TITLE: INFORMATION OFFICER/REGIONAL ADVISOR for LATIN AMERICA and the CARIBBEAN in SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA

 

ISSUANCE DATE:              June 22, 2001

CLOSING DATE:                 July 9, 2001

 

Gentlemen/Ladies:

 

SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (PSC)

 

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Bureau for Humanitarian Response (BHR), Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) is seeking applications (Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612) from persons interested in providing the PSC services described in the attached. Submissions shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified.

 

Questions may be directed to Kirk Dohne (202) 661-9369 or Jesse C. Freese (202) 661-9366, or Fax at (240) 465-0244 or via e-mail at ofda@globalcorps.com. Applicants should retain copies of all enclosures that accompany their proposals.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jean Horton

Contracting Officer

 

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER:         M/OP-01-1135

2. ISSUANCE DATE:                                          June 22, 2001

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED

FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS:                July 9, 2001

4. POSITION TITLE:              INFORMATION OFFICER/REGIONAL ADV ISOR for LATIN AMERICA and the CARIBBEAN

5. MARKET VALUE:               $57,345 to $74,553

6. INITIAL PERIOD

OF PERFORMANCE:                 Approximately Aug 1, 2001 to July 31, 2003

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:       SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA

8. JOB DESCRIPTION (TO INCLUDE EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR POSITION):

 

INFORMATION OFFICER/REGIONAL ADV ISOR for LATIN AMERICA and the CARIBBEAN in SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA

 

Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) are extremely vulnerable to natural and technological disasters which have worsened in recent years due to population pressures, urbanization, and extreme climatic events.   However, LAC’s capacity to manage disasters has grown substantially in recent years, and many nations are now generally capable of managing disasters up to moderate severity without external assistance.  In major events, however, most nations of the region face a serious risk of having their overall coping capacities overwhelmed by disaster response requirements. 

 

OFDA's strategy seeks to reduce the demand for disaster relief, chiefly by increased preparedness and mitigation activities at the community level, and by strengthening governments' capacity to meet immediate post-disaster needs so as to prevent deterioration in the situation of disaster victims.

 

STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

The Information Officer/ Regional Advisor for Latin America and the Caribbean will be based in San Jose, Costa Rica, and will report to the Senior Regional Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean, also based in San Jose. The Information Officer/ Regional Advisor will have responsibility for disaster response and grant management as well as the collection and dissemination of information on the activities of the OFDA/LAC Team, writing reports on all aspects of the team's activities.  The duties and responsibilities of the Information Officer/Regional Advisor for Latin America and the Caribbean will include:

 

a) Responding to humanitarian emergencies--natural, technological and conflict-related disasters--throughout the region.  The incumbent will be required to travel on short notice for periods up to thirty days as a critical component of U.S. Government disaster and humanitarian response. As part of this travel, the incumbent will report and occasionally conduct initial assessments of damage and humanitarian needs, report recommendations of appropriate relief assistance/interventions, and facilitate, coordinate, and monitor actual U.S. Government emergency response activities;

 

b) Reporting on non-response related activities of the OFDA Regional Office in San Jose.  This will include reporting on training activities, mitigation activities, and institutional/network building activities;

 

c) Serving on Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DART) or Assessment Teams when such teams are dispatched from OFDA/W to the LAC region.  As assigned, serving as the DART Planning Coordinator and Information officer for reporting from field teams to OFDA/W;

 

d) Ensuring that OFDA/LAC activities are consistent with the OFDA/LAC Strategic Plan;

e) In close coordination with counterparts in OFDA/Washington and OFDA regional advisors in Costa Rica, Barbados and Jamaica, assisting National Emergency Organizations, U.S. Missions, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Latin America and the Caribbean in developing strong emergency/disaster preparedness plans.  This may include the design, development, and implementation of technical assistance programs in risk management, disaster simulation exercises, and hazard vulnerability assessments.

 

f) Maintaining close relation with USAID Missions, U.S. Embassies, host governments, and with national, international, and non-governmental organizations that provide disaster relief and/or engage in disaster preparedness or mitigation activities in the region. As required, the incumbent will assist these entities with needs analyses and in identifying appropriate program content, and shall facilitate liaison with other regional, international, and UN organizations; and

 

g) Assisting OFDA/LAC in the identification of disaster mitigation measures that could be linked to disaster response activities, with a view toward reducing the vulnerability of disaster-prone communities.

 

BASIS OF RATING:  Applicants who meet the basic qualifications and selective factor(s) will be further evaluated based on the quality ranking factors listed below.  Applicants are strongly encouraged to address each of the factors on a separate sheet describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education, and/or awards you have received that are relevant to each factor.  Be sure to include your name, social security number, and the announcement number at the top of each additional page.  Failure to address the selective and/or quality ranking factors may result in your not receiving credit for all of your pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards.                                                                      

 

BASIC QUALIFICATION AND SELECTIVE FACTORS: (Determines basic eligibility for the position, candidates not meeting the basic qualifications and selective factors are considered NOT qualified for the position)

·         Bachelor’s Degree and Graduate Degree in International Development or related field.

·         Five years relevant overseas work experience with the U.S. Government, an international organization or a non-governmental organization.

·         Three years will have been in a position with primary responsibility involving disaster management or a related field.

·         Five years work experience in LAC.

·         Demonstrated ability to produce superior field reporting instruments such as cables, situation reports, assessment findings, and recommendations which meet the requirements of USAID/OFDA/Washington, USAID/OFDA/LAC, OFDA Field Teams, and USAID Missions.

·         Bi-lingual or total fluency in English and Spanish  (speaking and writing).

·         U.S. Citizenship.

 

QUALITY RANKING FACTORS (Determines the ranking of qualified candidates in comparison with other applicants):

·         Work experience with USAID/OFDA.

·         Demonstrated understanding of U.S. Government’s role (past and present) in natural disaster response and mitigation in LAC.

·         Additional work experience surpassing the minimums stated in the Basic Qualifications and Selective Factors.

·         Demonstrated ability to work with a wide array of organizations involved in natural disaster response and mitigation, including U.S. Government agencies (e.g., USAID, State, Defense, CDC, NOAA, USGS), international organizations (e.g., IFRC, ICRC), non-governmental organizations, UN agencies, and host governments.

·         Demonstrated leadership and management abilities, verbal and written communications skills, and interpersonal skills.

·         Proven ability to work with minimal supervision and as part of a team.

 

WHERE TO APPLY: 

Via mail: GlobalCorps, 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20004

Via facsimile: 240-465-0244

Via email: ofda@globalcorps.com

 

FOR INFORMATION ON OTHER VACANCIES OR FOR INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF THIS VACANCY, CALL (202) 661-9369 or (202) 661-9366

 

PLEASE READ ATTACHED SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION.  IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

 

ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED REGARDLESS OF AGE, RACE, COLOR, SEX, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, LAWFUL POLITICAL AFFILIATION, NON-DISQUALIFYING HANDICAP, MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AFFILIATION WITH AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION, OR OTHER NON-MERIT FACTOR.

 

A Voluntary Background Survey can be obtained from the above listed contacts or on-line at http://www.usaid.gov/about/employment/idi79-2.pdf . The information from this survey is used to help insure that agency personnel practices meet the requirements of Federal law. Your responses are voluntary and not required.

 

I. How To Apply                                                               

A. Submit a resume, OF-612, Optional Application for Federal Employment, or any other written format you choose (SF-171, Application for Federal Employment, is also acceptable).  You must include the following information regardless of which application form/format you choose:                                           

1)             The announcement number, title and grade and/or pay band of the position for which you are applying.                                         

2)             Personal Information                                                       

a)             Full name, mailing address (including ZIP Code), home and work telephone numbers (including area code)                                      

b)            Social security number AND country of citizenship                          

c)             Veterans' preference.

d)            Competitive status. 

e)             Highest Federal civilian grade held, including job series and dates held.                                                                  

3)             Education                                                                  

a)             High school - name, city, state and ZIP Code (if known) and date you received diploma or GED.                                            

b)            Colleges and universities - name, city, state and ZIP Code (if known), major(s), type(s) of degree(s) received and date(s) received.  If you did not receive a degree, show total credits earned and indicate whether semester or quarter hours.

4)             Job-Related Work Experience (Paid and Nonpaid)

a)             Job title (include series and grade if Federal) AND salary

b)            Starting and ending dates (month and year) AND hours per week

c)             Employer's name, address, and telephone number (including area code)

d)            Supervisor's name and telephone number (indicate if we may contact your current supervisor)

e)             Duties and accomplishments

5)             Other Qualifications

a)             Job-related training courses (title and year)                              

b)            Job-related skills (i.e., other languages, computer hardware/software, communications equipment, etc.)

c)             Job-related certificates and licenses (current only).

d)            Job-related honors, awards and special accomplishments (i.e., publications, Memberships in professional or honor societies, leadership activities, public speaking, performance awards, etc.).  Give dates but do not send documents unless requested.               

 

General Information                                                       

A. A separate application must be submitted for each announcement.            

B. Applications must be postmarked no later than the closing date of the announcement and received no later than 3 workdays after the closing date.                                                      

C. Applicants must be citizens of the United States.                        

 

AS A MATTER OF POLICY, AND AS APPROPRIATE, A PSC IS NORMALLY AUTHORIZED THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS:

 

1. BENEFITS

Employer's FICA Contribution

Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

Pay Comparability Adjustment

Annual Increase

Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

Annual & Sick Leave

 

2.  ALLOWANCES (if Applicable).

(A) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120).

(B) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130).

(C) Post Allowance (Section 220).

(D) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230).

(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 (Section 650).

 

3.  CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) PERTAINING TO PSCs

 

01-09 Competitive Process - Personal Service Contracts ("PSCs") with U.S. Citizens for Support of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Initiatives

 

01-07 Clarification of the Extension/Renewal Policy Regarding Personal Service Contracts (PSCs)

 

00-08S Revision of Competitive Process - Personal Service Contracts ("PSCs") with U.S. Citizens

 

00-08 Revision of Competitive Process - Personal Service Contracts ("PSCs") with U.S. Citizens

 

00-05 Personal Service Contracts (PSCs) Annual Health Insurance Costs

 

00-03 2000 FICA and Medicare Tax Rates for Personal Services Contracts (PSCs)

 

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 Increase for USPSCs

 

98-14 Change in Required Application Form for USPSCs

 

98-12 Advertisement of and Requirements for Evaluating Applications for PSCs

 

98-11 Determining a Market Value for PSCs

 

98-3  Class Deviation to 31.205-6(g)(3), Foreign National Severance Pay Under

            Professional Services Contracts

 

97-17 PSCs with U.S. Citizens or U.S. Resident Aliens Recruited from the U.S.

 

97-16 Class Justification for Use of Other Than Full & Open Competition for Personal

      Services Contracts with U.S. Citizens Contracted locally with CCNs and TCNs

      Subject to the Local Compensation Plan, and for Overseas Contracts of $250,000

      or Less

 

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

 

94-9  Sunday Pay for U.S. Personal Services Contractors (PSCs)

 

93-17 Financial Disclosure Requirements Under a Personal Services Contractor (PSC)

 

LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS 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 from the requirements office.

 

* Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas).

** The forms listed 2 through 5 shall only be completed upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job.