SOL-72068720R00009 Governance Advisor.docx

SOL-687-HR-18-001

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) Governance Advisor

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development Mission to Madagascar (USAID/Madagascar), is seeking offers from qualified persons to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation.

Offers must be in accordance with the information in the Attachment 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 Attachment.

Sincerely, Debbie Jackson Contracting Officer

SOLICITATION#72068720R00009

U.S. Agency for International Development

C/O AMERICAN EMBASSY

B.P. 5253 – Antananarivo 101

MADAGASCAR

Tel: 261 20 23 480 00 Fax: 261 20 23 480 35 www.usaid.gov

ATTACHMENT

Solicitation for USPSC Governance Advisor, GS-15 equivalent

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER 72068720R00009

2. ISSUANCE DATE February 13, 2020

3. CLOSING DATE March 1, 2020

FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS

5. POSITION TITLE Governance Advisor

6. MARKET VALUE: From $109,366 to $142,180 per annum equivalent to GS-15. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 10 months, estimated to start on June 15, 2020

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Antananarivo Madagascar With possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: This vacancy is open to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent U.S. residents.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret Security Clearance

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

A. Background The USAID Madagascar Mission is in a phase of expansion following the 2009-13 political crisis and subsequent downgrading of USAID presence to Country Office status. While a limited number of emergency and development assistance awards deemed humanitarian in nature were authorized to continue during the crisis period, the number and nature of development programs has gradually increased in the subsequent years, with a concurrent increase in technical offices from one to three. The Health, Population and Nutrition (HPN) Office is now complemented by the Sustainable Economic and Environmental Development Office (SEED), which encompasses biodiversity conservation and private sector engagement activities, and the Integrated Development and Emergency Assistance (IDEA) Office overseeing Food for Peace development programming. As the lead on emergency response for the host country population, the IDEA Office Chief also serves as the Mission Disaster Response Officer (MDRO) and the Civil-Military Coordinator (MC2), and coordinates with Food for Peace and the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) to ensure harmonious emergency response interventions for Madagascar and the Comoros.

Led by a General Development Officer (GDO) and staffed by four Cooperating Country National (CCN) technical specialists and one CCN project management specialist, the IDEA Office has recently absorbed the nascent democracy and governance (DG) portfolio and is the lead in advocating for the Mission’s re-entry into the basic education sector in the ongoing Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) process (anticipated to be completed in June 2020). Three CCN technical specialists are seasoned activity managers for the Food for Peace portfolio, and one is dedicated to the startup and management of a $22 million, five-year DG award anticipated to launch in mid-2020. The Mission’s near absence from the DG sector over the past decade necessitates the development and implementation of a vision and strategy for re-engagement in the DG sector, to include reasserting the USG’s role in influencing strategic policy dialogue and developing the range of stakeholder relationships required to remain informed and relevant in the sensitive and complex DG sphere in Madagascar. The outgoing GDO is departing in mid-June 2020 with her successor anticipated to assume his duties in December 2020. In the interim, the Mission seeks an experienced Governance Advisor to support the effective startup of the DG portfolio (with particular emphasis on developing and implementing an approach to strategic re-engagement in the sector), while providing leadership support to the seasoned Food for Peace (FFP) CCN team in administrative, strategic, and other needs as required, and serving as the MDRO and MC2 as needed.

B. General Responsibilities

The Governance Advisor will serve as the Interim IDEA Office Chief, MDRO and MC2. The overall responsibilities of the IDEA Office Chief are to provide leadership, vision and professional guidance to USAID/Madagascar and the U.S. Mission as a whole in the broad area of democracy and governance, and to empower the FFP CCN technical team to contribute technical expertise regarding disaster response/risk reduction and all aspects of food security such as agriculture/rural livelihoods, malnutrition treatment and prevention, natural resource management, food for assets infrastructure work, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH). The Mission’s FFP development and emergency portfolios are well-established and the FFP CCN team are prepared to carry out their responsibilities with only minimal oversight and guidance. That said, the Governance Advisor will be expected to conduct general office management and administration duties for all team members, as well as to set the general strategic vision, represent all elements of the portfolio to senior management and external stakeholders, and intervene to support smooth program operations (including for emergency programming if the need arises). To this end, the Governance Advisor will also assume the MDRO role, as well as that of MC2.

Aside from general office administration and leadership, the Governance Advisor’s primary responsibility role will be to guide the Mission’s re-engagement in the DG sector. The work is highly complex, and the political environment requires a high degree of sensitivity and diplomacy in establishing dialogue and developing programs that enhance the policy and institutional environment for improved democratic government effectiveness and rule of law. The incumbent requires a depth of technical expertise and program management skills that will allow him/her to provide leadership on these and other policy issues, meeting and collaborating on a regular basis with senior USAID and Embassy officers, other donors, high-level Government of Madagascar (GOM) officials, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international organizations, and the private sector. His/her management decisions require the ability to identify, assess, understand, and systematize complex issues as they relate to Madagascar’s broader economic, educational, cultural, and political realities that can lead to important changes or adaptations to national policies in the DG sphere.

