Senior Education Advisor, GS-13 – (U.S. Citizen Resident Hires Only) – USAID Ethiopia

Development and Project Management

USAID Ethiopia

 I.                GENERAL INFORMATION

 1.               SOLICITATION NO.: 72066324R00003

 2.               ISSUANCE DATE: January 02, 2023

 3.               CLOSINGDATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: February 01, 2023, no later than 5:00 p.m (EAT) (close of business).

 4.               POINT OF CONTACT: James Cerwinski, Supervisory EXO and Fekadu Tamirate, HR Specialist, email at addisusaidjobs@usaid.gov.

 5.               POSITION TITLE: Senior Education Advisor.

 6.               MARKET VALUE:  $ 88,520 to $ 115,079, equivalent to GS-13. The final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based on the successful candidate’s salary history, work experience, and educational background.  Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated. USPSCs performing overseas are not entitled to Locality Pay.

 7.               PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Work.

 USPSCs may be authorized to telework or remote work only from a location within the country of performance, in accordance with Mission policy. Telework or remote work from outside the country of performance may only be authorized in certain situations in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract.

 8.               PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: For two years with one-three-year options to extend. Extensions will be contingent on satisfactory performance, continued need for the services and availability of funds. No PSC contract may exceed a five-year period of performance. Estimated to start on 05/30/2024.

 The base period will be 05/30/2023– 05/29/2025. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise additional one-year option period for a maximum of four years, as noted below:

 9.               ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Resident-Hire. Resident Hire U.S. Personal Services Contractor means a U.S. citizen or resident alien who, at the time of contract award, (i) resides in the cooperating country for reasons other than U.S. government or non-U.S. government employment, or under any contract or other arrangement, that provides repatriation to the U.S.; or (ii) is a spouse or dependent of a U.S. citizen or resident alien who resides, or will reside, in the cooperating country for the purpose of U.S. government or non U.S. government employment, or under any contract or other arrangement that provides repatriation to the U.S. A U.S. citizen for purposes of this definition also includes a person who at the time of contracting is a lawfully admitted permanent resident of the United States and have a valid work authorization for Ethiopia.

        Applicant must:         

●     Submit a complete application as outlined in the solicitation section titled SUBMITTING AN OFFER.

●     Be able to obtain facility access security clearance.

●     Be able to obtain a Department of State medical clearance. 

●     Be willing to travel to work sites and other offices or locations as/when requested.

 NOTE: We don’t accept applications by ethiojobs.net. Strictly refer the application guideline on how to apply or submit an offer.

10.           SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED:  The final selected candidates must obtain both the appropriate security and medical clearances within a reasonable period. If such clearances are not obtained within a reasonable time or negative suitability issues are involved, any offer made may be rescinded.

11.           STATEMENT OF DUTIES

1.               General Statement of Purpose of the Contract:

The Senior (Sr.) Education Advisor will serve as a technical expert and advisor for USAID/Ethiopia’s Education and Youth Office (EYO) and serve as the lead for EYO’s Education Sub-Team.   She/he will provide technical expertise and project management, and administrative oversight for EYO’s education programming.   In this capacity, the Advisor plays a key technical role in designing, managing, and monitoring activities valued at roughly $15 million per year. The EYO Office consists of two sub-teams : 1) Education Team and 2) Youth Team.  The Education Advisor will directly oversee the Education Sub-Team and provide EYO with technical expertise and have specific project design and management responsibility for activities supporting early childhood education, education in emergencies, foundational learning, and advise the youth team on functional literacy programming and other relevant youth empowerment interventions.

The Sr. Education Advisor represents USAID’s education programming to the Government of Ethiopia, in particular the Ministry of Education and the Regional Education Bureaus, and establishes close working relationships with other development partners, the private sector, and key stakeholders. S/he will also coordinate with other USAID technical Offices and support offices to ensure unity of effort, integration, sustainability and the achievement of Agency results.

The Sr. Education Advisor is required to exercise professional judgment and expertise in planning and carrying out tasks, including the specific approach to be taken, the resolution of challenges and conflicts, and the meeting of deadlines.  The incumbent is required to work with minimum supervision and in collaboration with other professional staff internal and external to the Mission and Agency and may supervise other staff, as required.

2.               Statement of Duties to be Performed:

A.    Management of the Education Sub-Team to include Portfolio Activity Programmatic Design and Management (45% of time).

The Sr. Education Advisor serves as the Education sub-team lead and assists the Office Director with technical oversight and management of the USAID/Ethiopia Education and Youth Portfolio. This includes the following areas:

▪   Provide technical leadership and insights into the design and development of new education activities and initiatives, analyze Government of Ethiopia policies, strategies, and implementation plans to ensure coordination and complementarity of efforts.

▪   Represent USAID in relevant Technical Working Groups.

▪   Oversee, monitor and report on performance of Implementing Partners’ field activities through review of project documentation, communications, and periodic field visits.

▪   Evaluate and analyze Implementers’ data to ensure accuracy and effectiveness of development activities.

▪   Support direct project management of EYO contracts and agreements to ensure that activity objectives are being effectively met within USAID guidelines and regulations. 

▪   Assist EYO in preparation and presentation of key reviews and documentation, including semi-annual portfolio reviews, annual report narratives, implementation letters, activity approval documents, correspondence and others as required.

▪   Oversee learning processes across EYO programs to ensure data and research are used to inform programmatic improvements.

▪   Contribute to strategic planning, performance monitoring, and major EYO program decisions.

▪   Demonstrate independent action in setting work priorities, deciding on activity implementation matters, problem identification, and problem solving.

▪   Assure that all activities are carried out in a technically sound, cost-effective, and ethical manner, in accordance with Mission and Agency requirements and regulations.

B.     Stakeholder and Customer Relations (45% of time).

▪   Build and maintain key relationships with representatives of Ethiopia’s Ministry of Education and Regional Education Bureaus to foster collaboration and coordinate appropriate technical assistance. Other Government of Ethiopia relationships may also be formed with the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Ministry of Women, Children, and Youth, and the Jobs Creation Commission.

▪   Represent USAID/Ethiopia to the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and Education Cannot Wait (ECW) as well as other development partners to discuss and develop plans to improve collaboration and coordination between the Government of Ethiopia, donors, and implementing partners, including NGOs and civil society organizations.

▪   Identify opportunities for engaging traditional and non-traditional partners, including the private sector, universities, and diaspora, in efforts to improve education services.

▪   Act as liaison between EYO and other Offices to ensure that cross cutting objectives are met.  Proactively participate in team and Mission processes and activities. 

▪   Provide briefings to visitors, short-term consultants, and other program-related guests of USAID (e.g., congressional delegations, senior-level USAID officials).

▪   Serve as a resource for USAID, US Embassy inter-agency and other personnel by addressing requests for technical and programmatic information, and providing guidance related to Agency goals and initiatives.

▪   Collaborate with key USAID Bureaus and offices as needed to ensure efficient program planning, management, and reporting.

▪   Represent USAID at internal and external events, receptions, conferences and workshops.

C.           Supervision (10% of time)

▪   Provide guidance on work tasks to EYO team members in collaboration with the EYO Director to improve team performance and meet development objectives.

▪   When appropriate, serve as acting EYO Director or Deputy Director

3.             Supervisory Relationship: The incumbent is supervised by the EYO Office Director

4.             Supervisory Controls: expected to supervise the Education and Youth Team in the absence of the Office Director.

12.           PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II.             MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Applications will be initially screened by the Mission Human Resources Office to determine whether they have met the minimum qualifications listed below. All candidates who meet the minimum qualifications requirements will be referred to the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) for further consideration and screening.

EDUCATION: A minimum of a Master’s degree in a functional area directly related to international education, international development, public administration, or social or behavioral sciences.

WORK EXPERIENCE: At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience designing, managing, and implementing education programs in developing countries.  Demonstrated track record of activity design and management, customer service, strategy formulation, and supervision.

III.             EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

The Government may award a contract without discussions with candidates in accordance with FAR 52.215-1.  The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of candidates with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c).  In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of candidates in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers.  The FAR provisions referenced above are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

 EVALUATION FACTORS

EDUCATION (10 points):  Points will be given for (1) education above the minimum level and/or (2) specialized education pertinent to the position. and/or (3) specialized training pertinent to the position.

WORK EXPERIENCE (30 points): Points will be given for (1) experience above the minimum levels required, (2) specialized experience pertinent to the position, (3) experience in pertinent development assistance activities, (4) experience in development organizations that are large and/or international.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ABILITY (30 points): Knowledge of US government basic financial principles and USAID program development cycle and USAID education policy is essential.  Ability to coordinate and multi-task.  Proficiency in computer software programs including but not limited to: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Ability to interact effectively in a cross-cultural environment with a broad range of diverse counterparts. Ability to perform budget and financial management support and administrative tasks. Ability to troubleshoot and problem solve complex issues in a fast-paced environment. Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills.

INTERVIEW PERFORMANCE (60 points)

WRITTEN TEST (30 points)

BASIS OF RATING: Candidates who meet the Minimum Qualifications will be evaluated in accordance with the Evaluation and Selection Factors.

Candidates should address these factors in the offer package, describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received as it pertains to the factors. Failure to address the Evaluation and Selection Factors may result in not receiving credit for all pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards.

The highest-ranking applicants may be selected for an interview and writing test. Interviews may be conducted either in person or by telephone/video call at USAID’s discretion.

Final TEC recommendations for the candidates will be based on the initial evaluation of the applications, interview performance, and written test. USAID/Ethiopia will not pay for any expenses associated with interviews.

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks – Pass/Fail (no points assigned). Reference checks will be conducted only for the first-ranked candidate.  Please be advised that references may be obtained independently from other sources in addition to the ones provided by an offeror. If a candidate does not wish USAID to contact a current employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the candidate’s cover letter, and USAID will not contact those references without contacting the candidate.

IV.                SUBMITTING AN OFFER

For your application to be considered, the following documents must be submitted:

1.         Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals, available at AID- 309-2 Form

2.         Letter of Application

3.         Current curriculum vitae (CV).

Further Guidance:

To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation Number in the offer submission.

Application must be submitted ONLY via addisusaidjobs@usaid.gov and the email subject must say –: 72066324R00003 – Senior Education Advisor. Be sure to include your name and the solicitation number at the top of each page.

Offeror submission must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents.

Please do not submit more than one application; and

The application must be submitted before or on the closing date at local Ethiopia time 5 p.m. (Local Ethiopia, Addis Ababa Time, or EAT).  Late and incomplete applications will not be considered.

Ensuring Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors. USPSCs performing overseas must follow the Mission policies and/or directives from the Department of State regarding COVID-19 requirements.

V.                LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

Once the CO informs the successful candidate about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful candidate instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms.

1.      Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms)

2.      Fingerprint Card (FD-258), and either    

3.      Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-86),or

4.      Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85), whichever is applicable.

VI.                BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a USPSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

1.                        BENEFITS:

(a)      Employer’s FICA Contribution

(b)      Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

(c)      Pay Comparability Adjustment

(d)      Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation)

(e)      Eligibility for Worker’s Compensation

(f)       Leave and Holidays

VII.             TAXES

USPSCs are required to pay federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable state income taxes.

VIII.          USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs

      USAID regulations and policies governing USPSC awards are available at these sources:

1.      USAID Acquisition Regulation(AIDAR),Appendix D, “Direct USAID Contracts with a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar

2.      Contract Cover Page form AID309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms.

LINE ITEMS

 3.      Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins(AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs.

4.      Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch,” available from the U.S. Office of  Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5CFR2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations.

 5.      PSC Ombudsman. The PSC Ombudsman serves as a resource for any Personal Services Contractor who has entered into a contract with the United States Agency for International Development and is available to provide clarity on their specific contract with the agency. Please visit our page for additional information: https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman.

 The PSCOmbudsman may be contacted via: PSCOmbudsman@usaid.gov.

 6.   FAR Provisions Incorporated by Reference

END OF SOLICITATION

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The U.S. Mission in Ethiopia provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation. USAID/Ethiopia also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs.

The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation. Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.

EDUCATION: A minimum of a Master’s degree in a functional area directly related to international education, international development, public administration, or social or behavioral sciences.

WORK EXPERIENCE: At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience designing, managing, and implementing education programs in developing countries.  Demonstrated track record of activity design and management, customer service, strategy formulation, and supervision.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ABILITY (30 points): Knowledge of US government basic financial principles and USAID program development cycle and USAID education policy is essential.  Ability to coordinate and multi-task.  Proficiency in computer software programs including but not limited to: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Ability to interact effectively in a cross-cultural environment with a broad range of diverse counterparts. Ability to perform budget and financial management support and administrative tasks. Ability to troubleshoot and problem solve complex issues in a fast-paced environment. Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills.

$ 88,520 to $ 115,079

Lien