SOL-482-16-000001_-_Humanitarian_Advisor_03-11-2016.pdf

RFP No.: SOL-482-16-000001 ISSUANCE DATE: March 14, 2016 CLOSING DATE: April 18, 2016

4:00 PM Yangon Time (UTC+6:30)

SUBJECT: Solicitation for an Offshore Hire U.S. Citizen Personal Service Contractor (USPSC)

Senior Humanitarian Assistance Advisor, USAID/Burma

To All Interested Applicants:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications (AID 302-3 and resume) from qualified U.S. citizens interested in providing the PSC services described in attachment 1.

Submissions shall be in accordance with the instructions to applicants provided in attachment 1 by the date and time specified. Interested applicants must submit all the materials required by the solicitation including salary history for the prior three years and the names and contact points for at least three references with knowledge of the applicant's prior work skills and should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications.

Submissions must be electronic and sent to: burmaoaa@usaid.gov, with a copy to sgabriel@usaid.gov andnorlingj@state.gov. To ensure delivery by the due date it is recommended that applications be sent as email attachments of a size less than10Mb. Late applications will not be considered.

Applicants are required to sign the certification at the end of the AID 302-3. Applications that are received without a signature or incomplete applications will not be considered for the position.

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 application.

Sincerely, /s/

Jennifer Norling Contracting Officer USAID/Burma mailto:burmaoaa@usaid.gov mailto:sgabriel@usaid.gov mailto:norlingj@state.gov

SOL-482-16-000001

Senior Humanitarian Assistance Advisor

ATTACHMENT 1

Solicitation No. 482-16-000001 for U.S. Citizen/ Personal Services Contractor (USPSC), Senior Humanitarian Assistance Advisor, USAID/Burma

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: SOL-482-16-000001

2. ISSUANCE DATE: March 14, 2016

3. CLOSING DATE: April 18, 2016, Yangon Time (UTC+6:30)

4. POSITION TITLE: Senior Humanitarian Assistance Advisor, USAID/Burma

5. MARKET VALUE: GS-14 (ranging from US $87,263 to US $113,444 per year)

Salary to be paid within this grade will depend on experience, qualifications, and salary history. The standard compensation package also includes a contribution for life and health insurance and a contribution to FICA. If the selected candidate qualifies as an off-shore hire under USAID regulations, the employee will additionally receive post differential and cost of living allowance approved for Rangoon, Burma, housing, international travel, shipment benefits, and other applicable allowances. Individuals meeting the definition of resident hire under USAID regulations, (individuals who, at the time of hiring as a PSC, reside in Burma) will only receive the standard compensation package that includes a contribution for life and health insurance and a contribution to FICA, if applicable.

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: To start o/a June 2016, for a period of two years with the possibility of extensions depending on the need for continuation of such services, availability of funds, satisfactory performance and the needs of the USAID Mission.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: U.S. Embassy, Rangoon, Burma, with travel as needed within the country and in the region.

8. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: US Citizens

9. SECURITY CLEARANCE: The successful candidate will be required to obtain a “Secret” level Security Clearance as a pre-condition for employment.

10. JOB DESCRIPTION:

A. POSITION TITLE: Senior Humanitarian Assistance Advisor, USAID/Burma

B. ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION OF THE POSITION: Rangoon, Burma

C. POSITION TITLE OF DIRECT SUPERVISOR: Incumbent will report to USAID/Burma Office Director of Democracy, Governance, and Humanitarian Assistance.

D. ACTIVITY BACKGROUND

After decades of absence, USAID/Burma re-opened its doors in 2012 in response to the Government of Burma (GOB) undertaking democratic and economic reforms. The Mission's reestablishment, announced by Secretary of State Clinton, was formalized during President Obama's visit to Rangoon in November 2012.

