Solicitation No. 263-06-503 ISSUANCE DATE: 07/11/06 CLOSING DATE: 4:30 pm Cairo time on 08/15/2006 SUBJECT: USAID/ Cairo, Egypt Solicitation for U.S. Personal Services Contractor [USPSC] For Regional Middle East Democracy and Governance Senior Program Specialist Ladies/Gentlemen: The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications from U.S. citizens or U.S. resident alien, interested in providing PSC services as described in the attached solicitation. Applicants must be able to obtain an Employment Authorization security clearance. Submissions shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified and must include signed SF-171 or OF-612 and a written statement that responds to the requirements of the position (Education/ Experience Required for the position). Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to Nancy Rofael, Human Resources Assistant, USAID/Egypt, EXO, who may be reached at fax#: 011-202-522-7197 or 011-202-516-0388, tel.#: 011-202-522-7182, and email address:
[email protected]. Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. All applications and the required documents should be submitted to: EXO/HR - USAID/ Egypt U.S. Mail: Nancy Rofael Human Resources Assistant EXO/HR USAID/ Egypt- Unit 64902 APO AE 09839-4902 Air courier: Nancy Rofael Human Resources Assistant EXO/HR USAID/ Egypt Plot 1/A off Laselki St, New Maadi, Cairo, Egypt Postal Code 11435 For those who wish to send their application via pouch, please also send your application & CV by Email attachment (
[email protected]) or FAX [(202) 522-7197 or (202) 516-0388] to ensure receipt of your application before the closing date. Application forms, USG Standard Form 171(SF-171) and Optional Form 612(OF-612) can be located at: SF-171: http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms/SF171/sf171.pdf SF-171a: (continuation sheet) http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms/SF171/sf171a.pdf OF-612: http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms/OF612/ Offerors are requested to provide their full mailing address and contact information (telephone, fax or email). The U.S. Government is under no obligation to award a contract based on this notice. Sincerely, Samia Joseph HR Officer SOLICITATION NUMBER: 263-06-503 ISSUANCE DATE: 07/11/2006 CLOSING DATE/TIME: 4:30 pm Cairo time on 08/15/2006 POSITION TITLE: Regional Middle East Democracy and Governance Senior Program Specialist MARKET VALUE: GS-14 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 2 years with possibility of extension. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Cairo, Egypt SECURITY ACCESS: Employment Authorization AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens or U.S. resident aliens who are able to obtain the required security clearance. Note: A candidate who is otherwise qualified, but does not meet full requirements of the position, may be appointed as a trainee and be required to serve at a lower grade level for the period of one year. A. ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION OF POSITION: Although the position requires extensive travel to the Middle East, the incumbent residence will be in Cairo, Egypt. Cairo is the largest city in Africa and the Middle East. It has a number of urban problems such as severe pollution, and traffic congestion. However, it is relatively crime-free and offers many cultural and recreational opportunities, including major museums, important historical sites, and most sports. The Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea are easily reachable and provide opportunities for most water sports, especially snorkeling and scuba diving. B. POSITION TITLE OF DIRECT SUPERVISOR: The Regional Middle East Democracy and Governance Senior Program Specialist will be supervised by, and will report to, the Supervisory General DSupervisory General Development Officer of the OMEP office (Office of Middle East Programs) at USAID/Cairo, Egypt. C. OVERVIEW: The new regional Office of Middle East Programs (OMEP) in the U.S. Agency for International Development, Egypt Mission (USAID/Egypt) is soliciting applications from qualified individuals to serve as the regional Middle East Democracy and Governance (DG) Senior Program Specialist. Promoting democratic processes and good governance is a crucial challenge in the Middle East and North Africa region, and a priority goal of U.S. foreign policy. In the past several decades, some reforms in democracy and governance have happened across the region. However, progress throughout the region is halting, and not inclusive. The region suffers from limited popular participation in the political process and often from poor, unaccountable governance. Many of the tactics to address problems of governance, weak democratic institutions and processes are bilateral in nature. At the same time, a regional approach across USAID presence and non-presence countries is necessary for some efforts, such as sharing of Arabic based resources between bilateral programs and strengthening and establishing transnational associations, including professional associations and institutions that can help combat corruption and weak governance. Further, helping national institutions to use better common practices should promote the transparency and good governance that serves as an incentive to investment and leads to social and political stability. USAID pursues regional approaches to DG in order to further a main U.S. objective of mitigating conflict and promoting the culture of democracy in the Middle East. OMEP’s role in carrying out these goals is to address transnational issues and opportunities, promote public-private partnerships, facilitate the exchange of information and ideas between countries, and engage multilateral institutions. OMEP’s strategy will focus on the main components of youth, water, and DG. Democracy and governance activities may include regional anti-corruption efforts, providing a forum for sharing of Arabic language best practices, and strengthening regional associations to combat bad governance. The Middle East DG Senior Program Specialist provides strategic and policy guidance and specialized technical assistance, and serves as a project/activity manager with OMEP, located within the USAID/Egypt Mission. The position ensures timely and effective implementation of a portfolio of activities in support of the overall USAID regional strategy for the Middle East. This position has the unique role of designing and establishing a strategy for the regional democracy program under USAID’s first regional Strategy for the Middle East and North Africa, covering USAID presence and non-presence countries, and starting-up a new portfolio of regional activities and technical assistance. The incumbent will be required to maintain close coordination with the USAID bilateral missions in the Middle East, notably, in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, West Bank/Gaza, and Yemen, as well as coordination with USAID/Washington’s Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA) and Bureau for Asia and the Near East (ANE), in order to collaborate on the design of regional activities, as well as the dissemination of information and expertise throughout the region. In addition to close coordination within USAID, the Middle East DG Senior Program Specialist will serve as a counterpart in the field to the USG agencies and actors working on DG in the Middle East and North Africa. The incumbent will provide expertise and strategic and policy guidance on democracy and governance in the Middle East. The incumbent will be required to develop a comprehensive understanding of all donor DG activities throughout the region, including USAID non-presence countries such as Libya and Syria. Incumbent will coordinate with the Department of State’s (DOS) Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) staff along with USAID/DCHA and ANE staff who regularly contribute to MEPI coordination efforts. The regional Middle East DG Senior Program Specialist may serve as project manager for several MEPI activities. OMEP is currently a small but growing office, with a Director, Deputy Director, and Senior Regional Alliance Builder, and several additional technical staff anticipated to be hired. The DG Senior Program Specialist would report to the OMEP Director. D. WORK DESCRIPTION: Duties and Responsibilities of the Position The overall duties of the regional Middle East DG Senior Program Specialist are to: serve as activity/project manager for USAID regional DG programs; provide regional technical expertise, strategic guidance, and coordination with USAID bilateral missions; and serve as a regional USAID counterpart for USG interagency and multilateral coordination on DG efforts in Middle East and North Africa USAID presence and non-presence countries. Specific duties include, but are not limited to: - Provide technical DG direction and strategic development for OMEP programs and activities; - Lead the start-up of DG strategy and activities for OMEP, including design, implementation; monitoring, and evaluation; determine necessary technical analyses and data collection, and plan for carrying this out; - Develop and manage annual and multi-year budgets for assigned activities; - Monitor implementation of USAID-funded regional activities, review work plans, quarterly/semi-annual reports, and regularly prepare monitoring reports; identify key progress indicators and data necessary to track progress; undertake field monitoring and data collection for reporting on progress of activities; - Prepare and disseminate regular reports on the impact and results of regional Middle East democracy activities; contribute to USAID/OMEP Annual Report and other regular reporting; - Develop and maintain close contact with USAID bilateral mission DG specialists and USAID/DCHA and ANE specialists in Washington; seek their input in regional activity design and implementation, and communicate to them on key trends and events in the region; - Develop relationship and serve as field-based counterpart for relevant MEPI processes and activities, in close coordination with DCHA and ANE; may serve as activity manager for select MEPI programs; - Track and, as appropriate, engage in dialogue and planning of USG [notably, Department of State (DOS) Democracy, Human Rights, Labor DRL and MEPI] involvement in democracy across the Middle East, including USAID presence and non-presence countries; - Serve, as needed, as regional technical expertise for USAID bilateral missions, and provide surge capacity for DG tasks; - Develop contact and procedure for coordinating with other bilateral and multilateral donors to assure complementarity of USAID DG regional activities; - Develop and maintain contact with wide range of individuals, groups and associations involved with Middle East DG development, including civil society, think tanks, private sector, government, political parties, and media; - Ensure that all administrative and accountability requirements related to OMEP’s democracy portfolio are handled in accordance with established USAID policies and procedures; - Carry out technical review of project and/or grant proposals (solicited and unsolicited, including development of rating criteria and management of review process and advises designated contracting officer of results); - As needed, prepare, facilitate, coordinate, and participate in regional evaluations, conferences, seminars, or other activities related to USAID-funded regional support for democracy and governance in the Middle East and North Africa. REQUIRED/DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION: The Regional Middle East Democracy and Governance Senior Program the following qualifications. Note that in order to be considered those marked “required” must be met. 1. Education: BA in International Relations, International Development, International Law, Management, Political Science, or other related field is (required). A Master’s degree in one of the above fields is desirable. 2. Knowledge and Prior Work Experience: Expert understanding of the role of democracy and governance in international development is (required). Knowledge of Middle East politics and social and economic dynamics is highly desirable. Minimum seven years of progressively responsible experience in areas such as independent media, civil society building and NGOs, human rights and civil rights, democratic transition and political processes, rule of law, and related fields is (required). Minimum four to six years of work experience involving overseas work and environment is (required). Overseas experience in the Middle East/North Africa is highly desirable. 3. Project Management Experience: Experience in project management, including project design and development and budget planning, is (required). Experience in managing multiple projects and federally-funded activities is highly desirable. Ability to work independently, managing several activities at once, and working under pressure to meet deadlines are (required). 4. Communication, Teamwork, and Interpersonal Skills: The ability to establish and maintain collegial relations with technical experts, government officials, and broader civil society stakeholders is (required). Demonstrated ability to work as a team member, as well as to provide leadership in the area of his/her competencies is (required). Basic office computer skills are (required). Excellent communication and inter-personal skills are (required). Excellent written and oral English skills are (required). Basic language skills in Arabic are desirable. 5. Ability to Obtain Security Clearance: A U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien able to obtain an employment authorization security clearance is (required). SELECTION CRITERIA: To be considered, the applicant shall meet those qualifications marked (required). Candidates will be evaluated according to the following criteria: Ranking Factors: Factor Points Education 10 Technical Knowledge and Prior Work Experience 35 Project Management Experience 35 Communication/Teamwork/Interpersonal Skills 20 Total 100 APPLYING: Qualified individuals are requested to submit: (1) A cover letter of no more than 3 pages that demonstrates how the candidates’ qualifications meet the work requirements; (2) A curriculum vitae which at a minimum, describes education, latest experiences and career achievements; (3) A completed and signed SF-171 or OF-612; (please send signed and scanned copy if applying by e-mail) (4) A relevant writing sample, minimum of two pages and maximum of ten pages; (5) Names, contact numbers, and addresses of three professional references; (6) A written statement certifying the date and length of time for which the candidate is available for the position. (please send signed and scanned copy if applying by e-mail) The U.S. Government Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612 is available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms/ or at Federal offices (Note: applicants who submit the SF-171 will be considered as having submitted the proper forms for consideration. However, since the SF-171 has been updated through the OF-612, candidates should strive to submit using the OF-612 and attaching a resume). 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. Applicants may choose any of the methods in the Cover Page to submit their applications but USAID accepts no responsibility for delay in transit, mis-routing, etc. Submissions shall be in accordance with the above information at the place and time specified. Given the often intermittent problems people experience in the world with fax and email, all candidates are notified that, should they choose to utilize this method, they should confirm with the USAID/ Cairo Human Resources office that all documentation submitted was received prior to the closing date of this notice. Equipment failures at USAID or by the applicants network are not acceptable reasons for late submission, as candidates have the option of sending their application hard copy by courier. No, repeat no, applications will be considered after the closing time and date, and it is the applicant’s full responsibility to ensure that all their documentation has been received by our office. TYPE AND DURATION OF APPOINTMENT: Employment shall be through an A.I.D. Personal Services Contract for a period of two years with possibility of extension. This Personal Services Contract is subject to the availability of funds. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES: As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, an offshore USPSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: BENEFITS: Employee's FICA Contribution Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual & Sick Leave Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service Annual Increase APO mail service as per post policy ALLOWANCES (If Applicable):* (1) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) (2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) (3) Post Allowance (Section 220) (4) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) (5) Post Differential (Chapter 500) (6) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) and (7) Danger Pay (Section 650) (8) Educational Allowance (Section 270) (9) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) (10)Educational Travel (Section 280) * Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCS Forms outlined below can be found at http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms/ 1. Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612. Application for Federal Employment (SF-171) Optional Application For Federal Employment - (OF612) 2. Contractor Physical Examination: (DS-1843) for persons 12 years and over and (DS-1622) for children 11 years and under Contractor Physical Examination For children 11 years and under (DS-1622) (PDF - 2.6mb) Contractor Physical Examination For persons 12 years and over(DS-1843) (PDF - 3.4mb) 3. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or ** Questionnaire for National Security Positions (SF-86) 4. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85). ** Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85) 5. Finger Print Card (SF-87). ** ** Forms 2 through 5 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job. CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBS) PERTAINING TO PSCS CIBs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to this website http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/ to determine which CIBS apply to this contract.