SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- PROJECT DESIGN COORDINATOR - Project Design
- Notice Date
- 5/24/2013
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Agency for International Development, Overseas Missions, Liberia USAID-Monrovia, USAID/Monrovia, Department of State, Washington, District of Columbia, 20521
- ZIP Code
- 20521
- Solicitation Number
- SOL-669-13-000010
- Point of Contact
- Sylvester s. Browne, Phone: 23177766402, Joseph Bundor, Phone: 23177845523
- E-Mail Address
-
sbrowne@usaid.gov, jbundor@usaid.gov
(sbrowne@usaid.gov, jbundor@usaid.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Project Design Coordinator 1.SOLICITATION NUMBER: SOL-669-13-000010 2.ISSUANCE DATE: May 24, 2013 3.CLOSING DATE/TIME: June 13, 2013 / 4PM Local time 4.POSITION TITLE: Project Design Coordinator, USAID/Liberia 5. MARKET VALUE OF POSITION (Base Pay): GS-13. ($71,674 - $93,175). Salary is not negotiable beyond this range. Salary to be paid within this grade will depend on experience, qualifications, and salary history. The standard compensation package also includes a contribution for life and health insurance and a contribution to FICA. 6.PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Six months, to start on or about July 2013 with the possibility of extensions. Extensions will depend on the need for continuation of such services, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance. 7. AREA OF CONSIDERATION:U.S. Citizen resident in Liberia only. Current employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply. 8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Based in Monrovia, Liberia 9.JOB DESCRIPTION: A.Statement of Work OVERVIEW As part of USAID Forward reform efforts, the Agency's Policy, Planning, and Learning (PPL) Bureau has revised the way the Agency approaches project design; by taking the lessons of the President's Policy Directive on Development and Secretary's Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (QDDR), USAID is committed to ensuring project design process is informed by evidence and supported by analytic rigor (see Annex 2). By following a core set of principles (see Annex 3), this improved process aims to help USAID missions implement projects that are more innovative and cost-efficient, helping them to deliver high impact results. During the design phase, projects are expected to: •Closely link up to relevant country development strategies and priorities; •Take measurement and evaluation into consideration from the start; •Establish clear expectations for the impact and outcomes of the project; and •Keep the ultimate goal of sustainability in mind-projects should have an exit strategy. The USAID/Liberia Democracy and Governance Office is preparing to design a new project for Elections and Political Processes in accordance with revised agency guidance (see Annex 1) that incorporates the core principles. The design of this project will be based upon the strategy set forth in the recently-finalized Country Development and Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) for Liberia. The USAID/Liberia Democracy and Governance Office is responsible for managing a program with the goal of more effective, accountable and inclusive governance. The development hypothesis theorizes that achievement of four intermediate results (IRs) will result in the achievement of the DO. The four IRs are: (1.1) public resources managed more transparently and accountably; (1.2) improved policies, models and providers increase access to justice; (1.3) strengthened capacity to implement election processes; and (1.4) civil society and media exercise their advocacy and oversight roles. As USAID/Liberia moves to implement the CDCS the Democracy and Governance Office will rely on this new ADS guidance to design its overall project and conceptualize new activities. With a portfolio of approximately $38 million per year, the Democracy and Governance Office currently manages multiple democracy and governance activities, spanning numerous sub-sectors such as: elections, economic governance, anticorruption, rule of law, civil society, legislative strengthening, land tenure, and civil society and the media. As the largest bilateral donor in Liberia, USAID works closely with the Government of Liberia (GOL) and strives to align program priorities with the country's priorities and goals. USAID will support the GOL's efforts to mobilize and effectively manage public resources, combat corruption, facilitate the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in the resolution of disputes, foster constructive political intercourse, and continue to strengthen the electoral process. BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITION Under the supervision of the Democracy and Governance Team Leader, the Project Design Coordinator shall fulfill the following duties: Major Roles and Responsibilities 1.Project Design (50%) The Project Design Coordinator will assist other team members with ensuring that the Elections and Political Processes project in the Democracy and Governance Office is designed in compliance with Agency guidance, such as the Automated Directives System (ADS) 200 series and the USAID/Liberia Project Design Mission Order. The Coordinator work closely with staff within the team and across the mission and will be expected to maintain a consultative and participatory approach in developing the deliverables and facilitating continuous stakeholder feedback loops. The Coordinator will have specific duties at each stage of the project design process: Concept Paper •Facilitate discussion with core project design team members to determine the core problem to be addressed, expected project outcomes, and other elements of the concept paper as necessary. •Identify existing literature and resources available to inform project design and facilitate a discussion of what additional analysis should be completed to adequately inform project design. •Coordinate interactions with other USAID offices and external stakeholders as necessary. •Lead the drafting of the concept paper in consultation with the Democracy and Governance team and other members of the USAID mission. Analytical Stage •Conduct a comprehensive literature review of similar projects, evaluations, best practices, and high impact interventions related to each project. •Conduct a desk review of: oGOL strategies, policies, targets, assessments, and research; oUSAID and U.S. Government (USG) strategy documents related to the Democracy and Governance sector; oRecently completed studies/assessments within or related to the Democracy and Governance sector, as well as ongoing studies/assessments. •Perform rigorous analyses of gender, environment, sustainability and any other analyses identified during the concept paper drafting stage of the project. •Draft summary documents for each of the required and optional analyses. •Coordinate and support contractors, grantees, and temporary duty (TDY) personnel assisting with analyses. Project Design •Organize consultations with the GOL, stakeholders, and other USG entities and lead consensus building discussion, influencing and motivating various participants to resolve differences in opinion on project design issues. •Coordinate and support TDY personnel assisting with project design. •Assist in drafting the project appraisal document for each project, including, but not limited to: oExtended project descriptions oMonitoring and evaluation (M&E) requirements oAcquisition and assistance schedules oBudgets Additionally, in close coordination with the Office of Assistance and Acquisitions (OAA), the Coordinator will be responsible for preparing the procurement documents for the new Democracy and Governance activities - as determined by the project design process. These will include (but are not limited to): •Scope of work (or program description depending on instrument) •Deliverables and/or milestones •Reporting requirements •M&E requirements •Selection criteria Throughout the entire process, the Coordinator will be expected to establish and maintain strong working relationships with key host country government counterparts and non-governmental community, private sector, and USG stakeholders. 2.Other Duties (50%) Provide the Mission with support related to the Gender crosscutting issue: •Mentor the Mission Gender Adviser to improve her knowledge of gender issues and apply that knowledge to provide support to the Mission's development objective teams. •With the Gender Adviser, participate in project design discussions across the Mission to ensure that gender considerations are properly integrated into project design. •With the Gender Adviser, draft a statement of work for a gender analysis and coordinate the logistics for the analysis team. Draft a public version of the Country Development and Cooperation Strategy for distribution to GOL, donors, partners, and the wider development community (as needed). Draft a public version of the Political Economy Analysis for distribution to GOL, donors, partners, and the wider development community (as needed). The Coordinator will perform other tasks as requested by the Team Leader or senior Mission managers which are consistent with the advisory, managerial, and reporting requirements of the Coordinator's position. Minimum Qualifications The incumbent should meet the following requirements in education, work experience, knowledge, and skills and abilities to be able to carry out the aforementioned duties and responsibilities 1.Education A Masters' Degree in international relations, development studies, political science, public policy/administration, nonprofit management, organizational development or other related field of study. 2.Work Experience •A minimum of 5 years professional experience in program design (and/or management) for developing countries, including experience in democracy and governance programming. •Current knowledge of policy, technical, and operational aspects of democracy and governance, gender, and/or international development practices. •Direct work experience with an international organization and/or donor agency. •Experience working with high level host country counterparts, in-country program managers, policy makers and a broad array of civil society actors and community leaders. 3.Communication Skills •Proven ability to work as a member of a team and to foster teamwork is required, as is the ability to develop and maintain productive working relationships at all levels, including with USAID/USG staff and colleagues, ministerial-level officials in the Government of Liberia, the heads of other donor agencies, and leaders of the NGO and corporate community. •Demonstrated ability to lead policy and/or program negotiations and dialogue with host country officials. •Excellent English language communications skills (native speaker level), both written and oral, including public speaking skills (as the incumbent may be called upon to deliver presentations before large and varied audiences) are essential. •Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through oral presentations and briefings, written reporting and analysis, and information technology tools. 4.Post Entry Training N/A 5.Physical Condition USAID prohibits discrimination in hiring and employment on the basis of physical or mental impairment. USAID promotes, with reasonable accommodation, the full realization of equal employment opportunities for the disabled in recruitment, promotion, assignment, and training. Supervision Received The Project Design Coordinator will work under the general supervision of the USAID/Liberia Democracy and Governance Team Leader. The Democracy and Governance Team Leader will assist the Coordinator to: 1) establish a 6-month schedule with appropriate objectives and performance measures; 2) review work outputs and deliverables to ensure compliance with Agency policies, and implementation of best practices; and 3) assess the incumbent's performance seeking input from appropriate USAID/Liberia team members and external stakeholders. As the incumbent is expected to work with a high degree of independence, s/he must be able to establish priorities, adhere to and meet deadlines, and perform responsibilities and duties with minimal guidance. Available Guidelines The Project Design Coordinator is required to understand Mission and Agency specific policies and procedures which govern program activity management in addition to the USAID/Liberia established administrative operating procedures, policies and formats. Oral guidance from the immediate Supervisor and specific detailed instructions will be given (when necessary) for carrying out unique assignments. The incumbent will be required to be proactive in keeping abreast of evolving guidelines and policies which affect the activities of the Democracy and Governance Office, including but not limited to the Automated Directives System (ADS), Mission Orders, Mission Notices, USG Procurement regulations, and USAID Program Strategy and Policy Documents. In addition, the Mission Director, USAID/Liberia Democracy and Governance Office team members, support teams such as Financial Management, Executive Office, Procurement Office and Regional Legal Advisor and counterparts in USAID/Washington are available as resources to provide advice and guidance. Authority to Make Commitments: The Project Design Coordinator will have no independent authority to commit USG funds on behalf of the U.S. Government or the USAID/Liberia. Exercise of Judgment: In instances not clearly covered by written guidelines, the incumbent will use her/his own personal, well informed judgment and ingenuity to interpret the intent of guides in devising innovative approaches to resolving technical, administrative, managerial and/or policy problems. Excellent (balanced) judgment must be exercised in setting priorities. The use of initiative, discretion, and patience is expected from the incumbent in dealing with USAID personnel as well as representatives from other USG agencies and donor organizations to resolve problems that arise during the course of work for which there is often no clear or immediate solution. In addition, considerable judgment is required in working effectively with officials of the Ministries and the private sector from Liberia, coordinating efforts in support of USAID/Liberia Democracy and Governance project design objectives, and in collecting, analyzing and reporting on progress of activities and recommending project design actions. The incumbent will also be required to follow and adhere to the Agency's Code of Ethics and Conduct. Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts The Project Design Coordinator will be required to maintain solid working relationships with various USAID and USG Offices, and other donors. Specifically, the Coordinator will be required to work closely with: 1) USAID Program Office; 2) USAID Office of Assistance and Acquisition; 3) where necessary USAID's Education, Health, and Economic Growth Offices. The Coordinator will be expected to develop and maintain various relationships with relevant GOL offices to include, but not limited to the Governance Commission, Ministry of Internal Affairs, National Elections Commission, etc. When necessary, the Coordinator must also be able to engage with the Ministries of Gender, Youth and Sports, and Education. Additionally, the Coordinator must develop working relationships in order to solicit feedback and participation from the NGO and Civil Society communities throughout the Project Design Process. The purpose of contact will be to: 1) collect, obtain, and verify factual information pertaining to Project Design tasks of USAID/Liberia's Democracy and Governance Office; 2) maintain open lines of communication in support of foreign assistance issues as related to USAID's Democracy and Governance Office; and 3) solicit stakeholder feedback throughout the Project Design process. Interactions will concern information gathering and leading the development of Project Design documents with various partners. Consultations between the incumbent and partners will be held for explaining and assisting with strategizing Project Design related documents and objectives, securing cooperation, resolving problems, obtaining or furnishing information, defending or negotiating controversial issues among stakeholders with diverse opinions, and persuading USAID staff and counterparts to take actions and accept recommendations. Supervision Exercised The Project Design Coordinator does not have regular supervisory responsibility. Time Required to Satisfactorily Perform Full Range of Duties after Entry into the Position Three months Selection Criteria Applicants meeting the required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application and obtained through reference checks. Following is the evaluation criteria for this position: Education (20 points) Candidates must possess a Masters' Degree in international relations, development studies, political science, public policy/administration, nonprofit management, organizational development or other related field of study. Knowledge/Experience (40 points) •A minimum of 5-7 years relevant professional experience in program design (and/or management) with developing countries, including experience in public health programming. Preference given to those with Liberia-based experience (or experience in a comparable post-conflict setting). •Demonstrated knowledge of policy, technical and operational aspects of democracy and governance, gender, and international development practices. Preference given to an understanding of these issues in the Liberian context or comparable setting. •Direct work experience with an international organization and/or donor agency; a thorough working knowledge of USG operations, regulations, policies, procedures and programs desirable. •Demonstrated experience working with high level host country counterparts, in-country program managers, policy makers and a broad array of civil society organizations and community leaders (including non-governmental organizations, faith-based and community-based organizations, and the private sector) Skills/Abilities (40 points) •Superior writing skills [Note: a writing sample is required] •Strong interpersonal and communication skills including ability to collaborate with host-country officials and interact with partners, contractors and other stakeholders at senior levels. •Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment and communicate highly technical health information to both health and non-health audiences, and achieve consensus on policy, project, research, and administrative matters. •Ability to readily understand, analyze and discuss issues around democracy and governance, gender and development practices. Ability to facilitate meetings and make oral presentations logically and persuasively to senior officials and partners in a multi-cultural context. Please submit applications to: Project Design Coordinator, USAID/Liberia, C/O American Embassy, Gate 3, Mamba Point, Monrovia or by e-mail to: Monrovia-hr@usaid.gov Annex 1: References http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/200/201.pdf http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/200/220.pdf Annex 2: Key USAID Definitions ADS 201.3.7 Projects Effective date: 01/17/2012 A "project" is defined as: A set of executed interventions, over an established timeline and budget intended to achieve a discrete development result through resolving an associated problem. It is explicitly linked to the CDCS Results Framework. More succinctly, a project is a collaborative undertaking with a beginning and end, designed to achieve a specific purpose. Several other terms relate to this definition of project, including "program" and "activity". "Program" is aligned with a CDCS Development Objective and includes all projects and other activities that are associated with a particular DO. "Activity" is a component of a project that contributes to a project purpose. It refers to an award (such as a contract or cooperative agreement), or a component of a project such as policy dialog that may be undertaken directly by Mission staff. Annex 3: Key USAID Principles for Project Design ADS 201.3.8.5 Additional Principles of Project Design Effective date: 01/17/2012 In addition to the application of the Operational Principles discussed in ADS 200.3.1, there are a number of significant additional principles that apply specifically to the design process as follows: • Apply analytic rigor and utilize the best available evidence: There is always a dynamic tension between the pressure to obligate funds and the time needed for evidence-based project designs. It is essential that project designs not short-change rigorous analysis and the collection of evidence from development experience and lessons learned derived from well documented, rigorous evaluations. In addition to USAID directly producing analytic studies, additional methods for obtaining needed information can be used, such as literature reviews, synthetic analysis of existing knowledge, peer exchange of experimental knowledge, consultations with local thought leaders to elicit local knowledge, etc. Methods and formats should be matched to available resources and to the knowledge being sought, and should be planned to optimize the analytic gain for the effort and funding available. While lengthy analytic studies will be necessary in some cases, in others, sufficient analyses can be conducted by using interactive formats ranging from face-to-face facilitated workshops to virtual discussions among development experts, and so on. • Continuous Learning for Adaptive Management: Regardless of the approach to analysis, it should be recognized from the outset that the analytic basis for projects continuously needs to be updated, tested, and upgraded. Project design should therefore incorporate plans to reflect on the evidence underlying project