Description
ATTACHMENT 1: Solicitation 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 669-10-016 2. ISSUANCE DATE: May 18, 2010 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME: June 1, 2010 / 4PM Local time 4. POSITION TITLE: Governance Advisor, USAID/Liberia. 5. MARKET VALUE OF POSITION (Base Pay): GS-14. ($84,697 - $110,104) Salary to be paid within this grade will depend on experience, qualifications, and salary history. The standard compensation package also includes a contribution for life and health insurance and a contribution to FICA. If the selected candidate qualifies as an off-shore hire under USAID regulations, the employee will additionally receive post differential approved for Monrovia, Liberia (currently set at 30%), post allowance, housing, international travel, UAB, HHE, consumables and POV shipment benefits. •6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years, to start on or about July, 2010 with the possibility of extensions. Extensions will depend on the need for continuation of such services, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance. 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Based in Monrovia, Liberia 8. JOB DESCRIPTION: A. Organizational location of the position : Monrovia, Liberia. B. Position Title of Direct Supervisor : Democracy and Governance Office Team Leader. C. Introduction: USAID/Liberia is seeking a U.S. Personal Services Contractor (USPSC) or Third Country National (TCN) to work as a Governance Advisor in the Democracy and Governance Office. The Democracy and Governance Office manages bi-lateral programs in the areas of economic governance, rule of law, anti-corruption, legislative strengthening, civil society, media, elections, conflict mitigation and management, and cross cutting issues such as information technology and gender issues. These programs are implemented through an annual average budget of $36 million in USG funds. The Governance Advisor is a program implementation specialist for USAID/Liberia's Democracy and Governance Office and its senior management team in Monrovia on issues regarding governance in general and public administration reform. The Governance Advisor will provide timely and accurate input, advice and technically supported direction to the Democracy and Governance Office Team Leader as well as to the USAID Mission Director and Deputy Director. S/He will be well-versed in the political complexities of Liberia have a high degree of understanding vis-à-vis the development issues affecting the countries in Liberia and the West Africa region as a whole. The Governance Advisor will provide high quality and timely analysis, both written and oral, when requested as well as situational evaluation and assessment input to foreign policy dialogue and program strategy development. The Governance Advisor is supervised by the USAID/Liberia Democracy and Governance Team Leader, a US Direct Hire employee. The Governance Advisor will supervise at least one Foreign Service National staff. S/he will serve as the USAID contracting officer's technical representative (COTR/AOTR) for several contracts and or grant awards to international and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and contractors. The Governance Advisor must be a self-starter, able to work independently and as part of a dynamic team, as well as exercise independent judgment in areas such as program/project management. The Economic Governance Advisor has broad decision making latitude, though will consult regularly with the Democracy and Governance Team Leader. The Governance Advisor may be asked to serve as Acting Team Leader on occasion when the Team Leader is absent from post. The initial contract will last two years and will have an option to renew based on mutual agreement. E. Basic Function of Position: Under the supervision of the Democracy and Governance Team Leader, the Governance Advisor shall fulfill the following duties: Major Roles and Responsibilities: 1. Program Management and Strategic Objective Achievement Responsibility Across Portfolios •Ø The primary function of the Governance Advisor is to oversee the successful implementation of USAID/Liberia's major program supporting the improvement of public administration in several key Government of Liberia Ministries and Agencies (to be determined). The Governance Advisor will ensure the contracted organization responsible for implementing the project will perform according to the approved scope of work, or program description. There may be more than one contract or grant under the management of the Governance Advisor. •Ø The governance issues in Liberia are diverse and complex, requiring careful analysis and decision making. The Governance Advisor will design, report on, and oversee the implementation of activities responsive to country needs in building improved public administration such as: capacity building of key GOL institutions in the areas of financial management, procurement, ICT, planning, staff training, anti-corruption measures, monitoring and other management areas. •Ø The Governance Advisor will be required to provide technical and policy advice to USAID, Department of State, other USG agencies, donor Agencies, implementing partners, recipients, contractors, customers, and other stakeholders. The Governance Advisor will also advise the senior management team members of USAID/Liberia, including the Mission Director on issues of public administration reform, program development and best development practices. Maintain a diplomatic and productive dialogue with host country officials in Liberia in