USPSC Risk Management Officer (Multiple Positions) At US Agency for International Development

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 720BHA21R00078

ISSUANCE DATE: August 16, 2021

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: December 23, 2021, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC)

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government (USG), represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Humanitarian and Management Operations (HBMO), is seeking offers from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal service as a Risk Management Officer under a United States Personal Services Contract (USPSC), as described in the 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 offer, 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. Failure to identify an academic discipline will result in disqualification.

(d) U.S. Citizenship

(e) Optional: How did you hear about this opportunity? (beta.SAM.gov, BHA Jobs, Career Fair, etc.).

Your resume must 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 must 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. USPSC Offeror 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. AID 309-2 is available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms.

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 offer materials have been received. Offerors should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their offers. Your complete resume must be emailed to:

HBMO Recruitment Team

E-Mail Address: BHA.HBMORecruitment@usaid.gov

Website: www.BHAjobs.net

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

Sincerely,

Sonja Stroud-Gooden

Contracting Officer

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

At the GS-11 Equivalent Level:

At this grade level, the Risk Management Officer will be building increased capacity and competence in the duties and responsibilities described below. He/she will perform these duties and responsibilities with guidance and oversight from the Risk Management Advisory team lead or his/her designee for the assigned area of responsibility.

Internal Systems:

● Monitor and track internal controls, risk assessment, risk management, and compliance

issues, and maintain awareness of USAID and USG policy or regulatory changes.

● Assist in developing, strengthening, and implementing risk assessment and management processes and procedures to ensure consistent compliance with USAID, and USG requirements.

● Support the use of tracking and record-keeping systems on audit, risk, and compliance issues and trend analyses of information.

● With supervisory guidance and direction, provide regular updates, resources and information on compliance requirements to foster awareness among staff.

● Develop working knowledge of and familiarity with USG regulations and USAID policies relevant to misuse, divergence, or fraud as applicable to BHA-funded programs.

● As requested, provide support for BHA’s internal controls assessments and management processes.

● As requested, provide support for BHA’s efforts to assess and manage risk through USAID’s enterprise risk management process.

● As requested, support internal systems to identify and prevent USG resources from reaching sanctioned groups.

Portfolio Management:

● Maintain familiarity with processes and procedures used to respond to issues regarding misuse, diversions, fraud, investigations, and audits of awards.

● Provide support for responding to audits or investigations of the assigned portfolio.

● Review applications for BHA funding and support identification of instances in which risk assessment, risk management, and compliance issues may require further clarification from applicants.

● Implement agreed-upon compliance monitoring and evaluation procedures for portfolio management.

● Support staff in reviewing and monitoring partner compliance with USG laws and regulations and BHA policies, including, but not limited to, accounting, procurement and employment standards as well as overall financial and administrative management of BHA funds.

● Support staff reviewing partner reports and notifications to identify and organize partner risk management strategies as part of best practice identification.

● Maintain standardized office files for principal assigned activities.

● Provide suggestions to BHA staff and management on policy and options to reduce and manage risk of partner misuse, diversions, and fraud.

Agency and USG Liaison and Representation:

● Support senior risk management staff and/or ARPM Division on queries and data calls related to acquisition and assistance policy and guidance from humanitarian community partners, Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA), General Counsel (GC), the Office of Inspector General, senior USAID staff, Members of Congress, or others to ensure a timely and appropriate response.

● Support outreach efforts such as brown bags and meetings to facilitate information flow on BHA’s internal controls, risk assessment, and risk management business processes.

● Participate in intra-office, bureau, and partner meetings as requested. Participate in subject matter meetings as requested by BHA staff and management.

General:

● Work in rapidly changing, high-pressure situations that often exceed normal business hours.

● Sign-up for and serve as needed on Washington-based Response Management Teams (RMT), which provide services and support to Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DART) deployed in response to disasters. The duties on RMTs will be varied.

● Serve as the BHA after-hours duty officer on a rotational basis, for approximately one week every six months.

● As needed, serve on DARTs which may require immediate (within 24 hours) deployment overseas for an extended period of time.

● As needed, may serve on temporary details within the office to meet operational needs during staff shortages, 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.

