Solicitation for Resident-Hire U.S. Personal Services Contractor (U.S.PSC) Senior Stabilization Advisor – Somalia, GS-15

Country: Kenya

Organization: US Agency for International Development

Closing date: 31 Dec 2022

1. 
   GENERAL INFORMATION
   


2. 
   SOLICITATION NO.: Mission Notice 22-20


3. 
   ISSUANCE DATE: November 30, 2022


4. 
   CLOSING DATE/TIME: December 31, 2022, at 04:30 p.m. (Nairobi Time)


5. 
   POSITION TITLE: Senior Stabilization Advisor – Somalia


6. 
   MARKET VALUE: $112,890 to $146,757 annually equivalent to GS-15. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.


7. 
   PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two (2) year base period, with three one-year options subject to funding availability and satisfactory performance or better.


8. 
   PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Nairobi, Kenya


9. 
   AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens and/or U.S Resident Aliens[1] residing in Kenya. Citizenship, if dual, must be clearly stated.


10. 
    SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret


11. 
    POINT OF CONTACT: Executive Office/Human Resources, Patrick Bii, HR Assistant, email at pbii@usaid.gov
    


12. 
    PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The primary location of work will be on the U.S. Embassy/USAID compound in Nairobi, Kenya. No special demands are required to perform the work.


13. 
    STATEMENT OF DUTIES/POSITION DESCRIPTION
    

Background/Introduction

USAID/Somalia seeks to contract for a U.S. Personal Services Contractor (PSC) to lead the Mission’s stabilization team and advance USAID’s goal of preventing and countering violent extremism in Somalia. The Senior Stabilization Advisor will: (1) provide expert management and technical leadership of the planned $50 million Locally Legitimate Stabilization program and associated stabilization and access to justice programs (currently valued at a total of $77.5 million); (2) lead USAID interagency engagement on issues surrounding stabilization and broader efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism; (3) supervise a team of three that includes a GS-14 USPSC Senior Rule of Law Advisor and Program Management Specialists focused on Stabilization (FSN 10) and Rule of Law (FSN 11) respectively; and (4) ensure USAID/Somalia stabilization and rule of law programs achieve measurable impact in reducing the influence of Al-Shabaab in USAID’s focal zone.

USAID/Somalia’s approach to stabilization recognizes that stabilization programs must be a bridge to and catalyst for longer term development processes, be grounded in efforts to advance political inclusion, and connect with efforts to resolve grievances and conflict that can drive instability. To be successful, USAID’s programs must both look ahead to identify new stabilization opportunities created by clearance operations while simultaneously looking back to ensure that al-Shabaab’s influence is sufficiently eroded so that longer term development processes can take root. This approach requires USAID to engage with communities recently recovered from al-Shabaab and in communities that may have been recovered for several years but remain vulnerable to al-Shabaab and where opportunities exist to consolidate and expand stabilization gains. USAID must also consider how to address citizen grievances in these same communities as an absence of justice is often cited as one of the root causes of instability in Somalia and a key driver of violent extremism.

The Senior Stabilization Advisor reports to the DSG Director. Somalia is one of the most complex political and security environments in the world, and approximately half of USAID/Somalia’s nearly $60 million annual Development Assistance budget supports the Agency’s largest and most comprehensive Democracy, Rights, and Governance (DRG) portfolio in all of Africa. This portfolio includes programs that support elections, public sector capacity building, legislative development, local governance, access to justice, and stabilization and reconciliation. The DSG Office is a team of eight, composed of two USDHs, two USPSCs, and four FSNs.

The Senior Stabilization Advisor serves on the core team overseeing the Mission’s strategic vision and implementation of its Development Objective 1: “Targeted local institutions govern in a more legitimate manner, diminishing influence of violent extremist organizations.” This includes coordinating the stabilization activities within the broader DSG portfolio and with the Economic Growth and Education teams. S/he crafts the vision for Stabilization in the coming years, ensuring the new Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) guides stabilization and political inclusion efforts. S/he represents USAID to the inter-agency community and senior government and donor officials on issues related to stabilization. This includes ensuring USAID’s stabilization efforts are at the forefront of US Government (USG) policy in Somalia, liaising with complimentary donors and multiple Department of Defense elements at post and in United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM). S/he provides USAID/Somalia with strategic and technical leadership on the full range of Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance (DRG) programming, and is responsible for managing and mentoring staff in all aspects of the Office's portfolio, including but not limited to planning, design, budgeting, procurement, program management, and M&E. Strong management and interpersonal skills, strong stabilization experience, and political astuteness are essential to the incumbent’s success in the position.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the DSG Office Director or his designee, the duties and responsibilities of the Senior Stabilization Advisor include:

1. Supervise a team of three that includes a GS-14 USPSC Senior Rule of Law Advisor and Program Management Specialists focused on Stabilization (FSN 10) and Rule of Law (FSN 11) respectively, being responsible for managing and mentoring these staff in all aspects of the Office's portfolio, including but not limited to planning, design, budgeting, procurement, program management, and M&E. Supervisory responsibilities are estimated to take up 20% of the Senior Stabilization Advisor’s time.


2. Set the vision, oversee, and manage USAID’s complex stabilization and access to Justice portfolio ($77.5 million) and coordinated closely with other USAID, other donor, and Government of Somalia efforts to ensure programs achieve measurable impact in reducing the influence of Al-Shabaab in USAID’s focal zone with a wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgement. This includes leading the conceptualization and development of program strategies and objectives based on detailed political analysis of the evolving political and security environment, in support of U.S. Government (USG) policy and strategic objectives, and in close coordination with the U.S. Mission to Somalia, Department of State, and host-country officials. This element of the position description is estimated to take up roughly 25% of the Senior Stabilization Advisor’s time.


3. Serve as USAID/Somalia’s lead expert on stabilization, representing USAID/Somalia in the interagency and with Government at the highest levels and with wide latitude to exercise independent judgement to ensure USG-funded, donor, and Government programs complement each other to prevent and counter violent extremism, the United States’ most important strategic interest in Somalia. This includes leading the U.S. response for Somalia if Somalia is chosen as a “Global Fragility Act” country and efforts to report on progress in Somalia against Stabilization Assistance Review (SAR) goals. It also means maintaining collaborative relationships with a wide range of actors across the interagency, with other donors, and representatives of the host government at all levels including the highest level to ensure close coordination of all stabilization activities, achieve maximum synergy with other programs, develop the widest range of potential partners, and explore the widest number of opportunities necessary for program success and to achieve higher level U.S. strategic goals. This element of the position description is estimated to take up roughly 10% of the Senior Stabilization Advisor’s time.


4. Serve as the Contract Officer’s Representative (COR) for the flagship LLS activity ($50 million award), performing site visits where security permits, and ensuring progress toward agreed-upon goals, targets, and objectives. This element of the position description is estimated to take up roughly 25% of the Senior Stabilization Advisor’s time.


5. Represent USAID Somalia with other USG agencies, the Federal Government of Somalia, and donors at the highest level on stabilization interventions and programs, ensuring USAID’s portfolio and approaches are relevant and effective in the Somali environment. This element of the position description is estimated to take up roughly 5% of the Senior Stabilization Advisor’s time.


6. Provide expert programmatic, operational, and strategic guidance to USAID implementing partners (contractors and/or grantees), ensuring that all stabilization activities are contributing to USAID’s program objectives, align with broader U.S. strategic goals, and remain within the scope of their award instrument. This element of the position description is estimated to take up roughly 5% of the Senior Stabilization Advisor’s time.


7. Lead efforts to expand USAID/Somalia’s and agency learning on stabilization, identifying, developing, and overseeing the implementation of strategic and programmatic shifts in USAID stabilization activities when necessary to respond to changing political circumstances and to ensure programs achieve higher level U.S. strategic goals. This element of the position description is estimated to take up roughly 15% of the Senior Stabilization Advisor’s time.


8. 
   SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
   

The incumbent must meet the following requirements in education and professional experience:

Education (0 points): Bachelor’s and post graduate degree in a relevant area such as, but not limited to, international relations, conflict analysis, international development, social sciences, or law.

Prior Work Experience (25 points): Minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible management experience with a USG entity, international assistance organization, or non-governmental organization in community development, stabilization, conflict resolution, democracy and governance, reconciliation, citizen security, and/or political analysis; within which there must be a:

· Minimum of ten (10) years of overseas field experience working on stabilization, reconciliation, local governance, conflict prevention, dispute resolution, community development, or other relevant programs;

·Minimum of ten (10) years of supervisory experience (including mentoring, training, and guiding staff).

Language Proficiency (10 Points): Fluent (Level IV), fluent verbal and written English communication skills and analytical ability are required.

Technical Knowledge (30 points): The incumbent must have an expert-level understanding of development and/or conflict-related programs characterized by multi-disciplinary approaches, and their role in U.S. foreign policy. S/he must have comprehensive knowledge of donor programming policies and international donor regulations, procedures, and practices. Candidates must show past experience in performing successfully at high levels, with minimal supervision and daily direction.

Abilities and Skills (35 points): The incumbent must have demonstrated ability in dealing effectively and diplomatically with customers from a variety of organizations. The individual must be able to develop and maintain an extensive range of contacts with both senior and working level staff in USAID/Somalia, USAID/Washington, US Mission in Somalia, and the inter-agency, as well as development partners, donors, host-country representatives, and other stakeholders. The individual must be able to effectively identify, mobilize, and draw upon the expertise of USAID personnel, including subordinate staff.

Candidates must have the ability to independently manage activities and deliver quality, timely products that require minimal review and oversight. Proven written and oral English communication skills, as well as strong research, teamwork, and interpersonal skills are required to perform successfully in this position. The incumbent must be comfortable developing outreach strategies, and delivering formal briefings and presentations.

The ability to provide information and advice with objectivity is required. The incumbent must be able to excel in a fast-paced, multicultural work environment, and be able to deliver multiple tasks simultaneously. The individual must therefore apply expert-level analytical skills and judgment to determine the best solution from the range of possible alternatives.

Required:

1. The incumbent must have an advanced experience in negotiation with high-level government counterparts. The incumbent must be able to independently plan, design, and carry-out interventions and studies and be able to oversee a diverse portfolio of stabilization activities with a wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgement. To do this, the incumbent will provide technical and programmatic advice and support for the management and implementation of USAID/Somalia Country Development and Cooperation Strategy (CDCS), the highest-level strategic planning document for USAID/Somalia. The CDCS guides all programming priorities, policies, and activities of USAID’s program in Somalia. The incumbent must ensure Mission engagement with host country government in stabilization activities. This requires facilitating effective development cooperation in this multi-sectoral area of interventions and is critical to ensure that USG investments are directed towards the greatest results.


2. The incumbent must be an expert in multiple fields and have a mastery of a broad field of expertise. The incumbent must demonstrate excellent knowledge in understanding the economic, social, cultural, and political characteristics of development and stabilization dynamics. This includes an expert-level understanding of local governance development, reconciliation and peacebuilding, rule of law, and other conflict-related programs characterized by multi-disciplinary approaches, and their role in U.S. foreign policy. S/he must have comprehensive knowledge of donor programming policies and international donor regulations, procedures, and practices as well of host country development strategies at both the state and federal level. The incumbent must show past experience in performing successfully at high levels, with minimal supervision and daily direction, and ability to exercise excellent independent judgement.


3. The incumbent is required to understand USG, Mission, and Agency-specific policies and procedures around the broad field of stabilization, preventing and countering violent extremism, conflict sensitivity, rule of law programming and those which govern program activity management in addition to the USAID/Somalia established administrative operating procedures, policies and formats. Oral guidance from the immediate supervisor and specific detailed instructions will be given (when necessary) for carrying out unique assignments. The incumbent will be required to be proactive in keeping abreast of evolving guidelines and policies, including but not limited to the Automated Directives System (ADS), Mission Orders, Mission Notices, USG Procurement regulations, and USAID Program Strategy and Policy Documents. In many instances, the incumbent will have to rely on his/her knowledge and extensive prior experience to enforce guidelines as s/he carries out his/her duties. The incumbent must be able to use excellent judgment and the ability to deal with ambiguity at all levels.


4. The incumbent must exercise extensive independent judgment in a wide area of topics, including leading USAID/Somalia’s stabilization team, setting a vision for the team and program, planning and carrying out tasks related to this, resolving problems and conflicts within USAID and with the interagency, other donors, and representatives of the Somali Government, and taking steps necessary to meet USAID’s overall stabilization and preventing/countering violent extremism goals.


5. The incumbent will provide expert advice and support in the management and implementation of the USAID/Somalia overall portfolio and as well as USAID/Somalia Country Development and Cooperation Strategy (CDCS), the highest-level strategic planning document for the USAID/Somalia Mission. S/he is responsible for coordination and joint approaches with the Economic Growth and Education technical offices. S/he is responsible for coordinating with senior government and donor officials at the highest level, and defining USAID policy and programming positions in national and regional forums with non-USG senior stakeholders. S/he will also work closely with senior-level FSNs, USDHs, and USPSCs, requiring high-level expertise and experience.


6. The incumbent must demonstrate excellent skills in working within teams, and working within multinational/multicultural environments.


7. The incumbent will be expected to travel to Somalia on an as-needed basis depending on the security situation and access to the travel destination.


8. The incumbent must be able to work in a highly demanding environment and capable of handling tasks with varying deadlines. The incumbent must be able to analyze and communicate complex and difficult policy and programmatic issues in an understandable manner and must be able to maintain and adhere to the highest standards of professional conduct.


9. The incumbent must have excellent English writing and editing skills, as well as an excellent ability to process information from a wide variety of sources into cohesive documents including briefing papers, project design documents, minutes of meetings, and reports.


10. The incumbent must demonstrate excellent oral presentation skills. Due to the critical nature of the position, the incumbent should demonstrate a high level of tact and diplomacy with dealing with various officials inside and outside USAID.


11. 
    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.

Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the following selection criteria: Candidates must meet the Selective Factors listed below. Consideration and selection will be based on a panel evaluation of the criteria.

Education: Null (minimum criteria required)

Work Experience: 25 points

Language Proficiency: 10 Points

Technical Knowledge: 30 points

Skills and Abilities: 35 Points

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks – Pass/Fail (no points assigned)

Maximum Points Available: 100 Points

[1] U.S. resident alien means a non-U.S. citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.

How to apply

Interested applicants are required to submit the following:

1. Offerform AID 309-2, “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with individuals,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms or by searching AID 309-2 on your web browser.


2. An up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV) or resume (no more than five pages), cover letter explaining your qualifications for the position, copies of all relevant certificates and include three (3) referees, who are not family members or relatives, with working telephone and e-mail contacts.

Applications must be submitted electronically via email to nairobipscjobs@usaid.gov by the closing date and time indicated above.

Offeror submissions must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents.

Ensuring Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors - The Offeror will be required to show proof that the Offeror is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 on or before the first date of onboarding, or submit an approved reasonable accommodation to the CO. If the contractor does not meet this requirement the contract may be terminated.