Regional PTE Advisor Statement of Work.docx

ATTACHMENT I – STATEMENT OF WORK

STATEMENT OF WORK

REGIONAL PROGRAMMING, TRAINING, AND EVALUATION (PT&E) ADVISOR

1. Background

a. Summary The role of the Regional PT&E Advisor (RA) is to provide assistance in developing appropriate strategies for programming, training, and evaluation for posts in the Inter-America and Pacific (IAP) Region, Africa Region, or Europe, Mediterranean and Asia Region, and for supporting staff development of program and training staff at posts in Region of assignment.

The RA is a member of the Region’s Program, Training and Evaluation Unit (PTEU), and will contribute to the Region and PTEU’s strategic planning, implementation and evaluation.

The RA will provide high-quality training, consultation, and support that is appropriate to the needs of each post in order to build their capacity to design, implement, monitor, and evaluate programming, training and evaluation systems. The RA may be asked to respond to additional requests for assistance in areas such as strategic planning, team building, and may provide staff coverage.

The RA reports to, and is supervised by, the Regional Chief of Programming and Training. The duties will be carried out in consultation with the Chief of Programming and Training, as well as Country Directors (CDs), Directors of Programming and Training (DPTs), Program Managers (PMs), and Training Managers (TMs) in Region posts.

b. Location of Assignment

Depending on the citizenship/permanent residency of the selected candidate, the position can either be:

· Based at the principal Peace Corps office in a country in the Region of assignment (i.e. “primary country of assignment” -- TBD). Relocation expenses will not be covered. From there, travel is estimated at 60-70% of the time to provide programming, training, and evaluation support to posts across the entire region. Or

· Travel estimated at 100% of the time to provide programming, training, and evaluation support to posts across the entire region.

The RA will be assigned to a post for all working days of their contract.

c. Reference Materials

US Government-wide and Peace Corps-specific laws, regulations, rules, policies, procedures, and guidance. This includes the Peace Corps Manual and associated referenced documents and other guidance published on the Peace Corps Intranet.

All Peace Corps-post specific documents applicable to the position, which may include: Integrated Planning and Budget System (IPBS), Project Status Reports (PSRs), Training Status Reports (TSRs), Volunteer Assignment Descriptions (VADs), Job Specific Requests (JSRs), Initiative Reports (IRs), Quarterly Trainee Requests Submissions (QTRSs), Monitoring and Evaluation Plans (M&E Plans), the specific development and operational plans of the Host Country Government, and project plans for Peace Corps project, and the Peace Corps/Country Volunteer Guide to Policies and Procedures.

2. Major Duties and Responsibilities

a. Programming Analysis, Guidance, and Management

Provides expert advice and guidance on project and program design, management, and evaluation. Guidance requires extensive interpretation for many different and unrelated program processes and methods. Supports posts in implementing guidance from Peace Corps’ Program, Training, Evaluation Alignment (PTEA) strategy.

Evaluates programming activities to ensure that the projects and assignments of the Peace Corps Volunteers are in line with Agency priorities, consistent with Peace Corps’ approach to development, and serve the needs of the country. Recommends and/or implements changes or adjustments as required. Gathers and disseminates "best practices" from posts as available.

In coordination with the Chief of Programming & Training for Region, relevant staff at posts and in other units of Peace Corps/Headquarters (Peace Corps/HQ), works with posts to strengthen projects by conducting project reviews as needed. In collaboration with the appropriate HQ and Post stakeholders, devises a project review plan, reviews project documentation, participates in meetings and briefings with partner agencies, ministries and/or government officials, and interviews Volunteers and their counterparts. Presents findings to the CD and programming staff, facilitates action planning sessions, and provides the post with finalized recommendations for project enhancement.

Analyzes and prepares reports on posts' activities in the Inter-America and Pacific Region for the purpose of recommending interventions that strengthen program management.

b. Training Analysis, Guidance, and Management

Provides expert advice and guidance on training design, delivery, assessment, and evaluation for posts of assignment.

Evaluates training activities to ensure that trainings are consistent with Agency guidance, aligned with Peace Corps’ approach to development, and serve the needs of the country. Recommends and/or implements adjustments to training as required. Gathers and disseminates "best practices" from posts as available.

In collaboration with Peace Corps HQ and post stakeholders, facilitates training assessments and evaluations at posts to examine current training and operational methodologies across the 27-month training continuum including Pre-Service Training (PST) and In-Service Training (IST). Supports posts in implementing guidance from Peace Corps’ Program, Training, Evaluation Alignment (PTEA) strategy with regard to training implementation and trainee assessment, including the implementation of the Volunteer Competency Model (VCM) and the Training Design and Alignment (TDA)

Provides support and consultation to in-country training staff during the training design, Training of Trainers (TOT), and training delivery phases of PSTs and ISTs to incorporate the VCM and strengthen technical, language and cross-cultural training design and management.

Coordinates the collection and dissemination of training reference materials to assist in the provision of higher quality training to Volunteers directly and develops skills and confidence among training staff.

Works across posts and HQ stakeholders to contribute to a community of practice whereby participants are sharing best practices in training design and delivery that impact HQ training design and delivery at the Agency, Region and post level.

Analyzes and prepares reports on post activities for the purpose of recommending interventions that strengthen training design, delivery, assessment, and evaluation.

c. Staff Development

In collaboration with the Chief of Programming & Training, and relevant CDs and DPTs, assesses posts' staff development needs and directly provides staff development opportunities through training events, staff retreats, or mentoring to staff who are responsible for programming, training, and evaluation. Facilitates these trainings or identifies "cross post" or other regional resources to deliver the training.

Collaborates with the Chief of Programming & Training, other PC/HQ staff, and post P&T staff, to assist in the planning, organizing and facilitating of Regional staff development activities related to programming, training, and evaluation.

d. Operational Support

Supports overall staff activities such as staff retreats for strategic planning and team building according to posts’ needs. As needed, assists post in formulating programming, training and evaluation guidance for strategic planning, leads assessments and evaluations at individual posts to examine current programming, training and operational methods used, and makes recommendations to assist posts in implementing more effective methods.

Contributes to annual Regional IPBS reviews, Project Status Reports, Training Status Reports, and other relevant PTE system reports, and makes recommendations for resource allocation to meet post needs as aligned with Agency priorities.

Assists posts with the full implementation of Agency monitoring, reporting and evaluation systems, including developing appropriate project plan frameworks, objectives, indicators and assessment tools; implementing the Volunteer Reporting and Grants Tool (VRG) and training staff and Volunteers in its appropriate use.

Serves as back-up support for and/or carries out the duties and responsibilities of the Director of Program and Training (DPT) or other PTU staff members in the country of regular assignment or TDY assignment when deemed necessary by the Chief of Programming and Training for the successful management of Peace Corps operations in Country. For example, this could be during periods when those individuals are on leave and/or during lapses of staffing or periods of staffing shortages.

Prepares and submits reports on each post visit to, at a minimum, the CD, DPT, and the Chief of Programming & Training.

e. Safety and Security

Works with Country Director (CD) and Safety and Security Manager (SSM) and other staff to establish programming and training systems that maximize the safety and security of Volunteers. Assists the CD in the development and implementation of safety and security policies and procedures, especially in regards to site development, host family and counterpart selection and training site management. Manages the site development process to ensure prospective sites meet established programmatic and safety/security criteria. Assists CD, SSM and others to evaluate and assess post-specific security concerns and propose mitigating strategies as needed. Assists the CD in managing crises ranging from Volunteer crime incidents and natural disasters to civil unrest and emergency evacuations. . Oversees orientation and training for designated host country counterparts. Acts as duty officer, as needed. Knowledgeable and supportive of Peace Corps safety and security policies and procedures, including the timely reporting of suspicious incidents, persons or articles.

f. Other

The Contractor may be requested by the Peace Corps to a) perform one or more temporary assignments (TDYs) at another Peace Corps post or Headquarters, or b) transfer permanently to another Peace Corps post or Headquarters during the period of performance of this Contract. Any such TDY or transfer shall be subject to the agreement of the Contractor. If a transfer is approved, either the contract will be bi-laterally modified or a new contract will be awarded. If a transfer is approved and a new contract is awarded, the Statement of Work from this contract will be carried forward into any resulting new contract issued by the gaining post/Headquarters.

To the extent the Contractor is allowed to operate a U.S. government owned, leased, or rented vehicle (GOV) to perform their job duties, the Contractor must operate that vehicle safely at all times and only operate it for official business purposes as defined in 31 USC 1334 and Peace Corps Manual Section (MS) 522 Motor Vehicle Use and Insurance. The Contractor must also follow any post-specific policy/policies on the use GOVs – including complying with any medical and/or training requirements the policy/policies specify.

The Contractor is encouraged to refrain from texting or from engaging in any behavior that distracts attention from driving safely at any time. Except in an emergency situation, Contractor shall not text message (i) when driving a GOV; (ii) when driving a privately-owned vehicle (POV) while on official government business; or (iii) while using electronic equipment supplied by the government while driving any vehicle (even during off-duty hours).

The Contractor is required to follow any workplace health and/or safety rules indicated for their position specified in a Peace Corps policy/policies (whether implemented under a Peace Corps Manual or Procedures/Program thereunder, Interim Policy Statement, a Medical Technical Guideline, a Peace Corps Headquarters official notice, and/or a post-specific Policy or Management Notice) – including complying with any medical and/or training requirements the policy/policies specify.

Provides support for staff members and Volunteers in exceptional circumstances such as country evacuations.

Given that as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic there will be a lengthy period where there are likely to be limited or no Peace Corps Trainees and/or Volunteers (jointly referred to as “Volunteers”) at Peace Corps/post, the PSC may be temporarily assigned during the COVID-19 pandemic, as determined by the Peace Corps Director, to carry out additional duties and responsibilities in furtherance of the goals of the Peace Corps in order to enhance the ability of Peace Corps Volunteers to perform functions under the Peace Corps Act, including facilitating a safe environment in order for the successful return of Volunteers.

This temporary assignment may require the PSC to provide services and/or support beyond what is listed in their current Statement of Work (SOW). The services and/or support may take many forms, examples of which may include but are not limited to, training, providing administrative, technical, medical, and/or operational assistance, building on host country programs, etc. This temporary assignment also may require the PSC to provide these services and/or support to individuals/organizations other than those listed in their current SOW such as host country government, partner organization(s), community member(s), staff, and/or contractors. L. Performs other duties as assigned.

Performs other duties or assignments, when deemed necessary by the Chief of Programming & Training, for the successful management of Peace Corps operations in Country.

4. Roles and Responsibilities

The services to be performed shall be subject to the ultimate responsibility and authority of the Peace Corps Country Director, who is responsible for all Peace Corps activities in the host country. The RA is a member of the Region’s PTEU and is supervised by the Regional Chief of Programming & Training. The personal services contract is administered by the Overseas Contracting Officer at the post of assignment in accordance with the applicable policies and procedures.

The RA has no supervisory responsibilities, except during the periods when delegated as Acting DPT, then the following will apply:

· May be designated limited supervisory responsibilities if assigned by the Country Director and with the approval of the Regional Director. Personal Services Contractors (PSCs) may only supervise other PSCs. (See MS 732 and the Personal Services Contracts Chapter of the Overseas Contracting Handbook)

5. Logistics and Work Guidelines

Principal duty station is at the Peace Corps principal office in Country. Travel away from the office estimated at 60-70% of the time to provide programming, training, and evaluation support to posts across the entire region.

This is neither a remote position nor will telework be permitted beyond that permitted by the applicable Peace Corps policies/procedures regarding personal services contractor (PSC) telework.

RA may only use Peace Corps equipment and systems in accordance with the Peace Corps Country Policy on Peace Corps equipment and computer systems.

6. Level of Effort and Schedule

This is a contract for full-time work of 40 hours per week, with periods of increased work expected while away from the office on travel and during the periods when delegated as Acting DPT or covering for other post PTU staff. RA will adhere to the standard office schedule specified in the Peace Corps Country Staff Handbook unless otherwise on approved leave or working an approved alternative schedule. RA is expected to report for work on time and to work diligently on assigned Peace Corps duties and responsibilities during work hours.

7. Minimum Qualifications