Resident Hire U.S. Personal Services Contractor (U.S PSC) Senior Stabilization Advisor – Somalia, GS -15

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: Mission Notice 23-07
2. ISSUANCE DATE: May 16, 2023
3. CLOSING DATE/TIME: June 13, 2023 at 04:30 p.m. (Nairobi Time)
4. POINT OF CONTACT: Executive Office/Human Resources, Patrick Bii and Noel Sikasa [email protected]
5. POSITION TITLE: SeniorStabilization Advisor – Somalia
6. MARKET VALUE: $117,518 to $152,771, equivalent to GS-15. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value. 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.
7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two (2) years, with three (3) one-year options, not-to-exceed five (5) subject to funding availability and satisfactory performance or better.
8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Nairobi, Kenya. Relocation expenses will not be reimbursed.
9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens. Citizenship, if dual, must be clearly stated.
10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret
11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES/POSITION DESCRIPTION

Background/Introduction

The USAID/Somalia seeks to contract for a U.S. Personal Services Contractor (PSC) to lead USAID/Somalia’s Stabilization team and advance USAID/Somalia’s goal of preventing and countering violent extremism. The Senior Stabilization Advisor will: (1) provide expert management and technical leadership of USAID stabilization efforts, including the $46 million Transition Initiative for Stabilization Saddex (TIS3) program and associated stabilization and conflict mitigation programs (currently valued at a total of $77.5 million); (2) represent USAID at the highest levels in the interagency and with host government partners on issues surrounding stabilization and broader efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism; (3) ensure USAID/Somalia stabilization, conflict mitigation, and related programs achieve measurable impact in reducing the influence of Al-Shabaab in USAID’s focal zone; and (4) supervise a team of up to four that currently includes a GS-14 USPSC Senior Rule of Law Advisory, GS-13/14 Stabilization Advisor based in Mogadishu, and two Program Management Specialists focused on Stabilization and Rule of Law respectively.

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. USAID must also consider how to address citizen grievances in these same communities as an absence of justice is often cited as one of the root causes of instability in Somalia and a key driver of violent extremism.

The Senior Stabilization Advisor reports to the Democracy, Stabilization, and Governance (DSG) Office Director. 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, human rights, 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.

The Senior Stabilization Advisor serves as a core team member overseeing the Mission’s strategic vision and implementation of its Development Objective #1: “Targeted local institutions govern in a more legitimate manner, diminishing influence of violent extremist organizations.” This includes coordinating the stabilization activities within the broader DSG portfolio and with the Economic Growth and Education teams. S/he crafts the vision for stabilization in the coming years, ensuring the new Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) guides stabilization and political inclusion efforts. S/he represents USAID to the highest levels within the inter-agency community and senior government and donor officials on issues related to stabilization. S/he also provides USAID/Somalia with strategic and technical leadership on a full range of Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance (DRG) programming, and is responsible for managing and mentoring staff in all aspects of the Office’s portfolio, including but not limited to planning, design, budgeting, procurement, program management, and M&E. Strong management and interpersonal skills, strong stabilization experience, and political astuteness are essential to the incumbent’s success in the position.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the DSG Office Director or her/his designee, the duties and responsibilities of the Senior Stabilization Advisor include:

1. Supervise a team of up to four that currently includes a GS-14 Local PSC Senior Rule of Law Advisory, GS-13/14 USPSC Stabilization Advisor based in Mogadishu, and two Program Management Specialists focused on Stabilization and Rule of Law respectively, being responsible for managing and mentoring these staff in all aspects of the Office’s portfolio, including but not limited to planning, design, budgeting, procurement, program management, and monitoring and evaluation.
2. Set the vision, oversee, and manage USAID’s complex stabilization, conflict mitigation, and related programs portfolio (currently $77.5 million) and coordinated closely with other USAID, other donor, and Government of Somalia efforts to ensure programs achieve measurable impact in reducing the influence of Al-Shabaab in USAID’s focal zone with a wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment. This includes leading the conceptualization and development of program strategies, objectives, and new activities based on detailed political analysis of the evolving political and security environment, in support of U.S. Government (USG) policy and strategic objectives, and in close coordination with the U.S. Mission to Somalia, Department of State, and host-country officials.
3. Serve as the Contract Officer’s Representative (COR) for the flagship Transition Initiative for Stabilization Saddex (TIS3) activity ($46 million award), and ensure progress toward agreed-upon goals, targets, and objectives. This includes conceptualizing and designing program strategies and objectives in close coordination with implementing partner staff and host government partners based on political and context analysis and U.S. Government policy, and initiating strategy reviews as needed in line with changes in context and policy;
4. Represent USAID Somalia with other USG agencies, the Federal Government of Somalia, and donors at the highest level on stabilization interventions and programs, ensuring USAID’s portfolio and approaches are relevant and effective in the Somali environment.
5. Provide expert programmatic, operational, and strategic guidance to USAID implementing partners (contractors and/or grantees), ensuring that all stabilization activities are contributing to USAID’s program objectives, align with broader U.S. strategic goals, and remain within the scope of their award instrument.
6. 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.

Supervision Exercised: The Senior Stabilization Advisor also supervises, mentors, trains, and oversees a team of up to four that currently includes a GS-14 USPSC Senior Rule of Law Advisory, a GS-13/14 Stabilization Advisor based in Mogadishu, and two Program Management Specialists (FSN-11 and FSN-10) focused on Stabilization and Rule of Law respectively.

Security Clearance Requirement: Secret

Travel Requirement: The incumbent will be expected to travel to Somalia on an as-needed basis depending on the security situation and access to the travel destination, at times up to 50 percent.

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.

Sunday Pay: Is not authorized.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The primary location of work will be on the U.S. Embassy/USAID compound in Nairobi, Kenya. No special demands are required to perform the work.

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: Minimum ofthirteen (13) years of progressively responsible management experience with a USG entity, international assistance organization, or non-governmental organization in community development, stabilization, conflict resolution, democracy and governance, reconciliation, citizen security, and/or political analysis; within which there must be a:

• Minimum of seven (7) years of overseas field experience working on stabilization, reconciliation, local governance, conflict prevention, dispute resolution, community development, or other relevant programs;
• Minimum of five (5) years of supervisory experience (including mentoring, training, and guiding staff).

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

Technical Knowledge: The incumbent must have an expert-level understanding of stabilization and/or other conflict-related programs characterized by multi-disciplinary approaches, and their role in U.S. foreign policy. S/he 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. Prior experience designing and implementing flexible, iterative, small grants programs highly desired.

Abilities and Skills: The incumbent must have demonstrated ability in dealing effectively and diplomatically with stakeholders from a variety of organizations. The individual must have prior experience managing high-profile programs in dynamic environments, and providing strategic, programmatic, and operational guidance to USAID/Somalia Implementing Partners. 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. The individual must be able to effectively identify, mobilize, and draw upon the expertise of USAID personnel, including subordinate staff.

Candidates 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.

The ability to provide information and advice with objectivity is required. The incumbent must be able to excel in a fast-paced, multicultural work environment, and be able to deliver multiple tasks simultaneously. The individual must therefore apply expert-level analytical skills and judgment to determine the best solution from the range of possible alternatives.

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