The incumbent will serve as interim leader of the IDEA Office. As a member of the Mission’s senior management team, s/he contributes to the overall U.S. Government goal to support the country’s development to ensure that all Malagasy citizens are able to benefit from democracy, peace, security, and economic and social opportunities. S/he is the Mission’s chief technical expert and resource person on democracy and governance, including anti-corruption/rule of law, the justice system, civic education and decentralization. S/he engages in policy dialogue with senior Government of Madagascar officials, other donors and international organizations. S/he represents USAID in donor groups where s/he is responsible for ensuring the coordination of USG and other donor policies and investments and coordinates closely with USAID/Southern Africa regional mission and USAID/Washington. The team leader occupies a high profile and important position in USG foreign assistance to Madagascar. S/he provides policy recommendations, as well as strategic and tactical advice, to the USAID Mission Director and Ambassador, while overseeing program planning, development and management within the IDEA Office. In addition to supervising his/her own staff, the incumbent periodically provides direction and advice to professionals from other USAID teams regarding democracy and governance or cross-sectoral initiatives.

The Governance Advisor directly supervises a staff of five CCNs and manages an annual portfolio of approximately $22 million, including $17 million for Food for Peace development activities and $5 million for democracy and governance activities.

C. Duties and Responsibilities

Program Design and Management

1. Manages personnel and financial resources allowed to the Democracy and Governance program and provides administrative supervision of the program on behalf of USAID/Madagascar management.

2. Manages personnel (and limited financial resources) allowed to the Food for Peace and Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance programs and provides administrative supervision of the program on behalf of USAID/Madagascar and the Food for Peace Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) in the Bureau for Humanitarian Affairs in Washington.

3. Provides technical expertise to influence policies and assure alignment with Government of Madagascar development objectives, other donor programs, and other USG programs and foreign policy priorities.

4. Provides technical expertise on Governance and Food Security (maternal and child health and nutrition, WASH, agriculture etc.) program integration with programs in the Health, Population and Nutrition Office and the Sustainable Environmental and Economic Development Office.

5. Actively collaborates with other senior managers to identify and leverage opportunities, respond to challenges, and solve problems. Takes an active interest in the work of other technical offices to maximize resource use, make programmatic linkages, encourages staff to collaborate with other teams and offices to promote a Mission-wide team spirit and improve communication.

6. Responsible for the overall planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of this portfolio.

7. As a recognized expert in his/her field, conceptualizes and implements the Mission’s Democracy and Governance sector re-engagement strategy.

8. Takes the lead in preparation of portfolio reviews, annual reports, Congressional Budget Justifications, and other reporting requirements.

9. Coordinates the input of team members and contributes directly to monitoring implementation of IDEA Office activities, reviewing work plans and quarterly/annual reports, tracking adherence to the FFP monitoring plan, identifying key progress indicators, and undertaking field monitoring and data collection for reporting on progress of activities.

Strategic Leadership, Technical Advice and Policy Dialogue

1. Establishes and maintains productive working relationships with senior GOM, donor, and other development partner organizations up to the level of Minister. Establishes close links to sector leaders, international organizations, relevant associations or businesses, and Malagasy civil society organizations. Represents USAID and the U.S. Mission to Madagascar in a variety of representational events and activities.

2. Drawing on his/her broad technical expertise, represents USAID in donor technical working groups as well as other donor-Government of Madagascar working groups and task forces, and is responsible for ensuring the coordination of USAID policies and investments with those of other donors. Participates and leads multi-donor discussions of significance to Madagascar governance reform and coordinated donor efforts to effect reforms.

3. Provides advice and recommendations as required to the USAID/Madagascar Mission Director, the U.S. Ambassador, and other senior USG officials regarding the formulation and implementation of USG strategy for effecting policy reform as well as short- and long-term development assistance programs in these sectors.

4. Develops and coordinates strategies and implementation approaches to achieve results for the USAID/Madagascar governance program within the overall Madagascar development context. Coordinates efforts and strategies with other USAID/Madagascar offices and draws on the resources of other USG departments, USAID/W, the U.S. Embassy in Madagascar, regional and national associations, multilateral and bilateral donor agencies, and international and Malagasy NGOs working in the governance sector. Makes decisions or recommendations that may significantly change important public policies and programs. Due to the quickly evolving nature of the field, these decisions often involve largely imperfectly defined areas and require extensive probing, consultation, and analysis to determine the scope of the problem and potential solutions. Continuing changes in the program will likely be required due to rapidly changing knowledge, technological developments and/or conflicting requirements.

