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 to provide services as a Program Manager 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) SIERRA LEONE PROGRAM MANAGER – RE-ISSUANCE

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 675-09-16

2. ISSUANCE DATE: AUGUST 06, 2009

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

4. POSITION TITLE: PROGRAM MANAGER

5. MARKET VALUE: GS-15 ($98,156.00-$127,604.00). 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: Freetown, Sierra Leone.
8. STATEMENT OF WORK

1- INTRODUCTION:

USAID/Guinea has twinning responsibilities for the management of the Sierra Leone Assistance Program. The current transition strategy, comprised of two special objectives, Advancement of Reintegration and Democracy and Governance Capacities Strengthened, provides the framework for USAID assistance to Sierra Leone for the period FY2004-2006. Transition Program activities are also closely coordinated with the USAID Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance and future Health programs in the country.

USAID/Guinea requires contracted services of a development assistance expert with strong interpersonal, program, and project development, monitoring, and reporting skills to manage the USAID assistance program to Sierra Leone. The position will be based in Freetown and will require periodic travel to Conakry for administrative support and coordination with the USAID/Guinea Mission.

2- POSITION DESCRIPTION

The contractor is required to possess an unusual high degree of competence, professional maturity, and well rounded experience in performing a variety of program and project management functions. USAID assistance to Sierra Leone is currently managed by USAID/Guinea, via its satellite country office in Embassy/Freetown. After nearly a decade of civil war, Sierra Leone is transitioning to Peace following the July 1999 signing of the Lomé Peace Agreement. Managing this program requires a strong self-directed program manager. The design and implementation of USAID development assistance program activities is especially sensitive and difficult in the post-conflict country.

Working under the direct supervision of the Mission Director of USAID/Guinea or his/her designee, and subject to the Chief of Mission (i.e. Ambassador) authority, the contractor will participate in and provide substantive input to project design, development, implementation, monitoring, and reporting. S/He will also provide active program coordination with counterparts and implementing agencies; NGOs, including those receiving USAID funds and others; international organizations; representatives of the international donor community; USAID Regional Offices; and USAID/Washington cognizant staff. S/He will also work closely with and at the direction of the USAID/Guinea’s Front Office, to ensure that activities planned and implemented remain consistent with USAID transition strategy for Sierra Leone.

USAID may, at some point in the future, establish a USAID Representative in Freetown. If/when this were to happen the Sierra Leone Program Manager would then report directly to the newly established USAID Representative.

3-DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A. The Program Manager will be responsible for the management and oversight of grants, contracts, and purchase orders that serves as implementation mechanisms for USAID activities and programs in Sierra Leone. The Program Manager will serve as the Mission advocate for program performance impact in all areas of assistance, and will help set priorities for guidance of contractors, grantees, and other activity implementing agencies. The Program Manager will also provide guidance in the design of activities to be implemented, in conformity with USAID policies, procedures, and sound activity management principles.

B. Specific functions may include, but are not limited to:

Participating in Strategy design and activity development efforts in the framework of USAID assistance to Sierra Leone.

Monitoring and performing regular, documented assessments in support of transition assistance functions regarding existing or proposed programs.

Preparing and processing (or supervision of) program budget and activity documentation. This includes significant substantive input to the Annual Operating Plan & Results Report submission, Budget Justification, Congressional Notification, OYB reporting, etc.

Providing recommendations on budget allocation levels for transition assistance activities.

Preparing correspondences, cables and reports in response to inquiries or routine reporting documents regarding program activities.

Attending, and in some cases, organizing, meetings and conferences and preparing follow-up cables and reports.

Serving as the USAID humanitarian assistance liaison with others Bureaus. The Program Manager will regularly report on these activities, as directed by the Mission Director.

Coordinating USAID program activities with those bilateral and multilateral donors who support similar activities.

C. The contactor will perform other appropriate duties, as assigned by the Mission Director or his designee or by the Ambassador or DCM of U.S. Embassy Freetown and professionally carry out interagency functions as part of the U.S. Embassy Mission in Freetown.

D. The contractor is subordinate to the Mission Director of USAID in all respects. Responses to Directives or requests from others sources will be provided through the Mission Director, unless otherwise agreed.

E. Supervise three Senior FSN professional staff, one Administrative Assistant. Provide coordination and support for the FFP Representative in Sierra Leone.

4- LEVEL OF CONTACTS

The selected applicant must be able to work and communicate effectively at the Ministerial level of the host country government, and with persons and partners from all sectors of the USAID program. Interaction with Minister-level officials is subject to prior clearance from the Embassy/Freetown Front Office.

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 services, and availability of funds.

9. CORE FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

See attached Solicitation

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.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS & SELECTION CRITERIA:

The technical scope of the program is complex and requires the services of a seasoned program manager with knowledge of development assistance. Required professional qualifications and skills include:
• Education (20 points): A university degree in International Development, Public Administration or related fields. A master’s degree is desirable.
• Experience (25 points): Minimum ten years recent experience in international development and program management. Relevant experience in West Africa or in Africa generally is preferred. Relevant experience overseas, particularly with transition programs and traditional development programs.
• Knowledge Skills and Abilities (45 points): A thorough knowledge of USG and/or International Organizations policies, procedures, reporting and systems is required. Current knowledge of political and economic conditions in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea is desirable. The contractor should have demonstrated professional ability through assuming senior management and leadership roles. He/She should be resourceful, have good judgment, and have the ability to work with foreign nationals. The contractor must have management, conceptualization, analytical, negotiating, problem solving, writing, and oral communications skills. User-level ability to work with computers and common software programs is also required.
• Language (10 points): Excellent writing and oral presentation skills and English at FSI 5 level.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
The PSC will receive administrative support from Embassy Freetown and from the Mission, including office space, equipment and supplies. The selected candidate must obtain medical and security clearances. Accompanying spouse, if applicable, must also obtain medical clearance.
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 for service.