Democratic Republic of the Congo: US/TCN Personal Service Contractor Peace and Security Office Senior Advisor

SUBJECT: Solicitation for a United States Citizens and Third Country National Personal Service Contractor (U.S / TCN PSC) Peace and Security Office “PSO” Senior Advisor in the DRC
Dear Prospective Offerors:
The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking offers from qualified persons to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation.
Offers must be in accordance with Attachment 1, Sections I through V of this solicitation. Incomplete or unsigned offers will not be considered. Offerors should retain copies of all offer materials for their records.
This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the offers.

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: SOL-660-17-000002
2. ISSUANCE DATE: February 26, 2018
3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: March 26, 2018 at 17.00 Kinshasa time
4. POSITION TITLE: Peace and Security Office “PSO” Senior Advisor
5. MARKET VALUE: $89,370-$116,181 equivalent to GS-14
   In accordance with AIDAR Appendix D and J
   Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.
6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: A base of two (2) years with an option of one year extensions up to a maximum of 5 years. Exercise of option will depend on continuing need of services, availability of funds and satisfactory or better performance.
7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Democratic of the Congo, Kinshasa
   with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Work.
8. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: U.S citizens: Security clearance/ Third Country National: Facility Access
9. STATEMENT OF DUTIES
   USAID/DRC’s CDCS integrates investments in education, democracy and governance, health, social protection, peace and stability, economic growth, and humanitarian assistance into three cross-cutting objectives. The Peace and Security Office (PSO) coordinates programming under CDCS Transition Objective 3 (TO3): Foundation for durable peace strengthened in eastern DRC and manages social protection and peacebuilding programming in the Central African Republic (CAR). Finally, PSO leads the Conflict Advisory Group created to incorporate conflict sensitivity into programming across geographical and technical areas.
   The primary role of the PSO Senior Advisor will be to help the PSO Office Director to coordinate a large and politically important portfolio, to ensure effective implementation of PSO-managed activities, and manage the CAG. The PSO Senior Advisor will also provide supervision of up to four FSNs and one USPSC. The PSO Senior Advisor also serves as one of the Mission's senior technical and policy analysts in peacebuilding, conflict sensitivity, and social protection.
   S/he identifies PSO priorities and coordinates with other teams to maximize synergies across portfolios. S/he assists in managing the PSO program's budgeting, planning,
   design, procurement, implementation, evaluation and monitoring, and reporting efforts. S/he coordinates with other U.S. Government agencies and participates on various committees. S/he may represent the Mission's PSO programs to other donors, non-governmental organizations, senior host-government counterparts and private sector groups, undertaking site visits throughout eastern Congo to monitor programs and inform policy and strategic direction.
   MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
   The major duties and responsibilities of the PSO Senior Advisor include:
   Alternate Member of Senior Mission Management Team 10%
   The Senior Advisor may be asked to serve as acting Office Director, recommending to the Mission Director and Deputy Mission Director actions that result in the effective use of resources; the development of operating policies and procedures that are clear, complete and address organizational issues; the implementation of Mission and Agency policies/procedures in a transparent and equitable fashion, supporting efforts to address Mission program priorities, and providing guidance in meeting future development challenges.
   For these purposes, the incumbent carries out the following:
   Advises senior Mission management on the political, economic and social developments affecting the promotion of peace in eastern DRC;
   Serves as one of the USG’s principal liaison with the GDRC counterparts at the national, provincial, and local levels who are active in peace;
   Actively participate on the stabilization donor working group thus playing a pivotal role in the effective management of donor resources directed to promoting peace in eastern DRC;
   Coordinates with the Mission’s Development Outreach Communications (DOC) Officer on all outreach activities as well as reports and correspondence related to the PSO portfolio for public consumption, and;
   Acts as an official USAID representative on field visits to activity sites; ascertains progress, identifies delays and problems and recommends solutions.
   Co-lead and manage PSO 50%
   The Senior Advisor supports the PSO Director in overall management responsibility for the entire office;
   The PSO Senior Advisor maintains effective lines of communications (both formal and informal) with Mission Senior Staff, other Mission Teams, and within the PSO; with appropriate officials of the GDRC and provincial leaders; and with public; and with key stakeholders in USAID/Washington leading to greater information-sharing opportunities, knowledge exchange, and accelerated decision-making;
   The PSO Senior Advisor manages Office staff workloads effectively so as to reflect Mission program priorities and stimulate opportunities for professional growth and enhancement;
   The PSO Senior Advisor will assist in the day-to-day management of the PSO portfolio, including recommendations to the Office Director on work priorities, activity implementation, identifying and resolving program issues, assuring that all activities are carried out in a technically sound and cost-effective manner, recommending responsibility for program management and implementation matters for Office Director action, and assuring that activities are carried out in accordance with all applicable Mission and Agency directives and requirements;
