job Description
GENERAL INFORMATION
1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72066025R10011
2. ISSUANCE DATE: December 5, 2024
3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: January 2, 2025 at 17:00 (Kinshasa Time)
4. POINT OF CONTACT: USAID/DRC, Executive Office/Human Resources Unit, email at [email protected]
5. POSITION TITLE: Acquisition and Assistance Specialist (Career Ladder) Note: Multiple awards may be made as a result of this solicitation.
6. MARKET VALUE: The full performance level of this position is equivalent to FSN-11. However, if USAID’s evaluation does not result in an award at the full performance level, USAID may make an award to a selected candidate qualified at the closest next lower level, with contract options to place the contractor at each progressive level until the full performance level is reached. The entry level of this position is equivalent to FSN-09 and the intermediate level of this position is equivalent to FSN-10. This position is a part of an established career ladder, beginning at FSN-09 and ending at FSN-11. Attainment of the full-performance grade is contingent on the Specialist successfully completing required training, meeting agreed-upon objectives and milestones, and performing in a Fully Successful (or equivalent) manner. Promotion to the target FSN11 grade level is not mandatory nor automatic, and failure to achieve at a high level of performance may be the basis for dismissal. USAID/DRC will make an award to a CCN at the entry level grade stated with contract options (upon satisfactory performance) to place the contractor at each progressive level until the full performance level is reached. In accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of USAID/DRC, final compensation will be negotiated within the grade level of the performance level for which the CCNPSC is selected.
7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The period of performance is Five (5) years, estimated to start o/a May 2025 or earlier if required clearances are obtained. The services provided under this contract are expected to be of a continuing nature that will be executed by USAID through a series of sequential contracts, subject to the satisfactory performance, the continued need, and the availability of funds.
ATTACHMENT 1
8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.
9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Cooperating Country Nationals as defined in AIDAR Appendix J: “Cooperating country national (“CCN”) means an individual who is a cooperating country citizen or a non-cooperating country citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the cooperating country.”
10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Security Certification issued by the U.S. Embassy Regional Security Office.
Duties and Responsibilities
This position is established as an Acquisition and Assistance Specialist “Ladder” position, which includes positions at the FSN- 09, FSN-10, and the full performance level of FSN-11 performance position level. General duties are similar among the grade levels with responsibilities at the full performance level executed precisely, independently, and expertly.
1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract
At the entry level (FSN-09), the A&A Specialist will perform the following general duties: The Acquisition and Assistance Specialist (FSN-09) is located in the Regional/Mission Office of Acquisition and Assistance, USAID/DRC. The function of the Office is to provide Acquisition and Assistance (A&A) support to Technical Offices and Development Objective (DO) Teams in the Mission, and in any Offices that may be supported by the Mission. The primary purpose of this position is to support the cognizant Mission Contracting/Agreement Officers (CO), by performing a variety of A&A duties including, writing grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and other procurement instruments, and preparing amendments/modifications to such instruments in support of the Mission. The Specialist reviews and recommends approval or revision of requisitions in the Global Acquisition and Assistance System (GLAAS); reviews and recommends approval or revision of statements of work (SOW); drafts A&A solicitation documents; performs cost and price analysis; analyzes A&A offers or applications received; drafts A&A award instruments and modifications; analyzes budgets; recommends special A&A award requirements; writes memoranda of negotiation; and, prepares other required documentation. The Specialist maintains up-to-date A&A files and records, manages Contractor Performance Assessment Reports (CPARs), and supports award closeout. The Specialist provides guidance to supported Teams related to A&A award modifications. The Specialist is responsible for carrying out day-to-day activities under the mentorship of more senior A&A Specialists.
2. Statement of Duties to be Performed
a. The Specialist is responsible for providing basic acquisition and assistance (A&A) support to Mission Technical Offices, DO Teams, and any designated regional clients. USAID programs/projects/activities are diverse and multi-sectoral. These programs/projects/activities are implemented through complex A&A mechanisms, including but not limited to purchase orders, competitively negotiated contracts, task orders, cooperative agreements, Inter Agency Agreements (IAA), and sole source or limited competition awards, requiring the Specialist to become familiar with the full range of USAID instruments. Assignments are designed to provide diversified experience as a foundation for future responsibility. The Specialist performs complete A&A transactions for activities involving few complexities. The Specialist is eligible for temporary duty (TDY) travel to the US, or to other Missions abroad, to participate in the "Foreign Service National" Fellowship Program, in accordance with USAID policy.
b. The Specialist is assigned work in such a manner as to enhance the knowledge and skills of the individual to work independently in the selection of the appropriate A&A instrument types to meet the Mission’s needs, and to accurately apply United States Government (USG) A&A laws, regulations, policies, and procedures governing each type of instrument. The developmental nature of the assignments provides exposure to the acquisition of goods and various types of services. The Specialist will become equally familiar with the procedures for acquisition of goods, for managing personal services and non-personal services contracting actions, and managing and awarding assistance agreements.
c. The Specialist performs assignments under the guidance of higher-level Specialists/Officers, and with technical specialists/activity managers in DO Teams throughout the Mission and/or the Region, assisting in the preparation of annual A&A plans, clear and concise statements of work/statements of objectives/program descriptions, and supporting documentation. The Specialist is expected to develop the ability to provide well supported guidance to technical specialists/activity managers pertaining to their A&A-related responsibilities and procedures.
Specific developmental duties include:
i. Pre-Award Duties:
● The Specialist participates in meetings on A&A planning; collects and analyzes data, and prepares and updates tracking tools in order to monitor pending actions; works with clients to assist in the preparation of justifications, waivers, deviations, and other necessary approvals, as needed; and, reviews procurement requests for completeness and clarity before endorsing them to higher-level Specialists/Officers.
● The Specialist prepares solicitation documents and electronically posts solicitations; and, works with higher-level Specialists/Officers to ensure compliance with FAR and AIDAR publicizing requirements, including publication of synopses and solicitations, as prescribed.
● The Specialist assists higher-level Specialists/Officers in pre-award activities for competitive solicitations, and with pre-award assessment surveys of potential contractors or recipients, in order to ensure eligibility prior to an award being made.
● The Specialist may be asked to perform simple procurement actions for supplies or services below the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT) that require limited use of negotiation techniques and analysis.
ii. Post-Award Duties:
● The Specialist assists higher-level Specialists/Officers in monitoring performance as required by the terms and conditions of the award, through reviews of performance and reviews of financial reports.
● The Specialist administers the awards in the assigned developmental portfolio, monitoring funding levels and preparing incremental funding modifications; and, under the guidance of higher-level Specialists/Officers, works with CO/AO Teams/CORs/AORs to assure targets/milestones are set and being met (or that remedial action is taken), and that the overall goals of the program/project/activity are met.
● As assigned, the Specialist conducts site visits and attends meetings.
● The Specialist provides guidance to technical personnel and assists in programmatic duties as required to avoid contractual/legal improprieties, seeking guidance from higherlevel Specialists/Officers as required.
● The Specialist assists in researching and resolving issues that may arise during contract performance, including changes, work stoppages, disputes, implementation problems, defaults, cost overruns, unacceptable performance, and payment problems.
Qualifications and Experience
A. Education: Possession of a Baccalaureate Degree or the equivalent of a four-year US college/university (or equivalency accreditation if a non-US institution) degree is required.
B. Prior Work Experience: FSN-09: A minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in acquisition and assistance, development assistance, or a position that requires closely related skills, such as program management, law, or financial management, is required. One year of this experience must have been gained working in a position equivalent to no less than the next lower level of FSN responsibility in this or an occupation that requires similar skills, within a USG organization, the Host Government, the private sector, or within an international or donor organization.
FSN-10: A minimum of four years of progressively responsible experience in acquisition and assistance, development assistance, or a position that requires closely related skills, such as program management, law, or financial management, is required. One year of this experience must have been gained working at a Fully Successful level in a position equivalent to no less than the next lower level of FSN responsibility in this or an occupation that requires similar skills, within a USG organization, the Host Government, the private sector, or within an international or donor organization.
FSN-11: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in acquisition and assistance, development assistance, or a position that requires closely related skills, such as program management, law, or financial management, is required. One year of this experience must have been gained working in a position equivalent to no less than the next lower level of FSN responsibility in this or an occupation that requires similar skills, within a USG organization, the Host Government, the private sector, or within an international or donor organization.
C. Language Proficiency: Level IV English ability (fluent) in English and French in speaking, writing, and reading is required
Other Jobs
