Position Title: Humanitarian Program and Administrative Specialist

Solicitation Number: 720FDA19B00035

Salary Level: GS-11 Equivalent: $53,805 – $69,951

Issuance Date: July 18, 2019

Closing Date: August 20, 2019

Closing Time: 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government (USG), represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), is seeking applications from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal services as a Humanitarian Program and Administrative Specialist under a United States Personal Services Contract (USPSC), as described in the attached solicitation.

Submittals must be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Offerors interested in applying for this position MUST submit the following materials:

1. Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your application, your resume must include:

(a) Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.

(b) Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work.

(c) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments.

(d) U.S. Citizenship

(e) Optional: How did you hear about this opportunity? (FedBizOps, OFDA Jobs, Career Fair, etc.).

Your resume should contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation for each grade level(s) for which you are applying. This information should be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide information sufficient to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration.

2. Supplemental document specifically addressing the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs) shown in the solicitation.

3. USPSC Application form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete sections A through I. This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.

NOTE REGARDING DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBERS

AND THE SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT

All USPSCs with a place of performance in the United States are required to have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior to receiving an award. You will be disqualified if you either fail to comply with this requirement or if your name appears on the excluded parties list. The selectee will be provided with guidance regarding this registration.

NOTE: As of March 28, 2018, all new SAM.gov entity registrations will now require a signed notarized letter identifying the authorized Entity administrator for the entity associated with the DUNS number. Additional information on the format of the notarized letter and where to submit can be found via the below Federal Service Desk link:

https://www.fsd.gov/fsd-gov/answer.do?sysparm_kbid=d2e67885db0d5f00b3257d321f96194b&

sysparm_search=kb0013183

Offerors can expect to receive a confirmation email when application materials have been received. Offerors should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. Your complete resume and the supplemental document addressing the QRFs must be emailed to:

OFDA Recruitment Team

E-Mail Address: recruiter@ofda.gov

Website: www.OFDAjobs.net

Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to OFDA Recruitment Team via the information provided above.

Sincerely,

Renee Newton

Contracting Officer

Solicitation for USPSC Humanitarian Program and Administrative Specialist

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 720FDA19B00035

2. ISSUANCE DATE: July 18, 2019

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: August 20, 2019 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time

4. POSITION TITLE: Humanitarian Program and Administrative Specialist

5. MARKET VALUE:

If the candidate meets the GS-11 qualifications, the initial grade level of this position will be the equivalent of a GS-11 with the opportunity for advancement to the GS-12 equivalent after at least two years at the GS-11 level, if the individual receives a recommendation from the supervisor for advancement along with an Exceeds Fully Successful performance evaluation. Advancement to the GS-12 level is not guaranteed.

GS-11 equivalent ($53,805 – $69,951: not eligible for locality pay). Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based upon the candidate’s established salary history. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One (1) year, with four (4) one-year options

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Geneva, Switzerland

There may be an initial training program in Washington, D.C. for three months, which will include formal classroom training and on-the-job training; and may include security training. After completion of Washington training, the Humanitarian Program and Administrative Specialist will be assigned to the place of performance.

8. STATEMENT OF WORK

POSITION DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) is the office within USAID that is responsible for providing emergency non-food humanitarian assistance in response to international crises and disasters. OFDA is part of the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA) and is organized into six divisions.

The Africa (AFD) Response Division and the Asia, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East (ALE) Response Division are responsible for the provision of emergency humanitarian assistance through a grants mechanism to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international organizations including United Nations (UN) agencies and to other partners to ensure the implementation and delivery of this assistance. These divisions also oversee OFDA’s non-response efforts in disaster risk reduction and resilience. AFD and ALE Response Divisions also coordinate with other organizations for the provision of relief supplies and assistance. They devise, coordinate and implement program strategies for a variety of natural and complex disaster situations. Both Divisions encompass groups of operations specialists who provide technical expert capability in assessing the quality and strategic function of disaster response and risk reduction activities. The AFD Response Division is divided into two teams: East and Central Africa (ECA), and Southern, West, and North Africa (SWAN). The ALE Response Division is divided into four teams: East Asia and the Pacific (EAP), Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia (EMCA), Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), and South Asia (SA).

The Operations (OPS) Division develops and manages operations for OFDA’s disaster responses by readying people and systems; projecting U.S. Government (USG) humanitarian capacity quickly into the field; and delivering material and technical assistance. The OPS Division maintains readiness to respond to emergencies through several mechanisms, including managing Urban Search and Rescue Teams, coordinating, staffing, training, and equipping Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs), and Washington-based Response Management Teams (RMTs), and stockpiling emergency relief commodities in key locations around the globe to ensure OFDA’s capacity to execute and coordinate USG humanitarian assistance and response to natural disasters and complex emergencies. The OPS Division provides technical guidance and expertise in Disaster Logistics, Urban Search and Rescue, Operations Center management, activation/readiness, Civil-Military Liaison, and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive Consequence Management. It also provides overseas support to OFDA offices and personnel and to other sectors necessary to ensure OFDA’s capacity to execute and coordinate USG humanitarian assistance and response to natural disasters and complex emergencies. The OPS Division is divided into four teams: the Disaster Assistance Support Program (DASP), Military Liaison Team (MLT), Operations Support Team (OST), and Overseas Administration Team (OAT).

The Program Support (PS) Division provides operational management support, including general administration, budget and financial services, procurement planning, information technology, human resources management including staff care, and contract and grant administration support to OFDA. The PS Division supports OFDA’s mandate by providing innovative solutions in the areas of Information Technology, staffing, funds control, budgeting, human resource management, and procurement to facilitate timely disaster responses. The PS Division is divided into four teams: the Award, Audit, and Risk Management (AARM) Team, Human Resources Management (HRM) Team, Budget, Finance, and Information Technology (BFIT) Team, and the Acquisition and Management (ACQ) Team.

The Preparation, Strategic Planning and Mitigation (PSPM) Division is responsible for the technical oversight of all OFDA response and mitigation programs, as well as preparation for response, mitigation, and disaster risk reduction activities. The PSPM Division houses technical experts in all sectors potentially affected by disasters, and leads the Agency in developing and promoting best practices for programming in these specific sectors. In addition, PSPM will be the focal point for technological innovations for humanitarian assistance in areas such as monitoring and evaluation, assessment, and information management. The PSPM Division is divided into four teams: Cross-Cutting Sectors Team, Natural Hazards Team, Health Team, and the Food Security and Livelihoods Team.

The Humanitarian Policy and Global Engagement (HPGE) Division assists the DCHA front office, the OFDA Director and OFDA Deputy Director with tracking trends and policy developments in the humanitarian assistance field. It engages in policy dialogue with other parts of USAID, the USG interagency, other donors, multilateral agencies, and NGO partners; recommends strategies for action to DCHA; initiates development of policy and internal guidance for OFDA; maintains global relationships with implementing partners, other donors, and the broader humanitarian architecture; and engages with the UN to advance USG humanitarian policy objectives and promote humanitarian principles within the USG and internationally. The HPGE Division leads OFDA’s communications and social media outreach to effectively communicate OFDA’s story to a variety of strategic audiences. It serves as the office’s primary interlocutor on strategic issues with other federal partners to provide guidance to OFDA on policy issues pertaining to the interagency, and to improve USG humanitarian coordination and response during large-scale crises. The HPGE Division staff manages global programs, policy and outreach, strategic communications, and interagency training and engagement. HPGE is divided into seven teams: Policy Team, Global Programs Team, Strategic Interagency Team, Strategic Communications Team, Global Capacity and Leadership Development Team, Public-Private Engagement Team, and the United States Mission to the UN (USUN) in New York, Geneva, and Rome.

INTRODUCTION

Currently, USAID/OFDA operates a small office in Geneva, Switzerland within the Humanitarian Affairs (HA) section of the USUN Mission. The unit is responsible for working closely with United Nations (UN) agencies, the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, NGO and their forums, and donors on a range of humanitarian issues. As one of the critical “humanitarian capitals of the world,” Geneva is the venue for key discussions on policy issues directly related to OFDA’s activities, such as reform of the international humanitarian system, best practices in financing humanitarian programs and disaster management as well as for donor initiatives on improving the effectiveness of humanitarian aid.

USAID/OFDA funding to Geneva-based agencies reached over $350 million in 2017. In recent years, USAID/OFDA has taken on the chairmanship of the OCHA Donor Support Group in 2016-2017, been instrumental in pushing the World Health Organization Emergency Reform, and stepped-up USG engagement in other efforts such as the Good Humanitarian Donorship Initiative and humanitarian leadership. Given the expanding scope, depth and pace of OFDA’s engagement, the Senior Humanitarian Advisor (SHA) based in Geneva requires significant support. This position will provide both administrative support, as well as assistance to the SHA on reporting, event preparation, program monitoring, and the preparation of briefers.

OBJECTIVE

OFDA requires the services of a Humanitarian Program and Administrative Specialist to meet its objectives of programming, coordinating with other donors, organizational monitoring, providing situational analysis on humanitarian policy issues and developing policy guidance.

9. CORE FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Humanitarian Program and Administrative Specialist is responsible for a broad spectrum of activities, encompassing financial and budget management; administrative and organizational support; program monitoring and reporting; and input to policy guidance.

The Humanitarian Program and Administrative Specialist provides direct administrative and program/policy support to the SHA, and administrative support to the USAID Senior Development Advisor (SDA). He/she serves as a key source of information on humanitarian issues and policies as well as humanitarian organizations and programs based in Geneva in support of USUN Geneva interests. He/she will support the SHA in planning USUN strategies and responses to humanitarian crises, coordinating with other donors on USG responses and policy positions; liaising with the UN humanitarian organizations in Geneva, reporting within USUN Geneva and to Washington; and organizing visits, meetings and events in support of USG humanitarian objectives.

The Humanitarian Program and Administrative Specialist must have the ability to multi-task; combining strong organizational and administrative skills with the ability to write and provide strategic input on humanitarian issues; communicate effectively with other nationalities; and work well within a team.

The Humanitarian Program and Administrative Specialist will work out of the HA section in the USUN Mission in Geneva, Switzerland and will report to the SHA. The Humanitarian Coordinator’s duties and responsibilities will include the following:

For the GS-11 Equivalent:

· Support the SHA in maintaining strong working relationships with multilateral agencies, NGOs and other donor countries in order to promote humanitarian principles and coordinate disaster response activities;

· Provide reporting on key humanitarian meetings and discussions, and represent USG at these events as assigned by the SHA;

· Draft briefing materials for USUN Geneva as needed on key humanitarian and organizational issues;

· Assist in monitoring overall performance of USAID/OFDA funded humanitarian agencies;

· Review daily cable traffic; identify those marked for USAID action and assist with appropriate follow-up;

· Inform UN agencies of new USAID funding and ensure that USAID funding levels are accurately reflected in UN documentation;

· Provide support to the SHA and SDA for a range of administrative functions, including travel, Living Quarters Allowance/Cost of Living Adjustment, and accessing support within USUN Geneva;

· Develop and track annual USAID/OFDA Geneva budget, to include providing quarterly updates to the SHA;

· Coordinate with USAID/OFDA Washington and USAID/Sarajevo on budget issues and prepare necessary financial vouchers and documentation;

· Organize meetings, events and visits in support of USAID/OFDA humanitarian objectives;

· Function as International Cooperative Administrative Support Services representative to budget committee under the direction of the USAID SHA; and

· Provide support as needed within the Humanitarian Affairs section.

· As needed, may serve on temporary details within the office, not to exceed six months. Duties performed while on detail will be aligned with the Team’s existing duties and responsibilities as well as directly related to the scope of work provided.

For GS-12 Equivalent (if the USPSC is promoted during contract performance):

At this grade level, the Humanitarian Program and Administrative Specialist has demonstrated satisfactory competence in the duties and responsibilities described above. He/she will perform these duties with limited guidance from and limited supervision of the SHA.

· Attend meetings, external to OFDA, and record appropriate notes and meeting minutes for distribution among senior OFDA managers;

· Lead organizational and execution efforts for assigned OFDA events at USUN Geneva, such as meetings and similar activities;

· Assist in representing USG at meetings with the UN, international organizations, and other donors and other conferences sponsored by members of the international community, and provide guidance and advice on USG positions, negotiating strategies, and, in consultation with USAID/Washington, conduct negotiations with the donor community and make recommendations to the appropriate officials in USAID;

· Attend various NGO, UN, and other meetings and provide authoritative information and views to formulate humanitarian policies and coordinate strategies on policy issues; and

· Anticipate the needs of the organization regarding developments in the areas of humanitarian affairs and prepare analyses, briefings, documents and meetings as required.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP:

The USPSC will take direction from and will report to the Senior Humanitarian Advisor at USUN Geneva or his/her designee.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:

Supervisor sets overall objectives and resources available and works with the USPSC to develop deadlines, work to be done and methodology. The USPSC is responsible for carrying out assignments, and consults with the supervisor for policy interpretations.

10. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is generally sedentary and does not pose undue physical demands. During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, there may be some additional physical exertion including long periods of standing, walking over rough terrain, or carrying of moderately heavy items (less than 50 pounds).

11. WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is primarily performed in an office setting. During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, the work may additionally involve special safety and/or security precautions, wearing of protective equipment, and exposure to severe weather conditions.

12. START DATE: Immediately, once necessary clearances are obtained.

13. POINT OF CONTACT: See Cover Letter.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

(Determines basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do not meet all of the education and experience factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.)

Bachelor’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field (including but not limited to international relations, human rights, economics, public health, disaster management, public policy or a related field) plus three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience working on policy issues in a USG or international organization setting.

OR

Master’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field (including but not limited to international relations, human rights, economics, public health, disaster management, public policy or a related field) plus two (2) years of progressively responsible professional experience working on policy issues in a USG or international organization setting.

SELECTION FACTORS

(Determines basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do not meet all of the selection factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.)

· Offeror is a U.S. Citizen.

· Complete resume submitted. See cover page for resume requirements. Experience that cannot be quantified will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.

· USPSC Application form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete sections A through I. This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.

· Supplemental document specifically addressing the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs) submitted.

· Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret up to Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information level clearance as provided by USAID.

· Ability to obtain a Department of State medical clearance.

· Must not appear as an excluded party in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

· Satisfactory verification of academic credentials.

QUALITY RANKING FACTORS (QRFs)

(Used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified offerors in comparison to other offerors. The factors below are of equal value. The evaluation of QRF responses will also take into consideration the quality of written responses. Aspects of written responses including, but not limited to typos, grammatical errors, spelling errors, and incomplete sentences will be factored into the evaluation process.)

QRF #1 Demonstrated skill in written communication, including preparing reporting, meeting summaries and briefing notes for senior-level leaders in a timely manner.

QRF #2 Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to produce accurate, thorough work, including related to financial management, and to prioritize competing demands, all with minimal supervision.

QRF #3 Experience with humanitarian programs and knowledge of humanitarian policy trends and concepts, as well as of the structures, mandates and policies of the United Nations system.

QRF #4 Ability to work with and to support a team, and to engage with a diverse array of individuals and organizations involved in disaster response/preparedness/mitigation and humanitarian assistance, including U.S. Government agencies, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and host governments.

BASIS OF RATING: Offerors who meet the Education/Experience requirements and Selection Factors will be further evaluated based on scoring of the QRF responses. Those offerors determined to be competitively ranked may also be evaluated on interview performance and satisfactory professional reference checks.

Offerors are required to address each of the QRFs in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, and/or education they have received as it pertains to each factor. Be sure to include your name and the announcement number at the top of each additional page. Failure to address the selection factors and/or Quality Ranking Factors may result in not receiving credit for all pertinent experience, education, and/or training.

The most qualified candidates may be interviewed and required to provide a writing sample. OFDA will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. Professional references and academic credentials will be evaluated for offerors being considered for selection. Note: Please be advised that references may be obtained independently from other sources in addition to the ones provided by an offeror. OFDA reserves the right to select additional candidates if vacancies become available during future phase of the selection process.

The Offeror Rating System is as Follows:

QRFs have been assigned the following points:

QRF #1 – 10 points

QRF #2 – 10 points

QRF #3 – 10 points

QRF #4 – 10 points

Interview Performance – 40 points

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks – 20 points

Total Possible Points: 100

How to apply:

APPLYING:

Applications must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in the cover letter.

Qualified individuals are required to submit:

1. Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your application, your resume must include:

(a) Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. Dates (month/year) and locations for all field experience must also be detailed. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.

(b) Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work.

(c) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments.

(d) U.S. Citizenship

(e) Optional: How did you hear about this opportunity? (FedBizOps, OFDA Jobs, Career Fair, etc.).

Your resume should contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information should be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide information sufficient to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration.

2. Supplemental document specifically addressing the QRFs shown in the solicitation.

3. USPSC Application form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete sections A through I. This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.

Additional documents submitted will not be accepted.

By submitting your application materials, you certify that all of the information on and attached to the application is true, correct, complete, and made in good faith. You agree to allow all information on and attached to the application to be investigated. False or fraudulent information on or attached to your application may result in you being eliminated from consideration for this position, or being terminated after award, and may be punishable by fine or imprisonment.

To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application, and as the subject line in any email.

DOCUMENT SUBMITTALS

Via email: recruiter@ofda.gov