Solicitation for Senior Localization Advisor - 72066724R00002_ss.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72066724R00002

ISSUANCE DATE: 12/24/2024

CLOSING DATE/TIME: 01/07/2025

SUBJECT: Solicitation for a U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) for Senior

Localization Advisor, GS-14.

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 this 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 offers.

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

Sincerely, Sanoussi Traore

Supervisory Executive Officer

Contracting Officer

72066724R00001

ATTACHMENT 1

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72066724R00002

2. ISSUANCE 12/24 /2024

3. CLOSINGDATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: 01/07/2025 (23:59 Cairo Time)

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Sanoussi Traore, Supervisory Executive Officer, Wafaa Hassan, Human Resources Specialist – khartoumusaidh@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Senior Localization Advisor

6. MARKET VALUE: $ 104,604 to $ 135,987 equivalents to GS-14. The final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based on the successful candidate’s salary history, work experience, and educational background. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The period of performance is two base years, with the possibility of three one-year extensions contingent on contractor performance, the needs of the Mission and availability of funding. The contract and extension cannot exceed five years. Base Period: o/a March 2025 to March 2027.

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Nairobi, Kenya to serve Mission USAID Sudan, with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Work.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Open to U.S. Citizens.

For USPSC:

● Be a U.S. citizen

● Submit a complete application as outlined in the solicitation section titled APPLYING.

● Be able to obtain secret clearance and facility access authorization.

● Be able to obtain a Department of State medical clearance.

● Employment is subject to funds availability and all the required approvals obtained.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: The successful applicant shall be required to obtain a

“Secret Security Clearance” as a pre-condition for employment. The final selected candidates must obtain both the appropriate security and medical clearances within a reasonable period. If mailto:khartoumusaidh@usaid.gov such clearances are not obtained within a reasonable time or negative suitability issues are involved, any offer made may be rescinded.

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

Basic Functions

The position will serve as a key member of the USAID team and a principal advisor to

USAID/Sudan leadership and Technical Offices. They will support the Front Office and Program

Office in providing guidance on strategic and adaptive management of USAID’s portfolio, while also being involved in coordination tasks and operational details. The Advisor will work with

Office Directors to enhance their ability to program effectively in unstable and swiftly changing environments, and incorporate analysis on how their programs can contribute to or detract from stability. First and foremost, this will require the Advisor to help the Mission articulate a strategic vision, complete with problem statements and theories of change, for USAID’s support to stability in the country, and design regional sub-strategies which integrate relevant offices and mechanisms.

The successful work of the Advisor will require strong teamwork across Technical Offices, and within the interagency. With this in mind, the Advisor must demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills, discretion, and personal responsibility. They must maintain effective and productive working relationships with other Mission and Embassy staff;

with Washington counterparts; with other donors; and with a range of USAID’s stakeholders and development partners, both inside and outside the government. This will require flexibility and willingness to work under conditions of ongoing change, while exercising sound judgment, cultural sensitivity and an ability to prioritize effectively and under pressure. The Advisor will need to retain objectivity in their advice and analysis, think strategically, articulate innovative ideas, present solutions, and serve as a positive role model for colleagues.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the USAID/Sudan Democracy and Governance Office Director, activities to be conducted by the Senior Localization Advisor include the following:

1. Donor Coordination:

● Lead coordination efforts among international and private donors to ensure that financial and technical assistance flowing into the MAG space is harmonized, cohesive, and avoids competition between actors.

● Ensure donor approaches are aligned with the realities on the ground, promoting mutual reinforcement rather than fragmentation, while adapting strategies to respond to evolving needs and opportunities.

● Facilitate information sharing among donors to build synergies and enhance the collective impact of international assistance.

2. Partner Coordination:

● Coordinate between USAID’s intermediary partners and local MAG groups, ensuring their efforts are aligned and operate with a unified approach.

● Address emerging issues, such as divergent approaches to incentive structures that risk undermining the volunteer nature of MAG movements and fostering division among local actors.

● Streamline reporting requirements for local partners, reducing the bureaucratic burden on community-level groups while ensuring necessary accountability and compliance.

● Work with partners to simplify data collection and management practices, mindful of the risks associated with holding and transmitting sensitive data in fragile contexts.

3. Support Volunteer Protection:

● Advocate for the protection, recognition, and resourcing of local volunteers, ensuring their safety and well-being are prioritized.

● Facilitate training and provide necessary equipment to support volunteers’ work within

MAG groups and ensure their continued engagement.

● Develop strategies to mitigate the risks faced by volunteers, particularly in conflict-affected areas, and ensure USAID partners are aware of and address these challenges.

4. Lesson Capture and Innovation:

● Capture and document lessons from the MAG movement as an innovative model of community-led humanitarian and civil society response.

● Design approaches to feed these lessons back into the movement, enabling it to evolve and improve as circumstances change.

● Analyze and capture best practices that can inform USAID’s programming in other contexts, particularly around community-led governance, volunteer engagement, and locally driven humanitarian responses.

● Participate in Local Works learning efforts, knowledge sharing activities, and the Local

Works Community of Practice.

5. Nexus Strategy:

● Develop actionable strategies to integrate the humanitarian, development, peacebuilding, and civil society nexus into practical programming across USAID offices.

● Identify lessons from the MAG movement on how to operationalize the HDP nexus and use this knowledge to design cross-sectoral programming that advances USAID's goals in complex operating environments.

6. Program Design:

● Lead the design of USAID/Sudan’s Local Works portfolio, ensuring programs support local ownership and are well-structured to adapt to evolving contexts and needs.

● Support the advancement of community- and MAG-led models of local governance, working closely with partners to scale successful approaches and foster long-term sustainability.

7. Private Sector Engagement:

● Coordinate with private sector actors entering the MAG space, fostering synergies between private funds and USAID’s strategic goals.

● Pilot innovative approaches that leverage the comparative advantages of private funds and resources to maximize impact.

8. Communication Strategy:

● Deepen USAID/Sudan’s understanding of communication limitations in conflict-affected regions and work to develop a strategy to improve connectivity between local groups, donors, and partners.

● Design and implement communication tools that are sensitive to the local context and the technical limitations of the environment.

9. Contextual Analysis:

● Conduct ongoing analysis of the operating environment across different regions of

Sudan, identifying key challenges, risks, and opportunities as they arise.

● Provide recommendations to improve USAID’s response, recognizing that different regions may require unique approaches, skill sets, and expertise based on localized conflict dynamics and governance structures.

Undertake Other Activities as Appropriate: The Advisor may be required to perform certain other duties relevant to this position that are not specifically described above, as assigned by the Office

Director or Mission Director are considered inherent to the position. This may include pursuing

AOR/COR certification (if not already certified), to help supplement activity management needs.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Applications will be initially screened by the Human Resources Office to determine whether applicants have met the advertised minimum qualifications. A list of qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring office for further consideration and screening.

○ Education: Advanced degree in international development, public administration, or a related field.

○ Language Proficiency: Native level English language proficiency both written and spoken is required. Demonstrated excellence in oral and written communication, including public speaking skills; the ability to evaluate and interpret reports; and the ability to deliver presentations before large and varied audiences are required

○ Technical and Professional Experience: At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience with a U.S. government foreign affairs entity, international assistance organization, or non-governmental organization involved in stabilization, conflict resolution, democracy and governance, local governance, community-led development, partner coordination, reconciliation, political analysis, and/or human rights activities.

Experience must include a minimum of three (3) years of overseas field experience where position responsibilities include leading strategic planning, scenario planning, and overseeing the design and oversight of programs related to the above topics.

Specific demonstrated experience in:

● Senior-level management of teams/organizations to achieve intended results.

● Leading teams in complex, fluid and insecure environments with adaptability and flexibility;

● Working effectively with host country governments and other development partners in developing countries in pursuit of common objectives;

● Representing policy issues and programs to senior-level officials across the US government and/or with foreign government, non-governmental, or other officials in order to achieve U.S.

foreign policy objectives;

● Advising, mentoring, and/or providing technical assistance to senior-level personnel on strategy development and program design in complex crisis or political transition environments;

● Strong understanding of donor coordination mechanisms, civil society engagement, and conflict-sensitive programming.

● Proven ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder relationships and design cross-sectoral programming.

● Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.

● Expertise with the political and security context of Sudan.

● USAID activity planning and design, portfolio implementation, performance management plans, monitoring and evaluation.

● Managing high-profile programs in dynamic environments.

● Prior work experience in Sudan.

Skills and Abilities: The Advisor will have considerable experience in designing strategy and managing programs in unstable environments, as well as preferably with USAID systems and procedures.

● Ability to deliberate and work independently with minimal supervision in a complex and highly sensitive political environment with a wide latitude for the exercise of sound and independent judgment;

● Ability to take an analytical and interdisciplinary approach to conceptualizing assistance strategy and activities;

● Demonstrated ability to work cross-sectorally to address a complex, political (i.e. related to power dynamics) problem set;

● Understanding of how to work effectively in developing country contexts with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including government officials, private sector, and civil society.

● Demonstrated critical and creative thinking skills;

● Excellent interpersonal, leadership, communications, management, and organizational and team building skills;

● Ability to develop strong working relationships and to work effectively with tact, diplomacy, and resourcefulness cross-culturally with diverse teams.

● Ability to plan, develop, lead, and evaluate important and complex activities independently or with a team;

● Detailed understanding of the complexity surrounding stabilization programming and how it relates to U.S. strategic interests;

● Familiarity with the stabilization body of knowledge, including concepts, terms, case studies, and lessons learned as well as, crucially, the ability to adapt these to local realities;

● Skills in fostering and utilizing informal authority - influencing others, processes and outcomes without formal authorities.

● Ability to analyze and evaluate complex political, social and security dynamics and form actionable recommendations

● Ability to develop and maintain an extensive range of contacts with both senior and working level staff in USAID/Sudan, and the inter-agency, as well as development partners, donors, host-country representatives, and other stakeholders.

● Ability to excel in a fast-paced, multicultural work environment, and be able to deliver multiple tasks simultaneously

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. The FAR provisions referenced above are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far. The Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) will conduct interviews with all offerors in the competitive range and provide the final rating and ranking of the offerors based on the interview. The CO will consider findings from the reference checks as part of the responsibility determination.

1. EDUCATION (10 POINTS): Advanced degree in international development, public administration, or a related field.

○ WORK EXPERIENCE (30 POINTS): At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience with a U.S. government foreign affairs entity, international assistance organization, or non-governmental organization involved in stabilization, conflict resolution, democracy and governance, local governance, community-led development, partner coordination, reconciliation, political analysis, and/or human rights activities.

2. Experience must include a minimum of three (3) years of overseas field experience where position responsibilities include leading strategic planning, scenario planning, and overseeing the design and oversight of programs related to the above topics.

3. KNOWLEDGE (30 POINTS):

● In-depth knowledge and understanding of development theory and programmatic Senior-level management of teams/organizations to achieve intended results.

https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far

● Leading teams in complex, fluid and insecure environments with adaptability and flexibility;

● Working effectively with host country governments and other development partners in developing countries in pursuit of common objectives;

● Representing policy issues and programs to senior-level officials across the US government and/or with foreign government, non-governmental, or other officials in order to achieve U.S.

foreign policy objectives;

● Advising, mentoring, and/or providing technical assistance to senior-level personnel on strategy development and program design in complex crisis or political transition environments;

● Strong understanding of donor coordination mechanisms, civil society engagement, and conflict-sensitive programming.

● Proven ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder relationships and design cross-sectoral programming.

● Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.

● Expertise with the political and security context of Sudan.

● USAID activity planning and design, portfolio implementation, performance management plans, monitoring and evaluation.

● Managing high-profile programs in dynamic environments.

● Prior work experience in Sudan.

4. SKILLS AND ABILITIES (30 POINTS):

● Ability to deliberate and work independently with minimal supervision in a complex and highly sensitive political environment with a wide latitude for the exercise of sound and independent judgment;

● Ability to take an analytical and interdisciplinary approach to conceptualizing assistance strategy and activities

● Demonstrated ability to work cross-sectorally to address a complex, political (i.e.

related to power dynamics) problem set;

● Excellent interpersonal, leadership, communications, management, and organizational and team-building skills;

● Ability to develop strong working relationships and to work effectively with tact, diplomacy, and resourcefulness cross-culturally with diverse teams;

● Ability to plan, develop, lead, and evaluate important and complex activities independently or with a team;

● Detailed understanding of the complexity surrounding stabilization programming and how it relates to U.S. strategic interests;

● Familiarity with the stabilization body of knowledge, including concepts, terms, case studies, and lessons learned as well as, crucially, the ability to adapt these to local realities;

● Skills in fostering and utilizing informal authority - influencing others, processes and outcomes without formal authorities.

● Ability to analyze and evaluate complex political, social and security dynamics and form actionable recommendations

● Ability to develop and maintain an extensive range of contacts with both senior and working level staff in USAID/Sudan, and the inter-agency, as well as development partners, donors, host-country representatives, and other stakeholders.

● Ability to excel in a fast-paced, multicultural work environment, and be able to deliver multiple tasks simultaneously.

Total Points Available: 100 pts

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

For your application to be considered, the following documents must be submitted:

1. AID 309- 2,“Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals, “available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms.

2. Cover Letter addressing the Evaluation & Selection Factors (III).

3. Current resume.

4. Application must be submitted ONLY via khartoumusaidhr@usaid.gov and the email subject must say –: 72066724R00002 - Senior Localization Advisor. Be sure to include your name and the solicitation number at the top of each page.

5. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered; the application must be submitted before or on the closing date at local Cairo time 23:59.

6. No in-person appointments or telephone calls will be entertained, unless you are required to have more information about this solicitation.

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

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.

1. Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms)

2. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-86), or

3. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)

4. Fingerprints Card (FD-258)

VI. BENEFITS/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 http://www.usaid.gov/forms mailto:%20khartoumusaidhr@usaid.gov

(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) Leave and Holidays

2. ALLOWANCES (if applicable):

Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations

(Government Civilians Foreign Areas)

(g) Temporary Quarters Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)

(h) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

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

(j) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(k) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

(l) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(m) Education Travel (Section 280)

(n) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

(o) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600), and

(p) Danger Pay Allowance (Section 650)

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/sit es/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf.

2. Contract Cover Page form AID309-1 available at: https://www.usaid.gov/forms.

LINE ITEMS

ITEM

NO

(A)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES

(DESCRIPTIO

N) (B)

QUANTIT

Y

(C)

UNI

T

(D)

UNIT

PRI

CE

(E)

AMOUN

T (F) http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf http://www.usaid.gov/forms

0001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe

Benefits and Other Direct Costs

(ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: [e.g. R497]

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at

Award after negotiatio n s 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 5CFR2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations.

5. PSC Ombudsman

The PSC Ombudsman serves as a resource for any Personal Services Contractor who has entered into a contract with the United States Agency for International Development and is available to provide clarity on their specific contract with the agency. Please visit our page for additional information:

https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman

END OF SOLICITATION

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The U.S. Mission in Sudan 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/Sudan 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.

http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs http://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman