USAID Mission in Iraq - Employment Opportunities
Focused Stabilization Program Advisor (One position)
SOLICITATION NUMBER: 267-06-00024
ISSUANCE DATE: October 12, 2006
CLOSING DATE/TIME: November 2, 2006, 8:00 pm Iraq local time (+3 hours GMT).
POSITION TITLE: Focused Stabilization Program Advisor (One position)
MARKET VALUE: GS-14 ($77,793- $101,130)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year.
PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Baghdad, Iraq.
SECURITY ACCESS: To be determined.
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: US Citizens
This Solicitation is subject to funds availability.
I. INTRODUCTION
The Focused Stabilization Program Advisor (FSPA) is a senior officer in the Focused Stabilization Program Office (FSO). The FSPA provides technical, analytical, management and administrative support in the implementation of "SO 7: Focused Stabilization: Reduce the Incentives for Participation in Violent Conflict" activities. FSPA responsibilities include: a) representing FSO to USG agencies, Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRT); b) coordinating FSO activities with the plethora of current and emerging USG-US military activity coordination task forces, teams and commissions; c) serving as a Baghdad based Activity Manager for FSO programs starting up in the provinces; d) preparing analysis, briefs, reports, presentations, and other documents in pursuit of FSO objectives.
The FSPA will have extensive international development, disaster recovery, humanitarian relief, and/or fragile or strategic state experience. Knowledge and experience with military and civilian agencies in the development and implementation of counter-insurgency, conflict mitigation, or disaster relief activities will be a desirable and important capacity. The FSPA will have experience implementing USAID programs. S/he will also be familiar with USAID activity design, monitoring and evaluation, implementation and reporting procedures and policies.
The FSO is a newly established USAID/Iraq office. It provides essential and ground breaking counter insurgency support to the implementation of the USG's three year Transition Strategy for Iraq. The FSO develops and implements programs to stabilize urban and peri-urban communities in strategically selected cities identified and in line with Government of Iraq (GOI) and USG counter insurgency objectives. FSO manages $135 million and is expecting additional funding. FSO activities are implemented through a "Community Stabilization Program (CSP)" cooperative agreement with a US NGO.
Under the FSO Director's supervision and working with FSO staff and implementing partners, the FSPA will ensure the FSO activities are coordinated with other GOI, USG (Embassy, Iraq Reconstruction Management Office (IRMO), etc.) US military (Multi-National Force Iraq (MNF-I), Multi-National Corps Iraq (MNC-I)), donor (UN, Japanese) and USAID activities.
The FSPA will attend regular USG-US military activity coordination and implementation review meetings. During these meetings the FSPA will frequently brief participants on the status of FSO activity progress and challenges. The FSPA will also represent the FSO at meetings with other USAID Strategic Objective offices to ensure that the most impact possible is achieved with limited USAID resources. The FSPA will make oral, written and Power Point presentations that describe activity status, timelines, technical content, progress, constraints and achievements. S/he will also recommend how to enhance FSO investment impact by improving or scaling up activity implementation.
When FSO implementing partner activities are expanded to, or initiated in, new geographic areas the FSPA will serve as the Activity Manager of those activities. In this case the FSPA will work closely with USAID's PRT representative in that geographic area, as well as other PRT members. Although based in Baghdad, the FSPA will travel to the new implementation site on an as needed basis as activities are initiated or as implementation problems arise. The FSPA's Activity Manager duties will include the full range of consultative, advisory, representation, monitoring, management, data collection, analysis, and evaluative responsibilities for provincial CSP activities.
The FSPA will collaborate with USG and USAID colleagues in Baghdad and Washington, D.C. The FSPA will collaborate with colleagues from the local donor community and from national government, and non-governmental organizations. The incumbent shall be based in Baghdad's International Zone with possible travel to the Red Zone in Baghdad, as well as to program sites in and around provincial capitals. FSPA will be required to direct coordination of a wide variety of technical activities, attend meetings, monitor programs through field visits, participate in the evaluation of programs, recommend and implement solutions to problems that may arise, and report on the financial status of FSO programs.
II. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Activity Management and Strategic Objective Attainment Responsibilities (85%)
Community Stabilization Program Technical and Management Support:
The incumbent:
- will be a principle USAID interface for the Strategic Objective Team.
- will provide guidance to implementing partners on work plan development and implementation.
- will perform research, reporting, and analysis that provides programmatic, technical and activity management information to the FSO Director and senior USAID staff.
