SOL-_680-17-USTCNPSC.pdf

U.S. Agency for International Development C/O American Embassy, 01 B.P. 2012 Cotonou, BENIN

Tel: (229) 21300513, 21301792, 21304651, 21301636, 21301411, 21307047; 21367500 Fax: (229) 21-30-12-60 http://www.usaid.gov/bj

Solicitation No.: SOL- 680-17-000011 Issuance Date: May 24, 2017

Closing Date: June 14, 2017 Closing Time: 12:00 PM, Local Benin Time

SUBJECT: SOLICITATION US/TCN PSC – GS 14 GENERAL DEVELOPMENT

OFFICER FOR USAID/BENIN

Prospective Applicants:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Benin is seeking applications from qualified U.S. Citizens, U.S. Resident Aliens or Third Country Nationals (TCNs), to provide Personal Services Contract as General Development Officer in the office of General Development Office, USAID/Benin under a Personal Service Contract.

Submittals must be in accordance with the attached information (Section I through XVI) of this solicitation at the place and time specified. In order to be considered for the position, candidates must meet the Minimum Qualifications listed in the solicitation. Consideration and selection will be based on a panel evaluation of the applications vis-a-vis the Evaluation Factors. Resumes must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the application in accordance with the stated evaluation factor and be attached to the USAID form AID 302-3 (Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts). Applicants should write a brief appendix that addresses the Evaluation Factors (EFs) in this solicitation, and demonstrate how their experience and skills meet or exceed the Evaluation factors (please refer EFs at section VI). Please state language proficiency level as well. Applicants are required to sign the certification at the end of the AID 302-3. Applications received without a signature will not be considered for the position.

Applicants are responsible for submitting the AID-302-3 so as to reach the Government office designated in the solicitation by the closing date and time specified in the solicitation. Applications must be submitted in an email to the person specified below. An application received after the closing date and time will be considered late, unless there is acceptable evidence to establish that it was received on time.

Any questions as well as submission of proposals in response to this solicitation must be directed via email only to Lucrece Boko, Acquisition & Assistance Specialist at lboko@usaid.gov with copy to M Sirajam Munir, Sr. Acquisition & Assistance Specialist at smunir@usaid.gov. Please quote the solicitation number and position title of the position as the subject line and in the cover letter. Please make sure you do not send any attachment in Zip format.

http://www.usaid.gov/bj mailto:https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-302-3 mailto:https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-302-3 https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-302-3 mailto:lboko@usaid.gov mailto:smunir@usaid.gov

ATTACHMENT 1

SOLICITATION No. SOL-680-17-00001: US/TCN PSC – GS 14

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICER FOR USAID/BENIN

I. SOLICITATION INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: SOL- 680-17-000011

2. ISSUANCE DATE: May 24, 2017

3. CLOSING DATE: June 14, 2017 12:00 PM Benin Time

4. POSITION TITLE: General Development Officer

5. MARKET VALUE: GS-14 (US $88,136 to US $114,578) Final compensation will be negotiated based on listed market value based upon candidate’s past salary history, work history and educational background.

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year plus one option year.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Cotonou, Republic of Benin.

8. SUPERVISION: Country Representative

9. MEDICAL AND SECURITY ACCESS: The contractor shall obtain necessary Medical and Security Clearance before a contract is executed.

10. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens, U.S. Resident Alien, Third Country Nationals (TCNs)

STATEMENT OF WORK: GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

II. Basic Function of the Position:

The objective of this position is to provide short-term staffing coverage to provide technical guidance on issues related to good governance, economic growth, and policy engagement. The position will provide high level counsel to senior staff to ensure programs and diplomatic engagement efforts synergistic.

III. Major Duties and Responsibilities:

The U.S./Third Country National Personal Services Contractor (US/TCNPSC) General Development Officer (GDO) will be responsible for leading the General Development Office, which includes supervisory oversight of an Agriculture Specialist and a Political Analyst (Policy Advisor). It is a largely analytical position that provides senior-level advice to the Health Office on key linkages with good governance, advises Regional Mission Economic Growth programs operating in Benin on local context, and advises the Country Representative on a range of policy and diplomatic opportunities and approaches. The position does not have direct of a budget. S/he will also guide project designs related to good governance, economic growth, and other non-health programs. The position will report direct to the USAID/Benin Country Representative and will serve as a senior member of the USAID/Benin Senior Management Team.

a) Project Design (50%)

• The incumbent will serve as a key advisor in the launch of USAID/Benin’s new Localworks program.

He/she will be expected to identify and design outreach efforts to potential local partners; guide programmatic investment decisions; and design methods to measure and evaluate results from the program. The incumbent will also advise members of senior management and other stakeholders on best-practices from the program; articulate lessons learned; and provide implementation support to staff members managing projects awarded under this program.

• The incumbent will also serve as an advisor for current and potential future Development Credit Authority (DCA) activities in Benin. The incumbent will be responsible for analyzing opportunities and risks associated with proposed activities. He/she will also guide and coach the Agricultural Specialist who provides oversight activities. The incumbent will also be responsible for guiding the design of new DCA activities, and ensure that required reporting is completed accurately and timely.

• The incumbent will guide the design of small good governance activities. He/she will ensure that it adequately aligns with new strategic priorities; will develop indicators to ensure projects are adequately evaluated; and that applicable USAID policies, procedures, and requirements are met.

b) Analytical Leadership and Counsel for Economic and Governance Issues (25%)

• The incumbent will provide analysis and advice to guide USAID/Benin’s efforts to address governance issues, including those that impact the health sector. S/he shall serve as a resource to the Health Office staff to ensure that important governance issues are adequately considered in current and future project designs.

• The incumbent shall serve as a senior advisor to the Country Representative on political and economic challenges impacting USAID/Benin’s programming, and the wider development context in Benin. S/he shall be expected to liaise with a variety of government and private-sector individuals in order to better inform and design USAID/Benin’s non-health programming. In addition, the incumbent shall identify areas and interventions in which USAID programming is affected by broader trends in host- country and regional politics. The incumbent shall be responsible for directing strategic reviews of existing programming as applicable. S/he shall identify opportunities to leverage USAID programming with public and private-sector investments.

• The incumbent will guide the Agricultural Specialist and Policy Advisor in their daily work, including: approaches to relationship building with key actors; the political economy analyses that are needed for senior staff to make decisions; strategies for building strategic coalitions; guide on how to communicate local contexts and how they connect with programs.

• S/he will summarize key social, political, and economic issues and challenges, and guide missions dialogue in appropriately adapting programs. The incumbent will be responsible for communicating USAID’s efforts to address governance issues in Benin to a variety of internal and external audiences.

c) Support for Donor and Government Coordination (25%)

• The incumbent will serve as the Country Representative’s alter-ego on Cooperation-level donor coordination. Will provide hands-on support to the Country Representative in his capacity as the chair for donor coordination by organizing donors meetings, formulating agenda items, preparing meeting notes, and support in facilitating discussions. Will also support the Country Representative in deepening relationships with other donors by organizing informal meetings, identifying points of mutual interest, and supporting efforts to build coalitions and communities of practice. S/he will therefore be expected to adequately represent USAID priorities, and coordinate development interventions with international donors and host-government institutions.

• The incumbent shall also support USAID/Benin staff in its role on a range of other coordinating structures with the private sector, other donors, the government, and civil society.

• The incumbent will support USAID/Benin as a key liaison with other U.S. Government donors operating in Benin, including Power Africa, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the State Department and the Department of Agriculture. S/he shall be expected to formulate analyses and programmatic options for decision-makers that incorporate a broad set of U.S. Government interests, leverage expertise from a variety of U.S. Government stakeholders, and which reflect U.S.

Government priorities and interests.

IV. POSITION ELEMENTS:

a) Supervision Received: The PSC works directly under the supervision of the Country

Representative, or his/her designee.

b) Supervision Exercised: The PSC will be the direct supervisor of a team of two or three. He/she will be responsible for ensuring the quality, timeliness, and accuracy of their work. In addition, the PSC is expected to serve as a mentor and subject-matter expert to those that he/she supervises.

The incumbent will be expected to provide substantial guidance to all mission staff on governance issues.

c) Guidelines: The PSC must understand and be knowledgeable of guidance which includes Agency regulations, Automated Directive System Requirements, Africa Bureau procedural and programmatic guidance, Agency procurement regulations, Mission Orders, and other relevant U.S. Government guidance including laws, legislative initiatives, and Congressional interests.

d) Complexity: This position requires substantial planning, follow-up/implementation, teamwork, and leadership abilities. The incumbent will be expected to be highly productive and meet tight deadlines. The ability to operate in a timely, effective, and diplomatically sensitive manner is essential. They must be able to operate and understand USAID regulations and guidance.

e) Exercise of Judgement: A high degree of independent judgement is required in formulating analyses, managing direct-report staff, and representing USAID and U.S. Government interests to outside stakeholders, including implementing partners, foreign donor organizations, and host-government officials.

f) Purpose of Contacts: Contacts are established and maintained both internally and externally to USAID/Benin. The incumbent must be able to direct day to day project implementation work, as well as inform outside stakeholders. Will work directly with the Country Representative on a number of issues, and keep him/her updated on the progress of assigned duties.

g) Physical Demands/Work Environment: This is a moderate physically demanding position supporting non-health programming design and implementation, and donor coordination activities. The incumbent will be physically located at the USAID offices in the U.S. Embassy in Cotonou, Benin. The incumbent will be expected to attend required meetings both inside and outside of the Embassy complex, as well as conduct site visits to current and potential future project locations.

h) Authority to make commitments: The PSC will have no independent authority to commit U.S.

Government funds.

i) Time Requirement to Perform Full Range of Duties: Three months from contract start date

j) Other Requirements: The incumbent must be able to obtain U.S. Government medical clearance and facilities access clearance.

V. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

a. Education:

Master’s Degree in international development, education, business administration, economics, social science, or public administration.

b. Prior Work Experience:

A minimum of ten years of experience in program and development-related work, which has included analyzing problems, working in teams, addressing issues related to governance and public administration, designing development interventions, writing analytical reports, managing outside relationships, and using empirical data to design, implement, and evaluate work products is required. Significant experience working with international donor-funded activities is required.

c. Language Proficiency: Level IV English and French is required

d. Knowledge:

A high level of knowledge of basic development principles, program design, project management, budgeting, public financial management, governance, institutional capacity building, and monitoring and evaluation is required. A high degree of understanding of international donor coordination and private sector investment decision-making is preferred. Strong knowledge of how to manage development programs in highly complex and fluid social contexts.

e. Skills and Abilities:

Ability to analyze complex governance and development challenges. Must be able to explain complex development challenges to a variety of audiences. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required. Good interpersonal skills, including the ability to work in teams, build consensus, provide leadership, and effectively coordinate with internal and external stakeholders in a multi-cultural setting. Ability to organize work, set priorities, provide direction, mentor junior staff, and comply with deadlines. Ability to analyze complex quantitative and qualitative data.

VI. Evaluation Factors:

Firstly, all applicants will be short listed on the basis of documentations submitted. Applicants who meet the Education and Experience requirements will be further evaluated based on the scoring of the Evaluation Factors (Section V) responses. Those applicants determined to be competitively ranked may also be evaluated on interview performance and satisfactory professional reference checks. USAID reserves the right to conduct in-person or telephonic interviews with the most highly ranked applicants and make the interview a deciding factor in selection and/or to obtain from previous employers relevant information concerning the applicant’s past performance and may consider such information in its evaluation

The applicants must address each Evaluation Criteria listed below.to be considered; candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the following evaluation criteria:

a. Education: (10 points) Master’s Degree in international development, education, business administration, economics, social science, or public administration.

b. Prior Work Experience: (30 points) A minimum of ten years of experience in program and development-related work, which includes themes related to good governance, economic growth, public administration, and/or public policy.

Must have significant experience in designing development interventions, writing analytical reports, managing outside relationships, and using empirical data to design, implement, and evaluate programs. Significant experience working with international donor-funded activities is required.

c. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: (30 points) A strong knowledge of the development context, including existing economic, political and cultural structures that inhibit and/or promote development in Benin and/or West Africa region. Has strong technical knowledge and expertise pertaining to public financial management, good governance, institutional capacity building, and economic growth programs. Has good working knowledge of organizational processes related to program design, project management, budgeting, and monitoring and evaluation. A high degree of understanding of international donor coordination and private sector investment decision-making is required. Strong knowledge of how to manage development programs in highly complex and fluid social contexts. Ability to analyze complex governance and development challenges.

d. Interpersonal and Communication Skills: (30 points) Must be able to effectively communicate complex development challenges to a variety of audiences.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required. Demonstrates sophisticated communication skills by generating thoughtful discussion during the oral interview, with ideas presented in a highly professional and diplomatic style. Communicates highly analytical views in presenting ideas, both in oral and written sections of the interview. Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to work in a diverse, multi-cultural teams setting. Must be able to present ideas clearly in in both French and English Languages.

Total possible points = 100 points

VII. LOGISTICAL SUPPORT:

The USAID/Benin provides includes office space and equipment, transportation in country for official meetings, work related travel arrangements/tickets and administrative services.

VIII. TERMS OF PERFORMANCE:

The Personal Services Contract will be for base period of One Year plus and One Option Year. Exercising the option to extend the contract will be at the sole discretion of USAID/Benin and would depend on continuing need of services and availability of funds.

IX. INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS

Applicants must submit the following US government Form AID-302-3 available at the following website:

http://auslnxapvweb01.usaid.gov/forms/formsnumeric.html to demonstrate how their previous experience and skills are suited for the position.

In addition to the above, qualified individuals are required to submit the following:

1. Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your application, your resume must include:

(a) Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. Dates (month/year) and locations for all field experience must also be detailed. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.

(b) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments.

(c ) Country of citizenship

2. List of References:

a) Applicants must submit three (3) professional references from employment within the last 5 years. The provided references must not be from family members or relatives. Submitted references MUST include the following information:

1. Name of reference

2. Applicant’s relationship to reference

3. Title of reference at current job

4. Reference’s current telephone number (work or personal) http://auslnxapvweb01.usaid.gov/forms/formsnumeric.html

5. Reference’s email address (work or personal)

At least two (2) references must be from direct supervisors (current or prior) who can provide information regarding the applicant’s relevant experience. Applicants are advised to ensure the information provided is current for all references. USAID may seek references from other available sources at its own discretion.

3. A written statement that addresses the Evaluation/Selection Criteria in this solicitation, and demonstrate how their experience and skills meet or exceed the Evaluation factors (please refer EFs.

at section IV)

4. Application Form AID 302-3 ; the forms can be obtained from the following websites:

http://auslnxapvweb01.usaid.gov/forms/formsnumeric.html - Applicants are required to complete and sign the form.

X. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRES:

Once the CO informs the successful Offeror about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Offeror instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms.

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

1) USAID form AID 302-3 (To be submitted with application).

2) Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms)**

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.

XI. SECURITY, MEDICAL CLEARANCE AND FACT TRAING REQUIREMENTS

1. Security Clearance:

• If a U.S. citizen, the apparently successful applicant shall be required to obtain a Facility

Access level security clearance as a pre-condition for employment.

• If Third Country National, the apparently successful applicant shall be required to obtain an

Employment Authorization security clearance as a pre-condition for employment.

2. The applicant selected to fill the position must receive state medical clearance to work in USAID/Benin, Cotonou. Details of how to obtain such clearance will be provided after selection and acceptance of the job offer.

3. Complete Foreign Affairs Counter-Threat (FACT) Training before arriving in Cotonou, Benin

XII. COMPENSATION

http://auslnxapvweb01.usaid.gov/forms/formsnumeric.html http://www.usaid.gov/forms/

The position has been classified at a GS-14 level. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value of GS-14. Salaries over and above the market value will not be entertained or negotiated.

XIII. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES

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

A. BENEFITS:

(a) Employer's FICA Contribution

(b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

(c) Pay Comparability Adjustment

(d) Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation)

(e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

(f) Annual and Sick Leave

B. ALLOWANCES:

Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas):

(a) Temporary Quarter Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)

(b) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

(c) Cost-of-Living Allowance (Chapter 210)

(d) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(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), and

(j) Danger Pay Allowance (Section 650)

XIV. TAXES

USPSCs are required to pay Federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable State Income taxes.

XV. NOTICE REGARDING GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIN FOR THIS SOLICITATION

This solicitation is no way obligates USAID to award a US PSC contract, not does it commit USAID to pay any cost construed in the preparation and submission of application.

ACQUISITION & ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDS) AND CONTRACT

INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBS) PERTAINING TO PSCs

AAPDs and CIBs contain changes to USAID policy and the PSC General Provisions in accordance with USAID regulations and contracts. See http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs.

USAID regulations and policies governing USPSC awards are available at these sources:

1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix D, “Direct USAID Contracts with a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf.

2. Contract Cover Page form AID 302-4 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms .

3. Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs. AAPDs and CIBs contain changes to USAID policy and the PSC General Provisions in accordance with USAID regulations and contracts.

4. Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an Individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch,” available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635.

See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations.

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