   Oversees the Agency planning and reporting processes for PSO, including assignment of tasks and quality control for the preparation and submission of relevant components to the annual Operational Plan (OP), Performance Plan and Report (PPR), Congressional Budget Justification (CBJ), Mission Resource Request (MRR), and ad hoc taskers, factsheets, and reports under direction of the Office Director.
   Works with PSO staff, identifies areas where knowledge and skills need to be enhanced, completes and manages annually Individual Training Plans with each PSO member and creates the PSO training plan/request for Office Director. Trains PSO FSNs to assume duties under this position description as feasible, thereby minimizing Mission vulnerabilities while ensuring that staffs have opportunities to learn, develop and apply themselves. Follows-up with those staff receiving training as to how the skills/knowledge gained from the training will be applied; and,
   Provides on a semi-annual basis, feedback on performance leading to an annual performance evaluation completed for each staff member s/he supervises.
   Provide Technical Oversight 40%
   Works closely, and in a highly participatory manner, with Mission technical offices, other DO teams, partners, and customers to lead and coordinate the planning, design, implementation, monitoring, and follow-on of activities to achieve a high level of excellence in program impact and cost-effectiveness;
   Is the PSO Director’s alternate as a liaison to relevant Bureaus in Washington DC, including the Africa Bureau and the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance;
   Provides technical expertise on peace and security, social protection, including gender-based violence, and conflict sensitivity mentoring and training PSO staff as well as other mission offices;
   May serve as a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR), or alternate to provide project management, oversight, and support as needed and if so qualified. In coordination with the contractors/grantees, drafts and finalizes scopes of work, budgets, and scheduling of technical assistance for portfolio activities while ensuring timely and systematic submission of reports;
   Measures cross-sectoral activities implemented TO3, including progress against established goals and objectives in the Mission CDCS and the Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) (and updates the PMP as required);
   In coordination with the Program and Financial Management Offices ensures correct funding levels and appropriate expenditures are maintained and accounted for; ensures that funds are used appropriately and within budgetary limits; analyzes expenditures for approval and approves corresponding documentation; and prepares budget analyses for activity monitoring and reporting;
   Ensures that all PSO procurement actions are coordinated in a timely fashion;
   Reviews necessary activity appraisal and contractors' performance reports. Drafts and presents other activity documents for clearance, consideration, and approval. Takes the lead in drafting responses to incoming related correspondence, ensuring Mission clearance and timely responses.
   Conduct/Travel/Reporting/Liaison
   The PSO Senior Advisor will perform all duties under this position description either independently or, as required, as part of the teams identified above, according to established Mission policies, practices and programmatic guidance, and in accordance with all applicable USAID regulations and guidance as provided in the USAID Automated Directive System (ADS) and elsewhere. The PSO Senior Advisor is expected to make, with guidance and feedback from the PSO Director, independent judgments that can be defended as necessary. As a highly qualified professional, substantial reliance is placed on the employee to independently plan and carry out the specific activities entailed in fulfilling major duties and responsibilities. The employee will resolve problems that arise by determining the approaches to be taken and methodologies to be used, developing, coordinating, and clearing proposed solutions with all necessary parties, and taking appropriate actions necessary to resolve the problem.
   Regular travel to eastern DRC and to CAR is required. Some international travel may be required for training, conference attendance, or meetings.
   The PSO Senior Advisor will maintain contact and interact technically and professionally in a highly collaborative manner with a wide range of parties, including high level officials of the DRC and CAR, and other international organizations; and experts provided under assistance programs sponsored by non-governmental organizations and foreign government donors.
   The incumbent will also closely coordinate with the Mission’s other technical offices and Program Office on all matters of mutual programmatic interest.
   POSITION ELEMENTS
   a. Supervision Received/Exercised: The PSO Senior Advisor will work under the general supervision and policy guidance of the PSO Director or his/her designee. The PSO Director or his/her designee will review and approve the Senior Advisor’s work plan and performance measures. Supervision will be generally confined to weekly staff meetings and scheduled bi-weekly consultations.
   The PSO Senior Advisor is expected to work independently with limited guidance, to take initiative, to supervise FSN staff as required and described. He/she will work closely with members of other technical and support offices in the Mission, as well as other USG agencies and implementing partners who will implement the full range of USAID/DRC’s programs over a strategy period.
   b. Available Guidelines: The incumbent is required to understand and analyze Mission and Agency-specific policies and procedures which govern implementation of PSO activities, in addition to the USAID/DRC established administrative operating procedures, policies and formats. The incumbent may be required to receive AOR/COR certification and maintain certification over the life employment as well as a certified Global Acquisition and Assistance System (GLAAS) approver. The incumbent will be required to be proactive in keeping abreast of evolving guidelines and policies which affect overall support to CDCS reform within the DRC Mission, including but not limited to the ADS, Mission Orders, Mission Notices, USG Procurement regulations, and USAID and State Program Strategy and Policy Documents.
   c. Decision Making/Exercise in Judgment: At the full performance level, it is expected that the incumbent will exercise considerable independence and decision making authority in carrying out duties, subject to final review by the PSO Director.
   d. Authority to Make Commitments: The incumbent will have no independent authority to commit U.S. Government (USG) Mission funds.
   e. Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts: Contacts are with senior management within and outside USAID, which may include Congressional staff, other U.S. government officials, and government officials from other countries as appropriate, consultants, contractors, grantees, or business executives.
   f. Complexity: Analyzes inter-related issues of effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of individual contracts, grants and cooperative agreements. Develops detailed plans, goals, and objectives for the long-range implementation and administration of the PSO program, and/or develops criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the program. Decisions concerning design, planning, organizing, implementing and evaluating individual PSO activities are complicated by the difficulty of operating in a politically sensitive and sometimes unstable country. Coordination of several grantees and contractors requires in-depth knowledge of the PSO related background, capabilities and interests of the government of the DRC.
   If a third country national ( TCN) PSC is selected for the award, during the period of the contract, the TCN contractor must provide at least 1 day/month of training to a cooperating country national (CCN) designated by USAID. The PSC Supervisor will establish a training plan with benchmarks to measure the contractor’s progress toward achieving the training deliverable.
10. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S citizens and Third County Nationals
11. PHYSICAL DEMANDS
    The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.
12. POINT OF CONTACT: usaidhrkinshasa@usaid.gov
    Priscilla Sampil, Supervisory Executive Officer, psampil@usaid.gov or Ifeoma Ezeh, Deputy Executive Officer iezeh@usaid.gov
    II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
13. Education:
    a) An undergraduate degree in political science, law, human rights, international relations, African regional studies, peace-making, or a related field required.
14. Experience:
    a) A minimum of seven (7) years’ work experience in peace, stability, democracy, human rights, and governance with progressive levels of authority and responsibility managing programs, resources and personnel is required.
    b) A minimum of three years of experience in planning and program design, program planning and budgeting, and monitoring and evaluation of PSO-related activities is preferred.
    c) Experience resolving problems in a team context, while maintaining an aggressive work pace, in order to produce results under intense scrutiny is strongly preferred.
    d) Experience and familiarity with Africa, particularly the DRC and CAR, and sensitivity to socio- cultural aspects bearing on stabilization, and peacebuilding within an African context is desirable.
    e) Knowledge of USAID management and monitoring systems is desirable.
15. Knowledge and Abilities:
    a) Program Oversight: Demonstrated ability to provide oversight of large complex activities that are implemented under challenging social and political conditions.
    b) Demonstrated ability to function with minimal supervision to address complex and challenging interagency and political dynamics is required.
    c) Program Design and Implementation: Experience-based knowledge of relevant activity design, monitoring and evaluation, knowledge of USAID budgetary and procurement processes and property management principles in a developing country context, preferably with an international donor organization.
    d) Analytical Skills: Demonstrated analytical and independent decision-making skills in demanding work environments.
    e) Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Ability to engage in discussions with government officials, other donors, international implementers, non-governmental organizations, U.S. Embassy and USAID officials.
    f) Verbal and written communication skills: including word processing proficiency, demonstrated ability to prepare required reports in proper format and language.
    g) Computer and Administrative Skills: A demonstrated ability to perform with minimal administrative or secretarial support is required. The successful candidate must be computer literate.
    h) Cultural Environment: Knowledge of African history and its cultural/work environment is desirable. Knowledge of the history and culture of DRC is a plus.
    i) Language Abilities: Must be fluent in English and French - proof of US Dept. of State Foreign Service Institute or equivalent of Speaking and Reading at least Level 3 is required.
    j) Ability to creatively identify, propose and win support of major stakeholders to solve complex issues and to work collaboratively.
    III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS
    Education (10 points):
    • Undergraduate degree in political science, law, human rights, international relations, African regional studies, peace-making, or a related field (10 points)
    Experience (50 points):
    • A minimum of seven (7) years’ work experience in peace, stability, democracy, human rights, and governance with progressive levels of authority and responsibility managing programs, resources and personnel. (15 points)
    • A minimum of three years of experience in planning and program design, program planning and budgeting, and monitoring and evaluation of PSO-related activities. (10 points)
    • Experience resolving problems in a team context, while maintaining an aggressive work pace, in order to produce results under intense scrutiny. (15 points)
    • Experience and familiarity with Africa, particularly the DRC and CAR, and sensitivity to socio- cultural aspects bearing on stabilization, and peacebuilding within an African context. (5 points)
    • Knowledge of USAID management and monitoring systems. (5 points)
    Knowledge and Abilities (40 points):
    • Demonstrated ability in Program Oversight, Design and Implementation (10 points)
    • Analytical Skills and demonstrated ability to function with minimal supervision to address complex and challenging interagency and political dynamics (10 points)
    • Verbal and written communication skills; Interpersonal and intercultural Skills (10 points)
    • Language Abilities (10 points)

IV. APPLYING

1. Eligible Offerors are required to complete and submit the offer form listed below to usaidhrkinshasa@usaid.gov copying skiyanga@usaid.gov: Most current Curriculum vitae or resume; Completed, handed-signed form AID-302-3; the form can be found in the USAID website www.usaid.gov/forms/ A biographical data sheet form AID-1420-17; Three references, who are not family members or relatives with telephone and e-mail contacts; Brief appendix to demonstrate how prior experience and/or training address the minimum qualifications and selection criteria shown in the solicitation

2. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section I, item 11.

   1. To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission.

   V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRES
   Once the Contracting Officer informs the successful Offeror about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Offeror instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms. 1. Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms) 2. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-86), or 3. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85) 4. Finger Print Care (FD-258)

   VI. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES
   As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a Personal Service Contractor is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: 1. BENEFITS:
   (a) Employer's FICA Contribution
   (b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance
   (c) Pay Comparability Adjustment
   (d) Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation)
   (4) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation
   (5) Annual & Sick Leave
   (6) Shipment and storage of household effects limited shipment authorized at present Access to Embassy medical facilities, and pouch mail service 2. ALLOWANCES:
   Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas)
   (a) Temporary Quarter Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)
   (b) Cost- of- Living Allowance (Chapter 210)
   (c) Post Allowance (Section 220)
   (d) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)
   (e) Educational Allowance (Section 270)
   (f) Educational Travel (Section 280)
   (g) Post Differential (Chapter 500)
   (h) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) and
   (i) Danger Pay (Section 650)

   VII. TAXES
   USPSCs are required to pay Federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable State Income taxes.
   VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs
   USAID regulations and policies governing USPSC awards are available at these sources: 1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix D, “Direct USAID Contracts with a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf . 2. Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms 3. Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs . 4. Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch,” available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations .