Senior Project Management Specialist – USAID

By Osama Elsheikh Last updated Nov 9, 2022

Job Description

SOLICITATION NUMBER	72066722R00004
POSITION TITLE	Senior Project Management Specialist
ISSUANCE DATE	11/06/2022
CLOSING DATE/TIME	11/19/2022 at 16:00
PLACE OF PERFORMANCE	Khartoum, Sudan

SUBJECT: Solicitation for a Cooperating Country National Personal Service Contractor (CCNPSC – Local Compensation Plan)

Dear Prospective Offerors:

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

Offers must be in accordance with Attachment 1 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 offers.

Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in the attachment 1.

Sincerely,

Susan Easley

Supervisory Executive Officer

GENERAL INFORMATION

SOLICITATION NO.: 72066722R00004

ISSUANCE DATE: 11/06/2022

CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: 11/19/2022 at 16:00

POINT OF CONTACT: USAID Human Resources Office, e-mail at [email protected]

POSITION TITLE: Senior Project Management Specialist – Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

MARKET VALUE: $64,781.9-$97,010.1 US Dollars, equivalent to FSN-12

In accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of

U.S. Embassy Khartoum/USAID. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One Year, renewable as appropriate estimated to start on January 01, 2023.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Khartoum, Sudan

with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.

ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Cooperating Country Nationals (CCNs)

SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: The successful candidate will be required to obtain a security clearance “Sensitive but Unclassified” (SBU), as pre-condition for employment.

STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

The Water for the World Act of 2014 builds on the Water for the Poor Act of 2005, which made water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) a U.S. foreign policy priority, instructing the USG to focus programming and resources in priority countries that have both the greatest sector needs and opportunities for impact. The USAID Water and Development Plan under the U.S. Government Global Water Strategy articulates the Agency’s approach to increase the availability and sustainable management of safe water and sanitation for the underserved and most vulnerable. Congress has consistently appropriated funds under the water directive to increase sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation and improve hygiene. It is anticipated that increased funding for water, sanitation and hygiene activities will be sustained for the coming years. A dedicated WASH team manages this work at USAID/Sudan. The position will provide leadership, program management and technical support for USAID water and sanitation-related programs. The USAID Project Management Specialist (WASH) is a senior professional and expert in strategic planning, program and activity design, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the full spectrum of WASH service delivery. The incumbent serves as the team’s senior advisor on WASH issues and ensures that the Mission has the necessary strategic, technical, and management expertise to handle and successfully implement WASH programs. The Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Advisor is expected to guide, coordinate, manage and monitor the expanding and high-profile water, sanitation and hygiene related portfolio of the country, leading to successful outcomes. He/she serves as the in-house subject matter expert on WASH and the Mission’s senior representative in policy, strategic and technical engagements with the interagency, host country government, international and bilateral organizations, and donor agencies to address technical issues and coordinate efforts.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Sector Leadership and Strategy 40% of time

Serve as the lead technical specialist for the WASH portfolio and provide expert direction in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of WASH programs and interventions. Lead efforts to identify, prioritize and address key technical challenges, and policy and institutional structures, constraints and opportunities in sustainable water and sanitation service provision and management in the country, including those related to private sector participation in the sector. Identify opportunities to use available USAID field support mechanisms to expand water and sanitation coverage and improve hygiene and to leverage resources from other sources and related funding streams, e.g. climate adaptation, food security. Through literature review and regular communication with local and international stakeholders, keep abreast of emerging developments in the national and global WASH landscape and advise accordingly on how these policies, strategies and technical guidelines can most effectively be incorporated into Mission programming. Play a key role in identifying and coordinating among the various USG and internal USAID water, sanitation and hygiene-related activities and players.

Project Management 30% of time

Develop concept papers, scopes of work, USAID project and activity design documents and bilateral and multilateral agreements related to the design of water, sanitation and hygiene related programs, with the goal of ensuring that program design and implementation will achieve planned results and USAID goals. Maintain a technical portfolio as Contracting Officer’s Representative/Agreement Officer’s Representative (COR/AOR) and/or Activity Manager, which includes review and approval of workplans, budgets, quarterly and annual reports, performance monitoring plans, monitoring activities through field visits and ensuring that financial reporting (accruals/vouchers) are submitted to the Financial Management Office as required. Lead the development of a performance-monitoring plan for all Mission activities contributing toward the objectives of the Senator Paul Simon Water for the World Act and its associated earmarks and contribute to data collection and synthesis. Lead routine meetings with implementing partners to discuss technical and programmatic direction of the WASH portfolio. Conduct field visits to USAID-supported WASH activities to meet with implementing partners and government officials as appropriate to provide technical, programmatic, and administrative guidance as necessary. Compile, analyze, and disseminate,on a regular basis, to USAID mission staff and USAID/Washington, progress in achieving sector objectives together with commentary on issues and recommended solutions

Representation and Coordination 30% of time

Represent USAID at designated national, regional and international meetings that relate to WASH, including regular participation in national level WASH technical working groups and related committees. Develop, maintain and strengthen working relationships with key partners, including national ministries, local governments, international organizations and other donors, private sector, NGOs, universities and the media to identify and implement efforts to increase synergy among the key stakeholders. Provide briefings to USAID and its partners on the status of USAID water, sanitation and hygiene activities in country. Prepare and deliver presentations on the same issues to local government and USG officials and international and local program partners and colleagues. Serve as the Mission’s representative on all inter-agency forums related to WASH. Organize site visits and prepare orientation materials for delegations from USAID Headquarters, State Department, other agencies, and Congress.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP:

Supervision Received: The incumbent will work under the general supervision of the Agriculture Office Director and/or his/her designee.

Supervision Exercised: The incumbent serves as AOR/COR for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene activities in the Mission, and for grantees/contractors working in water and sanitation however full supervision of other Mission staff is not required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Education:

A minimum of a master’s degree in environmental management, public health, engineering, economics or related field is required.

Prior Work Experience: At least 7 years of progressively responsible technical experience in water supply, sanitation, and hygiene improvement, including work in environments comparable to those of the country. The position requires a combination of managerial, technical, and analytical abilities. Expertise in the areas of sustainable water and sanitation services, hygiene promotion, private sector engagement, finance, sector policy reform, and program design. Experience and demonstrated proficiency in using software applications to analyze sector data and translating into practice. Prior management or leadership experience leading a team and portfolio of a similar size and complexity.

Post Entry Training:

On the job training in USAID programming and implementation procedures. ADS related training. Formal AOR/COR training may be required for successful performance in the position and will be provided. Appropriate training courses will be offered, subject to course offerings and the availability of funds.

CCN PSCs may participate in temporary duty (TDY) travel to USAID/Washington and other Missions in order to participate in the Foreign Service National Fellowship Program described in ADS 495maa.

Language Proficiency: Level 4 (fluent) English/Arabic, oral and written, language is required.

Job Knowledge: Direct experience in the management of or other bilateral or multilateral donor-funded projects. Direct hands-on experience on improving water and sanitation services and hygiene promotion. Experience in strengthening policy frameworks and capacity of local governments, utilities, regulatory agencies, etc. Good understanding of strategy, programming and implementation activities. Knowledge of water and sanitation sector development in the relevant region, including understanding of emerging, evidence-based approaches in technology selection, policies/enabling environment, institutional structures, governance, financing, environmental sustainability, and social/cultural issues including gender.

Skills and Abilities: Demonstrated ability to function independently in complex, frequently changing political and economic conditions. Ability to manage resources, programs and people and interact effectively with representatives of national and local governments and USG agency staff. Good interpersonal and team building skills.

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. The FAR provisions referenced above are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

The Evaluation Factors listed will be the basis for evaluation and ranking applicants for the position. Only finalists will be contacted by USAID/Khartoum with respect to their applications. Applicants must submit a supplemental document outlining their responses to the evaluation factors to be considered. USAID/Khartoum reserves the right to interview only the highest ranked applicants in person, or by phone OR not to interview any candidate.

Education (20 points):

A minimum of a master’s degree in environmental management, public health, engineering, economics or related field is required.

Experience (40 points):

At least 7 years of progressively responsible technical experience in water supply, sanitation, and hygiene improvement, including work in environments comparable to those of the country. The position requires a combination of managerial, technical, and analytical abilities. Expertise in the areas of sustainable water and sanitation services, hygiene promotion, private sector engagement, finance, sector policy reform, and program design. Experience and demonstrated proficiency in using software applications to analyze sector data and translating into practice. Prior management or leadership experience leading a team and portfolio of a similar size and complexity.

Job Knowledge (20 points):

Direct experience in the management of or other bilateral or multilateral donor-funded projects. Direct hands-on experience on improving water and sanitation services and hygiene promotion. Experience in strengthening policy frameworks and capacity of local governments, utilities, regulatory agencies, etc. Good understanding of strategy, programming and implementation activities. Knowledge of water and sanitation sector development in the relevant region, including understanding of emerging, evidence-based approaches in technology selection, policies/enabling environment, institutional structures, governance, financing, environmental sustainability, and social/cultural issues including gender.

Skills and Abilities (20 points):

Demonstrated ability to function independently in complex, frequently changing political and economic conditions. Ability to manage resources, programs and people and interact effectively with representatives of national and local governments and USG agency staff. Good interpersonal and team building skills.

Maximum points available: 100

After closing date of the receipt of applications, a committee/panel will convene to review applications that meet the minimum requirements and evaluate them in accordance with the above required evaluation factors. As part of the selection process, finalist candidates will be interviewed.

Reference check will be made for applicant considered as successful and suitable for the position.

Note: due to the high volume of applications we receive for each solicitation, we will only contact candidates who Are being considered. However, each candidate will receive an auto reply to acknowledge the receipt of his/her application.

SELECTION PROCESS:

To be considered for candidacy, offerors must address each criterion in their application as to how they meet the minimum qualifications required for the position mentioned in Section II, Item a-b. If the application submitted fails to demonstrate eligibility, the application will be marked unqualified. It is the responsibility of the offeror to provide all pertinent information.

Applications will be initially screened and scored in accordance with evaluation factors and points mentioned above. Offerors in a competitive range might be tested for English language competency and technical knowledge. Offerors with passing marks from the recruitment and language tests, will be invited for an interview. The recruitment tests and the interview will be structured around the evaluation factors mentioned above. The successful offeror will be selected based on a review of his/her qualifications, work experience, knowledge, skills and abilities; a written test; an interview; and the results of reference checks. References may be obtained independently from other sources in addition to the ones provided by an offeror.

Only offerors within a competitive range will be contacted. No response will be sent to unsuccessful offerors.

Internal candidates employed under Chief of Mission Sudan are only eligible to apply upon completion of one year in their current position.

I. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

Interested offerors must submit the following:

Eligible offerors are required to complete and submit the AID 309-2 (Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals) form. The AID 309-2 Application form can be found on the USAID website Offeror Information For Personal Services Contracts With Individuals (AID 309-2). Continuous Pages are required if your work experience description goes beyond Section C

– Continuous Pages of Section C of form AID 309-2 can be found in the following link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RvrjVG8ga4E9FNx-OtCqYTQ4nN7FKcqv/view?usp=sharing

A resume or curriculum vitae (CV) without photo.
A copy of transcript.
A copy of Sudanese ID card or valid Sudanese Residency and Employment Permit. Please note that USAID is not able to sponsor offerors for the permit.
A cover letter (optional), a certified copy for name change (if any).

All required documents must be scanned and submitted via email only. Please ensure documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat PDF formats. Please do not submit documents in zip files or web links.

Application must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the address in Section I, item 4.

To ensure consideration of application for the intended position, the offeror must prominently reference the Solicitation Number in the application submission. The email subject should read: First name Last name – USAID 72066722R00004

LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

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

Ensuring Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors – Please be advised that, upon award, the contractor will be required to follow the Mission policies and/or directives from the U.S. Department of State regarding COVID-19 requirements.

BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

BENEFITS:

Basic Rate: $54,633.00- $81,945.00

ALLOWANCES (as applicable):

COLA**: $9,833.9 – $14,750.1

Meal Allowance: $315.00

Family Allowance:

$557.00 annual per Employee’s dependent Spouse

$827.00 per annual for each unmarried, dependent child under the age of 21, up to six children

TAXES

LE staff is responsible for calculating and paying local income taxes. The U.S. Mission does not withhold or make local income tax payments.

USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs

USAID regulations and policies governing CCN and TCN PSC awards are available at these sources:

USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix J, “Direct USAID Contracts With a Cooperating Country National and with a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf

Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://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 2 and 5 CFR 2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations

ALL QULAIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED REGRADLESS OF AGE, RACE, COLOR, SEX, GREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, LAWFULL POL

Applicants must follow the below:

All required documents must be scanned and submitted via email only. Please ensure documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat PDF formats. Please do not submit documents in zip files or web links.
To ensure consideration of an application for the intended position, the offeror must prominently reference the Solicitation Number in the application submission. The email subject should read: First name Last name – USAID 72066722RXXXXX

Only Form AID 309-2 (and continuing pages if needed) will be accepted. No Other application or resume will be accepted. You must complete the form online and print it OR print it and complete by hand. A scanned copy of the application only can be submitted as below:

Additional Application Instructions

Do not attach any additional or supporting documents such as certificates, licenses or awards.
Resumes will not be accepted.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Completed applications must be received on or before the closing date listed on the Vacancy Announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

Submitting Your Application

Email the completed application only once to: [email protected]. The subject line must include Position Title and Vacancy Announcement number.