USPSC Solicitation-PSO -FINAL1.doc 1.doc

Solicitation for a USPSC – USAID/DRC Peace and Security Officer

SOL-660-09-000003

June 18, 2009

SOLICITATION NUMBER:

SOL-660-09-000003

POSITION:

PEACE AND SECURITY OFFICER

ISSUANCE DATE:

June 18, 2009

RFP CLOSING DATE/TIME:

July 24, 2009, 4:00 PM Nairobi, Kenya Time

SUBJECT: SOLICITATION FOR PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACTOR

(US/TCN PSC) PEACE AND SECURITY OFFICER (GS-13) LOCATED IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO.

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), seeks applications from qualified U.S. Citizens and third country Nationals interested in providing PSC services as described in the attached solicitation. Submittals shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified in this document.

MARKET VALUE: GS-13 Equivalent $70,615 - $91,801. The final salary will be negotiated and fixed at a specific step within the GS-13 salary range based on the successful candidate’s salary history, work history, and educational background.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two year base period with option to extend for three additional one-year periods.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:

Kinshasa, DRC

SECURITY ACCESS LEVEL:

Secret

AREA OF CONSIDERATION:

U.S. Citizen and Third Country Nationals Kindly submit:

1. Your most current curriculum vitae or resume which clearly demonstrates their education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities as they relate to the Evaluation Criteria.

2. Signed form OF-612, Optional Application for Federal Employment.

Applicants are required to sign the certification at the end of the OF-612. Applications that are received without a signature will not be considered for the position.

(OF-612 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);

3. Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet (AID 1420-17). (See attached)

4. Three references, who are not family members or relatives, with telephone and email contacts. Reference checks may be conducted on those candidates selected for an interview.

5. Cover letter stating period of availability for work in DRC.

6.

The highest ranked applicants may be selected for an interview.

The CV/resume must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the application. The references must be able to provide substantive information about your past performance and abilities. USAID/EA reserves the right to obtain from previous employers relevant information concerning the past performance and may consider such information in its evaluation.

If you are selected for this position you must be available to start work o/a Mid-August of 2009. This availability shall be indicated in your cover letter. Please submit your application by

E-mail, at: lgilpin@usaid.gov. and a copy to whinga@usaid.gov by the closing date and time.

Form OF 612 and Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet (AID 1420-17) must be signed and if submitted unsigned it will be rejected. Scan copies are accepted by e-mail

Please provide your current full mailing address with telephone, facsimile numbers and email address in the application.

USAID/East Africa anticipates awarding one (1) Personal Services Contract as a result of this solicitation. This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit USAID to pay any costs incurred in the preparation and submission of the application.

STATEMENT OF WORK

A. Country/Situational Background:

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) held historic elections in 2006 bringing to power Joseph Kabila as the country’s first democratically elected president in over 40 years. The electoral process marked the end of a three-year transitional government that followed five years of war. However, the end of the formal transition period is in essence the beginning of a much longer period of transition necessary to bring State authority, and the social, health, educational, justice, security services and economic development that are a reflection of that authority to all areas of the country. The country’s Human Development Index rank stands at 168 out of 177 countries. Life expectancy is 45.8 years, the adult literacy rate is 67.2%, (although among ex-combatants, illiteracy is generally 100%) combined primary, secondary and tertiary school enrollment is 33.7%, and the Gross Domestic Product per capita is $714. The civilian and military justice sectors are marked by impunity, dysfunction, and lack of access, with sexual and gender based violence endemic, particularly in the East. Progress in the many sectors that affect these indicators is uneven, but as most of the country has stabilized, the structural reform processes in decentralization, legal and judicial reform, and school fees reduction, for example, and initiatives to protect the environment have been launched. There have been successes to build upon: the country has a new constitution; Congo’s administration and army have been largely unified; security in parts of the country has improved dramatically.

Progress in each of these areas is uneven, but any sustainable gains are dependent first and foremost on peace and stability. A secure and stable environment allows for domestic and foreign investment in the economy, the pursuit of livelihoods, individual investments in improved livelihoods, and the reconstruction of social and economic infrastructure. The provinces in the Eastern DRC are where the war initially began, and North and South Kivu, and Orientale provinces are not only where armed conflict continues, but even with the latest series of peace initiatives, where the threat of renewed armed conflict are highest.

