signed Sol_72062322R00001.pdf

Postal Address:

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) P.O. Box 629 Village Market 00621 Nairobi, Kenya Tel:+ 254-20-363-2000

Courier Address:

USAID/Kenya and East Africa c/o American Embassy United Nations Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya

Pouch Address:

American Embassy 8900 Nairobi Place Department of State Washington D.C.

20521-8900

Electronic:

Website:

Email:

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Twitter:

usaid.gov/kenya usaid.gov/east-africa-regional usaidkea@usaid.gov USAIDKenya @USAIDKenya and @USAIDEastAfrica

Solicitation No.: 72062322R00001

Issuance Date: December 1, 2021

Closing Date/Time: January 7, 2022, 04:30 p.m. (Nairobi Time)

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Services Contractor (U.S. PSC) General Development

Officer, GS-14

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications from qualified U.S. Citizens and/or U.S Resident Aliens to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation.

Offers must be in accordance with the solicitation instructions. Offerors should retain copies of all offer materials for their records. Offers must be submitted electronically via email to nairobipscjobs@usaid.gov by the closing date and time indicated above. Late, incomplete, or unsigned offers will not be considered.

Scanned copies are accepted by email. Applicants must prominently reference the solicitation number in the application submission.

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 attached information.

Sincerely, -s-

Kion Turner

Executive Officer http://kenya.usaid.gov/ http://kenya.usaid.gov/ mailto:usaidke@usaid.gov mailto:nairobipscjobs@usaid.gov

Attachment 1:

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72062322R00001

2. ISSUANCE DATE: December 1, 2021

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME: January 7, 2022, at 04:30 p.m. (Nairobi Time)

4. POSITION TITLE: U.S PSC General Development Officer

5. MARKET VALUE: $93,907 to $122,077 annually equivalent to GS-14. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years with three one-year options subject to funding and contractor performance of satisfactory or better.

Base Period o/a February 2022 to February 2024

Option Period 1 o/a February 2024 to February 2025

Option Period 2 o/a February 2025 to February 2026

Option Period 3 o/a February 2026 to February 2027

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Mogadishu, Somalia

8. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens and/or U.S Resident Aliens1. Citizenship, if dual, must be clearly stated.

9. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret

10. POINT OF CONTACT: Executive Office/Human Resources, Patrick Bii, HR Assistant, email at pbii@usaid.gov

11. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The primary location of work will be on the ARC II compound in

Mogadishu, Somalia. No special demands are required to perform the work.

12. STATEMENT OF DUTIES/POSITION DESCRIPTION

Background/Introduction

USAID/Somalia manages a large, complex foreign assistance program in Somalia, with a combined humanitarian and development program valued at about $450 million annually. U.S. foreign policy objectives in Somalia aim to help reestablish political and economic stability, deny the use of Somalia as a base of international terrorism, and prevent and alleviate the humanitarian crisis caused by years of conflict, environmental shocks and poor governance. Since the formation of the new Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) in September 2012, incremental progress toward improved governance and security has been made; however, serious challenges persist, and its capacity remains very limited.

1 U.S. resident alien means a non-U.S. citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.

mailto:pbii@usaid.gov

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Closely collaborating with colleagues in Nairobi, Kenya, where most USAID/Somalia staff are based, the

GDO will provide on-site policy coordination and programmatic oversight of the approximately $60 million annual development and stabilization assistance portfolio. Specifically, the GDO, one of three

USAID staff based in Mogadishu, will provide policy support to the Mission Director and Ambassador;

policy and program coordination support to other members of the inter-agency, key international partners, and the Somali government; and programmatic oversight support to the USAID/Somalia team. The

GDO is also expected to maintain sufficient knowledge of key policy issues and the Mission’s program portfolio to regularly provide high-level representation for USAID/Somalia on development program issues that arise.

Specific Duties to be Performed:

(1) Contextual Understanding.

● Develop and maintain knowledge of the key development assistance, stabilization, and resilience issues within Somalia.

● Maintain an in-depth understanding of political, economic, organizational, and stakeholder interests specific to Somalia.

● Identify development assistance programming priorities, lessons learned, and opportunities within and relevant to Somalia, and apply those to program strategy development and implementation.

● Prepare and/or provide substantive assistance in the preparation of regular strategic and analytical reports on current development activities in Somalia.

(2) Portfolio Management Support.

● Closely collaborate with Nairobi-based USAID/Somalia colleagues to support program coordination, monitoring, and information sharing.

● Monitor performance of ongoing development assistance activities, to extent that security conditions permit, and provide field feedback to Nairobi-based Agreement/Contracting Officer’s

Representatives and/or Activity Managers.

● Coordinate collection of information and provide updates and recommendations through written reports on issues related to the performance of USAID-supported development assistance activities, including the capacity of international and local institution implementing partners to carry out programs.

● Review concept papers, project designs and proposals and provide timely recommendations/comments, including participating on Technical Evaluation Committees as assigned.

● Coordinate in-country policy development meetings discussing programmatic priorities, objectives, progress, results, and challenges, including donor and implementing partner coordination fora.

● Provide recommendations on current and future directions of USAID/Somalia’s portfolio to include programmatic, budgetary, and human resource requirements.

● Coordinate closely with the Mogadishu-based Humanitarian Advisor to ensure programmatic alignment between USAID’s development and humanitarian activities in Somalia.

● As needed, may serve on temporary details within the Mission to meet operational needs during staff shortages in technical teams.

● Become certified and serve as an A/COR and/or Activity Manager, when needed, to support financial and programmatic oversight, and carry out related requirements set forth in the A/COR designation letters.

(3) Technical Specialist and Representational Duties.

● Provide expert technical advice to Mission teams and leadership to advance USAID development assistance objectives in Somalia.

● Represent USAID’s development assistance portfolio in-country at senior level meetings within the USG and convey concerns and priorities through oral and written briefings.

● Maintain constructive professional relationships with a wide range of senior-level contacts in government agencies, private sector, civil society organizations, donor agencies, implementing partners and other external stakeholders, and provide high-level representation of USAID with external audiences as required.

● Represent USG development assistance interests at national and international meetings and conferences, and facilitate, as requested, travel and briefings for official USG visitors to Somalia interested in development issues.

● Facilitate knowledge management within USAID and with external partners through exchange of technical information and ideas, including within the Somalia Donor Group working groups.

Position Elements

Supervisory Controls: The GDO will report to the Mission Director or designee, who will set overall objectives and work to be accomplished. However, a high degree of autonomy, self-direction, and initiative is expected.

Knowledge level required: The position requires a broad range of demonstrated knowledge and experience related to the design, implementation and management of development and stabilization assistance activities, including an understanding of approaches to achieving USAID’s strategic objectives to help prevent and counter violent extremism and to build the resilience of vulnerable households and communities in the Somalia context.

Decision making: The position requires the ability to act and make decisions independently in a complex and highly sensitive political environment. The GDO will also apply his/her expertise to provide conclusions and recommendations to those with authority to make decisions and commitments on how to most effectively achieve USAID’s objectives.

Guidelines: Guidelines include USAID/USG strategy documents, Mission Orders, Automated Directive

System, the Foreign Affairs Handbook and other USAID or USG policy and procedural directives. The

GDO is required to understand Mission and Agency policies and processes and to apply his/her judgment to interpret the intent of directives and strategy documents to develop and implement recommendations that advance USG and USAID priorities in Somalia.

Complexity: The GDO’s responsibilities involve significant areas of uncertainty in approach, methods and processes due to the difficult, complex work environment and fluid security situation in Somalia.

Substantial complexity in managing processes and programs also results from the need to engage multiple host country governments – the Federal Government of Somalia and five Federal Member States, plus self-declared independent Somaliland.

Scope and Effect: The GDO will support the entire portfolio of Mission development and stabilization assistance activities, the impact of which will be to advance USAID/Somalia’s strategic objectives to prevent and counter violent extremism and build the resilience of vulnerable Somali households and communities.

Level and Purpose of Contacts. The GDO will maintain professional working relations and senior level contacts to discuss policy development, programmatic priorities, and implementation progress and challenges with internal and external stakeholders, including USAID and other U.S. government officials and representatives from the Somali government, private sector, implementing partners and other donors.

Work Environment. Work is primarily performed in an office setting and does not pose undue physical demands. The employee will be spending most time in Mogadishu, Somalia, which involves safety precautions and compliance with Regional Security Office security regulations.

Travel Requirement: At least 15% of time.

Support Items: The employee will be provided with the support services, equipment, and supplies necessary to perform the work. This will include shared office equipment (such as printer, scanner and shredder), and a workstation that includes a desk, computer, file cabinets, and network access, with the possibility for mobile computing devices based on need and Mission management approval.

Sunday Pay: Is not authorized.

II. SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

The GDO must meet the following requirements in education and professional experience:

1. EDUCATION: The position requires either a minimum of a Master’s degree in a relevant professional discipline related to international development assistance or stabilization or a

Bachelor’s degree plus 10 or more years of substantive and specifically relevant experience in lieu of a Master’s degree.

2. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: A minimum of seven years of work experience in a relevant position, including a minimum of six years of field-based experience involved in implementing, managing or overseeing development assistance activities.

3. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Demonstrated strong English writing and verbal communication skills are required. The candidate must also be able to obtain the security and medical clearances required for the position.

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. FAR provisions of this solicitation are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

In order to be considered for the position, a candidate must be a U.S. citizen and must submit an application in accordance with the guidance below – “How to Apply.” Candidates who meet the above requirements will be further evaluated according to the Selective Factors listed below.

Consideration and selection will be based on a panel evaluation of the criteria.

Prior Work Experience (50 points): Beyond meeting the minimum requirements, candidates will be assessed based on the length of related service, the level of previous responsibilities, and the degree of https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far direct relevance to the position. Additional consideration will be given to candidates with significant experience working in Somalia or other conflict or post-conflict situations.

Technical Skills and Abilities: (50 Points): Candidates will be assessed based on demonstrated level analytical skills related to development and/or stabilization assistance programming, as indicated from work experience, professional references, academic credentials, and interviews if applicable. This includes assessing English writing and verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively, build consensus and effectively coordinate with external actors in multi-cultural settings. Additional consideration will be given to applicants who have a substantial working knowledge of USAID policies, processes, and strategies.

Candidates who are short-listed based on an initial review of applications and references, may be requested to interview. In the event that a candidate has fully demonstrated his/her qualifications and there are no other competitive applicants, USAID reserves the right to forego the interview process.

Professional references and academic credentials will be evaluated for applicants being considered for selection.

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks – Pass/Fail (no points assigned)

IV. APPLYING

1. Interested applicants are required to submit the following:

1) Offer form AID 309-2, “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with individuals,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-309-2

2) An up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV) or resume (no more than five pages), cover letter addressing the evaluation factors above, copies of all relevant certificates and include three (3) referees, who are not family members or relatives, with working telephone and e-mail contacts.

2. Applications must be submitted electronically via email to nairobipscjobs@usaid.gov by the closing date and time indicated above.

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

4. Ensuring Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors - The Offeror will be required to show proof that the Offeror is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 on or before the first date of onboarding, or submit an approved reasonable accommodation to the CO. If the contractor does not meet this requirement the contract may be terminated.

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRES

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

● Medical History and Examination (DS 6561 and/or DS 1843)

● Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)

● Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306)

● Fingerprint Card(s) https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-309-2 mailto:nairobipscjobs@usaid.gov

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 and 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)

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 clauses

“General Provisions,” found at: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf

2. PART 52—SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

Subpart 52.2—Text of Provisions and Clauses

52.223-99 Ensuring Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors, Alternate 70.

ENSURING ADEQUATE COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR FEDERAL

CONTRACTORS (OCT 2021)-Alternate 70 (OCT 2021) (M/OAA-DEV-FAR22-01c)

(a) Definition. As used in this clause – http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92 http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92 http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92 http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92 http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf

United States or its outlying areas means—

(1) The fifty States;

(2) The District of Columbia;

(3) The commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands;

(4) The territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the United States Virgin Islands; and (5) The minor outlying islands of Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman

Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Palmyra Atoll, and Wake Atoll.

(b) Authority. This clause implements Executive Order 14042, Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety

Protocols for Federal Contractors, dated September 9, 2021 (published in the Federal Register on

September 14, 2021, 86 FR 50985).

(c) Personal Services Contracts with individuals. As a matter of policy, the contractor must comply with the USAID’s guidance applicable to direct-hire federal employees.

(End of clause)

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

LINE ITEM

0001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Labor Hour

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD ata ward after negotiations

0002 Option Period 1 - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Labor Hour

- Accounting Info: TBD

0003 Option Period 2 - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

0004 Option Period 3 - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

4. Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs):

AAPDs/CIBs for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs

AAPD 21-04- Executive Order 14042 on ensuring adequate COVID-19 Safety protocols for federal awards (FAR Deviation No. M-OAA-DEV-FAR-22-01c)- October 12, 2021

- AAPD 21-01 - Applicability of FAR 4.21 to USAID personal services contracts with individuals under the AIDAR Appendices D and J- March 26, 2021

- AAPD 18-02 REVISED - This AAPD extends and revises implementation of medevac regulations for USPSCs and TCNPSCs under AIDAR Appendix D and J, § 12, clauses #25 in

Appendix D, and #21 in Appendix J. – December 18, 2019 https://www.usaid.gov/forms https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs

- AAPD 10-01 – PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACTS- Changes in USG reimbursement amounts for health insurance and physical examination costs- 01/08/10

- AAPD 06-10- PSC Medical Expense Payment Responsibility – October 30, 2006

- AAPD 06-08 - AIDAR, APPENDICES D AND J: Using the optional schedule to incrementally fund contracts – June 23, 2006

5. 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

6. 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]

https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman