DOC_Solicitation.doc

SOLICITATION NUMBER:

SOL-267-14-000015

ISSUANCE DATE:

June 02, 2014

CLOSING DATE/TIME:

June 23, 2014 / 17:00 Baghdad Time

POSITION TITLE:

Development Outreach and Communications (DOC) Specialist

MARKET VALUE:

GS-13 equivalent ($72,391 to $94,108) PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year, with possible extension.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Iraq

SECURITY ACCESS: U.S. Citizen – Secret Security Clearance

AREA OF CONSIDERATION:

U.S. Citizens

I. INTRODUCTION

The Development Outreach and Communications (DOC) Specialist works with USAID/Iraq leadership and staff to formulate mission-wide messages and implement development, outreach and communications efforts to increase awareness of USAID humanitarian and economic assistance programs in Iraq. S/he reports to the Supervisory Program Officer in the USAID/Iraq Program Office and works closely with the Deputy Mission Director and the Mission Director. S/he will work closely with a Foreign Service National (FSN) on social media issues.

The DOC liaises with the U.S. Embassy’s Public Affairs Section (PAS) to ensure consistency in messaging and strong coordination between USAID and other US government colleagues under the U.S. foreign assistance umbrella. The DOC also serves as the mission’s primary liaison with USAID’s Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA), and the outreach team in the USAID Middle Bureau for Iraq and Arabian Peninsula Affairs (IAPA), and the Strategic Planning Office in Washington, D.C.

II. BACKGROUND

Since 2003, USAID has been a major contributor to the USG reconstruction effort in Iraq. USAID works closely with other USG entities, the Government of Iraq (GOI), provincial and local governments, international institutions such as the United Nations (UN) and the World Bank, and a network of partners from non-governmental organizations, local community groups, and Iraqi citizens.

U.S. assistance to Iraq has changed substantially over the past years and will change even more dramatically in 2014. From 2003 to 2006, USAID focused on restoring essential services such as in health, education, water and electricity; improving economic opportunities; building the foundation of democracy and governance; and managing conflict. In 2007, the focus shifted to strengthening the effectiveness of government and civil society, expanding private sector opportunities, supporting focused stabilization activities, and providing humanitarian assistance and support for internally displaced persons. These types of activities continued until 2009 when USG assistance began shifting from reconstruction to enhancing Iraq’s capacity to rebuild itself and improving Iraq’s ability to govern itself effectively. Today the U.S. government’s long-term goal is a “sovereign, stable, self-reliant Iraq.” To this end, USAID provides assistance to Iraq to strengthen the private sector, improve governance, and support civil society.

III. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Development Outreach and Media Activities

· Directs the preparation and maintenance of information packages on the USAID and USG programs in Iraq – with standard basic packages for differing purposes (media, the public, educational institutions, the Government of Iraq and district and local level governments.), for briefings and for distribution to the public and the media; and, for USAID/Washington, and the US Embassy.

· Oversees the drafting of press releases on program successes, project inaugurations, and significant developments, and provides drafts to the PAS for dissemination, as appropriate; follows up with media to encourage and support coverage of public events.

· Works with staff from throughout the mission to develop and maintain public relations materials, to the extent possible in both the English and Arabic including fact sheets, brochures, newsletters, presentations, websites, and other visual displays on USAID programs/projects/activities and their objectives.

· Distributes reports on field trips and assessments conducted by USAID staff; and, participates in field trips as necessary.

· Photograph and/or shoot video of USAID events for the USAID and Embassy websites and for USAID/Iraq’s archives.

2. Press and Media Coordination

· Monitors local and international press coverage for awareness of, and attitudes toward, USAID/Iraq and USG programs/projects/activities.

· Provides feedback to inform USAID staff on ongoing activities and future programming; serves as lead for USAID/Iraq in contacting representatives of local and international media in Iraq, in order to promote story ideas and feature stories on USAID programs/projects.

