SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- Senior Development Outreach and Communications Officer , GS-13
- Notice Date
- 12/29/2005
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Agency for International Development, Overseas Missions, Georgia USAID-Tibilisi, Dept. of State, Washington, DC, 20521-3180
- ZIP Code
- 20521-3180
- Solicitation Number
- 114-05-18
- Response Due
- 1/17/2006
- Archive Date
- 2/1/2006
- Description
- SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Services Contractor (PSC) Senior Development Outreach and Communications Officer , GS-13 ? USAID/Caucasus ? Tbilisi, Georgia The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking proposals (Optional Form 612 or Standard Form 171) from U.S. Citizens interested in providing the PSC services described in the attached. Submission shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Any questions may be directed to Nata Anjaparidze, Human Resources Specialist, USAID/Caucasus, who may be reached at FAX No. 995-32 00.10.13, or E-mail: nanjaparidze@usaid.gov. Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures, which accompany their proposals. Sincerely, -s- Fernando Cossich Supervisory Executive Officer International Address: 20, Telavi str Tbilisi, Georgia 0103 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 114-05-018 2. ISSUANCE DATE: 12/27/2005 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: 01/17/2006 18:00 HRS Local Time 4. POSITION TITLE: Senior Development Outreach and Communications Officer 5. MARKET VALUE: GS-13 ($64,478 - 83,819) 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 2 years 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Tbilisi, Georgia 8. AREAS OF CONSIDERATION: Applicant must be U.S. Citizen 9. DIRECT SUPERVISOR: Program Officer JOB DESCRIPTION, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The Senior Development Outreach and Communications Officer (DOCO) assists the USAID/Caucasus Mission (USAID/Georgia and USAID/Azerbaijan) by producing and disseminating public information about the Mission?s activities, primarily to host country governments, host country press and media, and the public at large to build awareness, appreciation and support for USAID?s programs, and the broadening the support for the programs provided by the American people in two countries. The programs cover a wide range of activities in the area: economic growth, democracy and governance, energy and the environment, health and social development, anti-corruption, youth, conflict prevention, and anti-trafficking. The DOCO develops outreach and communications strategies and action plans targeted to various audiences that will result in a clearer understanding of specific activity and program goals and objectives. The DOCO has primary responsibility for carrying out approved action plans. The DOCO also prepares information about the Mission?s program, particularly its successes and achievements, for dissemination to USAID?s Europe & Eurasia and Legislative Public Affairs Bureaus at USAID headquarters in Washington, DC; to the Department of State; and, to the U.S. Congress, media, and public. The DOCO supervises the design and content of print materials of USAID and its partner organizations, as needed, for reports and brochures. The DOCO also supports USAID officers and implementing partner organizations in their compliance with USAID branding regulations. The DOCO is a fulltime position. The successful applicant should expect to encounter occasional demands for his/her time beyond regular office hours, and sometimes on weekends. The incumbent should expect to travel outside Tbilisi a considerable amount of time, over the course of a year. The DOCO position is located in the nine-member Program and Project Support (PPS) Office at USAID/Caucasus-Georgia and receives day-to-day supervision from the PPS Office Chief. The DOCO frequently works directly with the USAID Mission Director, the USAID Country Coordinator for Azerbaijan, and the U.S. Ambassador in Tbilisi. The position calls for close coordination with the U.S Embassy?s Public Affairs Office. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Specific duties and responsibilities of the DOCO shall include: A. Outreach and Information Strategy: Supervise the development and implementation of a comprehensive communications strategy that promotes the Mission?s program to both internal and external audiences; facilitates information access and sharing within the Mission; effectively articulates and publicizes the Mission?s policies, objectives, and operations; and strengthens reporting functions to AID/W, the E&E Bureau, the State Department, and the U.S. Congress. The strategy will define how information will be used to communicate the role, objectives, and impact of USAID assistance on the transformation process in the region. Plans and manages public relations programs involving issues that are controversial or of significant public or Congressional interest. Handles queries from elected officials, other government agencies, community organizations, and the public about USAID activities that could significantly affect the public view of USAID or prompt Congressional action. Serves as senior advisor to agency management on public affairs activities/programs in assigned area. Develops policies and makes recommendations regarding the dissemination of information to correct misperceptions and enhance public understanding. Independently determines the potential of public information related to highly visible subjects. Speaks for USAID in assigned program areas to representatives of the national media, ensuring timely and accurate information dissemination and responses to inquiries regarding USAID programs and legislative and funding activities. B. Information Coordination: Provide public information/education support to all USAID strategic objective teams by understanding their programs and prioritizing needs for disseminating information. Maintain knowledge of the inter-relationships and significance of various program components in the process of economic, democratic, and social transition in the region. Use this awareness to better identify and coordinate outreach activities among USAID offices and implementing partners. Assist implementing partners and their information and outreach specialists in developing effective public education campaigns and materials. C. Media Coordination: Plans and formulates policies, programs, and procedures governing information dissemination functions for USAID/CAUCASUS Mission. Serves as principal contact for local and international press and media and serve as Mission liaison with the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy. Advise the Mission Director and other USAID/Tbilisi staff on press and media relations, coordinate press and media relations with Public Affairs, maintain press and media contacts, develop press and media materials such as press releases and activity background papers, and coordinate with the Mission Director, activity managers, and the U.S. Embassy?s Public Affairs Office to promote press and media coverage of Mission activities. In collaboration with AID/W/LPA, develop print and video resources to raise the profile of the USG?s assistance to Georgia and Azerbaijan. Support USAID staff to ensure that program implementing partners follow USAID branding policies on all the documents produced by grantees and contractors. D. Event Planning and Coordination: Take primary responsibility for planning public diplomacy events for which USAID has responsibility, and act as liaison between Mission and Embassy for events arranged by the embassy. Planning and coordination include, but are not limited to, the following: conducting preplanning visits, accompanying advance teams to negotiate protocol issues with staff of participating government officials, establishing and confirming event schedules, preparing briefing books and other materials, etc. S/he will also coordinate logistics of such events. For site visits or events that involve the U.S. Ambassador (or Deputy Charge of Mission), the USAID Mission Director or Deputy Director, the DOCO will ensure that all information related to the events (e.g., backgrounders/scene setters, schedules, talking points, speeches, etc.) have been prepared, meeting quality standards and time requirements. Integrates protocol arrangements with regular and out-of-the-ordinary agency activities scheduled at the time of VIP visits. Establishes agency-wide standards, protocol, and processes for VIP visits. Implements training regarding protocol procedures during visits of VIPs, with special consideration of the guests' culture, rank, and special needs. Serves as the agency point of contact for guests prior to and following the visit. Analyzes requirements and goals of USAID and visiting guests to establish suitable policies and approaches for special events or visits by VIPs. Evaluates USAID image and protocol initiatives, initiating program changes to enhance USAID's image. E. Public Information Materials: Plans and manages public relations programs involving issues that are controversial or of significant public or Congressional interest, such as USAID programs involving cost overruns, untested technology, or environmental or safety concerns. Handles queries from elected officials, other government agencies, community organizations and the public about USAID activities that could significantly affect public view of USAID or prompt Congressional action. Oversees the development and maintenance of public relations materials, including brochures, fact sheets, monthly or bi-monthly newsletters, presentations and other visual displays on USAID?s programs, and internet websites. Disseminates information to the Mission?s various audiences and constituencies, which include: host government and NGO counterparts; assistance beneficiaries; USAID contractors and grantees; other donors; local and U.S. public; local and international press and media; AID/W; E&E Bureau; and the U.S. Congress. Ensures that Internet websites are reviewed and updated quarterly with current information. F. Program Profiles and Briefing Documents: Manage preparation and updating of the program profiles and briefing documents. In preparing program profiles, coordinate with Mission staff to develop and maintain a database on where USAID is working in the region, prepare and update maps showing geographic location of USAID activities, and assist in preparing an annual analysis of USAID?s work in the regions. G. Reporting: Draft and edit strategy papers and report prepared by the Mission; direct development of periodic impact stories/cables; and prepare or edit various reports to AID/W and the Department of State, such as, narratives for Mission Congressional Budget Justification, Annual Report submissions, etc. H. Information Exchange Activity: Provide public information/education support to all USAID strategic objective teams by understanding their program portfolios, prioritizing needs for disseminating information; identify and facilitate mechanisms that promote information exchange between and among various constituencies and implementers of development assistance, e.g., between USAID technical teams, U.S. agencies and other donors, among implementing partners, etc. I. Staff Development: Directly supervise the FSN Communications Coordinator in Georgia and provide technical guidance to the FSN Communications Specialist in Baku, ensuring they have a training plan in place, and receive continual guidance on completing assigned tasks. Performs other duties as assigned or required. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS: A) Education ? University degree in a relevant field (journalism, communications, broadcasting, marketing, and/or international affairs). B) Work Experience ? Minimum of eight years of progressively responsible experience in related fields is required. Previous work experience with international development organizations, public relations companies, or non-governmental organizations is required. C) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities -Demonstrated skill and extensive hands-on experience in public relations; a broad understanding of issues related to international development, the Caucasus region, and transition economics. -The ability to establish and maintain collegial relations with press and media contacts and to exercise sound judgment in representing the USG while discussing program activities with the press and media. -A demonstrated ability to supervise staff and work flows, and work as a team member, as well as to provide leadership in the areas of his/her responsibilities. -Broad operation planning experience, analytical ability, and the capacity to convert planning concepts into firm plans. -Excellent written and oral English communication skills are required, as well as personal initiative, organizational skills, the ability to work independently, and the capacity to present information creatively. 4) Clearance Requirements The selected candidate must obtain medical and security clearances. VI. HOW TO APPLY A. Please send a completed and signed Optional Form 612 or Standard Form 171. Applicants are required to sign the certification at the end of the SF-171 or OF-612 applications. Applications that are received without a signature will not be considered for the position. Applicants that submit their application by E-mail without an electronic signature must send a fax or scanned copy of their signature in order for their application to be considered for this position. Containing the following information: The Optional Form (OF) 612 is available at http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/formslibrary.do?formType=OP The Standard Form (SF) 171 is available at http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/formslibrary.do?formType=SF 1) Personal Information: Full name, mailing address (with Zip code) day and evening phone numbers, social security number, country of citizenship, highest federal civilian grade held (also, give job series and dates held); 2.)Education: high school name, city and State (Zip code if known) date of diploma or GED, colleges and universities; name city and state (Zip code if known, majors, type and year of any degrees received, if no degree, show total credits earned and indicate whether semester or quarter hours); 3) Work Experience: give the following information for your paid and non-paid work experience related to the job for which your are applying (do not send job descriptions); job title (include series and grade if federal job), duties, and accomplishments, employers name and address, supervisor?s name and phone number, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours per week, salary. Indicate if we may contact your current supervisor; 4) Other Qualifications: job-related training courses (title and year), job related skills; for example, other languages, computer software/hardware, job related certificates (current only), job-related honors, awards, and special accomplishments. For example, publications, memberships in professional or honor societies, leadership, activities, public speaking, and performance awards (give dates but do not send documents unless requested). B. Names, past and present title, e-mail address, phone number, and mailing address of three professional references, one of which must be a direct or indirect supervisor. C. A signed statement certifying the date and length of time for which the applicant is available for the position. D. Two original, professional writing samples in 12 pitch type not to exceed a combined length of two pages. II. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES: As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances (however, as conditions at post change, benefits and allowances may also be changed): 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 (Section 500) (2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) (3) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) (4) Post Allowance (COLA)(Section 220) (5) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) (6) Payments During Evacuation (Section 600) (7) Education Allowance (Section 270) (8) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) (9) Danger Pay (Section 650) (10) Educational Travel (Section 280) * Dept. of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) (Government Civilians Foreign Areas).
- Place of Performance
- Address: Tbilisi
- Zip Code: 0103
- Country: Georgia
- Zip Code: 0103
- Record
- SN00959273-W 20051231/051229211530 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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