USPSC OTI Country Representative/Senior Country Representative - Sri Lanka (GS-14/GS-15) (Tandem)
SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72C0T123R00017 ISSUANCE DATE: March 20, 2023 CLOSING DATE AND TIME: April 20, 2023 1:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (... SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72C0T123R00017 ISSUANCE DATE: March 20, 2023 CLOSING DATE AND TIME: April 20, 2023 1:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) Dear Prospective Offerors: The United States Government (USG), represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking offers from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal services as a Country Representative/Senior Country Representative - Sri Lanka (GS-14/15) (Tandem) under a personal services contract, as described in the attached solicitation. Offers must be in accordance with Attachment 1 of this solicitation at the place and time specified. Incomplete or unsigned offers will not be considered. Offerors should retain copies of all offer materials for their records. USAID will evaluate all offerors based on the stated evaluation criteria. USAID encourages all individuals, including those from disadvantaged and under-represented groups, to respond to the solicitation. Offerors interested in applying for this position MUST submit the following materials: Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your offer, your resume must include: (a) Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. Dates (month/year) and locations for all overseas field experience must also be detailed. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements. (b) Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work. (c) Names and contact information (phone and email) of your current and/or previous supervisor(s). (d) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments. (e) U.S. Citizenship. Note: Your resume should contain explicit information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation for each grade level(s) for which you are applying. Offerors must specify in their offer materials whether they would like to be considered for the GS-14 or GS-15. Offerors who would like to be considered for both the GS-14 and GS-15 positions should submit separate offers specifying which grade level in the submission. Offerors will only be considered for the grade level specified in the submission. The offeror will be considered for the lower grade level if the offeror does not specify the grade level in the submission. Offerors who are unsure of which grade level they meet the minimum qualifications for should submit separate offers for the GS-14 and the GS-15 positions. This information should be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide explicit information to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration. 2. Supplemental document specifically addressing: Each of the three (3) Evaluation Factors shown in the solicitation. Responses must be limited to 500 words per factor. Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored. NOTE: The Evaluation Factors are worth 70 out of 100 points. Offerors are required to address each of the Evaluation Factors in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received that are relevant to each factor. 3. USPSC Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete and sign the form. Due to COVID-19 and limited access to equipment, we are currently accepting electronic signatures on the AID 309-2 form. Additional documents submitted will not be accepted. Incomplete or late offers will not be considered. Your complete resume and the AID 309-2 form must be mailed or emailed to OTIjobs@usaid.gov Offerors can expect to receive a confirmation email when offer materials have been received. Offerors should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their offers. 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 offer. Offeror resources are available at www.otijobs.net/guidance-for-applying. Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to: OTI Recruitment Team E-Mail Address: OTIjobs@usaid.gov Website: www.OTIjobs.net Sincerely, Ousmane Faye Contracting Officer M/OAA/RM 72C0T123R00017 I. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72C0T123R00017 2. ISSUANCE DATE: March 20, 2023 3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: April 20 2023, 1:00 pm Eastern Time 4. POINT OF CONTACT: OTI Recruitment Team, e-mail at OTIjobs@usaid.gov. 5. POSITION TITLE: Country Representative/Senior Country Representative - Sri Lanka 6. MARKET VALUE: This position has been designated as a “tandem” position that, depending on the qualifications of the offeror, can be filled at either the GS-14 equivalent level, non-locality pay ($99,908 - $129,878 per annum) or GS-15 ($117,518 - 152,771 per annum) equivalent level. Final compensation will be negotiated within the GS-14 or GS-15 levels based upon the selectee’s history, qualifications, previous relevant experience and work history, and educational background as reported on AID-309-2. For selectees whose salary has been established on a Federal pay scale (i.e. General Schedule) or its equivalent, the base salary (not including locality pay) of their grade/step will be the basis of the salary negotiation. Salaries over and above the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated. The title of the position at the GS-14 level will be “Country Representative – Sri Lanka. ” The title of the position at the GS-15 level will be “Senior Country Representative – Sri Lanka.” Note: Offerors who submit an offer for the GS-15 grade level, but do not meet the minimum qualifications as outlined in this solicitation and as reviewed by the Technical Evaluation Committee, will not be considered for the GS-14 position if they have not submitted a separate offer for each. Similarly, offerors who apply for the GS-14 position even though they might meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-15 position will not be considered for the higher graded positions if they have not submitted a separate offer for each. Offerors who are unsure of which grade level they meet the minimum qualifications for should submit separate offers for the GS 14 and GS-15 positions. Please be advised selectee, upon contract start, will be required to travel to Washington, DC for Agency processing and badging regardless of place of performance. 