USPSC Senior Program Officer 84 views0 applications

Position Title: Senior Program Officer

Solicitation Number: 720FDA19B00005

Salary Level: GS-13 Equivalent: $75,628 – $98,317

Issuance Date: December 3, 2018

Closing Date: January 9, 2019

Closing Time: 12:00 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 Senior Program Officer (SPO) 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

(f) Optional: How did you hear about this opportunity? (FedBizOps, OFDA Jobs, Career Fair, etc.).

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. USPSC Application form AID 309-2. Applicants are required to complete sections A through I. This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.

NOTE REGARDING DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBERS

AND THE SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT

All USPSCs with a place of performance in the United States are required to have a Data

Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and be registered in the System for Award

Management (SAM) database prior to receiving an award. You will be disqualified if you either

fail to comply with this requirement or if your name appears on the excluded parties list. The

selectee will be provided with guidance regarding this registration.

NOTE: As of March 28, 2018, all new SAM.gov entity registrations will now require a signed

notarized letter identifying the authorized Entity administrator for the entity associated with the

DUNS number. Additional information on the format of the notarized letter and where to submit

can be found via the below Federal Service Desk link:

https://www.fsd.gov/fsd-gov/answer.do?sysparm_kbid=d2e67885db0d5f00b3257…

sysparm_search=kb0013183

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 must be emailed to:

OFDA Recruitment Team

E-Mail Address: [email protected]

Website: www.OFDAjobs.net

Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to OFDA Recruitment Team via the information provided above.

Sincerely,

Renee Newton

Contracting Officer

Solicitation for USPSC Senior Program Officer

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 720FDA18B00005

2. ISSUANCE DATE: December 3, 2018

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: January 9, 2019 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time

4. POSITION TITLE: Senior Program Officer

5. MARKET VALUE:

GS-13 equivalent ($75,628 – $98,317 – not eligible for locality pay). Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based upon the candidate’s established salary history. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two (2) years, with three (3) one-year options

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Khartoum, Sudan

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 Washington training, the Senior Program Officer will be assigned to the place of performance.

8. STATEMENT OF WORK

POSITION DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) is the office within USAID that is responsible for providing emergency non-food humanitarian assistance in response to international crises and disasters. OFDA is part of the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA) and is organized into six divisions.

The Africa (AFD) Response Division and the Asia, Latin America, Europe and Middle East (ALE) Response Division are responsible for the provision of emergency humanitarian assistance through a grants mechanism to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international organizations (IOs) including United Nations (UN) agencies and to other partners to ensure the implementation and delivery of this assistance. These Divisions also oversee OFDA’s non-response efforts in disaster risk reduction and resilience. AFD and ALE Response Divisions also coordinate with other organizations for the provision of relief supplies and assistance. They devise, coordinate and implement program strategies for a variety of natural and complex disaster situations. Both Divisions encompass groups of operations specialists who provide technical expert capability in assessing the quality and strategic function of disaster response and risk reduction activities. The AFD Response Division is divided into two teams: East and Central Africa (ECA), and Southern, West, and North Africa (SWAN). The ALE Response Division is divided into four teams: East Asia and the Pacific (EAP), Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia (EMCA), Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), and South Asia (SA).

The Operations (OPS) Division develops and manages operations for OFDA’s disaster responses by readying people and systems; projecting U.S. Government (USG) humanitarian capacity quickly into the field; and delivering material and technical assistance. The OPS Division maintains readiness to respond to emergencies through several mechanisms, including managing Urban Search and Rescue Teams, coordinating, staffing, training, and equipping Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs) and Washington-based Response Management Teams (RMTs), and stockpiling emergency relief commodities in key locations around the globe to ensure OFDA’s capacity to execute and coordinate USG humanitarian assistance and response to natural disasters and complex emergencies. The OPS Division provides technical guidance and expertise in Disaster Logistics, Urban Search and Rescue, Operations Center management, activation/readiness, Civil-Military Liaison, and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive Consequence Management. It also provides overseas support to OFDA offices and personnel and to other sectors necessary to ensure OFDA’s capacity to execute and coordinate USG humanitarian assistance and response to natural disasters and complex emergencies. The OPS Division is divided into four teams: the Disaster Assistance Support Program (DASP), Military Liaison Team (MLT), Operations Support Team (OST), and Overseas Administration Team (OAT).

The Program Support (PS) Division provides operational management support, including general administration, budget and financial services, procurement planning, information technology (IT), human resources management including staff care, and contract and grant administration support to OFDA. The PS Division supports OFDA’s mandate by providing innovative solutions for IT, staffing, funds control, budgeting, information and human resource management, and procurement to facilitate timely disaster responses. The PS Division is divided into four teams: the Award, Audit, and Risk Management (AARM) Team, Human Resources Management (HRM) Team, Budget, Finance, and Information Technology (BFIT) Team, and the Acquisition and Management (ACQ) Team.

The Preparation, Strategic Planning and Mitigation (PSPM) Division is responsible for the technical oversight of all OFDA response and mitigation programs, as well as preparation for response, mitigation, and disaster risk reduction activities. The PSPM Division houses technical experts in all sectors potentially affected by disasters, and leads the Agency in developing and promoting best practices for programming in these specific sectors. In addition, PSPM will be the focal point for technological innovations for humanitarian assistance in areas such as monitoring and evaluation, assessment, and information management. The PSPM Division is divided into four teams: Cross-Cutting Sectors Team, Natural Hazards Team, Health Team, and Food Security and Livelihoods Team.

The Humanitarian Policy and Global Engagement (HPGE) Division assists the DCHA front office, the OFDA Director and OFDA Deputy Director with tracking trends and policy developments in the humanitarian assistance field. It engages in policy dialogue with other parts of USAID, the USG interagency, other donors, multilateral agencies, and NGO partners; recommends strategies for action to DCHA; initiates development of policy and internal guidance for OFDA; maintains global relationships with implementing partners, other donors, and the broader humanitarian architecture; engages with the UN to advance USG humanitarian policy objectives and to promote humanitarian principles within the USG and internationally. HPGE Division leads OFDA’s communications and social media outreach to effectively communicate OFDA’s story to a variety of strategic audiences; and serves as the office’s primary interlocutor on strategic issues with other federal partners to provide guidance to OFDA on policy issues pertaining to the interagency, and to improve USG humanitarian coordination and response during large-scale crises. The HPGE Division staff manages global programs, policy and outreach, strategic communications, and interagency training and engagement. HPGE is divided into seven teams: Policy Team, Global Programs Team, Strategic Interagency Team, Strategic Communications Team, Global Capacity and Leadership Development Team, Public-Private Engagement Team, and the United States Mission to the UN (USUN) in New York, Geneva and Rome.

INTRODUCTION

To effectively respond to the complex emergency in Sudan, OFDA operates an office headquartered at the USAID Mission in Khartoum, Sudan, which was responsible for overseeing more than $74 million in OFDA funding in Sudan during fiscal year 2018. The Senior Humanitarian Advisor (SHA) is OFDA’s principal humanitarian representative in Sudan and is located in Khartoum. The Senior Program Officer (SPO) for Sudan supports the SHA by providing program strategy development and implementation oversight. The SPO oversees field monitoring of OFDA programs and ensures reporting on humanitarian needs and programming in Sudan, to include Darfur, North and West Kordofan, the East and country-wide issues. The SPO assists the SHA with assessment, analysis and reporting on existing or evolving crises, maintenance of partner relationships, and coordination of award management activities.

Under the guidance of the SHA, the SPO will coordinate closely with USAID Mission and Embassy staff, and exchange information as needed with colleagues covering the South Sudan portfolio, as well as with the field and headquarters-based OFDA regional team. This includes sharing project ideas, strategies, and soliciting advice and guidance. The SPO will also work closely with the Agreement Officer’s Representative for all assigned awards.

OBJECTIVE

OFDA requires the services of one SPO for the Sudan portfolio to ensure that OFDA’s objectives for disaster assistance, risk reduction, resilience programming, strategic reporting, and interagency coordination for the region, are met.

9. CORE FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• The OFDA SPO will primarily provide full time in-country coordination and management of OFDA programming for humanitarian emergency and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) activities throughout Sudan. The SPO may assist in humanitarian assistance activities elsewhere in the region, as needed.
• This position requires effective daily coordination with several OFDA staff members, as well as with representatives from other USAID offices, Embassy staff, and the humanitarian community, and therefore requires a highly collaborative work style. The SPO 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 incumbent may be required to serve as a critical component of a USG disaster assessment team, DART, RMT, or to backfill other staff members in the overseas office.
• Serve as the principal contact point for OFDA programming in Sudan, which includes the two areas: North and West Kordofan, and Darfur. Coordinate closely with both field and headquarters-based components of OFDA’s Regional Team and maintain regular contact with concerned staff in both the Khartoum and Juba USAID Missions and U.S. Embassies.
• Lead OFDA’s Sudan-based program staff in the development of OFDA’s programming for response and DRR activities in Sudan and oversee implementation of OFDA’s overarching Sudan strategy.
• Continually assess emergency response and DRR needs in Sudan in order to ensure that OFDA’s programs are appropriately responsive.
• Support the SHA in maintaining relations with the senior leadership of the Sudan humanitarian community in representing USAID and OFDA on humanitarian issues. This will include but is not limited to UN agencies, IOs, and NGOs, USG personnel, donors, host government authorities, and others.
• Travel as permitted to assess, evaluate and monitor humanitarian conditions in Sudan, and make strategic recommendations for appropriate interventions.
• Participate in and report on joint donor humanitarian evaluations and UN-led assessments, and participate actively in the international community response structures.
• 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 SHA, Team Lead, and other staff current on response issues. Provide regular reports on site visits, meetings, general atmospherics and other issues that impact humanitarian relief efforts.
• With guidance from the SHA, coordinate with the donor community on policy issues affecting humanitarian operations, and develop integrated, non-duplicative programs.
• Prepare briefing papers, notes and presentations on OFDA programming for official USG visitors interested in humanitarian issues.
• Conduct performance reviews and evaluations, and coordinate staff development plans for OFDA Sudan program team members, with guidance from the SHA.
• As needed, serve on DARTs which may require immediate (within 24 hours) deployment overseas for an extended period of time.
• As needed, may serve on temporary details within the office or region not to exceed six months. Duties performed while on detail will be aligned with the Team’s existing duties and responsibilities as well as directly related to the scope of work provided.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP:

The SPO will take direction from and will report to the OFDA SHA for Sudan, located in Khartoum, Sudan, or his/her designee, and maintain close coordination with OFDA’s Team Lead and the regional team for East and Central Africa, located in Washington, D.C.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:

Supervisor sets overall objectives and resource available; the USPSC consults with supervisor to develop deadlines, projects and work to be done. The USPSC is responsible for planning and carrying out assignments. The USPSC is responsible for planning approach or methodology to be used in carrying out assignments.

10. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is generally sedentary and does not pose undue physical demands. 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).

11. WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is primarily performed in an office setting. 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.

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

13. POINT OF CONTACT: See Cover Letter.

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) plus a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in emergency relief and humanitarian assistance, including at least two (2) years of international field experience working on multi-agency relief operations in a humanitarian emergency setting.

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) plus a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in emergency relief and humanitarian assistance, including at least two (2) years of international field experience working on multi-agency relief operations in a humanitarian emergency setting.

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.

● USPSC Application form AID 309-2. Applicants are required to complete sections A through I. This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.

● Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret up to Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information level clearance as provided by USAID.

● Ability to obtain a Department of State medical clearance.

● Must not appear as an excluded party in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

● Satisfactory verification of academic credentials.

APPLICANT RATING SYSTEM

The applicant rating system factors are used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified applicants in comparison to other applicants. Applicants 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:

Professional Experience (10 points):

· Experience monitoring and reporting on rapidly evolving humanitarian crises in an international disaster context.

· Experience working across the entire disaster management cycle to include emergency response, early recovery and transition, disaster risk reduction, and resilience.

· Specific experience implementing humanitarian interventions including needs assessment, strategy development, budget management, resource prioritization, program development, and program management.

Skills and Abilities (10 points):

· Demonstrated diplomatic, interpersonal, and representational skills in order to work effectively with host governments at senior levels in the midst of humanitarian crisis situations.

· Demonstrated diplomatic, interpersonal, and representational skills in order to work effectively with other donors and diplomatic missions at senior levels in the midst of international humanitarian crisis situations.

· Demonstrated diplomatic, interpersonal, and representational skills in order to work effectively with international and national non-governmental humanitarian partners at senior levels in the midst of humanitarian crisis situations.

· Demonstrated diplomatic, interpersonal, and representational skills in order to effectively achieve humanitarian objectives within the USG at senior levels, including with DOD, Embassies, Members of Congress, and senior executive branch staff in the midst of international humanitarian crisis situations.

· Demonstrated ability to communicate complex humanitarian issues to a range of audiences through written products.

Program Management (10 points):

· Demonstrated knowledge of USG acquisition and assistance regulations.

· Experience developing, designing, or evaluating proposed humanitarian interventions against response or disaster risk reduction strategies and identified needs.

· Demonstrated experience managing USG acquisition or assistance awards to include post-award administration and regulation compliance.

Interview Performance (40 points)

Writing Test (20 points)

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks (10 points)

Total Possible Points: 100

BASIS OF RATING: Applicants who meet the Education/Experience requirements and Selection Factors will be further evaluated in accordance with the Applicant Rating System. Those applicants determined to be competitively ranked may also be evaluated on interview performance and satisfactory professional reference checks.

Applicants are required to address each factor of the Applicant 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 Applicant Rating System factors may result in not receiving credit for all pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards.

The most qualified candidates may be interviewed and required to provide a writing sample. OFDA will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. Professional references and academic credentials will be evaluated for applicants 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 applicant. OFDA reserves the right to select additional candidates if vacancies become available during future phase of the selection process.