SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- Democracy and Governance Advisor
- Notice Date
- 2/2/2005
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Agency for International Development, Overseas Missions, Zambia USAID-Lusaka, Department of State, Washington, DC, 20521-2310
- ZIP Code
- 20521-2310
- Solicitation Number
- 05-01
- Response Due
- 3/4/2005
- Archive Date
- 3/19/2005
- Description
- POSITION DESCRIPTION 1. BACKGROUND USAID?s Democracy and Governance (DG) portfolio in Zambia has as its objective activities that promote more accountable government. The DG Strategic Objective (SO8) ?Government is Held More Accountable? targets permanent structural reforms to reduce public sector abuse of office and corruption through: rule of law reforms, which encompasses improving the criminal justice system and sustained corruption prevention; public demand for accountability; and strengthening watchdog institutions. DG program activities aim to build more effective, responsive and accountable democratic institutions and are directed toward three intermediate results areas: 1) Rule of law enhances accountability; 2) Citizens and civil society organizations demand accountability; and 3) Effective oversight institutions. The current DG (SO8) bilateral (SOAG) was signed March 2004 and is to run until September 2010 with a total budget estimate of US$10 million. The DG portfolio is implemented in the context of a complex political environment. The issues of political accountability and executive dominance, and the concomitant issue of systematic corruption condition developments in all significant institutional arenas. The prevailing absence of political accountability has deep historical roots in Zambian political history and is embedded both in the structure of institutions and in the informal norms that govern the behavior of political actors and citizens throughout the political system. It has contributed to the development of a culture of impunity among the powerful, and a culture of avoidance that governs the behavior of those who are not. The stalling of political liberalization after the 1991 transition resulted in large part the failure to alter institutional arrangements designed to entrench executive ( in practice, presidential) domination of both state and ruling party structures during the period of one party rule. The dilemma of Zambian politics is how to break the Gordian knot that confronts efforts to reduce, channel and redistribute the power of the executive, since such efforts are ultimately subject to executive approval. In the present political context, the prospects for such reform appear closely linked to what is perhaps the second most pressing political and developmental issue in Zambia ? reducing the prevalence of official corruption, which drains scarce developmental resources and seriously undercuts state legitimacy. While constitutional reform is the vital structural change on which achievement of the SO greatly depends, other tactics are necessary as means to return Zambia to its 1991 ideals to increase government accountability and transparency. Enforcement must be stepped up as a means of corruption deterrence. Parliament must become an effective oversight, and civil society must continue to apply pressure. Civil society rather than government or political opposition is the prime force that will drive change. The ?zeitgeist? that will inspire Zambians over the next decade is eliminating corruption; and a successful fight against corruption will significantly improve Zambia?s economy. Following the 2001 election and the installation of the Mwanawasa administration, the President was blunt in stating a policy of ?zero-tolerance? for corruption, and that he would institute a ?government of laws and not of men? emphasizing that the new administration would be strictly governed by the rule of law. He dismissed or demoted a number of senior government officials associated with corruption (or the failure to deal with it) under the previous government including the Attorney General, Minister of Information, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance. The budget of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) was increased significantly and its facilities were upgraded. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the judiciary interpreted these signals by moving aggressively on corruption cases, with close allies of Former President Chiluba under investigation. In July, 2002, Mwanawasa set up a corruption task force with the mandate to recover resources stolen by the previous administration and to investigate and prosecute former officials, including Chiluba. Following an impassioned speech by Mwanawasa to Parliament in July 2002 on corruption in the previous administration, Parliament removed the Constitutional immunity from Chiluba, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court in February 2003. Chiluba was then charged on 59 counts of corruption. The former president and several senior public officials have since been put on trial for a myriad of corruption offences. 2. DESCRIPTION The Democracy Office has a staff of one PSC Team Leader/ Advisor, who is the head of the SO8 team and two FSNs. The Team Leader/Advisor will be responsible for supervising the Democracy and Governance Office in Zambia and the FSNs. The Advisor is expected to provide specialized technical assistance and oversight to ensure timely and effective implementation of the democracy and governance strategy. The Advisor will both prepare and provide oversight of program management activities such as, budgets, implementation documents, reviews of unsolicited proposals, and issues papers. The Team Leader/Advisor will monitor the DG Portfolio, oversee the provision of information requested by the Program Office, the Mission Director and the General Development Office. The Team Leader/ Advisor will be actively engaged in all program areas with respect to the design of new projects, the evaluation of on-going activities, evaluation of work-plans including identification of progress indicators and collection of data. The Team Leader/Advisor will have frequent contacts and interact with counterparts and officials at all levels in Zambian and international organizations and donors. The Team Leader/ Advisor will also have regular contacts with the Embassy and USAID in Washington. The principal duties and responsibilities of the Team Leader/Advisor are listed below. However the general description of the basic functions of the position is an integral part of the position and the responsibilities of the Team Leader/ Advisor. From time to time the Team Leader/Advisor may be given additional tasks consistent with the position description. A. Provide technical direction to, monitor performance of USAID-funded grantees and contractors as well as governance related programs in Zambia. Implementers currently include Pact and the Department of Treasury, and could include other contractors/grantees. The Team Leader/ Advisor acts as the principal USAID/Zambia point of contact with implementers both local and US-based senior management representatives. Coordinates other management actions with backstop officers located in USAID Washington technical and regional offices. B. Coordinates media, NGO, training and other civil society issues with the US Embassy Public Diplomacy Division. Coordinates closely with US Embassy POL/ECON on policy/implementation issues focusing assistance on political party developments, NGO sector issues, media and labor including issues relating to human rights. C. Undertakes technical review of project and/or grant proposals (solicited or unsolicited), including development of rating criteria and the review process, and advises designated contracting officer of results. D. As designated and/or requested by the Mission Director, acts as the principal liaison official with representatives of other USG organizations in Zambia, national and local representatives of the government of Zambia, representatives of local and international NGOs, and other donors related to development and Implementation of USAID/Zambia?s D/G goals. As needed and/or requested reports regularly to Mission Director, Embassy political section and the U.S. Ambassador on any and all issues pertaining to policy, administration, and implementation of democracy and governance programs in Zambia. E. Through field observation, analysis, and consultations with host and other local governmental and non-governmental entities, bilateral and multilateral donors, advises USAID/Zambia on other assistance needed to facilitate the transition in Zambia to a more democratic society. F. Undertakes field monitoring and assessment missions and provides written and oral reporting to the Mission Director, AID/W, regional offices on progress, impact, problems, constraints, and other issues related to USAID financed programs dealing with democracy and governance in Zambia. G. Develops and maintains information on USAID-funded activities with regards to democratic transition in other Southern Africa countries and elsewhere. Advises Mission Director on how lessons learned can and/or should be applied in Zambia to achieve results. H. As designated and requested by the Mission Director and/or General Development Officer coordinates assistance with other bilateral and multilateral organizations in Zambia, including but not limited to the UN, the World Bank, and other public and private donors to programs to make sure that the said programs are complementary and consistent. Participates in ensuring that donors are informed of each other?s plans and activities in Zambia. I. Develops and implements USAID/Zambia D/G program monitoring plan including but not limited to the design of a management plan and collection and analysis of data and information necessary to implementation of program and assesses impact of USAID-funded D/G program activities. This includes monitoring that reporting documents are received on time as well as USAID responses are sent expeditiously. Ability to analyze the impact of reporting documents and maintain relevant data streams is a requirement. J. Advises Mission Director and other members of the senior staff on issues related to effective implementation of D/G program portfolio including but not limited to management issues . K. As needed and/or requested by the Mission Director and/or General Development Officer, prepares, coordinates, and participates in regional evaluations or other activities related to USAID-funded support for democratic transitions in the southern Africa region. 3. LEVEL OF CONTACTS - US Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission and senior U.S. Embassy staff - Speakers of legislative bodies and parliamentarians - GRZ Permanent Secretaries and other senior ministry official and municipal government officials. - Chiefs of Party and senior management representatives of contractors and grantees - Heads of Mission and other senior representatives of bilateral or multilateral donors - Mission Director, SO team leaders, other senior USAID staff - Head of US Embassy political section and Public Affairs officer - Judges, Lawyers, and other Zambian professionals - National and local political party representatives - Election Commission representatives - Country representatives and other senior management staff of international NGOs and private foundations operating in Zambia 4. QUALIFICATION, EXPERIENCE AND LANGUAGE SKILLS: Required qualifications: Degree in international relations, public administration, international law, political science or other closely related field; minimum ten years? progressively responsible professional experience preferably in international development agency; public or private foundation or policy institute, private consulting agency; and/or international NGO with responsibilities for development, implementation and management of board range of activities to promote transition to democracy, improved democratic governance and civil society. Ability to receive a US government security clearance. Additional desired qualifications: Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of democracy related issues and experience in southern Africa; at least two years of supervisory management experience; knowledge of USAID program development and project implementation procedures a plus. Language: Written and verbal fluency in English is required. Desired skills: Excellent oral and written presentation skills; demonstrable ability to work independently and in teams; proven analytical, organizational and administrative skills; experience in designing democracy/governance policy reform development programs in developing countries; ability to analyze democracy and governance issues demonstrated through sample reports; superb interpersonal skills; and a desire to make a difference. 5. OTHER REQUIREMENTS: The selected applicant must be able to obtain USAID security and medical clearances. 6. OTHER FACTORS The PSC will receive administrative support from the Mission, including office space, equipment and supplies. The post currently carries a 15% post differential. 7. BENEFITS: As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: (NOTE: An individual defined as a Resident Hire employee may only be eligible for those benefits listed under item A. below. Non-Americans are restricted in their eligibility for benefits identified in item A) A 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 B ALLOWANCES (if Applicable) (1) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) (2) Living Quarter 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) * Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas) C FEDERAL TAXES: PSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes under the foreign earned income exclusion. 9. APPLYING Qualified individuals are requested to submit a U.S. Government Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612 (available at the USAID website, http://www.info.Usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms or internet http://fillform.gas.gov, or at Federal Offices), by fax, e-mail or separate post by the closing date, above, to: Att: R. Christopher Gomes Executive Office USAID/Zambia P O Box 32481 351 Independence Avenue Lusaka, Zambia Phone (260-1) 254303 Fax (260-1) 255432 E-mail:cgomes@usaid.gov or mdeurwaarder@usaid.gov U.S Mail: R. Christopher Gomes, Executive Officer Lusaka 2310 U.S. Department of State Washington, D.C. 20521-2310 To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference of solicitation number on your application, and as the subject line in any cover letter. 10. CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) PERTAINING TO PSCs 99-9 Personal Services Contracting (PSC) Annual Health 99-7 Contractual Coverage for Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) Services 98-25 Defense Base Act (DBA) Coverage and DBA Waiver List 98-24 Use of Compensatory (Comp) Time by PSCs 98-23 Guidance Regarding Classified Contract Security and Contractor Personnel Security Requirements 98-16 Annual Salary Increased for USPSCs 98-14 Change in Required Application Form for USPSCs 98-10 Personal Services Contracts (PSCs) Annual Health Insurance Costs 98-3 Class Deviation to 31.205-6(g)(3), Foreign National Severance Pay Under Professional Services Contracts 96-16 Class Justification for Use of Other Than Full & Open Competition for Personal Services Contracts with U.S. Citizens Contracted with Locally with CCNs and TCNs subject to the Local Compensation Plan, and for Overseas Contracts of $250,000 or Less 97-11 (Corrected) 1007 FICA & Medicate Tax Rates for Personal Services Contracts 97-3 New USAID Contractor Employee Physical Examination 96-23 Unauthorized Provision in Personal Services Contract 96-19 U.S. Personal Services Contract (USPSC) ? Leave 96-8 Determining a Market Value for PSCs Hired Under Appendix D, Handbook 14 94-9 Sunday Pay for U.S. Personal Services Contractors (PSCs) 93-17 Financial Disclosure Requirements under a Personal Services Contract (PSC) LIST OF REQUIRED FOR PSCs 1. Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612 2. Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62). ** 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). ** NOTE: Form 5 is available form the requirements office. _______________________ * Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians foreign Areas). ** 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.
- Place of Performance
- Address: USAID/ Zambia Mission,, 351 Independence Avenue,, Lusaka,,
- Zip Code: 10101
- Country: Zambia
- Zip Code: 10101
- Record
- SN00744197-W 20050204/050202211522 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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