7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One (1) year, with four (4) one-year option periods START DATE: Within 45 days of receiving notification that required security and medical clearances have been obtained. 8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Sri Lanka Overseas USPSCs may be authorized to telework or remote work only from a location within the country of performance, in accordance with Mission policy. Telework or remote work from outside the country of performance may only be authorized in certain situations in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract. 9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: United States Citizens 10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: SECRET 11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES POSITION DESCRIPTION BACKGROUND USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) is seeking highly motivated, highly qualified individuals who want the opportunity to help support rapid international transition programs for priority conflict-prone countries. Created in 1994 as a distinct operating unit within USAID, OTI helps local partners advance peace and democracy in politically-transitioning countries. In support of U.S. foreign policy, OTI seizes emerging windows of opportunity in the political landscape to promote stability, peace, and democracy by catalyzing local initiatives through adaptive and agile programming. Countries experiencing a significant political transition in the midst of a disaster or emerging from civil conflict have unique needs that cannot be fully addressed by traditional disaster relief. Timely and effective assistance to promote and consolidate peaceful, democratic advances can make the difference between a successful or a failed transition. OTI assists in securing peace by aiding indigenous, mostly non-governmental, civil society and media organizations. OTI uses such mechanisms as support for re-integration of ex-combatants into civilian society; development of initiatives to promote national reconciliation; identification of quick-impact community self-help projects to meet urgent economic needs; and aid to independent media outlets and community-based organizations to help promote informed debate and broaden public participation. To respond quickly and effectively and meet its program objectives and mandate OTI retains a group of high level professionals and experts under U.S. Personal Services Contracts (USPSCs). These knowledgeable and skilled professionals make up the vast majority of the OTI work force and are at its forefront implementing and achieving the office’s programmatic goals and objectives.There are several benefits that USPSCs may participate in, such as partial reimbursement for health and life insurance costs, as well as full coverage of workers’ compensation, among other benefits. For more complete information on USPSC benefits, please see Section VI of this solicitation. OTI’s Core Values: Agility OTI addresses complex political problems through context analysis, experimentation, and strategic resource use. Applying an adaptive mindset in Washington and the field accelerates timely positive change. Political OTI seeks to understand how power is created, traded, and facilitated, requiring that we acknowledge our privilege and the limits of our power. This understanding helps us act on power dynamics and harness them for transformation. Accountability OTI exhibits a sense of ownership and integrity in the work we do, and holds a sense of responsibility to each other, the local partners we engage, the policies and programs we advance with our implementing partners, and the taxpayer. Curiosity OTI’s mission demands learning and adaptation. Our relentless curiosity drives us to wonder about people, problems, and possibilities. We question the status quo, seek to understand amid uncertainty, and treat mistakes as a compass pointing us toward more effective approaches. Diversity & Inclusion OTI’s ability to achieve its mission and live out its values is propelled by our collective responsibility to create a sense of belonging for all in our work environment. OTI values the diversity of each others’ authentic selves, building a foundation of trust and respect. Courage OTI embraces our engagements with one another, our stakeholders, and our programs with intentionality and optimism. Achieving our mission requires that we take risks and tackle difficult conversations and decisions. A courageous OTI is a force for positive change. OTI’s DEIA Vision Statement: OTI is a collaborative environment that represents the global community at all levels of our organization. Uniting diverse backgrounds and experiences, we value individual expertise to advance peace and democracy around the world. Values and associated behaviors that will enable this vision are: Trust Model open communication, active listening and candor. Believe others when they share their experiences. Respect A respectful attitude should be shown to everyone. Allow for others to express complete opinion/thoughts without interruption, while recognizing that there are other perspectives and lived experiences. Belonging (Accessibility) Serve as an ally to those who feel excluded (professionally, socially, personally, etc.). Promote togetherness and acceptance through equitable behavior. Empathy Listen to understand, create space to be real/feel. Remind yourself to be conscious of how others may feel or receive your words Self-awareness/accountability Supervisors hold their peers to account on their expectations and behaviors. Seek regular, constructive feedback to understand how your words and actions affect and influence others, and how they are being perceived and interpreted. Acknowledge unconscious bias and be willing to learn and change behavior when confronted/corrected. For more information about OTI and its country programs please see: https://www.usaid.gov/stabilization-and-transitions INTRODUCTION The Country Representative/Senior Country Representative is a member of the Bureau of Conflict Prevention and Stabilization (CPS) Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) Middle East, North Africa, and Asia Regional Team, reports to the OTI Regional Team Lead or their designee, and is based in Sri Lanka. The incumbent may be required to travel regionally as necessary. The Country Representative/Senior Country Representative’s principal responsibility will be development, oversight and management of CPS/OTI's Sri Lanka country program. The incumbent will be called upon to represent OTI’s mission and programs to senior-level government officials, in-country visitors, senior officials from other international organizations, bilateral donors and local government officials. The OTI Sri Lanka program supports the broader U.S. Government objectives to support a stable, unified, and democratic Sri Lanka. In close coordination with USAID/Sri Lanka, State Department and other USG actors, OTI’s rapid and targeted program supports stability and democracy in Sri Lanka by facilitating civic engagement on key political and democratic reforms prioritized by citizens and government. CORE FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The work of the Country Representative/Senior Country Representative requires teamwork, the exercise of discretion, judgment, and personal responsibility. As a member of a highly operational office, you are willing and able to perform a wide range of administrative functions to help ensure programmatic success. You have a high level of integrity and attention to detail to ensure the use of OTI systems and procedures to maintain effective and efficient management of funds, programming, and monitoring and evaluation. You are highly flexible and willing to work under conditions of ongoing change, and remain professional and respectful of colleagues and authority in a diverse workforce. You place a premium on the building of positive relationships with your respective team in Washington, D.C., colleagues in the field, and with key stakeholders both in and outside of USAID. You are able to prioritize and complete tasks without follow-up by the supervisor, while also filling in gaps as needed to ensure the responsiveness of the team. You are a strategic thinker, articulates innovative ideas, presents solutions, and are a positive role model for colleagues both in and outside of OTI. You are also committed to upholding OTI’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility’s (DEIA) Vision and Values as outlined in the background. Under the direct supervision of the Washington-based CPS/OTI Regional Team Lead or their designee, you will perform the following duties: At the GS-14 Country Representative level: Note: Duties and responsibilities are listed in order of importance for this position ? Manage a high-profile program in a dynamic environment and provide strategic, programmatic, and operational guidance to OTI’s implementing partners (contractors and/or grantees) while leveraging critical local staff input, and the partner’s role in strategy co-creation, to ensure that activities are contributing to OTI’s program objectives; ? Conceptualize and design program strategies and objectives in close coordination with OTI staff in Washington and in the Field, USAID/Sri Lanka, the Embassy, Host Country Government, implementing partner staff and local civil society actors based on political and context analysis and U.S. Government policy; Initiate strategy reviews as needed in line with changes in context and policy; ? Analyze, synthesize and report on current political developments, security concerns, and other pertinent information required to achieve OTI’s program objectives; Monitor local and regional political developments and regularly brief OTI and partner staff on their potential programmatic impact; ? Responsible for managing program effectiveness; ensuring strategic accountability; setting realistic intended program results and program achievements by utilizing OTI’s programming principles and processes and regularly engaging with the resources available to support and measure program effectiveness; Articulate program strategy, as well as communicate and coordinate OTI’s in-country activities between OTI and its implementing partners, USAID, the Embassy and other donor organizations; prepare and disseminate programmatic, financial and periodic reports to the USAID Mission, OTI/Washington and other organizations as appropriate; ? Serve as OTI’s primary liaison with USAID Mission personnel, U.S. Embassy staff, Host-Country Government Officials, UN Organizations, Indigenous and International Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and other stakeholder organizations. Develop and maintain collaborative relationships to ensure close coordination at the field level, identify the widest range of potential local partners and opportunities, and achieve maximum synergy with other programs; ? Build, lead, supervise, and motivate a team composed of USPSCs and a significant number of implementing partner staff in Sri Lanka. In close coordination with the Implementing Partner, continuously review and design staffing plans to meet overall program objectives; Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate the performance of in-country OTI staff. Maintain staff morale in a difficult security and work environment; ? Provide recommendations to the Washington-based Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and/or the Regional Team Leader on implementing partner performance, budgets, contract modifications, among other partner related issues; ? Provide USAID concurrence on all implementing partner activities, including final approval of grantees for grants under contract, in accordance with the USAID’s Automated Directives System (ADS); ? Ensure the use of OTI systems and procedures to maintain effective and efficient management of funds and programming; ? Ensure that OTI’s programs and activities are monitored and evaluated and that lessons learned are applied to ongoing or future activities; Prepare operational plans in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy, including logistics and property use guidelines, closeout and hand-over, security procedures, and contingency and evacuation plans; Review and concur on OTI program budgets for field operations; ? Ensure that all OTI field staff adhere to in-country security guidelines set by the U.S. Embassy Regional Security Officer and other organizations such as the United Nations or host government, as appropriate; Coordinate closely with Implementing Partner senior management to provide relevant security related information from the Embassy; ? Travel within the country/region to monitor and assess political conditions, and implementing partner operational platforms, meet with potential grantees, senior host country government and other program counterparts, and develop recommendations to respond to evolving dynamics; and, ? Serve on temporary details within OTI, other USAID bureaus/offices, or other U.S. Government (USG) agencies under this scope of work for a period not to exceed six (6) months. Duties performed while on detail must be directly related to the scope of work. Contracting Officer (CO) approval is required for the temporary detail. Any extension past the six (6) months requires CO approval. At the GS-15 Senior Country Representative level: Note: Duties and responsibilities are listed in order of importance for this position ? Manage a high-profile program in a dynamic environment and provide programmatic, operational, and strategic guidance to OTI’s implementing partners (contractors and/or grantees) while leveraging critical local staff input, and the partner’s role in strategy co creation, to ensure that activities are contributing to OTI’s program objectives. Effectively respond to and manage the scrutiny of a large program that is a top US foreign policy and/or OTI priority; ? Based on a mastery of political analysis and US Government policy, conceptualize and design program strategies and objectives in close coordination with OTI staff in Washington and in the Field,USAID/Sri Lanka, the Embassy, Host Country Government, implementing partner staff and local civil society actors based on political and context analysis and U.S. Government policy; initiate strategy reviews as needed in line with changes in context and policy. Demonstrate through leadership on political transition, conflict and stabilization by inputting to policy as it relates to OTI programs; ? Analyze, synthesize and report on current political developments, security concerns, and other pertinent information required to achieve OTI’s program objectives; Monitor local and regional political developments and regularly brief OTI and partner staff on their potential programmatic impact; Keep abreast of new thinking and trends related to political transition, conflict and stabilization approaches and lessons learned; Identify implications of political and context analysis beyond OTI programs; ? Responsible for managing program effectiveness; ensuring strategic np accountability; working to achieve program results and achievements by utilizing OTI’s programming principles and regularly engaging with the resources available to support and measure program effectiveness; Stay abreast of innovations in the OTI model/approach and support application of innovation to own country program and elevates best practices/approaches/notable results for office and CPS bureau-wide learning; ? Articulate program strategy, as well as communicate and coordinate OTI’s in-country activities between OTI and its implementing partners, USAID, the Embassy and other donor organizations; prepare and disseminate programmatic, financial and periodic reports to the USAID Mission, OTI/Washington and other organizations as appropriate; Effectively respond to and manage scrutiny of large and/or high profile OTI and USG program; ? Serve as OTI’s primary liaison with USAID Mission personnel, U.S. Embassy staff, Host-Country Government Officials, UN Agencies, Indigenous and International Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and other pertinent organizations. Develop and maintain collaborative relationships to ensure close coordination at the field level, identify the widest range of potential local partners and opportunities, and achieve maximum synergy with other programs; ? Expertly build, lead, supervise, and motivate a team comprised of multiple USPSCs and a significant number of implementing partner staff in Sri Lanka. Continuously review and design staffing plans to meet overall program objectives as well as recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate the performance of in-country OTI staff. Maintain staff morale in a difficult security and work environment; ? Provide recommendations to the Washington-based Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and/or the Regional Team Leader on implementing partner performance, budgets, contract modifications, among other partner related issues; ? Provide USAID concurrence on all implementing partner activities, including final approval of grantees for grants under contract, in accordance with the USAID’s Automated Directives System (ADS); ? Ensure the use of OTI systems and procedures to maintain effective and efficient management of funds and programming; ? Ensure that OTI’s programs and activities are monitored and evaluated and that lessons learned are applied to ongoing or future activities; Prepare operational plans in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy, including logistics and property use guidelines, closeout and hand-over, security procedures, and contingency and evacuation plans; Review and concur on OTI program budgets for field operations; ? Ensure that all OTI field staff adhere to in-country security guidelines set by the U.S. Embassy Regional Security Officer and other organizations such as the United Nations or host government, as appropriate; Coordinate closely with Implementing Partner senior management to provide relevant security related information from the Embassy ensure all partner field staff are following similar protocols; ? Travel within the country/region to monitor and assess political conditions and implementing partner operational platforms, meet with potential grantees, senior host country government and other program counterparts, and develop recommendations in response to evolving dynamics; and, ? Serve on temporary details within OTI, other USAID bureaus/offices, or other U.S. Government (USG) agencies under this scope of work for a period not to exceed six (6) months. Duties performed while on detail must be directly related to the scope of work. Contracting Officer (CO) approval is required for the temporary detail. Any extension past the six (6) months requires CO approval. SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP: The Country Representative/Senior Country Representative – Sri Lanka will report to OTI’s Washington-based Team Leader for the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia Regional Team, or their designee. The Senior Country Representative is expected to take initiative, act independently, and manage their tasks with minimal supervision. Though this is a senior field-based position, the incumbent is expected to actively and proactively collaborate with OTI/Washington leadership, and to fully utilize, embrace, and become an expert on OTI systems and processes. Failure to adequately perform the scope of work above and/or failure to take direction from the supervisor may result in corrective actions, including denial of step or grade increases, extension of contract probationary periods, performance improvement plans, and/or termination for the non- performance of USAID/OTI. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: At the GS-14 level, the supervisor provides administrative direction in terms of broadly defined missions or functions. The incumbent independently plans, designs and carries out projects, studies, and programs. Results of the work are considered technically authoritative. There is no higher level official technically responsible for administering the program/project. At the GS-15 level, the supervisor provides administrative direction in terms of broadly defined missions or functions. The incumbent independently plans, designs and carries out projects, studies, and programs. Results of the work are considered technically authoritative. There is no higher level official technically responsible for administering the program/project. 12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS While in Sri Lanka,the work is generally sedentary and does not pose undue physical demands. During site visits in Sudan, there may be some additional physical exertion including long periods of standing, walking over rough terrain, or carrying of moderately heavy items (less than 50 pounds). 13. WORK ENVIRONMENT: While at post, the work is generally performed in an office environment. However, the position also requires travel throughout the region, which may additionally involve special safety and/or security precautions, wearing of protective equipment, and exposure to severe weather conditions. II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION (Determines basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do not meet all of the education and experience factors are considered NOT qualified for the position. See detailed instructions for demonstrating Education/Experience under “Submitting an Offer”) The USAID Office of Transition Initiatives Country Representative/Senior Country Representative is a senior-level position requiring supervisory management experience, the ability to serve as an effective liaison with a wide array of individuals and institutions and having in-depth knowledge of international relations in general and of the sub-region in particular. Familiarity with a wide range of issues is necessary, including, but not limited to, community development, economic development, stabilization, mediation/arbitration, conflict resolution, democracy/governance, human rights, and countering extremism. Excellent interpersonal, presentation and negotiation skills are necessary. Experience in contract/grant management is required. Prior work experience and/or managing program operations in civil conflicts are preferred. The successful offeror will possess excellent political analysis and reporting skills and the ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy, responsibility and authority in a highly stressful operating contexts while exercising sound judgment in politically charged and challenging security environments. It is also essential that the incumbent demonstrate the ability to maintain staff morale in a difficult work environment. Strong team-building skills are essential. At a minimum, the offeror must have: At the GS-14 Country Representative level: (1) A Master’s Degree with seven (7) years of work experience; OR A Bachelor’s Degree with nine (9) years of work experience; OR An Associate’s Degree with ten (10) years of work experience; OR A High School diploma/equivalent with eleven (11) years of work experience; AND (2) Six (6) years of project management experience with a U.S. Government foreign affairs agency, domestic or international assistance organization, or non-governmental organization in community development, economic development, mediation/arbitration, conflict resolution, democracy and governance, international law, political analysis, and/or human rights activities; (3) Two (2) years of overseas field experience (in person or virtual). A virtual temporary duty (TDY) is defined as work that would have been conducted in an overseas location if not for the COVID pandemic; (4) Three (3) years of supervisory experience with at least one direct report. At the GS-15 Senior Country Representative level: (1) A Master’s Degree with nine (9) years of work experience; OR A Bachelor’s Degree with eleven (11) years of work experience; OR An Associate’s Degree with twelve (12) years of work experience; OR A High School diploma/equivalent with thirteen (13) years of work experience; AND (2) Nine (9) years of project management experience with a U.S. Government foreign affairs agency, domestic or international assistance organization, or non-governmental organization in community development, economic development, mediation/arbitration, conflict resolution, democracy and governance, international law, political analysis, and/or human rights activities; (3) Six (6) years of overseas field experience (in person or virtual). A virtual temporary duty (TDY) is defined as work that would have been conducted in an overseas location if not for the COVID pandemic; (4) Six (6) years of supervisory experience with at least one direct report. III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS (Determines basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do not meet all of the education and experience factors are considered NOT qualified for the position. The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c). In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the com...
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