Solicitation No.: Mission Notice 19-182

Issuance Date: November 5, 2019

Closing Date/Time: November 19, 201904:30 p.m. (Nairobi Time)

SUBJECT:Solicitation for Local Hire U.S. Personal Services Contractor (PSC): Senior Education and Youth Advisor, GS-14

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications from qualified U.S. Citizens residing in Kenya to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation.

Offers must be in accordance with Attachment 1, Sections I through IVof this solicitation. Incomplete or unsigned 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 offer.

Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in the attached information.

Sincerely,

-s-

Natalya Komarova

Executive Officer

Attachment 1:

I.GENERAL INFORMATION

SOLICITATION NO.:Mission Notice (MN) 19-182

ISSUANCE DATE:11/05/2019

CLOSING DATE/TIME:11/19/ 2019 at 04:30 p.m. (Nairobi Time)

POSITION TITLE:Senior Education and Youth Advisor – Somalia

MARKET VALUE:$90,621 to $117,810 equivalent to GS-14. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:Two (2) years, with three (3) one-year options Not-to-exceed five (5) subject to funding availability and satisfactory performance or better.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:Nairobi, Kenya with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.

AREA OF CONSIDERATION:

U.S. Citizens currently residing in Kenya[1]. Citizenship, if dual, must be clearly stated.

Submit a complete application as outlined in the solicitation section titled APPLYING;

Be able to obtain a USAID/W issued clearance level at the Secret level;

Be able to obtain a medical clearance;

Be able to successfully complete the mandatory pre-deployment Foreign Affairs Counter Threat (FACT) training

Employment is subject to funds availability and all the required approvals obtained.

SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED:Secret

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.

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

STATEMENT OF DUTIES/POSITION DESCRIPTION

Background/Introduction

U.S. foreign policy objectives in Somalia aim to help reestablish political and economic stability, deny the use of Somalia as a base of international terrorism, and alleviate the humanitarian crisis caused by years of conflict, drought, flooding, and poor governance. Since the formation of the new Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) in September 2012, incremental progress toward governance and security has been made. The nascent federal government, based in Mogadishu, is struggling to expand its authority despite very real capacity challenges. The achievement of lasting political stability in Somalia requires efforts to promote and strengthen service delivery and increase access, particularly in the education sector.

More than two decades of conflict have nearly destroyed Somalia s educational system, which is characterized by low enrollment, especially in South Central Somalia, and poor quality in primary and secondary schools across Somalia, even in the relatively stable Somaliland and Puntland regions. As a result, the educational deficit in Somalia is one of the most acute in the world. There are nearly 1.7 million primary school-age children but only 710,000 are enrolled in school. Of an estimated population of 2 million aged 15-24, only six percent are enrolled in secondary school. Because of this deficit, youth and children miss out on critical services and become increasingly vulnerable to recruitment by extremists and/or criminal elements.

Somali youth in particular face a myriad of challenges: widespread poverty, low levels of education and skills, vulnerability to negative coping strategies due to ongoing instability and weak formal and informal support systems. Seventy percent of the population in Somalia is under the age of 30, with the youth unemployment rate at approximately 67 percent, one of the highest in the world. Forty six percent of Somali youth between the ages of 15 to 24 live in impoverished households. These challenges lead to youth disenfranchisement from economic opportunities, and increased vulnerability to recruitment by violent extremist organizations.

USAID s growing education portfolio directly increases access to quality education for thousands of children and out-of-school youth, while supporting policy reforms and investments that transform the lives of children and youth across Somalia. This portfolio is also expanding into youth programming, to further the country s employment and self-employment, as well as civic engagement, opportunities for its youth.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior Education and Youth Advisor will oversee a growing portfolio of activities – currently valued at more than $50 million – that directly increase access to quality education and employment or self-employment opportunities for thousands of children and out-of-school youth, while supporting policy reforms and investments aimed at transforming the lives of children and youth across the country. He/she will provide the USAID/Somalia Office with strategic and technical leadership on education and youth programming, serve as USAID/Somalia’s primary point of contact in high-level education and youth sector coordination fora with the Government of Somalia and other donors, and will manage all aspects of the education and youth portfolio, including but not limited to planning, design, procurement, implementation, and M&E. The USPSC will collaborate with other technical teams (namely Economic Growth and Democracy, Stabilization and Governance), supervise FSN(s) in implementing and approving programs and activities, and advise staff participation in meetings with GoS officials, members of international organizations and other donors, private-sector representatives, and others to discuss program/project areas and to resolve problems of mutual concern. The Senior Education and Youth Advisor will serve as A/COR for one or more of USAID/Somalia s major education or youth activities.

Within the scope of work assigned, the USPSC will have considerable latitude in the exercise of their duties, including program/project design, management and evaluation, and the identification and resolution of issues affecting program performance within and outside of the Mission. The USPSC will report to and participate fully with the Social Services Office (SSO) Chief in providing guidance and overall direction of the development and execution of USAID/Somalia-financed activities related to education and youth sector reforms in Somalia, with particular emphasis on existing and planned new activities related to basic education and workforce development. The USPSC will be expected to work independently and with minimal oversight from the SSO Chief, based on a general assignment of responsibilities.

Program Management and Related Duties (50%)

AOR/COR Roles:The incumbent contributes to planning, designing, developing, and managing new and existing education and youth programs and activities as a team member of Somalia Office. These duties include activity design, participating in procurement processes, activity or project implementation, identifying and resolving program issues, assuring that all activities are carried out in a technically sound and cost-effective manner, and in accordance with all applicable Mission and Agency directives and requirements. S/he will serve as the Agreement/ Contracting Officer s Representative (AOR/COR) or Alternate or activity manager for programs and activities that include policy reform, local capacity development, and other areas relevant to the education and youth objectives of USAID/ Somalia and the Agency writ large.

Monitoring and Evaluation:S/he supports the monitoring and evaluation of implementing partners and education sector activities, obtains and reports on results and possible setbacks, and initiates programmatic adjustments when necessary. The incumbent is responsible for monitoring and evaluation at the Project/Activity levels, including developing project and activity-level M&E plans, Data Quality Assessments and technical evaluations, providing input into high quality evaluations conducted by the Program Office, and analyzing data and information sources to inform programming decisions. During the startup of new education and youth activities, s/he will advise on the development of monitoring and evaluation plans, and the inclusion of appropriate indicators in the work plans. The incumbent reviews and validates quarterly program and financial reports consistent with USAID regulations as submitted by the implementing partners, paying particular attention to activity and financial indicators (e.g., expenditures, burn rate/pipeline analysis and congruity of expenditure against activities, and needs for incremental funding).

Mission Performance Monitoring Plan:The incumbent will ensure data is collected and synthesized for USAID/Somalia s Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP). To fulfill this task, s/he is responsible for : 1) tracking the collection of performance data from numerous sources such as USAID/Somalia s cooperating agencies, local partners, and other international organizations; 2) preparing inventories of current indicators, information collected, and information still needed; 3) devising more efficient methods for collecting information; 4) verifying that the data is verifiable and accurate; and 5) determining that the information gathered is in accordance with the indicators of the PMP. S/he will use partner s report to contribute quantitative and qualitative input into Mission s annual reports and other reports and track performance against the Development Objective. The incumbent evaluates fully implemented activities focusing on impact, lessons learned, problem areas, and how these challenges have been overcome.

Partner Communications and Liaison:The incumbent will represent USAID in discussions and negotiations with implementing partners and line Ministry counterparts.

Official Interaction and Association:The incumbent will be required to build and maintain productive professional working relationship with personnel and officials representing USAID/Somalia, the U.S. Embassy, the Federal Government of Somalia, the business community, and NGOs.

Technical Specialist and Representational Duties (25%):The incumbent will provide professional technical contributions to SSO and the Mission. The incumbent will keep abreast of and analyze economic, political and other trends affecting education and youth development, and will keep the mission informed of these trends. The incumbent will actively contribute to the monitoring, evaluation, analysis and learning at the project and DO level. S/he will be required to maintain relationships with a wide range of senior-level contacts in government and semi-autonomous government agencies, private sectors and civil society organizations, donor agencies, implementing partners and other stakeholders related to education and youth sectors, and to represent USAID and the USG with internal and external audiences as required. S/he will work to best facilitate knowledge management through exchange of technical information and ideas, to collaborate on cross-cutting issues, to provide effective collaboration among actors in the education and youth sectors, and to promote program/project synergies.

Other Duties as Required (25%):The incumbent will be required to assist in creating a supportive work environment that values diversity, and elicits the highest possible level of performance from all team members, including accomplishment of all other duties as assigned.

POSITION ELEMENTS

a. Degree of responsibility for decision-making assigned to the position:The incumbent will use her/his own personal, well-informed judgment and ingenuity to interpret the intent of guides in devising innovative approaches to resolving technical, administrative, managerial and/or policy problems. The use of initiative, discretion, and patience is expected from the incumbent in dealing with USAID personnel as well as representatives from other USG agencies and donor organizations to resolve problems that arise in the performance of work for which there is often no clear or immediate solution. In addition, considerable judgment is required in working effectively with officials of the Ministries and the private sector from Somalia, coordinating efforts in support of USAID’s project implementation and design objectives, and in collecting, analyzing and reporting on progress of activities and recommending project design actions. Because of the incumbent s expertise and standing as a highly qualified professional in his/her field, great weight will be given to his/her conclusions and recommendations when commitments are made by those with the authority to do so.

b. Level of complexity for work assignments:The incumbent s responsibilities will involve areas of uncertainty in approach, methodology, interpretation and evaluating processes due to the difficult work environment in Somalia. Additionally, there are continuing changes in program, political and security developments, unknown phenomena, or continuing requirements, and the work requires implementing new techniques, establishing criteria, or developing new information. Complexity in managing processes and programs that span across countries, U.S. Embassies (Kenya and the U.S. Mission to Somalia), and multiple host country governments (Federal Government of Somalia and five Federal Member States that do not yet form a cohesive government, plus self-declared independent Somaliland), will require the incumbent to be constantly in tune to, flexible, and responsive to changing political, security, programmatic and organizational demands.

c. Knowledge level required:The incumbent must have a comprehensive knowledge of education programming and youth workforce development and civic engagement approaches. Knowledge of policies and best practices for addressing the challenges children and facing youth (including formal and non-formal/alternative education approaches), human and institutional capacity building, and fragility and/or extremism is strongly preferred. The incumbent must show previous experience in performing successfully at high levels, with minimal supervision and daily direction.

d. Supervisory Controls:The Senior Education and Youth Advisor will be supervised by and report to the USAID/Somalia SSO Chief or designate. The Supervisor will provide overall supervision to the Senior Education and Youth Advisor. The individual must exercise independent judgment in planning and carrying out tasks, resolving problems and conflicts, and taking steps necessary to meet deadlines.

e. Guidelines for the required work:The guidelines for this position are stated in general terms (e.g., ADS) but the work s/he provides is in itself providing guidance to and ensuring guidelines are enforced by Mission staff. 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.

f. Complexity of the work environment:The incumbent is expected to exercise very high level of sound judgment to be able to accomplish results and ensure assigned projects are completed on time and in compliance with USG regulations, policies. The use of initiative, discretion, and patience is expected from the individual in working with USG office personnel as well as representatives from other organizations/partners to resolve challenges that arise in the course of work for which there is often no clear or immediate solution. In addition, considerable judgment is required in working effectively and coordinating election efforts in such a complex operating environment. The individual must ensure that his/her input into official U.S. Government documents is consistent with the goals of USAID/Somalia and reflects its strategic thinking.

g. Scope and effect of the work performed:The incumbent s work will involve the ability to independently plan, design, and carry-out interventions and studies, and to oversee a diverse portfolio of education and youth activities, the impact of which will improve implementation of the Somalia Transition Framework Strategy or Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS), the highest level strategic planning document for USAID/Somalia which guides all programming priorities, policies, and activities of USAID’s program in Somalia. The incumbent will be expected to facilitate and guide engagement with Somalia’s Federal, State, and Local governments, along with many other education and youth stakeholders and often with conflicting priorities.

h. Level and purpose of contacts:Contacts will be at both the highest and working levels with the U.S. Embassy s Somalia Unit and other bilateral and multilateral donor organizations. Contact will be of a continuous nature through day-to-day meetings and periodic review sessions. The individual will represent USAID/Somalia at various meetings.

i. Supervision or oversight the position has over others:May exercise full range of normal supervision over SSO s FSN Project Management Specialists and/or Project Management Assistant, providing overall policy guidance and coordinating the work of these employees to achieve activity objectives.

j. Work Environment:Work is primarily performed in an office setting. If the employee travels, the work may additionally involve safety and/or security precautions, wearing of protective equipment, and exposure to severe weather conditions.

k. Security Clearance Requirement:Secret.

l. Travel Requirement:In-country travel in Somalia, as well as Kenya to visit like-minded programming and communities, is a requirement of the position and the USPSC may occasionally face challenging living and working conditions while in travel status. Travel requires USG Regional Security Officer (RSO) approval.

m. Support Items:The employee will be provided with the support services, equipment, and supplies necessary to perform the work. This will include a workstation that includes a desk, computer, file cabinets, network access, with the possibility for mobile computing devices based on need and Mission management approval.

n. Sunday Pay:Is not authorized.

II.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

Education:A Master s degree in an area related to primary-level or international education, education policy, non-formal and/or other youth approaches, workforce development, and/or social/behavioral sciences.

Professional Experience:Seven (7) or more years of project management experience with a USG foreign affairs agency, international assistance organization, or non-governmental organization. Prior experience in managing USAID-funded contracts and grants, particularly in the area of education or youth, is strongly preferred. Knowledge in education systems and technical background such as: education sector policy reform, early childhood education, girls education, community participation, and youth programming, with demonstrated experience in developing countries, within which there must be a:

Minimum of two (2) years of overseas field experience working with community groups, non-profit organizations and state government structures, especially those pertaining to education and youth programming, child protection and well-being, including experience working with refugees and/or Internally Displaced Persons.

Minimum of two (2) years of supervisory experience (including mentoring, training, and guiding staff).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:The successful candidate must demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of education programming and youth workforce development and civic engagement approaches. The candidate must be conversant and demonstrate experience in various education and youth programming approaches, project management, and U.S. Government federal regulations and procedures. Prior certification to work as an Agreement/ Contract Officer s Representative (A/COR), and qualification to administer obligated funds under USAID contracting instruments such as grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts is strongly preferred. Knowledge of policies and best practices for addressing the challenges children and facing youth (including formal and non-formal/alternative education approaches), human and institutional capacity building, and fragility and/or extremism is strongly preferred. The successful candidate must be able to represent the U.S. Government to Somali Government officials, the private sector, and citizens in Somali.

Language and Communication Skills:Level IV fluency (written/spoken/reading) in English required; fluency in Somali also required.

III.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

Applicants are required to address each of the evaluation criteria on a separate sheet, describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received that are relevant to each factor. Applicants will be evaluated and ranked based on the following selection criteria (Maximum Points Available: 100):

Education: Null points; minimum criteria required

Prior Work Experience: 45 points

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 40 points

Language and Communication Skills: 15 points

Total Possible Points: 100 points

IV.APPLYINGInterested applicants are requiredto submit the following:

1) Offer form AID 309-2, Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with individuals, available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-309-2

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 relevant certificatesand include three (3) to five (5) references, who are not family members or relatives, with working telephone and e-mail contacts. Applications must be submitted electronically via email to nairobipscjobs@usaid.govby the closing date and time indicated above.

To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission/cover letter.

V.LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRES

The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award.

Medical Form (DS Form 6561)

EQIP Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security (SF-86) or

EQIP Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)

EQIP Signature Forms (3-CER, REL, MEL)

Finger print Card (FD-258) (available from requirements office)

AID 6-85 (Foreign Residence Data)

VI.BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a Local Hire U.S PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

BENEFITS:

(a) Employer s FICA Contribution

(b) Contribution toward Health and Life Insurance

(c) Pay Comparability Adjustment

(d) Eligibility for Worker s Compensation

(e) Annual and Sick Leave

(f) Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation)

*This position is a Local Hire U.S PSC and receives only the limited benefits specified above. Any contract offered under this solicitation will not offer benefits that are available to Offshore Hire U.S PSC. Benefits that the successful candidate will notreceive include, but are not limited to:*

1.Access to Embassy medical facilities, Cash Checking, AEA Commissary Access, Pouch Mail Service (DPO/APO)

2.Cost of Travel to and from Post;

3.Shipment and storage of UAB and HHE;

4.Shipment of POV (Private Own Vehicle);

5.R&R and Home Leave Travel; and

6.Housing

ALLOWANCES:

Local Hire U.S PSC will notbe eligible for allowances listed in the Standardized Regulations Government Civilian Foreign Areas Sections cited below (if applicable, as found in the Standardize Regulations (DSSR) – sections cited below):

Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120)

Living quarters allowance (Section 130)

Cost of living Allowance (Chapter 210)

Post Allowance (Section 220)

Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230)

Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

Education allowance (Section 270)

Educational Travel (Section 280)

Post differential (Chapter 500)

Payments during Evacuation/authorized Departure (Section 600)

Danger Pay (Section 650)

VII.TAXES

USPSCs are required to pay Federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable State Income taxes.

VIII.USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs

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

AIDAR: The Agency for International Development Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR) Appendix D Direct USAID Contracts with U.S. Citizens or U.S. Resident Alien for Personal Services Abroad, including contract clauses General Provisions, found at: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf

Contract Cover page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms

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

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 2and 5 CFR 2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations

[END OF SOLICITATION]

[1] Resident hire means a U.S. citizen who, at the time of hire as a PSC, resides in the cooperating country as a spouse or dependent of a U.S. citizen employed by a U.S. government agency or under any U.S. government-financed contract or agreement, or for reasons other than for employment with a U.S. government agency or under any U.S. government-financed contract or agreement. A U.S. citizen for purposes of this definition also includes persons who at the time of contracting are lawfully admitted permanent residents of the United States.

How to apply:

Interested applicants are requiredto submit the following:

1) Offer form AID 309-2, Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with individuals, available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-309-2

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 relevant certificatesand include three (3) to five (5) references, who are not family members or relatives, with working telephone and e-mail contacts.

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

To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission/cover letter.