design, assess the implications of divergence between anticipated and unanticipated outcomes, and facilitate reflection, additional analytic work, and course correction during project implementation. Missions that have included a focus or component in their Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) on collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) should have a separate implementation plan for operationalizing this component across the Mission portfolio. They should ensure that project designs reflect the projects' relationship to that broader implementation plan. • Implement review processes appropriate to a project's cost and complexity: In addition to conducting analysis, project designs can also be improved through the use of peer input and peer review. This can take a variety of forms, including having USAID/Washington staff undertake an early knowledge management review to identify lessons from similar projects and programs; having a panel of experts participate in a facilitated project design review session; and seeking design and review participation from experts at partner country institutions, U.S. Government and other donor agencies, think tanks, and universities. In consulting outside USAID, judgment must be used to avoid potential conflicts of interest. At a minimum, all projects must undergo an internal multidisciplinary formal review involving various Mission offices and functions. • Promote collaboration and mutual accountability among USAID, the partner government and other key stakeholders: In line with the principles of the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, the Accra Agenda for Action, and the principles of USAID Forward, the design process must include the active engagement of partner country governments and civil society, through, for example, joint diagnostic constraints analyses. An explicit assessment of the partner government's capacity and role with regard to project implementation and managing donor resources should also be included. Based on the outcome of that assessment, a decision should be made on the host country's role in the project, and their contribution toward sustainability, including mutual accountability consistent with ADS 220. • USAID staff must lead in the project design effort: USAID staff should carry out the major steps of the project design process. The designated USAID project design team should oversee the analysis, conceptualization, and detailed design aspects of the project. Collaboration, consultations and peer reviews with experts should be used, but USAID staff should have a leading role. USAID staff should serve as the principal liaison with host government officials and with other donors in establishing project priorities and broad design parameters. Where a Mission does not have appropriately skilled staff resources, they may be available from USAID/Washington, including the Pillar Bureaus, Regional Bureaus and PPL. • Broaden the range of implementing options to be considered: Use of partner country agreements and systems, local non-governmental and community-based organizations, agreements with Public International Organizations (PIO), and pooled funding arrangements broaden the range of mechanisms beyond USAID-direct contracts and grants awarded to U.S. organizations. Missions should consider mechanisms being pioneered by USAID's Office of Innovation and Development Alliances (IDEA). The choice of implementing mechanisms is one of the most fundamental considerations in the final stage of project design and has clear linkages to the project's sustainability strategy. Annex 4: PSC Contractor Benefits (As allowable under applicable regulations) BENEFITS & ALLOWANCES AS A MATTER OF POLICY, AND AS APPROPRIATE AND/OR AS APPLICABLE, A USPSC RESIDENT HIRE IS NORMALLY AUTHORIZED BENEFITS AND NOT ALLOWANCES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AIDAR APPENDIX D. 1. Benefits a.Employee's FICA Contribution b.Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance i.--72% of Health Insurance Annual Premium (not to exceed $20,339.00 for a family and $7,266.00 for employees without dependents) ii.--50% of Life Insurance Annual Premium (not to exceed $500) c.Vacation & Sick Leave 2.Federal Taxes: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes. 3.List of REQUIRED Forms for USPSCs a.Optional Form 612. (U.S. Government Optional Form 612 is available at the USAID web site, http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms or internet http://fillform.gsa.gov, or at USG offices.) Forms (b) through (e) shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the position. b.Medical History and Examination (DS-1843). c.Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or d.Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85). e.Finger Print Card (FD-258). (NOTE: Form is available from the requirements office.) 4.Contract Information Bulletins (CIBs.) and Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives (AAPDs) Pertaining to PSCs CIBs and AAPDs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to this website http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/psc_solicitations.html to determine which CIBS and AAPDs apply to this contract.
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- Place of Performance
- Address: USAID Liberia, Monrovia, Liberia
- Record
- SN03071930-W 20130526/130524234547-6bc709a8835fb336c92ce110b2aff17e (fbodaily.com)
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