B. USAID/DRC Overview:

In 2006, the USG extended its transformational diplomacy goals to its development institutions and redefined its development architecture. The new Strategic Framework for Foreign Assistance comprises five “objectives:” Peace and Security, Governing Justly and Democratically, Investing in People, Economic Growth and Humanitarian Assistance. Administration has designated the DRC as one of seven priority countries in Africa, and budget and staffing levels have increased to reflect this prioritization. USAID/DRC developed a FY 2008-2013 Country Assistance Strategy and annual Operational Plans in conformity with the new Strategic Framework. While there were no regular appropriations within the two elements tapped by the Peace and Stability Office (Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration; and, Conflict Mitigation) in 2007 and 2008, Supplemental Funding for FY 2007 and 2008 totaled $23 million, with FY 2009 Supplemental Funding to-date of $10.5 million. DCHA/CMM funding also supplements Mission funding, with a total of nearly $1.6 million for programming in DRC for 2007-2009.

The current Peace and Stability portfolio is divided into two types of programs. The first line of program is stabilization, the office’s core focus. These programs are those that contribute directly to the United Nations Security and Stability Support Strategy (UNSSSS). The UNSSSS is based on establishing and maintaining security, initially along six strategic roads, or “axes,” that are to be repaired and reopened. This is coupled with the disengagement of armed groups that have in certain areas supplanted Congolese State authority, using primarily mechanisms of the Amani Process, and the Nairobi Communique, and their successor operationalizing agreements, and the re-establishment infrastructure needed to maintain State presence and effective civilian policing. The UNSSSS recognizes that these interventions are necessary, but not sufficient for peace and stability and that simultaneously, activities that encourage community reconciliation and recovery are needed. As a result, the Peace and Stability Office’s stabilization programming consists of 1) road and state authority infrastructure support; 2) disengagement support through ex-combatant reintegration; 3) disengagement support through the resettlement of ex-FDLR (Forces Democratique pour la Liberation du Rwanda); and, 4) community reconciliation and recovery support.

The second line of programming focuses upon conflict management and mitigation activities that are designed to address a particular cross-cutting sectoral conflict cause.

The office works directly with the US Embassy offices (e.g. the Political Section, the Defense Attache Office and the Office of Security Cooperation) that administer other programs within the foreign assistance framework under Peace and Security, actively participating in Mission Strategic Plan development, cross-cutting working groups in areas such a Security Sector Reform and Trafficking in Persons, and leading the development of the overall Operational Plan and Results Report.

USAID/DRC Mission comprises a Front Office (Director), a Program Office (strategy, budget and the Protection portfolio), an Education Office, a Health Office, a General Development Office (responsible for Peace and Security), an Economic Growth Office, a Regional Environmental Office, an Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, an Executive Office, a Financial Management Office and the Democracy and Governance Office. The Mission is currently staffed with ten USDH (including three junior officers), nine personal service contract (PSC) hires and 30 professional FSN staff.

USAID/DRC’s Peace and Stability is currently staffed as follows:

· USDH Team Leader

· USDH Development Leadership Initiative Junior Officer

· FSN Program Assistant

C. Major Duties and Responsibilities The PSC Peace and Stability Officer reports to the USDH Office Director. S/He will have lead responsibility for activity design, program management and activity management in the program area assigned. The incumbent will participate actively in strategy development, office management and representational duties on an as-needed basis. Staff initiate and actively participate in donor/international community coordination related to stabilization and security sector reform. The incumbent would be expected to participate in working groups, represent the US Mission, report on development with policy recommendations to the Team Leader, and present and coordinate USAID programs, priorities and strategies.

1. Activity Planning, Design, Management & Evaluation (65%) The incumbent shall take on significant responsibility for activity planning, design, management and evaluation of the majority of programs within at least one sector. Routine responsibilities include:

· Evaluating current and past programs for performance

· Analyzing sector-wide trends for reform, identifying key counterparts, and synthesizing other interventions in order to design value-added, “niche” programs for the US Mission.

· Describing and budgeting for the activity in the Operational Plan

· Drafting solicitation documents – Annual Program Statements (APSs), Request for Applications (RFAs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs)

· Preparing activity approval documentation in accordance with USAID/DRC’s Mission Order on Pre-obligation requirements.

