GENERAL INFORMATION

USAID DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING) AND DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANT’S BANK ACCOUNTS.

1.  SOLICITATION NO.: 72061524R10010
2. ISSUANCE DATE: November 17, 2023
3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: December 01, 2023 (4:30 PM East Africa Time).
4. POINT OF CONTACT: USAID Kenya and East Africa Human Resources, e-mail at [email protected]
5. POSITION TITLE: Partner Liaison Security Specialist
6. MARKET VALUE: Equivalent to FSN-10 Step 1 (1: 3,341,686.00 KSH per annum) to Step 13 (5,680,858.00 KSH per annum). In accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of USAID/Kenya and East Africa. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.
7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 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 availability of funds, the continued need for services and successful performance. It is anticipated that the selection of the successful candidate will be completed within an estimated six-month period from the closing date of this solicitation.
8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Nairobi, Kenya; with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.
9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Open to qualified Kenyan Citizens, including current locally hired employees of the US Mission in Kenya. Employees presently on probation are ineligible to apply.
10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Security certification issued by the US Embassy RSO.

STATEMENT OF DUTIES

General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

The Partner Liaison Security Specialist is a full-time Cooperating Country National (CCN) position located in the USAID/Kenya and East Africa Executive Office (EXO). The incumbent will provide high-level safety, security, and operational support to all Mission personnel and to its Implementing Partners (IP).  Reporting to the Supervisory Executive Officer, the basic function is to provide security support to USAID staff and IPs throughout the country. The incumbent will travel to USAID/Kenya and East Africa program activity implementation sites within the constraints imposed by the Regional Security Office.

 

Statement of Duties to be Performed

Individually and as part of Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) contractor oversight duties, the Partner Liaison Security Specialist will be responsible for providing the critical services described below:

Safety & Security (50%)

Establish strategic relationships with local, regional, and the Government of Kenya (GoK) security agencies to include local and national police, and military units related to citizen security and/or civil affairs (e.g., Territorial Defense); and liaise as necessary to ensure USAID can assess security conditions on the ground and its potential impact on USAID funded activities.

•  Provide timely safety information for rural and urban areas where USAID program activities are being implemented; including monitoring trips, gauging security situations prior to travel, and communicating risk assessments to staff traveling on site visits.
• Act as point of contact for staff, for IP security coordinators, and beneficiaries as requested by senior management. Provide security briefings to newly arrived partners, new staff, visitors, and others as requested.
• Develop security protocols as it relates to emerging threats, emergencies, reporting and tracking incidents, and risk and logistics for staff prior to performing site visits and official local travel.
• Review IP security plans and collaborate with IP security coordinators and (if established) the Mission’s Partner Liaison Security Platform (PLSP) or similar support mechanism, on matters related to security, risk and evacuation plans and advise the EXO and USAID management on the quality of security and risk management plans providing suggestions if needed.
• Travel to core program implementation sites throughout the region to assess USAID staff safety and security requirements for USAID employees and their partners.
• Schedule meetings with U.S. Embassy RSO representatives; represent USAID/Kenya and East Africa at meetings, workshops, etc., on aspects related to security, and report discussions to senior management as requested.

Operations (30%)

Individually and as part of COR contractor oversight duties, the jobholder advises USAID on the communication, transportation, and safety/security requirements for all USAID programs and will be a principal USAID point-of-contact for the RSO and inter-agency partners.

•  Training: Assess needs and develop training programs for field operations that respond to an increasingly insecure environment for USAID staff and IP personnel. Research, organize and provide references and guidelines for effective standard operating procedures for USAID employees operating throughout Kenya and East Africa.
• COR Responsibilities: Serves as Contracting Officer’s Representative for the (if established) Mission’s Partner Liaison Security Platform (PLSP) or similar support mechanism. This includes functioning as and performing all expected duties of a USAID COR (should a PLSP or similar support mechanism be established), including but not limited to providing contractor technical direction, reviewing and approving contractor work-products, evaluating contractor performance, maintaining productive communications with the contractor, and performing contract project and financial management for interventions within the scope of work of the contractor. The position is planned to manage an award for IP security support services, including training, guidance, and communications with relevant internal and external partners, as well as related support to USAID internally.
• Assist in the organization, design and implementation of projects to improve risk management and control.
• Personnel and Organization: Evaluate security requirements, both current and projected, and develop appropriate personnel and organizational security strategies, to support the USAID mission.
• Technical Expertise: Provide technical expertise and skills for the implementation of USAID operations in high-risk environments in coordination with the RSO. Integrate elements of risk assessment and low-visibility presence into program operations in high-risk or potentially hostile areas in Kenya and the region.

Strategic Planning (20%)

 Individually and as part of COR contractor oversight duties:

•  Develop a USAID Safety and Security Plan for the two Missions, including guidance on minimization and mitigation of risk to USAID staff, to IP personnel and to mission funded programs.
• Advise USAID on security and risk factors affecting USAID operations throughout the region and advise USAID on responding to the safety and security needs of IPs and options for reducing/mitigating risk to staff, programs, and equipment.
• Monitor USAID and Embassy safety and security policies and practices, and relevant GoK laws and established rules, procedures and guidelines, especially as they apply to or affect USAID’s IPs.
• Develop security strategies to enhance off-site operations for USAID projects in Kenya and the region, while still maintaining acceptable risk levels. Participates in regular U.S. Embassy security and risk-related meetings at the request of USAID.

Supervision Received

Works under the general supervision of the Supervisory Executive Officer, who sets objectives of a broad nature; incumbent handles all work independently according to policies or accepted practice and resolves problems which arise in the Executive Office by determining approaches to be taken and methods to be used. Supervisor’s review when necessary is limited to adherence to broad policy or procedure. The majority of assignments accrue from the normal flow of office functions. COR duties will be delegated from and overseen solely by the relevant Contracting Officer in coordination with the Supervisory Executive Officer.    

Supervision Exercised

This is a non-supervisory position.

Physical Demands

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

Prior Work Experience

Minimum three years of experience/training in the areas of citizen security, civil affairs, physical and operational security, military/police operations, and/or civil defense. Familiarity or experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is required.

 

EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1.  The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c).  In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers.  The FAR provisions referenced above are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

Job Knowledge (60 points)

Understanding and application of security protocols, including emergency response procedures, access control, and visitor management. Proficiency in assessing security risks, evaluating safety and security implications in different environments, and ensuring compliance with security policies and regulations.

Skills and abilities (40 points)

Ability to analyze and evaluate complex development issues across sectors. Strong interpersonal, project management, and team-building skills and ability to work with tact, diplomacy, discretion, and have highly developed customer service orientation skills. Incumbent must demonstrate resourcefulness across cultures with diverse teams, as well as across the USG inter-agency and GoK ministries, local civil society institutions, high-level officials, and grassroots organizations.  Individual must have excellent strategic, analytical, written, and oral communication skills, and ability to work independently with minimal supervision.  Also, he/she must have willingness to travel periodically, both within Kenya, the region and internationally.

Total possible points:  100

SUBMITTING AN OFFER

Step 1: Register in MyJobsInKenya at www.myjobsinkenya.com.  If already registered please update your profile.

Step 2: Complete the job application at www.myjobsinkenya.com

Step 3: Internal Offerors/Current USG Employees: Attach an updated curriculum vitae/resume (no more than five pages), a copy of your most recent Performance Evaluation Report, and copies of all relevant certificates. Scan and attach all the documents and upload them to MyJobsInKenya.

                        OR

External Offerors/Not Current USG Employees: Attach an updated curriculum vitae/resume (no more than five pages) and copies of all relevant certificates. Scan and attach all the documents and upload them to MyJobsInKenya.

Offerors must provide a list of minimum three (3) professional references who are not family members or relatives, with complete name, title, organization where he/she works, description of relationship, with working/accurate telephone numbers and email addresses. The offeror’s references must be able to provide substantive information about his/her past performance and abilities.

Note to Applicants:

1. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted through myjobsinkenya.com.
2. Submissions will only be accepted through myjobsinkenya.com. Late and incomplete applications (those that do not contain the applicant’s most current and up to date detailed CV and relevant education certificates) will not be considered for the position.
3. All Applicants must provide at least three professional references, who are not family members or relatives, with working telephone and e-mail contacts. The references must be able to provide substantive information about your past performance and abilities. USAID reserves the right to contact your previous employers for relevant information concerning your performance and may consider such information in its evaluation of the application.

LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit any required forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award.

BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

Benefits and allowances are offered in accordance with the Local Compensation Plan (LCP).

TAXES

The Contractor must observe Kenyan laws including those concerning income and related tax obligations.

USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs

USAID regulations and policies governing CCN and TCN PSC awards are available at these sources:

1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix J, “Direct USAID Contracts With a Cooperating Country National and with a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf.
2. ontract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms. Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract. 
3. Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs.
4. Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch,” available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635.  See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations.
5. PSC Ombudsman: The PSC Ombudsman serves as a resource for any Personal Services Contractor who has entered into a contract with the United States Agency for International Development and is available to provide clarity on their specific contract with the agency. Please visit our page for additional information: https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman.

The PSC Ombudsman may be contacted via: [email protected].