SOL-278-12-000005 USPSC DG Specialsit.pdf

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: SOL-278-12-000005

2. ISSUANCE DATE: Immediate

3. CLOSING DATE: May 30, 2012 by 9:30 am DC Time

4. POSITION TITLE: Democracy and Governance Specialist

5. MARKET VALUE: $99,628-$129,517 per annum (GS-15). Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based upon the candidate’s past salary, work history, and educational background.

6. ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION POSITION: Amman, Jordan

7. DIRECT SUPERVISOR: USAID/Jordan Deputy Mission Director or his/her designee

8. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The US Personal Services Contract will be for one year, subject to possible extension. This position supports an unfilled Foreign Service Officer position.

9. SECURITY ACCESS: USG Secret Level

10. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: US Citizens

The USAID/Jordan Mission is issuing a solicitation to qualified U.S. citizens for the position of Democracy and Governance Specialist. This position has been approved by the USAID/Jordan Mission at a GS-15 grade level and the salary range for a GS-15 level is $99,628-$129,517. Apart from the competitive salary, a full complement of expatriate benefits, customary in USAID overseas positions, are included with this position, such as housing, educational allowances, and annual leave. Nonetheless, the salary level of the selected candidate (within the range above) will be determined based on meeting the required qualifications and documented previous salary history. The work schedule is 40 hours per week, and the workweek is Sunday- Thursday.

Interested candidates should submit an application as per the following requirements:

Position Description for: Democracy and Governance Specialist

Background

The USAID Mission to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has been working to improve the quality of life for the Jordanian people for more than 50 years. Since 1996, the U.S. Government has significantly increased the levels of Economic Support Funds that it provides to the Kingdom. USAID assistance is being provided in six main objective areas including: water resource development; energy; economic opportunities; health; education reform; and democratization/good governance. With a core operating year budget in Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 of about $360 million, USAID/Jordan is one of the largest bilateral assistance programs in the region.

USAID is actively engaged in democracy initiatives in Jordan. Currently USAID/Jordan’s portfolio includes: a dynamic rule of law portfolio, a political processes and elections portfolio and a civil society and media portfolio. As a result of the Arab Spring, and in support of the Government of Jordan (GOJ)’s political reform agenda, USAID anticipates rapid expansion of its portfolio. Under the Mission’s Democracy Strategy, it is estimated that USAID/Jordan will have between $125 million and $150 million over the next five years to implement democracy and governance-related programs.

Basic Function of the Position

Provide leadership, guidance and overall direction on the development and execution of all AID-financed activities related to Democracy and Governance. Participate in planning and developing Mission strategies and program direction for all activities related to the Democracy and Governance Sector.

The Democracy and Governance (DG) Specialist is the Mission’s senior advisor responsible for developing and implementing the Mission’s programs related to the Democracy and Governance Office.

DG Specialist provides advisory guidance and assistance to the Embassy, USAID staff, and host government authorities and to private and public entities on programs and projects designed to enhance democracy and governance in Jordan.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Provide leadership, guidance and overall direction on the development and execution of USAID-financed activities related to DG. Participate in planning and developing the overall Mission strategy and ensuring that DG is integrally articulated and integrated in the strategy.

Plan and develop new project activities related to the overall democratization and good governance objective. The incumbent is responsible for undertaking complex negotiations with contacts at the Ministerial and top executive levels.

Advise and assist authorities on comprehensive planning and in setting priorities. Help to determine the material, technical and financial requirements for specific project activities and recommend appropriate sources to be developed in providing external and local financing. Define the scope of economic, technical and financial feasibility studies required to support USAID financing.

Review and approve contractor or grantee selection and provide guidance on the rules, regulations and procedures that must be observed for USAID assistance.

Serve as the senior advisor to Mission leadership and senior GOJ officials on policy and programs related to democracy and governance reform.

Maintain a wide range of contacts with government, private sector, voluntary institutions as well as other multilateral and bilateral donors on matters related to democracy and governance reform in order to ensure collaboration and close cooperation in developing sound and sustainable host-country programs and projects.

Keep abreast of developments and issues in the political context and determines the nature and extent of host country needs for foreign assistance in the sector. Identify ways to further meet both USG foreign policy and GOJ social sector programmatic and policy objectives in Jordan.