5. Coordinates the DG and food security contributions to USAID/Madagascar’s strategic planning and reporting, including assistance in formulating and implementing USAID’s annual Operational Plan and Performance Plan and Report.

6. Serves as a link between the Mission, senior Malagasy Government officials, and USAID implementing partners in the area of democracy and governance. Liaises with other USAID offices which may be impacted by governance and rule of law issues, as well as with multilateral and bilateral donors.

D- Supervisory Relationship

The incumbent Plans and organizes the work of the IDEA Office with minimal direct supervision, and reviews the work from the standpoint of achievement of overall objectives in the areas for which the incumbent is accountable to the Mission Director, to whom s/he directly reports.

E- Supervision/Oversight Over Others

The incumbent will exercise the full range of normal supervision over all IDEA CCN team members. Has final responsibility for the technical and managerial performance of subordinates, as well as their conformance with policy, regulations, and procedures. Initiates or reviews proposals for all types of personnel actions affecting subordinates.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

a. Education Master’s degree in a field relevant to the duties described above such as political science, law, international development, or a related discipline.

b. Relevant Work Experience

· Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience at an advanced management level, demonstrating sound and independent judgment, leadership and interpersonal skills, and ability to strategize, develop and effectively implement programs.

· Minimum of 5 years professional experience in international development, with strong experience and background in areas such as democratic political development, governance strengthening, rule of law, anti-corruption, justice system strengthening, government capacity building/training, civic participation, civic education and/or sustainable development.

· Professional experience demonstrating management abilities, including: management of teams; ability to prioritize activities and implement numerous assignments concurrently; respond quickly, effectively and flexibly to wide-ranging requests; and operate effectively in a cross-cultural setting.

· Experience supervising and/or leading teams of professionals.

c. Language Proficiency

Level IV English (fluent) and level III French ability are required.

d. Clearances

· The ability to obtain a Department of State medical clearance (Class 1) in a timely manner.

· The ability to obtain Secret clearance.

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. The Contracting Officer (CO) reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors 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 offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers. FAR provisions of this solicitation are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

Offerors who meet the minimum qualifications will be further evaluated, through their offer packages, based on the factors listed below. Offerors must address each factor on a separate sheet describing specifically the experience, training, and/or education that s/he has relevant to each factor. The hiring panel may conduct interviews of the most highly ranked candidates before making a selection recommendation to the CO. The successful candidate will be selected based on a review of his/her qualifications, work experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities; interview if applicable; and the results of reference checks. The hiring panel may check references that have not been specifically identified by applicants and may check references before or after a candidate is interviewed.

Education (15 points)

· Additional points will be given to a degree above the Master’s degree in a field relevant to the duties described above such as political science, law, international development, or a related discipline.

· In cases of exceptional work experience, other relevant graduate degrees and/or work experience will be taken into consideration.

Prior Relevant and Overseas Work Experience (30 points)

· Additional points will be given to relevant work experience above 7 years.

· Strong experience at an advanced management level, demonstrating sound and independent judgment, leadership and interpersonal skills, and ability to strategize, develop and effectively implement programs.

· Strong professional experience in international development, with strong experience and background in areas such as democratic political development, governance strengthening, rule of law, anti-corruption, justice system strengthening, government capacity building/training, civic participation, civic education and/or sustainable development.

· Professional experience related to personnel and project management, monitoring and evaluation, and additional technical experience in any of the above areas is also highly desirable.

· Strong professional experience demonstrating management abilities, including: management of teams; ability to prioritize activities and implement numerous assignments concurrently; respond quickly, effectively and flexibly to wide-ranging requests; and operate effectively in a cross-cultural setting.

Knowledge (25 points)

· Broad knowledge of international development programs and policies relating to governance strengthening and rule of law.

· In-depth knowledge and skill in conceptualizing programming, policies, and plans, and developing strategies for their implementation.

· Demonstrated ability to influence government priorities and direction to ensure the emergence of a conducive enabling environment for governance strengthening and sustainable development in Madagascar.

Skills and Abilities (30 points)

· Demonstrated ability to assess priority host country political and governance development assistance needs and to negotiate with highest level government officials on sensitive political, policy and country program priorities is required.

· Excellent analytical ability to interpret public policies and assist in the development of revised policies, as required, that improve the enabling environment for governance strengthening and rule of law.

· Ability to effectively motivate and supervise staff, understand basic human needs, respect national pride and sensitivity of others. The candidate must demonstrate the ability to work on his/her own, as a member of a team or office, and as a mentor to junior staff, proactively working to achieve consensus on policy, project and administrative matters.

· Strong interpersonal skills and a proven ability to engage productively with colleagues at all levels are paramount, and to work in a multicultural setting.

· Excellent verbal communication skills, tact and diplomacy to make and maintain productive contacts with senior Malagasy Government, non-governmental, and private sector officials. Verbal communication skills are also needed to advise senior officials, negotiate activity plans and resolve activity implementation issues with counterparts, partners and team members.

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

· Good computer skills are highly desirable to manage activity goals and achievements, both program and financial.

Total possible points = 100

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

1. AID 309-2, Offeror Information For Personal Services Contract Form

Eligible offerors are required to complete and submit a hand-signed form AID 309-2, “Offeror Information For Personal Services Contracts”, available at the USAID website, on www.usaid.gov/forms. Offerors are required to sign and scan the certification at the end of the form.

2. Resume/Curriculum Vitae

Offerors will submit a resume or a curriculum vitae containing the following information:

a) Personal Information: Full name, mailing address (with zip/postal code), email address, day and evening phone numbers, and if applicable highest federal civilian grade held (also give job series and dates held);

b) Education: date of diploma or GED; colleges and universities, name, city and state, majors, type and year of any degrees received (if no degree, show total credits earned and indicate whether semester or quarter hours);

c) Work Experience: provide the following information for each of your paid and non-paid work experience related to the job for which you are applying: job title (include series and grade if federal job), duties and accomplishments (do not send job descriptions), employer’s name and address, supervisor’s name and phone number, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours per week, salary. Indicate if we may contact your current supervisor. In addition, offerors should highlight or make special note of relevant significant awards and achievements. This may include information that was listed in the AID 309-2 form.

3. Appendix

Supplemental document specifically addressing the selection factors listed in the solicitation. Include other pertinent information related to the qualifications required for the position, such as job-related training courses (title and year), job-related skills, job-related certificates and licenses (current only), job-related honors, awards, and special accomplishments, for example, publications, memberships in professional or honor societies, leadership, activities, public speaking and performance awards (give dates but do not send documents unless requested).

4. Reference Persons

Offerors are required to provide five (5) reference persons who are not family members or relatives, with working titles, working telephones and email contacts. The references must be able to provide substantive information about offerors past performance and abilities. Reference checks will be made only for offerors considered as finalists. If an offeror does not wish for the current employer to be contacted as a reference check, this should be stated in the offeror’s AID 309-2 form and/or resume. The interviewing committee will delay such reference check pending communication with the offeror.

SUBMISSION OF OFFER

· Offers must be submitted to the email address: antananarivoUSAIDHR@usaid.gov

· Subject line of your email should read: “Governance Advisor [your name]”

· Email attachments should be in Adobe Acrobat Reader format (.pdf) and/or Word format (.doc or .docx)

· Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3.

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

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

· DS 6561, Pre-Assignment for Overseas Duty for Non-Foreign Service Personnel. Found at http://www.state.gov/m/med/c35188.htm

· OF-306, Declaration of Federal Employment

· SF-85, Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions, or

· SF-86, Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions for National Security

· SF-87, Finger Print Card

· AID 500-4, Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1970, as Amended

· AID 6-85, Foreign Activity Data

· OF-126, Residence and Dependency Report

· SF-144, Statement of Prior Service - Worksheet

VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

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

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 (if applicable):

Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas), available at https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101

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

(b) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(c) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

(d) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(e) Education Travel (Section 280)

(f) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

(g) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600).

VII. TAXES

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

VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs

USAID regulations and policies governing USPSC awards are available at these sources:

1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix D, “Direct USAID Contracts with a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf .

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

Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract award as described below:

LINE ITEMS

ITEM

NO

(A)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES

(DESCRIPTION)

(B)

QUANTITY

(C)

UNIT

(D)

(F)

and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

Award after

- Award Type: Cost negotiations

- Product Service Code: R497 with

- Accounting Info: 687FF20

Contractor_

PROG AREA: HA.1

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.

· AAPD 18-05: Designation of USPSCs and CCNPSCs as Contracting Agreement Officers

· AAPD 18-02: Changes to the Medevac Policy for USPSCs and TCNPSCs

· AAPD 15-02: REVISED Extends Implementation Of The USAID Policy For Leave And Holidays, Including Family And Medical Leave

· AAPD10-01: Changes in USG Reimbursement Amounts For Health Insurance And Physical Examination Costs

· AAPD 06-10: PSC Medical Expense Payment

· AAPD06-08: Using the Optional Schedule to Incrementally Fund Contracts

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 IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER AND 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.

END OF SOLICITATION

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