Position Title: Disaster Operations Specialist (Multiple Positions)
Solicitation Number: SOL-OFDA-16-000036
Salary Level: GS-11 Equivalent: $64,650 – $84,044
GS-12 Equivalent: $77,490 – $100,736
Issuance Date: March 22, 2016
Closing Date: April 5, 2016
Closing Time: 12:00 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 Disaster Operations Specialist (DOS) 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:
(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
(f) Optional: Where you heard about this job (FedBizOps, OFDA Jobs, Career Fair, etc.).
Your resume should contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation for each grade level(s) for which you are applying. 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.
Supplemental document specifically addressing the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs) shown in the solicitation.
USPSC Application form AID 302-3. Applicants are required to complete and sign the form. This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.
Additional documents submitted will not be accepted. 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 and the supplemental document addressing the QRFs must be emailed to:
OFDA Recruitment Team
E-Mail Address: recruiter@ofda.gov
Website: www.OFDAjobs.net
Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to OFDA Recruitment Team via the information provided above.
Sincerely,
Renee Reed
Contracting Officer
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Working under the guidance and supervision of the Team Leader and with guidance from the Deputy Team Leader or designee for the assigned region of responsibility, the DOS will perform the following:
At the GS-11 level:
Contextual Specialty:
• Monitor incipient disasters, international disaster response plans and efforts, and major humanitarian issues and challenges in the area of responsibility through a wide range of USG and international sources;
• Review and monitor national disaster risk reduction efforts and plans in the area of responsibility in collaboration with regional team; and technical specialists;
• Maintain regular contact with OFDA field representatives and the OFDA Regional Office to maintain current triangulated understanding of existing and impending humanitarian crises in the area of responsibility; and,
• Serve as a primary point of contact/specialist in the area of responsibility for DCHA and OFDA Senior Management Team (SMT).
Portfolio Management:
• Develop and maintain a detailed understanding of OFDA’s program strategy and the implementation of the resulting awards;
• Facilitate disaster declaration responses in support of the Team Leader;
• Support regional team efforts to develop appropriate programmatic strategies for disaster responses and disaster risk reduction efforts in the area of responsibility;
• Provide written and oral responses to requests for information on OFDA’s activities in the area of responsibility for a wide range of USG and public audiences to include briefing papers, memorandums, talking points, formal presentations, and informal briefings;
• Become certified and serve as an Agreement Officer’s Representative/Contracting Officer’s Representative (AOR/COR) for assistance awards and contracts, as assigned;
• Review the conceptual soundness, technical feasibility, and budget for disaster assistance activities and emergency projects;
• Review and process all award documentation according to OFDA’s Grant Guidelines, USAID Automated Directives Systems (ADS), and Federal Regulation including coordinating multi-unit participation and ensuring timely award approval, proposal review and processing;
• Input appropriate award data into Office and Agency administrative and financial tracking systems for transmittal to the Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA);
• Track and process all post-award management issues to ensure timely response to partner requests and provide guidance to partners, as necessary;
• Review, track, and file program reports from awardees ensuring reports are received in a timely manner and that program objectives have been achieved;
• Collate input from report for feedback to grantee, and share reports with regional team members, as appropriate;
• Conduct periodic site visits to the assigned region of responsibility to monitor grant activity, where feasible;
• Upon completion of programs, close out awards according to Agency policies, identifying funds for de-obligation and/or equipment for disposition; and,
• Maintain standardized office files for activities that are assigned as principal responsibilities.
Representation:
• Represent OFDA in meetings with individual partners discussing programmatic priorities, objectives, progress, results, and challenges;
• Attend bureau-wide coordination meetings as OFDA’s primary point of contact (POC) in the area of responsibility and ensure OFDA interests and priorities are clearly articulated; and,
• Participate in other interagency and partner-wide meetings as assigned by the Team Leader.
General Duties:
• Attend team, office, and other meetings as assigned by the Team Leader and, when necessary, prepare summaries of these meetings;
• Expedite the flow of programmatic and other documents through the clearance process;
• Deploy on short notice to serve on DARTs or serve on the Washington-based RMTs, as a program officer supporting an experienced program staff;
• Serve as DCHA/OFDA Duty Officer on a rotational basis; and,
• Serve on DCHA/OFDA assessment teams to disaster sites when deemed necessary, and follow up with appropriate reports and/or cables.
• USPSC is responsible for planning and carrying out assignments. USPSC is responsible for planning approach or methodology to be used in carrying out assignments.
For GS-12 Equivalent:
At this grade level, the DOS has demonstrated satisfactory competence in the duties and responsibilities described above. He/She will perform these duties and responsibilities with limited guidance from and limited supervision of the Team Leader for the assigned region of responsibility.
Additionally, he/she will take on an increased level of responsibility for management and coordination of disaster response, disaster risk management activities and planning in his/her area of geographic responsibility. He/she will also take on increased level of responsibility for contributing to policy decisions and representing the office and its interests to other parties. At this grade level, he/she will:
Portfolio Management:
• Participate actively in the development of programmatic strategies for disaster responses and disaster risk reduction activities in the area of responsibility to include providing analysis and recommendations for needs prioritization and award mechanism options to achieve OFDA objectives;
• Ensure implications of policy decisions at OFDA, DCHA, USAID, and interagency levels on the portfolio are understood by OFDA SMT;
• Independently manage all aspects of award management throughout the award cycle;
• Recommend approaches to, write and deliver integrated priority messages in written and oral responses to requests for information on OFDA’s activities in the area of responsibility for a wide range of USG and public audiences to include: briefing papers, memorandums, talking points, fact sheets, formal presentations, and informal briefings;
• Recommend to the Team Leader policy and program options consistent with USG foreign policy objectives and provide effective and appropriate responses to meet the needs of the disaster victims (or potential victims);
• Assure a timely and appropriate response to the Ambassador’s disaster declaration, including reviewing Mission/Embassy recommendations for assistance, and prepare/clear appropriate guidance to the U.S. Mission/Embassy on resources and strategies to respond to the disaster situation; and,
• Serve as an AOR for assistance awards, as assigned.
Representation:
• Represent OFDA in public and private forum of USG interagency, partners, IOs, and other stakeholders—to include mid- and senior-level managers and decision makers;
• With guidance from the Team Leader, lead bureau-wide humanitarian coordination meetings; and,
• Independently serve as OFDA’s representative in bureau and agency meetings.
General Duties:
• Serve as the OFDA after-hours duty officer on a rotational basis, for approximately one week every six months; and
• Deploy on short notice to serve on DARTs or serve on the Washington-based RMTs as required with increasing levels of responsibility to include serving independently as a program officer or field officer on a DART or as a planning coordinator on an RMT.
• USPSC is responsible for planning and carrying out assignments. USPSC is responsible for planning approach or methodology to be used in carrying out assignments.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
(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.)
At a minimum, the applicant must have:
At the GS-11 level:
Bachelor’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field (including, but not limited to, international relations, political science, and disaster management) and three (3) years of relevant work experience with the USG, Private Voluntary Organization (PVO)/NGO, IO or UN Agency. Such experience must have a humanitarian focus and include responsibility in determining budget levels, selecting programs for funding, and managing and evaluating funded programs in a results type framework. Experience must include work (foreign or domestic) in international humanitarian assistance and/or disaster response and on-the-ground field experience in needs assessment, analysis, emergency relief program operations, or post-emergency rehabilitation.
OR
Master’s Degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field (including, but not limited to, international relations, political science, and disaster management) and two (2) years of relevant work experience with the USG, Private Voluntary Organization (PVO)/NGO, IO or UN Agency. Such experience must have a humanitarian focus and include responsibility in determining budget levels, selecting programs for funding, and managing and evaluating funded programs in a results type framework. Experience must include work (foreign or domestic) in international humanitarian assistance and/or disaster response and on-the-ground field experience in needs assessment, analysis, emergency relief program operations, or post-emergency rehabilitation.
At the GS-12 level:
Bachelor’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field (including, but not limited to, international relations, political science, and disaster management) and five (5) years of relevant experience with the USG, Private Voluntary Organization (PVO)/NGO, IO or UN Agency. Such experience must have a humanitarian focus and include responsibility in determining budget levels, selecting programs for funding, and/or managing and evaluating funded programs in a results type framework. Experience must include field work (foreign or domestic) in international humanitarian assistance and/or disaster response needs assessment, analysis, emergency relief program operations, or post-emergency rehabilitation.
OR
Master’s Degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field (including, but not limited to, international relations, political science, and disaster management), and four (4) years of relevant work experience with the USG, Private Voluntary Organization (PVO)/NGO, IO or UN Agency. Such experience must have a humanitarian focus and include responsibility in determining budget levels, selecting programs for funding, and/or managing and evaluating funded programs in a results type framework. Experience must include field work (foreign or domestic) in international humanitarian assistance and/or disaster response and on-the-ground field experience needs assessment, analysis, emergency relief program operations, or post-emergency rehabilitation.
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. Applicants are required to complete and sign the form. This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.
• Supplemental document specifically addressing the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs) submitted.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret up to Top Secret level clearance as provided by USAID.
• Satisfactory verification of academic credentials.
• The applicant will be eligible for a GS-11 or GS-12, but not both positions. This determination will be made if the applicant’s QRF responses are within the competitive range to be interviewed. Applicants who are eligible for a GS-12 position will only be considered for a GS-12 position. Those unsuccessful GS-12 applicants will not be considered for a GS-11 position.
QUALITY RANKING FACTORS (QRFs)
(Used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified applicants in comparison to other applicants.)
QRF #1 In 350 words or less, compose an original briefing memorandum for senior level
officials that describes the current humanitarian situation in Syria or Iraq and your recommended response options. Please include a word count at the end of the memo.
QRF #2 In 400 words or less, please cite specific, illustrative examples of your
demonstrated experience reviewing, administering, implementing, and representing emergency relief and rehabilitation programs and independently managing multiple, competing tasks in high-pressure environments. Please include a word count at the end of the response.
BASIS OF RATING: Applicants who meet the Education/Experience requirements and Selection Factors will be further evaluated based on scoring of the QRF responses. 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 of the QRFs in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, and/or education 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 Quality Ranking Factors may result in not receiving credit for all pertinent experience, education, and/or training.
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 is as Follows:
QRFs have been assigned the following points:
QRF #1 – 10 points
QRF #2 – 10 points
Interview Performance – 45 points
Timed Writing Test – 20 points
Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks – 15 points
Total Possible Points: 100
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:
(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
(f) Optional: Where you heard about this job (FedBizOps, OFDA Jobs, Career Fair, etc.).
Your resume should contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation for each grade level(s) for which you are applying. 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.
Supplemental document specifically addressing the QRFs shown in the solicitation.
USPSC Application form AID 302-3. Applicants are required to complete and sign the form. This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.
Additional documents submitted will not be accepted.
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
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