MODIFICATION
L -- Regional Development Outreach and Communications Specialist
- Notice Date
- 6/17/2009
- Notice Type
- Modification/Amendment
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Agency for International Development, Overseas Missions, Egypt USAID-Cairo, Department of State, Unit #64902, APO, 09839
- ZIP Code
- 09839
- Solicitation Number
- 263-09-500
- Archive Date
- 7/20/2009
- Point of Contact
- Nancy Rofael, Phone: 202-2522-7182, Samia M Joseph, Phone: 202-2522-7180
- E-Mail Address
-
nrofael@usaid.gov, sjoseph@usaid.gov
(nrofael@usaid.gov, sjoseph@usaid.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Solicitation No. 263-09-500 ISSUANCE DATE: June 16, 2009 CLOSING DATE: July 19, 2009, 4:30 pm Cairo time SUBJECT:USAID/ Cairo, Egypt Solicitation for U.S. Personal Services Contractor [USPSC] For Regional Development Outreach and Communications 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 a secret security clearance. Submissions shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified and must include signed 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#: 011-202-2522-7197 or 011-202-2516-0388, tel.#: 011-202-2522-7182, and email address: nrofael@suaid.gov or usaidhr@usaid.gov. If you would like to apply electronically, please send your application & CV as an email attachment to (usaidhr@usaid.gov). [PLEASE DO NOT SEND CVs TO nrofael@usaid.gov E-MAIL] 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 7700 Box 1000 DPO AE 09843-1000 Air courier: Nancy Rofael Human Resources Assistant EXO/HR USAID/ Egypt Plot 1/A Ahmed Kamel 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 (nrofael@usaid.gov) or FAX [(202) 2522-7197 or (202) 2516-0388] to ensure receipt of your application before the closing date. Application form, USG Optional Form 612(OF-612) can be located at: OF-612: http://www.usaid.gov/forms/OF612.pdf 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: 263-09-500 ISSUANCE DATE:June 16, 2009 CLOSING DATE/TIME:July 19, 2009, 4:30 pm Cairo time POSITION TITLE:Regional Development Outreach & Communications Specialist MARKET VALUE:GS-14 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:2 years with possibility of extension. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:USAID/Cairo, Egypt SECURITY ACCESS: Secret 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 Development Outreach and Communications Specialist will be supervised by, and will report to, the Deputy Director of the OMEP office (Office of Middle East Programs) at USAID/Cairo, Egypt. C.OVERVIEW: The Regional Development Outreach and Communications (DOC) Specialist is located in the Office of Middle East Programs (OMEP) at USAID/Cairo. The DOC Specialist reports to the Deputy Office Director of the OMEP Office, but will have extensive interaction with the various USAID Mission Directors in the Middle East region, stretching from Morocco to Iraq. S/he maintains regular contact and collaborates with the DOCs in bilateral USAID Missions and with relevant U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Officers (PAO) to ensure that Embassy personnel, including senior staff, are properly apprised of USAID regional public activities and projects. S/he also serves as principal liaison with USAID’s Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA) in Washington (USAID/W). USAID manages over $1 billion of the U.S. Government (USG) development program across the Middle East region. The USAID portfolio includes a broad range of economic growth, democracy, and social sector program activities. The Regional DOC Specialist supports USAID in the achievement of its objectives by producing and disseminating public information about regional Middle East activities for transnational and country-specific consumption, in collaboration with USAID bilateral Mission DOCs. The Regional DOC is responsible for collecting, investigating, managing, and distributing information associated with USAID’s regional Middle East program. The Regional DOC serves as OMEP’s primary point of contact and liaison for public and media information inquiries. The Regional DOC also serves as the primary contact for USG interagency regional outreach and diplomacy efforts in the Middle East, and as the primary USAID outreach contact for USAID non-presence countries in the region. The Regional DOC Specialist is also responsible for designing and managing regional media programs that support USAID’s regional strategic goal of promoting a culture of democracy. USAID activities in the Middle East are complex and politically sensitive. In this capacity, the incumbent is responsible for strategically planning, developing, implementing, and administering the regional DOC program to promote better awareness and understanding of United States foreign assistance to the region, along with related policies and achievements, among key audiences of the host country, in the United States, and throughout other donor countries. D.WORK DESCRIPTION: Duties and Responsibilities of the Position% OF TIME a. Regional Coordination of USAID Mission DOCs in the Middle East 15% Responsible for the overall coordination and regional aggregation of outreach and communications efforts in the 7 USAID missions in the Middle East from Morocco to Iraq, and the regional Office of Middle East Programs. Coordination includes tracking outreach and communications activities in all USAID-assistance in the Middle East, synthesizing like activities into a regional message of USAID assistance to the Middle East, providing “surge” assistance, as needed, to bilateral USAID missions planning and executing large scale outreach or communications activities, and reporting to Washington (LPA and ANE) on emerging trends and high profile activities. b. USAID Regional DOC Strategy:20% The Regional DOC develops, reviews, and implements USAID's Middle East Communications Strategy, in coordination and consultation with the bilateral USAID missions’ outreach strategies. The goal is to promote USAID’s new regional Middle East program to external and internal audiences, while also facilitating information access and sharing amongst the bilateral missions and regional program, and strengthening the missions’ reporting functions. The Regional DOC also incorporates the USAID role in non-presence countries into the regional communications strategy. An important aspect of this responsibility is for the Regional DOC to be a counterpart in USG interagency efforts for regional communications and diplomacy in the Middle East. The Regional DOC will carry out a liaison role, as well as provide USAID input to interagency efforts, and to communicate back to other USAID missions and offices. The DOC strategy should take into account the cost/benefits of particular inputs to outputs, to optimize communications tools and distribution to the broadest audiences possible. The incumbent counsels OMEP on the selection, targeting, and placement of potential DOC materials in keeping with USAID's Strategy. The DOC must also take into account the need to identify and focus on key sectors that have a natural appeal to local interest as well as USG policies; the importance of ensuring that publicity material used will be non-controversial; and that the material is visually appealing, well-defined, and contains a human interest element. S/he will also be responsible for putting in place policies and procedures for OMEP communications that clarify roles and responsibilities within the USAID and inter-agency community, as well as with implementing partners, including templates for various communications tools, standards for creating and finalizing DOC materials, and guidelines for planning and managing events. c. Media Relations:10% 1. The Regional DOC is responsible for all USAID media activities including reporting on the media, preparing summaries of significant articles and broadcasts, and monitoring media trends that affect the USAID regional Middle East program, including trends in USAID non-presence countries. Maintains close, frequent professional contact with the highest levels of the media to fulfill this requirement as well as coordinates with USAID bilateral missions, various embassy PAOs, and USAID/W LPA. This may include arranging interviews, briefings, working with USAID bilateral mission DOCs regarding tours of USAID projects and escorting journalists; and keeping records of activities. 2. Keeps abreast of USAID events to ensure that appropriate press coverage is provided. Advises OMEP staff if press coverage is not recommended for any culturally sensitive event. 3. Reviews the daily press to keep abreast of coverage that relates to USAID activities; advises OMEP of the same. 4. Plans, researches, drafts, and/or edits press releases and fact sheets for USAID/OMEP. Coordinates with USAID technical offices and with USAID bilateral mission DOCS and (as appropriate) with Embassy PAOs to produce and release timely, accurate, and useful written material for local and other media. 5. Advises and works with USAID bilateral mission DOCs and various embassy PAOs to expand opportunities for coverage of USAID assistance, including TV and radio. Helps USAID technical offices define appropriate candidate activities for coverage, participates in field inspections and final selection, and accompanies TV/radio crews to site locations for filming. d. Manages Regional Media Programs:15% 1. Designs regional media programs. This includes, but is not limited to, programs that build the professionalism of media, encourage diverse voices and perspectives, and strengthen regional media networks. Ultimately, these programs are designed to increase the quantity, quality, and diversity of information available to the public, thereby encouraging civic participation. 2. Manages existing and new media programs, including monitoring and reporting on performance and addressing implementation challenges in coordination with partner organizations. 3. Contributes to annual budget and performance reporting processes. e. Public Events and Activities:10% 1. Plans, schedules, publicizes, and carries out activities to present OMEP programs to the public. This may include a range of communications tools and distribution to a variety of audiences, with particular field trips to specific events or activities, as well as outreach and media coverage for overall programming. 2. Coordinates field travel and public affairs activities of the OMEP personnel, as well as (when appropriate and in coordination with USAID bilateral mission DOCs) U.S. Ambassadors and other senior inter-agency officials for USAID events. Prepares schedules and briefings in collaboration with OMEP staff and arranges for photo/video and media coverage as appropriate. Acts as the primary USAID coordination point for public events regarding USAID’s role in non-presence countries. 3. For site visits or events that involve the senior U.S. officials, ensures that all information related to the events (e.g., backgrounders/scene setters, schedules, talking points, speeches, etc.) has been prepared, meeting quality standards and time requirements. 4. Coordinates signing ceremonies, inaugurations, and/or dedications of USAID regional projects, including drafting press releases for placement in the Middle East press and on the USAID homepage as well as coordinating with appropriate OMEP, other USAID, and inter-agency officials on logistics, schedules, guest lists, seating, and other arrangements related to the events. f. Publicity Material:10% 1. Oversees the production of key periodic materials for OMEP, including the quarterly bulletin, more frequent summaries (such as monthly reports), Web site materials summarizing USAID Middle East activities, and others as deemed necessary. 2. Reviews proposed speeches, video tapes on project activities, brochures, booklets, handouts, signs, and other public relations materials to evaluate quality, propriety in terms of sensitivity to local culture, and accuracy of content. Ensures that all materials meet USAID branding guidance. Recommends revisions, reprinting, or other appropriate action. Works closely with USAID contractors and advises them on the quality of publicity material. 3. Works with USAID technical staff to develop briefing materials for handouts and other special needs. Prepares VIP briefing and press packets for use during USAID site visits or media events. Selects information to be included. 4. Manages the preparation and updating of sub- regional profiles, which must be coordinated with OMEP staff and USAID bilateral missions. Develops a good database of information on where USAID is working in particular areas of the Middle East to be available for site visits and reporting, as needed. g. Editorial Quality Control:10% Contributes to editing of official reports, correspondence, and documents produced by OMEP, including the annual report and yearly funding request. S/he provides input to ensure that documents meet quality standards. h. Maintenance of USAID/OMEP external Website:10% Responsible for maintaining USAID/OMEP’s external website to ensure that its content has optimal impact on providing information about USAID/OMEP and its programs for a wide range of audiences. Responsibilities include coordinating the selection of information displayed on the Web site, clearing content, and overseeing placement. REQUIRED/DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION: The Regional Development Outreach & Communications Specialist shall have the following qualifications. Note that in order to be considered those marked “required” must be met. 1.Education: BA in journalism, international relations or development, public administration, or a related field is (required). A Master’s degree in one of the above fields is desirable. 2. Prior Work Experience: Seven years of progressively responsible experience in related fields is (required), with at least three years experience in public relations and/or journalism. Previous work experience with USG or another international development organization is highly desirable. 3.Knowledge: A broad understanding of issues related to international development, politics and public relations is required; experience in the Middle East is highly desirable. The qualified person must possess broad operational planning experience, analytical ability, excellent communication skills, and the capacity to convert planning concepts into firm plans to meet a variety of contingencies. 4. Abilities and Skills: Demonstrated skills and extensive hands-on experience in public relations are (required). The ability to establish and maintain collegial relations with press and media contacts and exercise sound judgment in representing the USG while discussing program activities with the press and media are essential elements of the job. A demonstrated ability to supervise staff and work flows, and work as a team member, as well as to provide leadership in the areas of his/her competencies, is (required). Must be comfortable working independently, managing several activities at once, and working under pressure to meet very short deadlines. Must have management ability to plan and execute media campaigns and programs. Excellent working use of MS Office, MS Outlook, and MS PowerPoint are (required). Basic Web design and maintenance is desirable 5.Language Proficiency: Excellent written and oral English communication skills are (required). Basic language skills in Arabic are an asset. 6.Ability to Obtain Security Clearance: Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien and be able to obtain Secret security clearance (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: FactorPoints Education20 Experience30 Knowledge15 Abilities & Skills15 Language20 Total Points100 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 OF-612; (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. The U.S. Government Optional Form 612 is available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/forms/OF612.pdf or at Federal offices 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) (not applicable) (2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) (not applicable) (3) Post Allowance (Section 220) (not applicable) (4) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) (not applicable) (5) Post Differential (Chapter 500) (6) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) and (7) Danger Pay (Section 650) (not applicable) (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. 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.
- Web Link
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FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/AID/OM/EGY/263-09-500/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: USAID/ Egypt, Plot 1/A Ahmed Kamel off Laselki St, New Maadi, Postal Code 11435, Cairo, Egypt
- Record
- SN01848598-W 20090619/090618000658-6034bbd7eacbcd5d700e144766c5681d (fbodaily.com)
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