SOL-675-16-000002.rtf

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ISSUANCE DATE: October 22, 2015

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 675-16-00002

ISSUANCE DATE: November 09, 2015

CLOSING DATE/TIME: December 04, 2015 AT 16:30 pm, Guinea local Time

POSITION TITLE: MONITORING & EVALUATION SPECIALIST

MARKET VALUE: ($73,115.00 – $95,048.00) the market value for this position is equivalent to GS-13 level. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based upon the candidate’s past salary, work history and educational background. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Open to U.S. citizens and Third Country Nationals

A U.S. citizen for purposes of this definition also includes persons who at the time of contracting are lawfully admitted permanent residents of the United States.

A Third Country National by definition is an individual who is neither a citizen of the United States nor of the country to which assigned for duty, and who is eligible for return travel to the TCN's home country or country from which recruited at U.S. Government expense.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One (1) year with an option to extend. Extensions will be contingent on satisfactory performance, continued need for the services and availability of funds.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Conakry, Guinea, with frequent travel to Sierra Leone

The final selected candidates 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clearances are not obtained within a reasonable time or negative suitability issues are involved, any offer made may be rescinded.

1.0 BACKGROUND

In May 2015, a five-year Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) for USAID/Guinea was approved. This strategy is governed by two Development Objectives and several intermediate results that must be achieved in order to meet the objectives. In order to ensure that the Mission remains on track to achieving this goal over the next five years, the Mission will need to embark on a rigorous performance management agenda led by a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist.

In addition, there is a renewed interest in Guinea and Sierra Leone due to the ongoing Ebola epidemic. In December 2014, the U.S. Congress appropriated a supplemental funding bill with over $2 billion in response to the epidemic in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. USAID Guinea and Sierra Leone will program $74 million dollars of this funding. USAID is required to report results from the supplemental funding to Congress every 30 days.

Because of the significant increase in the Guinea and Sierra Leone programs due to the Ebola Supplemental, the rapidity with which these programs will be implemented and the importance that they be evaluated effectively, it is recommended that the mission hire an experienced offshore PSC for a two-year period to help ensure the proper monitoring and evaluation of USAID's ebola recovery efforts in Guinea and Sierra Leone.

2.0 STATEMENT OF WORK

BASIC FUNCTION

Serves as the Program Office (PO) Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Point of Contact for USAID/Guinea and Sierra Leone’s management, implementing partners, and clients. The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist position is critical to the USAID commitment to "manage for results" and to meet the requirements of the Government Performance Reporting Act and ADS Series 203.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The M&E Specialist will ensure compliance with performance monitoring across the breadth of the Mission’s portfolios for both Guinea and Sierra Leone and will collaborate with the Development Objective (DO) team staff in the Mission as outlined in the Monitoring and Evaluation Mission Order (MO) and other duties assigned by the Supervisor.

This entails but is not limited to the following tasks:

Performance Monitoring and Reporting (40%) Lead the Mission in establishing performance measures, collecting and analyzing performance information, and assisting Mission management in using the performance information for decision-making and resource allocation.

Coordinate the creation of a Mission Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) including assessing the validity of the information and indicators that contribute to that plan. Work with DO teams to ensure that indicators for the Mission Goal, DOs, and Intermediate Results (IR) are well-defined using Performance Indicator Reference Sheets (PIRS).

Responsible for ensuring that the mission-wide PMP section on data quality assessment (DQA) procedures includes: 1) common Mission formats for DQAs; 2) a common (shared-drive) location for approved DQAs; and 3) Mission-specific procedures and best practices for conducting DQAs. The M&E Specialist has the responsibility to ensure that the Mission tracks important findings and follow-up actions from DQAs.

Encourage the use of performance information in resource allocation decisions by the Office Directors, DO Team Leaders and Senior Management through leading discussions, preparing analysis or other measures.

Support the preparation of all agency level reports such as Performance Plans and Reports, Operational Plans, Congressional Notifications, and Congressional Budget Justifications.

The M&E Specialist will coordinate the Portfolio Review processes as outlined in the Portfolio Review Mission Order, including the timely submission of project/activity data during the semi-annual USAID/Guinea and Sierra Leone Portfolio Review.

Seek ways to streamline the process and increase efficiency in gathering and using performance information.

Evaluation Responsibilities: (40%) Lead the mission in the creation and maintenance of a multi-year Evaluation Plan that corresponds with the life of the USAID/Guinea Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS).

Coordinate the creation and review of the Program, Design and Learning budget to provide adequate financial resources for evaluations, special studies and assessments.

Training and Capacity Building: (20%) Communicate with the respective members of the Bureau for Policy, Planning and Learning in USAID\Washington on issues related with monitoring and evaluation.

Train and build the capacity of USAID staff, host country officials, and NGO staff responsible for implementation of performance monitoring and evaluation activities in the spirit of USAID Forward.

Coordinate the process for updating policy and procedure documents in the areas of monitoring and evaluation to align with the most current Agency Polices and requirements. Seek ways to increase transparency of USAID's system of reviewing results and use of performance information.

Advises and/or trains implementing partners’ monitoring and evaluation Points of Contact on USAID policies, data and analytical requirements, and ensures that the data submitted conforms to standardized data format and content requirements, as specified in contracts and grants for easy input into the USAID/Guinea and Sierra Leone PMIS.

As needed and under the direction of his/her supervisor, the candidate represents USAID/Guinea and Sierra Leone to host country officials on matters related to performance monitoring, and other customers as s/he performs her/his other major duties and responsibilities.

3.0 REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS/EVALUATION CRITERIA

Applicants meeting the required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application and obtained through reference checks. USAID reserves the right to conduct telephone interviews with the most highly ranked applicants and make the interview a deciding factor in selection.

Education (20 points) A Master’s Degree in a development-related field with coursework in research/evaluation methodology is required.

Prior Work Experience (40 points) Seven years of experience in the design, management and/or implementation of development activities is required. A combination of activity design and management skills is highly desirable. Familiarity with technical issues in public health, democracy, education, environment or economic growth is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (30 points):

Familiarity with activity design, implementation, and evaluation. Familiarity with strategic management, results frameworks and performance measurement. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated interpersonal, teamwork and organizational skills. Demonstrated experience supervising and mentoring employees in a cross-cultural context.

Language (10 points):

Fluency in English language skills (S-5/R-5) is required. French language skills at the FSI level of Speaking-3, Reading-3 is required.

TOTAL: 100 POINTS

4.0 OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTORS

Supervision Received: All work is performed under the general supervision of the Supervisory Program Officer or his/her designee. The Supervisory Program Officer (or designee) reviews all work for adherence to general policies and procedures. Supervisor provides guidance on overall objectives, priorities, and deadlines. The candidate's work is accepted as technically accurate without detailed review.

Supervision Exercised: None.

Exercise of Judgment: All work is done independently according to policies, previous training, accepted practice, programmatic guidance provided by the supervisor, and general guidance provided by USAID's ADS. As an expert and professional, substantial reliance is placed on the candidate to independently plan and perform the specific activities entailed in carrying out the major duties and responsibilities.

Available Guidelines:

The Automated Directives System (ADS), Mission Orders/Notices, and USAID policy and strategy statements serve as guidelines in the fulfillment of duties and responsibilities.

Authority to make commitments: None

Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts: Develops and maintains an extensive range of professional contacts with business and host country officials and with community leaders for the purpose of obtaining or verifying published and unpublished information related to USAID's program, understanding the monitoring systems used of the GOG and GOSL and the capacity of private, non-governmental and research organizations to undertake surveys, analytical research, etc.

Travel: The position covers USAID monitoring and evaluation activities in two countries, Guinea and Sierra Leone. While based in Conakry, Guinea, the successful candidate will be expected to travel frequently to Freetown as well as rural areas of both countries to support activities.

Time required to perform full range of duties: The incumbent is expected to be an expert in the field of Monitoring & Evaluation.

Physical Demands/ Work Environment: The work is sedentary and performed in an office setting.

5.0 INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS

Interested individuals are required to submit the following:

• Fully completed and hand-signed copy of Form a302-3 can be found at http://www.usaid.gov/forms/

(Note: All applicants must submit complete dates (months/years) and hours per week for all positions listed on the Form a302-3 to allow for adequate evaluation of your related and direct experiences.)

• Cover letter and a current resume/curriculum vita (CV). The CV/resume must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the application in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria. Broad general statements that are vague or lacking specificity will not be considered as effectively addressing particular selection criteria.

• Applicants must provide a minimum of three and a maximum of five 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 of contracting work. Applicants must provide e-mail addresses and/or working telephone numbers for all references.

• Applicants also must address the above Section 3.0: Selection Criteria in a summary statement to be included in the application. This summary statement, limited to two pages, must describe specifically and accurately what experience, training, education, and/or awards the applicant has received that are relevant to each selection factor above. The summary statement must include the name of the applicant and the announcement number at the top of each page. Failure to provide this summary statement may result in the applicant not receiving credit for all pertinent experience, education, training, and/or awards.

• Application letters and Form a302-3 must be signed. Incomplete and unsigned applications/forms will not be considered.

6.0 LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCS:

Forms outlined below can found at: http://www.usaid.gov/forms/

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

Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62). * Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security)(SF-86), or * Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85). *

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.

7.0 ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) contain information or changes pertaining to USAID policy, regulation and procedures concerning acquisition and assistance including Personal Service Contracts. Please refer to the USAID website http://transition.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/cib/subject.html#psc to locate relevant AAPDs.

8.0 CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETIN (CIBs) ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) PERTAINING TO PSC CIBs and AAPDSs contain information or changes pertaining to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulation and procedures concerning acquisition and assistance including Personal Service Contracts can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs. AIDAR Appendix D and J apply to USPSC and TCNPSC respectively and can be found at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf

9.0 BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES:

As a matter of policy and as appropriate, a USPSC is normally authorized benefits and allowances in accordance with AIDAR Appendix D and other relevant Agency and Mission polices. Third Country Nationals (TCNs), as a matter of policy and as appropriate are authorized benefits and allowances in accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and other relevant Agency and Mission polices.

BENEFITS:

Employee’s FICA and Medicare (US Citizens only) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment (Annual across board salary increase) Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual & Sick Leave

ALLOWANCES (If applicable).

(A)Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120).

(B) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130).

(C) Post Allowance (Section 220).

(D)Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230).

(E) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260).

(F) Education Allowance (Section 270).

(G)Education Travel (Section 280).

(H)Post Differential (Chapter 500).

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

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

9.0 ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT:

TCN PSC Contractors are compensated in accordance with AIDAR Appendix D titled “Direct USAID Contracts with a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for Personal Services Abroad, paragraphs 4(c), (d), (e), (g), (h), and (i) and also according to the Compensation and Allowances Matrix approved by the Mission Director.

END OF SOLICITATION