be sent to USAID/Tanzania PSC Applications mailbox, at daressalaampscsap@usaid.gov.

Note: To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, applicants must prominently reference the Solicitation Number in the application submission.

VII. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRES

Once the 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 (SF-85). and

4. Fingerprint Card (FD-258)

VIII. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a Resident Hire PSC is normally authorized the following benefits: c

1. Employer’s FICA Contribution*

2. Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

3. Pay Comparability Adjustment

4. Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation)

5. Eligibility for Worker’s Compensation

6. Annual and Sick Leave

*NOTE: As a US citizen or US resident (Green Card holder), the Contractor’s salary will be subject to employee’s FICA and Medicare contribution.

IX. TAXES

Resident Hire USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes under the foreign earned income exclusion.

X. ACQUISITION & ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDS) AND

CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBS) PERTAINING TO PSCs

A. 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

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

C. 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

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