USPSC Humanitarian Capacity Advisor (Multiple Positions)

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 720BHA21R00053

ISSUANCE DATE: June 11, 2021

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: July 02, 2021, 12:00 P.M. Eastern 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) Office of Global Policy, Partnerships, Programs, and Communications (G3PC), is seeking offers from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal service as a Humanitarian Capacity Advisor under a United States Personal Services Contract (USPSC), as described in the solicitation. Submittals must be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Offerors interested in applying for this position MUST submit the following materials: 1. 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. 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? (beta.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. 2. USPSC Offeror form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete sections A through I. This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted. AID 309-2 is available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms. U.S. Agency for International Development 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20523 www.usaid.gov 720BHA21R00053 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/fsdgov/answer.dosysparm_kbid=d2e67885db0d5f00b3257d321f96194b&sysparm_search=kb0013183

Offerors can expect to receive a confirmation email when offer materials have been received. Offerors should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their offers.

Your complete resume must be emailed to: G3PC Recruitment Team E-Mail Address: [email protected] Website: www.BHAjobs.net Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to the G3PC Recruitment Team via the information provided above. Sincerely, Sonja Stroud-Gooden Contracting Officer 2 | Page 720BHA21R00053 I. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. SOLICITATION NO.: 720BHA21R00053 2. ISSUANCE DATE: June 11, 2021 3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: July 02, 2021, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time 4. POINT OF CONTACT: G3PC Recruitment Team, [email protected] 5. POSITION TITLE: Humanitarian Capacity Advisor (Multiple Positions) 6. MARKET VALUE: $103,690 – $134,798 equivalent to GS-13 (includes locality pay) Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated. If the position is for a Washington based PSC, offerors who live outside the Washington, D.C. area will be considered for employment, but no relocation expenses will be reimbursed. 7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Five (5) years. 8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Washington, D.C. 9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens 10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret up to Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information level clearance as provided by USAID. 11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES POSITION DESCRIPTION BACKGROUND The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) is responsible for facilitating and coordinating U.S. Government (USG) humanitarian assistance overseas in response to all types of international disasters, including slow-onset disasters such as droughts or famine, natural disasters such as earthquakes or floods, or man-made disasters such as conflict or war. BHA is responsible for planning, coordinating, developing, achieving, monitoring, and evaluating international humanitarian assistance falling into two conceptual areas:

● Humanitarian Response activities comprise needs-based humanitarian assistance provided to save lives, alleviate suffering, and protect human dignity during and in the aftermath of emergencies. Humanitarian assistance is grounded in humanitarian principles and is directed toward the most vulnerable populations. 3 | Page 720BHA21R00053

● Early Recovery, Risk Reduction, and Resilience (ER4) activities will set the initial foundations for longer-term recovery as appropriate, and will work in close conjunction with humanitarian assistance. Early recovery is an approach that supports communities impacted by crises to protect and restore basic systems and service delivery. Early recovery builds on humanitarian response efforts and establishes the initial foundations of long-term recovery. Early recovery activities are implemented for a specified, appropriate timeframe that assists populations recovering from an identifiable shock. Risk reduction is the prevention of new and reduction of existing disaster risk and management of residual risk, which contributes to strengthening resilience and to the achievement of sustainable development. Resilience is the ability of people, households, communities, countries, and systems to mitigate, adapt to, and recover from shocks and stresses in a manner that reduces chronic vulnerability and facilitates inclusive growth. BHA has seven offices, as follows: The Bureau’s three geographic offices are: (1) Office of Africa; (2) Office of Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean; and (3) the Office of the Middle East, North Africa and Europe. Each geographic office designs, provides, and assesses humanitarian assistance for their respective regions, 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. The Office of Global Policy, Partnerships, Programs, and Communications (G3PC) shapes and influences USAID’s role within the international humanitarian system; leads engagement on a range of policy, programmatic, and operational issues; and positions the Agency to influence collective response to emergency needs across the globe. The Office of Technical and Program Quality (TPQ) leads the Bureau’s efforts to provide high-quality programmatic and technical leadership, oversight, and guidance. In addition, TPQ leads the Bureau’s external engagement with academia and coordinates research to advance the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of humanitarian and multi-year programming. The Office of Humanitarian Business and Management Operations (HBMO) is responsible for maintaining 24/7 operability by providing leadership, planning, quality assurance, technical expertise, and process management. HBMO ensures effective stewardship of the Bureau’s support services, including workforce planning, staffing, financial management, internal controls, facilities operations and infrastructure. The Office of Field and Response Operations (FARO) leads and manages operational assistance and the purchase and delivery of goods and services in response to declared foreign disasters and international humanitarian needs in key functional areas, including supply-chain management, procurement, logistics, oversight, and operational coordination with the U.S. military. INTRODUCTION The Office of Global Policy, Partnerships, Programs, and Communication (G3PC) shapes and influences USAID’s role within the international humanitarian system; leads engagement on a 4 | Page 720BHA21R00053 range of policy, programmatic, and operational issues; and positions the Agency to influence collective response to emergency needs across the globe. The office is organized into seven divisions, namely: Humanitarian Policy and International Systems; Humanitarian Multilateral Engagement; Humanitarian Organizations and Partnerships; Private Sector Engagement, Diaspora, and Innovation; Global Capacity and Leadership Development; U.S. Engagement, Strategy, and Programs; and Strategic Communications and Humanitarian Information. The Global Capacity and Leadership Development (GlobalCLD) Division within G3PC works to improve knowledge and capability in international disaster response coordination within the USG and the broader humanitarian system. GlobalCLD leads external education and training of the intra- and interagency on disaster response, humanitarian assistance, and the linkages to development. The division also manages training and capacity building programming on the international humanitarian system and leadership for the broader humanitarian community. GlobalCLD also manages the BHA Response Management System Coordination Section including maintaining response readiness, supporting the G3PC Office in coordinating and staffing relevant response positions and providing education to BHA staff on effective coordination and external engagement during a disaster response. The Capacity and Leadership Management Team oversees programs and serves as advisors on capacity strengthening for humanitarian actors within the humanitarian system. The Capacity Management team does their work through technical knowledge and management of partner awards in order to improve the delivery of humanitarian assistance at the global level. OBJECTIVE BHA requires the services of a Humanitarian Capacity Advisor to support the Capacity Management team within G3PC. The Humanitarian Capacity Advisor will lead program management and BHA proficiency in the humanitarian capacity strengthening sector.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

● Provide guidance and oversight in strengthening capacity for a range of actors in the humanitarian sector thorough capacity and leadership development programming.

● Lead the design of humanitarian capacity strengthening activities, develop appropriate program guidance, and provide technical assistance.

● Actively contribute to the program’s technical direction by developing strategies and partnerships.

● Collaborate with technical advisors and other staff within BHA, particularly staff in the Civil Society and Localization team within G3PC on humanitarian capacity strengthening efforts.

● Contribute to the development of team, division, office, and bureau strategies and work planning around the capacity strengthening arena.

● Maintain communications and relationships with partner awardees including responding to inquiries and engaging in portfolio management discussions and reviews.

● Conduct quality assurance and lead peer reviews of grant documentation for awards in the GlobalCLD portfolio.

● Implement consistent grant management in line with BHA policies and regulations. 5 | Page 720BHA21R00053

● Serve as a technical resource for BHA staff and partners on BHA awards and adherence to USG regulations.

● Promote uniform policies and procedures on award management and contribute to the development of internal guidance to streamline the awards process.

● Participate on Bureau- and/or Agency-wide working groups to ensure award consistency on all levels, including policy-related decisions that impact programs such as partner vetting and Automated Directive System (ADS) revisions

● Serve as a member of BHA working groups that assist in formulating and maintaining BHA grant policy and guidelines.

● Mentor and train new G3PC and BHA staff on award making and management.

● Evaluate compliance with existing processes and procedures.

● Manage the team’s coordination with relevant USAID bureaus and offices, including the USAID Office of General Counsel, USAID’s Office of Acquisition and Assistance, and USAID’s Bureau for Policy, Planning and Learning.

● Anticipate the needs of the organization regarding developments in the areas of humanitarian affairs and prepare analyses, briefings, documents, and meetings as required.

● Contribute to the development of solicitations, review committees, and award packages.

● Assist in promoting and cultivating team morale and workplace collaboration in a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment.

● Sign up for and serve as needed on Washington-based Response Management Teams (RMTs), which provide services and support to Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs) deployed in response to disasters. The duties on RMTs will vary.

● Serve as the BHA after-hours duty officer on a rotational basis for approximately one week every six months.

● 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 detail within the office to meet operational needs during staff shortages. Duties performed while on detail will be aligned with the Team’s existing duties and responsibilities and will be directly related to the scope of work provided.

● Become certified and serve as an Agreement Officer’s Representative/Contracting Officer’s Representative (AOR/COR), as assigned. The AOR/COR provides financial and programmatic oversight of all aspects of managing the agreement or contract; this includes but is not limited to reviewing invoices, requests for approvals, program/project deliverables (i.e. work plans, annual reports, month status reports), travel requests, key personnel requests, and financial/budget reports. They are responsible for drafting and submitting the annual contractor performance evaluation in Contract/Assistance Performance Assessment Review System. They prepare and review contract/assistance modifications documentation and assist the Contracting/Agreement Officer to ensure performance is compliant with the terms and conditions of the contract/agreement, the Federal Acquisition Regulation, and USAID policy. AOR/CORs are responsible for all related requirements in the COR designation letter and the AOR designation letter. SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP: The USPSC will take direction from and report to the Capacity Management Team Leader. 6 | Page 720BHA21R00053 SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: Supervisor sets overall objectives and resources available. The USPSC consults with the 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 approaches or methodology to be used in carrying out assignments. 12. 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). 13. 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. 14. START DATE: Immediately, once necessary clearances are obtained. 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.) Bachelor’s degree in any discipline, including, but not limited to, international relations, training, disaster management, public policy, or a related field) is required. Must have a minimum of seven (7) years of experience working on emergency relief and humanitarian assistance issues including capacity strengthening. OR Master’s degree in any discipline, including, but not limited to, international relations, training, disaster management, public policy or a related field) is required. Must have a minimum of five (5) years of experience working emergency relief and humanitarian assistance issues including capacity strengthening.

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 cover page 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 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 and maintain a Department of State medical clearance throughout the contract. ● Must not appear as an excluded party in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). ● Satisfactory verification of academic credentials.

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 future phase of the selection process.