Attachment 1_SOLICITATION 72016721R00006_Senior Program Office Advisor.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72016721R00006

ISSUANCE DATE: June 4, 2021

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: June 18, 2021, 17:00 PM Local Time (Kosovo)

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Services Contractor (USPSC) Senior Program Office Advisor

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking offers from qualified U.S. Citizens to provide personal services under contract as Senior Program Office Advisor 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.

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 Attachment 1.

Sincerely, Gëzim Hysenagolli Supervisory Executive Officer

ATTACHMENT 1

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72016721R00006

2. ISSUANCE DATE: June 4, 2021

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: June 18, 2021 by 17:00 pm Local Time (Kosovo)

4. POINT OF CONTACT: USAID/Kosovo Human Resources at

PristinaUSAIDHR@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Senior Program Office Advisor

6. MARKET VALUE: $110,460 - $143,598 equivalent to GS-15 per annum. The final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: This is an intermittent contract with a level of effort (LOE) not to exceed ten (10) months. The Personal Services Contract will commence o/a July 2021 through o/a July 2022.

Base Period: o/a July 2021 - July 2022

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Pristina, Kosovo

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facility Access

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

BACKGROUND: The USAID Mission in Kosovo was opened in July 1999 and much of the focus was on preparing Kosovo for independence and establishing basic institutions necessary for a democracy to function. During this period, Kosovo was established as an internationally administered region, administered by the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). Since 1999, over $1.2 billion in U.S.

assistance was committed to the reconstruction of Kosovo and to building self-governing institutions and a viable economy. In February 2008, Kosovo declared independence.

The creation of Europe’s newest state has proceeded on a forward path despite setbacks.

Starting from virtually zero, Kosovo today is a functioning state, with a functioning government and a society that is growing stronger and more self-confident. The handover process of Kosovo’s nascent institutions from UN control to the new Government of Kosovo (GOK) has highlighted the young state’s growing maturity and capacity.

USAID/Kosovo is presently a medium-sized Mission with 101 staff positions (17 USDHs, 6 USPSCs, and 78 CCNs). The Mission manages an active portfolio valued at approximately $140 million. The Mission is currently undertaking several major activities in which the Program and Policy Office (PPO) is leading or integrally involved.

mailto:PristinaUSAIDHR@usaid.gov mailto:PristinaUSAIDHR@usaid.gov

USAID/Kosovo’s PPO is responsible for coordinating the Mission’s overall programmatic portfolio, providing leadership in strategy development, supporting technical offices in program and budget operations, monitoring evaluation, and learning, reporting of results, and directing outreach efforts.

The Mission requires the services of a Senior Program Office Advisor (SPOA) with extensive and in-depth experience in international development, demonstrated management and leadership skills, and senior-level expertise in all areas related to the work of the Program Office. This includes strategy development, project design and development, performance monitoring and evaluation, the Federal Budget process (including budget planning, management and reporting) and outreach and communications. The individual will provide technical and programmatic support in all areas.

This scope of work is for services as defined below to commence o/a July 2021 through o/a July 2022 on an intermittent basis with a level of effort not to exceed ten (10) months.

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

Based in Pristina, the Senior Program Office Advisor (SPOA) reports directly to the Program and Policy Office Director or his/her designee. S/he will serve as an expert advisor on program design, management, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and learning.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES

A. Portfolio Planning and Management

• Support the USAID/Kosovo Mission strategic planning efforts, including advising the Mission on strategic direction based on Agency guidance and processes as well as program portfolio performance and context.

• Help ensure the coordination of programs, policies, objectives and priorities as it pertains to the ongoing implementation of the portfolio.

• Reviews or arranges to review proposals for new projects or activities.

• Supports the design and development of projects, activities, feasibility studies, analyses and evaluations.

• Assists the Program Office on semi-annual portfolio reviews of all Mission projects and activities.

• Supports the Program Office regarding ensuring adherence to the Foreign Assistance

(F), Agency, Europe and Eurasia Bureau, State/EUR/ACE and Mission policies and directives.

