USPSC_Project_Development_Specialist_SOL-519-15-000001.pdf

ATTACHMENT 1

SOL-519-15-000001

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST (PDS)

USAID/EL SALVADOR

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: SOL-519-15-000001

2. ISSUANCE DATE: December 29, 2014

3. CLOSING DATE: January 12, 2015 (4:30 p.m. El Salvador time)

4. POSITION TITLE: Project Development Specialist (PDS)

5. MARKET VALUE: GS-14 ($85,544 to $111,203). Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based upon the candidate’s qualifications and salary history.

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The USPSC will be for two (2) years, pending

NSDD-38 approval and availability of funds.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: San Salvador, El Salvador

8. CLEARANCES: The selected candidate must be able to obtain a Facility Access security clearance and medical clearance within a reasonable period of time. If such clearances are not obtained within a reasonable time or negative suitability issues are involved, any offer may be rescinded.

9. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens only

10. STATEMENT OF WORK

A. BACKGROUND

USAID/El Salvador manages both a bilateral program and the Central America Mexico (CAM) Regional Program, and serves as a regional platform and training hub, providing legal, financial, acquisition and assistance, and administrative services to USAID missions in Mexico and Central America.

The Government of El Salvador (GOES) is one of the USG’s closest partners in the Western Hemisphere, and one of four countries selected to participate in the Partnership for Growth (PFG) Presidential Initiative designed to expand broad-based economic growth. While the GOES shares USG democratic values and supports a free market economy, El Salvador’s democratic transition has been accompanied by significant, albeit incomplete and insufficient social and economic progress. Poverty and insecurity remain major problems that are reflected in the continued illegal immigration to the United States of many Salvadorans. Homicide rates are near the highest worldwide and almost 50% of small businesses are extorted annually.

In addition, the governments of North and Central America are witnessing an increasing mass migration of unaccompanied migrant children (UACs) from Central America and Mexico. In early June 2014, the situation was termed as “urgent humanitarian situation” by President Obama, who issued a memorandum to order the implementation of a coordinated strategy to handle the situation of Central American children and adolescents. The UAC situation promises to bring with it the expansion of new programming in the Northern Triangle Countries.

USAID/El Salvador’s bilateral program includes municipal-led crime prevention, education, support to at-risk youth, justice sector strengthening, improving the business enabling environment, higher workforce competencies, and increasing productivity of small and medium enterprises. The regional program supports economic integration and harmonization, as well as citizen security, and advance the Presidential Initiatives of Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI), Feed the Future, Global Climate change and the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR).

The Project Development Specialist (PDS) is located within the Strategic Development Office (SDO), and is an essential member of the SDO senior management, and reports to the Deputy Mission Director with technical guidance provided by the SDO Office Director. SDO is composed of a staff of 17, including two USDHs, two USPSCs, and 13 FSNs.

B. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Serves as the resident expert on USAID and Mission-specific processes and requirements for design and approval of all new and amended projects and activities.

Contributes to the planning and design of strategies, new projects or activities, project or activity amendments and related statements of work or program descriptions. This will include the emphasis of key components such as: the development hypothesis;

program/project description; the development of objectives, indicators and targets;

performance management plans and project monitoring; evaluation planning; the development of project/activity budgets and obligation plans; procurement and implementation planning; and USG and USAID legal/policy/and regulatory requirements.

Advises technical staff on the preparation of pre-GLAAS packages and all pre-obligation requirements such as activity/pre-obligation checklists, waivers, amendments, and any other required documentation.

Reviews or arranges to review proposals for new projects or activities, or unsolicited proposals.

Assists SDO Senior Management in the analysis, review, and monitoring of projects and activities through the design, procurement, implementation and close-out stages.

Assists SDO Senior Management in the development, approval and subsequent oversight (in collaboration with the SDO PPL/Local Solutions Unit) of Global Development Alliances and other Public-Private Alliances (PPPs), and in the operations of the Local Solutions Committee.

Collaborates and advises the SDO M&E Unit on the design and development of programs, activities, feasibility studies, analyses, and evaluations.

Collaborates with Mission Technical Development Objective Teams (DO Teams) and other staff (including SDO Units which acts as the primary liaisons with DO Teams) to identify and arrange for the services of experts to assist with these efforts.

Convenes and leads meetings as needed to address project or activity issues (including timing, budgeting, team composition, logistical requirements, pre-design meetings with the host government and all other stakeholders).

Provides technical analysis for semi-annual portfolio reviews of all Mission projects and activities.

Prepares and maintains Mission Orders pertaining to program functions and operations.

Advises on the preparation and implementation of the Mission’s Performance Monitoring Plan.

Assists technical staff in procurement planning so that obligation of funds is made in a timely manner.

Develops and provides training for Mission staff in the above areas related principally to project/activity design, to ensure that staff acquires project development skills.

C. EVALUATION/SELECTION CRITERIA

1. Education (20 points): A Master’s Degree in public or business administration, economics, political science, international relations/development or related field is required.

2. Prior Work Experience & Knowledge (40 points): A minimum of five years of professional experience is required in project design and implementation, and monitoring and evaluation, preferably for U.S. Government agencies.

3. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (40 points): Knowledge of USG laws, policies, regulations and procedures related to international development assistance.

Knowledge of the principles of good project design, monitoring and evaluation, is required. A strong working knowledge of the Central America Region and Mexico is preferred. Excellent written and oral communications; analytical, management, and interpersonal/teamwork skills required. Computer skills, including the development and management of spreadsheets, tracking systems, etc., and the ability to interpret, organize and present data to a variety of audiences preferred. Proven ability to mentor USAID staff in project development skills required. Ability to work in teams necessary.

Maximum Points Available: 100

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

D. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two (2) years, pending NSDD-38 approval and availability of funds.

E. MEDICAL AND SECURITY CLEARANCE:

The selected applicant must be able to obtain a USG Facility Access security clearance and a Department of State medical clearance to work and/or live in El Salvador.

F. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES:

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the benefits and allowances listed in this section. [NOTE: A contractor meeting the definition of a U.S.

Resident Hire PSC, shall be subject to U.S. Federal Income Tax [including differentials and allowances), but shall not be eligible for any fringe benefits except contributions for FICA, health insurance, and life insurance.)

BENEFITS:

(1) FICA Contribution

(2) Contribution toward Health & life insurance

(3) Pay Comparability Adjustment

(4) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

(5) Annual & Sick Leave

(6) Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service as per post policy

ALLOWANCES* (If Applicable):

(1) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120)

(2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

(3) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(4) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230)

(5) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

(6) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(7) Education Travel (Section 280)

(8) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

(9) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600)

(10) Danger Pay (Section 650)

* Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas).

FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are required to pay Federal Income Taxes, FICA and Medicare.

G. ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) AND

CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) PERTAINING TO

PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACT (PSC):

AAPDs and CIBs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. These documents can be found at this website:

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

Additionally, AIDAR Appendix D applies to PSCs and can be found at:

http://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar

H. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

All of the following information must be included in the application package in order for the package to be considered complete:

1. A cover letter of no more than 3 pages that demonstrates how the candidate’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 Application for Federal employment (OF-612), which can be found at the following website, http://www.usaid.gov/forms/;

http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/OF612.pdf

4. Names, current and accurate phone numbers and email addresses of three professional references that have knowledge of the applicant’s abilities to perform the duties set forth in the solicitation. USAID reserves the right to contact all references;

5. A written statement certifying the date and length of time for which the candidate is available for the position;

6. All correspondence and attachments must reference the Solicitation Number;

7. Application packages must be submitted electronically to iescolan@usaid.gov no later than 4:30 p.m. on January 12, 2015 (El Salvador/Local Time).

USAID/El Salvador expects to award a personal services contract for a US Citizen commencing as early as practically possible subject to security and medical clearances and funds availability. The duty post for this contract is El Salvador.

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