Overview
Background:
Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, governance, and post-crisis stabilization. Based in Chevy Chase, MD (metro DC area) Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.
Creative is soliciting offers for technical expertise in accordance with the Scope of Work below and Creative’s Renewable Consultant Agreement Terms and Conditions available here. Creative intends to award one or more Renewable Consultant Agreement(s) (RCA(s)) under which work may be negotiated and awarded as fixed price or level of effort performance-based activities. Creative reserves the right to make multiple awards or no award as a result of this solicitation.
Summary:
Creative seeks one or more consultant(s) that can provide recruitment services during start-up of newly awarded projects, working collaboratively with and receiving direction and guidance from Creative’s project staff while adhering to Creative’s established HR procedures.
RFQ closing date: June 30, 2023 at 5PM EST (applications reviewed on a rolling basis)
Estimated period of performance: One year from start date
Estimated Level of Effort: not to exceed 150 days of LOE
Reporting: The consultant will report to the Start-up Team Lead.
Travel Anticipated? Yes.
If yes, travel to Danger Pay locations anticipated? Dependent on projects awarded.
Responsibilities
Tasks To Be Performed:
- Collaborate with the start-up team to review recruitment plan and prioritize phasing of start-up recruitments.
- Advise the start-up team on the execution of the recruitment plan, organizational chart structure, supervisory reporting lines, and related job descriptions.
- Finalize and post job descriptions/vacancy announcements on local and international recruitment websites, newspapers, etc.; identify and pursue advertising strategies to gain high visibility with qualified candidates.
- Shortlist qualified candidates and schedule interviews in coordination with candidates and relevant panel participants.
- Determine applicant qualifications by leading interviews/analyzing responses and comparing candidate qualifications against job requirements.
- Conduct reference checks and vetting for all candidates.
- Negotiate compensation and allowances in coordination with the start-up team and prepare offers to finalists.
- Upload candidate supporting documentation into SharePoint and maintain recruitment tracker with regular status updates by vacancy.
- Maintain contact with all candidates throughout the recruitment process, including answering questions, providing updates, and notifying candidates of next steps.
- Lead weekly recruitment meetings with the start-up team and provide on-demand updates as requested.
- Other similar tasks to be mutually agreed between Creative and the Consultant.
Results and/or Deliverables:
Consultant may be responsible for:
- Maintain clearly organized and descriptive recruitment files, organized by position and status.
- Maintain and submit weekly a detailed and updated recruitment tracker on SharePoint accessible to team members, including all candidates, interviews conducted, and status of each.
- Fill the vacancies identified in coordination with the project team, ensuring compliance with solicitation requirements, USAID and donor guidelines, and Creative protocols.
- Lead weekly recruitment meetings with the start-up team and provide on-demand updates as requested.
Other Matters
Creative reserves the right to request travel from the consultant(s) under specific work orders, if required.
Qualifications
An overarching Renewable Consultant Agreement will be issued based on the capabilities and qualifications listed below as well as those listed in the individual’s submitted CV.
General Capabilities
Candidates must have strong experience sourcing and recruiting candidates for U.S. Government-funded projects. Candidates should be familiar with USAID regulations and requirements so they can effectively assess candidates.
Required Qualifications
- Five years of recruitment expertise in the international development sector;
- Strong familiarity with USAID requirements for compliance and responsiveness;
- Demonstrated success in creating robust sourcing and recruiting strategies;
- Successful track record in filling difficult positions with stringent requirements;
- Knowledge of the international environment and ability to source and hire candidates within complex contexts;
- Experienced with staff training and onboarding strategies and protocols;
- Excellent knowledge and skilled use of Microsoft Office suite, internet search engines, and relevant vacancy advert platforms;
- Willingness to travel to field/regional offices if required (as applicable);
- Working proficiency in written and spoken English required; fluency or proficiency in a second language preferred; and
- Strong organizational management skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks, adhere to tight deadlines, and respond with flexibility in a fast-paced environment.
Work Assignment:
Consultants with the requisite qualifications will be given a renewable consulting agreement under which specific work assignments will be ordered on an ad hoc basis, subject to consultant’s availability. Consultants may be required to compete against other similarly qualified consultants, though generally work will be assigned and negotiated directly with the consultant.
Additional information:
Please click on the links to download the Terms and Conditions, Annex A (Reps, Certs and Consents form) and W-8; W-9; and Vendor Information form, as applicable. The forms are provided for your information at this stage in the solicitation process. Completed forms will be required only if you have been selected for the consulting opportunity. However, you may complete, sign, and submit the forms as part of your response to this request.
If a budget is required for Other Direct Costs, including travel, a budget template can be downloaded here.
Selection will be made on the basis of technical capability and overall best value. Modifications to this solicitation, including closing date extensions, will be posted on the Creative website. Please check the website for updates.
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