Solicitation for a USPSC-TCN BHA Regional Advisor. (1) (1).pdf

Route des Almadies B.P. 49 Dakar, Senegal Tel.: (221) 33 879 4000 Website: http://www.usaid.gov/senegal

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72068521R00007

ISSUANCE DATE: February 19, 2021 CLOSING DATE: March 5, 2021 - 5:00 p.m.

(GMT)

SUBJECT: Solicitation for a U.S. Citizen /Third Country National Personal Service Contractor

(US/TCN PSC) – Regional Advisor, Bureau For Humanitarian Assistance (BHA)

Dear Prospective Offerors:

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

Offers must be in accordance with Attachment 1, Sections I through VIII 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 offers.

Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in the attached information.

Sincerely, Rodney Stubina, PhD Deputy Regional Executive Officer http://www.usaid.gov/senegal

ATTACHMENT 1

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72068521R00007

2. ISSUANCE DATE: February 19, 2021

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME: March 5, 2021 - 5:00 p.m. (GMT)

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Recruitment team, usaiddakar-hr@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Regional Advisor, Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA)

6. MARKET VALUE: GS-14 ($93,907 – $122,077 per annum) (Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.)

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Immediate upon receipt of security/medical clearances (The duration of the US Personal Services Contract will be for one (1) year, with four one-year option periods, subject to satisfactory performance, availability of funds and continuing need for the position.) Level of effort is full time (40 hours per week).

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Dakar, Senegal

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: United States Citizens and Third Country Nationals are eligible offerors.

TCNPSC under this solicitation are eligible for benefits in accordance with AIDAR Appendix J, sec.

4(c)(2)(ii)(B)). An exception has been approved by the Mission Director in accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and ADS 309maa, requesting Approval to Use Alternate Classification Procedures

(ACP).

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facility Access for TCN; Secret clearance for USPSC

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

A. BACKGROUND

The Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) in the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is the largest provider of humanitarian assistance in the world, reaching the world’s most vulnerable and hardest-to-reach people with life-saving assistance, including food, water, shelter, emergency healthcare, sanitation and hygiene, and critical nutrition services. In 2020, BHA was established to streamline USAID humanitarian responses, bringing together the expertise and resources of the former USAID Offices of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) and Food for Peace (FFP). BHA has a holistic perspective on humanitarian aid, providing assistance before, during and after a crisis—from readiness and response, to relief and recovery.

In the West Africa region, BHA is responding to ongoing complex crises and sudden-onset emergencies, and strengthening readiness and regional resilience. In FY 2019, BHA legacy offices mailto:usaiddakar-hr@usaid.gov

FFP and OFDA provided over $745 million in combined emergency and development assistance in the West Africa region.

BHA’s emergency response activities work across multiple sectors in response to needs. The majority of BHA assistance in West Africa is emergency food and nutrition assistance, provided in response to high levels of acute food and nutrition insecurity in the region. BHA provides emergency food assistance through a range of modalities adapted to the contexts in which it works, including Title II in-kind food assistance; local, regional and international purchase of food outside the United States; and market-based approaches to facilitate access to food such as cash transfer or food voucher programs. BHA programs combat hunger and malnutrition using 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. BHA programs combine food and non-food assistance where appropriate to meet emergency needs.

The BHA West Africa Regional Office in Dakar is part of the USAID/Senegal mission and BHA. The office provides technical support services to 21 client missions throughout the region and directly manages programs in non-presence or limited-presence countries.

Given the significant resources invested by BHA in West Africa, USAID requires the services of a Regional Advisor (RA), based in Dakar, Senegal, to improve, monitor, and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of BHA programs, particularly emergency assistance programs;

coordinate with UN Agencies, NGOs, and the international humanitarian assistance community;

conduct and provide assessments on humanitarian issues; coordinate with and provide guidance to other U.S. government units engaged with humanitarian assistance efforts; and make program funding recommendations to BHA/Washington.

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

B. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The BHA RA will primarily support BHA’s ability to respond to major humanitarian crises and ensure effective responses, particularly for food assistance. While largely focused on new and rapidly evolving emergency situations in the region, the BHA RA 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 full range of specific duties, some of which are in direct support of specific programs and some in support of general BHA office responsibilities, may include the following:

● Serve as a 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, donors, and others on BHA 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 humanitarian assistance programs, particularly in relation to food needs.

● Monitor and report on implementation of ongoing BHA-funded programs, including progress and problems encountered by grantees.

● Advise and guide BHA-funded implementing partners on interpretation and execution of BHA-funded humanitarian assistance regulations, policies, and procedures.

● Report on all humanitarian issues, particularly regarding food and non-food needs, to include changes in the humanitarian situation and assistance requirements, government policies and actions affecting humanitarian assistance programs, government assistance programs, and donor pledges and programs.

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

● Undertake and report on assessments to inform USAID’s humanitarian assistance, particularly regarding food assistance, funding decisions or modifications to ongoing programs.

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

● Coordinate with BHA staff based in-country, in the West Africa Regional Office, and in Washington D.C. to design/review yearly comprehensive multi-sectoral response strategies to respond to humanitarian needs.

● Serve as a humanitarian 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.

POSITION ELEMENTS

Supervision Received: The incumbent will report to the BHA Regional Director, Deputy Director, or designate, based in Dakar, and may receive regular guidance and substantive direction from BHA in Washington, D.C.

Supervision Exercised: 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.

Available Guidelines: Guidelines include USAID regulations, Title II and International Disaster Assistance funding regulations, and BHA guidelines, among others. The incumbent provides guidance and ensures guidelines are adhered to at all levels. The incumbent must exercise substantial judgment and have the ability to deal with ambiguity. In many instances, the incumbent will need to rely on his/her knowledge and prior experience to interpret and apply guidelines as s/he carries out her/his duties.

Complexity: The work environment is highly complex. Duties vary that require different process, methods and substantial depth of analysis, along with a high degree of problem-solving skills. The incumbent must work with a range of people from operations, technical, field staff, and other bureaus across multiple organizational units within USAID and with the State Department and the Department of Agriculture.

Authority to Make Commitments: Incumbent will be expected to serve as a representative of USAID and perform important liaison functions in highly substantive or sensitive matters, e.g., promoting USAID's development strategy and aims.

Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: The incumbent maintains contacts 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 to ensure clear understanding of USAID/BHA programs and priorities. 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 complementarity among donors in assistance efforts;

provide guidance on program design and implementation, and provide briefings on the status of programs.

Scope and Effect: The incumbent’s work includes isolating and defining unknown conditions and resolving critical problems or developing new theories affecting the work of other experts. Work requires guiding the work of others as it relates to the assigned areas of expertise, and coordinating with other professional and technical staff.

Physical Demands / Work Environment: The work is performed in an office setting, with frequent visits to the field. During site visits, the work may additionally involve special safety and/or security precautions.

Security and Medical Clearance Requirements

The applicant selected to fill this position must be able to obtain a Security Clearance, which involves a comprehensive background investigation performed by a U.S. Government Agency.

The applicant selected to fill the position must also receive a Worldwide Availability Medical Clearance (WWA/Class 1). Details of how to obtain such clearance will be provided after selection and acceptance of the job offer.

The selected applicant must obtain both the required security and medical clearances within a reasonable period of time (USAID will provide details regarding these clearances to the selected applicant).

A substantial delay in obtaining either required clearance will make the applicant ineligible for selection.

Compensation

This position has been classified at GS-14 grade.

For USPSC, the actual salary of the successful applicant will be negotiated within that pay band depending on qualifications and previous earnings history.

For TCNPSC, the actual salary of the successful applicant will be negotiated based on approved Alternate Classification Procedures and benefits in accordance with AIDAR Appendix J, sec.

4(c)(2)(ii)(B)).

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: OPEN TO U.S. CITIZENS AND THIRD COUNTRY NATIONALS

USAID policy specifies that U.S. citizens or resident aliens (USNs) are preferred over third country nationals (TCNs). Therefore, USN and TCN offers will not be evaluated together. USAID will evaluate USN offers first and if the CO determines that there are no qualified USNs, only then will USAID evaluate TCN offers.

For USPSC:

• Be a U.S. Citizen;

• Submit a complete application as outlined in the solicitation section titled APPLYING (Section IV);

• Be able to obtain a Security Clearance;

• Be able to obtain a Department of State issued Medical Clearance;

• Be willing/able to travel to work sites and other offices as/when requested;

• Employment is subject to funds availability and all required approvals/clearances obtained.

For TCNPSC:

• Be a Third Country National. Third Country National means an individual: (1) Who is neither a citizen nor a permanent legal resident of the United States nor of the country to which assigned for duty (Senegal); and (2) Who is eligible for return to his/her home country or country of recruitment at U.S. Government expenses;

• Submit a complete application as outlined in the section titled APPLYING (Section IV);

• Be able to obtain a required Employment Authorization;

• Be able to obtain a Department of State issued Medical Clearance;

• Be willing/able to travel to work sites and other offices as/when requested;

• Employment is subject to funds availability and all required approvals/clearances obtained.

The Supervisor will establish a structured training plan for the TCNPSC with a work objective and performance benchmarks to measure the contractor's progress toward achieving this required training deliverable.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Education: Master’s degree from an accredited U.S. or internationally recognized institution with significant study in public health, agriculture, nutrition, food and agricultural economics, international development, or humanitarian assistance.

Work Experience: At least ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian assistance and/or international development, of which seven (7) years’ experience must be related to humanitarian aid, particularly food assistance. Seven (7) years of overseas professional experience is required.

Computer Skills: Intermediate level computer skills, to include knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel, e-mail, and the internet.

Language Skills: Demonstrated general professional proficiency in oral and written French (Interagency Language Roundtable level 3/3) and English (4/4).

III. SELECTION AND EVALUATION 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.

Selection Process

After the closing date for receipt of application, a Selection Committee will convene to review applications that meet the minimum requirements and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation criteria. Incomplete applications from applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements will not be scored. As part of the selection process, only shortlisted applicants will be invited to participate in an oral interview. Required reference checks will be conducted only for shortlisted applicants who meet the specified requirements. The applicant’s references must be able to provide substantive information about his/her performance and abilities.

Evaluation Factors

Work Experience (40 points):

o Experience managing humanitarian interventions in an international disaster context in

West Africa .

o Specific experience managing humanitarian interventions including needs assessment, strategy development, budget management, resource prioritization, program development, and program management in West Africa.

Professional Knowledge (30 points):

o Demonstrated knowledge of the key policy and technical issues related to emergency assistance programming in developing countries, ideally in conflict-affected countries.

o Demonstrated knowledge of the functioning of non-government organizations (NGOs), UN agencies and U.S. Government agencies involved in humanitarian assistance, and a demonstrated ability to work effectively with personnel from these organizations on highly sensitive issues.

Skill and Abilities (20 points):

o Demonstrated diplomatic, interpersonal, and representational skills in order to work effectively with host governments at senior levels in the midst of humanitarian crisis situations; other donors and diplomatic missions at senior levels; with international and national non-governmental humanitarian partners; and within the USG at senior levels.

o Demonstrated ability to review proposals, analyze budgets, manage U.S. Government or other agency financial agreements, and work through a USAID (or other agency) grant award process.

Language Skills (10 points):

o Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate to a range of stakeholders in French and

English.

Total Possible Points: 100 points

In order to be considered for the position, applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications listed above. Consideration and selection will be done by the Selection Committee based on the Evaluation Factors.

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted to participate in the oral interview process.

PAST PERFORMANCE/PROFESSIONAL REFERENCE CHECKS

Applicants are required to provide no less than five (5) references with an accurate email address.

The references will be asked to provide a general assessment of the applicant's suitability for the position. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure submitted references are available to provide a written reference in a timely manner.

In addition to comments from references, the Selection Committee will take into account awards or other evidence of outstanding performance in any areas related to the above selection criteria.

USAID/Senegal reserves the right to obtain from previous employers’ relevant information concerning the applicant's past performance and may consider such information in its evaluation.

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, Applications must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3 and submitted electronically to:

usaiddakar-hr@usaid.gov with the Solicitation Number and Position Title in the application submission Subject Line.

Qualified applicants are required to submit a complete application packet including:

1. A Cover Letter with current résumé/curriculum vitae (CV) attached. The CV/résumé 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.

2. Applicants are required to provide the names and contact information of no less than five (5) references who are not family members or relatives. References should include current or former Supervisors who can provide information regarding applicant job knowledge and professional work experience. Applicants must provide accurate email addresses for all references.

3. Information for the required Personal Services Contracts Form AID 309-2 can be found at http://www.usaid.gov/forms/. Applicants should note that the salary history for the purposes of the AID 309-2 is the base salary paid, excluding benefits and allowances such as housing, travel, etc.

Applicants are required to complete and sign the form.

To ensure consideration of applications for the position, applicants must prominently reference the Solicitation Number in the Application Submission and Cover Letter. Please note that incomplete and/or unsigned applications will not be considered.

ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN ENGLISH.

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

Once the Contracting Officer (CO) informs the successful applicant about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful applicant instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms:

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

1. Medical History and Examination form (DS-6561)

2. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or Questionnaire for Non- Sensitive Positions (SF-85) about:blank http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ http://www.usaid.gov/forms

3. Fingerprint Card (FD-258)

4. Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306)

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

(c) Pay Comparability Adjustment

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

(e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

(f) Annual and Sick Leave

2. ALLOWANCES*:

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 Quarters 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)

*Eligibilities for allowances are in accordance with Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas) based on the type of appointment and Mission Policy.

(If Applicable): As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, an offshore TCNPSC is normally authorized the following allowances:

a. Post Differential (Section 500)

b. Post Allowance (COLA) (Section 220)

c. Payments During Evacuation (Section 600)

d. Education Allowance (Section 270)

e. Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

f. Educational Travel (Section 280) https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101

VII. TAXES

USPSCs are required to pay Federal income taxes, 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.

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

END OF SOLICITATION

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/forms http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations