Program Officer for Southern Sudan

SOLICITATION NO: M/OP/DCHA/DOFDA-04-642
ISSUANCE DATE:  February 20, 2004
CLOSING DATE: March 5, 2004 – 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST)

SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (PSC)

Program Officer for Southern Sudan

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 Jesse Freese 202-661-9366 or Stephanie Paul 202-661-9369, or Fax at 240-465-0244 or via e-mail at sudan@globalcorps.com. Applicants should retain copies of all enclosures that accompany their proposals.

Sincerely,

Joseph Lentini
Contracting Officer

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: M/OP/DCHA/DOFDA-04-642
2. ISSUANCE DATE: February 20, 2004
3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: March 5, 2004– 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST)

4. POSITION TITLE: Program Officer for Southern Sudan
5. MARKET VALUE: $62,170 - $80,818
6. INITIAL PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: June 7, 2004 – June 6, 2006
7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Nairobi, Kenya
8. JOB DESCRIPTION (TO INCLUDE EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR POSITION):

 

Please see below for:

(1)        Note Concerning Place of Performance

(2)        Note Concerning Dual-Citizenship

 

Program Officer for Southern Sudan

 

DCHA/OFDA Program Officers are primary points of contact for DCHA/OFDA in the field in specific countries. They are responsible for developing strategies and plans, reviewing proposals, monitoring grants, liaising with grantees and other members of the humanitarian community, and reporting on the humanitarian situation.

 

DCHA/OFDA currently has a Southern Sudan Program Officer based in Nairobi, and is now recruiting for a second Southern Sudan Program Officer, which is the focus of this solicitation.

 

The Program Officer will be based in Nairobi, and travel frequently to Southern Sudan. S/he will split responsibility for the DCHA/OFDA portfolio with the current Program Officer.

 

The new Program Officer will work on a day-to-day basis as part of USAID’s Sudan Field Office. S/he will work collaboratively with the current Program Officer and the OFDA/Washington Sudan team, consisting of a Sudan Coordinator and Disaster Operations Specialists DOSs responsible for programs in the Sudan, maintaining daily contact to manage the grant portfolio.

 

This position requires substantial, daily coordination with several DCHA/OFDA staff members, as well as representatives from other USAID offices and the humanitarian community, and therefore requires the person to have a very collaborative work style.

 

The new Program Officer will report to DCHA/OFDA/Washington's Sudan Coordinator. The Program Officer will be attached to the USAID Sudan Field Office and also report to the director of this office on day-to-day activities

 

The Southern Sudan Program Officer's responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following:

 

• Nairobi and in-country presence. Serves as one of the principle contact points for DCHA/OFDA in Nairobi and Southern Sudan for humanitarian issues related to southern Sudan. Maintains regular contact with USAID's Regional Office in Nairobi (REDSO), DCHA/OFDA’s Africa Regional Office and DCHA/OFDA grantees, as well as other UN agencies, International Organizations (IOs), and NGOs. Meets regularly with U.S. government personnel, donors, Southern Sudanese authorities, and others on humanitarian issues.

 

• Coordination. Coordinates closely with Sudan Field Office and OFDA/ARO staff  on reporting on humanitarian issues and programmatic matters.

 

• Reporting. Provides regular reporting, through official cables and other means, on issues related to the humanitarian situation in southern Sudan. 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.

 

• Strategy implementation and planning. Participates in development and implementation of DCHA/OFDA and USAID strategy and plans for Sudan.

 

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

 

• Program management. Monitors and evaluates DCHA/OFDA-funded programs. Visits DCHA/OFDA-funded projects on a regular basis, as security permits. Reports to DCHA/OFDA on the quality of the grantee's work, noting deficiencies, attributes and evolving operational conditions. Following discussions with DCHA/OFDA, recommends to the grantee corrective actions. It is therefore expected that the Program Officer would travel frequently, as security permits, to areas throughout Southern Sudan.

 

·         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, 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 all of 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.

 

• Two years experience with humanitarian relief programs in areas of civil strife.

 

• Ability to obtain a USAID security clearance

 

• 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.

 

• Additional years of direct experience with humanitarian relief programs in areas of civil strife above that required in the Basic Qualifications and Selective Factors

 

• Recent Sudan-related work experience (including both field and headquarters)

 

• Experience in coordinating relief activities with USG agencies and offices (such as the State Department, USAID Missions, OFDA, FFP), UN and other international organizations, other donor governments, and non-governmental organizations

 

• Direct work experience with OFDA or other USG humanitarian agency responsible for funding, managing, and monitoring portfolio of humanitarian activities

 

• Experience in strategic planning and the design/development of response strategies to complex emergencies

 

(1) NOTE CONCERNING PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:

 

The expected place of performance is Nairobi, Kenya but may be relocated to another country within the region, including within southern Sudan, if the situation warrants.  The duties to be performed will remain the same regardless of location.

 

(2) NOTE CONCERNING DUAL-CITIZENSHIP:

 

Dual citizens may be asked to renounce second-country citizenship.

 

 

WHERE TO APPLY:
Via mail: GlobalCorps, 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20004
Via facsimile: 240-465-0244
Via email: sudan@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.

I. How To Apply
A. Submit a SIGNED OF-612 (Optional Application for Federal Employment) or a SIGNED SF-171 (Application for Federal Employment). You may also include a resume and cover letter as part of your application; however, these documents do not replace the federal forms.

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.