SOL_521-15-000063_Housing_and_Settlements_Team_Leader.docx

SOL-521-15-000063

ISSUANCE DATE: August 25, 2015

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: September 9, 2015

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications of qualified individuals from U.S. Citizens/TCN Third country national interested in providing Personal Services Contract (PSC) services as described in the attached solicitation.

Submittals shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified.

Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to:

Elénita Lahens

USAID/HAITI

Blvd. 15 Octobre Tabarre 41 Port-au-Prince, Haiti

TELEPHONE NUMBER: 011-509-2 229-8000

VOIP 202 216 6260 Ext. 8047 E-MAIL ADDRESS: elahens@usaid.gov

Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. All application and the required documents should be submitted to:

elahens@usaid.gov or sneptune@usaid.gov

Sincerely, Lorrie Clark-Hannan Deputy Executive Officer

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: SOL 521-15-000063

2. ISSUANCE DATE: August 25, 2015

3. CLOSING DATE: September 9, 2015

4. POSITION TITLE: Housing and Settlements Team Leader (Pending NSDD 38)

5. MARKET VALUE: GS-15 ($101,630-$132,122) Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based upon the candidate’s past salary, work history and educational background.

6. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Port au Prince, Haiti

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year, with an option to renew for up to four additional years based on continuing need for the position and availability of funds.

8. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: United States Citizens (USPSC) and Third country national (TCN)

9. SECURITY ACCESS LEVEL: U.S. citizen, the apparently successful applicant shall be required to obtain a secret level security clearance as a pre-condition for employment. TCN employment authorization, (Background check)

10. MEDICAL CLEARANCE: The apparently successful 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 live and/or work in Haiti as a pre-condition for employment and/or residence in Haiti.

11. DIRECT SUPERVISOR: The Housing and Settlements Team Leader is supervised directly by the Office of Infrastructure, Engineering and Energy Office Director.

12. SUPERVISORY CONTROL: The incumbent is expected to act independently with little direction.

13. STATEMENT OF WORK

POSITION TITLE: Housing & Settlements Team Leader

1. BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITION

The incumbent serves as the Housing & Settlements Team Lead in the USAID/Haiti Mission. This position is located in the Office of Infrastructure, Engineering and Energy (OIEE) and oversees all of the Mission’s “Housing and Settlements Sector” programming. With a total current and planned portfolio of over $75 million, the Housing and Settlements program is one of the largest and highest profile sectors in which the U.S. Government (USG) is currently engaged in Haiti.

Specifically, the USAID/Haiti’s Housing & Settlements strategy is involved in three main activity areas: 1) Neighborhood Upgrading, 2) Development of New Settlements, and, 3) Strengthening Urban Management. The USAID Mission in Haiti is currently seeking a qualified, experienced individual to assist the OIEE team to implement and manage these activities and achieve results.

The Housing & Settlements Team Lead directs the Mission’s Housing Team, currently composed of two senior Personal Services Contractors (PSCs) and one full-time-equivalent Senior Foreign Service National Engineer.

The incumbent provides overall technical leadership on the Mission’s project design and implementation in the sector, and is also responsible, in coordination with the Office Chief, for management and oversight of all aspects of the Housing & Settlement Team’s portfolio.

This position carries responsibilities that are complex, high-profile and time-sensitive. The establishment and maintenance of relationships with officials involved in the housing and settlements sector from a wide variety of partner organizations, including representatives from other USG agencies, the Government of Haiti, local communities, other bilateral and multilateral donors, and private sector and non-governmental implementing partners.

2. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Technical Leadership 40%

1. Coordinates and implements OIEE’s Housing & Settlements portfolio.

2. Reviews designs, and oversees programmatic aspects of all project documents for accuracy and adequacy related to urban/participatory planning, community engagement, institutional and governance issues, and general best practices in Housing & Settlements activities in developing country and post-disaster reconstruction contexts.

3. As needed, liaises with experts in engineering, architecture, environmental compliance, and local governance within OIEE and other USAID Haiti offices to ensure these aspects of Housing & Settlements are adequately addressed in all of the Team’s programming

4. Serves as technical officer and represents USAID to the host-government and contracted housing/urban planning/engineering consultants on matters relating to the planning, design, construction, institutional oversight, and long-term maintenance/sustainability of housing and settlements activities. This includes both “hard” construction activities, such as building of homes, roads, water and sanitation infrastructure, etc., as well as “soft” programming, such as community development, participatory planning, institutional strengthening, finance, etc.

5. Prepares briefing papers on Housing & Settlements activities as needed by the Chief of OIEE, the Mission Director as well as any other senior USAID Officials.

6. Represents USAID/Haiti at meetings in the Housing & Settlements Sector with senior GOH officials, donor organizations and implementing partners to assure that USAID’s program and activities are consistent with best practices and, where one or more donors are involved, that there is coordination, coherence and complementarity of action.

7. Meets regularly with counterpart Ministries as well as other international organizations to ensure the integration of USAID/Haiti’s Housing & Settlements programs with the GOH’s national development framework and programs.

B. Management and Supervision of Housing & Settlements Team 30%

1. In close coordination with the Office Chief, coordinates distribution of programmatic and administrative and tasks within the Housing & Settlements Team.

2. Ensures all Agency and Mission reporting, project monitoring, and administrative responsibilities are delivered on time and to a high level of quality.

3. Helps oversee and coordinate all interaction between the Team and other Technical and Support Offices within USAID Haiti, the USG, the GOH and the donor and international community.

C. Project Development and Administration 30%

1. Performs the full range of contract development and contract administration duties while serving as Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) COR. Duties include development of cost estimates, plans, specifications, bid documents and contracts, drafting of contract documents, managing contract solicitations, review of technical and cost proposals and, project management, budget tracking, results achievement, monitoring, evaluation and close-out.

2. Performs day-to-day monitoring of housing and settlements projects. This includes review of work plans, monitoring of contractor and grantee performance, review of progress reports, review and sign-off on payment documents, and attendance at meetings with host-government and contractor personnel on project implementation.

3. QUALIFICATIONS

A. Education: A four-year degree in one of following or related fields: Urban Planning, International Development/International Affairs, Architecture, Engineering, Public Administration, or Humanitarian Assistance. A Masters-level or higher degree is preferred.

B. Prior Work Experience: A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible, documented experience in international development, at least five years of which is directly relevant to housing and settlements programming (e.g. community development, participatory urban planning, housing or public infrastructure construction/upgrading, or other similar areas).

C. Post Entry Training: Upon hiring, and depending on the schedule of training, USAID will provide, Programming Foreign Assistance (PFA), COR/AOR training, USAID Reg 216 Environmental training, and other training as required.

D. Language Proficiency: Fluency in English required. Intermediate French or Haitian Creole strongly desired.

E. Knowledge: Must have an expert knowledge of best practices of housing and settlements programming in low-income or post-disaster contexts. Desirable to have knowledge of USAID or other U.S. Government procedures relative to contract or grant oversight.

F. Skills and Abilities: The incumbent must:

i. Be highly motivated and experienced in managing community-oriented development programming in complex political environments involving multiple stakeholders.

ii. Possess excellent interpersonal and written and oral communications skills to handle sensitive negotiations and issues diplomatically.

iii. Have the ability to represent USAID in technical and non-technical discussions related to housing and settlements programming with senior representatives of the USG, the Haitian Government and representatives of bilateral and multilateral donor organizations and a wide range of implementing partners.

iv. Be comfortable coordinating a variety of high-priority actions simultaneously.

v. Have the ability to develop and maintain extensive high level contacts in counterpart Ministries and international donor organizations working in the Housing & Settlements sector.

vi. Be proficient in the use of computers and the use of MS Office.

4. POSITION ELEMENTS

A. Supervision Received: Under the general supervision of the USAID/Haiti OIEE Office Chief, the incumbent plans and carries out assignments. Incumbent plans, designs and carries out activities and program works independently. Incumbent is expected to exercise wide latitude and initiative in defining priorities, and identifying and meeting deadlines. Incumbent typically initiates new and recurring activities independently or in response to a specific requirement.

B. Guidelines: Guidelines include USAID Automated Directives System (ADS), and the U.S. Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).

C. Attention to Detail: The incumbent will be responsible for accomplishing and reviewing large volumes of written documents in both English and French.

D. Exercise of Judgment: The incumbent must exercise highly developed, independent professional judgment in carrying out all aspects of his/her work.

E. Authority to Make Commitments: The incumbent has no independent authority to make any resource or policy commitments, but s/he independently plans and develops recommendations on activities which could lead to such commitments.

F. Supervision Exercised: Supervises Senior US- and/or TCN-PSCs, as well as Senior local technical staff.

G. Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts: Regularly updates senior USAID officials including the Mission Director and Strategic Objective team leaders and other key program managers on Housing & Settlement programing in the Mission portfolio. Regular contact with senior staff of USAID/Haiti partners implementing activities/projects in the sector. Interacts regularly with Government of Haiti officials, national and local leaders and international donor counterparts on housing and settlements sector needs.

H. Work Environment

1. Physical demands: Office work is sedentary and no special physical demands are required. However, incumbent must be able to undertake extensive and regular contacts with a broad range of outside individuals at their work place. Periodic travel outside the capital (estimated to be 25%) is required for monitoring of projects to areas of physical hardship.

2. Work environment: Work is performed in a typical office setting, or in conference and meetings rooms. Incumbent will be required to undertake periodic trips to areas of physical hardship and a sub-standard working environment, with exposure to debilitating disease and other health hazards, and to economic, political, or social unrest.

