U.S. Personal Services Contractor (USPSC) Stabilization Advisor – Somalia, GS -13/14 At US Agency for International Development

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: MN 23-69

2. ISSUANCE DATE: May 19, 2023

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME: June 16, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. (Nairobi Time)

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Executive Office/Human Resources, Patrick Bii at

pbii@usaid.gov and Noel Sikasa at nsikasa@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Stabilization Advisor – Somalia

6. MARKET VALUE: This position has been designated as a “tandem/ladder” position that depending on the qualifications of the candidate, can be filled at either the GS-13 ($84,546 – $109,908 per annum) or GS-14 ($99,908 – $129,878 per annum). The highest level of this position is a GS-14. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value of the GS-13 or GS-14 level depending on qualifications, previous relevant experience and work history, salary and educational background. USPSCs performing overseas are not entitled to Locality Pay.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One (1) year, with four (4) one-year options, not-to-exceed five (5) subject to funding availability and satisfactory performance or better.

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Mogadishu, Somalia

9. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret

10. STATEMENT OF DUTIES/POSITION DESCRIPTION

Background/Introduction

USAID/Somalia seeks to contract for a U.S. Personal Services Contractor (PSC) to serve as a Stabilization Advisor at US Embassy Somalia to advance USAID/Somalia’s goal of preventing and countering violent extremism. The Stabilization Advisor will: (1) help lead USAID interagency engagement on issues surrounding stabilization and broader efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism; (2) help represent USAID/Somalia to host country government officials, international donors, State and Department of Defense stakeholders in Mogadishu on stabilization, (3) provide technical guidance as an Activity Manager to USAID/Somalia implementing partner(s) on small grant identification and review all small grant concepts and proposals, and (4) provide support to other USAID/Somalia programming and activities in Mogadishu on an as needed basis.

USAID/Somalia’s approach to stabilization recognizes that stabilization programs must be a bridge to and catalyst for longer term development processes, be grounded in efforts to advance political inclusion, and connect with efforts to resolve grievances and conflict that can drive instability. To be successful, USAID’s programs must both look ahead to identify new stabilization opportunities created by clearing operations while simultaneously looking back to ensure that al-Shabaab’s influence is sufficiently eroded so that longer term development processes can take root. This approach requires USAID to engage with communities recently recovered from al-Shabaab and in communities that may have been recovered for several years but remain vulnerable to al-Shabaab and where opportunities exist to consolidate and expand stabilization gains.

To achieve stabilization goals, the USG recognizes that stabilization is effective only when diplomatic, defense, and development efforts are integrated to support USG national strategic interests in Somalia. All activities undertaken by USAID/Somalia stabilization programming will be coordinated and sequenced to complement parallel military and political stabilization efforts. Much of the information and analysis driving USAID/Somalia stabilization efforts is derived from USG inter-agency and inter-donor coordination. Effective cooperation and collaboration across multiple stakeholders is critical to the success of USAID/Somalia stabilization efforts.

The Stabilization Advisor ensures USAID’s stabilization efforts are at the forefront of US Government (USG) policy in Somalia, serving as USAID’s primary stabilization point person in Mogadishu to liaise with host government officials, interagency colleagues, and international partners and donors. In consultation with the Senior Stabilization Advisor, s/he will provide technical assistance and technical advice to Defense and State stabilization efforts as well as host government partners at both the Federal, State, and local levels. In addition, s/he will assist USAID/Somalia’s implementing partners for stabilization in identifying interventions that can further USAID/Somalia’s stabilization goals and objectives. Strong interpersonal skills, strong stabilization experience, political astuteness, and program management experience are essential to the incumbent’s success in the position.

