Senior Strategy Advisor - short term USPSC

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72016920R00001 ISSUANCE DATE: 10/28/19 CLOSING DATE AND TIME: 11/11/19 SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) 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, Sections I through V 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 offer. Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in the attachment. Sincerely, Carlos Gutierrez Contracting Executive Officer I. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72016920R00001 2. ISSUANCE DATE: 10/28/19 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: 11/11/19 (17:00 Serbia time - Central European Time GMT+1) 4. POINT OF CONTACT: HR/Belgrade, email at [email protected] 5. POSITION TITLE: Senior Strategy Advisor 6. MARKET VALUE: $106,595 -$138,572 equivalents to GS – 15. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value, based upon the offeror’s qualifications, previous relevant experience, past salary, work history and educational background. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated. 7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Intermitted contract with expected period of performance of 6 months within one calendar year (January 2020 – January 2021). Currently period of performance tentatively scheduled for 3 rounds (January - February, April - May, July – August) is subject to change due to mission needs. 8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Serbia/Belgrade 9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S.Citizen 10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facility access 11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES Introduction: The position will be supervised by the Program Strategy and Coordination Office (PSCO) Director of USAID/Serbia. However, the incumbent is expected to work with a high degree of independence and must be able to establish priorities, adhere to and meet established deadlines, and perform responsibilities and duties with minimal guidance and little or no follow up. Work produced by the incumbent is considered authoritative. S/he must be proactive and self-directed. USAID/Serbia is a medium-sized mission and includes 43 staff (six U.S. Direct Hires [USDHs], one Eligible Family Members [EFMs], and 36 Foreign Service Nationals [FSNs].) Staff manages a life-of-project portfolio of $64 million. USAID/Serbia obligated over $26 million in FY 2018, which supported assistance through 22 implementing partners. U.S. assistance to Serbia reinforces U.S. security and prosperity by fostering Serbia's development as a stable, reliable partner that advances our shared objectives of regional stability and a Europe whole, free and at peace. Along with supporting reforms needed for Serbia's European Union accession, U.S. assistance programs reduce vulnerabilities to Russian pressure, support independent media, combat transnational crime and corruption, strengthen the rule of law and judicial independence, and counter violent extremism. U.S. assistance also helps improve the business environment, establishing a level playing field for U.S. economic interests, and increases Serbia’s integration into international markets. U.S. assistance also strengthens civil society’s role in shaping reforms. Within resource-constrained environment, USAID continues to support Serbia’s “journey to self-reliance” by developing the ability of a country, including the government, civil society, and the private sector, to plan, finance, and implement solutions to solve its own development challenges. Duties and responsibilities of the position: The Senior Program Office Advisor will work as a senior strategist/advisor requiring expert levels of knowledge, maturity, and the ability to function independently and exercise senior levels of judgment in a complex, highly demanding, frequently changing programmatic and administrative environment. The incumbent will primarily support the Mission’s efforts in developing the Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) for the strategic period FY2021 to FY2025, strengthening and expanding existing programming in the areas of Economic Growth and Democracy and Governance sectors, as well as propose potential innovations and best practices. Core Responsibilities, as outlined in detail in the Annex I: Scope of Work (SoW), will be: 1. CDCS development and drafting including the Results Framework related narratives and other documents germane to development of the CDCS such as the Performance Monitoring Plan; 2. Assist the Mission in managing CDCS development process ensuring that all deadlines are met; 3. Provide program-related guidance to Program Strategy and Coordination Office (PSCO) and the Office of Democracy and Economic Growth (ODEG), particularly, in revising the existing Results Framework to accommodate new and planned initiatives; 4. Provide mentorship to PSCO staff, including the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist. 12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The work requested does not involve undue physical demands. II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION 1. Education: Master and above degree in a relevant discipline such as International Relations, Political Science, Economics, Business Administration, Management, or related field(s) required. 2. Previous Experience: The successful candidate will have: ten years minimum of progressively responsible professional experience in designing, implementing, managing, and overseeing project design and strategy; experience in designing and implementing the assessments (such as Inclusive Growth Diagnostic); and a demonstrated track record in developing, negotiating, and implementing development assistance. USG-specific experience strongly preferred. In order to be considered for the position, a candidate must meet the Minimum Qualifications listed above. Consideration and selection will be based on a panel evaluation of the Minimum Qualifications Requirement. Please note that only shortlisted/finalist applicants will be interviewed or contacted. III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION 1. Education: (10 points) 2. Previous Experience: (30 points) 3. Knowledge (35 points): The successful candidate will have adequate knowledge of USAID and USG policies, priorities, strategies, and available resources required to: Lead strategic development processes emphasizing strategic analysis and planning; Advise and guide technical and program office teams on strategic analysis and results frameworks; Exercise intellectual leadership and rigor in terms of the overall development hypothesis of the Mission; Ensure programming appropriately implements Agency policies and strategies, including USG initiatives and earmarks; Coordinate USAID strategic development with host country and broader USG priorities, working closely with host country officials and civil society, other donors and the interagency. 4. Skills and Abilities: (25 points) The successful candidate will have: ability to develop strategic plans, operational plans, and budgets; ability to plan, prioritize, and carry out activities independently, within general parameters, while keeping relevant stakeholders informed; timely and effective decision-making skills exercising a high degree of judgment; ability to apply new theories and developments to particularly challenging problems and exercise analysis and interpretation to guide recommendations of significance; ability to organize and implement plans and proposals involving substantial agency resources; skills and experience with bilateral and multilateral donors (e.g. EU) to implement coordinated activities; ability to provide formal and informal leadership within a team, working effectively within and across agencies and stakeholders, to build consensus; judgment in planning and carrying out key functions as well as ability to adapt to uncertainty; ability to work within short timeframes and adapt approaches as necessary; superior written and verbal communication skills; ability to work effectively and constructively in a multi-cultural team under significant performance pressures. 5. Other Considerations:(Pass/Fail) Level V English ability (fluent) is required. The incumbent must possess excellent English writing and editing skills, as well as an excellent ability to process information from a wide variety of sources into a cohesive, polished document is required. 6. Reference Verification: (Pass/Fail) Applicants must provide at least three references with current contact information, preferably both an e-mail address and a telephone number. The references will be asked to provide a general assessment of the applicant's suitability for the position. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure submitted references are available to provide a written or verbal reference in a timely manner. In addition to comments from references, the Selection Committee will take into account awards or other evidence of outstanding performance in any areas related to the above selection criteria. USAID/Serbia reserves the right to obtain from previous employers relevant information concerning the applicant's past performance and may consider such information in its evaluation. The availability or a fast process of revalidating the required clearance level will be looked at favorably. Completion of the FACT training, valid during the anticipated period of performance will be taken into considered during the selection. 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. FAR provisions of this solicitation are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far. IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER 1. Eligible offerors are required to complete and submit the offer form AID 309-2, “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals,” available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms. Cover letter and current résumé/curriculum vitae (CV). The CV/résumé must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the application in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria. Broad general statements that are vague or lacking specificity will not be considered as effectively addressing. Applicants must provide a minimum of three references within the last ten years from the applicant's professional life namely individuals who are not family members or relatives. References should be from direct supervisors who can provide information regarding the applicant's work knowledge and professional experience. Applicants must provide e-mail addresses and/or working telephone numbers for all references 2. Offers must be received by the closing date and time and submitted to the Point of Contact specified in Section I. 3. Offeror submissions must clearly reference the number of this Solicitation to ensure the offer is for the position of this Solicitation. Send signed complete applications to [email protected]. Please cite the solicitation number and position title within the subject line of your email application. NOTE: This position requires the submission of complete forms and/or supplemental materials as described herein above. Failure to provide the required information and/or materials will result in your not being considered for employment. The Applicant must sign AID 309-2. Please note that incomplete and/or unsigned applications will NOT be considered. V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award. Forms outlined below can found at: https://www.usaid.gov/forms (1) AID 309-2 can be downloaded from: https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-309-2 (2) Questionnaire for National Security Positions (SF-86)* (3) Authority for Release of Information (AID 610-14)* (4) Foreign Residence Data (AID 6-85)* (5) Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1970, As Amended* (6) Notice Required by The Privacy Act of 1974* (7) Fingerprint Cards (FD-258)* (8) Medical History and Examination Form (DS-6561). Forms 2 through 8 shall be completed ONLY upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a USPSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: Based on the type of the contract (short term, intermitted), CO will determine which of the following benefits and allowances are applicable. 1. BENEFITS: (a) Employer's FICA Contribution (b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance (c) Pay Comparability Adjustment (d) Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation) (d) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation (e) Annual and Sick Leave 2. ALLOWANCES: Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas), available at https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101. (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) 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/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf . 2. Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms . 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 5 CFR 2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations .