Senior Education Advisor(Office Director - Education and Youth Office)

I. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72066321R00021 2. ISSUANCED ATE: July 28, 2021 3. CLOSINGDATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: August 27, 2021 (5:00pm EAT) 4. POINT OF CONTACT: James Cerwinski, A/Supervisory EXO and Fekadu Tamirate, HR Specialist, e-mail at [email protected]. 5. POSITION TITLE: Senior Education Advisor (Office Director – Education and Youth Office/EYO). 6. MARKET VALUE: $ $93,907 to $122,077 equivalent to GS-14. The final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based on the successful candidate’s salary history, work experience, and educational background. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated. 7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year, with no option to extend. Estimated to start on 12/28/2021. 8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Work. 9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens, and Resident Aliens A USPSC: • Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident (“green card holder”). • U.S. resident alien means a non-U.S. citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States. • Submit a complete application as outlined in the solicitation section titled SUBMITTING AN OFFER. • Be able to obtain facility access authorization. • Be able to obtain a Department of State medical clearance. • Be willing to travel to work sites and other offices as/when requested. • Employment is subject to funds availability and all the required approvals obtained. 10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facility Access. The final selected candidates must obtain both the appropriate security and medical clearances within a reasonable period. If such clearances are not obtained within a reasonable time or negative suitability issues are involved, any offer made may be rescinded. 11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES 1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract: The Senior Education Advisor serves as Office Director of the Education and Youth Office (EYO) and provides project management and administrative oversight to EYO. The Senior Education Advisor will assist the Education and Youth Office(EYO) to oversee programmatic, administrative and financial aspects of education activities in the current portfolio to ensure that Agency results are being effectively accomplished within USAID programmatic and financial guidelines and regulations. In this capacity, the Senior Education Advisor is responsible for a roughly $20 million/per year portfolio valued at approximately $100 million during the 2020 to 2025 strategy period. The Senior Education Advisor will provide EYO with technical expertise and have specific project management responsibility for activities dealing generally with supporting the Government of Ethiopia in education in emergencies, early childhood education, English language instruction, and youth empowerment. The Senior Education Advisor works with the EYO Deputy Director on aspects of contract/grant management for assigned activities, including performance of grantees and contractors according to approved work plans, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting on specific results and impact. The Senior Education Advisor will be responsible for supervising and building other EYO team members (except the Deputy Office Director) administrative and project management skills and mentoring them appropriately. The Senior Education Advisor will lead the quarterly and annual reporting processes including Accruals, Quarterly Financial Reports, and Portfolio Reviews. The Senior Education Advisor will also be responsible for ensuring that the EYO Team’s Training Plan is current and complete. The Senior Education Advisor will also coordinate with other USAID Technical Offices and support offices (Program, Finance, EXO and Acquisition and Assistance) to ensure synergy between other sector activities. The Senior Education Advisor will function as the liaison between the EYO and the Development Objective teams per the 2020-2025 Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) to ensure unity of effort, integration, sustainability and the achievement of Agency results. The Senior Education Advisor is required to exercise professional judgment and expertise in planning and carrying out tasks, including the specific approach to be taken, the resolution of challenges and conflicts, and the meeting of deadlines. The incumbent is required to work with minimum supervision and in collaboration with other professional staff internal and external to the Mission and Agency. 2. Statement of Duties to be Performed 1. Portfolio Activity Programmatic Management (50% of time) The Senior Education Advisor assists in the oversight and management of the USAID/Ethiopia Education and Youth Portfolio. This includes the following areas:  Oversee project management of EYO Office Contracts and Agreements to ensure that activity objectives are being effectively met within USAID guidelines and regulations. Maintain certification as a project manager in USG and USAID systems (FAITAS).  Participate and lead in the design and development of new education activities and initiatives. To support this, analyze and coordinate access to human resources available from technical experts, internal and external to the Mission and Agency.  Oversee, monitor and report on performance of Implementing Partners’ field activities through review of project documentation, communications, and periodic field visits. Manage review and approval process of annual work plans and planned activities. Evaluate and analyze Implementers’ data to ensure accuracy and effectiveness of development activities.  Assist the EYO team in preparation and presentation of key reviews and documentation, including semi-annual portfolio reviews, annual report narratives, activity approval documents, GLAAS software actions, correspondence and others as required.  Initiate and coordinate processing of amendments or modifications to existing contracts or grants.  Contribute to EYO strategic planning, performance monitoring, and major program decisions.  Demonstrate independent action in setting work priorities, deciding on activity implementation matters, problem identification, and problem solving. 2. Stakeholder and Customer Relations (30% of time)  Serve as liaison with representatives of Ethiopia’s Ministry of Education, Regional Education Bureaus, private sector partners, civil society, education sector partners, development partners, and the media.  Act as liaison between EYO and other Offices to ensure that cross cutting objectives are met. Proactively participate in team and Mission processes and activities.  Provide briefings to visitors, short-term consultants, and other program-related guests of USAID (e.g., congressional delegations, senior-level USAID officials).  Serve as a resource person for USAID, US Embassy inter-agency and other personnel by addressing requests for technical and programmatic information, and providing guidance related to Agency goals and initiatives.  Represent EYO at internal and external events, receptions, conferences and workshops.  Provide direction and supervision to non USDH EYO staff. 3. Financial Oversight (20% of time)  Maintain, analyze and report on information regarding the financial status of education portfolio obligations, expenditure, pipelines, and resource requirements. Coordinate closely with the Program (PRO), Finance (FMO), and Acquisition and Assistance (OAA) Offices to analyze budget, expenditure and pipeline trends and challenges.  Manage the quarterly process of presenting financial accruals of EYO activities.  Participate as a technical advisor in financial assessments of EYO partners.  Assure that all activities are carried out in a technically sound, cost-effective, and ethical manner, in accordance with Mission and Agency requirements and regulations. 3. Supervisory Relationship The incumbent is supervised by the Deputy Mission Director. 4. Supervisory Controls: about 1-3 non-USDH employees. 12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands. Note: No in-person appointments or telephone calls will be entertained unless you are required to have more information about this solicitation. II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION Applications will be initially screened by the Human Resources Office to determine whether they have met the minimum qualifications listed below. A list of qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring office for further consideration and screening. Education: A minimum of a master’s degree in Education, Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, International Development Management, or similar degrees. Work Expereince: At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in the education and/or youth sectors in an international organization. Demonstrated track record of strong supervision, customer service, strategy formulation and project management. III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c). In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers. The FAR provisions referenced above are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far. EVALUATION FACTORS Education (10 points): A minimum of a master’s degree in Education, Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, International Development Management, or similar degrees. Experience (30 points): At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in the education and/or youth sectors in an international organization. Demonstrated track record of strong supervision, customer service, strategy formulation and project management. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (60 points) : Knowledge of US government basic financial principles and USAID program development cycle is essential. Ability to coordinate and multi-task. Proficiency in computer software programs including but not limited to: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Ability to interact effectively in a cross-cultural environment with a broad range of diverse counterparts. Ability to perform budget and financial management support and administrative tasks. Ability to troubleshoot and problem solve complex issues in a fast-paced environment. Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills. BASIS OF RATING: The initial evaluation of applications will be based on the weight assigned for education and experience that will be out of 40 points. The weight assigned for education and experience will be used to set a competitive range. Those candidates in the competitive range will be contacted for the interview (60 points). The overall assessment based on weight assigned for the evaluation criteria during the initial evaluation and the interview will determine the final candidate. Therefore, the final rating and ranking for the offerors will be based on the initial evaluation of applications and the interview. The Offeror Rating System is as Follows: • Education – 10 points • Experience – 30 points • Knowledge, Skill and Ability – 60 points Total possible points: 100 points Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks – Pass/Fail (no points assigned) IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER For your application to be considered, the following documents must be submitted: 1. Eligible offerors are required to complete and submit the offer form AID 309-2, “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals, “available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms. 2. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section I. 3. To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission. 4. Letter of Application and current resume. 5. Application must be submitted ONLY via [email protected] and the email subject must say –: 72066321R00021 - Senior Education Advisor(Office Director) . Be sure to include your name and the solicitation number at the top of each page. 6. Please submit the application only once; and 7. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered; the application must be submitted before or on the closing date at local Ethiopia time 5 p.m. (Local Ethiopia, Addis Ababa Time). V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD Once the CO informs the successful Offeror about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Offeror instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms. 1. Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms) 2. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-86),or 3. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85) 4. Finger Print Card (FD-258) VI. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: 1. BENEFITS: (a) Employer's FICA Contribution (b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance (c) Pay Comparability Adjustment (d) Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation) (e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation (f) Annual and Sick Leave 2. ALLOWANCES (if applicable): Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas) (a) Temporary Quarter Subsistence Allowance (Section 120) (b) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) (c) Cost-of-Living Allowance (Chapter 210) (d) Post Allowance (Section 220) (e) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) (f) Education Allowance (Section 270) (g) Education Travel (Section 280) (h) Post Differential (Chapter 500) (i) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600), and (j) Danger Pay Allowance (Section 650) VII. TAXES USPSCs are required to pay federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable state income taxes. VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs USAID regulations and policies governing USPSC a wards are available at these sources: 1. USAID Acquisition Regulation(AIDAR),Appendix D, “Direct USAID Contracts with a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for Personal Services Abroad,” includingcontractclause“GeneralProvisions,”availableathttps://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf. 2. Contract Cover Page form AID309-1 availableathttps://www.usaid.gov/forms. LINE ITEMS ITEM NO (A) SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION) (B) QUANTITY (C) UNIT (D) UNIT PRICE (E) AMOUNT (F) 0001 Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs) - Award Type: Cost - Product Service Code: [e.g. R497] - Accounting Info: [insert one or more citation(s) from Phoenix/GLAAS] 1 LOT $ _TBD__ $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_ 3. 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. 4. 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 5CFR2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations. 5. PSC Ombudsman: PSC Ombudsman The PSC Ombudsman serves as a resource for any Personal Services Contractor who has entered into a contract with the United States Agency for International Development and is available to provide clarity on their specific contract with the agency. Please visit our page for additional information: https://www.usaid.gov/workusaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman 7 The PSC Ombudsman may be contacted via: [email protected]. END OF SOLICITATION EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The U.S. Mission in Ethiopia provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation. USAID/Ethiopia also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs. The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation. Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.