TITLE: Senior Regional Advisor

ISSUANCE DATE: August 23, 2001

CLOSING DATE: October 1, 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-02-003

2. ISSUANCE DATE: August 23, 2001

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED

FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: October 1, 2001

4. POSITION TITLE: Senior Regional Advisor

5. MARKET VALUE: $79,710 to $103,623 annually

6. INITIAL PERIOD

OF PERFORMANCE: Approx. November 1, 2001 to October 31, 2003

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Nairobi, Kenya

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

Senior Regional Advisor: Africa Regional Office - East, Central and Southern Africa (ARO/ECS)

The U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) is recruiting a Senior Regional Advisor (SRA) Personal Services Contractor (PSC) to head OFDA’s Africa Regional Office (ARO) based in Nairobi, Kenya. As OFDA's senior official in the East, Central, and South (ECS) region, the SRA will be responsible for managing the office and its multifaceted operations. Given the extreme diversity of country contexts and capacities, as well as the range of hazards, including drought, floods, and ongoing civil strife, the SRA will be responsible for overseeing OFDA's varied portfolio of response, preparedness, and mitigation activities in the region.

Statement of Duties and Responsibilities

The contractor is responsible for the following:

I. Strategy and Policy Development

The ARO Senior Regional Advisor will collaborate and coordinate BHR/OFDA strategies and programs with the USAID Missions and Embassies in the assigned region. Specifically, the contractor will:

a. In collaboration with OFDA/Washington (OFDA/W), lead and direct the efforts of the ARO in developing and refining a strategic vision for OFDA within the ECS region.

b. Direct and ensure that the ARO provides strategic analysis and regular reporting on potential and ongoing disasters, broad humanitarian developments and issues in order to guide OFDA programming decisions.

c. Coordinate with OFDA/W and USAID Missions/Embassies in the region to develop OFDA bilateral and regional disaster response and mitigation strategies.

d. Ensure, to the extent possible, that all US government assistance is consistent and compatible with the USAID/OFDA program in the affected country and that relief and preparedness assistance is offered and managed in the most efficient manner.

e. Seek opportunities to initiate mitigation measures which are linked to the rehabilitation, recovery and development processes.

II. Disaster Response

In response to declared disasters in East, Central and Southern Africa the SRA will:

a. In consultation with OFDA/W, dispatch appropriate personnel from the ARO, to the disaster locations in the region for emergency assessment and/or response activities.

b. Serve as advisor to the US Ambassador/Chief of Mission and to the USAID Mission Director on matters concerning disaster response in the region.

c. Provide the Chief of Mission and USAID Director with prompt assessments of damage and needs. Recommend appropriate levels of U.S. Government relief response.

d. Coordinate and maintain close liaison with host nation government and national and international non-governmental organizations (NGO) responding to the disaster in the affected country. As required, the SRA shall assist national organizations with damage/needs assessments, external communications and liaison with regional, United Nations (UN) and international organizations.

e. Coordinate with regional, UN and international organizations responding to the disaster to ensure the efficient and coordinated use of disaster resources.

f. Coordinate the requests, receipt, distribution, tracking and accounting for relief supplies provided by USAID/OFDA.

g. Facilitate and coordinate the arrival and departure of Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DART) with the US Mission/ Embassy and, as required and after training, serve as the DART Team Leader for short periods of time (not to exceed 6 weeks).

h. Maintain consistent communications with OFDA/W and encourage US Missions to send situation reports on a timely basis.

i. Provide OFDA/W with essential information required for the development of the final disaster report.

III. Disaster Management

The SRA shall assist host governments, regional organizations, UN, international, and non-governmental organizations in developing strong emergency/disaster preparedness and response capacities.

Areas to be addressed include:

1. Preparedness/Planning

a. In close collaboration with OFDA/W and other USG agencies, as appropriate, develop and implement training programs and other activities to increase host-country and cooperating national, regional and international partner disaster management capacity.

b. With support of OFDA/W, assist USAID Missions to include: risk management of potential disasters in their strategic plans and programs, crisis modifiers in their programming strategies, and integration of mitigation activities into development programs.

c. Work with country and regional groups to develop unified approaches for mitigation interventions in order to address key factors for vulnerable groups. With support of OFDA/W, develop early analytical input of climatic information to prepare for potential disasters such as droughts and floods.

2. Mitigation/Planning

a. With support from OFDA/W and in close collaboration with International Organizations, country and regional institutions, and NGOs, develop programs for hazard/vulnerability/risk analysis/assessments in order to improve the targeting of response interventions.

b. With support from OFDA/W and in close collaboration with USAID Missions, country and regional groups, and NGOs, develop and pilot sector mitigation strategies/activities with particular emphasis on regional impacts.

IV. Management of the OFDA Africa Regional Office

The OFDA/ARO is a fully functioning organizational entity requiring management in the areas of budget/finance, personnel, administrative support and procurement. As such, the SRA will be responsible for management of these efforts to ensure that operations are appropriate, financially prudent and consistent with existing USG policies, regulations, and guidance. The SRA shall be responsible for:

1. Managing the Africa Regional Office, including but not limited to the following:

a. Preparing strategic plans, operational guidelines, staffing patterns, scopes of work, administrative notices, and other documents as required by the Africa Regional Office.

b. Participate in the recruitment, selection and training of all additional professional and support staff for the OFDA Africa Regional Office.

2. Administration/Management of the Africa Regional Office including, but not limited to the following:

a. Recruit, train and supervise appropriate expatriate, third country (TCN) and foreign-service national (FSN) staff in Nairobi, Kenya. As required, provide support to other OFDA-funded staff located throughout the ECS region. Prepare annual performance evaluations of staff.

b. Prepare and administer the OFDA/ARO annual work plan and disaster management training activities. Develop financial plans and resource requests for the OFDA/ARO and make recommendations for program budget levels to OFDA/W.

c. Participate in OFDA/W strategic planning, portfolio reviews and budget process.

d. Coordinate and manage the activities of all OFDA ARO professional and support staff. As required, provide programmatic, strategic, and administrative support to Emergency Disaster Relief Coordinators (EDRCs) and other OFDA personnel in East, Central and Southern Africa.

e. As required, request support from other OFDA regional offices around the world and, as requested, provide ARO expertise and support to assist OFDA in other regions of the world.

3. Reporting

a. The Senior Regional Advisor will report to the Deputy Director, OFDA/W.

b. Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Director, OFDA, the ARO Senior Regional Advisor will report all in-country activities to the U.S. Ambassador to Kenya and will coordinate with the USAID/Kenya, USAID/REDSO, and BHR/OFDA Division Directors.

b. Serve as the primary point of contact for OFDA issues with U.S. Embassies and USAID Missions in the Africa sub-region.

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 selective factors are considered NOT qualified for the position)

· Five years of experience in the management of disaster programs in headquarters and field operations including both complex and natural disasters.

· Three years of experience in the management of disaster programs in multiple countries in Africa.

· Proficiency in at least one major African language such as French, Portuguese, or Swahili.

· Graduate degree in International Relations, African studies, management and administration, conflict resolution, or other relevant field OR bachelor’s degree in International Relations, African studies, management and administration, conflict resolution, or other relevant field and 10 years experience.

NOTE: Please read the “Basis of Rating” section above. 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.

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

· Additional experience in management of disaster programs in excess of the minimums stated above.

· Demonstrated ability to manage (1) staff of varied nationalities and cultural backgrounds, (2) day to day operations of a busy, multi-faceted office, (3) other senior professionals

· Demonstrated ability to conduct programmatic and strategic analysis, and develop strategic plans and frameworks for disaster response and mitigation activities.

· Demonstrated diplomatic and interpersonal skills to work effectively with (1) host governments, (2) other donors and diplomatic missions, (3) international and national non-governmental organizations, (4) Department of State, (5) U.S. military, and (6) Members of Congress.

· Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate, in both oral and written formats, in order to represent BHR/OFDA with other senior personnel from the community listed above.

· Demonstrated commitment to the strategic approaches which form the foundation of the regional office, such as: participation of local nationals, strategic and analytical development, assessment-based programming, integration of efforts with USAID and other U.S. Government priorities, and preparedness and mitigation activities.

· Demonstrated ability to provide accurate, objective, and well-reasoned analysis and assessments of the political, social and economic contexts of complex emergencies in which OFDA operations are conducted.

· Experience with and knowledge of US Embassy and USAID environments, to include demonstrated knowledge of the budgeting process, hiring mechanisms, administration, and formulation of programmatic priorities within the non-disaster offices of USAID.

· Proficiency in additional major African language(s) such as French, Portuguese, or Swahili.

· Demonstrated ability to us the Microsoft Office products and ability to learn new computer software packages and databases.

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.