SOL_524-15-000005.pdf

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: SOL-524-15-000005

2. ISSUANCE DATE: May 21, 2015

3. CLOSING DATE: June 4, 2015 (4:30 p.m. Nicaragua time)

4. POSITION TITLE: Senior Development Advisor

5. MARKET VALUE: GS-13 ($73,115 - $95,048). Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based upon the candidate’s qualifications and salary history.

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The position will be for approximately six(6) months, pending availability of funds and the needs of the Mission.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Managua, Nicaragua

8. CLEARANCES: The selected candidate must be able to obtain a security clearance at the “Facility Access” level and a medical clearance within a reasonable period of time. If such clearances are not obtained within a reasonable time or negative suitability issues are involved, any offer may be rescinded.

9. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens or Third Country Nationals

10. SCOPE OF WORK

. (a) Introduction

USAID/Nicaragua’s General Development Office (GDO) consists of one USDH and four Foreign Service Nationals (FSN). The GDO manages a portfolio of four bilateral programs, two field support programs, and two regional programs in basic education, HIV/AIDS, and Central America Region Security Initiative (CARSI). The Senior Development Advisor will serve as a Senior Development Advisor for the GDO for the period of June through September 2015 and provide technical support during October and November.

(b) Duties and responsibilities The Senior Development Advisor will be responsible for ensuring that the normal functions of the office are completed in a timely manner including supervising the four FSNs currently in the office. He/she will act independently and have a high degree of responsibility. He/she will have several years’ experience with U.S. government, in particular in the areas of health and/or education. He/she will manage and supervise the four FSNs in the GDO and report directly to the Mission Director or his/her designee.

Primary functions will include, but will not be limited to the following:

• Lead procurement process for two new mechanisms.

• Ensure that all procurements and incremental funding actions are kept on track.

• Chair TEC for hiring of new Project Management Specialist.

• Coordinate preparation of news items to Front Office for country team each Monday morning and provide office representation when needed.

• Coordinate GDO weekly expanded team meetings on a weekly basis, including the

Action Items list.

• Keep procurements for program evaluations on track and provide guidance to the teams of consultants working on the evaluation(s) that take place during the time period of this contract.

• Ensure office responds to routine correspondence both internally and externally.

• Lead representation of the office at social sector donor meetings or with GDO counterparts.

• Liaise with Executive Office in Nicaragua and El Salvador to keep personnel actions moving and completed in a timely manner, including the hiring of a new FSN GDO Specialist.

• Ensure the completion of the following evaluations: Citizen Security baseline study for northern Caribbean coast, FADCANIC’s model for working with at-risk youth, update to youth assessment, Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices survey for Policy for Children and Youth of the Southern Caribbean coast.

• Keep project close-outs on track.

• Draft at least two cables related to the GDO program and projects.

• Prepare draft scopes of work for new evaluations including a Workforce

Development Market Assessment.

• Ensure procurement process and award move forward in a timely manner for: (1)

Quality Technical Education for the Caribbean Coast Alliance project and (2) YouthPower Technical Vocational Education and Training Strengthening for At-Risk Youth project.

• Ensure that the procurement for Early Grade Reading Assessment study is finalized.

• Complete all other activities necessary to keep GDO activities on track including completing or working with the FSN staff to (1) prepare specifications or statements of works, (2) develop evaluation criteria, (3) prepare solicitations, (4) evaluate contract proposals, (5) conduct cost/price analysis; (6) negotiate contracts, (7) prepare contract documents, (8) monitor contractor performance, (9) provide technical direction to contracts, (10) accept or reject goods or services, and (11) obtain final reports.

• Other duties as required.

(c) Minimum qualification requirements:

Education and other Academic Training (10 points):

The successful candidate must possess a (i) Bachelors’ degree, or equivalent, in a relevant major in public health, education, international development, and/or other related field.

Professional Experience (50 points)

Applicant must have 10 years of practical experience designing, implementing and monitoring/evaluating development programs in the field of health and education or another related sector.

Interpersonal, Team Management and Communication Skills (30 points):

Incumbent will supervise four FSNs for the GDO and be responsible for discipline, performance and career development. Must manage the day-to-day control of all USAID/Nicaragua GDO programs. Must demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Must be able to compile and present a great deal of detailed information in a concise and fully professional manner. Must be capable of directing, coordinating and supervising the various elements of a complex portfolio with a professional and administrative support staff of varying technical expertise. Must be able to maintain an effective working relationship with personnel in USAID and other U.S.

Government agencies at client missions.

Computer Skills: Proficiency in Word processing programs, PowerPoint, Excel, the internet, and e-mail is required.

Language Proficiency (10 points):

• English level IV (fluent) Reading/Writing/Speaking

• Spanish level II (limited working proficiency) Reading/Writing/Speaking is required.

11. SELECTIVE/EVALUATION FACTORS:

Education and other Academic Training

10 points

Professional experience 50 points Interpersonal, team management and communication skills

30 points

Language Proficiency 10 points

Maximum Points Available: 100

Candidates meeting the above required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application and reference checks.

USAID reserves the right to conduct interviews with the top ranked short-listed applicants. The interview will be one of the determining factors in the final selection.

A. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Approximately six (6) months, pending availability of funds and the needs of the Mission.

B. MEDICAL AND SECURITY CLEARANCE: The selected applicant must be able to obtain a USG security clearance at the “Facility Access” level and a Department of State medical clearance to work and/or live in Nicaragua.

C. BENEFITS/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 U.S.

Resident Hire PSC, shall be subject to U.S. 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).

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) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

(6) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(7) Education Travel (Section 280)

(8) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

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

(10) Danger Pay (Section 650)

* Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas).

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

D. 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. These documents can be found at this website:

http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs

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

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

E. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

All of the following information must be included in the application package in order for the package to be considered complete:

1. A signed cover letter of no more than 3 pages that demonstrates how the candidate’s qualifications meet the work requirements;

2. A Curriculum Vitae which, at a minimum, describes education, latest experience and career achievements;

3. A completed and signed Application for Federal employment (OF-612), which can be found at the following websites: http://www.usaid.gov/forms/; OR http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/OF612.pdf

4. Names, current and accurate phone numbers, and email addresses of three professional references that have knowledge of the applicant’s abilities to perform the duties set forth in the solicitation. USAID reserves the right to contact all references;

5. A signed written statement certifying the date and length of time for which the candidate is available for the position;

6. All correspondence and attachments must reference the Solicitation Number;

7. Application packages must be submitted electronically to aolivares@usaid.gov no later than 4:30 p.m. on June 4, 2015 (Nicaragua/Local Time).

USAID/Nicaragua expects to award a personal services contract as soon as security and medical clearances are completed and pending availability of funds.

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