Liaison Officer

1. SOLICITATION No : 663-S-10-004 2. ISSUANCE DATE : May 24, 2010 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: June 23 , 2010 4. POSITION TITLE : Liaison Officer 5. MARKET VALUE : GS-14 ($84,697--$110,104) 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE : 2 Years 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE : USAID/Ethiopia, Addis Ababa 8. AREA OF CONSIDERATION : U.S. Citizens, U.S. Resident Aliens, Permanent Residents, 9. SECURITY CLEARANCE : Secret Clearance Authorization 10. POSITION DESCRIPTION : See below POSITION DESCRIPTION: LIAISON OFFICER , USAU/ETHIOPIA •A. BACKGROUND The U.S. Mission to the African Union (USAU) was established in December 2006-the first non-African diplomatic mission to be exclusively accredited to the African Union (AU). The creation of the USAU highlights a growing U.S.-African partnership aimed at pursuing political stability and economic prosperity on the continent and reflects a new recognition of the strategic importance of Africa in the arena of international stability. The position of U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Liaison Officer to the AU was established to serve as the development agent of USAID at the AU, responsible for representing USAID and Africa Bureau policy and programmatic interests within USAU, as well as toward the AU, international and bilateral organizations, and international non-governmental organizations. The Liaison will report directly to USAID/Washington's Africa Bureau Development Planning Office Director. He/she will receive full administrative operational and technical support from the USAID Ethiopia bilateral mission, and consults regularly with the USAID Ethiopia Mission Director. Day-to-day supervision resides with the USAU Ambassador. While USAID/Ethiopia will provide operational support for the position, the position is housed within the USAU Mission, which provides office support. •B. BASIC FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION The Liaison Officer serves as part of an integrated USG team with representation from the Department of State, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, and AFRICOM personnel who coordinate efforts in AU peacekeeping initiatives, preventive diplomacy and electoral assistance. In this capacity, he/she will be responsible for briefing the Ambassador on issues relevant to USAID, and supporting his engagement with actors on development issues. The incumbent will also have the opportunity to observe policy issues being discussed and set for the continent by the AU's 53-member Heads of State during the AU summits held each year in January and July. •C. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The incumbent will have the following specific duties and responsibilities: •1. Provide guidance and broad oversight of USAID assistance programs with the AU, which will be managed on a daily basis by the USAID/Ethiopia bilateral mission and AFRJ Washington as appropriate. Ongoing programs include: •a. Support to the Democracy and Electoral Assistance Unit (DEAU) & Fund (DEAF): The African Union Commission established the Democracy and Electoral Assistance Unit (DEAU) in 2006 to support country-level observation and monitoring of elections and other electoral assistance. USAID has allocated $2.1 million through a task order with the International Foundation for Elections Systems (IFES) to strengthen the capacity of the DEAU and to create a pool of trained African elections experts capable of conducting effective election monitoring throughout the continent. This program is managed by USAID/Ethiopia. •b. Technical Assistance in Agriculture: USAID/Washington is providing funds through the World Bank-managed multi-donor Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Trust Fund to support technical staff working in the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture. These staff are helping the commissioner to plan and develop strategies, coordination systems, and monitoring systems to support CAADP. •2. Contribute to the development of new programming in support of the African Union. This includes helping to maintain linkages between technical staff in USAID/Washington and the AU, as well as other donors and civil society representatives. Currently USAID is exploring further programming in democracy and governance and food security, as well as new programs in trade and regional integration, climate change, and health. •3. Develop, maintain, and advance relationships with relevant interlocutors at the AU. Principle interlocutors at the AU currently include the Deputy Chairperson as well as the Commissioners for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, and Rural Economy and Agriculture. Conversations have also been initiated with the Social Affairs Commissioner and the Commissioners for Trade and Industry and Economic Affairs to determine where USAID assistance could be utilized, which will be advanced through this position. Through these relationships, he/she provides technical input on AU strategy and tactics, in providing development assistance. •4. Develops and maintain close contacts with a range of interested parties, other donors, and explore opportunities for collaboration/synergies with other donor funded programs •5. Travels, as required throughout the region, for AU-related meetings/events, to USAID's regional missions, and to Washington for consultations before and following the assignment. •6. Maintain regular communication with USAID missions in Africa, especially the regional missions, in order to disseminate information on work ongoing at the AU, as well as to ensure representation of mission perspectives in considerations of further USAID work with the AU. •D. EVALUATION CRITERIA: •1. Education (15 Points): An advanced degree (MA, PhD) is strongly preferred in international development, public administration, economics, international relations, or a related field. (An additional five years of relevant experience may be substituted for the advanced degree.) •2. Prior Work Experience (30 Points): A minimum of ten years of professional experience related to development policy or programming. Experience in the African context is strongly preferred. Experience working in regional contexts is preferred. . 