Solicitation 72051920R00005 - USPSC Education Team Leader (EGE) USAID El Salvador.pdf

SOLICITATION No. 72051920R00005 ISSUANCE DATE: September 8, 2020 CLOSING DATE/TIME: September 22, 2020

5:00 pm (El Salvador/Local Time)

SUBJECT: Solicitation for an U.S. Personal Services Contractor (USPSC) Education Team Leader Office of Economic Growth and Education (EGE), USAID/El Salvador

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking offers from qualified persons to provide personal services under contract as described in the attached solicitation.

Offers must be in accordance with Attachment 1 of this solicitation. Incomplete or unsigned offers will not be considered. Offerors should retain copies of all offer materials for their records.

This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the offer.

Any questions must be directed to the Point of Contact specified in Attachment 1.

Sincerely, Kent Benson Deputy Executive Officer

Kent Benson Digitally signed by Kent Benson Date: 2020.09.04 05:37:21 -04'00'

Attachment No. 1 Solicitation No. 72051920R00005

Education Team Leader Office of Economic Growth and Education

USAID/EL SALVADOR

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I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72051920R00005

2. ISSUANCE DATE: September 8, 2020

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR

RECEIPT OF OFFERS: September 22, 2020 (5:00 pm El Salvador/Local Time)

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Irma de Escolán USAID/El Salvador, Executive Office/Procurement Telephone: (503) 2501-3428 Fax: (503) 2298-0885 E-mail: iescolan@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Education Team Leader Office of Economic Growth and Education (EGE)

6. MARKET VALUE: $92,977 to $120,868 equivalent to GS-14.

Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The base period will be up one (1) year estimated to start o/a October 2020, with the option to extend one (1) additional year based on Agency need and availability of funding as follows:

Base Period: o/a October 2020 – September/2021 Option Period 1: o/a October 2021 – September/2022

Any additional options for extension are subject to NSDD-38 and requisite approvals.

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: San Salvador, El Salvador, with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens and U.S. Resident Aliens only.

10. CLEARANCES: The selected offeror must be able to obtain and maintain a Security Clearance at the “Facility Access” level and appropriate Medical Clearance. If such clearances are not obtained within a reasonable time or negative suitability issues are involved, any offer may be rescinded.

Education Team Leader Office of Economic Growth and Education

USAID/EL SALVADOR

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11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract The Education Team Leader within the Office of Economic Growth and Education, manages a portfolio of bilateral education programs in El Salvador, serves as the Mission technical lead on education and youth issues, and directly supervises four (4) Cooperating Country National (CCN) employees. El Salvador is a country of strategic interest to the United States, especially in light of concerns related to illegal migration to the U.S. The incumbent has primary responsibility for the Mission's education programs including basic education, higher/tertiary education, youth, and workforce development and oversees a fluctuating annual budget approved by the US Congress that has recently been as high as $26.24 million, including basic and higher education, economic growth, and Central American Regional Security Initiative funding. S/he has frequent contact with inter-agency colleagues, senior representatives of the Government of El Salvador, and other donors. The incumbent will also help represent the USAID as part of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE). S/he provides subject matter expertise, policy, program, and management leadership on education, youth, and workforce development. The diverse portfolio spans all focus areas of the USAID Education and Youth Policies. Technical areas of focus include access and quality to basic education, access to flexible learning programs for out of school youth to enable them to return to school or receive an equivalency degree, workforce development, social-emotional learning and psychosocial support, and education governance. S/he will also play a critical role in local capacity building of local institutions in El Salvador managing education programs. Particular emphasis will be given to expertise in basic education and workforce development; as well as tertiary/higher education.

2. Statement of Duties to be Performed To ensure the success of the ongoing portfolio of education, workforce development, and youth investments in El Salvador, the USAID Mission seeks a senior-level professional with management experience and technical knowledge. This includes subject matter expertise, strategic management, policy, programming, and coordination.

The Education Team Leader serves as an effective liaison with a wide array of individuals and institutions. S/he serves as the Mission’s primary representative to senior officials in the Ministry of Education and education sector development partners, including donors and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The incumbent leads and advises the U.S.

Government’s donor and inter-Agency coordination in the education, youth, and workforce development sectors. Because of the cross-cutting nature of the education in crisis activity, the incumbent will seek synergy and complementarities with other USAID offices and the interagency. The incumbent ensures interventions are coordinated, well-designed, and evidence-based, and is expected to plan and promote a robust evaluation and assessment plan for the education portfolio.

The Education Team Leader must also possess excellent interpersonal, presentation, and negotiation skills, as well as excellent political acumen, reporting skills, and the ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy, responsibility, and sound judgment in a politically challenging environment. Strong team building and mentoring are essential as s/he will direct the four-member Education Team.

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The Education Team Leader reports to the Deputy Director of the Office of Economic Growth and Education and has a direct and strong relationship with the Mission senior leadership, including regularly briefing and advising senior leadership on education, youth, and policy issues.

The major duties and responsibilities of the Education Team Leader include:

Education Portfolio Strategic Planning, Adaptive Management, and Oversight The incumbent provides expert advice and is responsible for administering and providing strategic direction for the Mission’s education portfolio. S/he independently oversees education portfolio planning, activity design, and activity implementation. The incumbent applies USAID policies, judgement, and ingenuity to develop new theories of change to achieve impact in the fields of access and quality to basic education, access to flexible learning programs for out of school youth to enable them to return to school or receive an equivalency degree, workforce development, socio-emotional learning, psychosocial support.

The Education Team Leader designs external evaluations for major education activities, and s/he ensures monitoring, implementation, and evaluation of education activities with support from the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist in the Economic Growth and Education Office and Education Team members. S/he also ensures that education activities are implemented and monitored in a timely and quality manner. S/he also ensures that the development of evaluation plans is completed with evaluation findings integrated into new and existing programs. S/he develops strategies and detailed implementation plans for education activities under the Mission’s annual Operational Plan, Mission Resource Request, and the Country Development and Cooperation Strategy.

The Education Team Leader ensures that technical direction supports the achievement of education results and provides expert technical input and leadership in the design, negotiation, and work planning of activities. In a rapidly evolving environment with emerging evidence and problems, changes in program approach are anticipated. The incumbent leads activity adjustments (as needed) and resolves any disputes or disagreements that may arise during activity implementation with key stakeholders. The Education Team Leader ensures proper oversight of the activities, including environmental compliance, particularly for those education-related activities with a construction component.

Coordination, Partner Relations and Representation The incumbent must achieve a common understanding with Government of El Salvador counterparts to agree upon a modality for USAID’s support that addresses shared goals and their concerns. The incumbent establishes and maintains contacts at the highest levels of the Ministry of Education, including closely coordinating on donor-MINED collaboration around the Global Partnership for Education (GPE). S/he should also seek to coordinate with the Ministry of Economy when possible to advance USAID’s efforts to support increased economic opportunities through education, including workforce development programs for vulnerable populations to stop illegal migration to the United States. The incumbent explains USAID’s education, youth, and workforce development priorities and negotiates means of support with the Government of El Salvador, and s/he resolves critical problems

Education Team Leader Office of Economic Growth and Education

USAID/EL SALVADOR

4Page 4 between government and implementing partners. S/he advocates to the Government of El Salvador education officials at the highest levels to advance USAID activities and potential reforms.

The Education Team Leader skillfully navigates a crowded and challenging sector to achieve USAID’s education priorities. S/he uses tact and diplomacy to justify, defend, negotiate, or settle issues involving the implementation of USAID’s new education and workforce development activities. The incumbent represents USAID at meetings, international and national conferences with implementing partners, donors, government, USG agencies, and international and local partners. S/he will work closely with USAID/Washington staff on a regular basis on strategic planning, management, and policy issues. S/he also establishes relationships at a technical level with donor partner counterparts to ensure proactive sharing and coordination of USAID’s activities. The incumbent provides technically authoritative insights and recommendations to USAID senior management and high-level government and development partner counterparts.

Staff Management and Mentorship The incumbent is expected to manage and build the skills of one (1) FSN-12, two (2) FSN- 11s, and one (1) FSN-10. The incumbent carries out a full range of supervision, activity management, advisory, and strategic planning responsibilities for a team of three. S/he is expected to lead and provide guidance to the Education Team, managing staff, overseeing work products, and ensuring their performance meets or exceeds established performance standards. S/he ensures that team members are fulfilling responsibilities in a timely and effective manner while providing leadership and mentorship to professional staff. The Education Team Leader will provide significant guidance and support to build the skills and understanding of USAID operating procedures, activity management, and education policies for staff. The Education Team Leader will be required to assist in creating a supportive environment that values diversity, abides by the USG equal employment opportunity laws, and elicits the highest possible level of performance from the entire team. S/he keeps abreast of current and new education, youth, and workforce development training opportunities and creates opportunities for staff learning.

3. Supervisory Relationship and Controls The Education Team Leader reports to the Deputy Director of the Office Economic Growth and Education. The incumbent supervises a team of four Foreign Service National staff. The incumbent will operate both as a member of a broader team but also will be expected to manage semi-autonomously. Work may be assigned by others in the Mission or may be generated by the incumbent when needs are identified.

4. Position Elements Degree of responsibility for decision-making assigned to the position:

The incumbent provides expert advice and is responsible for administering and providing strategic direction for the Mission’s education portfolio. S/he independently oversees education portfolio planning, activity design, and activity implementation.

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Level of complexity of work assignments:

The incumbent applies mastery of education technical knowledge in three specialized areas—education quality, improved retention, and workforce development—to strategically guide USAID/El Salvador education portfolio. The Education Team Leader ensures that technical direction supports the achievement of education results and provides expert technical input and leadership in the design, negotiation, and work planning of several activities. In a rapidly evolving environment with emerging evidence and problems, changes in program approach are anticipated.

Knowledge level required:

Thorough knowledge of development programming in primary education. The Education Team Leader must possess demonstrated knowledge in strategic planning and activity coordination/implementation. The applicant must have demonstrated experience in building working relationships with high-level foreign government counterparts and developing education strategic plans. Ability to perform at a senior level must be demonstrated including experience applying effective leadership, communications skills and problem solving.

Guidelines:

The Education Team Leader must have the ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy, responsibility, and sound judgment in a politically challenging environment. Strong team building and mentoring are essential as s/he will direct the four-member Education Team.

Complexity of the work environment/effect on the position’s responsibilities:

To ensure the success of the ongoing portfolio of education, workforce development, and youth investments in El Salvador, the USAID Mission seeks a senior-level professional with management experience and technical knowledge. This includes subject matter expertise, strategic management, policy, programming, and coordination.

Scope and effect of the work performed:

The Education Team Lead serves as an effective liaison with a wide array of individuals and institutions. S/he serves as the Mission’s primary representative to senior officials in the Ministry of Education and education sector development partners, including donors and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The incumbent leads and advises the U.S.

Government’s donor and inter-Agency coordination in the education, youth, and workforce development sectors. Because of the cross-cutting nature of the education in crisis activity, the incumbent will seek synergy and complementarities with other USAID offices and the interagency. The incumbent ensures interventions are coordinated, well-designed, and evidence-based, and is expected to plan and promote a robust evaluation and assessment plan for the education portfolio.

Level and purpose of contacts:

The Education Team Leader skillfully navigates a crowded and challenging sector to achieve USAID’s education priorities. S/he uses tact and diplomacy to justify, defend, negotiate, or settle issues involving the implementation of USAID’s new education activities. The incumbent represents USAID at meetings, international and national conferences with implementing partners, donors, government, USG agencies, and international and local partners. S/he will work closely with USAID/Washington staff on a regular basis on

Education Team Leader Office of Economic Growth and Education

USAID/EL SALVADOR

6Page 6 strategic planning, management, and policy issues. S/he also establishes relationships at a technical level with donor partner counterparts to ensure proactive sharing and coordination of USAID’s activities. The incumbent provides technically authoritative insights and recommendations to USAID senior management and high-level government and development partner counterparts. S/he advocates to the Government of El Salvador education officials at the highest levels to advance USAID activities and education reforms.

The incumbent explains USAID’s education priorities and negotiates means of support with the Government of El Salvador, and s/he resolves critical problems between government and implementing partners.

Authority to make commitments: Not applicable.

Travel requirements:

Periodic travel to program field sites are required to successfully perform this position. Aside from periodic travel to locations that may not have modernized amenities or infrastructure, the position does not involve undue physical demands.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Aside from periodic travel to locations that may not have modernized amenities or infrastructure, the position does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Education: A Master’s degree (or higher) in a social science related to the position, to include but not limited to education policy, basic education, higher education, workforce development, or a particular area of education (such as teacher education, curriculum development, early grade reading and math, learning assessments, retention, community-based or non-formal education) is required.

Technical and Professional Experience: Eight years of progressively responsible experience managing and implementing education programs in an international development setting (such as a U.S. Government agency, international organization, or non-governmental organization), working with program managers and policymakers. At least three or more years of working experience in the field of education or workforce development in a developing country is required. A minimum of three years supervising diverse teams, preferably in a multi-cultural context, is required.

Skills and Abilities: Thorough knowledge of development programming in primary education. The Education Team Leader must possess demonstrated knowledge in strategic planning and activity coordination/implementation. The contractor must have demonstrated experience in building working relationships with high-level foreign government counterparts and developing education strategic plans. Ability to perform at a senior level must be demonstrated including experience applying effective leadership, oral/written communications skills and problem solving.

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USAID/EL SALVADOR

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Language Proficiency: English Level IV (fluent) language proficiency, speaking and writing is required. Spanish Level IV (fluent) language proficiency, speaking and writing is required. This may be tested.

The ability to obtain the security level and medical clearances required for the position.

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c). In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers. FAR provisions of this solicitation are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

Knowledge: (20 points) Advanced technical knowledge and experience in a developing country context in one or more of these education fields: workforce development, early grade reading, education in emergencies, teacher training, education assessment, international education system strengthening, non-formal education, and community engagement in education.

Technical and Professional Experience: (35 points) o Eight years of progressively responsible experience managing and implementing education programs in an international development setting (such as a U.S. Government agency, international organization, or non-governmental organization) working with program managers and policymakers is required.

o A minimum of three years working in the field of education in a developing country is required.

o A minimum of three years supervising diverse teams, in a multi-cultural context, is required.

Skills and Abilities: (45 points) o Program design and management: Ability to develop international education strategies, activities, and work plans in a developing context. Mastery of program design and management from inception to completion. Ability to plan, coordinate, supervise, monitor, and report on project outcomes related to education.

o Supervisory skills: Demonstrated ability to manage, coach, and mentor individuals and diverse teams to improve overall performance.

o Communication and representation skills: Ability to navigate complex negotiations and advocacy among government ministries, development partners, education experts, implementing partners, civil society organizations, and the private sector. Ability to write high-quality reports, analysis, speeches, and other papers. Ability to coordinate and collaborate with donors.

o Cross-cultural knowledge and skills: Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across departments or agencies in a large bureaucracy and in an interagency context, as well

Education Team Leader Office of Economic Growth and Education

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8Page 8 as in an intercultural context with high-level government officials, implementing partners, international donors, humanitarian organizations.

Offerors meeting the above required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the offer. USAID reserves the right to conduct interviews and reference checks with the top ranked short-listed offerors. The interview and references will be one of the determining factors in the final selection.

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

All of the following must be included in the offer 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 Offeror’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 offer form, AID 309-2 (Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals), which can be found at the following website, https://www.usaid.gov/forms/.

4. Names, current and accurate phone numbers, and email addresses of three professional references that have knowledge of the Offeror’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 Offeror is available for the position.

6. To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offeror submissions must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents.

7. Offer submissions must be received electronically by the closing date and time specified in Section I, Item 3 and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section I, Item 4.

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit the appropriate forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award.

VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

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

1. BENEFITS:

(a) Employer's FICA Contribution

(b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance (if applicable)

(c) Pay Comparability Adjustment

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

(e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

(f) Annual and Sick Leave

2. ALLOWANCES (If applicable):

Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas), available at https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101

(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)

(j) Danger Pay (Section 650)

Resident-Hire USPSCs are not eligible for any fringe benefits, differentials, or allowances;

and are only eligible for contributions for FICA, Medicare, health insurance, and life insurance.

VII. TAXES

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

VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO

PSCs

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 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms .

Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract award as described by the illustrative table (no information required for offer submission):

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ITEM

NO

(A)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION)

(B)

QUANTITY

(C)

UNIT

(D)

UNIT

PRICE

(E)

AMOUNT

(F)

0001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

1 LOT $ _TBD__ $_ TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor

1001 Option Period 1 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

1 LOT $ _TBD__ $ TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor

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 .

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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