Senior Program and Policy Office Director_ 72016722R00003.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72016722R00003

ISSUANCE DATE: April 20, 2022

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: May 16, 2022, 17:00 PM Local Time (Kosovo)

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

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 and Policy Office Director 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: 72016722R00003

2. ISSUANCE DATE: April 20, 2022

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: May 16, 2022 by 17:00 pm Local Time (Kosovo)

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

PristinaUSAIDHR@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Senior Program and Policy Office Director

6. MARKET VALUE: $112,890 - $146,757 equivalent to GS-15 per annum. The final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: This is a full-time based contract with a performance period for up to one base year, with the possibility to extend for a second year, based on Mission’s needs. This is an immediate fill position.

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Pristina, Kosovo

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret Clearance

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

BACKGROUND:

USAID is the largest bilateral donor to Kosovo and plays a key role in advancing USG foreign policy and development goals. Since 1999, USAID has committed more than $1 billion of assistance to the reconstruction of Kosovo and to building self-governing institutions and a viable economy.

In February 2008, Kosovo declared independence from Serbia. Since 2013, these two nations have engaged in an EU-moderated Dialogue to resolve the many remaining issues that hinder Kosovo-Serb relations. Progress, however, remains slow, and lingering issues affecting access to affordable and reliable energy and the integrity of a multi-ethnic democracy, among other issues, continue to stymy regional stability.

Despite the status of the Dialogue, Kosovo today is a functioning state with a democratic government and a strong, growing, more self-confident civil society. The handover of Kosovo’s nascent institutions from UN control to the new Government of Kosovo (GOK) highlights this young state’s growing maturity and capacity. The USG continues to play an integral role in improving Kosovo’s relations with its neighbors and normalizing mailto:PristinaUSAIDHR@usaid.gov relations between Kosovo and Serbia that is centered on mutual recognition and supporting the people of Kosovo in maintaining a democratic, multiethnic, and prosperous sovereign state.

USAID plays an integral role in implementing the USG’s priorities and vision for Kosovo.

Constant and coordinated communication with senior Kosovo officials and effective cooperation across the interagency are essential components of USAID’s development agenda in Kosovo. The political complexities within and around Kosovo directly impact USAID’s programming on a day-to-day basis.

USAID/Kosovo manages a robust portfolio designed to help Kosovo become a just, prosperous, and inclusive democracy while advancing its aspirations for European Union (EU) and NATO membership. USAID programs address challenges and take advantage of opportunities to help Kosovo fight against corruption, strengthen the rule of law, create an independent judiciary, promote good governance, facilitate private-sector-led economic growth, develop its workforce, and combat climate change through decarbonization.

USAID’s FY21 budget was $32 million; the FY22 and FY23 budget requests include similar amounts. With this funding, USAID’s programs seek to strengthen and increase citizen demand for accountable institutions and promote robust democratic and economic opportunities for all of Kosovo’s citizens, with programming in economic growth and democracy and governance. The USAID/Kosovo team has 101 positions, comprising 19 direct hires, 4 USPSCs, and 78 Foreign Service Nationals, most with 15+ years of USAID experience. The Mission has eight offices: Program and Policy; Economic Growth;

Democracy and Governance; Financial Management; Regional Executive; Regional Acquisition & Assistance; Regional Legal, and the Director's Office. USAID/Kosovo also provides comprehensive regional support services (EXO, A&A, Legal) for USAID Missions and offices in four Balkan countries - Albania, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina - and Greenland.

USAID/Kosovo’s Program and Policy Office (PPO) is responsible for coordinating the Mission’s overall programmatic portfolio, which includes leading strategy development, supporting technical office operations, managing program monitoring, evaluation, and learning, reporting results, and directing programmatic communication and outreach. PPO also serves as the Secretariat of US Embassy Pristina’s Assistance Working Group (AWG), meaning the office is responsible for coordinating all USG assistance in Kosovo and ensuring that annual Embassy-wide reporting requirements are met.

The Mission requires the services of a Senior Officer to serve as the PPO Director. The incumbent should have 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 managing a complex office. This includes experience (1) effectively communicating USG strategies to various audiences, (2) coaching and mentoring staff from different technical backgrounds, (3) successfully working with and coordinating tasks across the interagency, (4) effectively communicating, especially in writing, the relationship between program results and policy goals, and, (5) presenting programming through various social media outlets. The individual should also have extensive and in-depth experience managing and coaching teams in multicultural settings.

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

Based in Pristina, the Senior Program and Policy Office Director (SPPOD) reports directly to the Mission Director or his/her designee. In support of the USAID/Kosovo Mission Director, the SPPOD will ensure quality, appropriate compliance with USG regulations and guidance, and the clear and compelling presentation of all documents and external communications including official outreach efforts for USAID policies, strategies, and programming. The SPPOD will serve as a mentor and coach to staff, including–but not limited to–members of the PPO, on public messaging, cross-office and interagency collaboration, interpreting and responding to policy related taskers, effective communications, and other facets that may require honing staff’s soft-skills. In coordination with the PPO Deputy Director, the SPPOD will provide oversight of program design, management, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and budgeting.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

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

A. Interagency Coordination and Strategic Communications

● Ensure the effective coordination of programs, policies, objectives and priorities as they pertain to the ongoing implementation of Mission, Agency, and USG strategies; ensure continued complementarity between USAID/Kosovo programming objectives, USG foreign policy objectives, and GOK development pillars.

● Facilitate effective coordination among Mission staff in the design, development and implementation of projects, activities, feasibility studies, analyses and evaluations, and outreach and communications.

● Facilitate effective coordination among members of the interagency assistance working group (AWG); ensure the AWG understands and adheres to policies and directives from the USG, the State Foreign Assistance Bureau (F), USAID, USAID’s Europe and Eurasia Bureau, State/EUR/ACE, the Mission, and others as relevant.

● Guide PPO and, where appropriate, members of the AWG in preparing the Mission’s annual Operational Plan, Performance Report, Mission Resource Request, Annual Budget Review, and more.

● Provide final quality checks on all USAID documents and processes such as new activity descriptions, annual reports, final reports, speeches and talking points, mission orders, and other documentation intended for a wider USG or public audience.

● Ensure clear and compelling representation of USAID/Kosovo’s strategy and portfolio within Kosovo and the USG.

B. Management

● Oversee USAID/Kosovo Mission strategic planning and implementation efforts, in particular the CDCS midstock-taking, including advising the Mission on strategic direction based on Agency guidance and processes, program portfolio performance and context, and evolving USG policies affecting the GOK and the region.

● Support the PPO Deputy Director in managing the successful completion of USG, Agency, and/or Mission-specific deliverables including but not limited to standard reporting, Program Cycle tasks, and Washington or Embassy information requests that may cut across Mission offices and/or Embassy Pristina Agencies and Sections.

● Review/edit/clear all documentation required to approve and implement new or revised activities; and, coach PPO staff on ensuring Agency requirements are met, Mission objectives are addressed, and USG policy goals are effectively incorporated.

● Guide PPO staff in effectively prioritizing and contributing directly to the achievement of PPO responsibilities particularly as they relate to leading Mission- or Embassy-wide taskers, coordinating cross-office data calls, and finalizing documents and communication materials.

Position Elements

● Supervision Received /Exercised: The SPPOD will work under the general and specific supervision and policy guidance of the USAID’s Mission Director or his/her designee. The Mission Director or his/her designee will review and approve his/her work plan and performance measures. In carrying out assignments, the SPPOD will regularly consult and work closely with the PPO Deputy Director, all USAID/Kosovo offices, USG agencies and sections within US Embassy Pristina, other international donors, and other relevant stakeholders including but not limited to USAID/EE staff. S/he is expected to work independently with limited guidance, take initiative, and coach and mentor staff.

● Available Guidelines: The SPPOD is required to understand and analyze Mission, Agency, and USG policies, strategies and guidelines. 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 beyond quality checks and policy compliance is required when providing support and advice to USAID teams, reviewing program documentation, and managing assigned programming actions. For example, the SPPOD must be able to seamlessly work within and outside of USAID.

This requires understanding who we are trying to communicate with and when it makes sense to embed USAID within policy discussions priorities. Political astuteness and the ability to pivot as issues arise is a key part of this position.

● Authority to Make Commitments: None.

● Scope and Effect: The position works closely with USAID/Kosovo’s technical and support offices, as well as Embassy Pristina sections and agencies. The position is required to establish and maintain effective working relationships so as to: effectively communicate USAID objectives and policies and USG foreign policy objectives;

successfully work across several sectors to creatively identify common points of interest and best practices; and, clearly and concisely respond to tasks and deliverables on behalf of USAID/Kosovo and, when required, the US Embassy Pristina.

● 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 the roles, responsibilities and function of the job at a senior management level.

● Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts: Contacts are with senior management within and outside USAID including but not limited to the interagency, the GOK, and the international donor community in order to fully understand and appropriately reflect USG and USAID policy objectives in all documents and outreach and communication efforts. Contacts among USAID staff, the USAID Mission Director(s), technical offices, implementing partners, are to ensure planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all activities meet USAID/Kosovo development objectives and address USG foreign policy objectives for Kosovo and the region.

● 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.

● 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 role in helping to manage the Mission’s portfolio.

SUPERVISION AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervision received: The position will report to the Mission Director or his/her designee.

Supervision exercised: This is a supervisory position. The position currently supervises one US Direct Hire Employee, and two senior FSN staff. Additional (or less) supervisory responsibility may result from staffing changes throughout the period of performance.

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.

Prior Work Experience: A minimum of 15 years of professional experience with progressive responsibility working on international development issues. During that time, demonstrable experience in successfully leading complex teams, substantively contributing to strategy development, and effectively engaging in communication efforts for US Government agencies or USG-funded programming is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of USG policies, regulations and procedures related to international development assistance is required. S/he should have demonstrated experience in managing people, and in strategy design and writing. Excellent native English writing, editing and speaking skills, as well as an ability to process information from a wide variety of sources into cohesive, strategic, polished documents and/or presentations is required.

Proven ability to mentor and coach staff and work in teams is required. Must possess strong interpersonal skills.

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. 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.

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.

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

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

(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.

http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101

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

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.

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf 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

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