Since USAID/Burma’s re-opening, the Mission’s humanitarian assistance portfolio, a critical component of U.S. foreign policy goals in Burma, has grown significantly in financial resources, engagement with the Government of Burma, and coordination with the broader U.S. Government and an expanding international community presence in Burma. This portfolio includes approximately $20 million of annual bilateral funds through multiple implementing mechanisms, plus responsibility for coordinating an additional $15-$20 million of humanitarian funding from USAID’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) and Office of Food for Peace (FFP) each year. USAID plays a leading role guiding and ensuring policy alignment for sensitive and complex programming in Rakhine State. USAID has also taken a leading role in coordinating with the international community on Rakhine. USAID has and expanded its role in disaster preparedness and response with government and international partners.

E. BASIC FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION

The contractor serves as a Senior Humanitarian Assistance Advisor for USAID, based in the US Embassy in Rangoon, Burma. It is critical to U.S. foreign policy goals that the Senior Humanitarian Assistance advisor be an individual with exceptional expertise and experience with complex humanitarian, political and conflict issues, preferably in Burma. As a senior level USPSC, the contractor will provide the full range of consultative, advisory, management, analytical, and networking/liaison functions to USAID Burma. In addition, the contractor will be required to provide these same functions in direct support of program management activities to the other professional members the USAID Mission in Burma.

Given the complex and extreme sensitive nature of the operating environment, in particular in Rakhine State, the contractor must exercise sound independent judgment in a vast array of situations, especially of outstanding difficulty and be able to adapt quickly to changing circumstances and relationships on the ground and demonstrate flexibility. The position demands an individual who is a visionary, creative team player, prepared to advise on foreign policy issues, and one who is able to follow complex instructions while exercising formal decision making authority in broad program area to solve both conceptual and on the ground program management problems on his/her own.

The contractor must effectively perform duties and responsibilities within the following areas:

strategic planning, multi-country embassy and host country relations, program design and management, networking and liaising with donors, multilateral institutions, multi-country ministry officials and technical authorities, foundations and local and international NGOs; track financial information on grants; provide technical assistance and programmatic advice across multiple sectors and countries, analysis, assessment and research, reporting and communications, identification/resolution of issues affecting overall program performance and response/communication with USAID offices in the region and Washington. The incumbent of this position oversees humanitarian assistance programs along the Thailand-Burma border and in Rakhine State, as well as managing our regional and in-country relationships with OFDA, World Food Program, Bureau for Population, Refugees and Migrants, emergency response agencies such as United States Forestry Service and Federal Emergency Management Agency, and UN humanitarian agencies. The contractor serves as the senior adviser to the Ambassador on these issues, and those pertaining to migrants, refugees and displaced person, and on Rakhine State. Because of the heavy emphasis in this position on humanitarian assistance and emergency response, the contractor will be a senior person with similar experience. The Advisor will work collaboratively with USAID’s multiple and variant implementing partners throughout the region. The contractor will assist in the planning/coordination of meetings, workshops, and conferences, monitor programs through field visits throughout the region, maintain appropriate documentation, and produce reports on USAID financed activities. The Advisor will receive technical guidance from the USAID Democracy and Governance Office Director in Burma as required, but must be an innovative self-starter with management and administrative skills. He/she should have strong experience in a related area of specialization with an overall knowledge of development needs and issues in the region. The contractor must be able to use multi-disciplinary approaches to complex interconnected humanitarian issues.

F. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The contractor is expected to provide strategic planning; programmatic and technical support for Burma activities. To this end, the contractor will maintain current knowledge and information on a variety of development issues worldwide and especially in the region. The contractor is expected to provide expertise and Burma specific input to informing U.S. policy issues related to Rakhine State and other conflict affected areas around the country. This information will inform the contractor’s ability to make sound management decisions regarding current and proposed activities in Burma. The contractor will perform the following functions: (a) Strategic Planning, Program Design, and Implementation;

(b) Activities management; (c) Embassy/host country relations, Networking and Country backstopping; (d) Managerial and Supervision; (e) Analysis/Assessment/Research; (f) Reporting/Communications; and (g) Perform duties as a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) as delegated in writing by the Contracting/Agreement Officer (CO/AO) (necessary training will be provided).

The duties and responsibilities of the Burma Program Manager include:

1. Strategic Planning, Program Design and Implementation: (25%)

Serve as a key member of the USAID program management and strategic planning team in Burma

Serve as principal advisor and coordinator with the Department of State and U.S.

government agencies on humanitarian issues and disaster relief and reduction efforts. Assist in the design of innovative activities for regional activities as diverse as Trafficking in Persons, Democracy and Governance, Education, Humanitarian Assistance, and Refugee issues among others;

Develop Statements of Work and Program Descriptions as they relate to project activities;

Design and manage appropriate systems to track specific Mission and field activities and their budgets;

Make recommendations to USAID partners, USAID/RDMA and Washington technical team on program implementation;

Provide technical assistances in program design, implementation and evaluation of USAID Burma activities;

Provide direction and capacity building for local and international NGOs implementing USAID activities.

2. Activities Management: (20%)

Conduct regular and frequent visits to project sites across the region to monitor program activities;

Monitor and documents activities of USAID implementing partners, including the establishment of routine communications, track progress against program descriptions, implementation/work plans, assess progress and barriers to achievement, recommend action for improvement or modifications to address problems, and document results;

Manage field support activities, including review and approval of proposed work plans;

Serve as activity manager for selected USAID/RDMA and Washington managed awards in Burma ensuring compliance with USAID rules and regulations and consistency with USG policy objectives;

Review quarterly and other reports, briefs USAID Burma team, and provides feedback to grantees and contractors;

Recommend actions to USAID partners to improve program activities and follow up to ensure recommendations are carried out;

Review financial reports from USAID program partners analyzing activity and financial indicators (expenditures, burn rates, pipelines, need for incremental funding, congruity of expenditures against activities);

Perform duties as a COR and AOR as delegated in writing by the CO/AO;

Track performance data from USAID implementing partners, hosts government and other donors and provides updated information to U.S. Embassy, USAID Senior Staff and relevant technical offices;

Develop and implement project activity monitoring and evaluation systems for USAID activities in the region.

3. Embassy/Host Country Relations, Networking, Country Backstopping: (20%)

Establish strong working relationships with other embassies and host country officials in Burma;

Play a leadership role in advising on humanitarian, political and conflict issues in Rakhine State.

Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with other donors, multilateral institutions, international and local NGOs, and be able to articulate USAID Burma activities and strategies to them;

Organize donor coordination activities in support of project activities;

Maintain good working relationships with all relevant offices within the USAID, USAID/RDMA and Washington;

Liaise regularly with different technical offices regarding Burma programs.

4. Analysis, Assessment, Research: (20%)

Collect quarterly, annual, and periodic programmatic data for analysis and discussion;

Contribute to data collection analysis for annual reporting, Congressional Budget Justification, and performance monitoring plans. This includes: (1)Tracking performance data of activities from partners, international, governmental and non-governmental sources; (2) preparing inventories of current indicators, information collected, and information needed; (3) developing more effective and efficient data collecting methods; (4) verifying accuracy of data; (5) Determining that data is in accordance with performance indicators;

Research latest information and intervention methodologies for relevant development activities in the region;

Provide analysis on the humanitarian, political and human rights issues in Rakhine State and other conflict affected areas of the country.

Provide technical analysis, feedback, and recommendations to US Embassy officers towards improving program design, management, performance and outcomes;

Represent USAID at regional and national level conferences and workshops and be able to explain and discuss Burma programs, humanitarian and related development issues.

5. Reporting, Communications: (15%)

Draft official USAID documentation such as letters to host governments, embassies, and partners; congressional budget justifications, annual reports, assistance and acquisition documents, action memoranda and others;

Report on all travel and project visits, inform USAID staff in Burma and relevant USAID/RDMA and Washington staff of new information or research on relevant Burma issues;

Assist in design and updates on briefing papers and packages for internal and external audiences;

Maintain regular communication with relevant technical offices at USAID/RDMA and Washington about their respective programs in Burma.

Provide analytical reports to USAID and the Embassy Political Section on the situation in Rakhine State and other conflict affected areas of the country.

G. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

The Senior Humanitarian Assistance Advisor must have the following qualifications:

1. Education: Master’s Degree in academic disciplines such as International

Development, Relations, Political Science, Southeast Asian studies or other relevant field is required.

2. Work Experience: The incumbent is required to have worked a minimum of seven years (7) in progressively more responsible project management experience in the fields of democracy, governance and human rights and/or humanitarian assistance.

Experience in Burma is desired but not required. Experience in managing, designing, and/or evaluating humanitarian assistance and related programs on behalf of an international organization, the U.S. government, or a non-governmental organization (NGO) is required.

3. Knowledge The incumbent is required to have exceptional knowledge and expertise with complex humanitarian, political and conflict issues in a comparable context to that described under section E, basic functions of the position.

4. Skills and abilities: The ability to exercise sound independent judgment in a vast array of situations, especially of outstanding difficulty and be able to adapt quickly to changing circumstances. Ability to advise on foreign policy issues, and to follow complex instructions while exercising formal decision making authority in broad program area to solve both conceptual and program management problems.

5. Communications: Outstanding oral and written communication skills. Ability to draft official documentation such as letters to host governments, embassies, and partners;

budget justifications, annual reports, action memoranda and others. Ability to provide informative and succinct briefing to senior officials.

The above required qualifications determine basic eligibility for the position. Applicants who do not meet all of the required qualifications are considered NOT qualified for the position.

H. SELECTION CRITERIA:

Applicants meeting the required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application. USAID/Burma reserves the right to conduct telephonic interviews and perform reference checks with the most highly ranked applicants and make the interview and reference checks a deciding factor in selection. The applicant must also be able to successfully pass a reference background check.

1. Demonstrated experience and knowledge in implementing Humanitarian Assistance Projects: 30 points

2. Demonstrated knowledge of development and humanitarian issues in

SE Asia and US foreign policy: 30 points

3. Demonstrated experience and ability to interact with U.S. Government Agencies, donor and international organizations and local counterparts: 20 Points

4. Communication/Interpersonal Skills and Language Proficiency as demonstrated in application package and interview (if invited): 20 Points

Maximum Points Available: 100 Points

I. SUPERVISION RECEIVED: The Senior Humanitarian Assistance Advisor will work under the supervision of the USAID Burma Office Director of Democracy, Governance and Humanitarian Assistance. In collaboration with the contractor the immediate supervisor will:

(1) establish annual work objectives and performance measures; (2) review work outputs and accomplishments to ensure compliance with Agency policies, and implementation of best practices; (3) provide regular feedback to contractor throughout the Performance Evaluation Period; and (4) prepare the annual Evaluation Report as/when required; and (5) obtain input from the appropriate peers, counterparts, and team members.

As the contractor is expected to work with a high degree of independence, he/she must be able to establish priorities, adhere to and meet established deadlines, and perform responsibilities and duties with minimal guidance and little or no follow-up. The contractor must be pro-active as well as self- motivated and directed.

J. SUPERVISION PROVIDED BY THE INCUMBENT: The Senior Humanitarian Assistance Advisor will supervise 2 senior FSN employees to include an FSN-11 Humanitarian Assistance Specialist and a FSN-10 Humanitarian Assistance Specialist. She/he will also provide support and guidance along with the other advisors and officers in the DG office to the office’s administrative support staff.

K. OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

The incumbent must be:

a. US Citizen;

b. In possession of, or able to obtain, a U.S. Government medical clearance. The successful applicant must receive medical clearance for serving in Burma. Details of how to obtain US Department of State medical clearance will be provided.

c. Available and willing to work outside the regular 40-hour workweek when required/necessary

d. Willing to travel to work sites and other offices as/when requested.

L. INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS:

Interested individuals are requested to submit following:

1. Fully completed and hand-signed copy of an Offeror Information for Personal Services

Contracts form AID-302-3 at http://www.usaid.gov/forms. Applicants should note that the salary history for the purposes of the AID-302-3 is the base salary paid, excluding benefits and allowances such as housing, travel, educational support, vehicle use, etc.

2. A current resume or curriculum vitae (CV);

3. Personal Information: full name, mailing address, email address, day and evening phone numbers, and country of citizenship;

4. A minimum of three and a maximum of five references, including two references which must be from direct supervisors who can provide information regarding the applicant’s knowledge.

5. Information on current or prior U.S. Government security or employment authorization clearance and current or prior U.S. Government/employment medical clearances.

6. Copies of required work and/or residency permits.

NOTE: Submission of a resume alone IS NOT a complete application. This position requires the completion of additional forms and/or supplemental materials as described in this section.

Failure to provide the required information and/or materials will result in your not being considered for employment.

This office must receive your application prior to the closing date and time specified in this solicitation. Late applications will not be considered. Please note all applications must be signed – unsigned applications shall NOT be considered. Please reference the solicitation number on your application, and as the subject line in any cover letter.

M. SELECTION PROCESS:

After the closing date for receipt of applications, a committee will be convened to review applications and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation criteria. Applications from candidates which do not meet the required selection criteria will not be scored. As part of the selection process, finalist candidates may be tested and/or interviewed either in person or by telephone at USAID’s discretion. Reference checks will be made only for applicants considered as finalists. If an applicant does not wish USAID to contact a current employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the applicant’s cover letter, and USAID will delay such reference check pending communication with the applicant. Only finalists will be contacted by USAID with respect to their applications. The final selected candidate must obtain security and medical clearances within a reasonable period of time (USAID will provide details regarding these clearances to the selected candidates). A substantial delay in obtaining either required clearance will make the applicant ineligible for selection.

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http://www.usaid.gov/forms

ATTACHMENT 2

PSC Contractor Benefits (As allowable under applicable regulations)

AS A MATTER OF POLICY, AND AS APPROPRIATE, AN INDIVIDUAL MEETING THE

REQUIREMENTS OF OFFSHORE HIRE US/TCNPSC IS NORMALLY AUTHORIZED THE

FOLLOWING BENEFITS.

Individuals meeting the definition of resident hire will only receive the standard compensation package that includes a contribution for life and health insurance and a contribution to FICA.

1. Benefits

(1) Employee's FICA Contribution

(2) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance --72% of Health Insurance Annual Premium (not to exceed $20,399 for a family and $7,266 for employees without dependents) --50% of Life Insurance Annual Premium (not to exceed $500)

(3) Pay Comparability Adjustment --Annual across the board salary increase for USG employees and USPSCs

(4) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

(5) Vacation & Sick Leave

2. Allowances* (If Applicable):

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, an offshore US/PSC is normally authorized the following allowances:

(1) Post Differential (Section 500)

(2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

(3) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120)

(4) Post Allowance (COLA)(Section 220)

(5) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230)

(6) Payments During Evacuation (Section 600)

(7) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(8) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

(9) Danger Pay (Section 650)

(10) Educational Travel (Section 280)

* Department of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) (Government Civilians Foreign Areas).

3. Federal Taxes: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes.

4. List of REQUIRED Forms for USPSCs

a. Standard Form AID-302-3 which is available at the USAID web site, http://www.usaid.gov/forms.

Forms (b) through (e) shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the position.

b. Medical History and Examination (DS-1843).

http://www.usaid.gov/forms

c. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or

d. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85).

e. Finger Print Card (FD-258). (NOTE: Form is available from the requirements office.)

5. Contract Information Bulletins (CIBs) and Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives

(AAPDs) Pertaining to PSCs

CIBs and AAPDs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to this website http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/psc_solicitations.html to determine which CIBS and AAPDs apply to this contract.

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