• Contributes to the preparation of the Mission’s annual Operational Plan, Performance Report, and other annual reports.

B. Management

• Provide support across the Program Office to ensure effective completion of Agency and/or Mission Program Cycle deliverables including but not limited to standard processes and Program Cycle tasks or last-minute information requests that may cut across the Program Cycle (strategy, budget, planning, monitoring evaluation and learning, VIP briefers, etc.) with short turn arounds.

• Effectively prioritize and contribute directly to the achievement of Program Office work efforts.

• Present to the Government of Kosovo and donors on USAID’s programs as-needed.

• Mentor Program Office staff on Program Cycle processes and tasks, especially project and activity design.

C. Reporting

• Assist with or be delegated to lead completion of annual reporting requirements and provide quality checks on various documents and processes such as new activity descriptions, annual reports, final reports and other documentation.

• Prepare/clear briefing papers, notes and presentations on the USAID/Kosovo portfolio.

• Contribute to development of and serve as lead for quality control of all Mission reports, including Operational Plans, Mission Resource Requests, Congressional Budget Justifications, portfolio reviews; semi-annual and annual reports; quarterly financial reports; quality assessments; site monitoring reports; etc. Help ensure quality, compliance with regulations and guidance, and clear and compelling representation of the USAID/Kosovo strategy and portfolio.

• Review documentation for quality assurance.

Position Elements

• Supervision Received /Exercised: The SPO Advisor will work under the general and specific supervision and policy guidance of the PPO Director or his/her designee. The PPO Director will review and approve his/her work plan and performance measures.

In carrying out specific assignments, the SPO Advisor will consult and work closely with the Program Officer, the other teams within USAID, the Government, other international donors, Department of State and other stakeholders. S/he is expected to work independently with limited guidance, take initiative, and support FSN staff as required.

• Available Guidelines: The SPO Advisor is required to understand and analyze

Mission and Agency specific policies. S/he must be proactive in keeping abreast of evolving guidelines and policies of the Program and Policy Office and the Mission, including but not limited to the Automated Directives System (ADS), Mission Orders, Mission Notices, USG Procurement regulations, and USAID and State Program Strategy and Policy Documents.

• Exercise of Judgment: A high degree of independent judgment is required in providing guidance and advice to the program office team and to Technical Offices, reviewing program documentation, and managing assigned programming actions and tasks such as coordinating input for the Operational Plan, Performance Plan Report, organizing portfolio reviews, or coordinating implementation of local solutions or client mission support.

• Authority to Make Commitments: None.

• Scope and Effect: Provides guidance and senior level advice to USAID/Kosovo to support technical teams on the relationship of projects to Development Objectives, works across several sectors to creatively identify common points of interest and best practices.

• Personal Contacts: Personal contacts include USAID/Kosovo staff, U.S. Embassy personnel, USAID/Kosovo implementing partners and other concerned stakeholders.

S/he must have the ability to represent USG interests by communicating effectively in English, using a great deal of tact, diplomacy, and technical knowledge as it pertains to senior management levels.

• Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts: Contacts are with senior management within and outside USAID. The contractor may advise and make recommendations to USAID staff, the USAID Mission Director(s), technical offices, implementing partners, and others in support of the Program and Policy Office in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all development projects.

• Physical Demands and Work Conditions: Under normal working conditions, the incumbent will be physically located at the U.S. Embassy in Pristina and will be expected to attend meetings and/or events. Travel to the field will be limited and, at times, can be physically demanding, including transport on unpaved roads. However, due to a current telework posture and potential shifting of such posture, the incumbent will follow Post’s existing policy at the time of performance.

• Complexity: There is a high amount of complexity in the work environment due to the complex political nature of the Mission’s portfolio in addition to the Program and Policy Office’s management of the entire Mission portfolio.

SUPERVISION AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervision received: The position will report to the Supervisory Program Officer or his/ her designee.

Supervision exercised: This is a non-supervisory position.

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

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Education: The applicant must have a bachelor’s degree in a field relevant to the duties described above such as in economics, business, international development, sociology, anthropology, management, public administration, or other related social sciences, or a related discipline. Master Degree preferred.

Prior Work Experience: A minimum of ten years of professional experience in strategy development, project design and implementation, and monitoring and evaluation, preferably for U.S. Government agencies.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of USG laws, policies, regulations and procedures related to international development assistance is desirable. S/he should have demonstrated experience in managing people, strategy design and writing, project design, development, program budgeting, the Federal budget process and budget planning, management and reporting systems, monitoring and evaluation. A working knowledge of the Balkan region, and transition economies is preferred. Excellent native English writing, editing and speaking skills, as well as an ability to process information from a wide variety of sources into cohesive, polished documents and/or presentations is required. Computer skills, including the development and management of spreadsheets, tracking systems, etc., and the ability to interpret, organize and present data to a variety of audiences preferred. Proven ability to mentor staff in project development skills required. Ability to work in teams and strong interpersonal skills are necessary.

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors 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 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. The FAR provisions referenced above are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

Education: (10 points) Prior Work Experience: (45 points) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: (45 points) 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 only shortlisted/finalist applicants will be interviewed or contacted.

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

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

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

3. Offeror submissions must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents.

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

Interested Offerors must submit all the materials required by the solicitation, which includes but is not limited to:

- A cover letter, inclusive of the candidate’s experience in the relevant field, which should address how the candidate meets each of the requirements, not to exceed three (3) pages.

- A current resume/curriculum vitae (CV) and three (3) to five (5) references, who are not family members or relatives, with telephone and email contact information. The references will be asked to provide a general assessment of the applicant's suitability for the position. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure submitted references are available to provide a written or verbal reference in a timely manner.

USAID/Kosovo reserves the right to obtain from previous employers, colleagues or others relevant information concerning the applicant's past performance and may consider such information in its evaluation.

The CV/resume must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the application in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria. Broad general statements that are vague or lacking specificity will not be considered as effectively addressing the particular selection criterion. USAID/Kosovo reserves the right to obtain relevant information from previous employers concerning the Offeror’s past performance and may consider such information in its evaluation.

- A completed and signed federal form AID 309-2. Applicants are required to sign the cover letter, the resume/CV, and the certification at the end of the AID 309-2.

Please note that incomplete and/or unsigned applications will NOT be considered.

(forms can be downloaded from: www.usaid.gov/forms/).

- Send complete applications to PristinaUSAIDHR@usaid.gov. Please cite the solicitation number and position title within the subject line of your email application. Any attachments provided via email shall be formatted in one single PDF document in the following order: (1) cover letter, (2) resume/CV (with references), and (3) signed

AID 309-2.

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award.

Requirements: The final selected offeror must be able to obtain security (Facility access, formerly known as Employment Authorization) and medical clearance for work within a reasonable time period. If such clearances are not obtained within a reasonable time or negative suitability issues are involved, any offer made may be rescinded.

VI. BENEFITS AND 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

(b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance http://www.usaid.gov/forms/

(c) Pay Comparability Adjustment

(d) Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation)

(e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

(f) Annual and Sick Leave

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

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:

Item No.

Services Quantity Amount

0001 Base Period – Compensation, Benefits, and other direct costs (ODCs) Award Type: Cost Product Service Code: R497 Accounting Info: TBD

1 TBD at award after negotiations with Contractor

1001 Option 1 Period – Compensation, Benefits, and other direct costs (ODCs) Award Type: Cost Product Service Code: R497 Accounting Info: TBD

1 TBD at award

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%Regulations https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101 https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%25Regulations

3. Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs. [The CO must check http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs to determine which AAPDs/CIBs apply and insert the relevant AIDAR deviation or other policy text as applicable by the type of USPSC.]

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.

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/workusaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman. The PSC Ombudsman may be contacted via: PSCOmbudsman@usaid.gov.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

USAID 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.

SUBJECT TO FUNDS AVAILABILITY

https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations https://www.usaid.gov/workusaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman https://www.usaid.gov/workusaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman mailto:PSCOmbudsman@usaid.gov