Senior Social Specialist PSC
A. POSITION TITLES: Senior Social Specialist, Office of Investment Policy, OPIC anticipates awarding one (1) PSC contract from this solicitation.
B. POSITION INFORMATION: Personal Services Contractor (PSC), 2.5 years, renewable up to a total of 4 years.
C. MARKET VALUE: GS-14, Equivalent $63.83 - $82.95 per hour. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based upon the candidate's past salary, work history, and educational background.
D. ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION POSITION: Washington, DC
E. APPLICATION DEADLINE: Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at 9 AM EST
F. SECURITY ACCESS: The selected candidate must be able to obtain a Public Trust Clearance.
G. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens.
1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
This position is located in the Office of Investment Policy (OIP) of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC). Incumbents of this position conduct complex social assessments and standard environmental assessments for projects under consideration for OPIC support in the area of debt finance, insurance and equity finance. Incumbents appraise the social and environmental aspects of potential OPIC investments to identify risks and opportunities to add value to investment project structures, ensure compliance with applicable standards, and monitor previously approved projects for social and environmental compliance. Incumbents must possess a sound understanding of the principles, standards and guidelines used in social impact assessment as applied in developing countries around the world. Incumbents must possess technical expertise in one of a number of disciplines necessary for a sound interdisciplinary approach to social impact assessment (e.g., sociology, physical anthropology or cultural anthropology). Incumbents must possess technical expertise in conducting social and environmental impact assessments, which includes one or more of the following responsibilities: demographic studies, vulnerable population assessments, and community consultation. Incumbents must possess some experience in conflict resolution, tribal or indigenous population studies, labor rights, human rights, gender impacts and experience working in an international setting.
2. PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACT
OPIC is authorized under Section 239(d) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, "to enter into limited-term contracts with nationals of the United States for personal services to carry out activities in the United States and abroad under subsection (d) and (e) of section 234" of the FAA.
Section 234(d) of the FAA authorizes OPIC to "initiate and support through financial participation, incentive grant, or otherwise, and on such terms and conditions as the Corporation may determine, the identification, assessment, surveying and promotion of private investment opportunities..."
Section 234(e) of the FAA authorizes OPIC to "administer and manage special projects and programs, including programs of financial and advisory support which provide private technical, professional, or managerial assistance in the development of human resources, skills, technology, capital savings and intermediate financial and investment institutions and cooperatives and including the initiation of incentives, grants, and studies for renewable energy and other small business activities."
A. Definitions
i. Personal Services Contract means a contract which establishes an employer-employee relationship between OPIC and the Contractor for the performance of services personally by the contractor. The services may include general continuing services as well as specifically identifiable tasks.
ii. Employer-employee relationship means an employment relationship in which the employer supervises or has the power to supervise the performance of the work including, for example, the manner in which it is to be performed or controlled and the days of the week and the hours of the day in which it is to be performed.
3. KEY REQUIREMENTS
•U.S. citizenship.
•The selected candidate must be able to obtain a Public Trust clearance.
•Performance at OPIC Headquarters in Washington, DC
•Domestic and international travel may be required.
•Statement of Employment & Financial Interest (i.e. Office of Government Ethics "OGE Form-450," or similar statement) may be required.
•Active and approved System for Award Management (www.sam.gov) registration and be listed as sole-proprietor.
4. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Serves as social assessment program expert in the identification and mitigation of social impacts.
•Identifies, collects, and provides in-depth analysis of relevant information concerning the potential impacts of proposed projects on affected communities near projects. Reviews various forms of social policies and provides gap analyses between corresponding national and international legal and regulatory frameworks. Coordinates reviews with environmental experts as necessary.
•Provides guidance to prospective clients regarding the appropriate content, procedures and format for conducting and presenting Social Impact Assessments, Indigenous Peoples Development Plans and Frameworks, Resettlement Action Plans and Frameworks, Stakeholder Engagement Plans and Income Restoration Plans.
•Based on relevant information and discussions with investors, prepares social and environmental impacts assessments. Makes recommendations to OPIC management regarding project eligibility and conditionality on social grounds and specifies social conditions of default to be included in OPIC finance, insurance and investment fund agreements. As assigned, make recommendations to OPIC management regarding conditionality on environmental grounds and specifies environmental conditions of default to be included in OPIC finance, insurance and investment fund agreements. As assigned drafts sections of Investment Committee and Board Papers.
•Monitors the actual social (and as assigned environmental, health and safety) impacts of previously approved OPIC projects through analyses of third party monitoring reports and through site visits. Conducts desk and on-site monitoring investigations of socially sensitive projects on a regular basis. Compares actual social impact with original projections and prepares analytical reports outlining findings. Prepares reports identifying issues on non-compliance and makes recommendations for appropriate corrective action.
•Using "good practice" approaches and partnerships assist OPIC-supported investors to meet or exceed social development obligations under international law. Solicits and responds to comments by NGOs and the public at large regarding potential social impacts of prospective projects and reported impacts of existing OPIC-assisted projects.
•Drafts guidance notes for social policy implementation and facilitates related training of OPIC employees and investors. Produces and disseminates good practices and lessons learned documents related to the social aspects of OPIC supported investor operations.
•As assigned drafts portions of reports to Congress on the impact of OPIC-assisted finance, insurance, and investment fund projects on the environment and affected communities.
•Responsible for keeping informed and up-to-date concerning changes in World Bank, IFC and other development finance institutions' social and environmental standards.
•As assigned coordinates OPIC's environmental intern program, recruiting interns, training and supervising interns as necessary.
•Performs other related duties as assigned. This includes participation in conferences, committees and other OPIC events as requested.
Supervisory Controls
The supervisor provides administrative direction with assignments in terms of broadly defined functions. Incumbents coordinate the work with other employees and have responsibility for independently planning, designing, and carrying out program area. Results of the work are considered technically authoritative and are normally accepted without significant change. Guidelines consist of basic legislation; international and U.S. guidelines, standards, and legal restrictions relating to social and environmental impact; previous impact statements, assessments, reviews or studies; and OPIC policies and procedures concerning identification and assessment of social and environmental impact. Frequently there are no precedents to guide the work. Incumbents use significant judgment to interpret guidelines, to apply them or develop procedures to accomplish projects. Incumbents are recognized as a technical authority in social impacts assessment for the purposes of social assessment of OPIC-assisted projects worldwide. Incumbents are also a key resource for the development of new procedures and methodologies needed to fully assess and monitor the social impacts of OPIC's investments.
Complexity
Assignments include the performance of a broad range of professional duties involved in analyzing a wide variety of OPIC-sponsored finance, insurance, and investment funds projects. Incumbents analyze and evaluate these projects for the social and environmental impact on the host country and globally. The work requires the gathering of a wide variety of complex, technical information to determine the nature and scope of the project, interpreting voluminous data and recommending appropriate courses of action. The work is complicated by the varying degrees of social and environmental information and regulations in the countries in which OPIC does business.
Scope and Effect
Assignments involve responsibility for managing and carrying out social and environmental assessment affecting OPIC's major programs. The work impacts on the ability of OPIC to meet its goals and objectives.
Personal Contacts and Purpose of Contacts
Contacts are with all levels of officials at OPIC, officials at other Federal agencies and with business representatives, officials from developing countries, and non-governmental organizations. Many of the contacts are outside of the office and issues and problems often cannot be anticipated. The purpose of the contacts is to plan and coordinate work, gather information, and resolve problems. Incumbents must show discretion and use appropriate judgment in approaching clients to ensure that projects comply with established policies and contractual agreements. Incumbents must establish a rapport with clients and other contacts to gain maximum information on projects or industries.
Physical Demands
The office work is sedentary, however, travel is involved.
Work Environment
The work is usually performed in an office environment. Occasional travel to developing countries may involve primitive accommodations and means of travel. Visits to sites may require use of protective clothing or gear.
5. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Expert knowledge of the procedures, techniques and methods utilized in conducting social impact assessments of proposed and on-going OPIC-assisted projects in a wide range of sectors and countries.
•Expert knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply international, foreign and U.S. Government policies, laws, regulations and standards necessary to identify and assess social impacts of OPIC projects.
•Expert knowledge of effective management systems to implement stakeholder engagement, grievance mechanisms, land acquisition and resettlement.
•Knowledge of the procedures, techniques and methods utilized in conducting environmental impact assessment of proposed and on-going OPIC-assisted projects in a wide range of industry sectors.
•Knowledge and ability to interpret and apply international, foreign and U.S. Government policies, laws, regulations and standards necessary to identify and assess environmental impacts.
•Knowledge of international business conditions, including economic and political factors affecting foreign direct investment decisions and operating conditions in developing countries in order to participate in research projects on subjects of particular interest to the Corporation.
•Ability to deal effectively with representatives of domestic and foreign governments, U.S industry and NGOs.
•Knowledge of Microsoft Word, database management applications, global positioning systems (GPS) and other technology tools used in the assessment and monitoring of social and environmental impacts.
•Master's degree in a relevant social field, demonstrated experience with the IFC Performance Standards, and at least 8 years experience in social impact assessment, specifically stakeholder mapping, consultation and engagement, resettlement, and indigenous peoples consultation.
OPIC will review your resume and supporting materials to ensure they meet the basic qualification requirements for the above position. OPIC will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications based on the information provided and evaluate your relevant personal, educational, and/or work experiences as it relates to the specialized experience.
NOTE: All experience must be well-documented on the resume and within the application. All aspects of the application must specifically show how the candidate meets the qualifications required. Credit may be given for appropriate unpaid and/or part-time work. To receive credit, applications must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours worked per week.
6. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
Qualified individuals must submit:
•A written narrative of up to five pages clearly describing relevant experience and knowledge of each of the qualification requirements.
•Applicant's current resume to be included as an attachment.
•College Transcripts (may be "unofficial" for application purposes). Applicants should remove all Personally Identifiable Informational (PII) such a date of birth, Social Security Number, etc. from their college transcripts.
•No less than three and no more than five professional references including phone and email contact information.
All applications should be submitted electronically to:
Esan Sumner
Contract Specialist
Overseas Private Investment Corporation
Esan.Sumner@opic.gov
Anthony Terrell
Contracting Officer
Overseas Private Investment Corporation
Anthony.Terrell@opic.gov
To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application. The highest ranking applications may be selected for an interview, in person or by telephone. Applicants may submit an application against this solicitation at any time but prior to Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at 9 AM EST, unless revised. See Section 7 for detailed instructions.
7. INSTRUCTIONS TO PSC CANDIDATES
In accordance with FAR 52.214-34 & 52.214-35, all applications are to be in the English language and US Dollars. Applications in other languages or monetary denominations shall not be considered.
The QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED (Section 5) are the basis for evaluating all applications. Candidates must separately address each listed qualification requirement and demonstrate how s/he meets each. Unless stated otherwise, all qualification elements will be weighted equally.
A. Qualified individuals must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) before submission. Candidates without a SAM registration may be rejected.
B. Applications shall be formatted to fit on 8 ½ x 11 paper only. Suggested margins are 1" x 1". Font to be TIMES NEW ROMAN no larger than 12 int. Hourly rates shall not be mentioned anywhere in your application.
C. Describe your experience and knowledge in regards to the qualification requirements in no more than five pages. Clearly demonstrate how your prior experience is either relevant or directly related to the duties of this position as listed under MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Section 4). The responses should describe specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards you have received that are relevant to each factor. Cite specific examples where appropriate.
D. Qualified individuals must submit no fewer than three and no more than five professional references, who are not relatives or family members. Submitted references MUST include current information, as follows:
a.Name of reference
b.Candidate's relationship to reference
c.Title of reference at current job
d.Reference current telephone number (work or personal)
e.Reference e-mail address (work)
8. RESPONSE DEADLINE
Electronic submission is required. Mailed copies of any application shall not be accepted. Electronic applications shall be submitted by e-mail per Section 6 before the deadline stated on page 1 of this Combined Synopsis Solicitation. Application shall reference the position title AND the announcement number on the subject line of the e-mail.
OPIC does not accept responsibility for delays in transmission or receipt of any application. Candidates are responsible for submitting their application so as to reach the designated Government office by the closing date and time specified on page one (1) of this Combined Synopsis Solicitation. Applications received after the closing date and time will not be considered, unless there is acceptable evidence to establish that it was indeed received by the Government installation prior to the time and date specified in this announcement. Receipt of applications in response to this announcement does not constitute an award commitment. The U.S. Government will not reimburse any costs incurred in the preparation of an application. Any application is at the sole risk of the Candidate.
9. SELECTION PROCESS
In order to be considered for the requirement, a candidate must meet the qualifications listed above. Consideration and selection will be based on a panel evaluation in accordance with the Required Qualifications.
All applications will be evaluated based on the documentation submitted, the Candidate's evidence of the above qualification requirements, performance in a potential discussion/negotiation session, if conducted, and information provided by references, if contacted. Please note that for evaluation purposes, OPIC will take into consideration your proposed labor rate and any requested pay supplement in lieu of fringe benefits. All applications will receive one of three scores for each of the required and desired qualifications: Does Not Meet, Meets, or Exceeds. OPIC reserves the right to conduct interviews with only the most qualified candidates and/or conduct a reference check on those individuals.
Candidates are strongly encouraged to ensure the work history portion thoroughly documents the duties, responsibilities and accomplishments that are directly related to this requirement in order to verify specialized experience. Errors or omissions may affect your evaluation. OPIC is not obligated to make any award or pay for any costs associated with the preparation and submission of an application in response to this announcement. Award of this contract is contingent on availability of funds. OPIC reserves the right to not award any contract as a result of this announcement.
10. COMPENSATION
PSCs for the services of individual experts or consultants are limited by the Classification Act. In addition, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has established requirements which apply in acquiring the personal services of experts or consultants in this manner (e.g., benefits, taxes, conflicts of interest).
This is a full-time position for a Senior Social Specialist. The contract will have a maximum period of performance of 4 years if extended. Extension periods are to be determined at the sole discretion of OPIC.
Overtime is NOT authorized on this contract.
The pay range for this position is $63.83 - $82.95 (GS 14 equivalent) per hour. Final compensation will be negotiated within this pay range based upon the successful candidate's salary history, work experience and educational background. A salary above this pay range will NOT be entertained or negotiated.
OPIC issues W-2s to PSCs and makes the employer contribution to FICA and Medicare for the PSC. OPIC withholds FICA, Medicare, federal tax and state tax on behalf of the PSC. The PSC is not eligible for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion.
11. BENEFITS
Under the OPIC personal services contracting authority, PSCs are not employees for purposes of laws administered by OPM, such as Federal Retirement Benefits and health and life insurance. As such, the PSC is not eligible for participation in the Civil Service Retirement System or the Federal Employees Retirement System. Moreover, the PSC is ineligible to receive Federal Health and Life Insurance or participate in the Federal Thrift Savings Plan.
Notwithstanding the above and if agreed upon between the Government and the PSC before the award of a contract, the PSC may receive a pay supplement in addition to the employee's direct labor cost in lieu of fringe benefits.
12. TRAVEL
PSCs are subject to the Federal Travel Regulations and OPIC travel policies and procedures to the same extent as OPIC direct-hire employees.
13. CONTRACT AWARD
This contract shall be awarded solely to an individual, not to a firm. The individual must have an active DUNS # and a fully approved and active record in the System for Award Management (SAM).
The approval of your record in SAM may take a few weeks. Therefore, you must be registered in SAM before submission.
14. ADDENDA
Addendum 1: PSC Draft Contract Body
Note: The PSC draft contract body includes required federal contract clauses and OPIC Terms and Conditions. Please review carefully before submitting an application for this position.
ANTHONY TERRELL, CONTRACTING OFFICER, Email ANTHONY.TERRELL@OPIC.GOV - Esan Sumner, Contract Specialist, Email Esan.Sumner@opic.gov
