SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- Advisor in Governance, Anticorruption, Parliamentary Process and Human Rights to support USAID Washington and field offices
- Notice Date
- 12/20/2004
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Agency for International Development, Washington D.C., USAID/Washington, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Room 7.10-006, Washington, DC, 20523
- ZIP Code
- 20523
- Solicitation Number
- M-OAA-GRO-EGAS-05-273
- Response Due
- 1/17/2005
- Archive Date
- 2/1/2005
- Point of Contact
- Kent Howard, Contract Specialist (NEP), Phone 202-712-1818, Fax 202-216-3052, - James Goodwin, Contracting Officer, Phone 202-216-6289 ext. 208, Fax 202-216-6289,
- E-Mail Address
-
kjhoward@usaid.gov, jgoodwin@usaid.gov
- Description
- SUBJECT: Solicitation for Services of Governance, Anticorruption, Parliamentary Process, and Human Rights Advisor The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications (Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612) from qualified U.S. citizens interested in providing Personal Services Contract (PSC) services as described in the attached solicitation. Submittals shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. In order to be considered for the position a candidate must meet the Selective Factors (Minimum Qualifications) listed in the solicitation. Consideration and selection will be based on a panel evaluation of the applications vis-a-vis the Evaluative Factors (Ranking Qualifications). Applicants are encouraged to write a brief appendix to the SF-171 or OF-612 to demonstrate how prior experience and/or education and training address these factors. The U.S. mail system is not as reliable as other methods of submitting applications, such as courier, overnight mail services, hand delivery, fax (at the number below) or by e-mail to kjhoward@usaid.gov (hard copies of certain documents may be requested). Applicants are responsible for submitting the SF-171 or OF-612, so as to reach the Government office designated in the solicitation by the closing date and time specified in the solicitation whether submitted by courier, overnight mail services, hand delivery, fax or e-mail. An application received after the closing date and time will not be considered eligible for evaluation or award, unless there is acceptable evidence to establish that it was received by the Government installation prior to the time and date specified in the solicitation. Any questions as well as submission of proposals in response to this solicitation must be directed to: Kent Howard, Contract Specialist U.S. Agency for International Development M/OAA/GRO, Room 7.09-080, RRB 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20523-7100 Telephone: 202-712-1818 Fax: 202-216-3396 e-mail: kjhoward@usaid.gov Applications that are submitted by courier service or hand carried must be accepted at the 14th Street entrance of the Ronald Reagan Building. The courier must inform the guard there is a package for Kent Howard. The guard will contact that person and inform them that there is a package for pick-up at the 14th Street entrance. Packages cannot be dropped off at the desk. Someone must accept the application from the courier. Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the application. Sincerely, Victoria Ghent Contracting Officer SCOPE OF WORK Advisor in Governance, Anticorruption, Parliamentary Process and Human Rights U.S. Personal Services Contract (GS-14) for USAID Background The USAID Europe and Eurasia Bureau (E&E) is involved in a comprehensive program of assistance to the states of the former Soviet Union and to Central and Eastern Europe. E&E’s strategy focuses on three core areas: economic restructuring and growth, democracy and governance and the social dimensions of transition. In addition, USAID develops cross-sector approaches to address critical obstacles and changing circumstances in the region. During 2003–2004, these include: raising the profile of values inherent in transition programs; systematically addressing conflict and corruption in program analysis and design; and further developing social sector initiatives to broaden the benefits of reform and thereby sustain public support for it. Three essential elements of E&E’s assistance to the region include helping to establish full democracies rooted in the rule of law, nurturing vibrant market economies, and supporting the emergence of a responsive social net to meet the needs of the people, especially those disadvantaged during difficult times of transition. Within E&E, the Office of Democracy, Governance and Social Transition (E&E/DGST) provides the Bureau and the USAID field missions in the region with technical and strategic expertise on policy and strategies; program design, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation; and program management for democracy and governance and social transitions, especially marginalized populations, health, labor and social safety nets. The Office has three teams; Social Transition, Health and Democracy. The teams serve as the Bureau’s key technical liaison in their respective fields with other USAID Bureaus and Offices, U.S. government agencies (particularly the Department of State, Department of Justice, and Department of Labor), international donors and external stakeholders. Position Overview The incumbent is a member of E&E/DGST’s Democracy Team. As part of the Democracy Team, he/she has primary responsibility for providing technical advice to the E&E Bureau, State Department, USAID field offices in the E&E region, and other units of USAID in all areas related to governance and parliamentary process, including anticorruption efforts aimed at the executive or parliamentary level of government. The advisor is responsible for developing and/or managing regional projects to assist in development of good governance models and regional cooperation among states in pursuit of government reforms and, where relevant, issues pertaining to accession to the European Union or other international bodies. He/she collaborates with the State Department’s Office of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor efforts in the areas of human rights to advise on human rights interventions, protections and advocacy. The incumbent also assists USAID field offices in the region in responding to appropriate foreign government requests for consultation and technical assistance supporting good governance at any level of state government. Duties and Responsibilities The specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Geographic Area or Region-Wide Technical Resource: 1. provide Bureau leadership in the analysis of governance/corruption, parliamentary rule, and human rights, concerning the development of appropriate strategies, plans and support agreements as may be required; 2. formulate policy and programming guidance for strategic planning; and analyze, design, implement, direct and evaluate policy reform and assistance programs for E&E countries and region that focus on governance/corruption, parliamentary rule and human rights; 3. represent Bureau interests to senior-level and other host-government officials and representatives of local private sector and NGO entities; 4. monitor and analyze social, cultural and institutional issues, arrangements and structures affecting governance/corruption, parliamentary rule and human rights in E&E countries and region; 5. serve as key advisor to USAID field offices and host countries on improving executive and legislative branch governance and support broader Bureau staff and program efforts in the areas of anti-corruption and human rights; 6. monitor State and Congressional interest in governance/corruption, parliamentary rule and human rights and serve as Bureau liaison to State, Congress and other U.S. entities; 7. provide Bureau with analyses of the effectiveness of major democratic policy reform and non-project assistance interventions (including USAID and other development assistance agencies) that would be used for policy and strategy directions and resource allocation decisions; 8. formulate agenda of research and analytic needs, as necessary, leading to policy and programming guidance for application throughout the Bureau, and identify strategies for pursuing assistance through bilateral and central/regional projects; 9. consult with appropriate internal and external organizations on "best-practices" regarding governance/corruption, parliamentary rule and human rights; 10. coordinate Bureau activities with technical officers in the field working in governance/corruption, parliamentary rule and human rights and provide them with assistance, guidance, and literature; Program Development Assistance and/or Management: 1. plan, develop and implement program/project development activities that affect governance/corruption, parliamentary rule and human rights. Activities could include assessing gaps in applied research; interacting with PVOs/NGOs, bilateral and multi-lateral donors, other U.S. government institutions, think tanks and Congressional staff; assessing capabilities and identifying various organizations to serve as change-agents; and ensuring appropriate program/project documentation is professionally executed; 2. advise Office, Bureau and field office staff on a variety of development assistance program/project issues; 3. provide programmatic backstopping and management on high visibility projects, consulting with professionals in various sectors; 4. direct or participate in geographic and central Bureau review of proposed development assistance projects and programs, policy, and technical input; 5. provide project development support on the design and implementation of Bureau portfolio, which includes a variety of sectoral projects; 6. lead the design and development of new development assistance programs/projects, including initial reconnaissance of projects; preparation of scopes of work for feasibility studies; selection of study contractors; and review and approval of completed feasibility studies; 7. prepare or oversee the preparation of project papers/scopes of work, project agreements, project authorizations, Congressional notifications and implementation letters; 8. review or oversee the review of contractor selection and approval, including related documents such as invitations for bid, plans and specifications for professional services; 9. initiate or coordinate evaluation of development assistance projects during or following project completion, to ascertain project and cost effectiveness, including implications for future financing; 10. travel to the region, as necessary, to assist USAID field offices. Supervision While the incumbent works under the direction of the Democracy Team Leader and coordinates with the Senior Rule of Law Advisor on Anti-Corruption, he/she needs to demonstrate a high degree of autonomy and responsibility. As a recognized authority in the analysis and evaluation of programs and issues, the incumbent is subject only to administrative and policy direction concerning overall project priorities and objectives. The incumbent is typically delegated complete responsibility and authority to plan, schedule and carry out major projects concerned with the analysis and evaluation of programs or organizational effectiveness. Analyses, evaluations and recommendations developed by the incumbent are normally reviewed by management officials only for potential influence on broad agency policy objectives and program goals. Findings and recommendations are normally accepted without significant changes. Required Skills and Qualifications The Governance/Anticorruption/Parliamentary Process/Human Rights Advisor must be an individual with sound judgment, excellent writing and communication skills and have a well-developed understanding of U.S. foreign policy interests and the role USAID programming can play in the development of democracy. The successful candidate must be able to accomplish a wide range of assignments on short notice. Since work often involves changes in program direction and implementation, including frequent coordination, the individual must be someone who is highly flexible and able to work on multiple tasks simultaneously. He/she must be able to work effectively and productively as a member of a team. In order to be considered for the position, a candidate must be a U.S. citizen and must submit an application in accordance with the guidance below in Section III, Applying. In addition, a candidate must meet the Selective Factors listed below. Consideration and selection will be based on panel evaluation of the Evaluative Factors. Interviews and a writing exercise may be requested. Applicants are encouraged to write a brief appendix to the OF-612 or SF-171 to demonstrate how prior experience and/or education and training address both the Selective and Evaluative Factors. Selective Factors (Minimum Qualifications) 1. An undergraduate degree. Minimum of five (5) years experience in any combination of the following: 2. Work experience in democratic development, democracies in transition, political science, legal system reform, international affairs or a related area, preferably working for USAID, another U.S. government agency, or a similar organization with programs fostering the development of democracy. 3. Work experience in managing, advising or analyzing the performance of executive and legislative branches of government, specifically in working closely with government institutions in the areas of public administration, parliamentary strengthening, anti-corruption and human rights protection. 4. Work experience in the design, management and implementation of projects intended to protect and promote good public administration, strengthen parliaments, combat corruption or protect human rights. 5. Work experience in working with and/or familiarity with post-communist governments in Central and Eastern Europe and/or Eurasia. 6. Work experience resolving problems in a team context, while maintaining an aggressive work pace, in order to produce results under intense scrutiny. 7. Work experience dealing with the complexity of diverse ethnic and religious populations and/or Islamic cultures. Candidates who meet the above qualifications will be evaluated according to the following criteria: Evaluative Factors (Ranking Qualifications) 1. Program Oversight: Demonstrated ability to function with minimal supervision to provide strategic guidance, design and monitoring of complex activities that are implemented under challenging social and political conditions and to address complex and challenging interagency and political dynamics. (25 points) 2. Program Design and Implementation: Experience-based knowledge of democracy and governance program design, monitoring and evaluation and preferably knowledge of U.S. government budgetary and procurement processes and property management principles in a developing country context. (25 points) 3. Analytical Skills: Demonstrated analytical and independent decision-making skills in heavy workload environments. (10 points) 4. Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills demonstrating the ability to engage in discussions with host-country government officials, other donors, the NGO community, USAID and other U.S. government officials and to work on a team supervising complex projects in a large geographic area. (10 points) 5. Cultural Environment: Knowledge of history, culture, and politics of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia with background in pertinent issues such as corruption, rule of law and human rights challenges. (10 points) 6. Computer and Administrative Skills: Good computer skills, including word processing proficiency, demonstrating the ability to perform with minimal administrative or secretarial support. (10 points) 7. Working proficiency in Russian and/or other language of the region. (5 points) 8. Graduate degree in international relations, Europe and/or Eurasia regional studies, law, political science, government, public administration or a related field. A minimum of 2 years related work experience may substitute. (5 points) Duration of Contract: Two years II. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES: As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: A. Benefits: (1) Employee's FICA Contribution (2) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance (3) Pay Comparability Adjustment (4) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation (5) Vacation & Sick Leave (only earned for actual work days) B. Allowances (If Applicable): (1) Post Differential (Chapter 500) and (2) Danger Pay (Section 650) (Dept. of State Standardized Regulations Government Civilians Foreign Areas). C. Federal Taxes: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes. III. APPLYING: A. Qualified Individuals should note that: 1. Applications must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in the cover letter or they will not be considered eligible for evaluation or award, unless the Contracting Officer determines that the documents were mishandled by the receiving agency or there is acceptable evidence to establish that it was received by the Government installation prior to the time and date specified in the solicitation. The closing time for receipt of applications is 4:00 pm on the date specified in the cover letter. You are directed to Federal Acquisition Regulation, Part 15.208 “Submission, modification, revision, and withdrawal of proposals” for further information. 2. 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, as well as using the address/delivery point specified in this solicitation. 3. The highest ranking applicants may be selected for an interview, but an interview is not always necessary. B. List of REQUIRED Forms for PSCs Forms outlined below can be found at: www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/ 1. Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612. (U.S. Government Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612 are available at the USAID web site, http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms or internet http://fillform.gsa.gov or at Federal Offices). Applicants are required to sign the certification at the end of the SF-171 or OF-612. Applications that are received without a signature will not be considered for the position. Applicants are encouraged to write a brief appendix to the SF-171 or OF-612 to demonstrate how prior experience and/or education and training address both the Selective and Evaluative Factors listed in Section I above. 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. A prerequisite for employment is a completed background investigation that reflects one’s qualification for a Secret security clearance. 2. Medical History and Examination (DS-1843). 3. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or 4. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85). 5. Finger Print Card (FD-258). IV. ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPD) AND CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) PERTAINING TO PSCs AAPDs and CIBs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to the below web site to determine which AAPDs and CIBS apply to this contract. http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/cib/subject.html#psc NOTE: THIS NOTICE WAS NOT POSTED TO WWW.FEDBIZOPPS.GOV ON THE DATE INDICATED IN THE NOTICE ITSELF (20-DEC-2004); HOWEVER, IT DID APPEAR IN THE FEDBIZOPPS FTP FEED ON THIS DATE. PLEASE CONTACT fbo.support@gsa.gov REGARDING THIS ISSUE.
- Web Link
-
Link to FedBizOpps document.
(http://www.eps.gov/spg/AID/OP/WashingtonDC/M-OAA-GRO-EGAS-05-273/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Washington, D.C. with occasional international travel
- Zip Code: 20523
- Country: USA
- Zip Code: 20523
- Record
- SN00724182-F 20041222/041220212123 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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