SOL-72044222R00005-Children in Adversity and Edu Advisor-09-02-2022.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72044222R00005

ISSUANCE DATE: September 6, 2022 CLOSING DATE/TIME: September 27, 2022 4:00PM, Cambodia Time

SUBJECT: Solicitation for Resident Hire U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC)

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking offers from qualified persons to provide personal services under contract 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 an offer.

Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in Attachment 1.

Sincerely, Paul Martin Contracting Officer

U.S. Agency for International Development US Embassy Tel: (855) 23-728000 #1, Street 96 Fax: (855) 23-430263 Phnom Penh, Cambodia

ATTACHMENT 1 72044222R00005

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72044222R00005

2. ISSUANCE DATE: September 6, 2022

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: September 27, 2022, 4:00PM, Cambodia Time

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Ms. Cicely Lewis at cilewis@usaid.gov with a courtesy copy to Phnom Penh USAID HR phnompenhusaidhr@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Children in Adversity and Education Advisor

6. MARKET VALUE: $95,973 -- $124,764, equivalent to GS-14 Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value, based on the successful candidate’s salary history, work experience and educational background. The standard compensation package also includes a contribution for life and health insurance and a contribution to FICA. This is a resident-hire position. It does not include offshore benefits such as housing, post differential, and post allowance.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Cambodia – Phnom Penh, Cambodia with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.

8. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One Year (1 year), o/a December 1, 2022 to o/a November 30, 2023, with the possibility of extensions. Extensions will depend on the need for continuation of such services, availability of funds, satisfactory performance, and the needs of the USAID/Cambodia Mission.

The base period will be one year (1 year), estimated to start on/a December 1, 2022. Based on Agency need, availability of funds and satisfactory performance, the Contracting Officer may exercise (an) additional option period(s) for the date(s) estimated as follows:

Base Period o/a December 2022–November 2023 Option Period 1 o/a December 2023– November 2024 Option Period 2 o/a December 2024– November 2025 Option Period 3 o/a December 2025– November 2026 Option Period 4 o/a December 2026– November 2027

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS:

To meet basic eligibility requirements, the applicant must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident/registered alien (“green card holder”) mailto:phnompenhusaidhr@usaid.gov

• Be able to attain Work Permit/Residency Permit

• Submit a complete application as outlined in the section titled SUBMITTING AN

OFFER;

• Be able to attain employment authorization/facility access;

• Be able to obtain a Department of State medical clearance;

• Be available and willing to work additional hours beyond the established 40-hour workweek, including weekends, as may be required or necessary;

• Be willing to travel to work sites and other offices as/when requested.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facilities Access / Employment Authorization

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

In June 2019, U.S. Government Departments and Agencies launched Advancing Protection and Care for Children in Adversity: A U.S. Government Strategy for International Assistance (2019–2023), or APCCA strategy, which outlines the U.S.

Government’s whole-of-government commitment and approach to investing in the development, care, dignity, and safety of the world’s most-vulnerable children and their families.

In Cambodia, U.S. government (USG) investments under the APCCA strategy seek to integrate internationally recognized, evidence-based good practices into international assistance for children.

APCCA has three principal objectives:

● Build Strong Beginnings: Promote nurturing care for the most-vulnerable newborns and young children, starting before birth, by implementing integrated programming in early-childhood development to provide for children’s health, nutrition, safety and security, responsive caregiving for social and emotional well-being, and opportunities for early learning.

● Put Family First: Support and enable families to care for their children, prevent unnecessary family-child separation, and promote appropriate, protective and permanent family care.

● Protect Children From Violence: Promote, fund, and support the protection of children from violence, exploitation, abuse, and neglect by investing in preventative and responsive programming.

In 2015 USAID/Cambodia launched programming for APCCA with a focus on Family Care First with a goal to develop sustainable solutions to substantially reduce the number of children outside of family care in Cambodia.

In education, USAID/Cambodia invests in early grade learning, higher education and positive youth development programming. USAID/Cambodia’s early grade learning interventions aim to improve the learning skills of children, including those with disabilities, in grades one, two and three. USAID also partners with MoEYS to improve teachers’ and school directors’ skills through the development of a functional and continuous professional development system. Additionally, USAID Cambodia is implementing the Digital Workforce Development activity to create a cohort of Cambodian youth with enterprise-driven skills, training, and qualifications that will help them contribute to Cambodian society and succeed in a modern digital economy.

Under the direct supervision of the Director, USAID/Cambodia Office of Public Health and Education (OPHE), or his/her designee, the Advisor will work as part of the USAID OPHE office to provide technical oversight to USAID’s Children in Adversity and Education programs. S/he will provide day-to-day program management and oversight for specific Children in Adversity and Education activities and cross-cutting, multi-sectoral approaches.

The Advisor will facilitate communication and maintain collaborative working relationships with mid-to senior level government officials of the Cambodian government, development partners and non-governmental organizations. S/he is expected to function with a high degree of independence and work as a member of the USAID OPHE office and work closely with other USG agencies, including the State Department and Peace Corps. The Advisor will liaise with the Consular Section and the US Special Advisor on Children’s Issues. S/he will provide updates on Cambodia’s progress toward becoming Hague compliant and support the U.S. Government’s commitment to the Hague convention regarding inter-country adoption and assuring that all necessary child protection measures are in place.

The Children in Adversity and Education Advisor will provide technical and management leadership among all USG agencies, development partners, all levels of government, the private sector and international technical organizations. The Advisor must have experience and skills in strategic thinking and analysis; technical leadership; program planning and implementation; advocacy, communication and program management. The Advisor will be a social sector expert with relevant practical experience. As part of an overall coordination and advocacy role with USG and all other social sector and education partners, s/he will be responsible for providing direction, management, technical assistance and oversight to the USG’s portfolio of social sector (non-health) projects/activities in Cambodia. S/he will serve in an advisory and program management capacity for all social sector (non-health) activities in the USAID/Cambodia portfolio.

S/he will provide technical and management leadership among development partners, all levels of government, the private sector and international technical organizations in support of USAID’s social sector (non-health) programs. S/he will provide advice to USAID and USG agencies to ensure and enhance the effectiveness of activities through high quality design, well-managed implementation and appropriate monitoring and evaluation. S/he will be responsible for relevant report writing components of the annual Operational Plan, and semi-annual and annual reporting.

2. Statement of Duties to be Performed:

Children in Adversity Program Management (60%) Serve as the lead technical expert on Children in Adversity for the U.S. Government in Cambodia. Provide strategic direction, identify opportunities, and coordinate program initiatives related to the USG Action Plan for Children in Adversity and its subsequent iterations. Other duties and responsibilities include, and are not limited to:

• Oversee APCCA-related activities funded from USAID Washington, including funding to UNICEF, Family Care First, Integrated Early Childhood Development, and any new projects that result from USG objectives to support children in adversity. In this role as Contracting Officer Representative (COR), Agreement Officer Representative (AOR), or Activity Manager, coordinate projects, facilitate quarterly meetings, review and provide comments on work plans and reports, initiate or participate in relevant government meetings, brief senior US government staff as necessary or as requested, coordinate with USAID Center on Children in Adversity with the Displaced Children and Orphans Fund (CECA/DCOF) staff, and support events, visits, and outreach-related tasks.

• Function as the COR, AOR, or Activity Manager for Mission-based programming supporting APCCA objectives. Manage project performance through a robust monitoring and evaluation plan, review semi-/annual project reports, project accrual information, and quarterly financial reports, prepare documents if financial or programmatic amendments to agreements are necessary, review project vouchers for accuracy, and approve project requests.

• Track and fully understand the status of all significant activities supported by the U.S.

government and other donors that contribute to APCCA. Communicate information to other development partners, the Cambodian government, U.S. government interagency team in Cambodia, and relevant USAID CECA/DCOF staff, and maintain positive and collaborative relationships with all stakeholders through regular meetings.

• Write USAID documentation such as action memos, waivers, justifications and acquisition documents, operational plan narratives, project design documents, scopes of work, and other correspondence as required. Provide draft language for the Cambodia section of the Annual Report to Congress that USAID CECA/DCOF is required to submit under U.S. Public Law 109-95.

