SOL-519-12-000006 DG ADVISOR.pdf

SOL-519-12-000006

SOLICITATION FOR U.S. PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACTOR (USPSC)

Democracy & Governance Advisor / DG Acting Office Director

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: SOL-519-12-000006

2. ISSUANCE DATE: July 26, 2012

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: August 9, 2012 at 4:30 p.m. (San Salvador, El Salvador, Local Time)

4. POSITION TITLE: Democracy & Governance Advisor / DG Acting Office Director

5. MARKET VALUE: GS-15 ($99,628 to $129,517). Salary will be negotiated within the GS-15 level based on prior salary history.

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year, from o/a September 9, 2012 to September 7, 2013.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: San Salvador, El Salvador

8. CLEARANCES: 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 candidate). If such clearances are not obtained within a reasonable time or negative suitability issues are involved, any offer made may be rescinded.

10. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens only

11. STATEMENT OF WORK

A. INTRODUCTION

The objective of this US PSC is to provide overall strategic and management support to the Democracy and Governance Office (DG) of USAID/El Salvador. The Democracy and Governance Advisor (DG) will serve as the Acting DG Office Director.

The Advisor will lead a challenging sector of the USAID/El Salvador portfolio. To promote democratic consolidation, the DG portfolio has an ongoing program to foster transparency and accountability in the public sector, and is launching new programs to support transparency in the judicial and elections processes. In addition, the DG portfolio plays a critical role in the promotion of the Central America Regional Security Initiative

(CARSI).

CARSI seeks to limit the power and impunity of criminal organizations in the drug transit zone that aggressively intimidate state institutions, threaten governments’ abilities to maintain public security and expand the rule of law, and pose a hazard to the safety and security of the U.S. The Economic and Social Development Fund of CARSI, created by Congress under the FY 2008 Supplemental Appropriations Act, is designed to address underlying economic and social conditions that lead to community vulnerability to crime and security. USAID has the lead role in managing this fund for the USG.

The advisor will report directly to the Mission Director or Deputy Mission Director or his/her designee.

B. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION:

The incumbent will be responsible for management, monitoring, evaluation and development of a broad range of democracy and governance challenging DG related programs undertaken by USAID. This position will cover a gap before a career USAID officer is assigned as the Democracy and Governance Officer.

Position duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Contribute as a senior staff member to development and implementation of the

Mission’s overall planning and strategies through serving on the Strategic Integration Team to provide guidance on maximizing focus on CARSI, Partnership for Growth, private sector alliance and integrating multiple Presidential Initiatives into the Mission’s new strategic plan.

Lead DG planning to prepare for the development of the Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) which is scheduled to begin in October 2011.

Manage the USAID DG office in her/his capacity of Acting DG Office Director during the established performance period. Work with staff to realign management and ensure coverage in light of changes in staff. Manage overall budget for the DG portfolio. Set up and/or keep up processes of staff meetings, basic project tracking and documentation, and a revised system of performance measurement, and providing recommendations for programming adjustments in light of developing USAID Forward processes. Supervise DG staff: (1) FSN Development Assistance Specialist responsible for managing the Governance portfolio, including Governance of the Security Sector; (2) FSN Development Assistance Specialist responsible for managing the Rule of Law portfolio; (3) FSN Program Manager responsible for Regional Labor-CAFTA programs; (4) FSN Program Manager/Budget responsible for Transparency and Governance and Elections programs and overall program budget; (5) FSN Program Management Assistant responsible for support to the CARSI portfolio and support to the Program Manager/Budget; (6) FSN Administrative Assistant and TDY personnel assigned to the DG team; and oversee

(7) USDH Crisis Stabilization Officer responsible for the CARSI portfolio; (8) USDH/DLI assigned to the Rule of Law team;

Manage DG’s complex design and procurement schedule including: 1) Start-up of new Elections support program; 2) Start-up of new Judicial Transparency program; 3) Re-design and competition of follow-on Community-based Crime and Violence program; 4) Re-design and competition of Regional Gang-Prevention program; 4) Design of new Private Sector Crime Prevention Alliance.

Continue/re-establish good practices for donor coordination.

Make policy recommendations and/or provide briefings to Mission management and high-level U.S. and El Salvadoran decision makers on USAID/El Salvador's Democracy and Governance activities.

Serve as DG point of contact with LAC/RSD and other Missions in the region to support the DG regional portfolio.

Serve as the DG liaison with the US Embassy/Political section, Public Affairs Office and Law Enforcement Agencies at Post and other agencies as needed.

Other duties as required per the Deputy Mission Director’s approval.

Development of work objectives, work plans and schedule of deliverables, and rotation schedules for 3 USDH staff. AIF for each of USDH staff prior to departure.

Draft workload assessment of DG staff, including analysis of staffing size and additional staffing needs.

Compendium of DG assessments and written assessment of additional analytical work needed to support development of CDCS.

Bi-weekly bulleted reports on on-going activities, key events, and management issues to the Front Office.

Briefings for U.S. and GOES decision makers on governance activities.

Participation in donor coordination, agency and inter-agency meetings.

Written policy recommendations as needed.

Hand-over memorandum summarizing accomplishments and status of pending tasks prior to departure from post.

C. POSITION ELEMENTS:

1. Degree of responsibility for decision-making: The incumbent will report to the Mission Director or the Deputy Mission Director or his/her designee, and will be expected to operate with great independence in dealing with complex programs and high-level government and donor counterparts in guiding the management of a comprehensive set of technical assistance programs. Due to the high level of responsibility in this position, the DG Director will have considerable latitude in the exercise of her/his duties for program design, management, and evaluation, and for the identification and resolution of issues affecting program performance both within and outside of the Mission. The incumbent will be responsible for decisions made the DG Office during the period of this position. S/he will make policy recommendations and/or provide briefings to Mission management and high level U.S. and Salvadoran decision makers on USAID/El Salvador’s DG activities. The Democracy and Governance Advisor will routinely be called upon to utilize independent judgment to develop and present strategy, activity and programmatic recommendation for the Mission decision making process.

Experience working with minimal oversight to accomplish complex and demanding tasks that require both technical and managerial expertise. This includes complex project design; negotiation of new approaches to development with high-level government officials and representatives from the private sector;

ability to independently conduct research, analysis and reports that both inform and guide not only USAID program direction but top-level USG policy as well.

2. Knowledge level & skills required: Expert knowledge and in-depth understanding of international relations and political issues affecting less-developed countries, as well as an exceptional ability to utilize, synthesize, and apply this knowledge to Mission programming. Sound judgment on technical and institutional issues, resulting in the ability to develop authoritative program and policy recommendations. Ability to quickly spot new trends or problems concerning multilateral and bilateral foreign assistance, define their parameters, develop innovative conceptual approaches to consider them and coach others to make necessary policy recommendation to deal with them. Excellent analytical and conceptual abilities and capability to define USAID priorities in the complex environments. Outstanding leadership, managerial and organization skills are required which are sufficient to both assist and help manage multifaceted, comprehensive development programs. Excellent communications skills both oral and written; demonstrated ability to communicate and persuade across cultures on complex issues and options. Excellent interpersonal skills required to work across the Mission and with external contacts and with local public and private sector institutions, as required. Historical, political and economic knowledge of the Latin American region preferred.

3. Level of complexity of the work environment: This is a senior-level position in a high profile USG foreign assistance program that requires extensive knowledge, experience, maturity, and the ability to function in a complex, highly demanding, and often uncertain environment. Duties are varied, and assignments often require the participation and support of others.

4. Level and purpose of contacts: Liaise with top level government officials. This includes working to build consensus on topics where there may be disagreements between Salvadoran government officials; between the USG and Salvadoran government officials, and/or between private sector actors and Salvadoran government officials. The DG Director will guide and play a leading role in the development and maintenance and active dialogue on the development of key policy initiatives and institutional reforms.

5. Supervisory Controls: S/he must be able to work with a high degree of independence, initiative, and often within short time constraints. The DG Director will report to the Deputy Mission Director or the Mission Director or his/her designee, and will be expected to operate with great independence in dealing with complex programs and high-level government and donor counterparts in guiding the management of a comprehensive set of technical assistance programs. Due to the high level of responsibility in this position, the DG Director will have considerable latitude in the exercise of her/his duties for program design, management, and evaluation, and for the identification and resolution of issues affecting program performance both within and outside of the Mission.

6. Supervision/oversight of others: 1) FSN Development Assistance Specialist responsible for managing the Governance portfolio, including Governance of the Security Sector; (2) FSN Development Assistance Specialist responsible for managing the Rule of Law portfolio; (3) FSN Program Manager responsible for Regional Labor-CAFTA programs; (4) FSN Program Manager/Budget responsible for Transparency and Governance and Elections programs and overall program budget; (5) FSN Program Management Assistant responsible for support to the CARSI portfolio and support to the Program Manager/Budget; (6) FSN Administrative Assistant and TDY personnel assigned to the DG team; and oversee (7) USDH Crisis Stabilization Officer responsible for the CARSI portfolio; (8) USDH/DLI assigned to the Rule of Law team.

7. Available Guidelines: The Democracy and Governance Advisor will routinely be called upon to utilize independent judgment to develop and present strategy, activity and programmatic recommendation for the Mission. A high degree of discretion and sound judgment is required in the interpretation and application of the USAID Automated Directive System (ADS), USG regulations and procedures, U.S. statures, and USAID and DOS Strategic Frameworks.

8. Complexity of the work environment/effect on the position’s responsibilities: The

USAID/El Salvador DG Office has a complex portfolio of bilateral and regional programs. The incumbent will need to be able to respond rapidly and with sound judgment to issues as they arise. Incumbent will frequently be called upon to summarize complex issues and situations in a succinct and relevant manner for senior management.

9. Scope and effect of the work performed: The key responsibility of the position is to lead and direct the work of a professional staff in the DG office. The incumbent will be looked to as the expert in all aspects of DG activities.

Decisions and actions taken by the incumbent will affect US policy and relationships with host country counterparts, multilateral entities and USG Agencies.

D. EVALUATION/SELECTION CRITERIA:

1. Education (10 %)

Master’s Degree is required. Exceptionally strong practical experience may substitute.

2. Prior Work Experience (50%) At least 15 years of positive USAID DG specialist, technical officer, general development officer, program officer, or senior Mission management experience in USAID; or working with USAID or an international development agency. Experience in managing and/or working successfully with teams. In-depth understanding of USAID current business processes and procedures. In-depth understanding of USAID and DOS strategic frameworks, especially as they relate to “conflict” countries.

3. Language Proficiency (15 %) Spanish language skills at the 2+ level or above are preferred.

4. Knowledge and skills (25 %) Expert knowledge of USAID rules, regulations and systems pertaining to strategic analysis, budgeting, planning and implementation, project design, monitoring and evaluation is required. The DG Director will be required to have the academic and work experience to be a master of an extensive range of DG -related issues. He/she must possess expert-level technical knowledge and have demonstrated expertise at project implementation and management, coordination of programs across agencies and donors, staff supervision and team leadership, budget management and oversight, project evaluation and design and political sensitivity that draw from experiences in other countries analogous to El Salvador.

Excellent interpersonal, communication and analytical skills.

Demonstrated ability to supervise, lead, collaborate with and mentor other employees.

Maximum Points Available: 100%

E. PERIOD OF PERFOMANCE:

One year, from o/a September 9, 2012 to September 7, 2013.

F. MEDICAL AND SECURITY CLEARANCE:

The selected applicant must be able to obtain a Top Secret security clearance. The selected applicant, and any eligible family members who will accompany the applicant to post, shall be required to obtain a Department of State Medical clearance to work and/or live in El Salvador as a precondition for employment and/or residence in El Salvador.

G. BENEFITS:

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 U.S.

Resident Hire PSC, shall be subject to U.S. Federal Income Tax, but shall not be eligible for any fringe benefits (except contributions for FICA, health insurance, and life insurance), including differentials and allowances.]

BENEFITS:

(1) FICA Contribution

(2) Contribution toward Health & life insurance

(3) Pay Comparability Adjustment

(4) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

(5) Annual & Sick Leave

(6) Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service as per post policy

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) and

(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).

FEDERAL TAXES:

PSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income under the foreign earned income exclusion.

H. ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) AND CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) PERTAINING

TO PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACT (PSC):

AAPDs and CIBs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to this website to determine which AAPDs and CIBs apply to this contract:

http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/cib/subject.html#psc

Additionally, AIDAR Appendix D applies to PSCs and can be found at:

http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf.

I. INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS

a) List of required forms for personal services contractors:

For initial consideration:

1. Cover letter

2. OF-612, Optional Application for Federal Employment Form. (Downloadable forms are available on the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/forms, at Federal offices, or at www.globalcorps.com).

3. Curriculum Vitae

Upon advice by the Contracting Officer, the finalist candidate will complete and submit the following forms:

4. Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet (AID 1420-17)

5. Medical Clearance Form (DS 6561)

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

7. Finger Print Card (FD-258). **(Available from the law enforcement offices or in USAID/Washington).

b) Application Process:

Qualified individuals are requested to submit an application stating their interest along with updated OF-612 (Application for Federal Employment) with hand-written signature, a current resume, and a cover letter including experience, salary history and references no later than August 9, 2012 at 4:30 p.m. (San Salvador, El Salvador Local Time).

Applications, recent supervisor reference and three (3) personal references (names and contact information) must be submitted by E-mail.

Please send your application package to this e-mail account: iescolan@usaid.gov. The candidate must sign the completed OF-612, the resume, and the cover letter, and scan and send them to the above-mentioned e-mail account. Incomplete, unsigned applications and late submissions will not be considered.

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.

USAID/El Salvador expects to award a personal services contract for a US Citizen for a period of 12 months commencing as early as practically possible subject to security and medical clearances and funds availability. The duty post for this contract is El Salvador.

J. PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT

Irma de Escolán Acquisition Specialist Executive Office USAID/El Salvador Telephone: (503) 2501-3428 Fax: (503) 2298-0885 E-mail: iescolan@usaid.gov

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