accordance with current activities. Develop a strong working relationship with implementing partners and key stakeholders including government officials and civil society actors to gain knowledge of the country, identify needs in economic governance and opportunities for future programming. Develop and maintain effective dialogue with USAID program implementers. Lead coordination in program design, information sharing, and activity implementation among stakeholders. •Ø Act as a COTR for assigned contracts and grants. The Governance Advisor will take full management program responsibility for the programs which will be assigned to his/her portfolio in accordance with the USG procurement regulations. The COTR functions include the day-to-day responsibility for monitoring the implementation of activities, procurement planning, monitoring finances of the program, processing contractual actions for approval, and responding to requests for approvals or modifications to specific activities. It also may include writing technical justifications for new activities and for changes to on-going programs, objectives, activities or indicators. •Ø Design development programs to meet Mission strategic objectives. This includes preparing statements of work or program descriptions, requests for proposals/applications, Acquisition and Assistance requests, decision memos, Congressional Notifications, inter-agency agreement letters, and all statutory annual reports and other internal program reviews as assigned •Ø Participate actively in the USG procurement process, including program advocacy, design, communication with USAID and USG stakeholders, to gather consensus and develop alliances in effective foreign assistance programming. •Ø Fully understand U.S. foreign policy in Liberia. Provide briefings to U.S. and foreign officials and other donors on USAID programming in subject areas. •Ø The Governance Advisor will also participate in, coordinate, and manage evaluations and assessments that are conducted in conjunction with other USG agencies, international organizations, or other donors. •Ø The Governance Advisor will work closely with the USAID Liberia Office of Financial Management to review and assess monthly accruals and disbursements, and track funding pipelines to ensure compliance with the ADS guidelines. •Ø Assess impact and propose new directions for economic governance activities. The Economic Governance Advisor should ensure that activities are carried out in accordance with all applicable Mission and Agency directives and requirements. •Ø Travel regularly throughout Liberia to coordinate and monitor field operations, identify program implementation constraints, and assess and facilitate progress towards planned results. Prepare required documents including trip reports, briefing papers, reporting cables, and results reports. •Ø Serve, as needed, as a member of technical panels reviewing bids or proposals for the provision of technical assistance, commodities, or the award of contracts/grants. 2. Strategy Development •Ø Provide analysis, advice, and recommendations regarding the formulation of Mission strategy to the Director of the Democracy and Governance Office and Mission management on issues related to the economic governance portfolio. Develop Operational Plan and Implement F Reforms: Consistent with implementing the U.S. Foreign Assistance Reforms, the Governance Advisor will be responsible for data collection and synthesis for select sections of the USAID/Liberia's Annual Operational Plan and Performance Report, Mission Strategic Plan, and Country Assistance Strategy, and satisfying other program management requirements as described in USAID's Automated Directive System (ADS) 200 Series. To fulfill these tasks, the Governance Advisor's duties/responsibilities will include but are not limited to: •· tracking the collection of performance data that originate from various sources such as USAID/Liberia cooperating agencies, local partners, and other international organizations; •· preparing inventories of current indicators, information collected, and information still needed; •· devising more efficient methods for collecting information; •· verifying data reliability and accuracy; •· determining that the information gathered responds to the indicators of the annual report and related performance monitoring plans; and •· utilizing as appropriate, partner reports to contribute quantitative and qualitative input into the USAID/Liberia annual reporting requirement. •Ø Participate as required in the development of Mission strategies, evaluations, resource requests, and other strategic planning and reporting documentation. 3. Other related tasks may be assigned on an as needed basis F . MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: The incumbent should meet the following requirements in education, work experience, knowledge and skills and abilities to be able to carry out the aforementioned duties and responsibilities. 1. Education: A graduate degree (Master's or doctorate) in international relations, public policy and administration or other closely related field, or in lieu, 8 years of relevant professional experience. 2. Work experience: Minimum requirements are: •ü At least 5 years of international development experience in planning and implementation of governance activities. •ü Experience in design and implementation of capacity building in the public sector and training programs and/or governance-related development activities, with increasingly responsible project management, project design, and project development. •ü Current professional knowledge of development assistance issues and development approaches. •ü Demonstrated technical skills related to the design, management and evaluation of development projects in general. 3. Management Skills •ü Demonstrated program management skills including previous experience in contract and grants management. •ü Professional level management experience including budget and project management is required. 4. Communication: •ü A strong ability to work as a member of teams and to foster teamwork is required as is the ability to develop and maintain productive working relationships at all levels, including with staff and colleagues, the US Ambassador and members of the US country team, ministerial-level officials in the Government of Liberia, the heads of other donor agencies, and leaders of the NGO and corporate community. •ü Ability to lead policy and program negotiations and dialogue with host country officials. •ü Excellent English language communications skills (native speaker level), both written and oral, including public speaking skills (as the incumbent may be called upon to deliver presentations before large and varied audiences) are essential. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through oral presentations and briefings, written reporting and analysis, and information technology tools. 5. Post Entry Training: The incumbent will be expected to possess the necessary technical training and skills required to perform the duties/responsibilities required of the position. Post entry training will be focused primarily on the Agency's established policies, procedures and regulations that govern: 1) USAID‑specific Contracting/Agreement Officer's Technical Representative responsibilities/duties; 2) USAID‑specific activity management and procurement systems; and 3) USAID-sponsored training in Project Design and Activity Management. In addition, the incumbent will be required to work within the existing USAID team management office structure. Organized/formal training (both internal & external) may be provided from time to time depending on the availability of Program funds and determined to be in direct support of USAID/Liberia activities. 6. Physical Condition: The successful candidate will be required to pass a physical certification exam, paid for by the U.S. Government. USAID prohibits discrimination in hiring and employment on the basis of physical or mental impairment. USAID promotes, with reasonable accommodation, the full realization of equal employment opportunities for the disabled in recruitment, promotion, assignment, and training. G. SUPERVISION RECEIVED The Governance Advisor will work under the general supervision of the Democracy and Governance Office Team Leader, USAID/Liberia. The Team Leader will assist the Governance Advisor to: 1) establish annual work objectives and performance measures; 2) review work outputs and accomplishments to ensure compliance with Agency policies, and implementation of best practices; and 3) assess the incumbent's performance seeking input from appropriate USAID/Liberia team members and external stakeholders. As the incumbent is expected to work with a high degree of independence, he/she must be able to establish priorities, adhere to and meet deadlines, and perform responsibilities and duties with minimal guidance. H. AVAILABLE GUIDELINES The Governance Advisor is required to understand Mission and Agency‑specific policies and procedures which govern program activity management in addition to the USAID/Liberia established administrative operating procedures, policies and formats. Oral guidance from the immediate Supervisor and specific detailed instructions will be given (when necessary) for carrying out unique assignments. The incumbent will be required to be proactive in keeping abreast of evolving guidelines and policies which affect the activities of the Democracy and Governance Office, including but not limited to the Automated Directives System (ADS), Mission Orders Mission Notices, USG Procurement regulations, and USAID Program Strategy and Policy Documents. In addition, the Mission Director, USAID/Liberia Democracy and Governance Office team members, support teams such as Financial Management, Executive Office, Procurement Office and Regional Legal Advisor and counterparts in USAID/Washington are available as resources to provide advice and guidance. I AUTHORITY TO MAKE COMMITMENTS : The Governance Advisor will have no independent authority to commit U.S. Government (USG) funds on behalf of the U.S. Government or the USAID/Liberia. However, the Governance Advisor will have formal decision making authority in broad program areas. J. EXERCISE OF JUDGMENT: In instances not clearly covered by written guidelines, the incumbent will use her/his own personal, well‑informed judgment and ingenuity to interpret the intent of guides in devising innovative approaches to resolving technical, administrative, managerial and/or policy problems. Excellent (balanced) judgment must be exercised in setting priorities. The use of initiative, discretion, and patience is expected from the incumbent in dealing with USAID personnel as well as representatives from other USG agencies and donor organizations to resolve problems that arise during the course of work for which there is often no clear or immediate solution. In addition, considerable judgment is required in working effectively with officials of the Ministries and the private sector from Liberia, in overseeing contractor activities and coordinating efforts in support of USAID/Liberia development objectives, and in