The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Guinea is seeking applications (Optional Form 612) from qualified U.S. citizens or permanent residents to provide services as a Deputy Technical Office Chief & Strategic Results Coordinator under a personal services contract, as described in the attached solicitation.

Submittals shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified.

Interested applicants must submit: (i) a complete and signed Form set of U.S. Government OF 612 – Optional Form for Federal Employment; (ii) a most current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume; and (iii) three references, who are not family members or relatives, together with working telephone and email contacts. (iv) a cover letter (3 pages maximum) addressing how they meet the required qualifications for this position (see Qualification section of this Solicitation). Each of the expected qualifications should be addressed in the cover letter. Applicants are reminded and required to sign the certification at the end of the OF-612. Unsigned applications shall NOT be considered.

In order to be considered for the position, a candidate must meet the minimum qualifications listed in the solicitation. Consideration and selection will be based on a panel evaluation of the applications vis-à-vis the evaluation criteria.

Applications and the required documents in response to this solicitation must be e-mailed to:

Conakrypscjobs@usaid.gov

Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications.

This solicitation does not represent a commitment on behalf of the USAID. The U.S. Government is not obligated to make an award or to pay for any costs associated with the preparation and submission of a proposal in response to this solicitation.

USAID reserves the right to award or not the contract contemplated herein, subject to availability of funds. ONLY SELECTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.

Any questions regarding this solicitation may be directed to Mahamane Tandina, Executive Officer, USAID Guinea, who may be reached by phone at 224-67-10-40-29 or by email at mtandina@usaid.gov.

Solicitation for U.S. Personal Services Contractor (PSC) DEPUTY TECHNICAL OFFICE CHIEF & STRATEGIC RESULTS COORDINATOR

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 675-09-17

2. ISSUANCE DATE: AUGUST 06, 2009

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: AUGUST 21, 2009 AT MIDNIGHT LOCAL TIME.

4. POSITION TITLE: DEPUTY TECHNICAL OFFICE CHIEF & STRATEGIC RESULTS COORDINATOR

5. MARKET VALUE: GS-14 ($83,445.00-$108,483.00). Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based upon the candidate’s past salary, work history and educational background.

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years, with possibility of extension

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Conakry, Guinea, but with frequent travel to Freetown, Sierra Leone.
8. STATEMENT OF WORK
A. INTRODUCTION

USAID/Guinea & Sierra Leone has a single technical office which manages all activities in governance, health, education, economic growth and biodiversity. It is currently staffed by a single U.S. Direct Hire Office Chief, reporting directly to the Mission Director, one USPSC, one Third Country National PSC, five FSN professionals and two administrative assistants. This position is for the USPSC, who will function as the Deputy Office Chief and Strategic Results Coordinator.

The Mission also has oversight responsibility for its Country Office in Sierra Leone, staffed by one USPSC, three FSN professionals and one administrative assistant. The Technical Office must provide technical guidance to both USAID and Embassy staff working in Sierra Leone.

The Mission's assistance programs draw from several accounts to support key goals in a coordinated, interagency effort, with mutually reinforcing elements. Developmental Assistance (DA) supports government institutions and civil society organizations focused on democracy and governance. Child Survival and Health (CSH) funding contributes to economic growth and development through combating HIV/AIDS, and fostering maternal/child and reproductive health. Health projects also are structured to increase accountability and effectiveness in local service providers. Economic Support Funds (ESF), when available, are used to build and reinforce institutions allowing for free and fair elections. P.L. 480 will support effective engagement on agricultural initiatives as well as health and nutrition.

In Guinea, the December 2008 military coup has led to the suspension of assistance other than those considered humanitarian in nature (e.g., health, education, P.L. 480) and assistance in support of democratic processes. If and when free and fair presidential elections are held however, we expect such suspension would be lifted. The following sector descriptions should be read in this context.

Governing Justly and Democratically (GJD): In Guinea, funding in this area at present supports preparations for legislative and presidential elections, expected to take place in 2009 or early 2010. Longer term GJD work in both Guinea and Sierra Leone promotes good governance and anti-corruption, seeking to build more effective and accountable governmental and non-governmental institutions. In both countries, local government and decentralization programs aim to increase the ability of local governments to govern effectively, transparently and democratically, and improve service delivery. U.S. assistance here also increases citizen awareness of and demand for government transparency, accountability, and effectiveness by strengthening civil society’s capacity to participate more actively in governance and public affairs. These efforts are integrated with the work of other sectors such as education, health and natural resource/agricultural management. Assistance for anti-corruption activities to support national and local level initiatives is aimed specifically at combating the endemic corruption in both countries. Assistance is also used to strengthen the consensus-building processes at the national, regional and local levels. The funding structure allows the flexibility to support programs relevant to the changing political environment, permitting support for institutional development assistance for government institutions, and funding for civil society groups to conduct consensus-building forums and uphold democratic processes related to the transition. Funding to support an independent media involves developing and strengthening rural radio networks, training media professionals, and media advocacy to improve the enabling environment.

Investing in People: Guinea and Sierra Leone are at the bottom of the UN’s human development index. CSH and P.L. 480 funding for maternal and child health, reproductive health and HIV/AIDS programs will continue to reduce maternal and child mortality rates, improve reproductive health and help both countries maintain their low HIV/AIDS prevalence rate while addressing key governance and transparency issues in the health sector. Communication efforts will address HIV-related stigma, harmful traditional practices such as female genital cutting, early and forced marriages and gender equity. These activities, together with anti-trafficking programs, also support Embassy objectives in human rights.

Economic Growth: Though richly endowed with minerals, Guinea and Sierra Leone are two of the poorest countries in the world, with the latter at the absolute bottom in 2008. The U.S. programs promote a more positive environment for economic growth and ease conditions of poverty by supporting agricultural sector productivity and an improved investment climate, both with DA and P.L. 480 funds. The Mission also seeks to help both countries take full advantage of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by encouraging development of export opportunities.

Environment & Biodiversity: While presently suspended in Guinea as a result of the December 23, 2008 coup d’etat, Mission programs in the past have promoted more responsible use of natural resources and preservation of biodiversity, especially as it relates to ensuring sustainable economic growth. This has involved better community management of classified forests, reclamation of lands damaged by artisanal mining, and better cross-border coordination of national forest management programs. Guinean forests are the source of most of the major rivers in West Africa and are an essential part of the biosphere in the region. If Guinea successfully holds elections and moves to democratic rule, the Mission anticipates that its programs addressing the environment and biodiversity will be resumed.

B. POSITION DESCRIPTION/SCOPE OF WORK
Overview of Duties and Responsibilities of the Position:

This position is for a Deputy Technical Office Chief and Strategic Results Coordinator for the USAID/Guinea and Sierra Leone Mission. The incumbent will provide significant technical guidance informing the design and implementation of Guinea and Sierra Leone's development assistance portfolio funded approximately, $40 million annually. S/he reports to the Technical Office Chief and is responsible for coordinating Guinea and Sierra Leone activities in the areas of governance, human rights, health, economic growth, biodiversity, humanitarian assistance, and office operations. The Deputy Technical Office Chief and Strategic Results Coordinator works closely with other technical officers, Guinea and Sierra Leone Embassy officials, other donors, U.S. partner organizations, and host government officials. This position requires broad development experience, strong management, interpersonal, teamwork and partnership building skills.

The Deputy Technical Office Chief and Strategic Results Coordinator is the alter ego of the Technical Office Chief and assumes the responsibilities and authority of the Technical Office Chief in his/her absence. This requires that the incumbent be fully familiar with all programs and activities, the issues and objectives involved, and the implementation partners and local counterparts. As the Deputy Technical Office Chief, the incumbent will be assigned supervisory responsibilities for other Technical Office staff, the details of which will be determined by the Technical Office Chief once the position is filled. As needed, the Technical Office Chief may delegate specific responsibilities or assignments to the Deputy Technical Office Chief and Strategic Results Coordinator, on either a short-term or long-term basis.

The Deputy Technical Office Chief and Strategic Results Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the process of monitoring, evaluating and reporting of performance results within the Technical Office, both for program in Guinea and in Sierra Leone. In this capacity, the incumbent works in close coordination with other Technical Office members, members of the Sierra Leone Office, and implementing partners to determine needs, set priorities, and carry out activity monitoring and evaluation.
The incumbent will play a leading role in strategic planning, program design and approval activities. The incumbent also assists in the development of program descriptions, performance management plans, and other related documentation.
The Deputy Technical Office Chief and Strategic Results Coordinator will take the lead in coordinating all aspects of the Technical Office’s support for programs in Sierra Leone, including on activity design, program implementation, monitoring and evaluation. It is envisioned that in implementing the major duties and responsibilities outlined below, the incumbent will spend approximately 50 percent of his/her time on the USAID/Sierra Leone program. Frequent travel to Sierra Leone is necessary.
The incumbent also is required to travel frequently within Guinea and Sierra Leone to monitor USAID activities, but this will not exceed 33% of time in any month.

2. Specific duties and areas of responsibility for the position of Deputy Technical Office Chief and Strategic Result Coordinator include:

Technical Office Management (20%)

• Serve as supervisor to designated Technical Office staff (specifics to be determined by the Technical Office Chief when the incumbent starts work).
• Serve as the principal advisor to the Technical Office Chief and Mission Director regarding Technical Office management and planning requirements, including on staffing and assigning roles and responsibilities of staff.
• Serve as Acting Technical Office Chief in the absence of the Technical Office Chief.
• Other duties as may be assigned.

Program Planning, Implementation and Reporting: (30%)

• Lead Technical Office work to meet USAID reporting requirements, including preparation of the Performance Report and Operational Plan, Washington-driven requests and other documents as required.
• In close consultation with the Technical Office Chief, take the lead in coordinating the Technical Office’s support for program planning, implementation and reporting for USAID’s programs in Sierra Leone.
• Provide expert advice to the Technical Office Chief and Mission Director regarding annual resource requirements and budgets, and track expenditures for selected activities.
• Provide expert advice, technical leadership, and coordination in developing and implementing USAID projects/activities in Guinea and Sierra Leone.
• Serve as Cognizant Technical Officer for individual grants, cooperative agreements and contracts (specifics to be determined when the incumbent starts work).
• Reports on gender issues and tracks gender based information.
• Coordinates and provides quality control for Technical Office preparation of documentation necessary to obtain approval of obligation (SOW, Action Memoranda, pipeline analysis, MAARDS).

Monitoring and Evaluation: (30%)

• Lead the Technical Office’s activity monitoring and evaluation efforts. Analyze partners' progress in relation to their and Mission’s performance indicators. Assist in tracking of quality of performance data. Identify any problem areas and provide a plan for corrective actions. Ensure partners receive needed information on USAID procedures and policies.
• In close cooperation with the Technical Office Chief and the Sierra Leone Office Director, lead Mission monitoring and evaluation efforts for its programs in Sierra Leone.
• Make periodic site visits and inspection of USAID funded activities.
• Drawing on monitoring and evaluation findings, advise the Technical Office Chief and the Guinea and Sierra Leone Mission Director of the needs, and as required, develop concept papers outlining the potential USAID response. The incumbent keeps the Mission management apprised of issues, problems, successes and solutions in the management of USAID’s programs in Guinea and Sierra Leone.

Technical Office/Mission Representation: (20%)

• Serve as a liaison official for USG assistance with the Government of Guinea and Sierra Leone, the U.S. Embassies in Guinea and Sierra Leone, private voluntary organizations, and international donor organizations.
• Coordinate with government officials and donors to avoid duplication of activities.
• Strengthen and forge new relations, when required, between other USAID missions, USAID/Washington, donors working in Guinea and Sierra Leone, NGOs, cooperating and implementing agencies and host-country collaborators.
• Participate with other Mission teams in searching for opportunities of collaboration.
• Attend international technical conferences and meetings, as judged necessary by Mission management.
• As required, make speeches and presentations at USAID and other public events, including those covered by the media.

II. Supervision Exercised

The incumbent will have such direct supervisory responsibilities as will be determined by the Technical Office Chief. When serving in the capacity of acting Technical Office Chief, the incumbent will assume full supervisory responsibility for the entire technical portfolio, reporting directly to the Mission Director.

III. Supervision Received:

The incumbent will work directly under the supervision and technical guidance of the U.S. Direct Hire Technical Office Chief.

• Under broad guidance from the USDH Office Chief, work is performed with a high degree of independence.

• Incumbent will keep the Technical Office Chief apprised of issues, problems, successes and solutions in the management of USAID’s programs in Guinea and Sierra Leone.

• When serving in the capacity of acting Technical Office Chief the incumbent will report directly to the USAID Director or his/her designee; also as acting Technical Office Chief the incumbent will be under parallel supervision from the U.S. Ambassadors to Guinea and Sierra Leone.

IV. Level of Contacts

The incumbent actively engages in official personal contacts with a broad range of individuals and organizations in Guinea & Sierra Leone and beyond. The purpose of these contacts is to promote USAID’s development assistance objectives and to increase his/her understanding of the dynamics of local society as they affect USAID’s programs. Contact also serves to gain insights from the procedures, methodologies, and experiences from host country counterparts and implementation partners as they affect USAID’s implementation effectiveness. It is expected that personal contacts will include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Heads of various social sector committees in the GOG and GOSL.
• Ministers and deputy ministers;
• U.S. Ambassadors to Guinea and Sierra Leone, and other members of the
respective country teams;
• Chiefs of Party of USAID-funded contracts and grants;
• Senior officials and executives from U.S. headquarters of USAID-funded
contracts and grants;
• Institutional contractors, PVOs and NGOs;
• Host Country officials responsible for assistance matters;
• Representatives of international donors;
• USAID Office Directors;
• USAID/Washington representatives; and
• CODELs, STAFFDELs

V. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND SELECTION CRITERIA
The technical scope of the program is complex and requires the services of a seasoned program manager.
• Education (20 Points): A Masters degree in a field related to development. Three years of development experience in addition to the experience required below may substitute for the degree requirement.
• Experience (35 points): (1) At least 7 years of experience in the design and implementation of development programs with demonstrated technical expertise in at least one sector covered by the Guinea/Sierra Leone Mission. (2) 3 years of experience working in a developing country, preferably in Africa. (3) Experience in coordinating programs with bilateral and multilateral donors such as the UN agencies as well as public sector and NGOs entities.
• Knowledge Abilities and Skills (30 points): (1) Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in teams; (2) Familiarity with and understanding of development programs and implementation procedures is desirable. (3) Strong computer and writing skills, able to produce concise reports and utilize word processing, spreadsheets and graphic programs. Knowledge, experience and demonstrated competency in the design, management, and evaluation of projects to improve their quality, relevance, and cost-effectiveness. supervisory skills to oversee the entire range of technical activities; ability to work independently; strong communication; ability and willingness to function in a collaborative and collegial environment; sensitivity to others; intellectual curiosity; balanced judgment; ability to conceptualize, both strategically and programmatically; and ability to generate trust and build alliances with donor partners; proven management abilities.
• Language (15 points): (1) English at S-4/R-4 and excellent writing skills required. French at S-3/R-3 level or higher is highly desirable. (2) Ability to produce well-written documents under tight deadlines.
The following skills and qualifications will be preferred, if not absolutely required:
• Specialized experience with development projects in the areas of natural resources management and agriculture and/or in the health sector.
• Familiarity with USAID’s policies and priorities and means of delivering assistance in developing nations.
• Hands-on experience with and knowledge of Agency-provided computer software and hardware used in the USAID system.
• Experience and knowledge of the political, social, and economic characteristics of francophone Africa.
• Training (or experience) in relevant USAID administrative policies and procedures.
• Competency in French at the S-3/R-3 level.

9. TERMS OF PERFORMANCE

The contract will be for a period of twenty four (24) months. The contract may be extended for additional years subject to performance, continuing need for the services, and availability of funds.

10. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is generally sedentary and does not pose undue physical demands, except for the ability to tolerate bumpy roads for extended vehicle trips up-country and sometimes spending the night in one-star (or lower) hotels with no air-conditioning.

11. WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is primarily performed in an office setting. In-country & occasional international travel is required.

12. START DATE: Immediately, once necessary clearances are obtained.

13. POINT OF CONTACT: See Cover Letter.

APPLYING:

Qualified individuals are requested to submit:

A U.S. Government Optional Form 612 (available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms or internet http://fillform.gsa.gov, or at Federal offices); (ii) a most current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume; and (iii) three references, who are not family members or relatives, together with working telephone and email contacts. (iv) a cover letter (3 pages maximum) addressing how they meet the required qualifications for this position (see Qualification section of this Solicitation). Each of the expected qualifications should be addressed in the cover letter. Applicants are reminded and required to sign the certification at the end of the OF-612. Unsigned applications shall NOT be considered.

Applications must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in the cover letter.

To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application, and as the subject line in any cover letter. The highest ranking applicants may be selected for an interview.

Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications.

LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCS

Forms outlined below can be found at http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/psc_solicitations.html

1. 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). **

** Forms 2 through 5 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job.

CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBS) PERTAINING TO PSCS

AAPDs and CIBs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to this website http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/cib/subject.html#psc to determine which AAPDs and CIBs apply to this contract.

BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES:
As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

BENEFITS:

Employee's FICA Contribution
Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance
Pay Comparability Adjustment
Annual Increase
Eligibility for Worker's Compensation
Annual and Sick Leave
Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service

ALLOWANCES (if Applicable).*

(1) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120)
(2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)
(3) Post Allowance (Section 220)
(4) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230)
(5) Post Differential (Chapter 500)
(6) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) and
(7) Danger Pay (Section 650)
(8) Educational Allowance (Section 270)
(9) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)
(10) Educational Travel (Section 280)

* Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas).

FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are required to pay Federal Income Taxes, FICA, and Medicare.

Note: The selected individual must be eligible for a U.S. government security clearance and obtain a full medical clearance.