Description
SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72061320R00005 ISSUANCE DATE: May 19, 2020 CLOSING DATE: June 19, 2020 POSITION TITLE: Democracy and Governance Advisor MARKET VALUE: GS-14 Annualized Equivalent Base ($92,977 - $102,868). The final compensation will be negotiated according to guidelines in ADS 309. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Harare, Zimbabwe PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Duration of eleven months, nine months base period with a two-month option period TRAVEL: Travel will be provided from the candidate’s home to Harare, Zimbabwe. STATEMENT OF WORK: As described below. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work is generally sedentary and does not pose undue physical demands. Overseas travel in economy class to Zimbabwe required. WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is primarily performed in an office setting. The work area is adequately well lighted, heated and ventilated. Temporary Duty (TDY) travel, however, may present instances of temporary environmental stress due to inadequate work conditions. START DATE: o/a July 2020 SUPERVISORY CONTROL: Incumbent works independently and as part of a team with minimum direction and supervision. The need for quick response in high profile, complex, and often fluid situations requires the incumbent to exercise discretion and good judgment. Work is evaluated for effectiveness of results and compliance with prevailing policies, regulations, directvices, and objectives. SECURITY ACCESS: Secret AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens Only I. BACKGROUND USAID/Zimbabwe works to advance development objectives in the areas of democratic governance; food security; economic growth and resilience; and health. The Mission’s Office of Democracy and Governance (DG) manages a highly dynamic portfolio with activities in legislative strengthening, citizen participation, advocacy, civil society strengthening, rights protections, and conflict mitigation. The Democracy and Governance Advisor has substantial input into policy development and implementation, as well as programmatic and staff development responsibilities. Given the complex nature of the program in Zimbabwe coupled with the difficult bilateral relationship with the United States, the position manages highly sensitive matters on a regular basis, and, therefore, must have outstanding judgment, and exercise great discretion. II. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Work Objectives/Tasks/Elements Take up AOR duties for assigned DG portfolio activities, may include accountability, parliamentary strengthening, elections & political processes, or social cohesion workstreams. Mentor the Alternate AORs for assigned awards. Mentor new American and local staff. Manage thematic assessments or program evaluations, possibly on civil society, media, or citizen participation, to inform current activity implementation, new designs, and/or new strategy development. Lead and/or contribute to design of new activities/programs. Facilitate new and ongoing procurement actions. Lead rationalization, revamp, and/or operationalization of DG’s monitoring and evaluation frameworks (development objective performance monitoring plan (PMP), performance, Performance Plan & Report (PPR), etc.). Conduct and advise on data quality assessments in DG portfolio. Help with recruitment efforts and processes to fill FSN vacancy. Support coordination efforts with interagency, implementing partners, and international donors. III. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Selection factors determine basic eligibility for the position. Applicants who do not meet all of the selection factors are considered NOT qualified for the position. The applicant must have: U.S. Citizenship Ability to obtain Secret level security clearance, as provided by USAID. Master’s Degree in international development, international relations, political science, or related fields 10 years of experience in democracy & governance development programs, activity management, or similar work. Experience working in Africa and a strong understanding of regional context. IV. SELECTION CRITERIA: Offerors will be evaluated based on the appropriateness of her/his technical skills as it relates to this SOW. Specifically, the offeror will be evaluated on experience leading diverse teams as well as working with Mission Technical and Program Offices. Technical Skills and Experience (60 points): Demonstrable expertise in one or more DG subsectors: governance, rule of law, social cohesion/conflict prevention/reconciliation/peacebuilding, elections & political processes, civil society & media. Experience designing, implementing, and critiquing monitoring and evaluation systems. Demonstrated skills in working effectively with personnel of diverse cultural backgrounds, negotiating agreements on matters of program strategy and performance, and ability to navigate and manage politically sensitive issues. Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills (20 points): Ability to travel overseas to Zimbabwe, work effectively in a team environment, and proactively work to achieve consensus on policy, project, and administrative matters. Ability to work effectively with a broad range of personnel and partners. Demonstrated ability to develop team member’s skills and abilities around USAID processes and procedures and/or DG technical issues. Communication Skills (20 points): Ability to communicate quickly, clearly and concisely – both orally and in writing in English. Demonstrated ability to make sensitive oral presentations logically and persuasively to senior USG and host-country officials and other donors. Ability to communicate with tact and diplomacy to support high-level working relationships within the Agency and interagency community. Demonstrable ability to prepare regular and ad hoc repots, briefing papers, and other documents as appropriate. Total Possible Application Points: 100 Consideration and selection will be based on a panel review of the application against the Selection Criteria. The most qualified applicants will be selected from the evaluation criteria listed above. Professional references and academic credentials may be evaluated for applicants being considered for selection. References with their contact information should be provided in the application. Please note that not all applicants will be contacted. Applicants are strongly encouraged to write a brief appendix to an OF 309-2 to demonstrate how prior experience and/or training addresses the required Selection Factors and Criteria listed above. IV. HOW TO APPLY Qualified individuals are requested to submit: USAID Form AID 309-2 (Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts) with handwritten signature (available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/forms/); A resume must be attached to the AID 309-2. 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: 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. Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work. Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments. A brief appendix or cover letter that demonstrates how prior experience and/or training address directly the evaluation criteria should be attached. A scanned or emailed copy of transcripts or diploma for the highest degree attained. 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. Proof of U.S. Citizenship Applications must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in the cover letter. To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application, and as the subject line in any cover letter. The highest ranking applicants may be selected for an interview. It is also possible that reference checks may be conducted on those candidates selected for an interview. The Government will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. V. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES: As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: BENEFITS: Employee's FICA Contribution Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Annual Increase Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual & Sick Leave 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), and Danger Pay (Section 650). * Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). TAXES : USPSCs are required to pay Federal Income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable State Income taxes. ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED REGARDLESS OF AGE, RACE, COLOR, SEX, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, LAWFUL POLITICAL AFFILIATION, NON- DISQUALIFYING HANDICAP, MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AFFILIATION WITH AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION, OR OTHER NON-MERIT FACTOR. U SAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs USAID regulations and policies governing USPSC awards are available at these sources: 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 . Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms . 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 . 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.