USPSC Humanitarian Program Officer
USAID/Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) | |
$74,441 - $96,770 | |
| |
May 01, 2024 | |
SOLICITATION NUMBER: 7200AA24R00049 ISSUANCE DATE: April 30, 2024 CLOSING DATE AND TIME: July 5, 2024, 2:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time 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 persons to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation. Offers must be in accordance with Attachment 1 of this solicitation. 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 stated evaluation criteria. USAID encourages all individuals, including those from disadvantaged and under-represented groups, to respond to the solicitation. 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. Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in Attachment 1. Sincerely, Joy Burriss Contracting Officer Office of Acquisition & Assistance (M/OAA/BHA-CPS/PSC) I. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. SOLICITATION NO.: 7200AA24R00049 2. ISSUANCE DATE: April 30, 2024 3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: July 5, 2024, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time 4. POINT OF CONTACT: MENAE Recruitment Team, BHA.MENAERecruitment@usaid.gov 5. POSITION TITLE: Humanitarian Program Officer (HPO) 6. MARKET VALUE: $74,441 - $96,770 equivalent to GS-12 (not eligible for Locality Pay) Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value and will include Locality Pay for domestic USPSCs based on the location of the Official USAID Worksite, or the approved alternative worksite if approved for remote work. USPSCs performing overseas are not entitled to Locality Pay. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated. 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Budapest, Hungary or Amman, Jordan There may be an initial training program in Washington, D.C. for three months, which will include formal classroom training and on-the-job training; and may include security training. After completion of initial training, the HPO will be assigned to the place of performance. 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. 8. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Five (5) years, tentatively 145 day estimated start date from closing. 9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens Only 10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret If there is a change in circumstances requiring access to National Security information classified at the Top-Secret level, the offeror may be asked to obtain and maintain a Secret up to Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information level clearance as provided by USAID. 11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES GENERAL STATEMENT OF PURPOSE OF THE CONTRACT The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) works to save lives, alleviate human suffering, and reduce the impact of disasters by helping people in need become more self-reliant. BHA is responsible for planning, coordinating, developing, achieving, monitoring, and evaluating international humanitarian assistance falling into two conceptual areas: 1) Humanitarian Response during emergencies and 2) Early Recovery, Risk Reduction, and Resilience (ER4) activities to address longer-term recovery after emergencies. You can learn more about BHA on our website. The Office of Middle East, North Africa, and Europe (MENAE) assesses, designs, and provides humanitarian assistance with our partners, including assistance related to responding to, recovering from, and reducing the risk of man-made and natural disasters, while linking with other USAID investments that build resilience. MENAE retains humanitarian experts based overseas, who coordinate with local authorities, USAID Missions, United States (U.S.) Embassies, humanitarian donor groups, and regional and country level humanitarian architectures. Field experts also provide oversight of the BHA’s humanitarian partners and programs and monitor contextual developments to inform BHA country strategies. MENAE humanitarian experts in Washington coordinate with USAID Regional and Pillar Bureaus, as well as manage funding and programmatic activities implemented by non-governmental organizations (NGOs); international organizations (IOs), including the United Nations (UN) agencies; and other partners in the region for natural disasters and complex emergencies. The MENAE Office represents humanitarian programs and interests within the U.S. Government (USG) interagency, as well as in interactions with beneficiary populations, host governments, implementing partners, UN agencies, and other donors. MENAE consists of three geographic divisions: Europe, Middle East and Levant, and North Africa and Arabian Peninsula. The MENAE Field structure comprises a Regional Office based in Budapest, Hungary. MENAE also maintains a staff presence in bilateral Missions and other platforms throughout the region, including the Yemen Office of Humanitarian Assistance (OHA). The Yemen OHA comprises staff based in Amman, Jordan; Budapest, Hungary; and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. BHA requires the services of a HPO based in Budapest, Hungary or Amman, Jordan to ensure that BHA’s objectives for disaster assistance, disaster risk reduction (DRR), resilience programming, strategic reporting, and interagency coordination for the region are met. Place of performance will be determined at the time of hiring by BHA based on the needs of the Yemen OHA. The HPO will monitor BHA-funded programs, liaise with the UN and NGO community, provide assessments when appropriate, and make program recommendations. The HPO position requires an individual who is able to travel within the region, as needed, on short notice and for possibly extended periods of time. The HPO will serve as a primary contact and liaison for on-going disaster activities related to disaster response, preparedness, mitigation, and training programs. The HPO will work to increase the capability of the host government, IOs, and NGOs to respond and prepare for disasters. The HPO will be responsible for disaster analysis, program monitoring, overseeing NGO partner implementation, reporting to BHA/Washington, and liaising with USAID Missions and U.S. Embassies. BHA’s DIVERSITY PHILOSOPHY Your Uniqueness is Welcome Here! It takes talented people with unique experiences to provide the best humanitarian aid possible. We are committed to having a workforce that reflects the global communities we serve. We strive to create an inclusive workplace, where everyone brings their authentic selves to work. We invite you to join us in providing humanitarian assistance to save lives and alleviate the suffering around the world. STATEMENT OF DUTIES TO BE PERFORMED Working directly under the guidance and supervision of the Yemen Office Director or their designee, the HPO supports the Yemen OHA through the management of humanitarian activities in Yemen, assisting with program analysis, monitoring, strategy development, and coordination with partners in the humanitarian community. The HPO will work in close collaboration with a program team which may include the Yemen Office Director, Deputy Office Director, Senior Humanitarian Advisors, Senior HPOs, other HPOs, and Administrative Assistants. The HPO will perform the following: Contextual Specialty: ● Develop an understanding of the humanitarian context in Yemen and monitor changes to the context, including political, social, and operational issues impacting humanitarian efforts. ● Develop and maintain knowledge of USG foreign policy priorities in Yemen and USAID’s humanitarian and development strategies and objectives, including priority sectors, geographic areas of focus, and key humanitarian stakeholders. ● Provide regular reporting, through cables and other means, on issues related to the humanitarian situations in Yemen. ● Provide regular reports on site visits, meetings, relevant current events, and other issues that impact humanitarian relief efforts. Portfolio Management: ● Provide field-based insights, knowledge, and perspectives to support and inform award management. ● Work with BHA’s Washington-based Yemen Team in the development of program strategies for emergency response, resilience, and DRR activities across Yemen, overseeing day-to-day management of the portfolio and its budgets. ● Support team members in assessing emergency response and ER4 needs in Yemen in order to ensure BHA’s programs are appropriately responsive. ● Assist Agreement Officer’s Representatives (AORs) in managing and monitoring humanitarian awards by providing field-based insights, knowledge, and perspectives. ● Travel as permitted, to assess, evaluate, and monitor humanitarian conditions in Yemen, and make strategic recommendations for appropriate and relevant interventions. ● Assist in humanitarian award management and response activities outside of immediate areas of responsibility, as needed. Representation: ● Support the Yemen OHA in maintaining relations with senior leadership in the humanitarian community, including but not limited to UN agencies, IOs, NGOs, USG personnel, donors, host-country authorities, and others. ● Engage in and report on joint donor humanitarian evaluations and UN-led assessments and participate actively in the international community response structures. ● Prepare briefing papers, notes, and presentations on BHA programming for official USG visitors interested in humanitarian issues. ● Attend meetings on behalf of the Yemen OHA, USAID, or U.S. Embassy and report back to the Office on relevant issues and updates. ● Represent BHA with various audiences, including–but not limited to–humanitarian partners, clusters, International NGO Forum, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and donor working groups. Responsibility and Decision Making: ● In close coordination with program team members in the Yemen OHA, and Washington, D.C., work with NGOs, IOs, and UN agencies that are developing applications for BHA (including grant amendments and extensions) to ensure compliance with BHA’s guidelines. ● Participate in office-wide discussions on initiatives that impact program implementation to provide field-based perspectives, as assigned. ● Consistently model behaviors that demonstrate a commitment to fostering a non-hostile work environment free of discrimination, bias, unfairness, exclusion, offensive behaviors, and harassment of any kind. ● Foster and support a collaborative, respectful, and professional work environment by demonstrating partnership and teamwork to accomplish team, office, and bureau objectives. General Duties: ● Work effectively in a challenging and restrictive work environment and strictly adhere to U.S. Embassy security guidelines and comply with BHA and Embassy policies regarding in-office presence and telework. ● Serve in planning or program positions on response teams, assessment teams, or to provide coverage for field offices within the region. ● Engage in at least one workforce diversity initiative or activity focused on helping to improve the organizational culture. ● This position may be expected to be able to qualify, train for and routinely serve on disaster/humanitarian responses in Washington DC or in the disaster area for four-to-six-week (or more) intervals. These can either be Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs) and/or Response Management Teams (RMTs). DARTs are deployed to the field in response to disasters and operate in the field, providing staff an opportunity to deploy overseas for an extended period of time (e.g., six to eight weeks). RMTs are based in Washington, DC and provide services to support DARTs, such as coordination and external engagement, communications, planning, logistics, travel coordination, or other similar duties (depending on the RMT role). ● As needed, may serve on temporary short-term assignments (“detail”) on other teams within the office or bureau to meet operational needs during staff shortages. Duties performed while on a detail will be aligned with existing duties and responsibilities and will be directly related to the position’s scope of work. ● As needed, staff is expected to support BHA’s hiring efforts and serve on PSC hiring committees. Training will be provided. ● The PSC may be expected to obtain an AOR or a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) certification. The AOR/COR oversees agreements and/or contracts. This includes but is not limited to reviewing invoices, approvals, program/project deliverables (i.e. work plans, annual reports, monthly status reports), travel requests, key personnel requests, financial/budget reports, contractor performance evaluations, and compliance. More information about the AOR/COR responsibilities and related requirements can be found in the COR designation letter and the AOR designation letter. In the event that this role requires an AOR/COR certification, mandatory training will be provided. SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP: The USPSC will take direction from and will report to the Yemen Office Director or their designee. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The supervisor sets overall objectives and resources available and works with the USPSC to develop deadlines, work to be done; the USPSC is responsible for planning and carrying out assignments, coordinating with others and interpreting policy in terms of established objectives. May also determine the approach to be taken and the methodology to be used, keeping supervisor informed of progress. 12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The work requested is primarily sedentary and does not involve undue physical demands. Work is primarily performed in an office setting. During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, 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). During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, the work 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 EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE 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.) A High School Diploma or its equivalent with at least eight (8) years of experience in any combination of general experience with international relations, economics, food policy, emergency relief, disaster risk reduction (DRR), or disaster preparedness programming and management. OR A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with at least four (4) years of experience in any combination of general experience with international relations, economics, food policy, emergency relief, disaster risk reduction (DRR), or disaster preparedness programming and management. OR A Master's in any discipline with at least two (2) years of experience in any combination of general experience with international relations, economics, food policy, emergency relief, disaster risk reduction (DRR), or disaster preparedness programming and management. AND Specialized experience: ● International-focused experience managing, supporting, or directly implementing humanitarian assistance, emergency management, relief, disaster risk reduction (DRR), post-emergency rehabilitation, recovery, or resilience. ● Experience with assessing humanitarian needs and designing remedial or preventative activities in response to the undertaken assessments. AND ● Offeror is a U.S. Citizen. ● Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Level Clearance. (If there is a change in circumstances requiring access to National Security information classified at the Top-Secret level, the offeror may be asked to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information level clearance after award). Failure to do so may result in the withdrawal of an offer or removal. ● Ability to obtain a Department of State medical clearance and maintain it throughout the life of the contract. More information on medical clearance classifications can be found in 16 FAM 211.2 Clearance Classifications or the Department of State webpage on medical clearances. III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS 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 competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers. FAR provisions of this solicitation are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far. The technical evaluation committee may conduct reference checks, including references from individuals who have not been specifically identified by the offeror, and may do so before or after a candidate is interviewed. SELECTION FACTORS (Determines basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do not meet all of the selection factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.) ● Offeror is a U.S. Citizen. ● Complete resume submitted. See section IV for resume requirements. Experience that cannot be quantified will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements. ● USPSC Offeror form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete sections A through I. This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures may be accepted. ● Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance. If there is a change in circumstances requiring access to National Security information classified at the Top-Secret level, the offeror may be asked to obtain and maintain a Secret up to Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information level clearance as provided by USAID. Failure to do so may result in the withdrawal of an offer or removal. ● Ability to obtain a Department of State medical clearance and maintain it throughout the life of the contract. More information on medical clearance classifications can be found in 16 FAM 211.2 Clearance Classifications or the Department of State webpage on medical clearances. ● Must not appear as an excluded party in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). ● Satisfactory verification of academic credentials. OFFEROR RATING SYSTEM The offeror rating system factors are used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified offerors in comparison to other offerors. Offerors must demonstrate the rating factors outlined below within their resume, as they are evaluated strictly by the information provided. The rating factors are as follows: BASIS OF RATING (HOW YOU WILL BE SCORED) Education and General Experience Required years of general experience and education Pass or Fail Specialized Experience Experience in required specialized skills, industry knowledge to complete the duties/tasks 30 points Offeror Interview Validation of required skills and knowledge for suitability for the position. 60 points Professional Reference Checks Written confirmation of current or previous professional colleagues or supervisor. 10 points Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks (10 points) Offerors must provide their references to BHA upon request no later than seven (7) days from the initial request. Failure to meet this requirement will result in the offeror being removed from consideration for this solicitation. In addition, the Agency has the right to seek any additional feedback on the offeror as needed. SCORING OF OFFERORS Specialized Experience: 30 points Interview: 60 points References: 10 points TOTAL: 100 points Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks (10 points) Offerors must provide their references to BHA upon request no later than seven (7) days from the initial request. Failure to meet this requirement will result in the offeror being removed from consideration for this solicitation. In addition, the Agency has the right to seek any additional feedback on the offeror as needed. Total Possible Points: 100 BASIS OF RATING: Offerors who meet the Education/Experience requirements and Selection Factors will be further evaluated in accordance with the Offeror Rating System. Those offerors determined to be competitively ranked may also be evaluated on interview performance and satisfactory professional reference checks. Offerors are required to address each factor of the Offeror Rating System in their resume, describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received as it pertains to each factor. Be sure to include your name and the announcement number at the top of each additional page. Failure to address the selection factors and/or Offeror Rating System factors may result in not receiving credit for all pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards. The most qualified offerors may be interviewed and required to provide a writing sample. BHA will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. Professional references and academic credentials will be evaluated for offerors being considered for selection. Note: Please be advised that references may be obtained independently from other sources in addition to the ones provided by an offeror. BHA reserves the right to select additional offerors if vacancies become available during the future phase of the selection process. IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER 1. Eligible Offerors are required to complete and submit the offer form AID 309-2, “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals,” available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms. 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. 3. Offeror submissions must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents. 4. 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 field experience must also be BHA 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) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards, or accomplishments. Failure to identify an academic discipline will result in disqualification. (d) U.S. Citizenship (e) Optional: How did you hear about this opportunity? (SAM.gov, BHA Jobs, Career Fair, etc.). Your resume must contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information must 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. Additional documents submitted will not be accepted. By submitting your offer materials, you certify that all of the information on and attached to the offer is true, correct, complete, and made in good faith. You agree to allow all information on and attached to the offer to be investigated. False or fraudulent information on or attached to your offer 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 offers for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your offer, and as the subject line in any email. 5. NOTE: If the full security application package is not submitted within 30 days after the Office of Security determines eligibility, the offer may be rescinded. If a Secret security clearance is notobtained within nine months after offer acceptance, the offer may be rescinded. If Top Secret is required, and clearance is not obtained within nine months after award, USAID may terminatethe contract at the convenience of the government. If Sensitive Compartmented Information(SCI) access is not obtained within nine months after Top Secret clearance is granted, USAID mayterminate the contract at the convenience of the government. 6. NOTE: If the full medical clearance package is not submitted within two months after offeracceptance, the offer may be rescinded. If a Department of State medical clearance is not obtained; the offer may be rescinded. 7. NOTE REGARDING GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FOR THIS SOLICITATION: 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. |