SOL-685-15-000069_FFP-Officer.pdf

FOOD FOR PEACE OFFICER

U.S. or Third Country National (TCN) Personal Services Contractor (PSC)

1. Solicitation Number: SOL-685-15-000069

2. Issuance Date: July 21, 2015

3. Closing Date/Time: Friday 14, August 2015 (Dakar, Senegal Time)

4. Position Title: FOOD FOR PEACE OFFICER

5. Market Value: GS 13/14 Equivalent: (GS13: $72,391-$94,108, GS14: $85,544- $111,203)

Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based upon the candidate’s past salary history, work experience and educational background.

6. Organization Location of Position: Dakar, Senegal

7. Direct Supervisor: FFP Regional Director, USAID/Senegal

8. Supervisory Control: None

9. Period of Performance: Immediate upon receipt of security/medical clearances.

(The Personal Services Contract will be for 24 months, with options of three-one year extensions up to a maximum of five years, subject to continued need and availability of funds)

10. Place of Performance: Dakar, Senegal

11. Security Access: Secret

12. Area of Consideration: U.S. Citizens and Third Country Nationals

BACKGROUND

The Office of Food for Peace (FFP) in the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA) is the largest provider of food assistance in the world. FFP annually provides close to $2 billion of food assistance, including some 1.5 million tons or more of in-kind Title II food assistance valued at more than $1.6 billion and reaching 46 million beneficiaries in 48 countries. Since 2010, FFP has complemented its provision of Title II in-kind food assistance with an Emergency Food Security Program (EFSP) utilizing at least $300 million in International Disaster Assistance (IDA) funds annually, which allows for local and regional purchase of food outside of the United States and closer to the emergency setting, as well as market based approaches such as cash transfer or food voucher programs that facilitate access to food.

In addition to emergency response, FFP provides support for development food assistance programs which aim to address the underlying causes of food security. Taken together, the in-kind and cash based programs provide an impressive array of tools to combat hunger and malnutrition overseas. Programming is facilitated by state of the art early warning systems, a changing in-kind food assistance basket that includes more nutritious products, and a modern supply chain management system that allows for rapid movement of commodities.

Programming approaches are evolving to focus increasingly on building the resilience of chronically vulnerable populations, especially those in arid lands who face increasing cycles of drought, and improving nutrition with a special focus on women and children under two.

Food for Peace works closely with many other parts of USAID, especially the Bureau for Food Security, which plays a key role in implementing the President’s Feed the Future initiative, and the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance, which takes the lead on disaster response around the world. Food for Peace employs a staff of over 70 in Washington and also has officers posted abroad.

In the West Africa region in FY 2014, FFP provided over $200 million in both Title II and IDA emergency funds, in addition to over $40 million in Title II development funds. Approximately 80% of emergency resources were provided to Chad, Mali and Niger. The FY 2015 budget for FFP/WA is estimated to significantly increase in response to the emergency food needs resulting from the Ebola outbreak and the conflict crisis in Nigeria and Central African Republic.

Given the significant resources invested by FFP in West Africa, USAID requires the services of a Food for Peace Officer (FFPO), based in Dakar, Senegal, to improve, monitor, and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of food assistance programs; coordinate with UN Agencies, NGOs, and the international humanitarian assistance community; conduct and provide assessments on food security issues; coordinate with and provide guidance to other U.S.

government units engaged with food assistance efforts; and make program recommendations to FFP/Washington for food assistance funding.

It is expected that approximately 30% of the FFPO’s time will be spent traveling throughout the region to monitor program activities and assess food security conditions and food assistance needs. This may also include travel to Washington to inform programming, engage in technical exchanges, and coordinate and share information and best practices.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The FFPO will primarily support FFP’s ability to respond to major emergency food crises and ensure effective responses (80% level of effort). While largely focused on new-evolving emergency situations in the region, the FFPO would provide monitoring and surge capacity support to large, ongoing emergency programs in the West Africa region where additional short-term staffing support is needed. The FFPO will support the design and oversight of development food assistance programs in the region, as assigned (20% LOE).

The full range of specific duties, some of which are in direct support of specific programs and some in support of general FFP office responsibilities, may include the following:

• Serve as primary point of contact for NGOs and Public International Organizations (PIO) such as the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) implementing FFP-funded programs, U.S. Government representatives, and others on FFP food assistance issues for the country assigned.

• Provide policy recommendations related to implementation of emergency programs carried out by PIOs such as WFP and non-governmental organizations.

• Analyze and assess data from a variety of sources – including field assessments, technical data, early warning information, and reporting from USAID field staff, NGOs, and PIOs – to recommend appropriate food assistance programs.

• Monitor and report on implementation of ongoing FFP-funded programs, including progress and problems encountered by grantees, as well as commodity management, including following up with cooperating sponsors on the status of loss claims.

• Advise and guide FFP-funded implementing partners on interpretation and execution of FFP-funded food assistance regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Report on all food security issues, to include changes in the food security situation and food assistance requirements, government policies and actions affecting food assistance programs, government food assistance programs, and donor pledges and programs.

• As the FFP expert, coordinate with the country team (consisting of the USAID mission, U.S. embassy, and/or other USG in-country staff), host government, NGOs, PIOs, donors, and others issues that may directly impact on food assistance funding decisions.

• Undertake and report on assessments to inform FFP food assistance funding decisions or modifications to ongoing programs.

• Provide direction to NGOs on requirements for preparation of work-plans and program modifications, and with PIOs such as the World Food Program (WFP) on new appeals or revisions to existing ones.

• Serve as the food assistance expert, working with other U.S. Government agencies and other donors to promote integration of food assistance with other programs to increase the effectiveness of the programs overall.

• Undertake other tasks, as assigned.

The basic duties and responsibilities do not change between the GS-13 and GS-14 levels. An employee meeting the qualifications for GS-14 and hired at that level, however, is expected to exercise a higher level of autonomy and require less supervision.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP: The incumbent will report to the FFP/WA Regional Director or Deputy Director, or designate, based in Dakar, and may receive regular guidance and substantive direction from the FFP Office in Washington, D.C.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: At the GS-14 level, the incumbent’s supervisor will provide direction in terms of broadly defined program goals and objectives. The employee is expected to act independently with little direction and will have wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment.

Complexity Duties vary that require different process, methods and substantial depth of analysis. The incumbent must work with a range of people from operations, technical, field staff, other bureaus within USAID and with the State Department and the Department of Agriculture.

Scope and Effect At the GS-14 level, work includes isolating and defining unknown conditions and resolving critical problems or developing new theories affecting the work of other experts. Work typically requires formal responsibility for leading teams, guiding the work of others, and coordinating with other professional and technical staff.

Personal Contacts At the GS-14 level, contacts are with high-ranking officials outside USAID at national or international levels in highly unstructured settings. The incumbent is responsible for the coordination of food security related activities with awardees and other donors specific to Title II-funded interventions to ensure clear understanding of USAID/FFP programs and priorities.

Purpose of Contacts Purpose of contact is to influence, motivate, control or direct people or groups to reach a consensus on the resolution of issues at high levels, both inside and outside the Agency;

negotiate and secure authorization for assistance programs; determine the appropriateness and effectiveness of USAID’s assistance in the Missions; develop complimentary among donors in assistance efforts,; provide guidance on program design and implementation and provide briefings on the status of programs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR HIRING:

(Applicants who do not meet all of the minimum education and experience requirements will not be considered for the position.)

• At the GS-13 level the incumbent will have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. or internationally recognized institution with significant study in, but not limited to, public health, agriculture, nutrition, food and agricultural economics, international development, humanitarian assistance, or other related field. The incumbent will have a total of at least seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian assistance and/or international development, of which three (3) years’ experience must be related to food assistance. Two (2) years of overseas professional experience is required.

OR

A Master’s degree from an accredited U.S. or internationally recognized institution with significant study in, but not limited to, public health, agriculture, nutrition, food and agricultural economics, international development, humanitarian assistance, or other related field. The incumbent will have a total of at least six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian assistance and/or international development, of which three (3) years’ experience must be related to food assistance. Two (2) years of overseas professional experience is required.

• At the GS-14 level the incumbent will have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. or internationally recognized institution with significant study in, but not limited to, public health, agriculture, nutrition, food and agricultural economics, international development, humanitarian assistance, or other related field. The incumbent will have a total of at least ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian assistance and/or international development, of which six (6) years’ experience must be related to food assistance. Two (2) years of overseas professional experience is required.

OR

A Master’s degree from an accredited U.S. or internationally recognized institution with significant study in, but not limited to, public health, agriculture, nutrition, food and agricultural economics, international development, humanitarian assistance, or other related field. The incumbent will have a total of at least nine (9) years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian assistance and/or international development, of which six (6) years’ experience must be related to food assistance. Two (2) years of overseas professional experience is required.

• Intermediate level computer skills, to include knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel, e-mail, and the internet;

• Demonstrated fluency in French (FSI 3/3) and English language skills (FSI 3/3);

• If a US citizen, ability to obtain a SECRET level security clearance; and to obtain a Department of State medical clearance for Senegal.

Applicants not meeting all these minimum qualifications will not be evaluated further.

QUALITY RANKING FACTORS (QRFs):

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and selective factors will be further evaluated based on the Quality Ranking Factors (QRF) listed below. Applicants are strongly encouraged to address each of the factors on a separate sheet describing specifically and accurately the experience, training, and/or education he/she has that is relevant to each factor. Be sure to include your name and the announcement number at the top of each additional page.

• Knowledge of the key policy and technical issues related to emergency food security programming in developing countries. (40 points)

• Demonstrated ability to review proposals, analyze budgets, manage US Government or other agency financial agreements, and work through a USAID (or other agency) grant award process. (25 points)

• Knowledge of the functioning of non-government organizations (NGOs), UN agencies and US Government agencies involved in humanitarian assistance, and a demonstrated ability to work effectively with personnel from these organizations on highly sensitive issues. (20 points)

• Ability to communicate complex technical issues effectively to non-specialists both orally and in writing. (15 points)

Total Possible Points: 100

BASIS OF RATING: Applicants who meet the minimum requirements for the position will be further evaluated based on scoring of the QRF responses. Those applicants determined to be competitively ranked may also be evaluated on interview performance and satisfactory professional reference checks.

Applicants are required to address each of the QRFs in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received that are relevant to each factor. Be sure to include your name and the announcement number at the top of each additional page. Failure to address the selection criteria and/or QRFs may result in your not receiving credit for all of your pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards.

The most qualified candidates may be interviewed and/or required to provide a writing sample.

USAID will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. Professional references and academic credentials will be evaluated for applicants being considered for selection. USAID reserves the right to select additional candidates if vacancies become available during future phases of the selection process.

APPLYING:

Applications must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in the cover letter. Qualified individuals are required to submit:

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. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.

(b) Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work.

(c) Names and contact information (phone and email) of your current and/or previous supervisor(s).

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

(e) Citizenship.

Your resume should contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information should be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide information sufficient to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration.

2. Responses to the Quality Ranking Factors: Each applicant’s supplemental documentation must specifically address the QRFs shown in the solicitation.

Additional documents submitted will not be accepted.

By submitting your application materials, you certify that all of the information on and attached to the application is true, correct, complete, and made in good faith. You agree to allow all information on and attached to the application to be investigated. False or fraudulent information on or attached to your application may result in you being eliminated from consideration for this position, or being terminated after award, and may be punishable by fine or imprisonment.

To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application, and as the subject line in any email.

Applications must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in the cover letter and should be sent to the following email address:

Mailto: usaiddakar-hr@usaid.gov Attn.: Samuel Carter or Papa Babacar Senghor Sup. Regional Executive Officer Human Resources Specialist

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. The highest ranking applicants may be selected for an interview.

mailto:usaiddakar-hr@usaid.gov

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The US Mission in Senegal provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.

USAID/Senegal also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs.

The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation. Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.