Signed__SOL-OAA-16-000191_Final.pdf

RFP#SOL-OAA-16-000191

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Contents

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

II. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

IV. HOW TO APPLY:

IV. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCS

V. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES

VI. TAXES

VII. ACQUISITION & ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDS) AND CONTRACT

INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBS) PERTAINING TO PSCs

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I. GENERAL INFORMATION

SOLICITATION NUMBER: SOL-OAA-16-000191

ISSUANCE DATE: August 25, 2016

CLOSING DATE/TIME: September 26, 2016, 2:00 p.m., Eastern

POSITION TITLE: Country Advisor, LAC/SA

MARKET VALUE: This position is the equivalent of a GS-14. The salary range of the GS-14 is $108,887 – $141,555 per annum.

The actual salary of the successful candidate will be negotiated within the daily pay range depending on qualifications, salary and work history, experience, and educational background.

Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated. The incumbent must be willing and available to fulfill the terms of this contract in Washington, D.C.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One (1) year, with four (4) one-year option periods.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: LAC/South American Affairs (SA), Washington, D.C.

SECURITY CLEARANCE: Secret

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Open to all U.S. Citizens

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

Background: The United States is closely allied with partners in Latin America and the Caribbean through shared values, trade, and proximity. U.S. foreign policy interests in the region include support for democracy, trade, sustainable economic development, and fostering cooperation on issues such as crime and violence, drug trafficking, poverty reduction, and environmental protection.

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) priorities in Latin America and the Caribbean include strengthening democratic institutions, promoting economic growth, increasing access to and quality of basic education and health services, and providing humanitarian relief to refugees, displaced persons, and natural disaster victims.

USAID works closely with governments in the region (national and municipal), other U.S.

government agencies, civil society, private sector, development banks, and international organizations to build local capacity and achieve enduring results. Country programs are guided by a multi-year strategic plan designed in close consultation with host-country governments to ensure that they advance national development priorities. The Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC)

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LAC’s South American Affairs (SA) office covers Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, and the South Regional program, as well as two Washington-based programs focused on Democracy and Governance activities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION

The work of the Country Advisor requires teamwork, the exercise of discretion, judgment, and personal responsibility. Under the direct supervision of the Director, Office of South American Affairs, Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), the Country Advisor will:

• Conceptualize and design program strategies and objectives in close coordination with USAID personnel, U.S. Embassy and local civil society officials, based on political analysis and U.S.

Government policy. When necessary, refine strategic objectives and advocate on behalf of new programmatic approaches in country, linked to neighboring country programs, where appropriate;

• Serve as USAID’s primary liaison with USAID personnel, U.S. Embassy staff, Ambassadors, local government officials, UN organizations, indigenous and international NGOs, and other pertinent agencies and organizations. Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with them in order to ensure close coordination at the field level, identify the widest range of potential partners and opportunities, and achieve maximum synergy with other programs;

• Prepare operational plans in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy, including logistics and property use guidelines, closeout and hand-over, security procedures, contingency and evacuation plans;

• Communicate and coordinate USAID in-country activities between USAID and its implementing partners, the U.S. Embassy, and other donor organizations;

• Design staffing plans as needed to meet overall program objectives and recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate the performance of in-country USAID staff;

• Monitor local and regional political developments and regularly brief USAID and partner staff on their potential programmatic impact;

• Manage and provide day-to-day programmatic, operational, and strategic guidance to USAID’s implementing partners (contractors and/or grantees) ensuring that activities are contributing to USAID’s program objectives and are within the partner’s scope;

• Provide recommendations to the Director, Office of South American Affairs, on implementing partner performance, the appropriateness of the partner’s scope to USAID’s country objectives, partner’s budgets, and modifications thereto;

• Provide USAID concurrence on all implementing partner activities, including final approval of grantees for grants under contract, in accordance with the ADS (USAID’s Automated Directives System);

• Ensure that USAID’s programs and their activities are monitored and evaluated and that lessons learned from the activities feed into ongoing or future activities;

• Analyze and report on security concerns as well as other pertinent information required to achieve USAID's program objectives;

• Ensure appropriate resource allocation to implementing partners;

• Prepare and maintain USAID program budgets for field operations;

• Ensure that all USAID and partner field staff adhere to in-country security guidelines set by the

U.S. Embassy Regional Security Officer and other organizations such as the United Nations or host government, as appropriate;

• Ensure program compliance with applicable regulations and procedures from ADS, USAID, USAID/LAC; and

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• Prepare and disseminate programmatic, financial and quarterly reports to the U.S. Embassy, USAID/Washington and other organizations as appropriate.

SUPERVISORY AND COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIP

The Country Advisor will report to the Director, Office of South American Affairs, Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), or his/her designee.

The Supervisor will set overall objectives. The employee and the supervisor together will develop deadlines, projects, and work to be accomplished. Work plans, timesheets, regional travel, and funding associated with support costs will be approved through USAID Washington. The incumbent is expected to take initiative, act independently, and manage his/her tasks with minimal supervision.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is primarily carried out behind a desk, although some physical effort may be required and there may be occasional exposure to moderate risks during program/project and country visits as required. During TDYs and/or site visits, there may be some additional physical exertion including long periods of standing, walking over rough terrain, or carrying of moderately heavy items (less than 50 pounds).

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work is generally performed in an office environment. However, the position may also require travel throughout the host country, which may additionally involve special safety and/or security precautions, wearing of protective equipment, and exposure to severe weather conditions.

II. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

The Country Advisor must be a U.S. citizen capable of securing a U.S. government “secret” security clearance. The incumbent must be willing and able to travel throughout the United States and South America, as appropriate for the Office of South American Affairs. The incumbent must demonstrate a strong ability to plan, organize and work effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary, inter-agency team; and the ability to manage a series of complex, new and ongoing activities and must be capable of responding appropriately to rapidly changing requirements and inquiries.

The education and experience factors below determine basic eligibility for the position. Applicants who do not meet all of education and experience factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.

The USAID Country Advisor post is a senior-level position requiring supervisory management experience, the ability to serve as an effective liaison with a wide array of individuals and institutions and an in-depth knowledge of international relations in general and of the sub-region in particular.

Familiarity with a wide range of issues is necessary, including, but not limited to, democracy/ governance and human rights, conflict resolution, civil society strengthening and community development. Excellent interpersonal, presentation and negotiation skills are necessary. Experience in contract/grant management is required. Prior work experience with U.S. Government agencies and/or managing program operations in civil conflicts is preferred.

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The successful candidate will possess excellent political analysis and reporting skills and the ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy, responsibility and sound judgment in politically charged and challenging security environments. Strong team-building skills are essential.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of nine years of progressively responsible work experience in the field of international development;

OR

• Master's degree (with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field, including, but not limited to, international development and social sciences) and a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible work experience in the field of international development;

Work Experience:

• Project Management Experience. Minimum of seven years of recent project management experience with the United States government, or non-governmental organization, in democracy and governance, human rights activities, community development, economic development, political analysis, mediation/arbitration, and/or conflict resolution;

• Field Experience. Minimum of three years of overseas field experience working in one or more developing countries undergoing political transition and/or instability;

• Supervisory Experience. A minimum of two years of supervisory experience (including but not limited to mentoring, training, and guiding staff); and

• Language Skills. Proficiency in Spanish is required.

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

The successful candidate will be selected based on a review of his/her qualifications, work experience, skills, and abilities; an interview; and the results of reference checks. The hiring panel may check references that have not been specifically identified by applicants and may check references before or after a candidate is interviewed.

Applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted by the chairperson of the Technical Evaluation Committee. Security clearances will be required after selection of candidate.

Applicants will be evaluated on the extent and quality of education, experience, interpersonal and leadership skills, knowledge and technical skills, and language skills as they relate to this position against the following criteria as outlined above in the Selective Factors:

(a) Education 15 points

(b) Experience 25 points

(c) Interpersonal and Leadership Skills 20 points

(c) Knowledge and Technical Skills 25 points

(d) Language skills 15 points

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IV. HOW TO APPLY:

Qualified individuals are requested to submit:

1) A USAID form AID 302-3 (Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts - available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/forms/), with hand-written signature;

2) A resume must be attached to the AID 302-3. Resumes must contain sufficient information to make a valid determination of meeting experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information should be clearly identified in the resume. Failure to provide information sufficient to determine qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration.

In order to fully evaluate applications, resumes must include:

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

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

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

3) An appendix or cover letter of up to three pages that demonstrates how prior experience and/or training directly address directly the evaluation criteria should be attached.

4) Names and current contact information of three professional references that have knowledge of the applicant’s ability to perform the duties set forth in this solicitation.

5) Professional writing sample, of no more than five pages, preferably on a subject relevant to the position.

6) Proof of U.S. Citizenship

To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on the application, as the subject line in any email, e.g., RFP# SOL-OAA-16-000191.

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

IV. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCS

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

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

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

3) Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-86), or **

4) Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)**

5) Finger Print Card (FD-258)** mailto:https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1866/a302-3.doc http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ mailto:https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1866/a302-3.doc http://www.usaid.gov/forms/

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** Forms 2 through 5 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job.

V. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES

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

A. BENEFITS:

(a) Employer's FICA Contribution

(b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

(c) Pay Comparability Adjustment

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

(e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

(f) Annual and Sick Leave

B. ALLOWANCES:

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

(a) Temporary Quarter Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)

(b) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

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

(d) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(e) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

(f) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(g) Education Travel (Section 280)

(h) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

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

(j) Danger Pay Allowance (Section 650)

VI. TAXES

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

VII. ACQUISITION & ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDS)

AND CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBS)

PERTAINING TO PSCs

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

MEDICAL EXPENSE PAYMENT RESPONSIBILITY (OCTOBER 2006)

http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs

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(a) Definitions. Terms used in this General Provision are defined in 16 FAM 116 (available at http://www.foia.state.gov/REGS/fams.asp?level=2&id=59&fam=0). Note: personal services contractors are not eligible to participate in the Federal Employees Health Programs.

(b) The regulations in the Foreign Affairs Manual, Volume 16, Chapter 520 (16 FAM 520), Responsibility for Payment of Medical Expenses, apply to this contract, except as stated below.

The contractor and each eligible family member are strongly encouraged to obtain health insurance that covers this assignment. Nothing in this provision supersedes or contradicts any other term or provision in this contract that pertains to insurance or medical costs, except that section (e) supplements General Provision 25. “MEDICAL EVACUATION (MEDEVAC)

SERVICES.”

(c) When the contractor or eligible family member is covered by health insurance, that insurance is the primary payer for medical services provided to that contractor or eligible family member(s) both in the United States and abroad. The primary insurer’s liability is determined by the terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions of the insurance policy. When the contractor or eligible family member is not covered by health insurance, the contractor is the primary payer for the total amount of medical costs incurred and the U.S. Government has no payment obligation (see paragraph (f) of this provision).

(d) USAID serves as a secondary payer for medical expenses of the contractor and eligible family members who are covered by health insurance, where the following conditions are met:

(1) The illness, injury, or medical condition giving rise to the expense is incurred, caused, or materially aggravated while the eligible individual is stationed or assigned abroad;

(2) The illness, injury, or medical condition giving rise to the expense required or requires hospitalization and the expense is directly related to the treatment of such illness, injury, or medical condition, including obstetrical care; and

(3) The Office of Medical Services (M/MED) or a Foreign Service medical provider (FSMP) determines that the treatment is appropriate for, and directly related to, the illness, injury, or medical condition.

(e) The Mission Director may, on the advice of M/MED or an FSMP at post, authorize medical travel for the contractor or an eligible family member in accordance with the General Provision 10, Travel and Transportation AAPD 06-10 PSC Medical Expense Payment Responsibility 6 Expenses (July 1993), section (i) entitled “Emergency and Irregular Travel and Transportation.”

In the event of a medical emergency, when time does not permit consultation, the Mission Director may issue a Travel Authorization Form or Medical Services Authorization Form DS- 3067, provided that the FSMP or Post Medical Advisor (PMA) is notified as soon as possible following such an issuance. The contractor must promptly file a claim with his or her medevac insurance provider and repay to USAID any amount the medevac insurer pays for medical travel, up to the amount USAID paid under this section. The contractor must repay USAID for medical costs paid by the medevac insurer in accordance with sections (f) and (g) below. In order for medical travel to be an allowable cost under the corresponding General Provision, the contractor must provide USAID written evidence that medevac insurance does not cover these medical travel costs.

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(f) If the contractor or eligible family member is not covered by primary health insurance, the contractor is the primary payer for the total amount of medical costs incurred. In the event of a medical emergency, the Medical and Health Program may authorize issuance of Form DS-3067, Authorization for Medical Services for Employees and/or Dependents, to secure admission to a hospital located abroad for the uninsured contractor or eligible family member. In that case, the contractor will be required to reimburse USAID in full for funds advanced by USAID pursuant to the issuance of the authorization. The contractor may reimburse USAID directly or USAID may offset the cost from the contractor’s invoice payments under this contract, any other contract the individual has with the U.S. Government, or through any other available debt collection mechanism.

