TITLE: Emergency Disaster Response Coordinator for the Democratic Republic of the Congo

ISSUANCE DATE: July 20, 2001

CLOSING DATE: August 3, 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,

Kim Hupp

Contracting Officer

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: M/OP-01-1351

2. ISSUANCE DATE: July 20, 2001

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED

FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: August 3, 2001

4. POSITION TITLE: Emergency Disaster Response Coordinator for the Democratic Republic of the Congo

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

6. INITIAL PERIOD

OF PERFORMANCE: Approx. August 10, 2001 to August 9, 2002

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Kinshasa

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

BHR/OFDA Emergency Disaster Response Coordinators are primary points of contact for BHR/OFDA in the field in specific countries. They are responsible for reporting on the humanitarian situation, developing strategies and plans, reviewing proposals, monitoring grants, and liasing with grantees and other members of the humanitarian community.

BHR/OFDA recently recruited an Emergency Disaster Response Coordinator (EDRC) for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The EDRC is responsible for assessments, program monitoring, and reporting on events in the Kivus and Maniema Province, and is expected to spend the majority of her time there.

OFDA is now recruiting a second EDRC (hereafter referred to as the “Kinshasa EDRC”), which is the focus of this solicitation.

The Kinshasa EDRC will be based in the capital, and have primary responsibility for coordination in Kinshasa, liaison with the other EDRC while she is away, and providing assessments, program monitoring, and reporting for the Kasais and Equateur Provinces. (The two OFDA EDRCs would share or divide responsibilities for other provinces.)

The Kinshasa EDRC will work on a day-to-day basis as part of the U.S. country team and USAID Mission, and will work closely with the other EDRC. The majority of the Kinshasa EDRC’s contacts will be with the USAID Mission in Kinshasa and the OFDA/Washington Disaster Operations Specialist (DOS) responsible for programs in the DRC. The Kinshasa EDRC will work collaboratively with the DOS, maintaining daily contact to manage the grant portfolio.

The Kinshasa EDRC’s responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following:

· In-country presence. Serves as the principle contact point for BHR/OFDA in Kinshasa (because the other EDRC is expected to spend the majority of time traveling). Maintains regular contact with the USAID Mission and BHR/OFDA grantees, as well as other UN agencies, International Organizations (IOs), and NGOs. Meets with U.S. government personnel, donors, Congolese government officials, and others on humanitarian issues.

· Coordination. Coordinates closely with the USAID Mission and U.S. embassy in Kinshasa on reporting on humanitarian issues and programmatic matters.

· Reporting. Provides regular reporting, primarily through official cables and other means, on issues related to the humanitarian situation. Provides overviews of patterns and trends in the humanitarian situation. Conducts and reports on humanitarian assessment missions. Provides regular reports on site visits, meetings, general atmospherics and other issues that impact humanitarian relief efforts. Passes requests for information from the USAID Mission to the other EDRC, and when necessary, assists the other EDRC in passing reports to the USAID Mission.

· Strategy implementation and planning. Participates in development and implementation of BHR/OFDA strategy and contingency plans for the DRC.

· Program development. Works with NGOs, IOs, and UN agencies who are developing proposals (to include grant amendments and extensions) for BHR/OFDA, ensures their compliance with "OFDA's Guidelines for Grant Proposals and Reporting," reviews concept papers and proposals, and provides recommendations/comments to BHR/OFDA for final funding determination.

· Program management. Monitors and evaluates BHR/OFDA-funded programs. Visits BHR/OFDA-funded projects on a regular basis, as security permits. Reports to BHR/OFDA on the quality of the grantee’s work, noting deficiencies, attributes and evolving operational conditions. Following discussions with BHR/OFDA, recommends to the grantee corrective actions. It is therefore expected that the Kinshasa EDRC would travel, as security permits, to areas outside of Kinshasa.

· Representation and support. Coordinates with the donor community to develop integrated, nonduplicative programs, and on policy issues affecting humanitarian operations. When delegated the authority, represents USG humanitarian interests at national and international meetings and conferences. Facilitates USAID Mission support of, and communication with, the other ERDC. Facilitates, as requested, travel and briefings for official USG visitors interested in humanitarian issues.

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 selection factors are considered NOT qualified for the position)

· Bachelor's degree and graduate degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field (including, but not limited to, international relations, economics, food policy or a related field) or country, and two years experience in emergency relief and humanitarian assistance

OR

Bachelor’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field (including, but not limited to, international relations, economics, food policy or a related field) or country, and four years of progressively responsible experience in emergency relief and humanitarian assistance.

· Demonstrated humanitarian relief experience in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

· French language proficiency (3/3 level).

· US citizen.

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

· Knowledge of OFDA program development and grant portfolio management procedures.

· Additional experience in emergency relief and humanitarian assistance.

· Experience in working for or with humanitarian organizations in areas of civil strife.

· Experience in working with US Government humanitarian agencies, international organizations, and NGOs.

· Demonstrated ability to work in highly political and sensitive situations.

· Basic computer skills and demonstrated writing capability.

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).

(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.