Solicitation No.: MN 20-06
Issuance Date: January 24, 2020
Closing Date/Time: February 7, 2020 04:30 p.m. (Nairobi Time)
SUBJECT: Solicitation for Local Hire U.S Personal Services Contractor (PSC): Senior Governance and Inclusive Politics Technical 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 IV of 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:
GENERAL INFORMATION
SOLICITATION NO.: Mission Notice MN 20-06
ISSUANCE DATE: 01/24/2020
CLOSING DATE/TIME: 02/07/20 20 at 04:30 p.m. (Nairobi Time)
POSITION TITLE: Senior Governance and Inclusive Politics Technical Advisor
MARKET VALUE: $92,977 to $120,868 equivalent to GS-14. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Not-to-exceed six (6) months without option to extend
PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Nairobi, Kenya
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens currently residing in Kenya (with a valid residence permit)[1]. Citizenship, if dual, must be clearly stated.
SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: USAID/W issued clearance level at the Facility/Computer Access Level (if U.S citizens)
POINT OF CONTACT: Executive Office/Human Resources, Patrick Bii, HR Assistant, email at pbii@usaid.gov
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The primary location of work will be on the U.S. Embassy/USAID compound in Nairobi, Kenya. The work is generally sedentary and does not pose undue physical demands.
STATEMENT OF DUTIES/POSITION DESCRIPTION
Background/Introduction
The origins of Somalia’s governance and conflict challenges are rooted in the marginalization and exclusion over many years of a large part of the Somali population from political power and economic resources. Elites and power dynamics rather than policies or formal laws and regulations continue to shape the realities of the enabling environment. As post-conflict peacebuilding failures are also closely correlated with exclusionary political settlements, greater inclusivity will be a critical factor in consolidation of peace in Somalia. Exclusionary politics and economics also play out in each of the regional member states, where dominant clans enjoy greater access to resources (customs revenues, land and natural resources, development and humanitarian assistance, business opportunities, and security sector assistance). The highly asymmetrical access to power, state resources, and international aid, often structured around clan-families, are major fault-lines in national and regional politics. These dynamics generate grievances that can create or contribute to politically-instigated communal clashes, as well as tactical alliances for Al Shabaab to exploit. Polarized competition between interest groups pursing their own interests increases instability risk. It also creates the danger that assistance intended to strengthen the state is instead used to empower and enrich one social group in Somalia at the expense of others (see Menkhaus 2016; 2014).
While Somali politics are typically analyzed through the lens of clan politics and elite competition, inequalities are prevalent across multiple dimensions, particularly: location (urban/rural, region), displaced status, gender, age, marital status, and minorities. Lack of and unequal access to opportunities is particularly prevalent in employment; basic services; informal and formal systems of judicial redress; political power and processes; and access to land and natural resources.
To respond to these governance challenges, USAID/Somalia’s Democracy, Stabilization, and Governance Office focuses on promoting Inclusive Governance. The DSG Office recognizes that to achieve this goal governing institutions must become more effective, accountable, and participatory in order to reverse the destructive legacy of a predatory state, violent extremist ideology, and exclusionary clan and patronage-based politics. At the same time, Somalia’s population must see tangible dividends to “buy-in” and become active participants in Somalia’s state-building project. The DSG office’s underlying developmental hypothesis is that systems and processes that enable inclusive governance are strengthened IF: (1) communities vulnerable to conflict and extremism increase resilience to security threats, strengthen grievance and dispute resolution mechanisms, and are provided with tangible evidence of government response; (2) governance institutions are more effective, accountable, and representative; and (3) political trust and participation is increased.
In the coming year, USAID/Somalia will be assessing existing programs and designing new set of programs that are designed to respond to this theory of change. This position will be focused on supporting efforts to develop and design new activities focused on the second two parts of this theory of change: 1) governance institutions are more effective, accountable, and representative; and 2) political trust and participation is increased. The person filling this position will work closely with to provide advice on how to advance USAID programming in these two areas.
BASIC FUNCTIONS
The Senior Good Governance and Inclusive Politics Technical Advisor reports to the USAID/Somalia DSG Office Director and coordinates closely with the DSG team members managing existing governance and inclusive politics programs, USAID’s Resilience Advisor, and the Program Office. The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya and will have occasional travel to Somalia. The incumbent helps coordinate USAID strategy, assistance, and policy in support of inclusive governance with a primary focus on good governance and inclusive politics.
USAID/Somalia DSG activities are evolving to the changing political environment, and the Senior Technical Advisor will help shape the new strategic approach including:
Assessing USAID/Somalia’s successes in advancing inclusive politics to date, identifying key lessons-learned and areas that future programming can build on.
Identifying key opportunities to advance inclusive politics in Somalia in the coming five years, analyzing possibilities of working with political parties, civil society, electoral bodies, and/or other actors critical to advancing inclusive politics.
Developing a political economy framework for inclusive politics that draws from existing analyses and other related work to provide a stakeholder map and a general political economy baseline on issues critical to advancing inclusive politics. This framework will enable USAID/Somalia to track changing political environment, power relations, and incentives to advance inclusive politics over the next five years.
Drafting an initial, flexible design for USAID/Somalia’s new Inclusive Politics program that provides multiple alternatives to respond to different political scenarios over the next five years.
Promoting partnerships across the USG and with interlocutors from the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), Federal Member States (FMS), the international community, and other key stakeholders to support inclusive politics.
The Senior Advisor will contribute to the management of USAID/Somalia’s complex inclusive politics and good governance program. Most of the work will be in Nairobi with occasional travel to Somalia.
The Senior Advisor will liaise with other USAID teams, USG agencies, the FGS, donors, civil society, international experts, and stakeholders to ensure maximum effectiveness of USAID activities in support of good governance and inclusive politics. This position requires technical and programmatic financial expertise in the design and management of good governance and inclusive politics.
The incumbent may also responsible for representing USAID and the USG in donor meetings, technical working groups, and in meetings with host government officials and civil society representatives. The Senior Advisor will work in close collaboration with other USG agencies to help implement the DSG portfolio as articulated in the DSG Inclusive Governance Project Appraisal Document.
The Senior Advisor must have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a difficult and dynamic political environment. Strong writing and presentation skills are required. Familiarity with good governance, inclusive politics, and political economy analysis is required. Prior experience working on Somalia is preferred.
As part of the USAID/Somalia DSG Team, the incumbent will, as required, contribute to broader team administrative and programmatic functions. These may include, but not be limited to, preparation of relevant sections of periodic reporting and planning documents, talking points, briefing notes, and analysis in response to requests from the Ambassador, USAID Mission Director, DSG Office Director, Congress, USAID/Washington, and the State Department. As an international expert in DSG, the Senior Advisor will contribute policy recommendations to top USG officials, including the Ambassador.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Refine USAID/Somalia’s strategic vision for good governance and inclusive politics. This new strategic vision must draw on lessons learned to date from ongoing USAID and other donor programming, seize on possible opportunities that exist now or in the future, and be flexible, offering various scenarios that respond to changing political environment in Somalia. Accompanying this revised strategic vision, the Senior Advisor will develop a political economy framework for inclusive politics that draws from existing analyses and other related work to provide a stakeholder map and a general political economy baseline on issues critical to advancing inclusive politics. This framework will enable USAID/Somalia to track changing political environment, power relations, and incentives to advance inclusive politics over the next five years.
Provide management support to one or more existing activities targeting good governance and inclusive politics. This would focus on reviewing programmatic reports, promoting adaptive management of existing programs, and providing technical advice on possible program evaluations and assessments.
Lead the design of one or more new activities for Somalia that promote inclusive politics and good governance. As part of this effort, the Senior Advisor will:
Identify key opportunities to advance inclusive politics in Somalia in the coming five years, analyzing possibilities of working with political parties, civil society, electoral bodies, and/or other actors critical to advancing inclusive politics.
Draft an initial, flexible design for USAID/Somalia’s new Inclusive Politics program that provides multiple alternatives to respond to different political scenarios over the next five years.
Ensure good governance and inclusive politics-related activities within USAID, among USG agencies, and other donors are coordinated, duplication of effort is minimized, and the institutional strengths of partners are fully engaged.
Represent the USG in various settings, including meetings hosted by donors, the Somali government, and civil society.
Serve as a Good Governance and Inclusive Politics expert and advisor to the USAID Mission. Briefings for the USAID Mission Director, the U.S. Ambassador and other USG officials will be required. This will include making recommendation on the most productive use of DSG funding, writing background documents such as concept notes, scopes of work, justifications, and authorizations and working with other offices to get them cleared through the Mission expeditiously.
Assist in the preparation of reports, analysis, and briefings as required. The Senior Advisor will also be required to provide talking points, briefing notes, and speeches in response to specific events or requests, and to perform other duties, as assigned by the DSG Office Director.
Position Elements
Knowledge level required: The incumbent must have an expert-level understanding of governance and stabilization 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. The Incumbent must show past experience in performing successfully at high levels, with minimal supervision and daily direction.
Available Guidelines: The position requires an understanding of an array of USG and USAID regulations. The Federal Acquisition Regulation, Automated Directives System, and other publications available with USAID/Somalia provide guidance on many of the rules and regulations. Ingenuity will be required to interpret and, at times, to develop new guidelines given the dynamic nature of Somalia
The Senior Advisor must exercise sound and independent judgment in interpreting and applying USG and USAID regulations and standard operating procedures in the course of carrying out assigned duties. The incumbent will have wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment carrying out work of outstanding difficulty and must consistently demonstrate credible leadership within a dynamic and highly sensitive operating environment.
Supervisory Controls: The Senior Advisor will receive overall supervision and policy guidance from the USAID/Somalia DSG Office Director. The Senior Advisor will develop work objectives in coordination with the DSG Director against which performance is measured. In the day-to-day work environment, the Senior Advisor is expected to require very little direct supervisions and use his/her initiative, resourcefulness, and creativity to resolve problems and advance USAID/Somalia’s vision for inclusive governance.
Authority to Make Commitments: The incumbent is not authorized to make any commitments on behalf of USAID or the USG. The incumbent will represent USAID, except that communications that reflect a final policy, planning or budget decision of the agency must be cleared by the DSG Director, who is a U.S. Direct Hire employee.
Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: The Senior Advisor will establish and maintain solid working relations with all levels of US Mission personnel and USAID staff. Frequent contact with senior-level US Embassy officers, host government officials, civil society members, international donors, and private sector entities will be required of the Senior Advisor in order to fulfill their duties. The Senior Advisor must establish strong and collaborative working relationships at all levels of county and national government in order to gain credibility and develop partnerships. Often these contacts will be of a high-level and sensitive nature. Therefore, extreme discretion and diplomacy is required.
Supervision Exercised: None
Scope/Effect: The individual serves in a role that directly influences USAID/Somalia’s decision and policy making. The individual will provide expert advice and support in the management and implementation of DSG Inclusive Governance Project as well as the Somalia Strategic Framework document, which is USAID’s Somalia broadest and highest development strategy and policy. S/he is responsible for coordination and joint approaches with the Economic Growth and Education technical offices as relevant to the stabilization portfolio.
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.
Time Required to Perform Full Range of Duties after Entry into Position: It is expected that the incumbent will have the ability to immediately perform the full range of duties as listed above.
Security Clearance Requirement: USAID/W issued clearance level at the Facility/Computer Access Level (if U.S citizens) or Moderate Risk Public Trust access authorization (if U.S Permanent resident)
Travel Requirement: The employee must be available and able to travel to Somalia. All support travel to Somalia will be provided by USAID/Somalia in accordance with applicable USAID regulations and U.S. Mission policy.
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.
Sunday Pay: Is not authorized.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
The incumbent must meet the following requirements in education and professional experience:
Education: bachelor’s degree
Professional Experience: Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible management experience with a USG entity, international assistance organization, or non-governmental organization in community development, conflict environments, conflict resolution, democracy and governance, international law, and/or political analysis; within which there must be a minimum of two (2) years of overseas field experience working on directly on Inclusive Politics and Good Governance approaches. Prior experience working in Somalia is desired.
Demonstrated ability to work on international development activities as related to on Inclusive Politics, Good Governance, and stabilization operations is required. Demonstrated knowledge of international best practices in Inclusive Politics and Good Governance is required. Prior experience working collaboratively with other donors is required. Familiarity with development investments in Somalia is preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: A practical knowledge of international development activities as related to Inclusive Politics and Good Governance approaches. Prior experience working in Somalia is desired. Demonstrated knowledge of international best practices in Inclusive Politics and Good Governance approaches is required. Prior experience working collaboratively with other donors is required. Familiarity with development investments in Somalia is preferred.
The Senior Advisor must have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a difficult and dynamic political environment that brings together individuals from multiple cultures. Therefore, the ability to communicate effectively and diplomatically is essential. Clear and persuasive writing and presentation skills are required. The Senior Advisor must have strong problem-solving skills as well as the ability to lead these efforts collaboratively.
Demonstrated ability to work as part of a cross-cultural team within the DSG Office and across the broader Mission is essential. Ability to present ideas with tact and diplomacy is required. Ability to develop and maintain a range of mid- to high-level working relationships within the US Government and the Somali Government, among international donor partners, and with the private sector and civil society is required. Ability to quickly understand the basics of development activity management including the requirements for financial and programmatic reporting is required. Proficient use of word processing, spreadsheet, and PowerPoint software programs and willingness to use these programs to organize information, conduct analysis, prepare reports, draft correspondence, and prepare presentations is required. Candidate must be able to communicate exceptionally well in writing and verbally to a diversity of audiences.
Language proficiency: Level IV (fluent) English language proficiency, speaking and writing, is required.
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.
Education: Null (Minimum requirement must be met)
Prior work Experience: 40 points
Knowledge: 30 points
Skills and Abilities: 25 points
Language Proficiency: 5 points
Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks – Pass/Fail (no points assigned)
Total Possible Points: 100
[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.
