Sol_72061521R00016.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.: 72061521R00016

Issuance Date: April 9, 2021

Closing Date/Time: April 23, 2021 04:30 p.m. (Nairobi Time)

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. and Third Country National (TCN) Personal Services

Contractor (U.S./TCN PSC) Human Resource Advisor to OEGI, GS-13

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 and Third Country

Nationals to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation.

Submissions must be in accordance with the solicitation instructions. Applicants should retain copies of all offer materials, for their records.

Applications must be submitted electronically via email to nairobipscjobs@usaid.gov by the closing date and time indicated above. Late, incomplete, or unsigned applications 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-

Matthew Corbin

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

Human Resource Advisor to OEGI

Attachment 1:

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72061521R00016

2. ISSUANCE DATE: April 9, 2021

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME: April 23, 2021 at 04:30 p.m. (Nairobi Time)

4. POSITION TITLE: Human Resource Advisor to OEGI

5. MARKET VALUE: $79, 468 to $103,309 annually equivalent to GS-13. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Nine Months without any option to extend

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Nairobi, Kenya

8. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens and/or U.S Resident Aliens1 and Third Country

(non-US, non-Kenyan) Nationals. Citizenship, if dual, must be clearly stated.

9. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: USAID/Washington-issued clearance level at the

Facility/Computer Access Level

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 U.S. Embassy/USAID compound in Nairobi, Kenya. No special demands are required to perform the work.

12. STATEMENT OF DUTIES/POSITION DESCRIPTION

Background/Introduction

USAID/KEA is a large, full-service Mission. Sectors targeted are health, governance, agriculture, private sector development, environmental conservation, and education. The Human Resources (HR) Advisor will be part of the Operations Team and report to the Operations Team Leader within the Office of

Economic Growth and Integration. The HR Advisor will perform a full range of personnel services and assignments (specifically related to Position Management and Recruitment) for the Economic Growth portfolio related to U.S., Third Country National (TCN) and Cooperating Country National (CCN)

Personal Services Contracting (PSC). The Office of Economic Growth and Integration (OEGI) is engaged in a reorganization of its office; in order to reflect the pivot to J2SR and support these reorganizations, it is expected that there will be multiple positions that need to be reviewed and revised to reflect reallocation and an increase of responsibilities. In addition, the office is expected to expand with new positions, the PDs for which will have to be written and packaged for MCLASSing and subsequent advertisement. Recruitment against these new positions will also require support.

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:

Position Management and Reclassification (70%)

The HR Advisor will advise the Mission Director and office leadership on the reorganization and realignment of positions within appropriate teams in order to establish organizational structures that fully support the Mission’s objectives. The incumbent is required to apply the full range of position classification/management principles, policies, practices and techniques to provide guidance and recommendations to the Kenya and East Africa (KEA) Mission, EXO and OEGI leadership on the position classification process. OEGI will require assistance with drafting and preparing appropriate paperwork (DS-298, Job Discussion Help Sheets (JDHS), AOR/COR and Activity Manager forms and various checklists) for submission to HRSU. The incumbent will additionally review the status of other

Mission positions as well as prepare appropriate responses for final job reports that the KEA Mission disagrees with for all positions in ongoing classification status.

Recruitment (30%)

The HR Advisor will review OEGI’s staffing plans, verify vacant positions, obtain appropriate approvals and funding from the Office of Financial Management (OFM) and initiate and track recruitment actions for vacant positions. While the incumbent will assist in the recruitment process by providing support to the Technical Evaluation Committees (TEC’s), the incumbent will not take the lead on any of the TEC’s responsibilities.

Position Elements

Supervisory Controls: The HR Advisor to OEGI will work under the supervision of the Senior Operations

Specialist on the OEGI team, in close coordination with EXO. The employee will exercise independence and decision-making authority in carrying out duties, subject to final review by the cognizant Office

Director and Executive Director. Keeping the supervisor informed of progress, the employee may determine the approach to be taken and the methodology to be used. The supervisor will review completed work from an overall standpoint of feasibility, compatibility with other work, or effectiveness in meeting requirements. The supervisor will set the overall objectives and the employee and supervisor together will develop deadlines, projects and work to be done. The employee independently plans, designs, and carries out work. Completed work is reviewed only from an overall standpoint in terms of feasibility, compatibility with other work, or effectiveness in meeting requirements or expected results.

The employee is expected to work independently with limited guidance, and take initiative where appropriate.

Knowledge level required: The HR Advisor to OEGI requires in depth knowledge of USAID HR, MCLASS and hiring processes. The employee must have the ability to liaise authoritatively with technical and lifeline offices on human resource related matters. The employee must also have experience in consultations and facilitation of various teams with diverse backgrounds; applying broad USAID hiring principles, policies and strategies; effective coordination; and working with USAID leadership on office reorganization/restructuring.

Decision making: The Contractor shall exercise discretion and independent judgement in managing the human resources for OEGI. S/he must be able to work independently in an efficient and timely manner, including in the preparation of position descriptions, action memos, classification memos and MCLASS related documentation. The incumbent is expected to take initiative and act independently with little direction.

Guidelines: The employee must be able to exercise broad knowledge of USAID regulations related to human resource management, recruitment, and reclassification of positions. The employee must be proactive in keeping abreast of evolving guidelines and policies of the USAID and USAID/KEA related to human resource matters. The employee is expected to use excellent sound judgement to utilize these guidelines.

Complexity: The duties of this position are complex and significantly varied and will require different approaches, processes and methods due to the diverse range of staffing needs for OEGI, changing regulations and policies related to human resources and personnel, and the dynamic nature of coordination across lifeline offices within the Mission.

Scope and Effect: The Contractor serves in a role that is directly related to operationalizing the Mission’s development programs. S/he is a specialist in a broad array of human resource management areas. The individual will provide expert advice and support in the implementation of a new office structure for

OEG. S/he will work closely with senior management in OEGI, EXO and across the Mission, requiring high-level expertise and experience.

Level and Purpose of Contacts: The Contractor will maintain professional and effective working relationships and senior level contacts across the Mission and within OEGI, including senior leadership of

OEGI, EXO and other offices as necessary. The purpose of these contacts is to give advice on HR processes, exchange information on staffing plans, and to justify/negotiate/settle matters in regards to staffing and HR.

Work Environment: Work is primarily performed in an office setting. If the employee travels, the work may additionally involve safety and/or security precautions, wearing of protective equipment, and exposure to severe weather conditions.

Travel Requirement: The employee must be available and able to travel to Kenya if the Embassy’s policy on travel to post changes.

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 incumbent must meet the following requirements in education and professional experience:

1. Education: A Master’s degree in a relevant professional discipline such as human resource management.

2. Professional Experience: The candidate is required to have a minimum of ten years of experience directly involved in human resource management, preferably for USAID. The candidate must have excellent interpersonal and networking skills and the ability to liaise authoritatively with different departments on recruitment and human resource management. The candidate must also possess significant experience in strategic workforce and position analysis, and advisory recruitment and staffing.

3. Additional Desired Skills:

i. Strong knowledge of HRM policies;

ii. Demonstrated familiarity with USAID reclassification process;

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.

Applicants are required to address each of the following Evaluation Factors in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received that are relevant to each factor. The evaluation factors will be used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified applicants in comparison to other applicants. Be sure to include your name and the announcement number at the top of each additional page. Failure to specifically address the Evaluation

Factors may result in your not receiving credit for all of your pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards. Applicants should cite specific, illustrative examples for each Evaluation Factor.

Responses must be limited to 500 words per factor. Any words above the limit will neither be read nor scored.

The most qualified candidates may be interviewed and/or required to provide a writing sample. USAID will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. In addition, applications (written materials and interviews) will be evaluated based on content as well as on the applicant's writing, presentation, and communication skills.

1. Education: (10 points)

❏ Master’s degree in human resource management or related discipline (7 points).

❏ Additional certifications or degrees relevant to human resource management (3 points).

2. Relevant Work Experience: (35 points)

❏ Minimum of ten years experience directly involved strategic human resource management

❏ Demonstrated experience with human resource regulations, processes, policies and requirements

❏ Demonstrated experience supporting office reorganization and USAID reclassification process

3. Technical Knowledge: (35 points)

❏ The candidate must demonstrate in depth knowledge of human resource management policies

❏ The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of reclassification requirements for USAID

4. Skills and Abilities: (20 points)

❏ The incumbent must have a proven track record with developing strategic plans, a

❏ The candidate must be able to interpret regulations and policies and provide operational support to

OEGI management

❏ The candidate must have a demonstrated ability to provide insight in establishing organizational structures that are efficient, cost effective, supports the desired grade levels, and facilitates career development.

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

Total Possible Points: 100

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 explaining your qualifications for the position, responses to evaluation factors, 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. To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission/cover letter.

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)

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

● Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306)

● Fingerprint Card(s)

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 https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-309-2 mailto:nairobipscjobs@usaid.gov

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. AIDAR: The Agency for International Development Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR) Appendix

D – “Direct USAID Contracts with U.S. Citizens or 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. Contract Cover page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms

LINE ITEMS

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

- Award Type: Labor Hour

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info:

3. 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

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

[END OF SOLICITATION]

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