JOB VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

                                        COMMUNICATIONS AND DESIGN COORDINATOR

                              US PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACTOR (USPSC) LOCAL HIRE

 1. Solicitation Number: SOL‐685‐17‐000001

2.

3. Closing Date/Time: September 6, 2017 at 17:00 p.m. (Senegal time)

4. Position Title: COMMUNICATIONS AND DESIGN COORDINATOR

5. Market Value: GS‐12 ($62,722 – $81,541 per annum)

(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 beentertained or negotiated.)

6. Area of Consideration: Open to U.S. citizens Local hire only (A U.S. citizen for purposes of this definition also includes

persons who at the time of contracting are lawfully admitted permanent residents of the United States.)

7. Organization Location of Position: Dakar, Senegal

8. Direct Supervisor: Development Outreach and Communications Advisor

9. Period of Performance: Immediate upon receipt of security/medical clearances (One (1) year from date of appointment with a preferable start date of October 30, 2017 and with an option to extend for up to four (4) additional years.)

10. Work Schedule: 40 hours/week

11. Place of Performance: Dakar, Senegal

12. Security Access: Employment Authorization

 POSITION DESCRIPTION

 A. BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITION

This position is located in USAID/Senegal’s Program Office (PRM). The Communications and Design Coordinator supports Program Office (PRM), the Economic Growth Office (EGO), the Education Office (EDU), the Democracy, Human Rights, Governance and Peace Office (DRGP), and the Health Office (HPN) on communications and design efforts. S/he supports PRM, EGO, EDU, DRGP and HPN in the production and dissemination of internal and external communication materials, and assists in the preparation of design documentation as needed.

The Communications and Design Coordinator is supervised by the PRM Development Outreach and Communications Advisor (DOC), or another PRM staff member if designated by the PRM Office Director. S/he works closely with other members of PRM’s DOC team, the EGO, EDU, DRGP and HPN technical teams, the PRM Project Development Officer, USAID implementing partners, the Mission Front Office, Embassy Dakar’s Public Affairs Section (PAS), and USAID’s Legislative and Public Affairs Bureau (LPA) in Washington (USAID/W) as needed.

B. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 1. Communications (50%)

The Coordinator directly supports the Mission’s overall communications and design efforts (led by PRM’s DOC Team), with specific support to the EGO, EDU, DRGP and HPN teams. The Coordinator supports the DOC Team to ensure Mission messaging, engagement, and activities are developed and delivered in the best ways possible. Besides coordination with Mission staff, the Coordinator will also work closely with USAID implementing partner communications staff.

Specific duties / activities include:

•Developing communications materials, e.g. PowerPoint presentations, fact sheets / briefings, talking points, Country Team bullet points, weekly activity summaries, media releases, and other communications to be used with internal and external stakeholders;

•Coordinating planning for outreach events (e.g. award launches, public events, etc.) by proactively engaging with technical team members to identify upcoming work and events, liaising with the DOC team to ensure all events are included in the DOC Planning Calendar, and assisting with the production of materials in line with the Mission’s Event Guidance;

•Advising on USAID Branding and Marking issues, including working with technical teams to ensure that the necessary funding for branding is included in any new contracts or other agreements, and working with Activity / Contracting Officer Representatives (A/CORs) to ensure that the necessary branding is developed and in place according to LPA guidelines.

The Coordinator may also perform other communications‐related tasks as requested by the Development Outreach and Communications Advisor, PRM Office Director, or other senior Mission managers which are consistent with the advisory, managerial, and reporting requirements of the Coordinator’s position.

2. Project Design (50%)

With respect to design, the Coordinator works with PRM, EGO, EDU, DRGP and HPN to ensure an effective Project Design Process. The Coordinator supports PRM, EGO, EDU, DRGP and HPN in documenting, tracking and producing project and activity level documents that are fully in line with relevant Mission and Agency policies and strategies.

The Coordinator assists PRM, EGO, EDU, DRGP and HPN project design teams in determining appropriate timelines and in monitoring progress toward meeting crucial deadlines. As needed, the Coordinator will be involved in drafting various sections of key documents in collaboration with PRM’s Project Development Officer, EGO, EDU, DRGP and HPN, and will assist in reviewing and improving the quality of final products before they are presented to Mission management for review and clearance.

In line with the Agency’s Project Design process, the Coordinator will also work with PRM, EGO, EDU, DRGP and HPN to prepare procurement documents as needed under the guidance of the Regional Office of Acquisition and Assistance, and will help usher these documents through the procurement process to award.

The Coordinator may also perform other project design‐related tasks as requested which are consistent with the advisory, managerial, and reporting requirements of the Coordinator’s position.

C.  MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The incumbent should meet the following requirements in education, work experience, knowledge, and skills and abilities to be able to carry out the aforementioned duties and responsibilities

1.Education: A Bachelors’ Degree in communications, journalism, social or behavioral science, public policy/administration with a concentration in public services, international development, or other related field of study is required.

     2.  Work Experience:

•A minimum of 5 years professional experience in communications and program

•design (and/or management) for developing countries, strong team leadership, and higher level administrative support is critical.

•Current knowledge of policy, technical and operational aspects of international development practices.

•Direct work experience with an international organization and/or donor agency.

3. Communication Skills:

•Proven ability to work as a member of a team and to foster teamwork is required, as is the ability to develop and maintain productive working relationships at all levels, including with USAID/USG staff and colleagues and implementing partners.

•Excellent English language communications skills (native speaker level), both written and oral. Proficiency at French highly desirable.

•Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through oral presentations and briefings, written reporting and analysis, and information technology tools.

 D.  POSITION ELEMENTS:

1. Physical Condition: USAID prohibits discrimination in hiring and employment on the basis of physical or mental impairment. USAID promotes, with reasonable accommodation, the full realization of equal employment opportunities for the disabled in recruitment, promotion, assignment, and training.

2. Supervision Received: The Communications and Design Coordinator will work under the general supervision of the USAID/Senegal Development Outreach and Communications Advisor, or another PRM staff member if designated by the PRM Office Director. The Supervisor will assist the Coordinator to: 1) establish a work schedule based on appropriate work objectives and performance measures; 2) review work outputs and deliverables to ensure compliance with Agency policies and implementation of best practices; and 3) assess the incumbent’s performance, including through seeking input from appropriate USAID/Senegal staff and external stakeholders.

As the incumbent is expected to work with multiple clients in a fast‐paced environment, s/he must be able to establish priorities, adhere to and meet deadlines, and perform responsibilities and duties with minimal guidance.

3. Available Guidelines: The Communications and Design Coordinator is required to understand Mission and Agency‐specific policies and procedures which govern program activity management, in addition to the USAID/Senegal established administrative operating procedures, policies and formats. Oral guidance from the immediate Supervisor and specific detailed instructions will be given (when necessary) for carrying out unique assignments. The incumbent will be required to be proactive in keeping abreast of evolving guidelines and policies which affect the activities of the Mission, including but not limited to the Automated Directives System (ADS), Mission Orders,

Mission Notices, USG Procurement regulations, and USAID Program Strategy and Policy Documents. In addition, the Mission Director, USAID/Senegal Program Office team members, the EGO, EDU, DRGP and HPN technical teams, support teams such as Financial Management, Executive Office, Procurement Office and Regional Legal Advisor, and counterparts in USAID/Washington are available as resources to provide advice and guidance.

1. Authority to Make Commitments: The Communications and Design Coordinator will have no independent authority to commit U.S. Government (USG) funds on behalf of the U.S. Government or the USAID/Senegal.

2. Post Entry Training: N/A

3. Exercise of Judgment: In instances not clearly covered by written guidelines, the incumbent will use her/his own personal, well‐informed judgment and ingenuity to interpret the intent of guides in devising innovative approaches to resolving technical, administrative, managerial and/or policy problems. Excellent (balanced) judgment must be exercised in setting priorities. The use of initiative, discretion, and patience is expected from the incumbent in dealing with USAID personnel as well as representatives from other USG agencies and donor organizations to resolve problems that arise during the course of work for which there is often no clear or immediate solution. The incumbent will also be required to follow and adhere to the Agency’s Code of Ethics and Conduct.

4. Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts: The Communications and Design Coordinator will be required to maintain solid working relationships with various USAID and USG Offices (in particular USAID’s EGO, EDU, DRGP and HPN teams, and Embassy Dakar’s Public Affairs Section), along with staff from USAID’s implementing partners. The purpose of contact will be to collect, obtain, and verify factual information in support of Mission communications and project design efforts. Interactions will concern information gathering and leading the development of communications and project design documents with various stakeholders. Consultations between the incumbent and partners will be held for explaining and assisting with strategizing communications and project design‐related documents and objectives, securing cooperation, resolving problems, obtaining or furnishing information, defending or negotiating controversial issues among stakeholders with diverse opinions, and persuading USAID staff and counterparts to take actions and accept recommendations.

5. Supervision Exercised: The Communications and Design Coordinator does not have regular supervisory responsibility.

6. Time Required to Satisfactorily Perform Full Range of Duties after Entry into the Position: Six (06) months.

E.  SELECTION CRITERIA

Applicants meeting the required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application and obtained through reference checks. Following is the evaluation criteria for this position:

Education (20 points)

Candidates must possess a Bachelors’ Degree in communications, journalism, social or behavioral science, public policy/administration with a concentration in public services, international development, or other related field of study is required.

Knowledge/Experience (40 points)

 A minimum of 5 years relevant professional experience in communications and program design (and/or management) with developing countries.

 Demonstrated knowledge of policy, technical and operational aspects of international development practices. Preference given to an understanding of these issues in the Senegalese context or comparable setting.

 Direct work experience with an international organization and/or donor agency; a thorough working knowledge of USG operations, regulations, policies, procedures and programs desirable.

Skills/Abilities (40 points)

•Superior writing skills.

•Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including ability to collaborate with multiple offices within an organization and interact with partners, contractors and other stakeholders at senior levels.

•Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment and communicate highly technical information to both expert and lay audiences, and achieve consensus on communications policy, project, research, and administrative matters.

•Ability to readily understand, analyze and discuss issues around foreign assistance programs.

•Ability to facilitate meetings and make oral presentations logically and persuasively to senior officials and partners in a multi‐cultural context.

I.  INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS

Interested individual must submit:

•A cover letter of application highlighting your reason for applying for the position;

•Most current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume;

•Fully completed and hand‐signed copy of Form a302‐3 form can be found at http://www.usaid.gov/forms/

 Three (3) references who are not family members or relatives, with a working telephone and email contacts.

Please reference the solicitation number on your application, and as the subject line in any cover letter. Only the highest ranking applicants will be selected for an interview.

The CV/resume must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the application in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria. Broad general statements that are vague or lacking specificity will not be considered as effectively addressing particular selection criteria.

The applicant’s references must be able to provide substantive information about his/her past performance and abilities. USAID/Senegal reserves the right to obtain from previous employers relevant information concerning the applicant’s past performance and may consider such information in its evaluation. (The a302‐3 must be signed and those submitted unsigned will be rejected). Applicants must provide their full mailing address with telephone, facsimile numbers and email address and should retain for their records copies of all enclosures that accompany their submissions.

Applications must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in the cover letter and should be sent to the following email address:

Attn.: Acting Sup. Regional Executive Officer

II.  LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs:

Forms outlined below can found at

1.Application for Application for Federal Employment (AID 302‐3)

2.Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420‐62)**

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

4.Questionnaire for Non‐Sensitive Positions (SF‐85)**

5.Finger Print Card (FD‐258)**

**Forms 2 through 5 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job.

III. ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) AND CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETIN (CIBs) PERTAINING TO PSC:

AAPDs and CIBs contain information or changes pertaining to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulation and procedures concerning acquisition and assistance including Personal Service Contracts can be found at:
http://www.usaid.gov/work‐usaid/aapds‐cibs.  AIDAR Appendix D can be found at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf

IV. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES:

As a matter of policy and as appropriate, a USPSC is normally authorized benefits and allowances in accordance with AIDAR Appendix D and other relevant Agency and Mission polices.

A.  BENEFITS:

 Employee’s FICA Contribution

 Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

 Pay Comparability adjustment (Annual across board salary increase)

 Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation)

 Eligibility for Worker’s Compensation

 Annual & Sick Leave

FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO): The US Mission in Senegal 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/Senegal 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.