· Leading the evaluation and critiquing of proposals and applications (including unsolicited proposals)

· Liaising with potential contractors and grantees on the specific aspects of proposals and applications to finalize appropriate technical proposals and budgets

· Preparing activity checklists

· Liaising with the Regional Contracting Officer during the award process

The incumbent shall serve as Contracting/Agreement Officer Technical Representative (COTR/AOTR, formerly known as Cognizant Technical Officer or CTO) for a potential three awards: grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts with PSO implementing partners. The specific instruments to be managed will be determined subsequent to the incumbent’s entry into service. Activity management shall consist of:

· Maintaining close contact with NGO or contractor Chiefs of Party

· Reviewing and approving workplans

· Preparing budget and workplan realignments when needed

· Reviewing technical qualifications for staff implementing awards

· Routine and extraordinary monitoring of activity implementation

· Performing accrued expenditure calculations

· Troubleshooting programs to respond to emergent opportunities or obstacles for implementation

· Reporting on achieved results within the Mission, to counterparts, and Washington personnel

· Communicating closely with the Regional Acquisition & Assistance Office in Nairobi, Kenya about COTR/AOTR duties.

2. Strategy Development (20%) The incumbent will be an integral member of the USAID/PSO Team. S/he will assist in the preparation of key strategy and planning documents including, but not limited to, the following:

· Annual Operational Plans and Performance Report

· Country Assistance Strategy

· Mission Strategic Plan

· Performance Monitoring Plan and PMP database

· Ad-hoc reports requested by Mission management and USAID/Washington

· Congressional Budget Justifications, Congressional Notifications;

· Public outreach, including any and all briefing materials.

3. Office Management (10%) On an as-needed basis, and based on the incumbent’s strengths, s/he may be called upon to handle routine office management tasks such as the following:

· Routine employee supervision

· Financial management for the portfolio, e.g. preparation and tracking of funding histories and accruals

· Management of the office’s monitoring and evaluation tracking system.

4. Representing USAID/DRC (5%) The incumbent shall, on an as needed basis, represent USAID at meetings, conferences, seminars and other events. Representing USAID shall entail:

· Preparation and obtaining approval of position statements (as required)

· Communicating USAID’s position orally and verbally to Government, other donor or UN organizations

· Delivering speeches

· Organizing delegations and other high-level visits, including developing of a schedule, coordination with implementers and other counterparts to plan events, preparation of briefing materials, and serving as site officer for events.

D. Conduct, Travel, Reporting and Liaison The PSC Peace and Stability Officer will handle all assigned work independently or, as required as part of a team identified by the Team Leader or the Mission Director, in accordance with all applicable USAID regulations and guidance as provided in the USAID Automated Directives System (ADS) and regulations. As a highly qualified professional, substantial reliance in placed on the employee to independently plan and carry out the specific activities entailed in fulfilling major duties and responsibilities. The employee will resolve problems that arise by determining the approaches to be taken and methods to be used, developing, coordinating and clearing proposed solutions with all necessary parties, and then taking appropriate actions to resolve the problems. The incumbent will maintain contact and interact technically and professionally in a highly collaborative manner with a wide range of interlocutors. The incumbent is expected to demonstrate appropriate levels of skill in the following areas: 1) teamwork and professionalism, 2) resource management, 3) leadership, and 4) technical and analytical skills.

Travel in the Eastern DRC will be required, and travel outside of the DRC may also be required.

All duties will be carried out under the general or specific guidance of the PSO Team Leader as the PSC’s direct supervisor. The incumbent will be expected to prepare and deliver written and oral reports on all aspects of his/her responsibilities or work, including site visits, as requested by the Team Leader and/or the Mission Director.

The incumbent shall maintain contact with MONUC Eastern Coordination, high-level GDRC officials, NGO representatives, contractor representatives, and representatives of other donors and international organizations. The incumbent will coordinate closely with other elements of the US presence in Kinshasa, and with other Mission offices as required.

E. Position Elements a.

Supervision Received /Exercised: The Peace and Stability Officer will work under the general and specific supervision and policy guidance of the Peace and Stability Office Team Leader, USAID/DRC. The Team Leader will review and approve his/her work plan and performance measures.

In carrying out specific assignments, the incumbent will consult and work closely with the Program Office, the other SO teams within USAID/DRC, the Government of the DRC, other international donors and the Department of State. The incumbent is expected to work independently with limited guidance, take initiative, and supervise and direct and support FSN staff as required.

b.

Available Guidelines and Systems: The incumbent is required to understand and analyze Mission and Agency‑specific policies and procedures which govern implementation of democracy and governance development activities, in addition to the USAID/DRC established administrative operating procedures, policies and formats. The incumbent will be required to be proactive in keeping abreast of evolving guidelines and policies of the DRC Mission, including but not limited to the Automated Directives System (ADS), Mission Orders, Mission Notices, USG Procurement regulations, and USAID and State Program Strategy and Policy Documents. S/He will also be able to easily use USG and USAID information management systems, such as the new GLAAS system for posting procurement actions and the Phoenix financial management system. S/He will be a certified COTR/AOTR in order to manage programs.

c.

Decision Making / Exercise of Judgment: At the full performance level, it is expected that the incumbent will exercise considerable independence and decision making authority in carrying out duties, subject to final review by the Team Leader.

d.

Authority to Make Commitments: The incumbent will have no independent authority to commit U.S. Government (USG) Mission funds.

e.

Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts: Contacts are with senior management-type persons within and outside USAID, which may include Congressional staff, other U.S. government officials, and government officials from other countries as appropriate, consultants, contractors, grantees, or business executives.

f.

Complexity: Analyzes inter-related issues of effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of individual contracts, grants and cooperative agreements. Develops detailed plans, goals, and objectives for the long-range implementation and administration of the Peace and Stability program, and/or develops criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the program. Decisions concerning design, planning, organizing, implementing and evaluating individual activities are complicated by the difficulty of operating in a politically sensitive country.

(END OF STATEMENT OF WORK)

I. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

The position is open to U.S. citizens and residents and Third-Country Nationals, whether off-shore or resident in the Congo. Actual terms of employment may vary depending on nationality and country of residence.

Education: A graduate degree in International Relations, Public Administration, Political Science, Law, business or International Development, or a closely related field is preferable; however highly relevant work experience may be substituted.

Prior Work Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in stabilization, transitional, conflict and/or international democracy and governance programming, at least two years of which in the developing world, is required. Substitutions of work experience for graduate degree are above and beyond this requirement. A candidate without a Master’s degree or equivalent such as a JD must show 7 years of highly relevant experience

Language Proficiency: Strong English language skills (written and oral) are required, such that for example, written materials would not have to be routinely edited. French language skills at the FSI 3/3 level (speaking and reading) are required. Competence in Lingala or Swahili would be a plus.

Knowledge: Knowledge and experience in one or more relevant technical area, such as, but not limited to democracy and governance, conflict mitigation, security sector reform, disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration, rural livelihoods based economic growth, or humanitarian assistance is required. Program/grants management and monitoring experience is required. Extensive knowledge of USAID procedures and regulations, especially previous award management and COTR/AOTR experience, is preferred, but is not required.

Skills and Abilities: The PSC Peace and Stability must have proven capacity to analyze complex situations and provide technical guidance and recommendations up and down the hierarchy. S/he will have strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, technical and analytic skills and leadership abilities.

II.

EVALUATION/SELECTION CRITERIA:

Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the following selection criteria:

1. Education (10 points) University graduate degree or equivalent degree in political science, development studies, public administration, international law, conflict resolution, international relations or highly related field.

2. Prior Work Experience (30 points) Demonstrated ability to work in a conflict/post-conflict, complex, high-pressure, and fast-paced environment with minimal support. Demonstrated experience in working all phases of the life of a project. Minimum three years of prior work experience in a relevant field and project management. Prior experience working in a least developed country, preferably in Africa. Prior experience in the Great Lakes Region preferred. Prior experience supervising junior staff preferred.

3. Knowledge and Abilities (40 points) Technical background that includes at least two aspects of the program cycle of budgeting, design, implementing, managing, monitoring, and reporting, for relevant types of programming and immediate post-conflict environments. Demonstrated competence in drafting scopes of work, evaluations, sector analyses, and action memoranda. Capable of representing US Mission in donor coordination groups, synthesizing information and relaying it for analysis with recommendations for action to supervisor and key counterparts within the US Mission. Ability to analyze budgets and track financial management data for program monitoring. Knowledge of US Government regulations for acquisition and assistance programs preferred, but not required.

4. Communication (20 points) Must be proficient in French (FSI level speaking/reading 3/3, able to easily, and fully participate in a variety of settings, make presentations and lead discussions) Must be functionally fluent in speaking, reading and writing English (FSI 4/4 equivalent). Excellent communication skills in both languages, including ability to represent activities and represent USAID in donor coordination groups, host country counterpart meetings, partner meetings and others. Strong team-building and cross-cultural communication skills preferred.

Maximum Points Available: 100