I. GENERAL INFORMATION
1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72012124R00011
2. ISSUANCE DATE: April 22, 2024
3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: May 22, 2024 (11:59 p.m. EST)
4. POSITION TITLE: Donor Coordination Advisor
5. MARKET VALUE: $104,604-$135,987 per annum, equivalent to GS-14. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.
6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: one (1) year, with four (4) option years. Options may be exercised based upon satisfactory contractor performance, mutual agreement between the Contractor and USG, continued Mission requirements and the continued availability of funds.
7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Kyiv, Ukraine
8. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret
9. STATEMENT OF DUTIES
BASIC FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION:
Following Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, USAID has been in the vanguard of USG agencies supporting Ukraine to win the war and win the peace. With over $3 billion in development funds appropriated by Congress for emergency assistance to Ukraine. Mission staff have the resources to directly shape transformational programming in economic growth, energy and infrastructure, democratic and accountable governance, and urgent health reforms and service delivery, as well as oversight for nearly $23 billion in direct budget support to the Government of Ukraine. The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv has resumed operations, and the USAID/Ukraine operating posture includes a capped number of positions at the Embassy compound in Kyiv and on rotational temporary duty status in Poland. More American staff are anticipated to shift to Kyiv when the Department of State authorizes an increase in footprint. When in Kyiv, personnel under Chief of Mission currently receive a 20% hardship differential, 35% danger pay, a 20% special differential (if applicable), a special COLA of $45 per day, 2 R&Rs, and 20 workdays of administrative leave for R&Rs.
The Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine has caused significant civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure and productive assets, and has taken a severe human, social, and economic toll. The World Bank Group, the Government of Ukraine, the European Commission, and the United Nations, estimated that in 2023 alone, the Ukraine needed $14 billion for critical and priority reconstruction and recovery investments covering energy, humanitarian demining, housing, critical and social infrastructure and the private sector. A key platform for donor coordination in Ukraine is the Multi-agency Donor Coordination Platform for Ukraine (MDCP). The MDCP brings together high-level officials from Ukraine, the EU, the G7 countries, as well as partners from International Financial Institutions, notably the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, to coordinate efforts to address Ukraine’s financing needs, both in the short to medium-term. The MDCP helps coordinate immediate financing needs of Ukraine and future economic recovery and reconstruction needs across different sources and established instruments. Its goal is also to direct resources in a coherent, transparent, and inclusive manner, enabling efficient planning and delivery of assistance to Ukraine and avoiding duplication. The MDCP maintains a headquarters office in Brussels, a smaller representative office in Kyiv, and is developing multiple levels of donor/government coordination and sectoral working groups. This complements the longstanding Kyiv-based Heads of Cooperation group and associated donor coordination working groups.
The Donor Coordination Advisor will work across the USAID/Ukraine Mission to identify, engage and coordinate primarily with representatives of other international donors, in order to ensure that assistance delivered by USAID is complementary and not duplicative of other efforts. The Donor Coordination Advisor will also coordinate with NGOs, philanthropic groups, and the private sector, to the extent possible, and will develop relationships and work to understand the activities and funding being provided by other organizations in order to link other efforts with those of USAID. The Donor Coordination Advisor will map the work of other donors, analyze funding patterns and establish relationships among activities implemented by USAID and others. The incumbent will also coordinate closely with Embassy Kyiv’s Assistance Coordinator and other sections of the US Embassy. Finally, The USAID Donor Coordination Advisor will also play an active role in liaising, coordinating and maintaining strategic relations with the Heads of Cooperation, MDCP and other entities and working groups mentioned above.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
A. Develop and Execute the USAID/Ukraine Donor Coordination Strategy (60%)
B. Support and Advise USAID/Ukraine staff on strategic partnering opportunities (25%)
SPECIFIC DELIVERABLES:
SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP:
The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Director of the Program Office of the USAID Regional Mission for Ukraine and Belarus, or her/his designee.
10. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens only
11. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.
12. POINT OF CONTACT: All questions and offers must be submitted by email to [email protected]
II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
Education: A Bachelor’s degree in International Relations, Marketing, Journalism, Public Relations, International Development or a related field is required.
Prior work experience: Seven (7) years of experience in international development with duties that include strategy design, communications or media/public relations or related areas is required.
Only offerors clearly meeting the above minimum qualifications will be considered for further evaluation.
Security and Medical clearances: The ability to obtain the required security and medical clearances in a reasonable timeframe is considered a minimum qualification. See Section V.
III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS
Selection Process and Basis of Evaluation: Offerors who clearly meet the aforementioned minimum education and work experience qualification requirements may be further evaluated through review of the offeror’s submitted required documents (see section IV below) and ranked based on the below evaluation and selection factors. A competitive range may be established of the highest-ranked offerors, who may be further evaluated through technical tests, interviews, and reference checks to determine the most qualified/highest-ranked offerors. Reference checks may be conducted with the highest-ranked offerors. Reference checks may be conducted with individuals not provided by the offeror. Any offeror not receiving satisfactory reference checks will no longer be considered for the position. Negotiations may be conducted with the most qualified/ highest-ranked offerors at the conclusion of evaluations.
Education (10 Points): A Bachelor’s degree in International Relations, Marketing, Journalism, Public Relations, International Development or a related field is required. Master’s is desired.
Prior Work Experience (20 Points): Seven (7) years of experience in international development with duties that include strategy design, communications or media/public relations or related areas is required. This also includes advising senior management and/or government officials, as well as arranging, convening and leading events and meetings. At least two (2) years of experience with donor coordination is strongly preferred. Demonstrated experience in relationship and partnership building, experience working on issues related to Ukraine or the Europe and Eurasia region is preferred.
Knowledge (30 Points): A thorough understanding of the international development sector, including major donors and development partners. Familiarity with the strategies and operations of donors and development partners in Ukraine and/or the Europe and Eurasia region. Knowledge of program or activity design/management in the development or related field. Understanding of knowledge management and the organization of accessible reports and information. Excellent knowledge of how to utilize a multidisciplinary approach that satisfies multiple stakeholders. Knowledge of US government policies, procedures, and regulations (preferred).
Skills and Abilities (40 points): Ability to work with non-governmental organizations, international assistance organizations, contractors, international organizations (IOs), or U.S. Government entities on issues related to: donor coordination; development; political analysis; or other related fields. Demonstrated ability to work constructively with high-level officials, donors, or political leaders. Demonstrated skill in strategy development. Excellent oral and written communication skills, including message development, advocacy, diplomatic communications, developing and delivering presentations/briefings, report-writing, and analysis. Demonstrated skills in relationship and partnership building. Excellent English language skills (Level 4). Ukrainian and/or Russian language skills (preferred).
Total Points: 100 pts
IV. APPLYING
1. Eligible Offerors are required to complete and submit all the following documents and information in English in order to be considered for the position. Submit your complete application package to [email protected]:
a. Completed and signed form Form AID 309-2,“Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts,” available also at Forms | U.S. Agency for International Development. Only include base salary information in box 4 of sections B and C. Do not include bonuses, differentials, cost of living allowances, or other types of compensation. During negotiations, salary history may be verified through pay slips, earnings and leave statements, or other appropriate documentation.
b. A cover letter of no more than 2 pages that demonstrates how the Offeror’s qualifications meet the evaluation and selection factors in section III of this solicitation.
c. A resume or curriculum vitae (CV) of not more than 3 pages which, at a minimum, describes education, experience and career achievements relevant to the evaluation and selection factors in section III of this solicitation.
d. Names of three professional references, including at least one current/former supervisor, that have knowledge of the offeror’s ability to perform the duties set forth in the solicitation. This information may be included in the cover letter or resume/CV.
Late, incomplete, and/or un-signed offers will not be considered.
2. Offers containing all required documents must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted electronically to the email Point of Contact in Section I, item 12.
3. To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors should prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission.
V. PRE-AWARD DOCUMENTATION / LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRES
Once the Contracting Officer (CO) informs the successful Offeror about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Offeror instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms, needed to obtain medical and security clearances.
1. Medical History and Examination Form/ Medical Clearance Update (DS-1843; DS-1622 /DS-3057)
2. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-86), or
3. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)
4. Fingerprint Card (SF-87)
Timely completion and submission of the required documents are needed to obtain the necessary Security and Medical Clearances. Failure of the selected offeror to accurately complete and submit required documents in a timely manner may be grounds for the CO to rescind any conditional pre- contract offer letter and begin negotiations with the next most qualified/highest ranked offeror. Selected offerors who are unable to obtain required Security and Medical Clearances in a reasonable timeframe are considered un-qualified for this position.
Within 2 weeks after written notice from the CO that all required clearances have been received, or unless another date is specified by the CO in writing, the selected offeror shall proceed to Kyiv, Ukraine to perform the services specified in section I, item 9.
VI. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES
As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, an Off-shore hire USPSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:
1. BENEFITS:
2. ALLOWANCES (If Applicable) *:
*Dept. of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) (Government Civilians Foreign Areas
There are additional incentives for service in Ukraine as a critical priority country. EFMs are eligible for Involuntary SMA. When in Kyiv, contractors currently receive a 20% hardship differential, 35% danger pay, a special COLA of $45 per day, 2 R&Rs, and 20 workdays of administrative leave for R&Rs.
As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a Resident Hire USPSC is normally authorized the following benefits:
BENEFITS: