Sol_72062322R00004.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/Somalia 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:

Facebook:

Twitter:

usaid.gov/Somalia usaidsomalia-info@usaid.gov USAIDSomalia @USAIDSomalia

Solicitation No.: 72062322R00004

Issuance Date: May 31, 2022

Closing Date/Time: June 20, 2022, 04:30 p.m. (Nairobi Time)

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Services Contractor (U.S. PSC) Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Advisor, GS-15

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/ mailto:usaidsomalia-info@usaid.gov mailto:nairobipscjobs@usaid.gov

72062322R00004

Attachment 1:

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72062322R00004

2. ISSUANCE DATE: May 31, 2022

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME: June 20, 2022, at 04:30 p.m. (Nairobi Time)

4. POSITION TITLE: U.S PSC Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Advisor

5. MARKET VALUE: $112,890 to $146,757 annually equivalent to GS-15. 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 August 2022 to August 2024

Option Period 1 o/a August 2024 to August 2025

Option Period 2 o/a August 2025 to August 2026

Option Period 3 o/a August 2026 to August 2027

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Nairobi, Kenya

8. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens and/or U.S Resident Aliens1. Citizenship, if dual, must be clearly stated. Employment is subject to funds availability and all the required approvals obtained.

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 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/Somalia manages a large, complex foreign assistance program in Somalia. 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.

USAID/Somalia’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy development objectives focus on addressing the U.S. Government’s highest foreign policy priorities: 1) countering the influence of violent extremist organizations and 2) reducing the large humanitarian need in the country.

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

mailto:pbii@usaid.gov https://www.usaid.gov/somalia/documents/country-development-cooperation-strategy-cdcs-somalia-2020-2025

Given the challenges of designing and implementing effective development projects in a highly dynamic, high threat environment, USAID/Somalia invests in developing a strong monitoring, evaluation, and learning culture. This enables the Mission to be able to design, manage, and adapt activities to ongoing security, political, social, and economic changes as well as to test whether development approaches and interventions are achieving results and are sustainable and scalable in Somalia.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

The MEL Advisor will serve as the Mission’s senior learning advisor. The incumbent will report directly to the Supervisory Program Officer. S/he will also work closely with three Mission technical offices, interagency partners, and external stakeholders, including high level representatives from the Federal

Government of Somalia and other international development donors. S/he will also represent the Mission at various MEL communities of practices within USAID and within Somalia’s development community.

As the Senior Learning Advisor, the incumbent will lead the development of the Mission’s learning agenda and guide and train Mission staff in the development, coordination, and implementation of the

Mission’s learning agenda. This will include the development of activity and strategy-level theories of change, learning questions, and related research to inform Mission activity design and implementation and the country strategy.

The incumbent must have expertise in applied social science research, learning, and evaluation methods.

This includes understanding quantitative and qualitative learning methods and research methodologies, as well as the capacity to introduce and guide technical teams on the use of these learning and research methods. The incumbent will need strong management and interpersonal skills to facilitate research and learning among all technical teams and support knowledge sharing among USAID/Somalia’s technical teams and the broader Somalia development community.

Specific Duties to be Performed:

(1) Program/Project/Activity Performance Management and Reporting

● Provide senior level technical guidance to technical offices, Mission staff, implementing partners

(IP), and other development partners on MEL concepts, processes, design, training, and best practices, especially as it relates to resilience and preventing/countering violent extremism

(P/CVE).

● Provide advanced direction and technical guidance on development and implementation of the

Mission’s Performance Management Plan (PMP) and activity-level monitoring, evaluation, and learning plans (AMELP).

● Develop innovative and cross-cutting monitoring tools to track data on key strategic and activity indicators to measure the Mission’s progress towards contributing to CDCS objectives and intermediate results.

(2) Evaluation and Organizational Learning

● Guide IPs in understanding the Mission’s PMP and IPs’ roles contributing to the Mission’s monitoring, evaluating, and learning processes and understanding of the Mission’s contribution to its Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS).

● Lead design and implementation of assessments and evaluations of activities and the CDCS.

● Guide technical offices and IPs on developing and implementing learning agendas to contribute to the Mission’s learning agenda and measurement of its progress towards the CDCS.

(3) Supervision

● Lead the MEL team.

● Supervise the MEL Program Management Specialist.

(4) Representation

● Engage with other MEL experts and communities of practice among other development partners and representatives from the Somali government.

● Represent USAID/Somalia at high level MEL conferences and learning events.

Position Elements:

Supervisory Controls: While closely coordinating with Mission teams and senior leadership, the MEL

Advisor will exercise significant independence and decision-making in carrying out duties. The

Supervisory Program Officer or designee, as supervisor, will set overall objectives and work to be accomplished. However, a high degree of autonomy, self-direction, and time management is required.

The MEL Advisor will be responsible for planning and carrying out assignments, resolving most conflicts, coordinating with others, and interpreting policy in terms of established objectives. Keeping the supervisor informed of progress, the incumbent may determine the approach to be taken and the methodology to be used. The supervisor will review and approve the incumbent’s work plan and performance measures, but the incumbent is expected to work independently with limited guidance, take initiative where appropriate, and lead coordination, and program oversight needs as appropriate.

Knowledge Level Required: The position requires a broad range of demonstrated knowledge and experience related to monitoring, evaluation, and learning, especially related to resilience and P/CVE.

Decision-making: This position requires the ability to act independently in a complex operating environment that requires sophisticated understanding of the political, security, economic, and social environment impacting USAID/Somalia’s activities and implementation. The incumbent must be able to effectively communicate to multiple internal and external stakeholders in a culturally appropriate manner and be able to explain complex technical information so that non-experts are able to use the information provided to make informed decisions. The MEL Advisor 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 resilience and P/CVE 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 MEL Advisor 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. S/he will also have to rely on extensive prior experience and expertise to develop and enforce guidelines, and must be able to use excellent judgment and the ability to deal with ambiguity at all levels.

Complexity: The MEL Advisor’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 MEL Advisor will provide expert advice to all technical offices and advise effective MEL practices and processes to support the entire portfolio of Mission activities. The Advisor will influence the direction and effectiveness of the Mission’s activities and contribution to the CDCS objectives to prevent and counter violent extremism and build the resilience of vulnerable Somali households and communities.

Level and Purpose of Contacts. The MEL Advisor 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 representatives from the Somalia government, implementing partners, and other development donors.

Work Environment. Work is primarily performed in an office setting and does not pose undue physical demands. The employee will be based in Nairobi, Kenya.

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 MEL Advisor must meet the following requirements in education and professional experience:

1. EDUCATION: A Master’s Degree in the field of organizational learning, public, business or development administration, knowledge management, political science/international affairs, economics, development studies, psychology, social work, or a related field.

2. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible, job-related, professional-level experience in development, organizational or action learning, CLA, and/or consulting or knowledge management. A minimum of two years of work experience in Africa.

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

WORK EXPERIENCE (25 Points): A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible, job-related, professional-level experience in development, organizational or action learning, CLA, and/or consulting or knowledge management. Additional consideration will be given to candidates with significant experience working in Somalia or other conflict or post-conflict situations.

A strong background in monitoring and evaluation of development programs, experience in the application of various assessments, learning and evaluative methods and field research experience.

Demonstrated experience in designing, facilitating, and evaluating tailored learning activities, across a variety of themes, forums, and stakeholders.

Prior experience creating and institutionalizing a learning culture in an organization; this includes experience creating opportunities and leading dialogues, both internally and with stakeholders, to inform organizational strategy and guide course correction for work plans, program design, and target setting is beneficial.

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY (10 points): Fluent English (reading, writing, and speaking) at the full professional level. Candidate must have the ability to present analysis and recommendations in clear written and oral format. The SLA must have superior writing skills and be able to prepare clear, substantive reports and briefing papers in English, in a timely manner.

KNOWLEDGE (35 Points): The candidate is expected to have in-depth professional-level knowledge in

CLA, USAID policies, the USAID program cycle, M&E, data analysis and reporting, and knowledge management. The candidate must have a demonstrated understanding of Kenyan and East African economic, social, cultural and political characteristics of development and developing country contexts as well as understanding and experience in developing and leading stakeholder engagement activities, knowledge management programs, coaching, communities of practice and social networking.

Knowledge of the objectives and operations of the USG or the program activities of other partners, including international donor organizations in the Horn of Africa highly desirable.

Prior experience with a USG Agency, implementing partner, or international donor designing and implementing CLA and MEL plans as well as fostering a learning environment is desirable.

ABILITIES AND SKILLS (30 Points): This position requires a demonstrated passion and mastery of the specialized area of facilitating and creating organizational learning and advancing foreign aid effectiveness opportunities. Experience working in a cross-cultural environment and/or in Africa will be an added advantage.

The candidate should be detail-oriented with a demonstrated ability to create and foster a focus on CLA among program and activity managers, implementers, and stakeholders.

The candidate should demonstrate strong coaching, interpersonal, and presentation skills and the ability to influence decision makers, foster organizational change strategies and implement plans within a complex organizational setting.

Must have demonstrated abilities and track record in strategic, systems, and holistic thinking, managing resistance to change and/or understanding organizational culture, learning and change management.

The ability to work effectively in a team environment and manage effective consultations on policies and administrative matters is necessary; as well as an ability to resolve multi-dimensional conflicts and conflicts between technical office priorities and Mission strategy.

Must be able to quickly acquire a thorough understanding of USAID/Somalia CDCS programming objectives, results expected, planning and reporting systems and the key lines of sector investigation, and learning agendas.

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

(g) Paid Parental 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) 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

(a) Definition. As used in this clause –

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 at award 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 https://www.usaid.gov/forms https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs

- 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

- 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