Request for Personal Service Contractor
United States Agency for International Development
Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance
Position Title: Program Officer
Solicitation Number: SOL-OFDA-15-000041
Salary Level: GS-12 Equivalent: $61,486 - $79,936
Issuance Date: March 19, 2015
Closing Date: April 16, 2015
Closing Time: 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time
Dear Prospective Applicants:
The United States Government (USG), represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), is seeking applications from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal services as a Program Officer (PO) under a United States Personal Services Contract (USPSC), as described in the attached solicitation.
Submittals must be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Applicants interested in applying for this position MUST submit the following materials:
1.Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your application, 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 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/email) of your current and/or previous supervisor(s). Current and/or previous supervisors may be contacted for a reference.
(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
Your resume should contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information should be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide information sufficient to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration.
2.Supplemental document specifically addressing the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs) shown in the solicitation.
Additional documents submitted will not be accepted.Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. OFDA reserves the right to select additional candidates if vacancies become available during future phases of the selection process.
Applicants can expect to receive a confirmation email when application materials have been received. Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. Your complete resume and the supplemental document addressing the QRFs must be mailed, delivered or emailed to:
OFDA Recruitment Team
529 14th Street, NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20045
E-Mail Address: recruiter@ofda.gov
Telephone Number: (202) 661-9300
Website: www.OFDAjobs.net
Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to OFDA Recruitment Team via the information provided above.
Sincerely,
Renee Reed
Contracting Officer
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The PO will provide full time in-country coordination and management of OFDA programming for humanitarian emergency and disaster risk reduction activities throughout Sudan. The PO may assist in humanitarian assistance activities elsewhere in the region as needed. Working under the guidance and supervision of the Senior Humanitarian Advisor, the PO will support OFDA’s program office in Sudan with the coordination and management of humanitarian and disaster risk reduction activities. The PO will work in close collaboration with a program team that may include Senior Regional Advisors, Senior Humanitarian Advisors, Senior Program Officers, Program Officers, Field Monitors, Team Leaders, Deputy Team Leaders, Disaster Operations Advisors and Specialists, and /or Program Assistants.
This position requires substantial coordination with representatives from other USAID offices, the U.S. Embassy, other USG agencies, the government of Sudan, U.S. military representatives, as well as with relevant donor representatives, UN agencies and NGOs, therefore requiring a highly collaborative work style. The PO must be prepared to function effectively in a challenging and restrictive work environment and be willing to strictly adhere to U.S. Embassy security guidelines.
The PO’s responsibilities will include the following:
Contextual Specialty
- Develop and maintain specialized understanding of humanitarian developments within Sudan to include political, social, and operational issues impacting humanitarian efforts.
- Develop and maintain knowledge of USAID, USG, and US humanitarian priorities and strategies within Sudan and OFDA’s contributions and comparative advantages to those efforts.
- Provide regular reporting, through official cables and other means, on issues related to the humanitarian situation in Sudan. Provide overviews of patterns and trends in the humanitarian situation and keep the Senior Humanitarian Advisor, Senior Program Officer, and other program staff current on response issues. Provide regular reports on site visits, meetings, general atmospherics and other issues that impact humanitarian relief efforts.
- Prepare briefing papers, notes and presentations on OFDA programming for official U.S. government visitors interested in humanitarian issues.
Portfolio Management
- Develop and maintain a detailed working knowledge of OFDA’s humanitarian portfolio in Sudan.
- Work with OFDA’s program staff based in DC, the regional office in Nairobi, Kenya, and in Sudan in the development of OFDA’s programming for response and disaster risk reduction activities in Sudan, ensure complementarity between the two strategies, and oversee implementation of each.
- Support team efforts to continually assess emergency response and disaster risk reduction needs in Sudan in order to ensure that OFDA’s programs are appropriately responsive.
- In close coordination with the Senior Humanitarian Advisor, Senior Program Officer, and Disaster Operations Specialist, work with NGOs, IOs, and UN agencies that are developing proposals for OFDA (including grant amendments and extensions). Ensure that draft proposals are in compliance with “OFDA’s Guidelines for Unsolicited Proposals and Reporting.” Review concept papers and proposals, and provide recommendations/comments to OFDA for final funding determination.
- Assist headquarters-based Agreement Officer’s Representatives (AORs) in managing humanitarian awards by providing field-based insights, knowledge, and perspectives.
- Travel as permitted to support team efforts to assess, evaluate and monitor humanitarian conditions in Sudan, and make strategic recommendations for appropriate interventions.
Representation
- Support the Senior Humanitarian Advisor in maintaining relations with the humanitarian community in Sudan in representing USAID and OFDA on humanitarian issues. This will include, but is not limited to, UN agencies, IOs, NGOs, U.S. government personnel, donors, host government authorities, and others.
- Participate in and report on joint donor humanitarian evaluations and UN-led assessments, and participate actively in the international community response structures.
- With guidance from the Senior Humanitarian Advisor or the Senior Program Officer, coordinate with the donor community on policy issues affecting humanitarian operations, and develop integrated, non-duplicative programs.
- Maintain regular contact with OFDA grantees, as well as other UN agencies, IOs, and NGOs. As requested by the Senior Humanitarian Advisor, meet regularly with donors, host government officials, USG agencies, and others on humanitarian issues in order to explain, advocate for, and advance OFDA’s priorities and to help coordinate USG and international humanitarian activities.
Leadership
- Serve as peer mentor to team members on grants management and portfolio management, to include OFDA’s business process, portfolio-specific budget and workload management, and post-award monitoring and management.
- Participate, as assigned, in office-wide discussions on initiatives that impact program implementation to provide field-based perspectives.
General Duties
- Serve in program positions on response teams, assessment teams, or provide coverage for field offices within and outside the region, which may deploy on short notice for up to 90 days.
- Serve in program positions on Washington-based RMTs for up to 45 days.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
(Determines basic eligibility for the position. Applicants who do not meet all of the education and experience factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.)
Bachelor’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to a specialized field (including, but not limited to, international relations, economics, food policy or a related field) and a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in emergency relief and humanitarian assistance, which must include at least one (1) year of on-the-ground international field experience working in humanitarian assistance. This experience must include one or more of the following: emergency relief operations, monitoring and evaluating humanitarian programs, or needs assessment and analysis.
OR
Master’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to a specialized field (including, but not limited to, international relations, economics, food policy or a related field) and a minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in emergency relief and humanitarian assistance, which must include at least one (1) year of on-the-ground international field experience working in humanitarian assistance. This experience must include one or more of the following: emergency relief operations, monitoring and evaluating humanitarian programs, or needs assessment and analysis.
SELECTION FACTORS
(Determines basic eligibility for the position. Applicants who do not meet all of the selection factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.)
● Applicant is a U.S. Citizen;
● Complete resume submitted. See cover page for resume requirements. Experience that cannot be quantified will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.
● Supplemental document specifically addressing the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs) submitted;
● Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret up to Top Secret level clearance, as provided by USAID;
● Ability to obtain a Department of State medical clearance;
● Satisfactory verification of academic credentials.
QUALITY RANKING FACTORS (QRFs)
(Used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified applicants in comparison to other applicants. The factors are listed in priority order from highest to least.)
QRF #1 Describe your experience in working on overseas disasters, developing country strategies, and integrating disaster response, rehabilitation, and preparedness activities.
QRF #2 Describe your experience in planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating USG grants, cooperative agreements, proposals, and contracts. Demonstrate your knowledge of USG regulations as they relate to the above award stages.
QRF #3 Describe your knowledge of and experience in coordinating relief, transition, and disaster risk reduction activities with host country governments, USAID Missions, other USG agencies (such as the State Department and Department of Defense), UN, other IOs, and NGOs involved in humanitarian response.
QRF #4 Outline your unique experience and qualifications to serve as a Program Officer for USG humanitarian programs in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, juggling multiple priorities and tasks.
HOW TO APPLY:
Applications must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in the cover letter.
Qualified individuals are required to submit:
1.Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your application, 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 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/email) of your current and/or previous supervisor(s). Current and/or previous supervisors may be contacted for a reference.
(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
Your resume should contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information should be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide information sufficient to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration.
2.Supplemental document specifically addressing the QRFs shown in the solicitation.
Additional documents submitted will not be accepted.
By submitting your application materials, you certify that all of the information on and attached to the application is true, correct, complete, and made in good faith. You agree to allow all information on and attached to the application to be investigated. False or fraudulent information on or attached to your application may result in you being eliminated from consideration for this position, or being terminated after award, and may be punishable by fine or imprisonment.
To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application, and as the subject line in any email.
DOCUMENT SUBMITTALS
Via mail: 529 14th Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20045
Via email: recruiter@ofda.gov