● Become certified and serve as an Agreement Officer’s Representative/Contracting Officer’s Representative (AOR/COR), as assigned. The AOR/CORs provide financial and programmatic oversight of all aspects of managing the agreement or contract; this includes but is not limited to reviewing invoices, requests for approvals, program/project deliverables (i.e., work plans, annual reports, month status reports), travel requests, key personnel requests, and financial/budget reports. They are responsible for drafting and submitting the annual contractor performance evaluation in Contract/Assistance Performance Assessment Review System (CPARS/APARS). They prepare and review contract/assistance modifications documentation and assist the Contracting/Agreement Officer to ensure performance is compliant with the terms and conditions of the contract/agreement, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and USAID policy. AOR/CORs are responsible for all related requirements set forth in the COR designation letter and the AOR designation letter.

At the GS-12 Equivalent Level:

At this grade level, the Risk Management Officer has demonstrated satisfactory competence in the duties and responsibilities described in the GS-11 level, above. He/she will perform these duties and responsibilities with limited guidance from and limited supervision of the Risk Management Advisory Team Lead or his/her designee for the assigned area of responsibility. Additionally, working under the guidance of the Risk Management Advisor, he/she will take on an increased level of responsibility for management and coordination of risk management activities and planning in his/her area of responsibility. He/she will also take on increased level responsibility for contributing to policy and regulation interpretation and recommendation as well as representing the office and its interests to other parties.

Internal Systems:

● Monitor and track internal controls, risk assessment, risk management, and compliance

issues, and maintain awareness of USAID and USG policy or regulatory changes.

● Assist in developing, strengthening, and implementing risk assessment and management processes and procedures to ensure consistent compliance with USAID, and USG requirements.

● Assist in the development of tracking and record-keeping systems on audit, risk, and compliance issues and trend analyses of information.

● Provide regular updates, resources and information on compliance requirements to foster awareness among staff.

● Maintain working knowledge of and familiarity with USG regulations and USAID policies relevant to misuse, divergence, or fraud as applicable to BHA-funded programs.

● Provide support for BHA’s internal controls assessments and management processes.

● Provide support for BHA’s efforts to assess and manage risk through USAID’s enterprise risk management process.

● Support internal systems to identify and prevent USG resources from reaching sanctioned groups.

● Maintain a strong understanding of USAID and USG policies and regulations in the areas of risk management and internal control.

● Serve as a resource for BHA staff on BHA’s standard risk management procedures and policies and provide feedback for improvement.

Portfolio Management:

● Maintain familiarity with processes and procedures used to respond to issues regarding misuse, diversions, fraud, investigations, and audits of awards.

● Provide support for responding to audits or investigations of the assigned portfolio.

● Review applications for BHA funding and support identification of instances in which risk assessment, risk management, and compliance issues may require further clarification from applicants.

● Implement agreed-upon compliance monitoring and evaluation procedures for portfolio management.

● Support staff in reviewing and monitoring partner compliance with USG laws and regulations and BHA policies, including, but not limited to, accounting, procurement and employment standards as well as overall financial and administrative management of BHA funds.

● Support staff reviewing partner reports and notifications to identify and organize partner risk management strategies as part of best practice identification.

● Maintain standardized office files for principal assigned activities.

● Provide suggestions to BHA staff and management on policy and options to reduce and manage risk of partner misuse, diversions, and fraud.

● Orient BHA staff in Washington and the field to standard internal controls and risk management topics including assisting in the development, updating, and presentation of training materials.

● In collaboration with others, draft, revise, update, and maintain written technical guidance on standard risk management policies and procedures.

● Collaborate with other BHA teams and staff to analyze and provide guidance and recommendations on standard risk management topics.

● Draft responses to audit or investigation queries or coordinate responses requiring input from multiple stakeholders.

Agency and USG Liaison and Representation:

● Support senior risk management staff and/or ARPM Division on queries and data calls related to acquisition and assistance policy and guidance from humanitarian community partners, OAA, GC, OIG, senior USAID staff, Members of Congress, or others to ensure a timely and appropriate response.

● Support outreach efforts such as brown bags and meetings to facilitate information flow on BHA’s internal controls, risk assessment, and risk management business processes.

● Draft for senior risk management and/or BHA senior leadership review written and oral responses to requests for information on BHA’s activities including briefing papers, memorandum talking points, formal presentations, and informal briefings.

● Represent and participate in intra-office, bureau, and partner meetings as requested. Participate in subject matter meetings as requested by BHA staff and management.

