SOLICITATION NUMBER: DCHA/OFDA-05-009

ISSUANCE DATE: September 29, 2004

FIRST CUT-OFF: October 13, 2004 – 11:59 PM Local Time

CLOSING DATE: October 26, 2004 - 11:59 PM Local Time

 

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:

SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (PSC) – Program Officer for Iraq

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications of qualified individuals from U.S. citizens interested in providing PSC services as described in the attached solicitation.

 

Applicants interested in applying for this position MUST submit the following materials:

 

1)      SIGNED federal form OF-612 or SF-171

2)      Cover Letter specifically addressing Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs)

 

Applications that are received without a signature will not be considered for the position. Applicants are responsible for submitting materials that are in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. There will be no exceptions. Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications.

 

Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to:

 

            Jesse C. Freese or Stephanie Paul

            Telephone Number: (202) 661-9366 or 202-661-9369

E-Mail Address: iraq@globalcorps.com

Website: www.globalcorps.com

 

All applications should be submitted to:

 

            GlobalCorps

            1201 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 200

            Washington, DC 20004

 

Sincerely,

 

 

M. E. Yearwood

Contracting Officer

 

 

 

Program Officer for Iraq

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER:             DCHA/OFDA-05-009

2. ISSUANCE DATE:                          September 29, 2004

3. FIRST CUT-OFF:                             October 13, 2004 – 11:59 PM Local Time (see note below for explanation)

4. CLOSING DATE:                             October 26, 2004 – 11:59 PM Local Time

4. POSITION TITLE:                           Program Officer for Iraq

5. MARKET VALUE:                          GS-14 ($74,335 - $96,637)

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:       1 year, with option to renew for 1 year

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:         Baghdad, Iraq

8. SECURITY ACCESS:                      Secret

9. AREA OF CONSIDERATION:        Open to all U.S. Citizens

 

POSITION DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

 

USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) has provided more than $112 million in FY 2003 and 2004 to support humanitarian needs in Iraq, including delivering essential medicines to healthcare facilities, providing emergency health services, and rehabilitating water treatment and sewage plants, clinics, hospitals, and schools. 

 

OFDA expects a new allocation of $70 million in Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Funds (IRRF) through FY 2006 to respond to the needs of up to one million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Iraq, as well as vulnerable populations in communities hosting IDPs.  Interventions aimed at reducing mortality, morbidity, and economic impact associated with displacement will help meet immediate needs, support the longer-term goal of enhancing stability within Iraq and facilitate the return of IDPs to non-contentious areas.  OFDA currently has seven international Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) and International Organization (IO) partners, and plans to issue an Annual Program Statement soliciting new proposals to expand implementing capacity.

 

INTRODUCTION

 

The Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) is the office within USAID that is responsible for providing non-food humanitarian assistance in response to international crises and disasters. OFDA is part of the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA). OFDA is organized into three divisions, under the management of the Office of the Director. The Disaster Response and Mitigation (DRM) Division is responsible for coordinating with other organizations for the provision of relief supplies and humanitarian assistance.  DRM also devises, coordinates, and implements program strategies for a variety of natural and human caused disaster situations. DRM hires sector specialists to provide technical expertise in assessing the quality of disaster response. The Program Support (PS) Division provides programmatic and administrative support including budget/financial services, procurement planning, contracts and grants administration, and communication support for OFDA’s Washington and field offices. The Operations (OPS) Division develops and manages logistical, operational, and technical support for disaster responses and administrative support to all offices and operations. OPS maintains readiness to respond to emergencies through several mechanisms, including managing Search and Rescue (SAR) Teams, Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs), and Washington-based Response Management Teams (RMTs).

The Program Officer will be a part of OFDA’s Europe, Middle East and Central Asia (EMCA) regional team within the DRM Division, as well as the part of the USAID/DCHA team in Baghdad.

OBJECTIVE

 

The SMT has determined that OFDA needs to maintain a Program Officer in Baghdad to meet its program objectives.  The Program Officer provides a critical on the ground link to implementing partners and other U.S. government programs. 

 

STATEMENT OF WORK

 

The Program Officer is responsible for coordinating response activities, for monitoring existing programs, and for the identification and formulation of new programs in conjunction with current and possible future OFDA partners, in order to fulfill OFDA’s objectives in Iraq.  The Program Officer will serve as OFDA’s principal liaison in Baghdad for coordination with the U.S. Embassy, USAID Mission, relevant Ministries, OFDA partners, and key humanitarian actors including UN agencies, IOs, and NGOs.

 

The DCHA/OFDA Iraq Program Officer is responsible for the following:

 

Program Management and Liaison

 

The Program Officer has broad programmatic responsibilities in a complex, high profile setting; is expected to exercise independent judgment; and is considered an expert in emergency humanitarian assistance.  Working under the guidance and supervision of the EMCA Regional Coordinator, the Program Officer will:

 

• manage and monitor DCHA/OFDA’s Iraq program;
• troubleshoot and resolve critical programmatic problems at the local and national levels;
• recommend appropriate multi-sectoral relief assistance and emergency interventions;
• review and provide recommendations on new proposals solicited under the OFDA Annual Program Statement for Iraq;
• manage existing DCHA/OFDA cooperative agreement programs, including reviewing implementation plans (IPs), providing recommendations, and communicating with partners on the development of IPs in coordination with OFDA/Washington;
• coordinate and maintain close liaison with representatives of the U.S. Mission, relevant ministries, donor governments, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations to ensure efficient and coordinated programs;
• coordinate and maintain close liaison with Coalition forces Civil Affairs units on humanitarian issues;
• coordinate closely with other DCHA personnel and USAID Mission in order to ensure a program that is well integrated with DCHA’s and USAID’s overall objectives;
• develop response strategies;
• assist OFDA/Logistics in coordinating the requests, receipt, distribution, tracking, and accounting of relief supplies provided by OFDA;
• as principal OFDA representative, supervise/direct work of other OFDA field staff.
• facilitate and coordinate the arrival and departure of additional OFDA/Washington personnel, as necessary.

 

Reporting

• Reporting is a key function of all OFDA field personnel.  The Program Officer will work closely with partners, and OFDA the Information Officer, to ensure a steady supply of news of progress of OFDA-funded programs into the reporting stream from Baghdad.

 

Security

• OFDA Field Personnel will adhere strictly to U.S. Embassy and Mission security guidelines and will coordinate any travel outside the “Green Zone” with the DCHA Team Leader, USAID/EXO, and other relevant parties.  All travel outside Baghdad must be cleared with OFDA/Washington as well.

 

 

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP:  The DCHA/OFDA Iraq Program Officer works under the supervision of and reports directly to the EMCA Regional Coordinator, DCHA/OFDA, Washington, DC.   For day-to-day field activities, the DCHA/OFDA Program Officer will also report directly to the DCHA Team Leader, and to the USAID Mission through DCHA.

 

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:  Supervisory controls will be minimal.  The Incumbent is expected to act independently with little direction and will have wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment.  The supervisor will provide administrative direction in terms of broadly defined goals and objectives.

 

BASIC REQUIREMENTS AND SELECTIVE FACTORS: Candidates not meeting all of the basic qualifications and selective factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.

 

·         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

OR

·         Masters 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

 

 

• Ability to obtain a Secret level security clearance as provided by USAID.

 

• US Citizenship.

 

 

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

 

QRF #1            Relevant work experience in disaster response/preparedness/mitigation and humanitarian assistance;        

 

QRF #2            Served overseas for the USG as a Field Officer, Administrative Officer, Program Officer or Information Officer while working in a disaster or humanitarian relief situation overseas, Iraq and/or Middle East experience preferred;

 

QRF #3            Demonstrated program development, assessment, strategic planning, and/or administrative coordination experience in the field of disaster response/preparedness/mitigation and humanitarian assistance;

 

QRF #4            Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse array of individuals and organizations involved in disaster response/preparedness/mitigation and humanitarian assistance, including U.S. Government agencies (e.g., USAID, State Department, Department of Defense, CDC, NOAA, USGS), international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and UN agencies;

 

QRF #5            Work experience with the U.S. Government, an international organization or a non-governmental organization in a team leader or management position;

BASIS OF RATING: Applicants who meet the basic qualifications and selection factors will be further evaluated based on the quality ranking factors. As a result, applicants are required to submit a cover letter that addresses each of the factors and describes specifically and accurately what experience, training, education, and/or awards you have received that are relevant.  Also include the duration of the activity, if relevant. Failure to address every factor may result in your not receiving credit for all of your pertinent experience.

The above QRFs have been assigned the following points:

QRF #1 –   10 points

QRF #2 –   10 points

QRF #3 –   10 points

QRF #4 –   10 points

QRF #5 –   10 points

Total Points – 50

IMPORTANT NOTE CONCERNING THE FIRST CUT-OFF AND THE CLOSING DATE:

All applications submitted before the first cut-off on October 13, 2004 will be reviewed by the Selection Committee. The Selection Committee will make a determination whether to interview select candidates at this point or wait until the solicitation closes.

This solicitation will close on October 26, 2004. If you submit application materials at any time for this solicitation, your materials will be reviewed by the Selection Committee. You DO NOT need to resubmit materials to meet each deadline.

WHERE AND HOW TO APPLY: 

 

Qualified individuals are required to submit:

 

1. A U.S. Government Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612 (available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms or internet http://fillform.gsa.gov, or at Federal offices) or www.globalcorps.com
2. Cover Letter specifically addressing each Quality Ranking Factor (QRF)

 

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. 

 

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

Via facsímile: 240-465-0244

Via email: iraq@globalcorps.com

 

The most qualified candidates may be interviewed and required to provide a writing sample. It is also possible that reference checks may be conducted on those candidates selected for an interview. OFDA will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews.

 

LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCS

 

Forms outlined below can found at:

http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/forms.html.

 

   1. Optional Form 612 or Standard Form 171.

   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). **

 

* 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.

 

CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBS) PERTAINING TO PSCS

 

CIBs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts.  Please refer to http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/psccibs.html to determine which CIBs apply to this contract.

 

BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES:

 

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

 

BENEFITS:

 

Employer's FICA Contribution
Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance
Pay Comparability Adjustment
Annual Increase
Eligibility for Worker's Compensation
Annual & Sick Leave

Eligibility for 401(k)

 

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).

 

* Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas).

 

FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes.

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 FACTO