Project Management Specialist (Democracy and Governance) FSN-12 (Multiple Vacancies) (Kabul, Afghanistan)

Job Description

Job Description:Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply GENERAL INFORMATION SOLICITATION NO.: 72030621R10005 ISSUANCE DATE: January 26, 2021 CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: February 10, 2021 no later than 4:30 PM Kabul time POINT OF CONTACT: E-mail at kblaidfsnjobs@usaid.gov POSITION TITLE: Project Management Specialist (Democracy and Governance) MARKET VALUE: Equivalent to FSN-12 (Step 1 – 13) In accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of U.S. Embassy Afghanistan. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Five (5) years, estimated to start one (1) month following receipt of Security Clearance. Employment contract issued under this solicitation is of a continuing nature. Its duration is expected to be part of a series of sequential contracts. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Kabul, Afghanistan with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Cooperating Country National (CCN), meaning an individual who is a cooperating country (Afghanistan) citizen, or a non-cooperating country citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the cooperating country. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Foreign Service National (FSN) Security Certification. STATEMENT OF DUTIES General Statement of Purpose of the Contract Under the general supervision and technical guidance of the Office of Democracy and Governance (ODG) Director or his/her designee, the incumbent serves as Contracting/Agreement Officer Representative (A/COR) and the Mission’s senior professional specialist with emphasis on strengthening governance and democratic institutions in Afghanistan. Work involves the full range of consultative, advisory, monitoring, management, data collection, analysis, and evaluative services across the country. The incumbent is recognized as the Mission’s senior expert and principal Cooperative Country National (CCN) advisor to Mission’s senior management on issues of democratic development and good governance. The incumbent is responsible for designing, managing, and evaluating complex, multi-million-dollar USAID initiatives promoting democracy and governance that are politically viable, cost effective, and respond effectively to areas of greatest need and potential. As such, the employee must be knowledgeable about and committed to the role democracy and governance plays in a democratic system and must be effective in obtaining the willing agreement, cooperation, and support of relevant counterparts in the country. Counterparts include, but are not limited to U.S., international, and indigenous Non-Governmental and Private Voluntary Organizations (NGOs/PVOs), international donors, and Afghanistan government officials. Statement of Duties to be Performed Program/Project Design and Management: Under the guidance and direction of the Office Director or his/her designee, the incumbent supervises other CCNs on the governance team. This may include setting work priorities, reviewing/approving assigned work tasks, and coordinating responses to data calls/taskers from the Executive Office, Office of Program and Project Development, and Office of Financial Management (OFM). Manages assigned democracy and governance assistance activities or selected components of complex democracy projects. Reviews and comments on technical and cost proposals and work plans by prospective and existing implementing partners. Monitors performance through site visits, written reports, third-party monitors, and regular communication with implementers and beneficiaries. Identifies delays and problems with projects and formulates pragmatic solutions. Documents findings and follow-up actions in monitoring reports. Researches and provides implementers with information or appropriate guidance on USAID regulations and how to comply with them. Monitors project accruals and disbursements. Prepares authorizations for signature of responsible colleagues. Consistent with the overall Mission strategy, the incumbent independently cultivates/maintains contacts and dialogue with local partners, Afghan government officials, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the country. The dialogue with these contacts will be used by the incumbent to monitor the legal and political environment for democracy and governance and to advocate for reforms in policies to strengthen democracy and to increase good governance. Within the framework of guidelines provided by the Office Director, conducts negotiations with relevant counterparts in Afghanistan regarding the design, development, and implementation of democracy and governance activities and programs and the types and amounts of support to be provided by each party. Mission Strategy: Assists the Office Director and his/her designee in reviewing the relevant activities for compliance with U.S. laws, USAID regulations and policies, international law, and bilateral international agreements between the U.S. Government and host country government. Based on USAID policy and program objectives, prepares technical and policy analyses to evaluate trends in the development of democratic culture–the USAID Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) objectives. Contributes directly to the drafting of annual and semi-annual performance reviews, notifications to Congress, and other required reports as assigned. As requested, briefs officials from the United States and Afghanistan along with contractor representatives on the state of democracy development, needed reforms, counterpart actions, constraints, and other related issues. Drafts technical justifications for new activities and for changes to ongoing activities and programs. These drafts cover economic, political, cultural, and social factors; assistance objectives and methodology; and needed inputs and expected results. Activities include research and writing, as well as substantive participation in program planning and implementation Mission wide. Country Analysis and Program Reporting: Analyzes and reports on those aspects of assistance activities in Afghanistan relating to democracy and good governance. Using primary and secondary sources, and, where necessary, conducting research of a qualitative and/or quantitative nature, assesses the impact of new developments and interventions regarding democracy assistance in assigned areas. Based on contacts and research findings, the incumbent recommends approval, modification, or rejection of program objectives, approaches, timing, and scope. Analyzes the policy documents of the Government of Afghanistan, Afghan non-governmental organizations, and other donors operating in the country to identify “targets of opportunity” for future USAID interventions in support of democracy strengthening efforts to minimize duplication of effort. Contributes directly to the drafting of annual and semi-annual performance reviews, notifications to Congress, and other required reports, as assigned. On a selected basis, provides reporting and analysis on initiatives, programs, and activities outside of the Democracy and Governance portfolio. As requested, briefs U.S. and Afghan officials, along with contactor representatives on the state of democracy development in Afghanistan, needed reforms, and required counterparts’ actions, constraints, and other related issues with may impede progress. The contractor is eligible for temporary duty (TDY) travel to the U.S., or to other Missions abroad, to participate in the “Foreign Service National” Fellowship Program, in accordance with USAID policy. Supervisory Relationship Under the overall direction of the ODG Director, or his/her designee, plans and carries out day to day management of his/her portfolio with a high degree of independence. Assigned duties demand innovative thinking, sound judgement, personal initiative, and the ability to assume increasing responsibility and authority. Meets regularly with the ODG leadership to discuss the status of projects and related activities. Supervisory Controls The incumbent provides oversight as assigned to grantees, contractors, and consultants who are implementing various components of ODG development programs in Afghanistan. In addition, the incumbent will provide supervision over five (5) other CCNs of FSN-07 and above in the governance team. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

Background

About USAID/Afghanistan:SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72030621R10005 ISSUANCE DATE: January 26, 2021 CLOSING DATE/TIME: February 10, 2021 (4:30 PM Kabul Time) SUBJECT: Solicitation for a Cooperating Country National Personal Service Contractor (CCNPSC) Project Management Specialist (Democracy and Governance) FSN-12 (Multiple Vacancies) Dear Prospective Offerors: The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking offers from qualified applicants to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation. Offers must be in accordance with Attachment 1 of this solicitation. Incomplete offers will not be considered. Offerors should retain copies of all offer materials for their records. 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 offers. Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in the attachment 1. Sincerely, Contracting Officer

Job Requirements

Job Requirements:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Education: Master Degree in Public Administration, Economics, Development Studies, or Political Science is required. (Education requirements must be met at the time of application for the subject position).

Work Experience: At least five (5) years of experience demonstrating knowledge of public administration, democracy, and governance issues in Afghanistan, and/or experience in another related field, which demonstrates increasing responsibility for managing, analyzing, coordinating, and guiding significant analytical and project management efforts. (Work experience requirements must be met at the time of application for the subject position).

Language: Level IV (Fluent) speaking/reading/writing English and Level IV (Fluent) speaking/reading/writing Dari and/or Pashtu is required. (English language ability will be tested).

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. The FAR provisions referenced above are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

Knowledge: Thorough knowledge and understanding of the political situation in Afghanistan is necessary. This must be complemented by a good understanding of Afghanistan’s: 1) specific economic, political, and cultural characteristics, and 2) its social problems, resources constraints, and development prospects/priorities.

Skills and Abilities: The incumbent must have the ability to obtain, analyze and evaluate data and to organize/present the analysis in concise written and oral form; independently plan, develop, manage, and evaluate important and complex programs and projects; and furnish information and advice in assigned areas with detachment and objectivity. Must be able to independently establish and maintain contacts with senior-level ministerial officials of the Afghan government and with leading officials in the non-governmental arena to explain and defend USAID project and program policies, objectives, and procedures and to transmit and interpret host country government and non-governmental sector attitudes and concerns to senior USAID officials.

All applications will be screened for meeting the minimum requirements (Education and Experience). Successful applications will then be ranked by the TEC on the following evaluation and selection factors:

EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

Work Experience                         50 points
Knowledge                                  30 points
Skills and Abilities                      20 points

Maximum Points 100 points

Following the ranking by the TEC, successful candidates will be invited for an English and Proficiency Test (EPT) and a Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Test. Successful candidates for these tests will further be invited for an oral interview. Candidates will be selected on final average scores of the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities and Interview.

Reference checks will be conducted once the applicant pool is narrowed down to the top candidate(s). References may be obtained independently from other sources in addition to the ones provided by an applicant.

USAID/Afghanistan reserves the right to select additional candidates if vacancies become

available during future phases of the selection process.

Vacancy Number

72030621R10005

No. Of Jobs

Gender

Any

Years of Experience

At least five (5) years of experience demonstratin

Duration

Five (5) years, estimated to start one (1) month following receipt of Security Clearance.

Submission Guideline

Submission Guideline:

SUBMITTING AN OFFER

Applicants are required to complete and submit a complete application package which must include all required documents (provided below) to AFPAKjobs@usaid.gov with a Subject line Project Management Specialist (Democracy and Governance) FSN-12 (SOL#: 72030621R10005). Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Complete the mandatory Google form application available on the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSexquUS1uY83_jkNeCEzdJCRli2fovsrnbm8KQHDhqpUi-GTw/viewform?usp=sf_link
Cover memo/email text that outlines how your qualifications and experience meet the selection criteria.
Updated version of Application for Employment as a Locally Employed Staff (DS-174, dated 6/30/2022) https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds174.PDF (A copy of the DS-174 form can also be downloaded from ACBAR.org under this link http://www.acbar.org/applicationform. Applicants who are accessing this solicitation through jobs.af can download directly from the website); and
A current resume or curriculum vitae.

IN ORDER TO HAVE YOUR APPLICATION CONSIDERED, YOU MUST SUBMIT ALL FOUR ABOVE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS. IF YOU OMIT ANY OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, GOOGLE FORM, COVER PAGE, CV OR UPDATED DS-174 FORM, YOUR APPLICATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

For Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), please refer to below link:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rkZ_Xgdql4Mq9vroj16fJibBYElRhN0b9PGdldAc-G0/edit?usp=sharing

Notes:

Only short-listed candidates will be notified.
This vacancy is open only to Afghan Nationals.
Applications with old DS-174 form will not be considered.
Applications with insufficient, incomplete and inconsistent information to make a determination will not be considered.
No in-person appointments or telephone calls will be entertained.
Applications submitted as .RAR and/or WinZip file will not be considered.
Candidates who are applying for this position must fully meet the education requirement (graduated and degree and/or diploma already received) as specified. At the time of application, candidates must also meet in full the experience requirement. There is no exception to these requirements.
Short-listed candidates will be requested to provide educational documents such as degrees, diplomas, certificates and other pertinent documents as needed. Failure to provide the required documentation will result in disqualification of their application from further consideration.
The Agency retains the full right to cancel or amend the solicitation and associated actions.
To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission.

LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

The Contracting Officer (CO) will provide instructions on how to complete and submit the following forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award:

Pre-employment Medical History and Examination Form.U.S. Embassy Kabul Security Certification Request.Appointment Affidavits Standard Form 61.

BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

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

BENEFITS:

Defined Contribution Plan (DCF) 12% of the base salary
Premium Pay
Leave Benefits (Annual, Sick, Maternity, Nursing, Hajj (Pilgrimage) and Special)
Medical Benefits
Death and Disability Benefits
Retirement and other end of service benefits
Travel and Temporary Duty (TDY) Benefits

ALLOWANCES (as applicable):

25% Unique Conditions of Work Allowance (UCWA)
Transportation Allowance

TAXES:

Local Employee Staff (CCN) is responsible for paying local income taxes. The U.S Mission does not withhold year end local income tax payments.

USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs

USAID regulations and policies governing CCNPSC awards are available at these sources:

1.USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix J, “Direct USAID Contracts With a Cooperating Country National and with a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf

2.Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms. Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract award as described below:

3.Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs

4.Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch,” available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations

Submission Email
AFPAKjobs@usaid.gov