SOURCES SOUGHT
R -- USAID/DCHA/OTI Venezuela Country Rep.
- Notice Date
- 7/15/2003
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- Contracting Office
- Agency for International Development, Washington D.C., USAID/Washington, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Room 7.10-006, Washington, DC, 20523
- ZIP Code
- 20523
- Solicitation Number
- DCHA-OTI-03-1732
- Response Due
- 7/30/2003
- Archive Date
- 8/14/2003
- Point of Contact
- Gerald Render, Contracting Officer, Phone 202-712-0113, Fax 202-216-3406,
- E-Mail Address
-
grender@usaid.gov
- Description
- ISSUANCE DATE: July 15, 2003 CLOSING DATE: July 30, 2003, 1600 Local Time Ladies/Gentlemen: SUBJECT: Solicitation for Services of an OTI Director, in DCHA/OTI Venezuela, Solicitation No. DCHA/OTI-03-1732 The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications of qualified U.S. Citizens interested in providing Personal Services Contract (PSC) services as described in the attached solicitation. Submittals shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. In order to be considered for the position a candidate must meet the Minimum Qualifications listed in the solicitation. Consideration and selection will be based on a panel evaluation of the applications vis-a-vis the Evaluation Criteria. Resumes may be attached to the SF-171 or OF-612 and applicants are encouraged to write a brief appendix to demonstrate how prior experience and/or training addresses these criteria. Applicants are reminded and required to sign the certification at the end of the SF-171 or OF-612. The U.S. mail system is not as reliable as other methods of submitting applications, such as courier, overnight mail services, hand delivery, fax (at the number below) or by e-mail to grender@usaid.gov (hard copies of certain documents may be requested.) Applicants are responsible for submitting the SF-171 or OF-612, so as to reach the Government office designated in the solicitation by the closing date and time specified in the solicitation whether submitted by courier, overnight mail services, hand delivery, fax or e-mail. An application received after the closing date and time will be considered late, unless there is acceptable evidence to establish that it was received by the Government installation prior to the time and date specified in the solicitation. Any questions as well as submission of proposals in response to this solicitation must be directed to: Gerald C. Render, Management Team Leader U.S. Agency for International Development DCHA/Office of Transition Initiatives Room 2.09-063, RRB 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20523-2900 Telephone: 202-712-0113 Fax: 202-216-3406 e-mail: grender@usaid.gov Applications that are submitted by courier service or hand carried must be accepted at the 14th Street entrance of the Ronald Reagan Building. The courier must inform the guard there is a package for OTI, Gerald C. Render. The guard will contact that person and inform them that there is a package for pick-up at the 14th Street entrance. Packages cannot be dropped off at the desk, someone must accept the application from the courier. Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. Sincerely, Gerald C. Render Contracting Officer SOLICITATION NUMBER: DCHA/OTI-03-1732 ISSUANCE DATE: 15 July 2003 CLOSING DATE/TIME: 30 July 2003, 16:00 (4:00pm) Local Time POSITION TITLE: Country Representative, DCHA/OTI, Venezuela MARKET VALUE: $72,381 - $94,098 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two Years PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Caracas, Venezuela SECURITY ACCESS: Secret AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens Only (Security Clearance Required) I. POSITION DESCRIPTION Introduction The Office of Transition of Initiatives (OTI) was created in 1994 as a distinct operating unit within the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to help local partners advance peace and democracy in priority, conflict-prone countries. Seizing critical windows of opportunity, OTI works on the ground to provide fast, flexible, short-term assistance targeted at key transition needs. Countries experiencing a significant political transition in the midst of a disaster or emerging from civil conflict have unique needs that cannot be fully addressed by traditional disaster relief. Timely and effective assistance to promote and consolidate peaceful, democratic advances can make the difference between a successful or a failed transition. OTI uses such mechanisms as support for development of initiatives to promote national reconciliation; identification of quick-impact community self-help projects to meet urgent material needs; aid to independent media outlets; and community-based organizations to help promote informed debate and broaden public participation. For more information about OTI and its country programs please see: http://www.usaid.gov/hum_response/oti/ Country Background In 1998, Hugo Chavez was elected by an overwhelming majority of voters on a platform to address the problems of the poor and address corruption. Over the past two and a half years his popularity has waned and political tensions between the government and the opposition have risen dramatically as President Chavez has attempted to implement several controversial reforms. In the past year, Venezuela has experienced several dramatic events that highlight the fragility of democracy in Venezuela, including a failed attempted coup in April 2002 and a 10-week general strike. Venezuela?s democracy remains at risk, the result of a steady weakening of political institutions and decreasing public faith in government institutions, civil society and the press. Support for democracy remains the Unites States? top foreign policy priority in the hemisphere and in Venezuela. In his speech last year to the Council of the Americas, Secretary of State Powell said ?people are losing faith in their political leaders and systems? around the hemisphere. Nowhere is that more true than in Venezuela. The United States has an abiding interest to ensure that Venezuelan democracy, which took root following the 1958 overthrow of the Perez Jimenz dictatorship, endures and strengthens. For democracy to remain viable, support is needed for the institutions that provide for checks and balances, and ensure the protection of human rights and free expression of ideas, including, at both the national and local levels, by the media, civil society, political parties and government institutions. Support is also needed to promote dialogue between groups that have little trust in each other. Space for political dialogue is at a premium and support for initiatives to move dialogue forward in a productive and effective fashion are essential to reduce the increasing societal tensions and advance an agenda for governability. The current political situation is critical and cannot be sustained for the long-term. The ability of foreign assistance to influence events is limited; nevertheless, the U.S. government is attempting to encourage the opposing sides to debate issues in a civil and rational fashion. The recent signing of an OAS-brokered agreement between the government and the opposition offers hope that peaceful, constitutional democracy will continue to endure. Duties And Responsibilities The Country Representative will be based in the field and is the senior OTI representative in country. He/She will report to the team leader for Latin America in Washington and to the Ambassador in the field. The Country Representative?s principal responsibility will be development, oversight and management of DCHA/OTI's country program. The Country Representative?s duties will include but not be limited to: ? Conceptualization and design of program strategies and objectives in close coordination with OTI staff, USAID personnel, US embassy, and local government officials, as appropriate. When necessary, refine strategic objectives and advocate on behalf of new programmatic approaches in country, linked to neighboring country programs, where appropriate. ? Oversee the development and implementation of OTI grants to ensure that they achieve OTI?s strategic objectives in a timely manner. Ensure appropriate resource allocation among OTI field offices and implementing partners. ? Prepare and maintain program budgets. ? Prepare operational plans in collaboration with the US embassy, including logistics and property use guidelines, closeout and hand-over, security procedures, contingency and evacuation plans. ? Serve as the primary liaison with U.S. Embassy staff, Ambassadors, local Government officials, UN organizations, indigenous and international NGOs, and other involved agencies and organizations. Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with them in order to ensure close coordination at the field level, identify the widest range of potential partners and opportunities, and achieve maximum synergy with other programs. ? Manage, evaluate, and report on: o the development and implementation of grants and other activities; o the performance and needs of OTI's implementing partners, contractors, and grantees; o communication and coordination between OTI and its implementing partners, the USAID Mission, the U.S. Embassy, and other donor organizations; o current political developments and security concerns; o other pertinent information required to achieve OTI's program objectives. ? Design staffing plans to meet overall program objectives and recruit in-country program officers to manage individual programs. ? Supervise and evaluate the performance of program staff. ? Monitor local and regional political developments and regularly brief staff on their potential programmatic impact. ? Ensure that all field staff adheres to security measures. ? Prepare and disseminate programmatic, financial and monthly reports to OTI/Washington and other organizations as deemed appropriate. ? Perform other duties related to OTI activities, as requested by the appropriate Regional Team Leader or OTI Director or his or her designee. Required Skills The USAID Office of Transition Initiatives Country Representative post is a senior-level position requiring supervisory management experience, the ability to serve as an effective liaison with a wide array of individuals and institutions and an in-depth knowledge of international relations in general and of the sub-region in particular. Familiarity with a wide range of issues is necessary, including, but not limited to, community development, mediation/arbitration, conflict resolution, democracy/governance and human rights. Excellent inter-personal, presentation and negotiation skills are necessary. Experience in contract/grant management is required. Prior work experience with US government agencies and/or managing program operations in civil conflicts is preferred. Knowledge of a relevant local language is required. The successful candidate will possess excellent political analysis and reporting skills and the ability to operate with high levels of autonomy, responsibility and authority in a highly stressful environment while exercising sound judgment in politically charged and challenging security environments. It is also essential that the incumbent demonstrate ability to maintain staff morale in a difficult work environment. Strong team-building skills are essential. The incumbent will be called upon to represent OTI?s mission and global programs to in-country visitors, senior officials from other international organizations, bilateral donors and local government officials. In order to be considered for the position, a candidate must meet the Selective Factors listed below. Consideration and selection will be based on panel evaluation of the Evaluative Factors. Additionally, interviews and writing samples may be requested. Applicants are encouraged to write a brief appendix to a resume, OF-612 or SF-171 to demonstrate how prior experience and/or training addresses the Evaluative and Selective Factors. Minimum Qualifications ? Minimum of four (4) years of professional experience working on democracy-related issues in Latin America, of which two (2) years must be in an overseas environment ? Minimum of six (6) years professional experience in 2 or more of the following areas: contract/grant management, economic development (including private sector development), community development, mediation/arbitration, conflict resolution, democracy and governance, international law, and/or human rights activities; ? Demonstrated experience in conceptualization, design and management of projects similar to OTI's; ? Prior supervisory experience at a management level ? Demonstrated Fluency or proficiency in Spanish (FSI Rating R-3/S-3); ? US citizenship and ability to receive a U.S. Government security clearance is a requirement in accordance with USAID hiring policy. Evaluation Factors Consideration and selection will be based on panel evaluation of the applications in accordance with the Evaluation Factors. The following criteria are listed in descending order of importance: ? Demonstrated ability to motivate, guide and manage contractors and grantees and to maintain team morale and unity in a challenging security environment with the lack of usual infrastructure and amenities; ? Demonstrated eperience working on elections, democratic strengthening, human rights, reconciliation, and/or other similar activity; ? Experience working on Latin American political or development issues; ? Excellent communication, writing, and social skills of interaction, including the ability to deal with counterparts on both the lowest and highest political, social and economic levels; ? Excellent interpersonal, cross-cultural, negotiating and team building skills; and, ? Ability to operate independently in complex and difficult situations with minimal home office support. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES: As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: A. BENEFITS: (1) Employee's FICA Contribution (2) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance (3) Pay Comparability Adjustment (4) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation (5) Vacation & Sick Leave B. ALLOWANCES (If Applicable): (1) Post Differential (Chapter 500*) and (2) Danger Pay (Section 650*) * Dept. of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). C. FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes. III. APPLYING: A. QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT: 1. U.S. Government Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612 available at the USAID web site, http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms or internet http://fillform.gsa.gov, or at Federal offices; 2. Applications must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in the cover letter. 3. 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 highest ranking applicants may be selected for an interview. B. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs Forms outlined below can found at http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/ 1. Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612. 2. Medical History and Examination (DS-1843). * 3. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or * 4. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85). * 5. Finger Print Card (FD-258). * * Forms 2 through 5 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job. IV. CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) PERTAINING TO PSCs CIBs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to this web site http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/ to determine which CIBs apply to this contract.
- Place of Performance
- Address: Caracas
- Country: Venezuela
- Country: Venezuela
- Record
- SN00371266-W 20030717/030715213048 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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