Democracy and Governance Program Leader USAID/Morocco Issuance Date: May 12, 2008 Closing Date: June 6, 2008 Subject: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (PSC) RFA No.: 608-08-013 (Re-Issue) Ladies/Gentlemen: The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID/Morocco), is seeking applications (Letter of interest, and OF-612 available at the USAID website http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/forms.asp) from qualified U.S. citizens interested in providing the PSC services described herein. Submissions shall be in accordance with the time and place specified below. Any questions may be directed to Mr. Joseph Dorsey, Supervisory Executive Officer USAID/Morocco, who may be reached at: fax no. 212 37 632-013, or email at:
[email protected]. Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. Joseph L. Dorsey Supervisory Executive Officer USAID/Morocco ================================================================== 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 608-08-013 (Re-Issue) 2. ISSUANCE DATE: May 12, 2008 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: June 6, 2008, 5:00PM Moroccan Time. 4. POSITION TITLE: Democracy and Governance Program Leader 5. PLACE OF SUBMISSION: All applications shall be submitted to Mr. Joseph Dorsey, Executive Officer, either by fax, (212 37 632-013) or email to (
[email protected]) and originals sent by mail. If sent via regular mail: USAID/Morocco, PSC 74 Box 022, APO, AE 09718. If sent via courier: USAID Mission to Morocco, #10 Ave. Mehdi Ben Barka, Souissi; Rabat, Morocco. 6. MARKET VALUE: US $ per annum $81,093 up to $105,420 (GS-14 equivalent) depending on qualifications, experience and salary history. 7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years from the date of signature of the contract. The contract will allow for contract extension(s), but it is not anticipated that the total period of service will exceed five (5) years. Award of the contract and subsequent extensions will be contingent on the availability of funds and the willingness of the parties. 8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Rabat, Morocco. It is anticipated that the incumbent will travel approximately 10% of time to remote areas of Morocco. 9. SECURITY ACCESS: Secret 10. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizenship 11. JOB DESCRIPTION/STATEMENT OF WORK: See following text. SCOPE OF WORK Democracy and Governance Program Leader I. Background: USAID/Morocco’s Democracy and Governance (D/G) program aims to support the Government of Morocco (GOM) in its efforts to do a better job of responding to the needs of its citizens in keeping with best practices of good governance. This work also encourages citizens to engage with government and public administration through representative institutions to better and more effectively express their needs. Within the Arab world, the Kingdom of Morocco is the country where the process of political liberalization has been sustained for the longest period of time. Morocco has received praise over the past year from those who follow closely the evolution of democracy in the Middle East, but it is clear that much remains to be done. The D/G program strives to support systems that inform central debates and leadership for improvements over the long term while building a partnership between citizens and government to immediately deliver tangible results at the local level. Future programming will seek to promote more democratic and participatory governance in order to increase transparency and accountability in the public sector and engage citizens at all levels in their priority policy issues. The current program, Improved Government Responsiveness to Citizens, includes four intermediate results; 1) National Enabling Environment Supported which includes a parliamentary strengthening activity; 2) Transparency in Governance Encouraged; 3) Enhanced Legitimacy and Credibility of Representative Actors at the National and Sub-National Levels; and, 4) Local Governance Performance Improved, A new D/G strategy, now being developed as part of USAID’s five-year program strategy for 2009-2013, will build capacity on the demand side of the democracy equation (especially in terms of more effective representation of citizen concerns by civil society, by representative institutions and by political parties) and, on the supply side, will support the development of a more effective, accountable administration at the local and regional levels . Under the new strategy, there will be a strong, across-the-board emphasis on youth and promoting their engagement in Moroccan civic and economic life. As part of that strategy development, specific targets and indicators for the democracy program will be adopted, and the D/G team will be the USAID entity primarily responsible for their achievement. The D/G Program Leader will serve in the D/G Office, USAID/Morocco. The incumbent will be expected to work independently, with minimal oversight from the Mission Director, based on a general assignment of responsibilities. The incumbent will produce an annual work plan for accomplishing complex duties and responsibilities, and will be responsible for daily management of D/G activities. Due to the high level of responsibility in this position, the D/G Program Leader will have wide latitude in the exercise of her/his duties for program design, management, and evaluation, and for the identification and resolution of issues affecting program performance both within and outside of the Mission. The incumbent is considered the Mission’s lead democracy expert with all of the duties and responsibilities of a senior USAID officer. II. Duties and Responsibilities: The D/G Program Leader will provide leadership, guidance, and overall direction on the development and execution of USAID/Morocco’s activities under the D/G Strategic Objective, both as currently conceived under the Mission’s 2004-2008 Strategic Plan and as finally agreed-upon for the new 2009-2013 strategy. Specific duties and responsibilities shall include, but are not limited to: 1. Serves as the senior advisor to the Mission Director and senior GOM officials on policy and programs related to democratic reform. 2. Manages the D/G strategic objective by working closely with the core and expanded team which is composed of individuals drawn from both inside and outside USAID; undertakes site visits as appropriate; oversees programmatic, administrative and financial aspects of the democracy activities in the current portfolio to ensure that project objectives are being effectively met within USAID guidelines and regulation; provides conceptualization, design and oversight of new activities. 3. Participates and makes recommendations related to the design and implementation of strategies, plans and budgets for these activities. Develop and implement a framework for measuring and reporting on implementation progress and program impact. 4. Manages the annual reporting, operational planning, and activity review process for all democracy activities in the Mission and coordinates such with relevant personnel in AID/Washington. Prepares and disseminates regular reports on the impact and results of the democracy activities. Maintains memoranda of record to document substantive discussions and important decisions originating from meetings with implementing agencies or other entities. Assesses the data furnished by contractors and grantees for accuracy and completeness, performing necessary data verification steps for full validation of results. 