• Hold regular meetings with implementing partners and perform assessments as needed to provide programmatic and technical support and assurances to the USAID Mission.

Visit USAID-funded project field sites to anticipate, recognize, and resolve any potential problems with partners and bring major program issues to the attention of appropriate USAID staff as necessary.

• Ensure involvement by the Cambodian government and promote alignment of APCCA objectives within its policies and programs. Advocate, as relevant, with government through formal and informal means.

• Act as a technical team lead on the design of new APCCA related awards, and as a support team member for awards that may impact children.

Education and Child Well-Being Program Management (25%)

Assist with coordination on education and child well-being programs to the USAID Mission, the broader USG team, and USAID implementing partners in coordination with the AOR, COR, or Activity Manager.

• Provide on-going program advice for the Mission’s education, child well-being, and child protection strategies including development of key planning and reporting documents.

• Work closely with the Cambodian government, bilateral and multilateral agencies and other key stakeholders to strengthen education and child well-being collaboration at the national level to support the development of country ownership and capacity.

• Monitor current education and child protection and well-being literature, reports, international guidelines and standards as well as best practices and provide recommendations in developing innovative approaches to designing, implementing and evaluating education and child well-being-related programs for Cambodia.

• Conduct regular site visits to review program implementation and meet with beneficiaries.

• Communicate findings from information collected during site visits, assessment reports, performance statistics and other available data to provide programmatic recommendations to the OPHE Office, and, as appropriate, implementing partners and Cambodian government counterparts.

• Provide inputs on annual project work plans and participate in USAID project portfolio reviews and evaluations.

• Provide program assistance (including drafting briefing papers, cables, and memos for information and action) for education and child well-being activities.

Stakeholder Engagement and Advisory Support (15%) The Children in Adversity and Education Advisor will work within the context of supporting the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh’s development assistance goals. The Children in Adversity and Education Advisor will represent USAID/Cambodia in appropriate international fora. S/he will work closely with Mission team members, to include the FSN Education Specialist and FSN Program Specialist, as well as other Missions in the region as needed. The Children in Adversity and Education Advisor will mentor and/or coach Cambodian staff on best practices in social services (non-health).

The incumbent may also be called upon to support special projects or events which may require compiling information and/or escorting and briefing visitors.

3. Supervisory Relationship: N/A

4. Supervisory Controls: The incumbent will report to the Office Director or his/her designee.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

All candidates must meet the Minimum Qualifications. Applications will be screened accordingly, and only those that meet the below, required criteria, will be moved forward in the recruitment process:

● Education: A Bachelor's degree in social work, social welfare, education or international development is required.

● Experience: Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in development and/or social services, including policy, program design, oversight and implementation is required. Experience on alternative care and child protection programming is preferred. Experience in Southeast Asia is desired, experience in Cambodia is preferred.

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.

Upon closing of the solicitation, a committee will convene to review the applications.

Applicants who meet the education and experience requirements will be scored and ranked based on the following selection factors:

Selection Process and Basis of Evaluation: Offerors who clearly meet the minimum education and work experience qualification requirements may be further evaluated through review of the offeror’s submitted required documents (see section IV below) and ranked based on the below evaluation and selection factors. A competitive range may be established of the highest-ranked offerors, who may be further evaluated through technical tests, interviews, and reference checks to determine the most qualified/highest-ranked offerors. Negotiations may be conducted with the most qualified/ highest-ranked offerors at the conclusion of evaluations.

Education (10 points): A Bachelor's degree in social work, social welfare, education or international development.

Prior Work Experience (30 points): Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in development and/or social services, including policy, program design, oversight and implementation is required. Experience on alternative care and child protection programming is preferred. Experience in Southeast Asia is desired, experience in Cambodia is preferred.

Job Knowledge (30 points):

Demonstrated through relevant experience and training:

• Must have proven relevant knowledge of the USG Action Plan for Children in

Adversity and international best-practices for child well-being and care reform.

• Must have proven knowledge or experience with program design, implementation, evaluation, and alternative care and child protection.

• Understanding of the social, economic and cultural determinants that impact child-wellbeing in Cambodia and its neighboring countries.

• Knowledge and experience with other U.S. government programs, procedures and systems for program design, procurement, implementation, management and monitoring.

Skills and Abilities (30 points):

Demonstrated through relevant experience and training:

• Ability to take technical leadership in national child protection coordination and technical approach of implementing the Action Plan for Children in Adversity.

• Ability to build capacity of and mentor local staff.

• Ability to work effectively both independently and in a team environment with a broad range of USG personnel and agencies particularly within USAID/Cambodia as well as partners; have demonstrated skills in donor coordination and collaboration;

and achieve consensus on policy, program, and administrative matters.

• Tact and diplomacy are required to establish and develop sustainable working relationships at the highest level and a high level of trust with public/private organizations.

• Ability to negotiate activity plans and resolve activity implementation issues with counterparts, partners, and team members.

• Ability to navigate and manage politically sensitive issues related to child protection and alternative care.

• Ability to analyze and interpret public policies and assist in the development of revised policies as required, as well as, integrate short and long-range objectives of USAID Cambodia with the cultural/organizational needs of the host country government and civil society partners.

• Ability to conceptualize programs, policies, and plans and developing strategies for their management and implementation.

• Proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly and concisely-both orally and in writing in English. Demonstrated ability to make sensitive oral presentations logically and persuasively to senior U.S. and Cambodian government officials and other donors.

• Ability to communicate highly technical child-wellbeing information to both health and non-health audiences.

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

• Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Power Point, and Malaria Information System (MIS/DHIS2) or other similar statistical software are required for effectively operating in this position. Good computer skills are required to implement, analyze, and monitor, and manage activity goals, inputs, outcomes, and achievements, both program and impact.

On a supplemental document included in the application package, applicants should provide specific, illustrative examples for each below question. Responses are not to exceed 2 pages and each question should be limited to approximately 500 words (approx. 1/2 typewritten page) per question.

• Question #1: Describe your comprehensive knowledge, most up-to-date approaches, and understanding of child protection and social sector reforms and policies that would support the primary objectives of USAID’s approach in Cambodia.

• Question #2: Outline your experiences and successes working collaboratively with senior managerial and technical host-country counterparts, donors, and other stakeholders at national and decentralized levels.

• Question #3: Describe your ability to work effectively in teams and collaborate in a multi-agency setting, including participating as a team player on tasks outside of this job description. Please highlight any experience you have working within large, multi-sector networks.

• Question #4: Outline your management and analytical skills to strategize, develop, manage, implement and evaluate effective development activities.

The Contracting Officer reserves the right to establish a competitive range. Those applicants determined to be competitively ranked will be invited to participate in an interview. Only finalist candidates will be contacted.

Reference checks will be conducted only for the candidates who are finalists based on the results of their interviews. The applicant’s references must be able to provide substantive information about his/her past performance and abilities.

If an applicant does not wish USAID to contact a current employer for a reference check, this must be stated in the applicant’s cover letter; USAID will delay such reference checks pending the applicant’s concurrence.

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, item 4.

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

4. Offerors are also required to submit:

1. Cover Letter;

2. Curriculum Vitae or resume;

http://www.usaid.gov/forms

3. Supplemental document addressing the questions;

4. Salary history for the previous three years; and

5. A list of three professional references.

5. Ensuring Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors - Please be advised that, upon award, the contractor will be required to follow the Mission policies and/or directives from the U.S. Department of State regarding COVID-19 requirements.

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:

1. Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306)

2. Medical History and Examination Form (DS-6561)

3. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-86), or

4. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)

5. Finger Print Card (FD-258)

VI. BENEFITS/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

Note: U.S. Resident Hire PSCs are not eligible for any fringe benefits (except contributions for FICA, health insurance, and life insurance), including differentials and allowances.

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)

UNIT PRICE

(E)

AMOUNT

(F)

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

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

1 LOT $ _TBD__ $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_

1001 Option Period 1 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

1 LOT $ _TBD__ $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_

2001 Option Period 2 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

1 LOT $ _TBD__ $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_

4. 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.

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.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman mailto:PSCOmbudsman@usaid.gov