Position Title: Program Officer
Solicitation Number: SOL-OFDA-15-000079
Salary Level: GS-12 Equivalent: $ 61,486 - $ 79,936
Issuance Date: September 14, 2015
Closing Date: October 14, 2015
Closing Time: 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time
Dear Prospective Applicants:
The United States Government (USG), represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), is seeking applications from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal services as a Program Officer (PO) under a United States Personal Services Contract (USPSC), as described in the attached solicitation.
Submittals must be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Applicants interested in applying for this position MUST submit the following materials:
(a) Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held
(month/year), and hours worked per week for each position.Dates
(month/year) and locations for all field experience must also be
detailed.
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) Names and contact information (phone/email) of your current and/or previous supervisor(s). Current and/or previous supervisors may be contacted for a reference.
(d) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments.
(e) U.S. Citizenship.
Your resume should contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information should 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.
Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. OFDA reserves the right to select additional candidates if vacancies become available during future phases of the selection process.
Applicants can expect to receive a confirmation email when application materials have been received. Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. Your complete resume must be emailed to:
OFDA Recruitment Team
E-Mail Address: recruiter@ofda.gov
Solicitation Number: SOL-OFDA-15-000079
Salary Level: GS-12 Equivalent: $ 61,486 - $ 79,936
Issuance Date: September 14, 2015
Closing Date: October 14, 2015
Closing Time: 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time
Dear Prospective Applicants:
The United States Government (USG), represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), is seeking applications from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal services as a Program Officer (PO) under a United States Personal Services Contract (USPSC), as described in the attached solicitation.
Submittals must be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Applicants interested in applying for this position MUST submit the following materials:
- Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your application, your resume must include:
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) Names and contact information (phone/email) of your current and/or previous supervisor(s). Current and/or previous supervisors may be contacted for a reference.
(d) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments.
(e) U.S. Citizenship.
Your resume should contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information should 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.
- Form AID 302-3. Applicants are required to complete and sign the form.
Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. OFDA reserves the right to select additional candidates if vacancies become available during future phases of the selection process.
Applicants can expect to receive a confirmation email when application materials have been received. Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. Your complete resume must be emailed to:
OFDA Recruitment Team
E-Mail Address: recruiter@ofda.gov
Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to OFDA Recruitment Team via the information provided above.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The PO’s responsibilities will include the following:
Contextual Specialty
(Determines basic eligibility for the position. Applicants who do not meet all of the education and experience factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.)
Bachelor’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to a specialized field (including, but not limited to, international relations, economics, food policy, or a related field) and a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in emergency relief and humanitarian assistance, which must include at least one (1) year of on-the-ground international field experience working in humanitarian assistance. This experience must include one or more of the following: emergency relief or risk reduction operations, monitoring and evaluating humanitarian programs, or needs assessment and analysis.
OR
Master’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to a specialized field (including, but not limited to, international relations, economics, food policy, or a related field) and a minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in emergency relief and humanitarian assistance, which must include at least one (1) year of on-the-ground international field experience working in humanitarian assistance. This experience must include one or more of the following: emergency relief or risk reduction operations, monitoring and evaluating humanitarian programs, or needs assessment and analysis.
SELECTION FACTORS
(Determines basic eligibility for the position. Applicants who do not meet all of the selection factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.)
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The PO’s responsibilities will include the following:
Contextual Specialty
- Develop and maintain specialized understanding of humanitarian developments including political, social, and operational issues impacting humanitarian efforts within Indonesia, Timor Leste, and other countries in the region on an as needed basis.
- Develop and maintain knowledge of USAID, USG, and U.S. humanitarian priorities and strategies, as well as OFDA’s contributions and comparative advantages to those efforts within Indonesia, Timor Leste, and other countries in the region as needed.
- Provide regular reporting, through official cables and other means, on issues related to the humanitarian situations in Indonesia and Timor Leste. Provide overviews of patterns and trends in the humanitarian situation and keep the Regional Advisor, humanitarian advisor in Jakarta, and other program staff current on response issues.
- Provide regular reports on site visits, meetings, general atmospherics, and other issues that impact humanitarian relief efforts.
- Prepare briefing papers, notes, and presentations on OFDA programming for official USG visitors interested in humanitarian issues.
- Develop and maintain a detailed working knowledge of OFDA’s humanitarian portfolio in Indonesia, Timor Leste, and other countries in the region on an as needed basis.
- Work with OFDA’s program staff based in Bangkok and DC to develop OFDA’s programming for response and disaster risk reduction activities, monitor portfolio budget allocations and balances, and liaise with implementing partners for orderly start-up and closure of program activities.
- Support team efforts to continually assess emergency response and disaster risk reduction needs in order to ensure that OFDA’s programs are appropriately responsive.
- Work with NGOs, IOs, and UN agencies that are developing proposals for OFDA (including grant amendments and extensions). In close coordination with the RAs and Disaster Operations Specialists, ensure that draft proposals are in compliance with “USAID/OFDA's Guidelines for Unsolicited Proposals and Reporting.” Review concept papers and proposals and provide recommendations/comments to OFDA for final funding determination.
- Assist headquarters based Agreement Officer’s Representatives in managing humanitarian awards by providing field-based insights, knowledge, and perspectives.
- Travel as permitted in order to support team efforts to assess, evaluate, and monitor humanitarian conditions, and make strategic recommendations for appropriate interventions.
- Support the RA in Jakarta and the EAP team in Bangkok in representing USAID and OFDA on humanitarian issues and in maintaining relations with the humanitarian community in Indonesia, Timor Leste, and other countries as needed. This will include but is not limited to working with UN agencies, IOs, NGOs, USG personnel, donors, host government authorities, and others.
- Participate in and report on joint donor humanitarian evaluations and UN-led assessments, and participate actively in the international community response structures.
- Coordinate with the donor community on policy issues affecting humanitarian operations, and develop integrated, non-duplicative programs, with guidance from the RAs and the SPO.
- Maintain regular contact with OFDA grantees, as well as other UN agencies, IOs, and NGOs. As requested by the RAs, meet regularly with donors, host government officials, USG agencies, and others on humanitarian issues in order to explain, advocate for, and advance OFDA’s priorities and to help coordinate USG and international humanitarian activities.
- Serve as peer mentor to team members on grants management and portfolio management to include OFDA’s business process, portfolio-specific budget, workload management, and post-award monitoring and management.
- Participate as assigned in office-wide discussions on initiatives that impact program implementation to provide field-based perspectives.
- Serve in program positions on response teams or assessment teams, or provide coverage for field offices within and outside the region, which may deploy on short notice for up to 90 days.
- Serve in program positions on Washington-based RMTs for up to 45 days to provide services and support to DARTs deployed in response to disasters. The duties on RMTs will vary.
- Serve on Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs), which may require immediate (within 24 hours) deployment overseas for an extended period of time.
(Determines basic eligibility for the position. Applicants who do not meet all of the education and experience factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.)
Bachelor’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to a specialized field (including, but not limited to, international relations, economics, food policy, or a related field) and a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in emergency relief and humanitarian assistance, which must include at least one (1) year of on-the-ground international field experience working in humanitarian assistance. This experience must include one or more of the following: emergency relief or risk reduction operations, monitoring and evaluating humanitarian programs, or needs assessment and analysis.
OR
Master’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to a specialized field (including, but not limited to, international relations, economics, food policy, or a related field) and a minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in emergency relief and humanitarian assistance, which must include at least one (1) year of on-the-ground international field experience working in humanitarian assistance. This experience must include one or more of the following: emergency relief or risk reduction operations, monitoring and evaluating humanitarian programs, or needs assessment and analysis.
SELECTION FACTORS
(Determines basic eligibility for the position. Applicants who do not meet all of the selection factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.)
- Applicant 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 Application form AID 302-3. Completed and signed.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret up to Top Secret level clearance.
- Ability to obtain a Department of State medical clearance.
- Satisfactory verification of academic credentials.
APPLICANT RATING SYSTEM
The applicant rating system factors are used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified applicants in comparison to other applicants. Applicants must demonstrate the rating factors outlined below within their resume, as they are evaluated strictly by the information provided. The rating factors are as follows:
Professional Experience (10 points):
Timed Writing Test (15 points)
Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks (15 points)
Total Possible Points: 100
BASIS OF RATING: Applicants who meet the Education/Experience requirements and Selection Factors will be further evaluated in accordance with the Applicant Rating System. Those applicants determined to be competitively ranked may also be evaluated on interview performance and satisfactory professional reference checks.
Applicants are required to address each factor of the Applicant 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 Applicant Rating System factors may result in not receiving credit for all pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards.
The most qualified candidates may be interviewed and required to provide a writing sample. OFDA will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. Professional references and academic credentials will be evaluated for applicants 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 applicant. OFDA reserves the right to select additional candidates if vacancies become available during future phase of the selection process.
The applicant rating system factors are used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified applicants in comparison to other applicants. Applicants must demonstrate the rating factors outlined below within their resume, as they are evaluated strictly by the information provided. The rating factors are as follows:
Professional Experience (10 points):
- Experience monitoring and reporting on rapidly evolving humanitarian crises in an international disaster context.
- Experience working across the entire disaster management cycle to include emergency response, early recovery and transition, disaster risk reduction, and resilience.
- Specific experience implementing humanitarian interventions including needs assessment, strategy development, and reporting.
- Demonstrated skills and abilities in coordinating relief, transition, or disaster risk reduction activities with host governments in the midst of humanitarian crisis situations.
- Demonstrated skills and abilities in coordinating relief, transition, or disaster risk reduction activities with other donors and diplomatic missions in the midst of international humanitarian crisis situations.
- Demonstrated skills and abilities in coordinating relief, transition, or disaster risk reduction activities with international and national non-governmental humanitarian partners in the midst of humanitarian crisis situations.
- Demonstrated skills and abilities in coordinating relief, transition, or disaster risk reduction activities within the USG.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate complex humanitarian issues to a range of audiences through written products.
- Demonstrated knowledge of USG acquisition and assistance regulations.
- Demonstrated experience developing, designing, or evaluating proposed humanitarian interventions against response or disaster risk reduction strategies and identified need.
- Demonstrated experience managing USG acquisition and assistance awards to include post-award administration and regulation compliance.
- Demonstrated experience coordinating with multiple country representatives to develop, track, and maintain a large budget.
Timed Writing Test (15 points)
Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks (15 points)
Total Possible Points: 100
BASIS OF RATING: Applicants who meet the Education/Experience requirements and Selection Factors will be further evaluated in accordance with the Applicant Rating System. Those applicants determined to be competitively ranked may also be evaluated on interview performance and satisfactory professional reference checks.
Applicants are required to address each factor of the Applicant 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 Applicant Rating System factors may result in not receiving credit for all pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards.
The most qualified candidates may be interviewed and required to provide a writing sample. OFDA will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. Professional references and academic credentials will be evaluated for applicants 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 applicant. OFDA reserves the right to select additional candidates if vacancies become available during future phase of the selection process.
How to apply:
APPLYING:Applications must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in the cover letter.
Qualified individuals are required to submit:
- Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your application, your resume must include:
(b) Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work.
(c) Names and contact information (phone/email) of your current and/or previous supervisor(s). Current and/or previous supervisors may be contacted for a reference.
(d) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments.
(e) U.S. Citizenship.
Your resume should contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information should 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.
- USPSC Application form AID 302-3. Applicants are required to complete and sign the form.
By submitting your application materials, you certify that all of the information on and attached to the application is true, correct, complete, and made in good faith. You agree to allow all information on and attached to the application to be investigated. False or fraudulent information on or attached to your application may result in you being eliminated from consideration for this position, or being terminated after award, and may be punishable by fine or imprisonment.
To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application, and as the subject line in any email.
DOCUMENT SUBMITTALS
Via email: recruiter@ofda.gov
