SOL-523-11-000003 USPSC-TCN MEXICO SENIOR CRIME PREVENTION ADVISOR PILLAR IV TEAM LEADER.pdf

SOLICITATION FOR USPSC/TCN

Senior Crime Prevention Advisor /Pillar IV Team Leader

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: SOL-523-11-000003

2. ISSUANCE DATE: June 27, 2011

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR

RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: July 11, 2011 at 4:30 p.m. (Central Time)

4. POSITION TITLE: Senior Crime Prevention Advisor/Pillar IV Team Leader

5. MARKET VALUE: GS-14; US$84,697 – US$110,104. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based upon the candidate’s past salary, work history and educational background.

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year, from o/a July 31, 2011 to o/a June 28, 2012

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Mexico

8. SECURITY CLEARANCE: Sensitive but Unclassified (SBU)

10. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens or Third Country Nationals (TCNs)

11. STATEMENT OF WORK

Introduction

The Merida Initiative is an unprecedented partnership between the United States and Mexico to fight organized crime and associated violence while furthering respect for human rights and the rule of law. Beginning with the Merida Initiative and moving to “Beyond Merida” in Mexico, the United States has forged strong partnerships to enhance citizen safety in affected areas to fight drug trafficking, organized crime, corruption, illicit arms trafficking, money-laundering, and demand for drugs on both sides of the border. Under this expansion of the Merida Initiative in Mexico, the United States is accelerating efforts to support stronger democratic institutions, especially police, justice systems, and civil society organizations; expanding the border focus beyond interdiction of contraband to include facilitation of legitimate trade and travel; and cooperating in building strong communities resistant to the influence of organized crime.

Under Pillar IV of the Merida Initiative (Institutionalizing the Rule of Law), USAID is partnering with the Government of Mexico and civil society to build strong and resilient communities that can withstand the pressures of crime and violence. More specifically, USAID is providing technical assistance to plan and implement community development strategies aimed at reducing crime and violence and providing youth with alternatives to criminal activity.

SOL-523-11-000003

USAID/Mexico - Senior Crime Prevention Advisor/Pillar IV Team Leader

The USAID/Mexico Senior Crime Prevention Advisor/Pillar IV Team Leader serves as the senior USPSC or TCN professional responsible for the technical and operational management of USAID activities in the crime prevention sector under Pillar IV of the Merida Initiative. S/he works under the direction of the Office Director and Deputy Director. The total active DG portfolio value is over $40 million with an average annual budget of approximately $15 million.

The majority of resources support the US Foreign Policy and Assistance Objectives of the Merida Initiative, particularly Pillar II, for which the incumbent will manage approximately $11 million annually.

Duties and responsibilities of the position:

Degree of responsibility for decision-making assigned to the position

The incumbent will be the overall Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR) for justice sector reform programs with an annual value of approximately $11 million, and will be responsible for all aspects of strategic direction and project implementation, as well as the direct management and supervision of one Foreign Service national (FSN) crime prevention professional. S/he will provide technical guidance to program implementers, manage the design, monitoring, and evaluation of programs, and oversee the operations of program implementers working to build strong and resilient communities that can withstand the pressures of crime and violence. The incumbent will also serve as the USAID representative to high-level Government of Mexico (GOM) officials, including the Office of the President (Presidencia), Ministry of Social Development (SEDESOL), National Center for Crime Prevention and Citizen Participation in the Ministry of Government (SEGOB), and state and municipal officials; as well as civil society leaders and other partners. While the incumbent must clear recommendations through the Office Director when dealing with politically sensitive issues, s/he is permitted to, and should be able to, make sound, independent judgments with little supervision.

The incumbent must exercise excellent judgment in making decisions and recommendations requiring few revisions or changes on politically sensitive issues. S/he must be able to judge quality of information provided by implementing partners and be effective in dealing with them.

The incumbent must be able to listen to contradictory points of view and strongly articulate USAID policies and procedures. The individual will have wide latitude in planning and executing work assignments, and therefore must exercise sound judgment in establishing priorities for numerous requests and selecting the appropriate course of action.

Level of complexity of work assignments

The incumbent will take overall responsibility for ongoing, established programs, and will also be responsible for formulating new strategies and approaches within existing programs. The incumbent will also develop strategies and approaches for new program areas in response to the fluid crime prevention environment within Mexico and inter-agency directives under the bi-national Merida Initiative.

The incumbent’s responsibilities will also include maintaining contacts with high-level GOM and USG officials, as well as with influential civil society leaders. This will require excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) in English and Spanish, and a high degree of political savvy to successfully manage the interests of the aforementioned constituencies.

The incumbent will be expected to prepare memos, reports, talking points, speeches, presentations etc. As such, the incumbent must have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office software (Excel, Word) including familiarity with PowerPoint.

Knowledge level required

The incumbent must be a recognized expert in one or more fields of democratic development and governance, preferably in the crime prevention sector. S/he must have a thorough knowledge of democracy and governance concepts, principles, techniques, and practices, in addition to the host country’s politics, society, culture, and economics and the host government’s priorities and resources. Thorough knowledge of or potential to acquire knowledge of host country legislation related to crime prevention/youth at risk sectors and USG legislation related to development assistance is required. Thorough knowledge of monitoring and evaluation methodology and results measurement is required. Excellent English and Spanish communication skills, both oral and written, are essential.

Supervisory Controls (How are assignments made and how much review/control will be provided by the supervisor.)

While the incumbent must clear recommendations through the Office Director when dealing with politically sensitive issues, s/he is permitted to and should be able to make sound, independent judgments with little supervision. The incumbent will exercise those responsibilities delegated to him/her by the Regional Contracting Officer in the COTR designation letter. As stated above, the incumbent will receive direct supervision from the USDH Democracy and Governance Office Director. Once given the general framework within which to work, s/he should be able to perform duties with minimal supervision.

Guidelines (availability of them for required work)

U.S. legislation, USAID Automated Directives System (ADS), USAID Mission Orders, Foreign Affairs Manual, Administrative Notices, Contracts, Grants, etc.

Complexity of the work environment/effect on the position’s responsibilities

Mexico is considered a high middle income country and the GOM organizational structure is on par with that of the USG. Mexico and the United States enjoy a special relationship geographically, economically, and politically. US foreign policy interests in Mexico are broad, permanent, complex, and uniquely intertwined with domestic concerns. USAID/Mexico leads the US engagement with the GOM on development assistance and is the lead agency tasked with the preparation of the Embassy’s Operational Plan in support of the Director of Foreign Assistance (F) goals for transformational diplomacy; USAID plays a substantive role in almost all of the national interest areas of the Mission’s Strategic Plan.

In her/his role as COTR and Pillar IV Team Leader, crime prevention advisor, and activity manager, the incumbent will serve as the USAID representative to high-level Government of Mexico (GOM) officials, including the Office of the President (Presidencia), Ministry of Social Development (SEDESOL), National Center for Crime Prevention and Citizen Participation in the Ministry of Government (SEGOB), and state and municipal officials; as well as civil society leaders and other partners. As such, s/he must be able to maintain contacts with high-level officials in GOM institutions (e.g. executive, legislative, and judicial branch representatives), as well as with influential civil society leaders to explain USAID programs and regulations, and in turn must also be able to explain to senior USAID and other USG officials the priorities, concerns, and attitudes of host country officials. The incumbent will also function as a central contact in USAID’s implementation of Merida Initiative activities, and as such must be able to effectively coordinate at high levels between the GOM, USG, civil society, and partners on highly sensitive, political issues.

Scope and effect of the work performed

The work involves establishing criteria, formulating projects, assessing program effectiveness, or investigating or analyzing a variety of unusual conditions, problems or questions. The employee is recognized as an expert and his/her work affects the development of major aspects of administrative or professional programs or missions, or the well-being of a substantial number of people. The work requires leading the Pillar IV team within USAID/Mexico’s Office of Democracy and Governance, guiding and coordinating the work of other professional or technical staff.

Level and purpose of contacts

This position will require regular, high level contacts within the GOM, including the Office of the President (Presidencia), Ministry of Social Development (SEDESOL), National Center for Crime Prevention and Citizen Participation in the Ministry of Government (SEGOB), and state and municipal officials; as well as civil society leaders and other partners, as well as within the USG at both the technical and policy levels. The incumbent must be able to work independently and effectively within an extremely fluid and political environment.

Supervision/oversight over others (address level of subordinates and degree of supervisory responsibility, if any.)

The incumbent will directly manage and supervise a Foreign Service national (FSN) crime prevention professional (an FSN-8).

12. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Education

Completion of a master’s degree or host country equivalent formal education in a field relevant to development assistance, such as political science, law, public policy/administration, economics, business administration, etc., required.

Relevant work experience

At least six to eight years of progressively responsible, professional-level experience in the democracy and governance sector (e.g. civil society, governance, Congress, and or federal/state/local government entities) required. At least five years of experience should have been in development assistance-related work (i.e. a donor agency, host government organizations, or private sector institution). Advanced educational qualifications, such as a Ph.D. may be substituted for the equivalent work experience. Work experience in Mexico is highly desirable.

13. ELECTIVE/EVALUATION FACTORS

• Education – 10%

• Prior Work Experience – 35%

• Job Knowledge and Skills – 40%

• Language Proficiency – 15%

14. LEVEL OF SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR THE POSITION

Sensitive but Unclassified (SBU)

15. MEDICAL 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 Mexico as a precondition for employment and/or residence in Mexico.

16. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES:

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, an individual meeting the requirements of an offshore hire USPSC/TCN is normally authorized the following benefits:

a) Benefits:

(i) Employee's FICA Contribution

(ii) Health & Life Insurance: Health Insurance Annual Premium (not to exceed $20,339 for contractor with family; and $7,266 for contractor only. The Contractor shall be provided a maximum contribution of up to 72% against the actual costs of the Contractor's annual health insurance costs, provided that such costs may not exceed the maximum U.S. Government contribution as announced periodically by USAID’s Office of Acquisition and Assistance. The Contractor shall be provided a contribution of up to 50% against the actual costs of annual life insurance not to exceed $500.00 per year.

(iii) Medical Evacuation (Medevac) Insurance: 100% Medical Evacuation Insurance annual premium for contractor with family will be reimbursed to the contractor, if not covered by Health Insurance.

(iv) Pay Comparability Adjustment--Annual across the board salary increase for US Government employees and US Personal Services Contractors. Currently this Pay Comparability Adjustment is frozen until further notice.

(v) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

(vi) Vacation & Sick Leave

b) Allowances* (If Applicable):

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, an offshore USPSC 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) Educational Travel (Section 280)

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

c) Other Benefits:

Additional benefits are available for individuals hired from outside Mexico in accordance with the AIDAR, Federal Travel Regulations and Standardized Regulations, e.g., international airfare from place of residence, R&R, international shipment of personal effects, unaccompanied baggage allowance, POV Shipment, Repatriation Travel, furnished housing and educational allowances for dependent children.

d) Federal Taxes:

USPSCs are not exempted from payment of Federal Income taxes under the foreign earned income exclusion.

17. INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS

a) List of required forms for personal services contractors:

For initial consideration:

1. Application Form OF-612

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

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

3. Medical Clearance Form (DS 6561)

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

5. 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), a current resume, and a cover letter including experience, salary history and references no later than July 11, 2011 at 4:30 p.m.

(Central 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: vlopez@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/Mexico expects to award a personal services contract for a US Citizen or TCN for a one-year period commencing as early as practically possible subject to security and medical clearances and funds availability. The duty post for this contract is Mexico.

18. 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 pertaining 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 applies to PSCs and can be found at:

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

19. PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT

Veronica Lopez Procurement Agent USAID/El Salvador Telephones: (503) 2501-3150 Fax: (503) 2298-0885 E-mail: vlopez@usaid.gov

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.