20. HOW TO APPLY

A. Introduction

To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application, and as the subject line in any email, cover letter and any other attached pages. The highest ranking applicants may be selected for interviews.

Applications must be signed and must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in the cover letter. Applications received after the date and time shall be considered late and shall be considered at the discretion of the Government.

We suggest you confirm that all documents submitted were received prior to closing date and time of this notice. Equipment failures at USAID or by the applicant’s network are not acceptable reasons for late submission as applicants have the option of sending hard copy via courier. USAID is not required to issue a contract as a result of this solicitation and will not reimburse any solicitation preparation costs.

B. The Application Package

Interested individuals are requested to submit fully completed and hand-signed copy of an 1) Application for Federal employment Application for Federal Employment Form (AID 302-3), cover letter and 2) a current resume/curriculum vita (CV) containing the following information and clearly demonstrating education, professional experience, knowledge, skills and abilities as they relate to the evaluation criteria:

1. Personal Information: full name, mailing address (with zip code), email address, day and evening phone numbers, social security number, country of citizenship, highest federal civilian grade held (also give job series and dates held);

2. Education: Colleges and universities, name, city and state, majors, type and year of any degrees received;

3. Professional Experience: provide the following information for your paid and non-paid work experience related to the job for which you are applying (do not send job descriptions); job title (includes series and grade if federal job), duties and accomplishments, employer’s name and address, supervisor’s name and phone number, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours per week, salary.

4. Other Qualifications: Other pertinent information related to the qualifications required for the position, as noted above including job-related training courses (title & year), job-related skills; for example, other languages, computer software/hardware, tools, machinery typing speed, job related certificates and licenses (current only), job related honors, awards, and special accomplishments, for example, publications, memberships in professional or honor societies, leadership, activities, public speaking and performance awards (give dates but do not send documents unless requested).

5. Applicants must provide a minimum of three references within the last five years of the applicant’s professional life from individuals who are not family members or relatives. Three references must be from direct supervisors who can provide information regarding the applicant’s knowledge. Applicants must provide e-mail addresses and/or working telephone numbers for all references.

6. Date of availability to begin assignment in Port au Prince, Haiti.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Qualified individuals are requested to submit:

Forms are (available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ or internet http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/formslibrary.do?formType=ALL or at Federal offices). 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.

Successful application for 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.

A. Where to Send the Application

Interested candidates should send their complete application via the internet or international mail, to the attention of the addresses indicated below. To ensure that the application is considered for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number and title of position on your application and as the subject line in any cover letter. E-mail applications must be received by the closing date and time specified in the cover letter.

1. Email Application Submission address:

Elenita Lahens, elahens@usaid.gov - or: Shirley Neptune, sneptune@usaid.gov

B. ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT:

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC recruited off-shore is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

a) BENEFITS

· Employer’s FICA and Medicare Contribution*;

· Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance;

· Pay Comparability and Adjustment;

· Annual Salary Increase;

· Eligibility for Worker’s Compensation (USPSC only);

· Annual & Sick Leave;

· Shipment and storage of household effects;

· Shipment of POV (Private Own Vehicle);

· Access to Embassy medical facilities, and pouch mail service;

· Defense-based Accreditation and Medevac insurance.

*Note: If a US citizen, the contractor’s salary will be subject to employee’s FICA and Medicare contribution.

FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal and State Income Taxes.

b) ALLOWANCES: TCNPSCs will be paid allowances in accordance with the Haiti Mission Order. Details are available on request. USPSCS will be eligible for allowances listed in the Standardized Regulations Government Civilian Foreign Areas Sections cited below – 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. Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260);

6. Education allowance (Section 270);

7. Educational Travel (Section 280);

8. Post differential (Chapter 500);

9. Payments during Evacuation/authorized Departure (Section 600);

10. Danger Pay (Section 650);

11. Consumables Allowance.

SECURITY AND MEDICAL CLEARANCE: Medical and security clearances are required of USPSCs.

C. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC:

Forms outlined below can found at: http://www.usaid.gov/forms or at http://www.forms.gov/bgfPortal/citizen.portal

1. Application for Application for Federal Employment (AID 302-3);

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

3. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86)*; or

4. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)*;

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

* Forms 2 through 5 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job.

CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETIN (CIBs) AND 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/business/business_opportunities/cib/subject.html#psc

Additionally, the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/faa; AIDAR Appendix D can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf.

ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED REGARDLESS OF AGE, RACE, COLOR, SEX, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, LAWFUL POLITICAL AFFILIATION, NON-DISQUALIFYING HANDICAP, MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AFFILIATION WITH AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION, OR OTHER NON-MERIT FACTOR.

(END OF SOLICITATION)

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