SOLICITATION NUMBER: 720BHA23R00042
ISSUANCE DATE: June 20, 2023
CLOSING DATE AND TIME: January 08, 2024, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time
SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC)
Dear Prospective Offerors:
The United States Government (USG), represented by the U.S. Agency for International
Development (USAID) is seeking offers from qualified persons to provide personal services under
contract as described in this solicitation.
Offers must be in accordance with Attachment 1 of this solicitation. Incomplete or unsigned
offers will not be considered. Offerors should retain copies of all offer materials for their records.
USAID will evaluate all offerors based on stated evaluation criteria. USAID encourages all
individuals, including those from disadvantaged and under-represented groups, to respond to
the solicitation.
This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit USAID to
pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the offer.
Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in Attachment 1.

I. GENERAL INFORMATION
SOLICITATION NO.: 720BHA23R00042

ISSUANCE DATE: June 20, 2023

CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: January 08, 2024, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time
This solicitation is open and continuous until January 08, 2024. The following are the closing
dates for each review period:

July 11, 2023, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time
October 12, 2023, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time
January 08, 2024, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time

Offerors not selected during a previous review period must reapply in order to be considered
for positions available in subsequent review periods. A review period may be canceled at the
Contracting Officer’s discretion.
4. POINT OF CONTACT: MENAE Recruitment Team, BHA.MENAERecruitment@usaid.gov
5. POSITION TITLE: Senior Humanitarian Program Officer
6. MARKET VALUE: $84,546 - $109,908 equivalent to GS-13 (not eligible for Locality Pay)
Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value and will include Locality
Pay for domestic USPSCs based on the location of the Official USAID Worksite, or the approved
alternative worksite if approved for remote work. USPSCs performing overseas are not
entitled to Locality Pay.
Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.
7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Amman, Jordan
There may be an initial training program in Washington, D.C. for three months, which will
include formal classroom training and on-the-job training; and may include security training.
After completion of initial training, the Senior Humanitarian Program Officer will be assigned
to the place of performance.

8. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Five (5) years, tentatively 145 day estimated start date from
closing

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens Only
10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret
If there is a change in circumstances requiring access to National Security information classified
at the Top-Secret level, the offeror may be asked to obtain and maintain a Secret up to Top
Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information level clearance as provided by USAID.
11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES GENERAL STATEMENT OF PURPOSE OF THE CONTRACT
The Office of Middle East, North Africa, and Europe (MENAE) assesses, designs, and provides
humanitarian assistance with our partners, including assistance related to responding to,
recovering from, and reducing the risk of man-made and natural disasters, while linking with
other USAID investments that build resilience. MENAE retains humanitarian experts based
overseas, who coordinate with local authorities, USAID Missions, US Embassies, humanitarian
donor groups, and regional and country level humanitarian architectures. Field experts also
provide oversight of Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) humanitarian partners and
programs and monitor contextual developments to inform BHA country strategies. MENAE
humanitarian experts in Washington coordinate with USAID Regional and Pillar Bureaus, as well
as manage funding and programmatic activities implemented by non-governmental
organizations (NGOs); international organizations (IOs), including United Nations (UN) agencies;
and other partners in the region for natural disasters and complex emergencies. The MENAE
Office represents humanitarian programs and interests within the U.S. Government (USG)
interagency, as well as in interactions with beneficiary populations, host governments,
implementing partners, United Nations (UN) agencies, and other donors.
MENAE consists of three (3) geographic divisions: Europe, Middle East and Levant, and North
Africa and Arabian Peninsula. These divisions are responsible for the provision of emergency
humanitarian assistance through grants and cooperative agreements to NGOs, international
organizations including UN agencies, and other partners to ensure the implementation and
delivery of this assistance. These divisions oversee BHA’s nonresponse efforts in disaster risk
reduction (DRR), resilience, and early recovery. These divisions are responsible for representing
BHA within the agency and interagency on country or region-specific issues in Washington D.C.
They are also responsible for liaising on a regular basis with BHA offices in the field.
The BHA/MENAE field structure comprises two Regional Offices based in Amman, Jordan (Middle
East) and Budapest, Hungary (Europe and North Africa). MENAE also maintains a staff presence
in bilateral Missions and other platforms throughout the regions, including the Syria
Humanitarian Office, which is part of the Syria Recovery Platform. The Syria Humanitarian Office
comprises two regional teams based in Amman, Jordan and Adana/Gaziantep, Turkey.

The Senior Humanitarian Program Officer (SHPO) will monitor BHA-funded programs, liaise with
the IO and NGO community, provide assessments when appropriate, and make program
recommendations. The SHPO position requires an individual who is able to travel within the
region, as needed, on short notice and for possibly extended periods of time. The SHPO will serve
as a primary contact and liaison for on-going disaster activities related to disaster response,
preparedness, mitigation, and training programs. The SHPO will work to increase the capability
of the host government, IOs, and NGOs to respond and prepare for disasters. The SHPO will be
responsible for disaster analysis, program monitoring, overseeing NGO partner implementation,
reporting to BHA/Washington, and liaising with USAID Missions and U.S. Embassies. The SHPO
will ensure that BHA’s objectives for disaster response and assistance, strategic reporting, and
analysis are met.
BHA requires the services of a SHPO based in Amman, Jordan in order to meet its objectives of
programming, monitoring, coordinating, and evaluating USG humanitarian programs.
STATEMENT OF DUTIES TO BE PERFORMED
Working under the guidance and supervision of the Syria Team Lead, the SHPO supports the Syria
Humanitarian Office through the management of humanitarian activities, assisting with program
analysis, monitoring, strategy development, and coordination with partners in the humanitarian
community.
The SHPO will work closely with the programs team that includes the Syria Office Director, Team
Lead, SHPOs, Humanitarian Program Officers, and Administrative Assistants. The SHPO will
perform the following:
At the GS-13 equivalent level:
Contextual Specialty:
● Develop a baseline understanding of the humanitarian context in Syria and monitor any
changes including political, social, and operational issues impacting humanitarian efforts.
● Develop and maintain knowledge of USG foreign policy priorities in Syria and USAID’s
humanitarian and development strategies and objectives, including priority sectors,
geographic areas of focus, and key humanitarian stakeholders.
● Provide regular reporting, through cables and other means, on issues related to the
humanitarian situations in Syria.
● Provide regular reports on site visits, meetings, relevant current events, and other issues
that impact humanitarian relief efforts.
Portfolio Management:
● Develop and maintain a detailed working knowledge of BHA’s humanitarian portfolio in
Syria.

● Provide field-based insights, knowledge, and perspectives to support and inform award
management.
● Participate in office-wide discussions on initiatives that impact program implementation
to provide field-based perspectives, as assigned.
● Work with BHA’s Washington-based Syria Team to develop program strategies for
emergency response, resilience, and DRR activities in Syria, overseeing day-to-day
management of the portfolio and its budgets.
● Support team members in assessing emergency response and Early Recovery, Risk
Reduction, and Resilience needs in Syria in order to ensure BHA’s programs are
appropriately responsive.
● Lead the Syria Office’s program staff in the day-to-day management of emergency
response activities and program budget in Syria.
● Guide implementing partners in developing applications based on BHA’s Emergency
Application Guidelines. Review concept papers and applications and provide timely
recommendations to BHA/Washington D.C. Provide guidance on USAID award regulations
and policies to partners.
● Assist Agreement Officer’s Representatives (AORs) in managing and monitoring
humanitarian awards by providing field-based insights, knowledge, and perspectives.
● Travel as permitted, to assess, evaluate, and monitor humanitarian conditions in Syria,
and make strategic recommendations for appropriate and relevant interventions.
● Provide guidance on the Code of Federal Regulations Title 2, Federal Acquisitions
Regulations (FAR), and The Automated Directives System (ADS) regulation and policies.
● Assist in humanitarian activities outside of immediate areas of responsibility, as needed.
Representation:
● Support the MENAE Syria Office in maintaining relations with relevant leadership in the
country in representing USAID and BHA on humanitarian issues. This will include but is
not limited to U.N. agencies, IOs, NGOs, USG personnel, donors, host government
authorities, and others.
● Engage in and report on joint donor humanitarian evaluations and UN-led assessments
and participate actively in the international community response structures.
● Prepare briefing papers, notes, and presentations on BHA programming for USG officials
.Leadership:
● In close coordination with program team members in the Middle East Region’s Syria
Office, and Washington, D.C., work with NGOs, IOs, and UN agencies that are developing
proposals for BHA (including grant amendments and extensions) to ensure compliance
with BHA’s guidelines.
● Conduct field monitoring of USG-funded humanitarian assistance projects and
assessments of affected areas as required.
● Leverage advanced understanding of BHA grant guidelines and USAID business practices
to advise implementing partners and the BHA AORs of the field’s preferred course of action on concept notes, new proposals, and decision points that arise during award implementation and management.
● Provide input to country strategies and related operational plans.
● The SHPO does not have supervisory responsibilities; however, the PSC may serve in an
acting leadership role within the bureau in order to meet short-term staffing needs, not
to exceed 120 days in a 12-month contract year.
● Serve as a peer mentor to team members on grants and portfolio management, to include

BHA’s business process, portfolio-specific budget and workload management, and post-
award monitoring and management.

● Consistently model behaviors that demonstrate a commitment to fostering a non-hostile
work environment free of discrimination, bias, unfairness, exclusion, offensive behaviors,
and harassment of any kind.
● May be requested to be on-call/sign up for and serve on Washington-based Response
Management Teams (RMTs), which provide services and support to Disaster Assistance
Response Teams (DARTs) deployed in response to disasters. The duties on RMTs will vary.
● May serve on DARTs which may require immediate (within 24 hours) deployment
overseas for an extended period of time. During deployment on DARTs (if required), and
during site visits, there may be some additional physical exertion including long periods
of standing, walking over rough terrain, or carrying of moderately heavy items (less than
50 pounds). Work is primarily performed in an office setting. During deployment on
DARTs (if required), and during site visits, the work may additionally involve special safety
and/or security precautions, wearing of protective equipment, and exposure to severe
weather conditions.
● Become certified and serve as an Agreement Officer’s Representative/Contracting
Officer’s Representative (AOR/COR), as assigned. The AOR/COR provides financial and
programmatic oversight of all aspects of managing the agreement or contract; this
includes but is not limited to reviewing invoices, requests for approvals, program/project
deliverables (i.e. work plans, annual reports, month status reports), travel requests, key
personnel requests, and financial/budget reports. They are responsible for drafting and
submitting the annual contractor performance evaluation in the Contract Performance
Assessment Review System (CPARS). They prepare and review contract/assistance
modifications documentation and assist the Contracting/Agreement Officer to ensure
performance is compliant with the terms and conditions of the contract/agreement, the
FAR, and USAID policy. AOR/CORs are responsible for all related requirements in the COR
designation letter and the AOR designation letter.
SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP
The USPSC will take direction from and will report to the Syria Team Leader or their designee.
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:
Supervisor sets overall objectives and resources available; the USPSC consults with the supervisor
to develop deadlines, projects, and work to be done. The USPSC is responsible for planning and
carrying out assignments. The USPSC is responsible for planning approaches or methodology to
be used in carrying out assignments.
12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.
II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
(Determines basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do not meet all of the education and
experience factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.)
Bachelor’s degree plus a minimum of seven (7) years of experience working in international
relations, economics, food policy, emergency relief, disaster risk reduction (DRR) or disaster
preparedness programming and management, including at least two (2) years of overseas field
experience as demonstrated by short-term deployments or assignments in emergency situations.
OR
Master’s degree plus a minimum of five (5) years of experience working in international relations,
economics, food policy, emergency relief, DRR or disaster preparedness programming and
management, including at least two (2) years of overseas field experience as demonstrated by
short-term deployments or assignments in emergency situations.
III. 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. FAR provisions of this solicitation are available at
https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.
The technical evaluation committee may conduct reference checks, including references from
individuals who have not been specifically identified by the offeror, and may do so before or after
a candidate is interviewed.
SELECTION FACTORS
(Determines basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do not meet all of the selection factors
are considered NOT qualified for the position.)

● Offeror is a U.S. Citizen.
● Complete resume submitted. See section IV for resume requirements. Experience that
cannot be quantified will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.
● USPSC Offeror form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete sections A through I.
This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures may be accepted.
● Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance. If there is a change in circumstances
requiring access to National Security information classified at the Top-Secret level, the
offeror may be asked to obtain and maintain a Secret up to Top Secret/Sensitive
Compartmented Information level clearance as provided by USAID.
● Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of State medical clearance throughout the
contract.
● Must not appear as an excluded party in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).
● Satisfactory verification of academic credentials.
OFFEROR RATING SYSTEM
The offeror rating system factors are used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified
offerors in comparison to other offerors. Offerors must demonstrate the rating factors outlined
below within their resume, as they are evaluated strictly by the information provided. The rating
factors are as follows:
Matrix (35 points)
Professional Experience (15 points):
● Experience working across the disaster management cycle to include the following:
emergency response, or early recovery and transition, or disaster risk reduction (DRR),
or resilience. (4 points)
● Experience monitoring and reporting on humanitarian crises in an international disaster
context. (4 points)
● Experience implementing humanitarian interventions including the following: needs
assessment, strategy development, budget management, resource prioritization,
program development, and program management. (3 points)
● Experience reviewing the budget and technical elements of grant proposals. (2 points)

● Experience managing and reviewing U.S. Government (USG) grants or awards from a Non-
Governmental Organizations, or Private Voluntary Organization, or Public International

Organizations. (2 points)
Skills and Abilities (10 Points):

● Experience with external representation to humanitarian or development partners on
program or policy matters. (2 points)
● Ability to communicate complex humanitarian issues to a range of audiences through
written products. (4 points)
● Experience communicating humanitarian objectives to USG government officials or
United Nation organizations. (4 points)
Program Management (10 points):
● Knowledge of USG acquisition and assistance regulations. (4 points)
● Experience developing, or designing, or evaluating proposed humanitarian interventions
against response, DRR strategies, and identified needs. (4 points)
● Experience managing USG acquisition or assistance awards to include post-award
administration and regulation compliance. (2 points)
Interview Performance (50 points)
Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks (15 points)
Total Possible Points: 100
BASIS OF RATING: Offerors who meet the Education/Experience requirements and Selection
Factors will be further evaluated in accordance with the Offeror Rating System. Those offerors
determined to be competitively ranked may also be evaluated on interview performance and
satisfactory professional reference checks.
Offerors are required to address each factor of the Offeror Rating System in their resume,
describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards 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 Offeror
Rating System factors may result in not receiving credit for all pertinent experience, education,
training and/or awards.
The most qualified offerors may be interviewed and required to provide a writing sample. BHA
will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. Professional references and
academic credentials will be evaluated for offerors 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 offeror. BHA reserves the right to select additional offerors
if vacancies become available during the future phase of the selection process.