collecting, analyzing and reporting on progress of activities and recommending project actions. The incumbent will also be required to follow and adhere to the Agency's Code of Ethics and Conduct. K. NATURE, LEVEL AND PURPOSE OF CONTACTS The Governance Advisor will be required to maintain solid working relationships with various USAID Washington Offices, United Nations offices and personnel to function effectively. The Economic Governance Advisor will be required to work closely with: 1) US Embassy officials 2) national governmental officials, non‑governmental officials (such as ministerial-level officials, Executive Directors of NGOs and community organizations), private sector executives, the news media, and other foreign donor donors, such as the European Commission, World Bank, IMF and bi-lateral donors. The purpose of contact will be to: 1) influence, motivate, or direct people or groups; 2) maintain open lines of communication in support of Foreign Assistance issues; 3) maintain regular communications regarding the timely management of activity functions and procedures; 4) collect, obtain, and verify factual information pertaining to program/project planning and implementation; and 5) monitor and evaluate existing activities in Foreign Assistance on a regular basis. Interactions will concern simple information gathering, and assisting with the development of complex programs and documents with various partners. Consultations between the incumbent and partners can be held for explaining and assisting with strategizing program proposals and objectives, securing cooperation, resolving problems, obtaining or furnishing information, and persuading USAID staff and counterparts to take actions and accept recommendations. L SUPERVISION RECEIVED: The Governance Advisor will supervise at least one Liberian Foreign Service National staff person, and may be called on to serve as Acting Team Leader in the absence of the Team Leader. M. TIME REQUIRED TO SATIFACTORILY PERFORM FULL RANGE OF DUTIES AFTER ENTRY INTO THE POSITION: Two years. N. SELECTION CRITERIA : Applicants meeting the required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application and obtained through reference checks. Following is the evaluation criteria for this position: 1. Education Background (10 points) a. A graduate degree (Master's or doctorate) in international relations, public administration, economics, political science or other closely related field, or in lieu, 8 years of relevant professional experience. 2. Relevant Development Experience (20 points) a. Current professional knowledge of development assistance issues and development approaches. Knowledge of relevant evaluations, assessments and analyses. Demonstrated technical skills related to the design, management and evaluation of development projects in general. At least eight years of development experience in economic governance with increasingly responsible project management, project design, project development, and supervisory experience is essential. b. Working knowledge of USAID's business model including project development, management policy, and documentation, business practices as well as procurement and property management principles is preferred. 3. Program Management Experience (45 points) a. Extensive management experience successfully supervising an office is preferred. b. Demonstrated program management skills including previous experience in contract and grants management. c Professional level management experience in office administration and management, budget management, and staff development is also required. 4. Communications (25 points) a. A strong ability to work as a member of teams and to foster teamwork is required as is the ability to develop and maintain productive working relationships at all levels, including with staff and colleagues, the US Ambassador and members of the US country team, ministerial-level officials in the GOL, the heads of other donor agencies, and leaders of the NGO and corporate community. b. Ability to lead policy and program negotiations and dialogue with host country officials. c. Excellent English language communications skills (native speaker level), both written and oral, including public speaking skills (as the incumbent may be called upon to deliver presentations before large and varied audiences) are essential. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through oral presentations and briefings, written reporting and analysis, and information technology tools. O. SELECTION PROCESS: After the closing date for receipt of applications, a committee will be convened to review applications and evaluate them in accord with the evaluation criteria. Applications from candidates which do not meet the required selection criteria will not be scored. As part of the selection process, finalist candidates may be interviewed either in person or by telephone at USAID's discretion. Reference checks will be made only for applicants considered as finalists. If an applicant does not wish USAID to contact a current employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the applicant's cover letter, and USAID will delay such reference check pending communication with the applicant. Only finalists will be contacted by USAID with respect to their applications. The final selected candidates must obtain security and medical clearances within a reasonable period of time (USAID will provide details regarding these clearances to the selected candidates). A substantial delay in obtaining either required clearance will make the applicant ineligible for selection.