Direct the Democracy and Governance Office; supervises and mentors all professional and secretarial staff within the DG team, which currently is composed of a Foreign Service National Team Leader, a Local Hire Personal Services Contractor and two Foreign Service National team members. The staff size will likely grow as the DG program expands and the Office Director will be responsible for any additional recruitment, supervision, training and retention of DG staff.

Coordinate sectorial planning with other Offices of the Mission in order to integrate DG activities into the overall Mission program.

Direct and participate in all aspects of strategic and program planning for project activities related to democracy and governance reform. This includes:

a. Mission representation in consultations and negotiations with host government officials and Development and coordination of all necessary Embassy Mission Program Plan and USAID program, strategic objective and results framework documentation.

b. Exercise the full range of authorities to ensure adequate oversight financial planning and accountability, as well as effective implementation of the DG results framework.

Confer with cooperating government officials, clients and development partners, including private sector vendors and other donors as appropriate to obtain compliance with commitments and to resolve problems.

Assist the Mission in collecting information and evaluating the impact of all activities in DG. This will include:

Attendance and completion of all reporting requirements;

Full participation in evaluation efforts of current and completed projects and activities, including the performance of contractors and grantees;

Ensure that relevant recommendations are implemented and taken into consideration in the design of new initiatives; and Evaluate audit report findings and recommending and participating in corrective action.

The incumbent shall ensure effective coordination and information sharing with the USAID/Jordan staff and personnel of implementing partners and other donor agencies. In this capacity, s/he shall also work closely with offices of the U.S. Embassy, the Department of State, democracy-related institutions and other key individuals useful and necessary to the full accomplishment of the objectives of USAID/Jordan’s DG program.

The incumbent has no authority to make commitments on behalf of the USG; however, recommendations are given substantial weight by USAID officials who exercise that authority. The incumbent is authorized to initiate correspondence and discussions with senior government officials and private sector organizations and to articulate USAID strategy and implementation issues specific to the sector.

Other Significant Facts

1. Reporting Responsibilities:

The incumbent will receive supervision, policy direction, and guidance from the USAID/Jordan Deputy Mission Director.

2. Supervisory Controls:

The incumbent is expected to exercise considerable independent judgment and initiative. Such initiative is critical to the success of the assignment; however, the actions and the decisions of the incumbent should be discussed with the Deputy Mission Director.

Specific work plans and anticipated results are developed in consultation with the Deputy Mission Director and the DG Team. The incumbent performs many assignments independently, providing leadership to others involved in the Democracy and Governance Office functions with regards to formulating policies and program strategies as well as planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating activities for the Democracy and Governance Sector. The work is reviewed in terms of achievement of established milestones, and the appropriateness of the work performed.

3. Physical Demands:

The primary location of work will be the USAID/Jordan Mission, located in USG-provided facilities in Amman, Jordan. Work in the office is expected to be mostly sedentary. Secondary locations will include implementing partner offices, field offices, project site field locations, locations of beneficiaries in rural and in urban areas, Government of Jordan departments and offices, the offices of bi- and multi-lateral donors and NGOs, and attendance at conferences and training.

Required Qualifications and Selection Criteria

This is a senior USAID/Jordan position, and the successful candidate must be sufficiently experienced to understand the needs of the Mission. Selection will be based on the following criteria (maximum points available: 100):

1. Education (15 points)

A Master’s degree from an accredited university in one of the following fields: in political science, international relations, law, development management, government history, or equivalent discipline is required.

2. Work Experience (65 points)

7+ years of experience in democracy and governance related programming, such as civil society strengthening, rule of law, political parties’ development and local governance programming is required, of which 5 years of experience must be in a senior management level, demonstrating sound and independent judgment with the skills to strategize, develop and effectively implement activities is required. (45 points)

The incumbent must demonstrate professional experience related to project management monitoring and evaluation; and demonstrated research skills on problems of democratization in the developing world is desirable. (10 points)

The incumbent must demonstrate professional experience living and working in a developing country, preferably in the Middle East. Knowledge of the Jordanian political, economic, social and cultural context, characteristics and history is a plus. (10 points)

3. Skills and Abilities (20 points)

The candidate must be able to work in a highly demanding environment and capable of handling tasks with varying deadlines. The candidate must be able to communicate complex and difficult policy and programmatic issues in an understandable manner, and must be able to maintain and adhere to high standards of professional conduct.

The candidate must be able to function as an Office Director, must have good leadership, mentoring and motivation skills, and interpersonal skills, and have the ability to manage and coordinate activities sufficient to achieve the goals and objectives of the Mission.

The candidate must have knowledge in budget and procurement management, must be able to plan, organize, and manage complex negotiations and meetings, and must be able to analyze and synthesize complex and incomplete information.

The candidate must have excellent English writing and editing skills, as well as an excellent ability to process information from a wide variety of sources into cohesive documents, and must have excellent oral, negotiation and presentation communications skills. Samples of reports or articles related to democracy and governance must be included in the application. Knowledge of Arabic language is desirable.

The candidate must demonstrate excellent computer skills in specialized software, including Windows and Microsoft Office Suite, and must also demonstrate the ability to navigate the Internet with ease.

EVALUATION FACTORS:

The factors listed below will be the basis for evaluating and ranking applicants who meet Required Qualifications and Selection Criteria for the position. All applicants are scored based on the documentation submitted with the application. Applicants are encouraged to write a brief appendix to demonstrate how prior experience and/or training address the following Evaluation Factors:

1. Education (15 points)

2. Work Experience (65 points)

3. Abilities and skills (20 points)

TERM OF PERFORMANCE:

The term of the contract will be for one year, subject to possible extension; this position supports an unfilled Foreign Service Officer position. Within two weeks after written notice from the Contracting Officer that all clearances have been received or, unless another date is specified by the Contracting Officer in writing, the incumbent shall proceed to Amman, Jordan. This position has been classified as equivalent to a GS-15 position in the USG Civil Service. The actual salary of the successful candidate will be negotiated depending on qualifications and previous salary history with the GS-15 range.

In addition, at the time of this announcement, but subject to change at any time, Amman, Jordan has a 5% Post Differential allowance, a 20% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), and because USAID/Amman’s workweek is Sunday-Thursday, a 5% Sunday differential; housing and other benefits are provided in accordance with USAID regulations. Basic household furnishings will be available in quarters to be provided by the USG. FICA and federal income tax will be withheld by

USAID.

MEDICAL AND SECURITY CLEARANCE:

The selected candidate must be able to obtain a USG SECRET Level Security clearance and Department of State medical clearance.

BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES:

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the benefits and allowances listed in this section. [NOTE: A contractor meeting the definition of a US Resident Hire PSC shall be subject to US Federal Income Tax (including differentials and allowances), but shall not be eligible for any fringe benefits except contributions for FICA, health insurance, and life insurance.]

1. BENEFITS:

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 as per post policy

2. ALLOWANCES (If Applicable)*:

(1) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120)

(2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

(3) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(4) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230)

(5) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

(6) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600)

(7) Danger Pay (Section 650)

(8) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(9) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) (10)Education Travel (Section 280)

* Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas).

3. FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are required to pay Federal Income Taxes, FICA, and Medicare.

CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) or ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) PERTAINING TO PSCs:

AAPDs and CIBs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contract. Those documents can be found at this website:

http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/cib/subject.html#psc

SELECTION PROCESS

Applications will be initially screened for eligibility in accordance with the qualification criteria above.

Applicants must address each criterion in their application in order to meet the minimum qualifications for this position.

USAID will screen for nepotism/conflict of interest in determining successful candidacy. Interested individuals are requested to submit their resume together with the Optional Application for Federal Employment OF612 electronically to: ammanresumesusaid@usaid.gov

To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application and on the subject line of the cover letter. The highest ranking applications may be selected for an interview, in person or by telephone. Applicants may submit an application against this solicitation no later than May 30, 2012.

Questions may be directed to the Human Resources office, USAID/Jordan, Tel: 00962-6-5906000 ext. 6605/6673.

LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs:

1. The Optional Application for Federal Employment OF612 signed (electronic version required).

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

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

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

5. Finger Print Card (FD-258). *

6. Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1970, as Amended (AID 500-4). *

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

* Forms 2 through 7 shall be completed upon advice of the Contract Officer that the applicant is the successful candidate.

All Forms can be found at:

http://www.usaid.gov/forms/