Senior Program Officer for the Humanitarian Information Unit

SOLICITATION NO: M/OP-02-1906
ISSUANCE DATE: September 10, 2002
CLOSING DATE: September 23, 2002   – 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST)

SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (PSC)

Senior Program Officer

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 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-02-1906
2. ISSUANCE DATE: September 10, 2002
3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS:  September 23, 2002 – 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST)
4. POSITION TITLE: Senior Program Officer for the Humanitarian Information Unit
5. MARKET VALUE: $78,265 - $101,742
6. INITIAL PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: October 7, 2002 - October 6, 2004
7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Washington, DC
8. JOB DESCRIPTION (TO INCLUDE EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR POSITION):

 

The Humanitarian Information Unit (HIU) is an interagency collaborative effort led by the Department of State, Bureau for Intelligence and Research, Office of Geographic and Global Issues (INR/GGI).   The purpose of the HIU is to improve U.S. Government planning and response to overseas humanitarian crises and complex emergencies by providing better baseline data, streamlining data requirements, and enhancing information management and dissemination.  The HIU will collect, disseminate, and promote the use of unclassified data for overseas humanitarian crises in which US Government, civilian, and/or military agencies are engaged either directly or indirectly.  It will serve as the nucleus for value-added information that can be used by national-level and field-level decision-makers to assess conditions and factors affecting humanitarian and peacekeeping operations.  It will also be tasked with rapid assimilation of standardized “core” data sets that are unclassified, geo-referenced, and packaged with portable information management tools for U.S. supported field missions.  In addition, the HIU will help coordinate US government responses to requests for unclassified information from non-USG agencies and foreign governments during complex emergencies. 

 

Statement of Duties:

 

The Senior Program Officer will function in the capacity of a team leader in the Humanitarian Information Unit specializing in humanitarian information sharing and knowledge management.  The incumbent will serve as a technical liaison between DCHA/OFDA and the Humanitarian Information Unit.  The incumbent will also serve as Team Leader for the Information Management Systems team within the HIU and will provide quality assurance and oversee the work of professional staff and contractors in the unit.  The incumbent will provide technical and managerial leadership in the design, adaptation, use and dissemination of data management tools, including geographic information systems (GIS), for international humanitarian assistance programs, complex emergencies, and peacekeeping operations. 

 

The Senior Program Officer will monitor ongoing complex emergencies and areas prone to humanitarian emergencies, gather relevant unclassified data and coordinate dissemination and reporting of geo-referenced information relevant to military and civilian agencies.  He/she will develop and promote data sharing protocols among participating military and civilian agencies to ensure streamlined and transparent exchange of operational data during a crisis.  The incumbent will review, test, and make recommendations on new commercial data management tools for more efficient field data collection, operational analysis, and dissemination.  The incumbent will coordinate and collaborate with US government civilian and military agencies, UN agencies, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations that are involved in humanitarian operations either directly or indirectly. 

 

The Senior Program Officer will report to the Director of the HIU.  The incumbent will oversee the information technology aspects of HIU initiatives including assessment, planning, management, communication, and evaluation of data collection and information dissemination processes developed by the HIU.  In his/her capacity as a team leader, the incumbent will be required to develop collaborative relationships and brief senior officials within various USG civilian agencies and departments, senior level military officers, UN officials, and non-governmental organization representatives. 

 

The specific duties of the Senior Program Officer shall include but not be limited to the following:

 

1.      Recommend a USG humanitarian assistance information dissemination and knowledge management strategy for selected humanitarian emergencies, including among others, southern Africa regional drought, Sudan complex emergency, and Afghanistan drought/complex emergency.  Such strategies would include developing scientific and operational networks, developing institutional data sharing agreements, and standardizing reporting and dissemination processes.

2.      Compile geospatial sensing imagery and other geo-referenced data sets to form humanitarian planning map baselines for crisis prone areas.

3.      Direct the Unit’s efforts in preparing analyses of geo-referenced data to address specific information requirements of humanitarian assistance efforts such as food security, de-mining, infectious diseases, and conflict management and mitigation.   

4.      Perform CTO functions for the INDUS Corporation contract for development of customized GIS, data management, and web development tools for HIU.

5.      Perform CTO functions for the TASC contract for systems engineering and technical support to HIU.

6.      Provide technical and managerial direction to a team of professional geographers and information systems specialists who are or who will be detailed to the HIU from cooperating USG agencies.

7.      Conduct a detailed assessment of availability of critical information and gaps for selected humanitarian emergencies.  Inventory existing humanitarian data, information and knowledge resources both within the US Government and from external sources (UN, NGOs, governments, academia/research, media, etc.) and disseminate such inventories to collaborating partners.

8.      Oversee design of customized processes, products and systems for addressing information gaps, distributing information/knowledge to US Government personnel who can use it, and applying or re-using existing information/knowledge products and services.

9.      Oversee the development of an HIU Internet site for participating agencies.

10.  Coordinate data/information/knowledge collection and dissemination protocols with other USG civilian and military agencies, other donors, the UN policy and operational agencies, NGOs, and IO representatives.  This will improve the effectiveness of information sharing, avoid duplication, and optimize individual resources.

11.  Promote and facilitate within the US Government civilian and military humanitarian sector, improved integration and application of knowledge management best practices, systems and tools, including knowledge maps, repositories and portals, virtual collaboration processes, data mining and synthesis tools, lessons learned and best practices databases, and expert networks/directories.

12.  Establish information sharing and knowledge application processes and relationships among US Government civilian and military organizations to overcome information stovepipes and to improve technical, cultural and workflow communication and knowledge exchange processes.

13.  As team leader for the Information Management System team, ensure that administrative and programmatic operations are carried out effectively and efficiently and recommend changes where necessary.

14.  Establish regular and effective reporting and communication channels with offices in USAID Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance Bureau and with senior U.S. officials in the affected countries.

15.  Ensure that the USG media/information policies are adhered to by HIU staff. Approve and ensure all clearances for official communications, cables and other external correspondence.

16.  Prepare and conduct briefings and presentations to senior USG officials from National Security Council, the Department of State, the Department of Defense, and US Agency for International Development as requested.

 

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)

 

·         Master’s Degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field (including but not limited to international affairs, public policy, information science, journalism, or a related field.

• Minimum 10 years experience in humanitarian information collection, management, use and dissemination at the headquarters or country office level.
• 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.

 

·         Demonstrated familiarity with civilian and military USG-supported missions planning for and responding to natural disasters and complex humanitarian emergencies.  

 

·         Demonstrated experience providing, analyzing, and/or disseminating unclassified information related to international natural and man-made disasters.

 

·         Strong sectoral knowledge of humanitarian issues in complex emergencies, including but not limited to public health, shelter, food, water/sanitation, non-food, agriculture, logistics, security, UN participation etc. 

 

·         Demonstrated experience working within the United Nations humanitarian and emergency response system

 

·         Demonstrated ability designing, creating, and maintaining information systems, websites, and internal databases.

 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as demonstrated through the preparation of briefing packets, reports, memos, cables, and other official documents.

 

 

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

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.