U -- Senior Education Advisor

Solicitation No. RFP# 279-P-05-008ISSUANCE DATE: January 12, 2005 CLOSING DATE: 4:30 pm Cairo time on February 16, 2005 SUBJECT: USAID/ Sana’a, Yemen - Solicitation for U.S. Personal Services Contractor [USPSC] For Senior Education Advisor 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 a secret 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 Samia Joseph, Human Resources Officer, USAID/Egypt, EXO, who may be reached at fax#: 011-202-522-7197 or 011-202-516-0388, tel.#: 011-202-522-7180, 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 Virginie Gabra Human Resources Clerk EXO/HR USAID/ Egypt- Unit 64902 APO AE 09839-4902 Air courier Virginie Gabra Human Resources Clerk 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: RFP# 279-P-05-008 ISSUANCE DATE: January 12, 2005 CLOSING DATE/TIME: 4:30 pm Cairo time on February 16, 2005 POSITION TITLE: Senior Education Advisor MARKET VALUE: GS-14 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 2 years with possibility of extension. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Sana’a, Yemen. SECURITY ACCESS: SECRET AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens or U.S. resident aliens who are able to obtain a secret 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: Office of the USAID Representative, US Embassy, Sana’a, Yemen B. POSITION TITLE OF DIRECT SUPERVISOR: The Senior Education Advisor will be supervised by, and will report to, the Deputy USAID Representative to Yemen, US Embassy, Sana’a. C. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The Senior Education Advisor will work in tandem with the Senior Program Specialist (FSN) to form the USAID/Yemen Education Support Team. The Deputy USAID Representative will review and approve the contractor’s work plan and performance measures. The incumbent will be expected to work independently, take initiative, and be responsible for advising on all aspects of USG supported education program activities. In carrying out specific assignments, the incumbent will work closely with senior representatives from The Republic of Yemen Government (ROYG), international donor organizations, local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and senior U.S. Government (USG) officials at the US Embassy/Sana’a, USAID/Cairo and USAID/Washington. S/He will be expected to coordinate and collaborate with the Embassy’s Pubic Diplomacy Education and Cultural Affairs unit. D. WORK DESCRIPTION: 1. Introduction Despite a noticeable physical expansion in Yemen’s educational facilities in recent years the educational system still suffers from shortfalls of enrollment capacity and favors males and urban areas. Literacy and enrollment indicators, especially for women, remain precarious. Yemen’s gender gap is among the widest in the world, with only a 25% literacy rate for females as opposed to 68% literacy for males, and 15 percent higher child mortality for girls. Disparities are magnified in rural areas; for example, 27% of female youth in rural areas are literate as opposed to 82% of the female youth in urban areas . Compounding this problem are abysmally low enrollment, retention and completion rates for girls in both primary and secondary education. Although Yemen witnessed a 30% increase in enrollment in basic education between 1995 and 2000, only one out of four girls in Yemen complete primary school. Gender disparities at higher levels of education are even worse, with secondary education gross enrollment ratios at 69% for boys and 25% for girls . Economic factors as well as deep-rooted social and cultural attitudes and practices together with the poor quality and relevance of the education system account for low access to formal and non-formal educational opportunities for girls and women. 2. Development Response The USAID response to the education in Yemen, within the boundaries of the Interim Strategic Plan 2003-2006, is framed in Strategic Objective 2.0: “Improved Basic Education, Especially for Women and Girls” Illustrative Indicators at the SO level include: Number of children, in quality, primary schools, Number of days that teachers are in the classroom, Number of adults and out-of-school youth who can read and do basic mathematics, Number of district health offices that share budget information with the community These SO 297-006 results are based on activities descried in three Intermediate Results: • IR 6.1: Enhanced Access to Quality Primary Education in the Public Sector • IR 6.2: Increased Literacy and Numeracy opportunities at the Community Level. • IR 6.3: Improved Public Sector Environment for Education USAID Education Focus: With nearly half (48.8% in 2000) of the population less than age 15, USAID’s primary focus of the education sector in Yemen is on basic education which accounts for 84% of those enrolled in school. Only 11% of students are in secondary school, just 4.6% attend university and fewer than 1.1% of students are in technical, vocational or teacher training programs. [Source: ROYG Second Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development] Despite progress over the past decade and a firm commitment to basic education by the ROYG, there are several million children out of school and the problem is increasing due to the high rate of population growth. The education gap is worse in rural areas, and girls are especially deprived. There are limited opportunities for vocational or technical training. The collection and use of data for education planning, especially at the local level, needs to be strengthened. There is a shortage of classrooms and schools need to be planned and built and equipped in the correct locations and configurations to increase access. Classroom interaction is essentially teacher-centered and concerned more with rote learning and memorization than with the development of the child’s cognitive abilities and analytical skills. Education must become more relevant to the life experiences and needs of the students. The quality of classroom teaching must be improved through enhanced formal pre-service education in the Teacher Training Institutes, in-service training and refresher courses in the use of new materials and techniques. School management needs to be improved, and the involvement of parents and communities needs to be increased. IR 6.1 Enhanced Access to Quality Primary Education in the Public Sector Illustrative Activities: The USAID program will construct, renovate and equip a limited number of elementary schools in partnership with community organizations with special attention to physical constraints to girls’ participation (e.g. separate latrines). However, the majority of construction, rehabilitation and equipment will be supported by the USDA 416(b) local currency program. To improve the quality of education, USAID will also train teachers (especially female teachers) and administrators with an emphasis on interactive, inquiry -based, teaching methods. USAID will also explore opportunities to provide nutrition and other incentives to increase enrolment and retain children in school through other USDA programs (e.g. Food for Education). Illustrative Indicators: number of teachers and administrators trained in interactive, inquiry-based, teaching methods; number of facilities improved; average number of days teachers spend in the classroom. IR 6.2 Increased Literacy and Numeracy Opportunities at the Community Level With large numbers of children out of school (especially girls) and virtually all rural women uneducated and illiterate (Table 5), USAID education activities must reach out and provide life-experience-relevant, essential literacy and numeracy opportunities in rural communities. Illustrative Activities: increase education outreach to adults (especially women) and out-of-school youth in rural communities; radio/video distance-learning activities; organize parents’ and women’s education circles, community-based organizations and teacher/parent committees. Illustrative Indicators: number of communities with education outreach activities; numbers of community-based organizations formed or strengthened; number of adults and out-of-school youth in literacy and mathematics programs. IR 6.3 Improved Public Sector Environment for Education Illustrative Activities: develop and implement district and governorate education plans with community participation; fund education planning and program grants; promote new teaching approaches such as interactive and inquiry-based, learning; improve policies and regulations; include life-skills in the curriculum; develop policies and activities for out-of-school youth; provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Education and to district and governorate education offices to implement the ROYG decentralization objects and the ROYG Basic Education Strategy; provide technical assistance to ROYG at all levels to collect, use and share education data for planning and management; explore IT applications to support program objectives. Illustrative Indicators: number of district and governorate education plans and resource allocation budgets prepared with community participation; number of district and governorate education offices with data-based planning capacity; number of district education offices that share budget information with the community. 3. Relationship to Other Strategic Objectives Education, literacy and numeracy activities will be linked to life skills/ issues such as reproductive health, child health and economic growth and improved food security. E. Duties and Responsibilities of the Position The USPSC will serve as the senior educational advisor to USAID and the U.S. Embassy as well as supervise and support the senior program specialist (FSN). This program is programmed to receive $24 million FY 2003-2006. In tandem with the senior program specialist, s/he will be expected to coordinate with senior level ROYG officials at the national and provincial levels, local education institutions, local and international non-governmental organizations, and other donors to achieve program objectives. The program manager will be expected to, in order of priority: a. Serve as the Senior Advisor for the USAID/Yemen Education Program: • Insure that planned results are being achieved in an efficient and timely manner, consistent with USAID regulations and policies. Identify and work with partners to seek resolution of issues affecting the achievement of results. • Monitor program implementation through site visits and close contact with groups involved in implementing educational activities. Advisor will work with partners to develop relevant indicators and to develop data collection systems and monitoring strategies for ongoing and new activities. • Develop strategies and programs for new activities. • Prepare all requisite USAID documentation including semi-annual program reports, annual R4 reports, and scopes or statements of work and/or program descriptions. Incumbent will also prepare additional reports, as required, to brief the US Embassy and USAID on specific issues or situations impacting program success. Un addition to the U.S. Embassy, the contractor will provide copies of all reports to the Deputy USAID Representative to Yemen, the Chief, Program Management team, USAID/Asia Near-East Bureau, and to the USAID/ANE HCD team leader. b. Carry Out and Support Policy Dialog with Senior Government and Donors officials: In concert with the U.S. Embassy, the contractor will work with implementing partners to identify key policy constraints/issues that impede the success of USG, other donor and the Government’s programs to improve the education system in Yemen. Working with USAID-funded implementing partners, the contractor will raise these issues and recommended courses of action in discussions with senior ROYG representatives, donor coordination meetings, and discussions with key advocacy networks emerging in Yemen. Effort will focus on enlisting support from other donors, senior government officials, and from civil society organizations for policy changes that will overcome program implementation issues or facilitate replication of positive program results to other provinces in the country. c. Provide Technical Guidance and Support: The Senior Education Advisor will provide technical guidance and support to USAID-funded implementing partner organizations in the development, implementation, and monitoring/evaluation of program activities. The Senior Education Advisor will serve as the USAID Project Manager for USAID’s. Basic education and literacy activities in five target governorates that are currently being implemented through cooperative agreements AIR/AED, ADRA and CARE. Other Relationships: The incumbent will be expected to develop and maintain a collaborative, professional relationship with senior members of the US Embassy in Sana’a, senior ROYG officials at both the national, governorate, district, and local levels, and with representatives of other donor organizations supporting education programs in Yemen, and with USAID-funded implementing partners. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION The Senior Education Advisor shall have the following qualifications. Note that in order to be considered those marked “required” must be met. 1. At least 8 years’ experience designing and implementing education programs, which includes at least four years working in developing countries. Experience should include education program design, management and administration, curriculum development, policy reform, and evaluation, - especially related to basic education (grades 1-6). Related education beyond the Master’s Degree may be substituted for up two years of experience (REQUIRED) 2. Proven familiarity with international education development issues – work experience in international education development is preferred. 3. Demonstrated satisfactory program management and problem solving skills. 4. Demonstrated satisfactory interpersonal and communication skills, especially related to policy dialog with senior government officials and program coordination with other donors. 5. First-hand experience of Yemen and facility in the Arabic language is preferred. 6. Understanding of USAID policies, procedures, regulations, and reporting requirements is preferred. 7. A Masters Degree in education or in a field related to educational development. (REQUIRED) 8. Demonstrated ability to communicate (spoken and written) at a university level in fluent English. 9. Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien and be able to obtain a secret security clearance. (REQUIRED) 10. Ability to begin work in Yemen by April 2005. SELECTION CRITERIA To be considered, the applicant shall meet those qualifications marked “required”. Candidates will be evaluated according to the following criteria: 1. Experience (40 points): a) At least eight years’ experience designing and implementing development programs, of which at least four years have been working in developing countries. Prior professional and field experience designing and implementing education or related programs and knowledge of the range of best practices from prior donor education development experiences from around the world will be considered a significant strength. b) Demonstrated satisfactory experience managing complex programs in complex development environments. Demonstrated ability to successfully cultivate and maintain a wide range of contacts with senior government, donor and NGO counterparts. c) Prior experience assisting governments identify and implement alternative approaches to the provision of education services. 2. Education and Training (30 points): a) A Masters Degree in education or in a field related to educational development. b) Training and experience in operational research and analysis. 3. Communication and Interpersonal Skills (30 points): a) University level English speaking, reading and writing proficiency (absolute requirement). Candidates will be expected to provide a recent sample of their writing. b) An ability to speak Modern Standard Arabic at the Speaking-2, Reading-2 proficiency, based on the Foreign Service Institute scale, would be very desirable. c) Demonstrated ability to work collegially, and effectively communicate with senior government and other officials and to successfully lead and work with a multi-cultural team. d) Demonstrated ability to cultivate and maintain a wide range of contacts with senior counterparts. Total points: 100 points APPLYING: Qualified individuals are requested to submit: (1) A cover letter of no more than 3 pages that demonstrates how the candidate’s 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; (4) A relevant writing sample of not more than 10 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. 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/psc_solicit/ 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. Yemen is currently an “accompanied post” for spouses and children 3 years of age and under. At present, dependant children above the age of 3 are not permitted at post. Nevertheless, education and/or separate maintenance allowances will be provided. 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/psc_solicit/ 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.