● With the Risk Management Advisor and/or BHA leadership oversight, respond to queries and data calls related to internal controls and risk management policy and guidance from humanitarian community partners, OAA, GC, USAID, Congress, senior USAID staff, or others to ensure a timely and appropriate response.

● Draft for Risk Management Advisor and/or BHA senior leadership written and oral responses to requests for information on BHA’s activities including briefing papers, memorandum talking points, formal presentations, and informal briefings.

● Represent BHA at and participate in interagency, intra-agency, partner meetings as requested.

General:

● Work in rapidly changing, high-pressure situations that often exceed normal business hours.

● Sign-up for and serve as needed on Washington-based RM, which provide services and support to DART deployed in response to disasters. The duties on RMTs will be varied.

● Serve as the BHA after-hours duty officer on a rotational basis, for approximately one week every six months.

● As needed, serve on DARTs which may require immediate (within 24 hours) deployment overseas for an extended period of time.

● As needed, may serve on temporary details within the office to meet operational needs during staff shortages, 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.

Become certified and serve as an AOR/COR, as assigned. The AOR/CORs provide financial and programmatic oversight of all aspects of managing the agreement or contract; this includes but is not limited to reviewing invoices, requests for approvals, program/project deliverables (i.e., work plans, annual reports, month status reports), travel requests, key personnel requests, and financial/budget reports. They are responsible for drafting and submitting the annual contractor performance evaluation in CPARS/APARS. They prepare and review contract/assistance modifications documentation and assist the Contracting/Agreement Officer to ensure performance is compliant with the terms and conditions of the contract/agreement, the FAR, and USAID policy. AOR/CORs are responsible for all related requirements set forth in the COR designation letter and the AOR designation 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.)

At the GS-11 Equivalent Level:

Bachelor’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field (including, but not limited to, international relations, business, law, project management, or financial management), plus three (3) years of relevant experience in international humanitarian or development assistance, program management or program administration, legal, internal audit, internal controls, or risk management.

OR

Master’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field (including, but not limited to, international relations, business, law, project management or financial management) plus two (2) years of relevant experience in international humanitarian or development assistance, program management or program administration, legal, internal audit, internal controls, or risk management.

At the GS-12 Equivalent Level:

Bachelor’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field (including, but not limited to, international relations, business, law, project management, or financial management) plus five (5) years of relevant experience in international humanitarian or development assistance, program management or program administration, legal, internal audit, internal controls, or risk management.

OR

Master’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field (including, but not limited to, international relations, business, law, project management or financial management) plus four (4) years of relevant experience in international humanitarian or development assistance, program management or program administration, legal, internal audit, internal controls, or risk management.

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 Offeror 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.

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

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

● Satisfactory verification of academic credentials.**

OFFEROR RATING SYSTEM

The offeror rating system factors are used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified offerors in comparison to other offerors. Offerors must demonstrate the rating factors outlined below within their resume, as they are evaluated strictly by the information provided. The evaluation of writing tests 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. The rating factors are as follows:

MATRIX (30 points)

Technical Experience (20 points)

● Demonstrated knowledge of or experience with regulations and policies relating to assistance, acquisition, or internal controls, including but not limited to:

-Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)

-Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

-Automated Directive Systems (ADS)

-Governmental Accountability Office (GAO) Green Book

-OMB Circular A-123

● Experience in tracking program implementation, compliance, or internal control issues.

● Knowledge of the operations and practices of non-governmental organizations, public international organizations, or private sector entities implementing international development or humanitarian assistance programs.

● Experience in conducting risk assessments.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills (10 points)

● Experience in collaborating or coordinating on a variety of programmatic risk or compliance issues.

● Experience in establishing and maintaining relationships across different parts of an organization and different stakeholders.

● Ability to present verbal and written guidance, policies, and procedures in various formats to various audiences.

● Ability to prepare and present analyses of regulations, policies, and procedures.

Interview Performance (40 points)

Timed Writing Test (15 points)

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks (15 points)

Total Possible Points: 100

BASIS OF RATING: Offerors who meet the Education/Experience requirements and Selection Factors will be further evaluated in accordance with the Offeror Rating System. 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 factor of the Offeror Rating System in their resume, describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards 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 Offeror Rating System factors may result in not receiving credit for all pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards.

The most qualified offerors may be interviewed and required to provide a writing sample. BHA 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. BHA reserves the right to select additional offerors if vacancies become available during future phase of the selection process.