72066321R00016 - USPSC solicitation - Senior Election and Democracy Advisor edits SG.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: 72066323R000016

ISSUANCE DATE: 06/22/2023/2023

CLOSING DATE/TIME: 07/21//2023, 5pm (EAT)

SUBJECT: Solicitation for a U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) – Senior Elections and Democracy 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 72066323R00016

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72066323R00016

2. ISSUANCE DATE: 06/22/2023

3. CLOSINGDATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: 07/21//2023, 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 addisusaidjobs@usaid.gov.

5. POSITION TITLE: Senior Elections and Democracy Advisor.

6. MARKET VALUE: $99,908 to $129,878, 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: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 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 years with three-year options to extend.

Extensions will be contingent on satisfactory performance, continued need for the services and availability of funds. No PSC contract may exceed a five-year period of performance. Estimated to start on 12/02/2023.

The base period will be 12/02/2023 – 12/01/2025. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise additional one-year option period for a maximum of four years, as noted below:

Base Period: 12/02/2023 – 12/01/2025

Option Period 1: 12/02/2025 – 12/01//2026

Option Period 2: 12/02/2026 – 12/01//2027

Option Period 3: 12/02/2027 – 12/01//2028

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens

● 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.

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:

The Senior Elections and Democracy Advisor is responsible for helping to oversee USAID elections assistance, coordinating elections assistance activities with other donors, and leading a USAID team of one to two local elections experts. In addition, s/he advises on broader democracy issues, with a focus on those that impact political and electoral processes and progress toward democratic development. As a member of the Office of Democracy and Governance (ODG), the Advisor reports to the ODG Director and participates in high-level and technical meetings with participants from the

US Embassy, international organizations and foreign embassies, Government of Ethiopia (GOE), and private and non-governmental organizations.

The incumbent serves as the Senior Elections and Democracy Advisor to USAID/Ethiopia under the immediate supervision of the Office of Democracy and Governance (ODG) Director. This position is the key leader for USAID in assisting other agencies/departments at post to understand the impact of elections and contentious political processes on broader democratic development, peaceful governance, and progress toward development goals. The position provides technical expertise and program management to USAID/Ethiopia and includes advising USAID teams across the mission on democratic development approaches. The incumbent will work closely with ODG Foreign Service

National (FSN) staff members also engaged in elections and political processes, and democracy programming.

2. Statement of Duties to be Performed:

USAID partners with local civil society organizations (CSOs), government institutions, political parties, media, and other actors in Ethiopia to support democratic development, good governance, and peaceful political processes. Ethiopia is currently facing a complex series of political challenges including ongoing conflict, national dialogue and transitional justice initiatives, outstanding local elections, and increased polarization of regions and constituencies in national political processes.

USAID has prioritized assisting Ethiopia to further increase democratic space and an engaged citizenry, improve human rights and rule of law, and support government transparency and accountability. Well-functioning governance structures, trusted institutions, and an open political system with a robust role for civil society can only serve to strengthen the country’s stability and its democratic trajectory. Ethiopia’s transition to a stable multi-party and participatory democracy remains a long-term U.S. foreign policy objective and a focus of its engagement.

Specific responsibilities will include but not be limited to the following:

Technical Expertise (40%)

1. Provides expertise and technical guidance on electoral strengthening approaches including

USAID best practices and innovations in the field. Specific areas include:

a. Capacity building and operational support for government electoral bodies as they implement national, regional, and local elections including technically complex issues such as voter registration, delimitation of district boundaries, electoral administration field operations, public outreach and communications, logistics, security coordination, and electoral dispute resolution.

b. Civil society strengthening related to electoral and political processes engagement including voter education and nonpartisan observation. Within nonpartisan observation, provide specific guidance on observer recruitment, training, and deployment, long-term observation, short-term observation, electoral observation reporting and communication, and network management, among others.

c. Political party electoral strategies and operations including candidate recruitment and selection, campaigning and messaging, poll watching, and voter outreach.

d. Electoral issues and approaches to strengthen inclusion of marginalized voices in the electoral process including women, youth, internally displaced persons, and persons with disabilities.

2. Provide expertise on impact of and opportunities for engagement around ongoing and emerging political and democratic processes, including national and regional dialogue, constitutional reform, national-level policy discussions, government reform, among others.

3. Provide expertise in longer-term democratic development approaches to support key stakeholders and an enabling environment for democratic and competitive elections and peaceful political processes including:

a. Civil society strengthening approaches to bolster research, communication, networking and advocacy approaches.

b. Political party development approaches to bolster party policies and platforms, outreach, internal democratic processes, inclusion, and consensus-building and negotiation.

c. Media capacity building and programming to support peaceful elections and democratic processes, including fact checking and media literacy.

d. Key government institutions to strengthen their engagement in and/or support for peaceful elections and democratic processes, including support for civil society, transparency and accountability, advocacy, dialogue, and promotion of participatory democracy.

4. Provide expertise in elections administration best practice to the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) and other GOE agencies, the USG interagency Ethiopian elections support team, ODG, USAID elections implementing partners, other donors and international organizations supporting the administration and oversight of elections in

Ethiopia.

5. Provide technical advisory support to ODG on the engagement of national and international stakeholders in USAID/Ethiopia’s electoral support and political processes activities.

6. Conduct research and advise other sector teams to inform strategy and program design and management. Work with other offices within the Mission to generate synergies and complementary activities.

7. Support and contribute to the drafting and submission of regular USAID strategic, planning and reporting documents, including but not limited to strategy statements, the

Operational Plan, Semi-Annual Reviews and Annual Reports; cable writing; and ad hoc requests for updates and reports from ODG and Mission leadership and the broader US

Embassy in Ethiopia, and USAID and State Department in Washington.

Program Design and Management (40%)

1. Lead team of one to two local elections and democratic development experts in the design and management of elections and political processes assistance programming for Ethiopia.

2. Serve as Contracting/Agreement Officer’s Representative (COR/AOR) and/or Activity

Manager for projects as agreed with the Office Director and the Office of Acquisition and

Assistance, managing projects within the total portfolio valued at $34 million.

3. Provide technical oversight for ODG’s elections and political processes portfolio, including related engagements for USAID/Ethiopia. This includes reviewing budget requests for appropriateness, providing advice for realignments of budgets, and assisting the Office Director to align portfolio activities with Ethiopia’s socio-political realities.

4. Provide support to other ODG activities including rule of law, civic engagement, and human rights, among others. This includes reviewing work plans and proposals, advising on budget and operational considerations of activities, and assisting with overall portfolio integration and alignment for political processes and democratic development considerations.

Coordination and Communication (20%)

1. Identify and build synergies related to political processes and democracy between

USAID/DRG, Embassy PAS, State/DRL, and other USG entities and the plans and strategies of other donor partners, regional entities, and GOE programs, as appropriate.

2. As required, provide in-depth briefings on areas of responsibility to the interagency, Mission Director and Ambassador, as well as other Mission staff.

3. Maintain effective working relationships with and represent USAID to senior representatives of GOE ministries/agencies and state officials, Ethiopian civil society, and bilateral and multilateral donors in areas of programmatic responsibility.

4. Participate in donor coordination working groups to share expertise and coordinate programming priorities

3. USAID Consultation or Orientation - NA

4. Supervisory Relationship:

Incumbent reports directly to the USDH FS-01 Democracy and Governance Office Chief. S/he may receive guidance from senior Mission management as the situation warrants. The Senior Elections and Democracy Advisor will be expected to show strong independent initiative and work with minimal supervision.

5. Supervisory Controls:

The incumbent may manage up to two FSN employees.

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: A minimum of a master’s degree in political science, law, human rights, public policy, public administration, international relations, or a related field. Evidence that the applicant is actively engaged in maintaining an updated knowledge/skill set in the advancement of theory and practice in the relevant field.

WORK EXPERIENCE: A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in the design and management of development programs, at least five of which have included specific and extensive involvement in international development and election administration is required.

DESIRED: Prior work or consultative experience with USAID or other bilateral or multilateral development agencies. Prior work experience with the Government of Ethiopia and/or Ethiopian non-governmental organizations.

III. 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.

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.

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

WORK EXPERIENCE (10 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 (40 points): Demonstrated expert knowledge and understanding of elections and political processes, with deep expertise in international best practices in effective elections administration, including civil and voter registration reform. Demonstrated knowledge of and experience working on elections and democratic programs in other African countries preferred. Demonstrated outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a complex multi-national effort to build consensus around critical elections administration reform decisions and foster collective, coordinated action to implement decisions and successfully advance election administration reform.

Demonstrated experience in chairing and facilitating meetings and/or public speaking and presentations. Ability to demonstrate relationship development, negotiation, advocacy, and consensus building experience with donors, other development partners, and host-government officials.

Demonstrated knowledge of and expertise in the theory, tools and practice of democratic development and electoral assistance, and the proven ability to apply this knowledge and expertise effectively in real-life situations. Demonstrated experience in strategy and policy formulation, particularly in the areas of elections and political processes.

INTERVIEW PERFORMANCE (30 points)

WRITTEN TEST (10 points)

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 and writing test. 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, interview performance, and written test. USAID/Ethiopia 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.

IV. 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 addisusaidjobs@usaid.gov and the email subject must say

72066321R00016 – Senior Elections and Democracy 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 Ethiopia time 5 p.m.

(Local Ethiopia, Addis Ababa 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.

V. 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.

VI. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES

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

https://www.usaid.gov/forms https://www.usaid.gov/forms

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) 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)

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

0001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe

Benefits and Other Direct Costs

(ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

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

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

1 LOT $ _TBD__ $_TBD at

Award after negotiations with

Contractor_

1001 Option Period 1 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs

(ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

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

-Accounting Info: [insert from

Phoenix/GLAAS]

1 LOT $ _TBD__ $_TBD at

Award after negotiations with

Contractor_

2001 Option Period 2 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs

(ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

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

-Accounting Info: [insert from

Phoenix/GLAAS]

1 LOT $ _TBD__ $_TBD at

Award after negotiations with

Contractor_

3001 Option Period 3 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs

(ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

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

-Accounting Info: [insert from

Phoenix/GLAAS]

1 LOT $ _TBD__ $_TBD at

Award after negotiations with

Contractor_

4001 Option Period 3 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs

(ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

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

-Accounting Info: [insert from

Phoenix/GLAAS]

1 LOT $ _TBD__ $_TBD at

Award after negotiations with

Contractor_

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.

END OF SOLICITATION

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The U.S. Mission in Ethiopia 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/Ethiopia 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.

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