USPSC - OTI Country Representative - Ethiopia (GS-14)

                                                                         

 

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72C0T123R00016         

SYNOPSIS ISSUANCE DATE: February 6, 2023

 

SUBJECT: Synopsis/Pre-Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC)

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government (USG), represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is planning to seek offers from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal services as a GS-14 Country Representative - Ethiopia under a personal services contract, as described in the forthcoming solicitation.

Submittals must be in accordance with the forthcoming information at the place and time specified. 

For further information, please see the forthcoming solicitation, or contact the OTI Recruitment Team. 

OTI Recruitment Team

E-Mail Address: OTIjobs@usaid.gov

Website: www.OTIjobs.net

Sincerely,

Jaclyn Humphrey 

Supervisory Contracting Officer

500 D St. SW  

Washington, D.C.  20547

 

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. ACTION CODE: P (pre-solicitation)

2. SOLICITATION NO.: 

3. SYNOPSIS ISSUANCE DATE: February 3. 2023

4. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: February 21, 2023, 1:00 pm Eastern Time

5. POINT OF CONTACT: OTI Recruitment Team, e-mail at OTIjobs@usaid.gov.

6. POSITION TITLE: Country Representative - Ethiopia

7. MARKET VALUE: This position will be filled at the GS-14 ($99,908- $129,878) equivalent level, non-locality pay. Salaries over and above the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.

Final compensation will be negotiated within the GS-14 equivalent level based upon the selected offeror’s salary history, qualifications, previous relevant experience and work history, and educational background as reported on the AID 309-2. For selected offerors whose salary has been established on a Federal pay scale (i.e. General Schedule) or its equivalent, the base salary (not including locality pay) of their grade/step will be the basis of the salary negotiation. 

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

9. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

10. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: United States Citizens

11. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret

POSITION DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) is seeking highly motivated, highly qualified individuals who want the opportunity to help support rapid international transition programs for priority conflict-prone countries. Created in 1994 as a distinct operating unit within USAID, OTI helps local partners advance peace and democracy in politically-transitioning countries. In support of U.S. foreign policy, OTI seizes emerging windows of opportunity in the political landscape to promote stability, peace, and democracy by catalyzing local initiatives through adaptive and agile programming.

Countries experiencing a significant political transition in the midst of a disaster or emerging from civil conflict have unique needs that cannot be fully addressed by traditional disaster relief.  Timely and effective assistance to promote and consolidate peaceful, democratic advances can make the difference between a successful or a failed transition.  OTI assists in securing peace by aiding indigenous, mostly non-governmental, civil society and media organizations.  OTI uses such mechanisms as support for re-integration of ex-combatants into civilian society; development of initiatives to promote national reconciliation; identification of quick-impact community self-help projects to meet urgent economic needs; and aid to independent media outlets and community-based organizations to help promote informed debate and broaden public participation.

To respond quickly and effectively and meet its program objectives and mandate OTI retains a group of high level professionals and experts under U.S. Personal Services Contracts (USPSCs). These knowledgeable and skilled professionals make up the vast majority of the OTI work force and are at its forefront implementing and achieving the office’s programmatic goals and objectives. There are several benefits that USPSCs may participate in, such as partial reimbursement for health and life insurance costs, as well as full coverage of workers’ compensation, among other benefits. For more complete information on USPSC benefits, please see Section VI in the forthcoming solicitation.

INTRODUCTION

The Country Representative is a member of the Conflict Prevention and Stabilization (CPS)/OTI South and East Africa (SEA) Regional Team, reports to the OTI South and East Africa Regional Team Lead or designee, and is based in Ethiopia.  The incumbent may be required to travel regionally as necessary. The Country Representative’s principal responsibility will be development, oversight and management of CPS/OTI's Ethiopia country program. The incumbent will be called upon to represent OTI’s mission and programs to senior-level government officials, in-country visitors, senior officials from other international organizations, bilateral donors and local government officials.

BASIS OF RATING: 

Education/Experience Required:

At a minimum, the Offeror must have:

(1)  A Master’s Degree with seven (7) years of work experience;

OR

 

A Bachelor’s Degree with nine (9) years of work experience;

OR

An Associate’s Degree with ten (10) years of work experience;

OR

A High School diploma/equivalent with eleven (11) years of work experience;

 

AND

(2) Six (6) years of project management experience with a U.S. Government foreign affairs agency, domestic or international assistance organization, or non-governmental organization in community development, economic development, mediation/arbitration, conflict resolution, democracy and governance, international law, political analysis, and/or human rights activities;

(3)   Two (2) years of overseas field experience (in person or virtual). A virtual temporary duty (TDY) is defined as work that would have been conducted in an overseas location if not for the COVID pandemic;

(4)   Three (3) years of supervisory experience with at least one direct report.

In addition, the offeror must satisfy the following Selection Factors:

●       Offeror Is a U.S. citizen;

●       Complete resume submitted;

●      Supplemental document specifically addressing how the candidate meets each of the Evaluation Factors submitted;

●       Ability to obtain a SECRET level security clearance;

●       Ability to obtain a Department of State medical clearance;

●       Satisfactory verification of academic credentials.

Evaluation Factors:

(Used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified offerors in comparison to other offerors. The factors are listed in priority order from highest to least.)

Offerors should cite specific, illustrative examples for each factor. Responses must be limited to 500 words per factor.  Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored.

Factor #1 Demonstrated experience in the management of political transition, political reform, or similar programs in high-pressure environments such as non-permissive crisis or conflict zones

Factor #2 Demonstrated experience developing strategies for programs that will respond to at least one of the following problem sets: violence prevention, post-conflict, political transition, democracy-building, and/orhumanitarian assistance.

Factor #3 Demonstrated experience using political analysis to inform programming policy, strategies, and objectives, especially in conflict-prone environments.

Evaluation Factors have been assigned the following points:

         Factor #1 – 25

         Factor #2 – 25

         Factor #3 – 20

         Total Possible – 70 points

Interview Performance – 30 points

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks – Pass/Fail (no points assigned)

Total Possible Points: 100