STATEMENT OF WORK

Surge Response Food for Peace Officer

MARKET VALUE: GS-13/14 Equivalent (GS13: $71,674-$93,175; GS14: $84,697-$110,104).  Final compensation will be based upon the candidate's past salary, work history, and educational background.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:   One year with option to renew for up to four years

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Worldwide availability

STATEMENT OF WORK:

Background

The U.S. Agency for International Development's Office of Food for Peace (FFP), which is part of the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA), manages the Title II food aid grant program.  This program provides the majority of the U.S. Government's food aid.  FFP provides food aid grants to private voluntary organizations (PVOs) and the UN World Food Program (WFP) both to address short-term emergency needs and longer-term chronic problems.  The Office of Food for Peace (DCHA/FFP) manages over $2.0 billion in food aid most years.  Emergency programs aim to address natural disasters, such as floods or droughts, and complex emergencies often characterized by a combination insecurity and population displacement.  Non-emergency programs support activities such as small farm agriculture production, maternal child health and nutrition, food for education, and micro enterprises that address chronic food insecurity.  Information on FFP is available at: http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/humanitarian_assistance/ffp/.

The Surge Response Group is a FFP program to satisfy FFP's growing need for surge capacity to meet program requirements.  In response to numerous emergencies worldwide, it became clear that FFP requires more staff to cover positions in the field and in FFP/W.  FFP's SRG program will bring on board select candidates who can work on a part-time basis, for no more than 250 days per calendar year.  Once hired and after initial orientation, SRG staff may be deployed within one week to facilitate FFP's response to emergencies.  In some cases, they may be called upon to meet short-term needs to monitor non-emergency programs in the field.  SRG positions are contracted for an initial period of one year with the option to extend up to five years.  SRG FFP Officers will be considered part of FFP/Washington's resources. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

SRG FFP Officers respond to humanitarian emergencies as required, worldwide, and may be deployed to the field as a FFP Officer alone, as part of a Disaster Assistance Response Team, or to augment a regional office or mission. She/he may also serve in Washington to perform Country Backstop Officer duties, provide backstop coverage for deploying Washington staff, or serve on a Response Management Team.

When in Washington, the SRG FFP Officer will work primarily on specific ongoing or Title II funded emergency programs.  The remainder of the SRG FFP Officer's time may be spent on a variety of other Title II-related activities.

The full range of specific duties, some of which are in direct support of specific programs and some in support of general FFP office responsibilities, may include the following:

•·     Serve as primary point of contact for PVOs and WFP implementing Title II-funded programs, U.S. Government representatives, and others on Title II food aid issues for the country assigned.

•·     Analyze and assess data from a variety of sources - including field assessments, technical data, early warning information, and reporting from USAID field staff, PVOs, and WFP - to recommend appropriate food assistance programs.

•·     Review appeals and proposals for emergency programs.

•·     Draft and assemble documentation for program approval and funding.

•·     Produce information products (e.g., updates and memoranda) on food security situations and FFP programs, provide briefings, and represent FFP in meetings and working groups with implementing agency staff, USAID colleagues, and representatives from other agencies.

•·     Serve as FFP representative on Bureau Response Management Teams or other coordinating mechanisms.

When deployed to the field, activation will either be for emergency programs (in which case the SRG FFP Officer will work primarily on specific ongoing Title II emergency programs) or for non-emergency programs (in which case the FFP Officer will work primarily on program monitoring, assessments, and evaluations). 

Specific activities may include the following:

•·     Serve as point of contact for all issues pertaining to Title II food aid in the assigned country for the mission, embassy, USAID/Washington, the regional FFP office, other parts of the U.S. Government, PVOs, international organizations, host nation government ministries and agencies, and others in the country.

•·     Monitor and report on implementation of ongoing Title II programs, including progress and problems encountered by grantees, as well as commodity management, including following up with cooperating sponsors on the status of loss claims.

•·     Provide information and guidance to Title II assistance award recipients on Title II regulations, policies, and procedures.

•·     Report on all food security issues, to include changes in the food security situation and food aid requirements, government policies and actions affecting food aid programs, government food aid programs, and donor pledges and programs.

•·     Coordinate with the country team (consisting of the USAID mission, U.S. embassy, and/or other USG in-country staff), host government, PVOs, international organizations, donors, and others to address issues impacting Title II food aid.

•·     Undertake and report on assessments to inform Title II food aid funding decisions or modifications to ongoing programs.

•·     Work with PVOs on preparation of annual work-plans and program modifications, and with WFP on new appeals or revisions to existing ones.

•·     Work with other parts of the U.S. Government and other donors to promote integration of food aid with other programs to increase the effectiveness of the programs overall.

•·     Undertake other tasks, as assigned.

The basic duties and responsibilities do not change between the GS 13 and GS 14 levels.  An employee meeting the qualifications for GS 14 and hired at that level, however, is expected to exercise a higher level of autonomy and require less supervision. 

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP:  The incumbent will take direction from and report to the SRG Coordinator until activated, at which time she/he will be under the supervision of a FFP/Washington Division Chief or Team Leader or a designated USAID staff member in the field.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:  The incumbent is expected to take initiative and act independently with little direction and will have wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment in responding to food aid issues, but will have no authority to make final commitments or obligations on behalf of the USG.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR HIRING AT THE GS-13 LEVEL:

•·         At the GS-13 level the incumbent will have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. or internationally recognized institution with significant study in, but not limited to, agriculture, human nutrition, agricultural economics, international development, or other related field.  The incumbent will have a total of at least seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian assistance and/or international development, of which three (3) years must be related to Title II development or relief food aid. 

OR

•·         A Master's degree from an accredited U.S. or internationally recognized institution with significant study in, but not limited to, agriculture, human nutrition, agricultural economics, international development, or other related field.  The incumbent will have a total of at least six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian assistance and/or international development, of which three (3) years must be related to Title II development or relief food aid. 

•·         Two (2) years of overseas professional experience is required.

•·         Intermediate level computer skills, to include knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel, e-mail, and the internet;

•·         U.S. citizen;

•·         Ability to obtain a SECRET level security clearance;

•·         Ability to obtain a Department of State medical clearance. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR HIRING AT THE GS-14 LEVEL:

•·         At the GS-14 level the incumbent will have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. or internationally recognized institution with significant study in, but not limited to, agriculture, human nutrition, agricultural economics, international development, or other related field.  The incumbent will have a total of at least ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian assistance and/or international development, of which six (6) years must be related to Title II development or relief food aid. 

OR

•·         A Master's degree from an accredited U.S. or internationally recognized institution with significant study in, but not limited to, agriculture, human nutrition, agricultural economics, international development, or other related field.  The incumbent will have a total of at least nine (9) years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian assistance and/or international development, of which six (6) years must be related to Title II development or relief food aid. 

•·         Five (5) years of overseas professional experience is required.

•·         Intermediate level computer skills, to include knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel, e-mail, and the internet;

•·         U.S. citizen;

•·         Ability to obtain a SECRET level security clearance;

•·         Ability to obtain a Department of State medical clearance.

Applicants not meeting minimum qualifications will not be evaluated further.

QUALITY RANKING FACTORS:

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and selective factors will be further evaluated based on the Quality Ranking Factors (QRF) listed below. Applicants are strongly encouraged to address each of the factors on a separate sheet describing specifically and accurately the experience, training, and/or education they have that is relevant to each factor. Be sure to include your name, social security number, and the announcement number at the top of each additional page.

A. Professional Experience - 50 pts

•(i)                 Knowledge and experience with Title II food aid programs

•(ii)               Knowledge and experience with international relief and development

B. Program Management - 30 Points

•(i)                 Ability to review appeals and proposals

•(ii)               Ability to monitor and evaluate programs, including programmatic, commodity, and financial issues

C. Interpersonal and Communication Skills - 20 Points

•(i)                 Ability to provide rapid, concise, accurate written and verbal reporting

•(ii)               Ability to work effectively as a team member in high stress environments

Total Possible Points:  100

•(1)    NOTE CONCERNING MARKET VALUE:  The applicant chosen for the position will be recommended for hire at the GS level (GS-13 or GS-14) commensurate with his/her overall experience, training, and qualifications as determined by the FFP Selection Committee.

•(2)   STATEMENT OF LIMITATIONS ON PERIOD AND PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:  The purpose of this contract is to establish an employee/employer relationship with the contractor to perform services on a temporary, on-call, basis as an SRG member.  It is FFP's intent to contract for these services for a maximum of 250 working days per calendar year.

The level of effort anticipated under this contract will be provided within the terms of this contract at times mutually agreed to by FFP and the contractor.  Upon identification of a temporary need within the scope of work, FFP will contact the contractor and provide the following information:

•1.      Date contractor is needed to report to FFP or assignment in the field;

•2.      Duration of Assignment

•3.      Place of Performance

The contractor will notify FFP within 24 hours of availability.  At the time the contractor accepts the assignment, he/she is expected to commit for the duration of the assignment.  While the contractor will be required to commit to a certain time period, it is understood that the exigencies of a disaster may require the assignment to be extended (not to exceed 250 working days).  The Contractor shall notify FFP at the time of commitment if his/her existing schedule would preclude an extension.  Notification of schedule conflicts shall not necessarily disqualify the contractor from the assignment but will simply assist FFP in recruiting a replacement. Subsequently, if the contractor agrees to an extension of the duration of a particular assignment, thereafter, the contractor will be required to give FFP a 10 day-notice for release from the assignment.  An initial orientation period will be required prior to any overseas assignment, and that this orientation is expected to occur at/near the start of the contract.

WHERE AND HOW TO APPLY:  Qualified individuals are required to submit:

•1.      A U.S. Government Optional Form 612 (available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms or internet http://fillform.gsa.gov or at Federal offices).  NOTE:  Resumes or CVs in lieu of the OF-612 Form are not acceptable. 

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

The most qualified candidates may be interviewed and required to provide a writing sample.  FFP will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews.  Professional references and academic credentials may be evaluated for applicants being considered for selection. 

NOTE:  If a temporary secret security clearance and State Department Medical Clearance are not obtained within six months, the offer may be rescinded.