Regional Advisor for Latin America and the Caribbean

SOLICITATION NO: M/OP-02-1297
ISSUANCE DATE: June 12, 2002
CLOSING DATE:  June 26, 2002 – 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST)

SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (PSC)

Regional Advisor for Latin America and the Caribbean

Gentlemen/Ladies:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA), 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.

Applicants are required to sign the certification at the end of the OF-612 or SF-171.  Applications that are received without signature will not be considered for the position.

Questions may be directed to Heather Cameron 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-02-1297
2. ISSUANCE DATE: June 12, 2002
3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: June 26, 2002 – 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST)
4. POSITION TITLE: Regional Advisor for Latin America and the Caribbean
5. MARKET VALUE: $70,205 - $91,265
6. INITIAL PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: August 1, 2002 – July 31, 2004
7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Bridgetown, Barbados
8. JOB DESCRIPTION (TO INCLUDE EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR POSITION):

 

Latin America and the Caribbean are extremely vulnerable to natural and technological disasters that have grown worse in recent years due to population pressures, large investments in infrastructure in vulnerable areas, and rapid industrialization.   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 Regional Advisor for LAC will be based in Bridgetown, Barbados and will report to the Senior Regional Advisor for LAC in Costa Rica.  The LAC Regional Advisor will be responsible for program monitoring and implementation of the 2001-2006 OFDA Strategic Plan for LAC in collaboration with the OFDA/Washington LAC Regional Team.  The specific duties and responsibilities of the Regional Advisor for LAC will include:

 

1) Responding to humanitarian emergencies--natural, technological and conflict-related disasters--in LAC and, as required, worldwide.  The incumbent will be required to travel on short notice for periods up to 30 days as a critical component of U.S. Government disaster and humanitarian response capacity.  As a part of this travel, the incumbent will conduct initial assessments of damage and humanitarian needs, recommend appropriate relief assistance/interventions, and facilitate and coordinate actual U.S. Government emergency response activities;

 

         2) Maintaining close relations with USAID Missions, U.S. Embassies, host governments, and with national, international and non-governmental organizations that provide disaster relief assistance and/or engage in disaster preparedness or mitigation activities in LAC.  As required, the incumbent shall assist (and coordinate, as appropriate) these entities with needs assessments and in identifying appropriate program content, and shall facilitate liaison with other regional, international and UN organizations;

 

3) Assist national emergency organizations, non-governmental organizations, and other risk managers in LAC in developing strong emergency/disaster preparedness organizations.  Specifically the incumbent will assist countries in:

a.  Preparedness, in the design, development, and implementation of technical assistance programs, training, and simulation exercises in risk management.

b.  Mitigation, in the development of program assistance for hazard, vulnerability, and risk analysis.

 

         4) Identifying opportunities for initiation of mitigation measures that could be linked to disaster response activities, with a view toward reducing the vulnerability of natural disaster-prone communities; and

 

5) Serving as Disaster Assistance Response Team Leader or DART Member when DARTs are dispatched to LAC.

 

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 QUALIFICATIONS AND SELECTIVE FACTORS:

 (Determines basic eligibility for the position. Candidates not meeting all of the basic qualifications and selection factors are considered NOT qualified for the position)

 

·         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 (2) 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 (4) years of progressively responsible experience in emergency relief and humanitarian assistance.

 

·         2 years of experience in disaster management in the assigned region.

 

·         Ability to obtain a security clearance as provided by USAID.

·         U.S. Citizen.

 

 

QUALITY RANKING FACTORS:

(Determines the ranking of qualified candidates in comparison to other applicants) The factors are listed in the order of importance from the highest to the least.

 

·         Knowledge and/or work experience with OFDA or other USG humanitarian relief agency.

 

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

 

·         Demonstrated understanding of risk management including training, technical assistance, and mitigation activities related to disasters.

 

·         Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills in French and Spanish.

 

·         Knowledge of and experience in dealing with foreign governments, other USG agencies including the State Department, Department of Defense, USAID Regional Missions, as well as other US organizations, donor governments, and international organizations involved in humanitarian response.

 

 

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 signed OF-612, Optional Application for Federal Employment, or SF-171, Application for Federal Employment. You include a resume as an annex to either of these forms. 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. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that applications are mailed in time to get them to the destination by the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date and time will be considered late, unless there is acceptable evidence to establish that it was received at the Government installation prior to the time and date specified in the solicitation.  
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

Eligibility for 401(k)

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.