3. Knowledge Skills and Abilities (30 Points): Knowledge of USG laws, policies, regulations and procedures related to international development assistance is required, as is knowledge of the principles of good project design, monitoring and evaluation. Broad knowledge of African security, political, and development issues is required, as well knowledge of the African regional integration agenda. •4. Language, Communication and Interpersonal Skills: (25 Points) The successful candidate will have demonstrated ability to collaborate and work effectively in a team environment, including in multicultural environments. Excellent oral and written English skills are required. Working knowledge of French is preferred. The successful candidate will be selected based on his/her qualifications, an interview, results of reference checks, and a brief (2-page) writing sample addressing issues relevant to the position. •E. TERMS OF PERFORMANCE, COMPENSATION AND LIVING CONDITIONS: The term of the contract will be for two years from on/about July 1, 2010 (earlier if clearances can be completed) to on/about June 30, 2012 (unless otherwise agreed). Within 2 weeks after written notice from the Contracting Officer that all clearances have been received or, unless another date is specified by the Contracting Officer in writing, the incumbent shall proceed to Addis Ababa to perform the above services which may be extended upon mutual agreement and subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds. The salary range for this position has been established in the GS-14 range. The actual salary of the successful candidate will be negotiated depending on qualifications and previous salary history, but will not exceed the top of the range. In addition, the Mission has a 25% Post Differential allowance. FICA and federal income tax will be withheld by USAID. •F. POSITION ELEMENTS •a) SUPERVISION RECEIVED: The Liaison Officer works under the direction of the USAID/AFR Director of the Office of Development Planning. •b) AVAILABLE GUIDELINES: Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM), Foreign Affairs Handbook (FAR), Automated Directives System (ADS), Mission Orders and Mission Notices. •c) EXERCISE OF JUDGMENT : The incumbent is expected to take initiative and act independently with little direction, but will have no authority to make financial commitments on behalf of the U.S. government unless such authority is specifically delegated. •d) AUTHORITY TO MAKE COMMITMENTS : The incumbent has no independent authority to make resource commitments on behalf of the U.S. Government. •e) NATURE, LEVEL, AND PURPOSE OF CONTACTS: The Liaison Officer maintains contacts within the USG, other donors, civil society, and the African Union, at all levels, including senior leadership, such as the African Union Commissioners. The purpose is to coordinate policy and programming options in order to strengthen the USG relationship with the AU. •f) POST ENTRY TRAINING: USAID will furnish additional training in relevant program areas per Africa Bureau Order. •g) MEDICAL AND SECURITY CLEARANCE: The selected candidate must be able to obtain a USG employment authorization level security clearance and a Department of State medical clearance. •h) BENEFITS : AS A MATTER OF POLICY, AND AS APPROPRIATE, AN INDIVIDUAL MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF AN OFFSHORE HIRE USPSC IS NORMALLY AUTHORIZED THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS. •i) BENEFITS (1) Employee's FICA Contribution (2) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance --72% of Health Insurance Annual Premium (not to exceed $20,339 for a family and $7,266 for employees without dependents) --50% of Life Insurance Annual Premium (not to exceed $500) (3) Pay Comparability Adjustment--Annual across the board salary increase for USG employees and USPSCs (4) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation (5) Vacation & Sick Leave 2. Allowances* (If Applicable): As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, an ffshore USPSC is normally authorized the following allowances: (1) Post Differential (Section 500) (2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) (3) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) (4) Post Allowance (COLA) (Section 220) (5) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) (6) Payments during Evacuation (Section 600) (7) Education Allowance (Section 270) (8) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) (9) Danger Pay (Section 650) (10) Educational Travel (Section 280) * Dept. of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). 3. Other Benefits: Additional benefits are available for individuals hired from outside Ethiopia in accord with the AIDAR, Federal Travel Regulations and tandardized Regulations, e.g., international airfare from place of residence, R&R, international shipment of personal effects, unaccompanied baggage allowance, consumables allowance, POV Shipment, Repatriation Travel, furnished housing and educational allowances for dependent children. •j) FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes under the foreign earned income exclusion. •k) LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs: For initial consideration: 1. OF-612 or SF-171 Upon advice by the Contracting Officer that the applicant is the successful candidate: 2. Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet (AID 1420-17) 3. Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62). 4. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86) 5. Finger Print Card (FD-258). ** (Available from the law enforcement offices or in USAID/Washington). The list of required PSC forms above can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ K. APPLICATION PROCESS: Qualified individuals are requested to submit a U.S government OF-612 which is available at the USAID website http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/forms.asp , or at Federal Offices. Alternatively, the old SF-171 may be submitted in lieu of the OF-612. All application forms must be signed and dated prior to transmittal. Applicant's detailed CV and a cover letter of application should also be included. All applications should be submitted electronically to [email protected] To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application and as the subject line of cover letter. The highest ranking applications may be selected for interview. Applications must be received before the closing time and date in item number three of this solicitation. Applications received after that date and/or time may not be considered. : AAPDs contain information or changes pertaining to USAID policy, regulation and procedures concerning acquisition and assistance. A number of AAPDs pertain to Personal Service Contracts. Please refer to the USAID website http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/ to locate relevant AAPDs. Additionally, AIDAR Appendix D or J also applies to PSCs and can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf L. Points of Contact 1. Robert Appiah, Executive Officer, USAID/Ethiopia, E-MAIL: [email protected] 2. Wondwossen Bekele, HR Specialist: [email protected]