· Organizes media tours and facilitates contacts among members of the media and USAID/Iraq implementing partners (IP), to encourage in-depth coverage of USAID/Iraq programs/projects/activities in the local and international media.

· Organizes and coordinates press events for USAID/Iraq programs/projects/activities, such as inaugurations, ribbon-cuttings, and project completions, including writing press releases, organizing background briefings for the media, compiling and disseminating press packets, dealing with protocol issues, site selection, staging and logistical issues, identifying and scheduling speakers, liaising between US and local government officials, and on-site coordination of media.

· Assists the media to ensure coverage of public events.

· Responds to general inquiries from the public and media about USAID/Iraq and USG programs/projects/activities, practices, and other general information requests and maintains an archive of USAID press and media exposure articles for analysis and historical documentation, in an easily accessible database.

3. USG Coordination

· Assists the Embassy’s PAS, USAID/Iraq, and partners to achieve maximum exposure and understanding of USAID and USG humanitarian and development assistance efforts and initiatives.

· Develops, designs, and implements the development communications and outreach strategy to increase understanding of, and support for, USAID/Iraq programs to external target audiences.

· Produces media-savvy clips and campaign slogans to ensure target audience awareness of programs/projects/activities funded by USAID/Iraq throughout the country.

· Provides USAID/Washington and the Embassy with information on programs.

· Advises Mission management and other USAID/Iraq staff on press and media relations.

· Ensures a broadcasted, targeted, coherent, and consistent message comes from all USAID/Iraq staff and IPs.

4. Development Outreach and Communication Strategy

· Advises the USAID Mission Director and senior USAID Mission staff on all communication and outreach efforts.

· Develops and manages a communication strategy that promotes USAID/Iraq and all USG programs to internal and external audiences, ensuring public awareness of programs and projects being funded by USAID and other USG agencies, facilitating information access and sharing within the entire US mission to Iraq.

· Strengthens mission reporting functions to USAID/Washington, the Department of State, and the congress. The USAID/Iraq communication strategy defines the role and objectives of USAID and USG assistance, and how information will be used to highlight the impact of USAID and USG assistance to Iraq.

· Leads USAID staff and contractors in developing appropriate public information programs, oversees all USAID/Iraq branding, provides guidance to USAID staff and partners in their direct contacts with the media, and ensures a targeted, coherent, and consistent message from all USAID staff and partners.

· Effectively uses multimedia to enhance the message of development throughout Iraq through written and visual means.

· It is fully expected that the materials developed by the specialist will be used in US coverage of events in Iraq, and therefore geared toward a broad and experienced audience.

IV. Position Elements

1. Supervision received: The incumbent will report to the Supervisory Program Officer.

2. Available guidelines: The incumbent is required to understand and analyze mission and agency‑specific policies and procedures for outreach activities, particularly the branding and marking policies described in the Automated Directive System.

3. Physical Demands:

· Travel outside the Embassy Baghdad Compound is a part of the assignment and requires Regional Security Officer approval.

· Travel to the field is physically demanding, including transport in security convoys with all principals wearing Personal Protection Equipment.

· While interacting with conservative tribal members, local culture and customs must be respected – which means dress codes are in effect and include wearing conservative attire and showing respect for local traditions.

4. Exercise of judgment:

· Employee may have to make decisions without consulting with a supervisor;

· The incumbent must react to and interpret changing priorities and circumstances and work in coordination with various mission elements.

· The employee must plan his/her work schedule independently.

5. Authority to make commitments:

· The incumbent has no personal authority to make financial commitments on behalf of the U.S. government.

· The incumbent has specific authorities delegated by the supervisor, largely based on the personal skills and knowledge the incumbent brings to the job.

· The supervisor typically clears all major written communications to parties outside the mission.

6. Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts

1. The incumbent ensures that the many diverse elements of USAID and its constituencies play active roles in the implementation of USAID's public relations activities, taking a proactive role to develop information conduits with each of the technical offices.

2. The incumbent is in the important position of maintaining an up-to-date understanding of the mission portfolio and its progress.

3. The incumbent will be in contact with LPA, IAPA, and the Strategic Planning Office to provide project information and provide stories to agency-wide communication activities.

4. The incumbent’s responsibilities will require close coordination with PAS on all USAID activities that involve Embassy participation or press.

7. Supervision exercised: The incumbent will not supervise anyone.

8. Complexity: The incumbent develops a communication plan to strengthen awareness of USAID development efforts. The incumbent coordinates public outreach events among senior Mission Management, several interagency offices and implementing partners and requires in-depth knowledge of historical practices, audiences, and priorities to ensure a targeted, coherent, and consistent message. The incumbent will be required to have familiarity with all USAID/Iraq projects and objectives.

V.

SELECTION PROCESS AND CRITERIA

Applicants must submit a one-page summary statement that describes how their relevant professional experience has prepared them to meet the specific challenges of the duties and responsibilities described above. The application must explicitly address the selection criteria listed below.

Applicants must provide at least three references and provide current contact information, preferably both an email address and a telephone number. Candidate applications that meet the required qualifications will be scored using the criteria listed in the solicitation. Top ranked candidates will be interviewed. Following the interview, those applicants ranked highest will be required to submit a timed writing sample on a topic provided. The selection committee may conduct reference checks at any time during the selection process.

Applications that do not meet the required minimum qualifications will not be scored.

Education (10%)

· A Master’s degree in journalism, communications, English or creative writing is required.

Technical knowledge/work experience (35%)

· At least five years of progressively responsible experience working in the field of communication or journalism is required. Must have extensive writing and editing experience, including preparation of press releases, briefing materials, talking points, brochures, program summaries. Applications will be initially scored for technical knowledge/work experience, and the score will be updated throughout the selection process, including past performance reference checks.

· Must have demonstrated success in developing and disseminating information to a variety of target audiences.

· Must have demonstrated success in designing and implementing effective public relations/communications campaigns targeted at specific audiences as well as the general public.

· Must have knowledge and ability to craft attractive and creative information messages in various media formats.

· Must have a broad knowledge of issues related to international development and transition economies.

· Must have knowledge of Middle Eastern political, economic, and social environments.

· Must have extensive knowledge of Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Microsoft Excel; familiarity with the Adobe Suite, particularly using Adobe Photoshop; experience with Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn; and experience maintaining websites.

Language (20%)

Level IV (fluent) English in both oral and written, is required. Applications will be initially scored for language proficiency, and the language score will be updated throughout the selection process based on the interview and writing sample. Conversational Arabic is desirable.

Skills and abilities (35%)

· Ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural team is required.

· Ability to write high quality products under a tight deadline is required.

· Ability to write to a variety of different audiences is required.

· Good organizational skills and attention to detail is required.

· Ability to make cogent arguments clearly and succinctly in written and oral presentations is required.

· Excellent computer skills, including Word, and PowerPoint, and the ability to use internet search engines to facilitate information gathering and research is required.

III.

TERM OF PERFORMANCE / COMPENSATION

Within two weeks after written notice from the Contracting Officer that all clearances, including medical and security clearances, have been received, or unless another date is specified by the Contracting Officer in writing, the contractor shall proceed to the Washington, D.C. area for mandatory pre-deployment training and orientation, and then directly to Baghdad, Iraq, where s/he shall promptly commence performance of the duties specified above. The term of the contract will be for approximately one year with possible extension.

The position has been classified at a GS-13 level. The actual salary of the successful candidate will be negotiated within the GS-13 pay band, depending on qualifications and previous salary history. It is unlikely that an individual will be selected who does not already have the prior training and experience to fully perform at the GS-13 level, or who in some other way does not fully meet all requirements for the position. However, should such an individual be offered a position, the offered salary may be at less than the minimum salary in the GS-13 pay band.

In addition to the basic salary, differentials and other benefits in effect at the time, and which are applicable and subject to change on a similar basis as for direct-hire USG employees, will be added. Illustratively, these may include 25% Post Differential, 35% Danger Pay, and 5% Sunday Differential.

The new USAID offices are located at the Annex II of the US Embassy Compound within the guarded and fortified International Zone in Baghdad. All USAID employees are provided furnished quarters. Unless policy at Post changes, meals are provided at no cost to the employee. Internet service is available for purchase.

IV.

MEDICAL AND SECURITY CLEARANCES

The selected candidate must be able to obtain both a background security clearance and a worldwide available medical clearance. The security clearance involves a comprehensive investigation performed by the appropriate U.S. Government agency. Details on how to obtain US Department of State Medical Unit clearance will be provided once a job offer is made and accepted.

V.

BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES/TAXES

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a USPSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: (NOTE: An individual defined as a Resident-Hire employee may only be eligible for those benefits listed under item A below.)

A. BENEFITS:

Employer's FICA Contribution

Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

Pay Comparability Adjustment

Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

Annual & Sick Leave

Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service

B. ALLOWANCES (If Applicable):

Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120)

Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

Post Allowance (Section 220)

Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230)

Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

Education Allowance (Section 270)

Education Travel (Section 280)

Post Differential (Chapter 500)

Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) and

Danger Pay (Section 650)

C. FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes under the foreign earned income exclusion.

VI. APPLYING

Interested applicants MUST submit the following materials:

- Most current Curriculum vitae or resume

- Completed and hand-signed federal form OF-612 (including OF-612 continuation sheets as needed). The OF-612 can be downloaded from: www.usaid.gov/forms/.

- Three references, who are not family members or relatives, with telephone and e-mail contacts

- Brief appendix to demonstrate how prior experience and/or training address the minimum qualifications and selection criteria shown in the solicitation

Applicants are required to sign the certification at the end of the OF-612. Applications that are received without a signature will not be considered for the position.

Late, incomplete or unsigned applications will NOT be considered.

All applications should be submitted electronically to:

iraquspscjobs@usaid.gov

All applications should be received by the closing date and time previously specified. To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application and as the subject line in any cover letter. The selection will be based on the panel evaluation of the applicants vis-à-vis selection criteria mentioned previously. Applicants should also note that the salary history for the purpose of the OF-612 is the salary paid, excluding benefits and allowances such as housing, travel, educational support, vehicle use, etc.

Points of Contact

PRIMARY: Mr. Francisco Santos, Human Resources Specialist, Phone (in Iraq) - (+1) 202-216-6276, ext. 4659; Email: frsantos@usaid.gov

SECONDARY: Ms. Ellen Zehr, Supervisory Executive Officer, Phone (in Iraq) - (+1) 202-216-6276, ext. 4631; Email: ezehr@usaid.gov

1. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs

Forms outlined below can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/

1. Optional Form 612.

2. Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62)**

3. AID 6-1 (Request for Security Action)**

4. SF-86 (Questionnaire for National Security Positions)**

5. FD-258 (Fingerprint Cards) 2 each**

6. AID 610-14 (Authority for Release of Information)**

7. AID 6-85 (Foreign Residence Data)**

8. Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1970, As Amended**

9. Notice Required by the Privacy Act of 1974**

** Forms 2 through 9 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job. Note: The selected individual shall be required to obtain a security clearance.

2. ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) PERTAINING TO PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACT (PSC)

AAPDs contain information or changes pertaining to USAID policy, regulation and procedures concerning acquisition and assistance. A number of AAPDs pertain to Personal Service Contracts. Please refer to the USAID website: http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/ to locate relevant AAPDs. Additionally, AIDAR Appendix D or J also applies to PSCs and can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf