SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- Rule of Law & Land Conflict Resoluion Advisor - SOL-669-11-000008
- Notice Date
- 8/31/2011
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Agency for International Development, Overseas Missions, Liberia USAID-Monrovia, USAID/Monrovia, Department of State, Washington, District of Columbia, 20521
- ZIP Code
- 20521
- Solicitation Number
- SOL-669-11-000008
- Point of Contact
- Sylvester s. Browne, Phone: 23177766402, Sylvester s. Browne, Phone: 23177766402
- E-Mail Address
-
sbrowne@usaid.gov, sbrowne@usaid.gov
(sbrowne@usaid.gov, sbrowne@usaid.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Rule of Law & Land Conflict Resolution Advisor 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: SOL - 669-11-000008 2. ISSUANCE DATE: August 31, 2011 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME: September 30, 2011 / 4PM Local time 4. POSITION TITLE: Rule of Law & Land Conflict Resolution Advisor, USAID/Liberia 5. MARKET VALUE OF POSITION (Base Pay): GS-14. ($84,697 - $110,104). Salary to be paid within this grade will depend on experience, qualifications, and salary history. The standard compensation package also includes a contribution for life and health insurance and a contribution to FICA. If the selected candidate qualifies as an off-shore hire under USAID regulations, the employee will additionally receive post differential approved for Monrovia, Liberia (currently set at 30%), post allowance, housing, international travel, UAB, HHE, consumables and POV shipment benefits. •6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year, to start on or about December, 2011 with the possibility of extensions. Extensions will depend on the need for continuation of such services, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance. •7. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens/ Third Country Nationals 8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Based in Monrovia, Liberia 9. JOB DESCRIPTION: A. STATEMENT OF WORK I. OVERVIEW The Democracy and Governance sector in Liberia faces complexities and obstacles that are extremely challenging. Overall, weak capacity, corruption and insufficient resources hamper reforms and the ability of the GOL to encourage economic growth and to provide needed public services. Presidential and legislative elections are scheduled for Q4 2011, and Liberia, with donor assistance, must overcome several significant challenges before a smooth, fair and open presidential election is held. Nationwide voter registration and building capacity of the National Elections Commission is required, as is key legislative reform on the electoral system and process. Another challenge is the weak capacity of the legislature itself to properly carry out its functions. In the judicial sector, weak capacity and corruption prevent equal access to justice and foster a culture of impunity. Civil society and media are extremely important in advancing progress in DG sectors, but weak capacity, undefined roles and over politicization hamper their effectiveness. Finally, the specter of poor capacity and corruption haunts the GOL revenue generating and management institutions, shortchanging the government's ability to carry out its mandate. The Democracy and Governance Office presently has an average annual budget of $20 million and has a staff of seven, consisting of four Americans and three Liberians. The office is implementing programs in rule of law, land conflict resolution, legislative strengthening, elections, conflict management and mitigation, civil society, media, and economic governance. Additionally, several cross-cutting programs are managed by the office including information technology and gender issues. F. Basic Function of Position: Under the supervision of the Democracy and Governance Team Leader, the Advisor shall fulfill the following duties: Major Roles and Responsibilities: 1. Program Management and Development Objective Achievement Responsibility •Ø As the senior rule of law and land conflict resolution subject matter expert for the Democracy and Governance Team, the Advisor will provide leadership and have discretion to exercise judgment in the planning, development, and management of rule of law programs including: development of policy recommendations; determination of work priorities; making decisions on activity implementation matters; identifying and resolving program issues; assuring that all activities are carried out in a technically-sound and cost-effective manner; and assuring activities are carried out in accordance with all applicable USAID requirements. •Ø The rule of law and land tenure dispute issues in Liberia are numerous, diverse and highly complex requiring analysis and decision making of exceptional difficulty. The Advisor will design, report on, and oversee the implementation of a multifaceted portfolio of activities responsive to country needs such as: judicial reform; law reform; access to justice; human rights; continuing legal education for lawyers, judges and prosecutors, land conflict adjudication; and the role of the informal justice system and how it interacts with formal justice system to name a few. In addition, the Advisor will provide programming direction on new avenues for rule of law and land tenure and land conflict resolution projects and activities. •Ø The Advisor will be relied upon to provide technical and policy advice to USAID, Department of State, other USG agencies, donor Agencies, implementing partners, recipients, contractors, customers, and other stakeholders. The Advisor will also consult senior management of the US Mission on issues of rule of law, land conflict resolution, program development and best development practices. •Ø Provide subject matter expertise on issues relevant to the Democracy and Governance portfolio, specifically rule of law and land conflict and land tenure issues. The Advisor should also have an understanding of the other key elements of democracy including competition, consensus, and inclusion. As the subject matter specialist, the Advisor will prepare written policy papers, and provide oral briefings as needed. •Ø Maintain a diplomatic and productive dialogue with host country officials in Liberia in accordance with current projects. Develop a strong working relationship with implementing partners and key stakeholders including government officials and civil society actors to gain knowledge of Liberia, identify needs in the justice sector, and opportunities for future programming. •Ø Develop and maintain effective dialogue with USAID program implementers based in Liberia. Lead coordination in program design, information sharing, and activity implementation among stakeholders. The Advisor plays a critical role in formulating the content of USAID's assistance in Liberia ensuring that it complements programs implemented by other United States Government (USG) especially the Embassy (State/INL), and in support of Liberia's PRS and PRS II. •Ø Serve as COTR/AOTR for assigned contracts and grants. The Advisor will take full management program responsibility for rule of law and land conflict resolution programs which will be assigned to his/her portfolio in accordance with the USG procurement regulations. The COTR/AOTR functions include the day-to-day responsibility for monitoring the implementation of activities, (GLAAS) procurement planning, monitoring pipelines, processing obligation actions, and responding to requests for approvals or modifications to specific activities. It also may include writing technical justifications for new activities and for changes to on-going programs, objectives, activities or indicators. •Ø Design development programs to meet Mission strategic objectives. This includes preparing statements of work or program descriptions, requests for proposals/applications, Acquisition and Assistance requests, decision memos, Congressional Notifications, inter-agency agreement letters, etc. •Ø Participate actively in the procurement process, including program advocacy, design, and in consultation with USAID/Liberia's Office of Acquisition and Assistance and USG stakeholders, obtain consensus and develop alliances in effective foreign assistance programming. •Ø Fully understand U.S. foreign policy in Liberia. Serve as the USAID representative in international bodies and promote projects that help to meet U.S. foreign policy objectives. Provide briefings to U.S. and foreign officials, Congress and staff, and other donors on USAID programming in the region as necessary. Maintain contact with USAID/Washington staff on latest democracy and governance policy and technical issues. •Ø Develop concept papers, strategy papers and assessment/evaluation documents. The Advisor will also participate in, coordinate, and manage rule of law and democracy assessments that are conducted in conjunction with other USG agencies, international organizations, or other donors. •Ø Perform Monitoring & Evaluation function: The Advisor will be responsible for performance monitoring, and regular evaluations of USAID-managed rule of law and land conflict resolution activities. This includes: •· review of quarterly and annual program and financial reports from program partners; •· review the reports paying particular attention to the data pertaining to: •o activity performance indicators as identified within the Performance Management Plan (PMP) and Operational Plan; •o program objectives achievement, methodology and lessons learned paying particular attention to inputs, output and expected outcomes including economic, social, cultural, and technical factors; •o financial indicators (e.g., expenditures, burn rate/pipeline analysis and congruity of expenditures against activities; and •o justification for incremental funding. •Ø The Advisor will work closely with the Office of Financial Management to review and assess quarterly accruals and disbursements, and track funding pipelines to ensure compliance with the ADS guidelines. •Ø Assess impact and propose new directions for rule of law, and land conflict resolution activities. The Advisor should ensure that activities are carried out in accordance with all applicable Mission and Agency directives and requirements. •Ø Travel regularly throughout Liberia to coordinate and monitor field operations, identify program implementation constraints, and assess and facilitate progress towards planned results. •Ø Prepare required documents including trip reports, briefing papers, reporting cables, and results reports. •Ø Write and review procurement documents including, but not limited to: GLAAS requests, requests for proposals, requests for assistance, action memos, justifications and annual program statements as applicable. •Ø Serve, as needed, as a member of technical panels reviewing bids or proposals for the provision of technical assistance, commodities, or the award of contracts/grants. 2. Strategy Development •Ø Provide analysis, advice, and recommendations regarding the formulation of Mission strategy to the Democracy and Governance Team leader and Mission management on issues related to the Democracy and Governance portfolio. 3. Develop Operational Plan and Implement F Reforms: Consistent with implementing the U.S. Foreign Assistance Reforms, the Senior Rule of Law and Land Conflict Resolution Advisor will be responsible for data collection and synthesis for select sections of the USAID/Liberia Annual Operational Plan and Performance Report, Mission Strategic Plan, and Updated Country Strategy, and satisfying other program management requirements as described in USAID's Automated Directive System (ADS) 200 Series. To fulfill these tasks, the Advisor's duties/responsibilities will include but are not limited to: •· tracking the collection of performance data that originate from various sources such as USAID/Liberia's cooperating agencies, local partners, and other international organizations; •· preparing inventories of current indicators, information collected, and information still needed; •· devising more efficient methods for collecting information; •· verifying data reliability and accuracy; •· determining that the information gathered responds to the indicators of the annual report and related performance monitoring plans; and •· utilizing as appropriate, partner reports to contribute quantitative and qualitative input into the USAID/Liberia's annual reporting requirement. 4. Other Tasks •Ø Ensure effective responses to Program Office requests for participation or information, such as participation in strategic planning exercises, or information for newsletters, other USG agencies, USAID/Washington, the U.S. Congress, etc. •Ø Gather the latest information about developments pertaining to the Advisor's portfolio and report such information as required to Team Leader and other Mission management and staff. •Ø Perform other tasks as requested by the Team Leader or senior Mission managers which are consistent with the advisory, managerial, and reporting requirements of the Advisor's position. •Ø Accompany, brief and guide visiting Congressional Delegations, Staff Delegations, and other mid-to-high level delegations from the United States and other countries as necessary. •Ø Maintain contact and dialogue with donor organizations, as well as, non-governmental organization (NGOs). •Ø Organize donor coordination events in support of program activities. G. Minimum Qualifications: The incumbent should meet the following requirements in education, work experience, knowledge and skills and abilities to be able to carry out the aforementioned duties and responsibilities. 1. Education: A graduate degree (Master's or doctorate) in law, human rights, international development, public administration, political science, economics, social sciences, or other closely related field, or in lieu, 8 years professional experience in the technical field. 2. Work experience: •ü At least 8 years of development experience on rule of law or democracy, land conflict resolution and/or governance-related development projects with increasingly responsible project management, project design, project development, is essential. •ü Current professional knowledge of development assistance issues and development approaches •ü Knowledge of relevant evaluations, assessments and analyses. •ü Demonstrated technical skills related to the design, management and evaluation of development projects in general. 3. Management Skills •ü Demonstrated program management skills including previous experience in contract and grants management. •ü Field experience in developing/transition/post-conflict country environments. •ü Professional level management experience including budget and project management is required. 4. Communication: •ü A strong ability to work as a member of a team and to foster teamwork is required as is the ability to develop and maintain productive working relationships at all levels, including with staff and colleagues, the US Ambassador and members of the US country team, ministerial-level officials in the Government of Liberia, the heads of other donor agencies, and leaders of the NGO and corporate community. •ü Ability to lead policy and program negotiations and dialogue with host country officials. •ü Excellent English language communications skills (native speaker level), both written and oral, including public speaking skills (as the incumbent may be called upon to deliver presentations before large and varied audiences) are essential. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through oral presentations and briefings, written reporting and analysis, and information technology tools. 5. Post Entry Training: The incumbent will be expected to possess the necessary technical training and skills required to perform the duties/responsibilities required of the position. Post entry training will be focused primarily on the Agency's established policies, procedures and regulations that govern: 1) USAID‑specific Contracting/Agreement Officer's Technical Representative responsibilities/duties; 2) USAID‑specific activity management and procurement systems; and 3) USAID-­sponsored training in Project Design and Activity Management. In addition, the incumbent will be required to work within the existing USAID team management office structure. Organized/formal training (both internal & external) may be provided from time to time depending on the availability of Program funds and determined to be in direct support of USAID/Liberia activities. 6. Physical Condition: The successful candidate will be required to pass a physical certification exam, paid for by the U.S. Government. USAID prohibits discrimination in hiring and employment on the basis of physical or mental impairment. USAID promotes, with reasonable accommodation, the full realization of equal employment opportunities for the disabled in recruitment, promotion, assignment, and training. H. Supervision Received: The Advisor will work under the general supervision of the Democracy and Governance Office Team Leader, USAID/Liberia. The Team Leader will assist the Advisor to: 1) establish annual work objectives and performance measures; 2) review work outputs and accomplishments to ensure compliance with Agency policies, and implementation of best practices; and 3) assess the incumbent's performance seeking input from appropriate USAID/Liberia team members and external stakeholders. As the incumbent is expected to work with a high degree of independence, s/he must be able to establish priorities, adhere to and meet deadlines, and perform responsibilities and duties with minimal guidance. I. Available Guidelines: The Advisor is required to understand Mission and Agency‑specific policies and procedures which govern program activity management in addition to the USAID/Liberia established administrative operating procedures, policies and formats. Oral guidance from the immediate Supervisor and specific detailed instructions will be given (when necessary) for carrying out unique assignments. The incumbent will be required to be proactive in keeping abreast of evolving guidelines and policies which affect the activities of the Democracy and Governance Office, including but not limited to the Automated Directives System (ADS), Mission Orders, Mission Notices, USG Procurement regulations, and USAID Program Strategy and Policy Documents. In addition, the Mission Director, USAID/Liberia Democracy and Governance Office team members, support teams such as Financial Management, Executive Office, Procurement Office and Regional Legal Advisor and counterparts in USAID/Washington are available as resources to provide advice and guidance. J. Authority to Make Commitments : The Advisor will have no independent authority to commit U.S. Government (USG) funds on behalf of the U.S. Government or the USAID/Liberia. However, the Advisor will have formal decision making authority in broad program areas. K. Exercise of Judgment: In instances not clearly covered by written guidelines, the incumbent will use her/his own personal, well‑informed judgment and ingenuity to interpret the intent of guides in devising innovative approaches to resolving technical, administrative, managerial and/or policy problems. Excellent (balanced) judgment must be exercised in setting priorities. The use of initiative, discretion, and patience is expected from the incumbent in dealing with USAID personnel as well as representatives from other USG agencies and donor organizations to resolve problems that arise during the course of work for which there is often no clear or immediate solution. In addition, considerable judgment is required in working effectively with officials of the Ministries and the private sector from Liberia, in overseeing contractor activities and coordinating efforts in support of USAID/Liberia development objectives, and in collecting, analyzing and reporting on progress of activities and recommending project actions. The incumbent will also be required to follow and adhere to the Agency's Code of Ethics and Conduct. L. Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts : The Advisor will be required to maintain solid working relationships with various USAID Washington Offices, UNMIL and UNDP personnel to function effectively. The Advisor will be required to work closely with: 1) US Embassy (State/INL) officials, USG officials working in security sector reform, 2) national governmental officials, 3) non‑governmental officials, 4) the news media, and 5) other foreign bi-lateral donors. The purpose of contact will be to: 1) influence, motivate, or direct people or groups; 2) maintain open lines of communication in support of Foreign Assistance issues; 3) maintain regular communications regarding the timely management of activity functions and procedures; 4) collect, obtain, and verify factual information pertaining to program/project planning and implementation; and 5) monitor and evaluate existing activities in Foreign Assistance on a regular basis. Interactions will concern simple information gathering, and assisting with the development of complex programs and documents with various partners. Consultations between the incumbent and partners can be held for explaining and assisting with strategizing program proposals and objectives, securing cooperation, resolving problems, obtaining or furnishing information, and persuading USAID staff and counterparts to take actions and accept recommendations. M. Supervision exercised: The Advisor does not have regular supervisory responsibility, though may be called on to serve as Acting Team Leader in the absence of the Team Leader. N. Time required to satisfactorily perform full range of duties after entry into the position : one year. O. Selection Criteria : Applicants meeting the required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application and obtained through reference checks. Following is the evaluation criteria for this position: 1. Education Background (15 points) a. Graduate degree (Master's or doctorate) in law, human rights, international development, public administration, political science, economics, social sciences, or other closely related field.. 2. Relevant Development Experience (35 points) a. Current professional knowledge of development assistance issues and development approaches. Knowledge of relevant evaluations, assessments and analyses. Demonstrated technical skills related to the design, management and evaluation of development projects in general. At least eight years of development experience on rule of law, international land conflict mitigation principles and methodologies, with increasingly responsible project management, project design, project development, experience is essential. b. Excellent experience-based skills and knowledge in: rule of law and land reform or conflict resolution c. A sound understanding of political, rule of law, democracy and governance, and development realities of post-conflict/recovery nations. Experience in Liberia preferred. d. Working knowledge of USAID project development, management policy, and documentation, business practices as well as procurement and property management principles is preferred. 3. Management Experience (35 points) a. Experience communicating and managing relationships in a multi-cultural, international environment is vital. b. Demonstrated program management skills including previous experience in contract and grants management. c. Extensive field experience in developing/transition/post-conflict country environments. d. Professional level management experience in budget management is also required. 4. Communications (15 points) a. A strong ability to work as a member of teams and to foster teamwork is required as is the ability to develop and maintain productive working relationships at all levels, including with staff and colleagues, the US Ambassador and members of the US country team, ministerial-level officials in the Government of Liberia, the heads of other donor agencies, and leaders of the NGO and corporate community. b. Ability to lead policy and program negotiations and dialogue with host country officials. c. Excellent English language communications skills (native speaker level), both written and oral, including public speaking skills (as the incumbent may be called upon to deliver presentations before large and varied audiences) are essential. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through oral presentations and briefings, written reporting and analysis, and information technology tools.
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- Place of Performance
- Address: USAID LIBERIA, Monrovia, Liberia
- Record
- SN02558036-W 20110902/110901000637-33588809531313a5c307fe0e58bcc38e (fbodaily.com)
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