(g) When USAID pays medical expenses (e.g., pursuant to Form DS-3067, Authorization for Medical Services for Employees and/or Dependents), repayment must be made to USAID either by insurance payment or directly by the contractor, except for the amount of such expenses USAID is obligated to pay under this provision. The Contracting Officer will determine the repayment amount in accordance with the terms of this provision and the policies and procedures for employees contained in 16 FAM 521. When USAID pays the medical expenses, including medical travel costs (see section (e) above), of an individual (either the contractor or an eligible family member) who is covered by insurance, that individual promptly must claim his or her benefits under any applicable insurance policy or policies. As soon as the individual receives the insurance payment, the contractor must reimburse USAID for the full amount that USAID paid on the individual’s behalf or the repayment amount determined by the Contracting Officer in accordance with this paragraph, whichever is less. If an individual is not covered by insurance, the contractor must reimburse USAID for the entire amount of all medical expenses and any travel costs the contractor receives from his/her medevac provider.

(h) In the event that the contractor or eligible family member fails to recover insurance payments or transfer the amount of such payments to USAID within 90 days, USAID will take appropriate action to collect the payments due, unless such failure is for reasons beyond the control of the USPSC/dependent.

(i) Before departing post or terminating the contract, the contractor must settle all medical expense and medical travel costs. If the contractor is insured, he or she must provide proof to the Contracting Officer that those insurance claims have been submitted to the insurance carrier(s) and sign a repayment agreement to repay to USAID any amounts paid by the insurance carrier(s).

End of Provision

HOMELAND SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE-12 (HSPD-12) (SEPTEMBER

2006)

In response to the general threat of unauthorized access to federal facilities and information systems, the President issued Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12. HSPD-12 requires all Federal agencies to use a common Personal Identity Verification (PIV) standard when identifying and issuing access rights to users of Federally-controlled facilities and/or Federal Information Systems.

USAID will begin issuing HSPD-12 “smart card” IDs to applicable contracts, using a phased approach. Effective October 27, 2006, USAID will begin issuing new “smart card” IDs to new contractors (and new contractor employees) requiring routine access to USAID controlled facilities and/or access to USAID’s information systems. USAID will begin issuance of the new smart card

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IDs to existing contractors (and existing contractor employees) on October 27, 2007. (Exceptions would include those situations where an existing contractor (or contractor employee) loses or damages his/her existing ID and would need a replacement ID prior to Oct 27, 2007. In those situations, the existing contractor (or contractor employee) would need to follow the PIV processes described below, and be issued one of the new smart cards.)

Accordingly, before a contractor (including a PSC* or a contractor employee) may obtain a USAID ID (new or replacement) authorizing him/her routine access to USAID facilities, or logical access to USAID’s information systems, the individual must provide two forms of identity source documents in original form and a passport size photo. One identity source document must be a valid Federal or state government-issued picture ID. (Overseas foreign nationals must comply with the requirements of the Regional Security Office.) USAID/W contractors must contact the USAID Security Office to obtain the list of acceptable forms of documentation, and contractors working in overseas Missions must obtain the acceptable documentation list from the Regional Security Officer. Submission of these documents, and related background checks, are mandatory in order for the contractor to receive a building access ID, and before access will be granted to any of USAID’s information systems. All contractors must physically present these two source documents for identity proofing at their USAID/W or Mission Security Briefing. The contractor or his/her Facilities Security Officer must return any issued building access ID and remote authentication token to USAID custody upon termination of the individual’s employment with the contractor or completion of the contract, whichever occurs first.

The contractor must comply with all applicable HSPD-12 and PIV procedures, as described above, and any subsequent USAID or government-wide HSPD-12 and PIV procedures/policies, including any subsequent related USAID General Notices, Office of Security Directives and/or Automated Directives System (ADS) policy directives and required procedures. This includes HSPD-12 procedures established in USAID/Washington and those procedures established by the overseas Regional Security Office. In the event of inconsistencies between this clause and later issued Agency or government-wide HSPD-12 guidance, the most recent issued guidance should take precedence, unless otherwise instructed by the Contracting Officer.

The contractor is required to include this clause in any subcontracts that require the subcontractor or subcontractor employee to have routine physical access to USAID space or logical access to USAID’s information systems.

End of Provision