- will maintain up to date information on CSP status and processes, and complementary programs of the GOI, other USG agencies, MNC-I, MNF-I, relevant Multi-National Division (MND) commands, donors and USAID strategic objective teams;
- will draft and process SO activity documentation for clearance, including MAARDs, non-competition and cost share memos, and other documentation as required;
- will provide input for Annual Reports, Congressional Budget Justifications, Congressional 2207 Reports, and other documentation as required;
- will ensure that environmental concerns as contained in Initial Environmental Examinations (IEE) are in place and up-to-date.
- will determine the adequacy of program initiatives and financial resources in meeting FSO objectives. S/he will recommend and/or pursue adjustments as required.
- will monitor program activity impact and ensure that activities are kept on schedule.
Partner Communications and Liaison:
The incumbent will represent the FSO and facilitate communications to and with the GOI, relevant USG including Embassy officials and staff, Multi National Corps - Iraq (MNC-I) commanders and staff, Multi-National Forces - Iraq (MNF-I) commanders and staff, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, relevant cooperating agencies, implementing partners, and with USAID/Washington. Communication shall be in person, by telephone or written, in English. Communications will be at all levels up to the U.S. Ambassador, MNF-I and MNC-I commanders as may be required including senior GOI officials.
These communications and contacts will establish inter-agency and GOI support for FSO's program; stimulate and maintain dialogue in support of the CSP; ensure timely activity management and implementation; collect and verify program implementation and impact information (e.g., this may include statistical information, responding to taskers and ad hoc inquiries, activity progress reports, proposals, etc.); describe the CSP implementation environment; and monitor and report on financial management issues (pipelines, monthly expenditure rates, accruals, etc.)
The incumbent provides assistance to visitors and performs other duties in support of the CSP and the strategic objectives and goals of USAID/Iraq.
Official Interaction and Association:
The incumbent will be required to build and maintain a productive professional working relationship with the following parties: all USAID employees (e.g., USAID/Iraq, USAID/Middle East Region, USAID/Washington), U.S. Embassy officials, Government of Iraq officials, USG employees, US and non-US partners, US Military and Multi National Forces in Iraq, other donor agencies, local and national government officials and the general public.
Monitoring and Evaluation:
The incumbent will assume the principle role in the regular monitoring and evaluation of FSO implementing partners (CSP and, potentially, others). FSPA will ensure development of an effective CSP monitoring and evaluation plan as part of the CSP Cooperative Agreement's annual work plan requirement. The incumbent will develop a data base of monthly, quarterly and annual programmatic reports from FSO implementing partners. FSPA will perform site visits as required to review and monitor program performance and keep abreast of program developments.
Performance Monitoring:
The incumbent will monitor and evaluate FSO implementing partner performance in accordance with contractual requirements and regulations. S/he will collect and distribute USG working group and partner reports to enhance FSO impact. In collaboration with FSO implementing partners the FSPA will collect information on program planning, implementation, and achievements and contribute relevant qualitative and quantitative information and analysis to USAID/Iraq's Annual Report.
USAID/Iraq Additional Activity Support (15%)
The incumbent provides support to USAID/Iraq in a wide variety of assigned tasks. The FSPA will serve as a member of Mission teams responsible for guiding the development, implementation and evaluation of USAID/Iraq's assistance to support CSP, cross-cutting themes and other sectors. This can include, but is not limited to, serving as a member of Mission Teams that affect CSP implementation; drafting and finalizing activity-related correspondence and documents; contributing to annual and semiannual performance reviews; drafting technical justifications for new activities and changes to on-going activities; organizing public or USG events in support of CSP activities and mission strategies; and assisting in CSP program implementation as required.
III. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Graduate degree in business, management, international relations, political science, international development or another related field is required.
Prior Work Experience: The position requires senior level knowledge and experience in international development, conflict mitigation, disaster recovery, humanitarian assistance management and/or counter-insurgency activities such as community development, vocational education, employment generation, business development, and youth programs. Incumbent experience developing and implementing civilian programs supporting post-conflict military objectives is an added plus. The incumbent should be a senior technician/manager capable of working with GOI and USG officials, and representing USAID interests. Solid experience working with USAID programs is a must. Past experience with the Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) and or USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) would be a plus.
Language Proficiency: Strong written and oral English proficiency is required. Effective written and oral communications are absolutely critical to perform successfully in this position. The incumbent must communicate effectively and accurately.
Knowledge: Extensive knowledge of international development concepts, principles and activity implementation is a must. Knowledge and experience with conflict mitigation and community economic and social stabilization, including the ability to differentiate between stabilization and development activities, is highly desirable. Knowledge and understanding of non-military counter-insurgency operations, including the ability to link activities with security and local government capacity building, is highly desirable. Knowledge of conflict mitigation principles and peace and stability building peace in war-torn communities is highly desirable. Extensive knowledge of USAID procedures and regulations is a must. Knowledge of US and other nation military organization, structural forms, tactics and techniques is desirable as is knowledge of Arabic and/or Islamic cultures and societies.
Skills and Abilities: The FSPA must possess demonstrated independent decision-making ability. S/he must also demonstrate an ability to technical guidance to the FSO Director and senior GOI, USG and USAID decision maker. The FSPA will be expected to accomplish multiple urgent tasks concurrently and on time. S/he will possess strong interpersonal skills to establish and maintain contact with counterparts inside and outside of USAID. The FSPA's past experience will illustrate an ability to identify, assess and resolve impediments to program and project implementation. S/he will possess excellent writing, analytical and oral presentation skills; excellent computer skills including the word processing, power point, e-mail, database management and spreadsheets; and excellent project implementation skills.
IV. POSITION ELEMENTS:
Supervision Received: The Focused Stabilization Program Advisor (FSPA) will work under the general supervision of the Director of the Focused Stabilization Program Office. FSPA has wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment, and will provide technical guidance to implementing partners and others as necessary. The incumbent will work with a high degree of independence, establish priorities, adhere to and meet established deadlines, and perform responsibilities and duties with minimal guidance and little or no supervisory follow up. S/he must be a self-starter. In accordance with official policies, the incumbent must be able to work additional hours beyond the established 40 hour work week and outside the normal Sunday-Thursday workweek as may be required or necessary.
Available Guidelines: The incumbent will have a broad understanding of Mission and Agency-specific policies and procedures which govern Project Activity Management in addition to the USAID/Iraq established administrative operating procedures, policies and formats, including but not limited to the Automated Directives System (ADS), Mission Orders, Mission Notices, USG Procurement regulations, and USAID Program Strategy and Policy documents. The incumbent will exercise judgment in the interpretation and application of guidelines and, when necessary, will seek out additional information or guidance from other USAID or USG offices.
Exercise of Judgment: The incumbent will use his/her own personal, well-informed judgment in devising appropriate and, when necessary, innovative approaches to technical, administrative, managerial and/or policy problem resolution. Excellent (balanced) judgment must be exercised in setting priorities. The use of independent initiative, discretion and patience is expected from the incumbent in dealing with Mission personnel, representatives from other USG agencies and donor organizations to resolve problems that arise during the course of work for which there is often no clear or immediate solution. In addition, considerable independent judgment is required in working effectively with officials in the government and the private sector, in overseeing implementing partner activities and coordinating multi-sectoral efforts in support of USAID/Iraq strategic objectives and in collecting, analyzing and reporting on activity progress, including recommending corrective or other actions.
Authority to Make Commitments: The incumbent will have no independent authority to commit U.S. Government (USG), or USAID/Iraq funds.
Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts: The incumbent will be required to establish and maintain solid working relationships with all categories of USG and USAID personnel to function effectively. The incumbent will be required to work closely with all relevant agencies comprising the U.S. Mission in Iraq including the U.S. Embassy , Multi-National Force (MNF-I), Multi National Corps - Iraq (MNC-I), Multi-National Division, commanders and staff, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, senior-level Government of Iraq representatives, implementing partners, directors of non-governmental organizations, private sector representatives and other foreign donor institutions. The established method of communication/contact will be in person, by phone or written communications. The purpose of the contact will be: (a) to maintain open lines of communication in support of the CSP, (b) to maintain regular communications regarding the timely management of activity functions and procedures; (c) to collect, obtain and verify factual information pertaining to program/project planning and implementation; (d) to monitor and evaluate existing activities in the Focused Stabilization sector on a regular basis. The purpose of contacts will range from simple information gathering to assisting in the development of complex programs and documents with various partners. The incumbent will be expected to influence, motivate, and direct people or groups without having actual supervisory authority. The incumbent must be skillful in determining the appropriate approach in negotiation and in establishing rapport with decision makers.
Supervision Exercised: In line with contractual stipulations, the FSPA will supervise implementing partner implementation of CSP activities. S/He may also be called upon to supervise FSO staff, when necessary
Time Required to Perform Full Range of Duties: The successful candidate is expected to be a senior level executive and is expected to perform the full range of duties after a 2-3 week orientation period.
V. TERM OF PERFORMANCE, COMPENSATION AND LIVING CONDITIONS
The term of the contract will be for one year from December, 2006. Within 2 weeks after written notice from the Contracting Officer that all clearances have been received or, unless another date is specified by the Contracting Officer in writing, the incumbent shall proceed to training and then Baghdad to perform the above services. This position has been classified at a U.S. Government GS-14. The actual salary of the successful candidate will be negotiated depending on qualifications and previous salary history. In addition to the basic salary, the Mission has a 35% Post Differential allowance, 35% Danger Pay, 25% Sunday Pay Differential, limited amount of overtime, Separate Maintenance Allowance, FICA and federal income tax will be withheld by USAID. Iraq is a no-dependent post.
The employees serving in Iraq are authorized a limited amount of administrative leave to be used during regional rest breaks (currently three per year) and Rest & Recuperation (currently two per year). The administrative leave is not to exceed 5 working days per trip or a total of 20 workdays per year. Employees who spend 12 months at post and have an onward assignment of at least 1 year, are eligible for Home Leave.
The USAID compound is located within the guarded and fortified International Zone in Baghdad. Housing is provided in hard houses. The USAID compound also has a dining facility, gym, and an office building.
VI. MEDICAL AND SECURITY CLEARANCES:
The selected candidate must be able to obtain both security and medical clearances. The security clearance involves a comprehensive investigation performed by the appropriate U.S. Government agency. Details on how to obtain U.S. Department of State Medical Unit clearance will be provided once a job offer is made and accepted.
VII. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES/TAXES:
As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the benefits and allowances listed in this section. [NOTE: A contractor meeting the definition of a U.S. Resident Hire PSC, shall be subject to U.S. Federal Income Tax, but shall not be eligible for any fringe benefits (except contributions for FICA, health insurance, and life insurance), including differentials and allowances.]
A. BENEFITS:
Employee's FICA Contribution
Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance
Pay Comparability Adjustment
Eligibility for Worker's Compensation
Annual & Sick Leave
Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service
B. ALLOWANCES (If Applicable):
Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120)
Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)
Post Allowance (Section 220)
Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230)
Post Differential (Chapter 500)
Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600)
Danger Pay (Section 650)
Educational Allowance (Section 270)
Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)
Educational Travel (Section 280)
C. FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes under the foreign earned income exclusion.
VIII. APPLYING:
Qualified individuals are requested to submit a U.S. government Optional Form 612 which is available at the USAID websites http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/forms.html, http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/forms.asp, or at Federal offices. Resumes may be attached to the OF-612 and applicants are encouraged to write a brief appendix to demonstrate how prior experience and/or training address the minimum qualifications and selection criteria.
All applications should be submitted electronically to:
E-mail: iraquspscjobs@usaid.gov
All applications should be received by the closing date and time previously specified. To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application and as the subject line in any cover letter. The selection will be based on the panel evaluation of the applicants vis-ā-vis selection criteria mentioned previously. The highest ranking candidate may be selected for the position without interview. Applicants should also note that the salary history for the purpose of the OF-612 is the salary paid, excluding benefits and allowances such as housing, travel, educational support, vehicle use, etc.
Point of Contact
For any further questions, please contact:
Miss. Tuna Rashad, HR Assistant, Phone in Iraq (+1) 202 216 6276 Ext. 1429 Email: trashad@usaid.gov or Mrs. Alaa' Alzubaidy, HR Assistant, Phone (in Iraq)-(+1) 202-216-6276 ext 1209; Email: aalzubaidy@usaid.gov.
IX. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs:
Forms outlined below can found at: http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit
- Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612.
- Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62).**
- AID 6-1 (Request for Security Action)**
- SF-86 (Questionnaire for National Security Positions)**
- FD-258 (Fingerprint Cards) 2 each**
- AID 610-14 (Authority for Release of Information)**
- AID 6-85 (Foreign Residence Data)**
- Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1970, As Amended**
- Notice Required by the Privacy Act of 1974**
** Forms 2 through 9 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job. Note: The selected individual shall be required to obtain a security clearance. All dependents who will be on the Contractor's orders must also be able to obtain medical clearances.
X. CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBS) AND ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DOCUMENTS (AAPDS) PERTAINING TO PSCs:
CIBs and AAPDs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to this website http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/ to determine which CIBS apply to this contract. Additionally, AIDAR Appendixes D or J also applies to PSCs, which can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf
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