5. Ensures that all administrative and accountability requirements related to USAID/Morocco’s democracy portfolio are handled in accordance with established policies and procedures. 6. Maintains a wide range of contacts with national, regional and local government officials, members of Parliament and other elected bodies, academics, NGO leaders, the U.S. Embassy and other donors or institutions in the D/G arena. Represents USAID in dealing with all these contacts and confers with them to obtain compliance with commitments and to resolve problems. As such, resolves complex problems related to program development and activity management. 7. Liaises with other donors and develops procedures to assure complementarities of democracy-related activities. Provides USAID/ Morocco, the U.S. Embassy, and USAID/Washington with information on similar projects or activities implemented by other donors in Morocco. Maintains day-to-day contact with the DG implementers, including grantees and contractors and short-term advisors regarding their activities. 8. Supervises, evaluates, and provides guidance to USAID/Morocco D/G team, which is composed of three Foreign Service National team members. III. Supervision and Relationships: The D/G Program Leader will serve as the key manager for ensuring the smooth implementation of a complex and highly visible democracy program. S/he will work under the direction of the USAID/Morocco Mission Director, or her designee. Performance of the incumbent shall be in relation to the above statement of work and the general technical and administrative objectives of USAID/Morocco’s Democracy and Governance Program. Standards of evaluation will include timely performance of tasks, quality and acceptability of written products, effectiveness of interpersonal communication, management and leadership skills, working as a team player with the broader mission and effectiveness in accomplishing the scope of work. These shall be manifested in the preparation of annual work objectives and requirements. A review/update of these objectives will be carried out at least annually. The incumbent shall ensure effective coordination and information sharing with the USAID/Morocco staff and personnel of implementing and other donor agencies. In this capacity, s/he shall also work closely with offices of the U.S. Embassy, the Department of State, democracy-related institutions and other key individuals useful and necessary to the full accomplishment of the objectives of USAID/Morocco’s D/G program. The incumbent has no authority to make commitments on behalf of the USG; however, recommendations are given substantial weight by USAID officials who exercise that authority. The incumbent is authorized to initiate correspondence and discussions with senior government officials and private sector organizations and to articulate USAID strategy and implementation issues specific to the sector. IV. Qualifications and Selection Criteria: a. Education: A graduate or higher degree in political science, international relations, law, development management, government history or related field is desirable (relevant experience will be substituted for desired educational level.). (10 points) b. Experience: 7 to 10 years of experience in Democracy and Governance related issues, including local government strengthening and municipal development, parliamentary training, anti-corruption and civil society development is required. (30 points) 7 to 10 years of hands-on experience at the senior management level, demonstrating sound and independent judgment with the skills to strategize, develop and effectively implement activities is required. (20 points) Professional experience related to project management monitoring and evaluation and research on problems of democratization in the developing world is desirable. (10 points) Professional experience living and working in a developing country, preferably in North Africa or the Middle East. Knowledge of the Moroccan political, economic, social and cultural context, characteristics and history is a considerable plus. (10 points) c. Excellent writing skills reflecting the ability to analyze and report clearly and concisely on democracy and governance issues to be demonstrated through sample reports or articles written by the applicant. Computer skills in both word-processing and spreadsheet software is required. (10 points) d. Fluency in French and/or Arabic required (FSI 3); Moroccan dialect a plus. (10 points) V. Compensation: Salary will be paid in US dollars and will span the GS-14 equivalent range of US $81,093 up to $105,420 per year depending on qualifications, experience and salary history. In addition, a full off-shore benefit and allowance package is provided consisting of dependent travel, R&R, shipment of household effects, unaccompanied baggage and privately-owned vehicle, housing and utilities, educational allowance/travel and separate maintenance allowance, as permitted for U.S. direct hires. Also covered are employee’s FICA contribution, contributions towards Health and Life Insurance, Pay Comparability Adjustment, Annual Step Increase, Eligibility for Worker’s Compensation, Annual and Sick leave. If the candidate selected is hired locally within Morocco, compensation is limited to salary, FICA, Medicare, pay comparability and leave. VI. Start date: The contract start date is as soon as possible pending contract processing and receipt of applicable clearances. As part of the process, the applicant must be medically cleared and able to obtain a USAID security clearance. VII. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCS: Forms outlined below can found at: www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/psc_solicitations.html or at http://www.forms.gov/bgfPortal/citizen.portal 1. Optional Form for Federal Employment (OF-612). 2. USAID Contractor Employee Physical Examination Form (AID 1420-62)*. 3. Questionnaire for National Security Positions (SF-86)*. 4. Finger Print Card (FD-258)*. * Forms 2 through 4 shall be completed ONLY upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job. VIII. CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) or ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) PERTAINING TO PSCs: AAPDs and CIBs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contract. Those documents can be found at this website: http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/cib/subject.html#psc IX. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES: As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: (NOTE: An individual defined as a Resident Hire employee may only be eligible for those benefits listed under item A below.) A. BENEFITS - Employer's FICA Contribution - Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance - Pay Comparability Adjustment - Eligibility for Worker's Compensation - Annual & Sick Leave B. ALLOWANCES (if Applicable)* - Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) - Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) - Post Allowance (Section 220) - Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) - Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) - Education Allowance (Section 270) - Education Travel (Section 280) - Post Differential (Chapter 500) - Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) - Danger Pay (Section 650) * Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes.