Agency:  U.S. Department of State, Bureau of African Affairs

Duty Location:  U.S. Embassy Somalia

Salary/Grade:  PSC/FP-02 EQUIVALENT to GS-13 ($124,331.00- $182,584.00)

Position Information:  Full-Time, NON- Permanent, Temporary Non-Status Position - 1 year Renewable up to 4 years

Job Announcement Number: PSC/AF-2025-1000 

Opening and Closing Date: 01/22/2025 - 02/05/2025

Who May Apply:  Open to All U.S. Citizens

Security Clearance:  Secret

Supervisory Status:  No

Job Summary:

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

1.  U.S Citizen is required
2.  Must have or be able to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.
3.  The incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
4.  The incumbent must be willing to relocate overseas.
5.  The incumbent must be able to obtain a valid U.S. Passport.
6.  Bachelor's degree from an accredited institute.
7.  Three (3) years' experience working in program management or support.
8.  One (1) year experience working on projects in post-conflict, or emerging state environment(s).

"YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO READ THE ENTIRE ANNOUNCEMENT BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOU APPLICATION PACKAGE.  YOUR APPLICATION MAY NOT GET FULL CONSIDERATION IF YOU DO NOT FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS AS OUTLINED."

FOR AWARD, AF/EX/HR WILL NEGOTIATE FOR THIS CONTRACT BASED ON THE FOLLOWING:  ENTRY LEVEL SALARY IS AT STEP 1 OF THE GRADE RANGE ASSIGNED TO SOLICITATION.  CONSIDERATION GIVEN FOR EXPERIENCE RELEVANT SPECIFICALLY TO THE SOLICITATION REQUIREMENTS.  LEVEL AND EXTENT OF EXPERIENCE DICTATES THE SALARY LEVEL WITHIN THE GRADE RANGE. 

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE IS NOT APPLICABLE TO THIS POSITION.

***THE APPLICANT'S RESUME SERVES AS THE BASIS FOR QUALIFICATION DETERMINATIONS AND MUST HIGHLIGHT WORK EXPERIENCE AND PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS RELATED TO THIS OPPORTUNITY. ***

JOB SUMMARY:

THIS IS A NON-STATUS, NON-PERMANENT POSITION.  YOU DO NOT ACQUIRE COMPETITIVE OR EXCEPTED SERVICE STATUS FROM THIS POSITION.

This temporary position is established to support on-the-ground development, management, oversight, and accountability of approximately $84 million of Somalia PKO funds annually. The incumbent of the position will be under the Chief of Mission (COM) authority.

AF/RPS seeks to hire one Personal Services Contractor (PSC) as a Program Analyst (PA) located in Mogadishu, Somalia to serve as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR)/Grant Officer's Representative (GOR).  

This Personal Services Contractor (PSC) position is in the Political-Military Section located in the U.S. Embassy Mogadishu.

DUTIES:

• Use U.S. policies and strategies along with other international frameworks to inform COR/GOR decisions on PKO-funded projects.
• Execute program management decisions for PKO projects that are consistent with and informed by interpretations of the Somalia Transition Plan and Somalia National Security Architecture.
• Provide key inputs for strategy documents guiding U.S. foreign policy in Somalia with the objective of aligning PKO Somalia project implementation with policy.
• Provide guidance and direction to (5) third party contractors supporting the administrative level oversight and coordination of PKO funded projects according to their statement of work.
• Coordinates and communicates regularly with all third-party contractors to maintain visibility on issues affecting performance, oversight, and PKO-funded programming.
• Provide AF/RPS, PM/SA, and Embassy Mogadishu a weekly consolidated summary of all PKO-funded projects in Somalia, to include: a summary of third-party contractor reporting, third-party leave schedules, programmatic updates (including status of force protection for PKO-funded implementers), action items, recommendations to improve contract performance and/or increase management of PKO-funded projects, Leahy vetting status of PKO-funded recipients, including specific actions the COR/GOR has taken during that week to manage the PKO-funded Somalia programs portfolio.
• Develop guidance in coordination with the AF/RPS and PM/SA Somalia Program Team, for Embassy Mogadishu that reflects all policies and requirements related to program development, implementation, evaluation, and reporting as a part of Federal Assistance.
• Advise Embassy Mogadishu and the AF/RPS and PM/SA Somalia Team on Somalia PKO requirement development to ensure Somalia PKO projects meet strategic objectives and foreign assistance priorities set by Embassy Mogadishu, AF, and PM.
• Perform COR/GOR functions for assigned Somalia PKO-funded projects, as stipulated by the FAR or DOS FAH guidance, to ensure compliance with terms and conditions of the contract or grant.
• Review, monitor, and provide oversight of all PKO-funded contractor, grantee, and Interagency Agreement (IAA) recipient performance and serves as property administrator for a Somalia Program amounting to no less than $84 million in programs as the embassy's lead in-country PKO Program Manager. 
• Conduct site visits and liaise with all in-country implementers to provide program feedback and other related reporting to the AF/RPS and PM/SA Somalia Programs Team, Embassy Mogadishu, AF/RPS Deputy Director for Plans and Programs, Grants Officer (GO), and the Contract Officer (CO). 
• Advise AF/RPS's Washington-based COR/GOR(s) in the management and monitoring of the remaining projects, which may include a designation as Government Technical Monitor (GTM) on contracts where s/he is not serving as the COR/GOR.
• Provide and support frequent communication and coordination between Washington and Embassy Mogadishu so all stakeholders (e.g., Deputy Chief of Mission, Political-Military Chief, Contract Officer, Grant Officer, and AF/RPS and PM/SA Somalia Program Team) maintain a common understanding of ongoing and planned activities, to include any deficiencies and potential course corrections required, and provide independent recommendations to modify, terminate, or continue existing projects.
• Manage the full lifecycle of Somalia PKO-funded assistance in Somalia to include strategic and budget planning of upwards of $84 million annually; identification of new program requirements; project design and development; program coordination, implementation, and oversight; monitoring and evaluation; and closeout. This includes documenting Somalia PKO-funded contractor performance as stipulated in DOS 14 FAH-2 and grantee performance as stipulated in Grants Policy Directive 28 and 42.
• Lead and manage completion of tasks conducted by third party contractors in line with their statement of work.  (Note: If third party contractors do not complete these tasks, PA will complete).

1. Tax exoneration process for PKO-funded assistance shipped to Somalia through coordination with multiple partner nation ministries, PKO project implementors (contractors and grantees), Military Assistance. Coordinators, and the Office of Security Cooperation.
2. Verification of all Somalia PKO-funded equipment, training, and construction services and the preparation of receiving reports and/or approve invoice approvals for payment.
3. Coordination and execution of the chain of custody process for all PKO-funded equipment to ensure all signatures (USG, Contractor, and host nation) are completed on the DS-127 equipment transfer form. 
4. Equipment tracking for all PKO-funded equipment (including equipment type, location, quantity, and operational status).   PSC will delegate the in-person verification of PKO-funded equipment to Site Coordinators and Military Assistance Coordinators for locations where Chief of Mission personnel cannot travel.
5. Leahy vetting:  Leads the AF/RPS process to verify all recipients of Somalia PKO program assistance are compliant with Leahy vetting requirements and that no Somalia PKO-funded assistance supports child soldiers.  Ensures that Somalia PKO projects take a gender sensitive approach, show respect for human rights.
6. Consult with AF/RPS, PM/SA, and Embassy Mogadishu before taking action to replace third-party contract staff and follow direction on staffing requirements where appropriate.
7. Draft and clear memos to document and justify any contract changes approved by AF/RPS, PM/SA, and Embassy Mogadishu.

• Sign DS-127 documentation on behalf of the USG and maintain all DS-127 files, providing copies to the DC-based COR and Somalia-based Office of Security Cooperation.
• Ensure Somalia PKO projects are de-conflicted with other U.S. government (USG)-funded programs, and other relevant international security actors in oral briefings, email correspondence, and participation in Somali security stakeholder conferences.
• Provide annual Somalia PKO Program evaluation reports, in coordination with the Monitoring and Evaluation Team, to provide the Washington DC-based COR recommendations for CPARS in the Contract Officer's designated format.  Annual evaluation reports shall inform Embassy Mogadishu Pol-Mil project prioritization and project scope adjustments in accordance with the timing of the PKO proposal cycle. 
• Participate in coordination meetings on Somalia PKO projects between Embassy Mogadishu, host nation officials, donors, and implementing partners.
• Participate in coordination meetings, working groups, secure video teleconferences, etc. related to Somalia PKO programs.
• Lead drafter of front-channel cables or other reporting on programming-relevant Somalia PKO project developments for release by and in coordination with Embassy Mogadishu.
• Support embassy functions related to Somalia PKO-funded projects including serving as control officer for visitors, participating in embassy committees, or other related activities.
• Provide support, including occasional travel to select AUSSOM troop contributing countries, the United States, and other countries as needed to support the management of Somalia PKO-funded projects.
• Write talking points and reports for Embassy Mogadishu, AF, PM, and other USG actors that can be used in preparing speeches, key leadership engagements, and briefings to articulate Somalia PKO projects in Somalia.
• Provide informational consultations and orientations to colleagues and management officials in the Department and the interagency related to Somalia PKO programming.  Advise on country or region-specific issues and problems as they relate to PKO programming. 
• Draft monthly project status reports, annual evaluation reports of implementer performance, special reports when required, and a "Completion of Assignment Report," which shall be a comprehensive review of the Somalia PKO projects in which the contractor was involved.
• Each monthly report shall include a critique of and recommendations for Somalia PKO projects. 
• Complete Assignment Reports no later than fifteen (15) days prior to the expiration of this contract. The PA shall submit one (1) copy of each report to the AF/RPS - COR/GOR; and Embassy Mogadishu Political-Military Chief/Deputy Chief of Mission. 
• The title page of all reports forwarded pursuant to this section shall include a descriptive title, the author's name(s), contract number, project number, and title, contractor's name, name of the State Department project office, and the publication or issuance date of the report.  Required reports and other contract deliverables (progress, financial, tax exoneration or other) will be received, tracked, reviewed, analyzed, and filed. 

QUALIFYING SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE MUST DEMONSTRATE THE FOLLOWING:

* Knowledge of grants and/or contract management.

* Knowledge of one or more African geographic or functional special area to provide advice and guidance regarding the policy implications of issues and developments in an assigned specialty area.

* Ability to provide advice, guidance, and consultation to officials regarding the interpretation and application of analyses.

• Knowledge of the theories and principles of project management, political science, international relations, economics, history, geography, or other related disciplines applied in analyzing and evaluating factors and conditions involved in the development and implementation of U.S. foreign policy specific to one or more countries.

Have a combination of graduate level education and specialized experience (as described above), which is equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal Service. This experience and education together meet 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

**Note: All applicants WILL BE required to submit transcripts as verification of
educational requirement. If you fail to provide requested information, or the information you submit is insufficient to verify your eligibility, you may lose consideration for this position.

SALARY & OVERSEAS ALLOWANCE:

In addition to the incumbent's base salary, he/she will be eligible for other allowances that may include post differential, Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), danger pay, and overtime premium pay where applicable.

ANNUAL & SICK LEAVE:

The individual selected will earn annual and sick leave in accordance with OPM regulations, which starts at 4 hours of annual leave and 4 hours of sick leave per pay period. The employee will be paid for federal holidays that fall within their regularly scheduled tour of duty. Those entering on duty with prior military service and/or federal civilian service can credit their years of service for higher annual leave accrual rates. Please submit a copy of your most recent DD-214 form and/or SF-50 for consideration for higher annual leave accrual rates.

HEALTH & LIFE INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENT:

Personal Services Contractor may be provided a maximum of up to seventy-two percent (72%) against actual costs of their annual health and life insurance premiums. Eligibility for reimbursement requires evidence of enrollment in a qualifying health insurance plan and proof of actual payment of the associated health insurance premiums. Reimbursement for medical evacuation coverage will also be provided.

PAID HOUSING:

Housing will be provided and rightsized according to U.S. Embassy's policies for the Personal Services Contractor. The residential lease, water, and electrical expenses will be paid for by the program through ICASS. Telephone and Internet expenses are the responsibility of the employee.

EDUCATION ALLOWANCE & PASSPORT/VISA SUPPORT:

An educational allowance up to $25,000 per contract year may be provided for individuals with children.

AF/EX will assist the selected individual in obtaining diplomatic passports and the necessary visa(s).

The selected individual will have access to the Embassy's health unit and Community Liaison Office (CLO).

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE: 

Limited. USG pays for round trip airfare for the Personal Services Contractor. A shipment of 1,250 airfreight will be authorized, and a shipment of consumables if allowable by Post. Furnished residence and transportation will be provided and paid for by the program through ICASS.

**We strongly encourage qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply!

How to Apply:

Please apply through Monster and submit the following items as one attachment:

1) Cover letter

2) Complete Detailed Resume

3) Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work.

4) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards, or accomplishments. A list of at least three professional references.

You will be asked to provide a writing sample for this position if you are found qualified. The sample should be no more than 500 words for which you are a co-author or sole author. The sample should demonstrate your ability to organize programmatic information and write concisely and clearly in plain English. Discussion of an issue in the security sector is preferred but not required.

Failure to submit a complete package may disqualify the applicant from consideration.

You will be evaluated against the requirements outlined in this announcement, the resume and cover letter should demonstrate that you meet the required qualifications above to undertake this position.

The Bureau of African Affairs expects to screen and interview candidates within 45 days of close of announcement. ONLY APPLICANTS SELECTED FOR INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONTACTED. Offers of employment will be dependent on ability to obtain the required security clearance through the Department of State's Diplomatic Security Bureau, as well as a medical clearance through the Department of State's Medical Services Division. 

Vacancy announcement will close at Midnight Eastern on 02/05/2025.  After all resumes and supporting documents are received, we will review your resume to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements.  After we review and evaluate all resumes and supporting documentation, the most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview.

THIS IS A NON-STATUS, NON-PERMANENT POSITION. YOU DO NOT ACQUIRE COMPETITIVE OR EXCEPTED SERVICE STATUS FROM THIS POSITION.

APPLICANTS MUST MEET ALL THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND SUBMIT ANY REQUIRED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS JOB OPPORTUNITY.  APPLICANTS FOUND TO BE AMONG THE TOP QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WILL BE REFERRED TO THE HIRING OFFICIAL FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE INTERVIEW.