The Stabilization Advisor reports to the Senior Stabilization Advisor based in Nairobi. Somalia is one of the most complex political and security environments in the world, and approximately half of USAID/Somalia’s nearly $60 million annual Development Assistance budget supports the Agency’s largest and most comprehensive Democracy, Rights, and Governance (DRG) portfolio in all of Africa. This portfolio includes programs that support elections, public sector capacity building, legislative development, local governance, access to justice, and stabilization and reconciliation. The DSG Office is a team of nine, composed of two USDHs, three USPSCs, and four FSNs.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Stabilization Advisor or his designee, the duties and responsibilities of the Stabilization Advisor include:

· Serve as the primary USAID expert on stabilization issues in Mogadishu. This will include regularly attending stabilization meetings with USAID Mission personnel, U.S. Embassy staff, host-country government officials, international organizations, indigenous and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and international donors;

· Identify and develop interventions that further USAID/Somalia stabilization programmatic objectives, and complement other projects and programs implemented by other USAID programs or U.S. government agencies and donor organizations. Serve as an Activity Manager for stabilization programs and small-grants activities;

· Lead efforts to expand USAID/Somalia’s and agency learning on stabilization, identifying, developing, overseeing, documenting, and sharing the implementation of strategic and programmatic shifts in USAID stabilization activities when necessary to respond to changing political circumstances and to ensure programs achieve higher level U.S. strategic goals.

· Maintain an in-depth understanding of political, economic, organizational, and stakeholder interests specific to Somalia. Analyze, synthesize and report on current political developments, security concerns, and other pertinent information required to achieve USAID’s stabilization objectives;

· Monitor local and regional political developments and regularly brief USAID and US Embassy staff on their potential programmatic impact;

· Provide on-going support to other USAID Senior Leadership and other USAID Technical Offices as needed in Mogadishu. As needed, may serve on temporary details within the Mission to meet operational needs during staff shortages in technical teams.

· Coordinate closely with the Mogadishu-based Humanitarian Advisor to ensure programmatic alignment between USAID’s development and humanitarian activities in Somalia.

Position Elements

a. Degree of Responsibility for Decision-making: This position requires the ability to act independently in a complex and highly sensitive political environment with a wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment. The Stabilization Advisor will also apply his/her expertise to provide conclusions and recommendations to those with authority to make decisions and commitments on how to most effectively achieve USAID’s objectives. The incumbent must ensure Mission engagement with the host country government in stabilization activities. This requires facilitating effective development cooperation in this multi-sectoral area of interventions and is critical to ensure that USG investments are directed towards the greatest results.

b. Level of Complexity: The Stabilization Advisor’s responsibilities involve significant areas of uncertainty in approach, methods and processes due to the difficult, complex work environment and fluid security situation in Somalia. Decisions involve largely undefined areas and issues and require extensive probing and analysis to determine the scope of the problem. Substantial complexity in managing processes and programs also results from the need to engage multiple host country governments – the Federal Government of Somalia and five Federal Member States, plus self-declared independent Somaliland.

c. Knowledge Level: The incumbent must be an expert in stabilization, peace building, or a related field. S/he must have comprehensive knowledge of donor programming policies and international donor regulations, procedures, and practices as well of host country development strategies at both the state and federal level. The incumbent must show past experience in performing successfully at high levels, with minimal supervision and daily direction, and ability to exercise excellent independent judgment.

d. Supervisory Controls: The Stabilization Advisor will perform his/her duties under the supervision of the USAID/Somalia Senior Stabilization Advisor. Supervisory direction will consist of prioritizing broad objectives and results areas. The individual must exercise extensive independent judgment in a wide area of topics, including, planning and carrying out tasks related to objectives set by the Senior Stabilization Advisor, resolving problems and conflicts within the interagency, other donors, and representatives of the Somali Government.

e. Guidelines for Required Work: USAID policies on preventing and countering violent extremism, conflict sensitivity, rule of law programming and the broad range of administrative policies and precedents, ADS chapters, USG/Embassy/USAID/and Bureau and Mission directives, and technical Monitoring and Evaluation references, including specific references, are available. The Stabilization Advisor is required to understand USG, Mission, and Agency-specific policies and procedures around the broad field of stabilization, preventing and countering violent extremism, conflict sensitivity, rule of law programming and those which govern program activity management in addition to the USAID/Somalia 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.

f. Scope and Effect of the Work Performed: The work will support the Mission’s stabilization assistance activities, the impact of which will be to advance USAID/Somalia’s strategic objectives to prevent and counter violent extremism. S/he is responsible for coordinating with senior government and donor officials at the highest level, and communicating USAID policy and programming positions in national and regional forums with non-USG senior stakeholders. S/he will also work closely with senior-level FSNs, USDHs, and USPSCs, requiring high-level expertise and experience.

g. Level and Purpose of Contacts: The Stabilization Advisor will maintain professional working relations and senior level contacts to discuss policy development, programmatic priorities, and implementation progress and challenges with internal and external stakeholders, including USAID and other U.S. government officials and representatives from the Somali government, civil society, implementing partners and other donors.

h. Supervision Exercised: The Stabilization Advisor will not supervise any staff.

i. Security Clearance Requirement: Secret

j. Travel Requirement: At least 15% of the time, primarily to Nairobi.

k. Support Items: The incumbent will be provided with the support services, equipment, and supplies necessary to perform the work e.g. desktop computer, shared office equipment (such as printer, scanner and shredder), office supplies and support services.

l. Sunday Pay: Is authorized.

CONSIDERATION:

● U.S. Citizens. Citizenship, if dual, must be clearly stated.

● Submit a complete application as outlined in the solicitation section titled APPLYING;

● Be able to obtain a USAID/W issued clearance level at the Secret Level;

● Be able to obtain a medical clearance;

● Employment is subject to funds availability and all the required approvals obtained.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The primary location of work will be on the U.S. Embassy/USAID compound in Mogadishu, Somalia. The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Minimum of a Master’s degree in a relevant area such as, but not limited to, international relations, conflict analysis, international development, social sciences, or law.

Prior Work Experience:

For the GS-13 equivalent level

Master’s degree and six (6) years of progressively responsible program management experience with a USG entity, international assistance organization, or non-governmental organization in stabilization, conflict resolution, democracy and governance, reconciliation, citizen security, and/or political analysis. Experience must include a minimum of three (3) years of overseas field experience working on stabilization, reconciliation, local governance, conflict prevention, dispute resolution, or other relevant programs.

For the GS-14 equivalent level

Master’s degree and eight (8) years of progressively responsible program management experience with a USG entity, international assistance organization, or non-governmental organization in stabilization, conflict resolution, democracy and governance, reconciliation, citizen security, and/or political analysis. Experience must include a minimum of three (3) years of overseas field experience working on stabilization, reconciliation, local governance, conflict prevention, dispute resolution, or other relevant programs.

Language Proficiency: Fluent (Level IV), fluent verbal and written English communication skills and analytical ability are required.

Knowledge: The incumbent must have a considerable level understanding of stabilization and/or conflict-related programs characterized by multi-disciplinary approaches, and their role in U.S. foreign policy. The incumbent must have comprehensive knowledge of donor programming policies and international donor regulations, procedures, and practices. Candidates must show past experience in performing successfully at high levels, with minimal supervision and daily direction.

Abilities and Skills: The incumbent must have demonstrated ability in dealing effectively and diplomatically with stakeholders from a variety of organizations. The individual must be able to develop and maintain an extensive range of contacts with both senior and working level staff in USAID/Somalia, USAID/Washington, US Mission in Somalia, and the inter-agency, as well as development partners, donors, host-country representatives, and other stakeholders.

Candidate must have the ability to independently manage activities and deliver quality, timely products that require minimal review and oversight. Proven written and oral English communication skills, as well as strong research, teamwork, and interpersonal skills are required to perform successfully in this position. The incumbent must be comfortable developing outreach strategies, and delivering formal briefings and presentations.

Candidates who are short-listed based on an initial review of applications and references, may be requested to interview. In the event that a candidate has fully demonstrated his/her qualifications and there are no other competitive applicants, USAID reserves the right to forgo the interview process. Professional references and academic credentials will be evaluated for applicants being considered for selection.

EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the following selection criteria: Candidates must meet the Selective Factors listed below. Consideration and selection will be based on a panel evaluation of the criteria.

Education: Null (minimum criteria required)

Work Experience: 15 points

Technical Knowledge: 40 points

Skills and Abilities: 45 Points

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks – Pass/Fail (no points assigned)

Maximum Points Available: 100 Points