Sol_72062024R00003- RHUSPSC DOC Specialist GS-13_Readvertised_Final.docx

Attachment 1 Solicitation No. 72062024R00003 Position Title: Development Outreach & Com. Specialist

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72062024R00003

ISSUANCE DATE: April 02, 2024

CLOSING DATE/TIME: Open Until Filled

SUBJECT: Solicitation for Resident Hire U.S. Personal Service Contractor (RHUSPSC) Development Outreach and Communications (DOC) Specialist - USAID/Nigeria

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.

USAID will evaluate all offerors based on the stated evaluation criteria. USAID encourages all individuals, including those from disadvantaged and under-represented groups, to respond to the solicitation.

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 Attachment 1.

Sincerely, Janine A. Scott Supervisory Contracting Officer

ATTACHMENT 1

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72062024R00003

2. ISSUANCE DATE: April 02, 2024

3. CLOSING DATE: Open until Filled

4. POINT OF CONTACT: EXO/HR, e-mail at Abujahr@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Development Outreach and Communications (DOC) Specialist - USAID/Nigeria

6. MARKET VALUE: $88,520 to $115,079 equivalent to GS-13.

Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value and will include Locality Pay for domestic USPSCs based on the location of the official USAID Worksite, or the approved worksite if approved for remote work. USPSCs performing overseas are not entitled to Locality Pay.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Nigeria, Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value and will include Locality Pay for domestic USPSCs based on the location of the official USAID Worksite, or the approved worksite if approved for remote work. USPSCs performing overseas are not entitled to Locality Pay.

8. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Five (5) years period, start as soon as clearances are received.

“The base period will be two (2) years, estimated to start on/about May 2024. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise (an) additional option period(s) for three (3) years for the date(s) estimated as follows.”

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Applicants must be U.S. Citizens or resident aliens currently residing in Nigeria or Eligible Family Members (EFM) only.

Resident Hire Personal Services Contractors (RHPSC) are U.S. citizens or lawfully admitted permanent residents of the United States who, at the time of hiring, possess a valid work permit* and reside in Nigeria: (1) As a spouse or dependent of a U.S. citizen employed by a U.S. Government Agency; or (2) under any U.S. Government-financed contract or agreement; or (3) under any other contract or agreement that provides for repatriation to the United States; or (4) for reasons other than for employment with a U.S. Government Agency.

U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Members (USEFMs) will be given hiring preference. USEFMs are U.S. Citizen eligible family members of government employees assigned to the American Embassy Mission to Nigeria under Chief of Mission Authority.

Applicants interested in applying for this position MUST provide photocopies of their U.S. Passport with a valid Nigerian Visa and current Work Permit*. Prior to employment, the successful Resident Hire candidate must be able to enter Nigeria on their U.S. Passport with the Nigerian visa and work permit*. Should an eligible candidate prefer to be hired as an Eligible Family Member, s/he must provide a copy of his/her family member’s travel orders assigning the employee to Post.

*Work Permit requirement is only for non-EFM candidates.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: The selected candidate must be able to obtain a security clearance at the “Employment Authorization/Facility Access” level.

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract:

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) mission statement is: On behalf of the American people, we promote and demonstrate democratic values abroad, and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world. In support of America’s foreign policy, the U.S. Agency for International Development leads the U.S. Governments international development and disaster assistance through partnerships and investments that save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help people emerge from humanitarian crises and progress beyond assistance.

The Development Outreach Communication (DOC) Specialist will work in the USAID/Nigeria Program Office to support strategic communications efforts that advance this mission.

1. BACKGROUND

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa with extraordinary human capital and natural resources, including oil, and a rich agricultural and commercial tradition and a projected total population of approximately 200 million individuals. It comprises six geopolitical zones (North-West, North-East, North-Central, South-West, South-South, and South-East), 36 states (plus the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja), 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) with an average population of about 265,793 residents per LGA, and 8,812 wards. Each state has an elected governor, an executive council, and a house of assembly with the power to enact state laws. State governments have substantial autonomy and exercise considerable authority over the allocation and utilization of their resources, limiting the influence of the federal government over state and local government affairs.

Nigeria’s stability, however, is threatened by terrorism with ISIS - West Africa and Boko Haram), high rates of poverty, and poor education, health, governance, and infrastructure. To address these challenges, U.S. foreign assistance supports investments in health delivery and systemic reform, countering terrorism and violent extremism, peacebuilding, economic growth, democratic governance, and justice. In alignment with the FAR principle of “Graduating Countries from Assistance”, U.S. assistance to Nigeria works to build the capacity of the government, civil society, and individuals to manage good governance, achieve development outcomes, and make progress on Nigeria’s Journey to Self-Reliance.

An FY 2021 budget of over $850 million supports USAID development, transition, and humanitarian assistance programming in Nigeria. This includes interventions in the areas of democracy, human rights, and governance; conflict prevention and mitigation; countering violent extremism; economic growth (energy, trade promotion, agriculture, food security); water, sanitation, and hygiene; health (HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health, reproductive health, family planning, and strengthening management in the health system); and basic education. USAID also manages humanitarian assistance activities in North-East (NE) and North-West Nigeria.

The Development Outreach Communication (DOC) unit is in USAID/Nigeria’s Program Office (PRO). PRO is a growing team of sixteen positions, including four U.S. Direct Hire (USDH) Foreign Service Officers (FSOs), two U.S. Personal Services Contractor (USPSC), two Resident Hire Personal Service Contractors (RHPSC), and eight Cooperating Country National Personal Services Contractors (CCNPSCs). The DOC unit operates under the general direction of the USDH Program Office Director and is led by the FSO DOC Specialist. The DOC unit is responsible for implementing USAID/Nigeria’s strategic communications, public affairs, and outreach activities to promote awareness and understanding of the United States development assistance to Nigeria among key audiences of the host country, the region, in the United States, and throughout other donor countries.

2. RELATIONSHIPS WITH USAID AND OTHERS

The DOC Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the CCNPSC DOC Specialist to accomplish assignments. S/he will engage with other PRO staff, USAID senior mission leadership, USAID technical staff, USAID Implementing Partners, and U.S. Embassy Abuja and U.S. Consulate Lagos Public Affairs teams. S/he may work also with Washington-based communications staff in the Africa Bureau and pillar bureaus, including the Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs.

2. Statement of Duties to be Performed:

The USAID/Nigeria DOC Specialist will undertake the following duties and responsibilities:

Planning, Organization, and Materials Management: 35%

● Coordinates with USAID technical teams to identify upcoming events to be included on USAID/Nigeria’s Events Calendar. Communicates deadlines for submitting events materials for clearance. Follow up with USAID teams to ensure submission of these materials according to established deadlines.

● Supports the Senior DOC Coordinator with planning, coordinating, and conducting USAID/Nigeria’s Communications Working Group with USAID Implementing Partners.

● Files and organizes DOC materials in USAID’s official systems, including documents, photographic imagery, and video or audio files. Assembles and posts content for the USAID website and social platforms.

● Assists DOC and PRO leadership with special assignments, as requested.

Internal Communications: 30%

● Prepares, reviews, and/or edits written materials for senior USAID and Embassy officials’ participation in external events, meetings, or other engagements. This may include decision memos, briefing checklists, speeches, talking points, background information, or activity summaries. Ensures that briefing materials use correct grammar, style, and formatting, contain all required and pertinent information, and are organized appropriately.

● Engages USAID technical and support offices to gather content for USAID’s “Week in Review” or other standard reports. Revises and finalizes based on feedback. Delivers to senior management for official submission to internal USAID/Washington stakeholders.

● Updates PRO’s Google Site with approved DOC materials, including fact sheets, templates, and guidance. Shares information with USAID staff about this Google Site to improve internal access to and knowledge about the resources.

Public Information and Events: 35%

● Coordinates with USAID staff to develop communications materials for public distribution, ensuring materials follow USAID and U.S. Mission Abuja guidance and support U.S. Mission communications priorities.

● Supports creation, design, editing, and quality control for external communications materials, including fact sheets, infographics, stories, videos, and presentations. Ensures materials provide an accurate description of USAID/Nigeria’s activities and achievements to increase external stakeholder awareness of USAID’s work in Nigeria.

● Applies knowledge of PowerPoint, Adobe Photoshop, and additional layout and design formats to draft, review, and/or revise outreach and communications material.

● Helps USAID technical offices and implementing partners identify material for multimedia storytelling and assists with preparing it for dissemination on a variety of public platforms.

● Supports planning, scheduling, publicizing, and/or conducting events to showcase USAID programs to the public, including signing ceremonies, inaugurations, activity launches or closing ceremonies, and other USAID-sponsored public events.

3. USAID Consultations or Orientation: N/A

4. Supervisory Relationship: This is a non-supervisory position. The DOC Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the CCNPSC DOC Specialist.

5. Supervisory Controls: The DOC Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the CCNPSC DOC Specialist.

POSITION ELEMENTS

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not pose undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

A. Education: A Bachelor’s degree in the field of public relations, journalism, international development/relations, English, marketing, communications, or a related field is required (5%).

B. Prior Work Experience: A minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience applicable to this position, in the fields of communications, journalism, public relations, international development/relations, marketing, or events management is required (15%).

C. Job Knowledge: Must have an excellent knowledge of English grammar and U.S. word usage and spelling; familiarity with the principles, methods, practices, and techniques of effective communication; and a basic understanding of issues related to international development. This includes an understanding of the use of written communication to effectively transmit easy-to- understand information about complex development programs/projects/activities. Knowledge about USAID programs, policies, and operations is highly desirable (25%).

D. Skills and Abilities: Excellent interpersonal, teamwork, and customer service skills are essential for this position, demonstrating the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships within a multicultural work environment, including with USAID and other Embassy colleagues USAID implementing partner staff, and others, as required. The work requires excellent oral and written communications skills, demonstrating the ability to prepare high-quality written materials and the ability to obtain, organize, and analyze information for outreach purposes. Applicants may be asked to take a written test(s) to demonstrate communication skills. The position requires strong organizational and task management skills, demonstrating the ability to take initiative, work independently once guidance is provided, and manage several tasks simultaneously and under pressure to meet deadlines. The position also requires competence in using various computer software applications, including Microsoft Office (Word and PowerPoint) and Google Suite (Docs, Slides, Email), is required. In addition, a basic familiarity with Web design, Dreamworks, Acrobat, or other design software is highly desired (30%).

E. Language Proficiency: Fluency (level 4) in English is required. English writing, reading, and oral skills are required and may be tested (25%).

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.

Offerors that meet the minimum requirements, as outlined in this solicitation, will be evaluated, and ranked based on the following adjectival evaluation criteria and characteristics:

EVALUATION CRITERIA / ADJECTIVE DEFINITION

Exceptional

· A comprehensive and thorough application of exceptional merit.

· Offeror meets and fully exceeds the Government expectations and presents a very low risk or no overall degree of risk of unsuccessful contract performance.

· Strengths significantly outweigh any weaknesses that may exist.

Very Good

· An offeror demonstrating a strong grasp of the requirements of the position.

· Offeror meets position requirements and presents a low risk of unsuccessful contract performance.

· Strengths significantly outweigh any weaknesses that exist.

Satisfactory

· An offeror demonstrating a reasonably sound application and a good grasp of the position requirements.

· Offeror meets position requirements and presents a moderate risk of unsuccessful contract performance.

· Strengths outweigh weaknesses.

Marginal

· The offeror shows a limited understanding of the requirements.

· Offeror meets some or most of the position requirements but presents a significant risk of unsuccessful contract performance.

· Weaknesses equal or outweigh any strengths that exist.

Unsatisfactory

· The offeror does not meet the position requirements.

· Presents an unacceptable degree of risk of unsuccessful contract performance.

· Deficiencies and significant weaknesses demonstrate a lack of understanding of the Government’s needs.

· Weaknesses and or deficiencies significantly outweigh any strengths that exist.

The evaluation committee may conduct reference checks, including references from individuals specifically identified by the offeror, and may do so before or after a candidate is interviewed.

Finalists will be invited for interviews during the selection process. No response will be sent to unsuccessful offerors. USAID/Nigeria reserves the right to conduct interviews with the most highly ranked offerors and make the interview a deciding factor in selection.

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 Attachment 1.

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

4. A signed cover letter of no more than three (3) pages that demonstrates how the Offeror’s qualifications meet the evaluation factors of the position.

5. A Curriculum Vitae/Resume which, at a minimum, describes education, latest experience, and career achievements. Electronic copies of diploma, certificates and relevant degrees may be included to corroborate the CV/Resume.

6. Names, current and accurate phone numbers, and email addresses of three (3) professional references that have knowledge of the Offeror’s abilities to perform the duties set forth in the solicitation. USAID reserves the right to contact all references.

7. Limit all electronic (e-mail) submissions to one entry/email not larger than 5MB. Please submit attachments in PDF and Word formats. Application packages must be submitted electronically to Abujahr@usaid.gov.

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:

For Medical clearance:

- DS-1843 Medical History and Examination - for individuals aged 12 and older.

- DS-1622 Medical History and Examination - for children aged 11 and younger.

- DS-3057 Medical Clearance Update (MCU).

Forms found at https://www.state.gov/forms-medical-clearances/ (USN and TCN)

For Security Clearance:

Forms outlined below can be found at: http:/www.usaid.gov/forms/

1. DS-1843 Medical History and Examination - for individuals aged 12 and older.

2. DS-1622 Medical History and Examination - for children aged 11 and younger.

3. DS-3057 Medical Clearance Update (MCU).

4. SF-85, Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions

5. OF-306, Declaration of Federal Employment.

6. SF-86, Questionnaire for National Security Positions.

7. SF-87, Fingerprint Card.

* Forms 2 through 5 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job.

VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

As a matter of policy and as appropriate, a RHUSPSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances as listed below per AIDAR Appendix D:

1. BENEFITS: (as applicable):

(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) Leave and Holidays.

2. ALLOWANCES: (If applicable): Resident Hire USPSCs are not eligible for 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/ads/policy/300/aidar.

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)

(F)

- Award Type: PSC

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

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.

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/work usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman.

The PSC Ombudsman may be contacted via: PSCOmbudsman@usaid.gov.

6. FAR Provisions Incorporated by Reference

[END OF SOLICITATION]

U.S. Agency for International Development 1075 Diplomatic Drive Central Business District, P.M.B. 519, Garki, Abuja.

Tel: +234-9-4614000 Fax +234-9-4619400 www.usaid.gov/ng image1.png