Request for Proposal: Research Analyst, Governance, Justice & Security

Request for Proposal: Research Analyst, Governance, Justice & Security

Research Analyst, Governance, Justice & Security

Washington, DC

Release Date: March 26, 2021

RFP Due Date: 11 pm EST on April 9, 2021

Pertinent responses will be made available to all offerors by e-mail. No inquiries will be accepted after the specified time and date.

The response must be submitted by the time and date listed above to be considered.
Application Submission Requirements:
Any application that does not contain all items listed in the Submission Requirements section below may be considered nonresponsive. For more detail including corresponding evaluation criteria, please see "Evaluation Criteria and Submission Requirements" section below.

• Cover Letter with rate requirement
• Resume or CV
• Brief Writing Sample (2-3 pages)
• Certification Page

Introduction and Background
USIP is a national, nonpartisan, independent institute, founded by Congress and dedicated to the proposition that a world without violent conflict is possible, practical, and essential for U.S. and global security. In conflict zones abroad, the Institute works with local partners to prevent, mitigate, and resolve violent conflict. For more information, please visit http://www.usip.org .

The Justice and Security Dialogue (JSD) program aims to improve the ability of citizens and civilian security providers to jointly identify and address local security issues through transparent, participatory processes in countries across the Sahel. The goal of the JSD program in Burkina Faso is to improve relationships between citizens and security providers, as well as their collective abilities to jointly identify and address local security issues through transparent and participatory reform processes.
Purpose of the RFP
As part of the Governance, Justice & Security team, this position will support two projects; a project on the role of non-state security actors in Burkina Faso's interior security framework, and a project improving the relationship between gendarmes and communities in Mali.

Desirable applications will have familiarity with, and demonstrated interest in demonstrated interest best in security sector governance and rule of law. The applicant will hold a Master's degree in international relations, law, international peace and conflict resolution, sociology, anthropology, or another relevant social science subject. They will possess superior research, writing, and analytic skills, will be highly organized, and will be able to work effectively both independently and in a highly collaborative environment. Proficiency spoken and written French is required.

Note that this is a full-time position at 40 hours/week.
Scope of Work
Background

The consultant will provide research support for a project supporting Burkinabé experts in developing policy recommendations for an internal security framework that accounts for the presence of non-state security actors while promoting human security, stability, and respect for human rights. Over 12 months, the consultant will work with USIP to (1) develop an evidence-based protocol to guide expert workshops, (2) implement three workshops with Burkinabé experts (3) document and disseminate policy recommendations.

The consultant will provide research support and writing for a needs assessment for the Malian gendarmerie. Over six months, the consultant will work with USIP staff to develop (1) a needs assessment for training gendarmes on community-centered security approaches, (2) recommendations for curricula development based on the needs assessment, (3) background information and content for gendarmerie training.

Scope/Responsibilities

• Conduct desk research to inform content and design of workshops.
• Support communication with partners
• Contribute to project reports and publications.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Tentative Timeline May 2021 - April 2022

Expected Type of Contract: Labor hour
Submission Requirements
To be considered under this RFP, please submit the following:

1. Cover Letter with Rate Requirements

The cover letter should include highlights of the applicant's past experience and interest in the position. Include your hourly rate requirement, not to exceed $20/hour.

Please provide a CV of no more than three pages.

3. Writing Sample

Please provide a 2-3 page writing sample.

4. Certification Page

Complete and sign the Certification Page below and submit with the proposal.
Selection Process
Proposed Schedule

3/26/2021

RFP issued

4/5/2021

Questions concerning RFP and project emailed to edion@usip.org and no later than 5pm Eastern Standard Time.

4/8/2021

Answers to questions will be made available to all offerors.

4/9/2021

Proposals are due no later than 11pm Eastern Standard Time. Late submissions may not be accepted .

4/16/2021

Applicants selected for Interviews are notified

4/24/2021

Notification to selected offeror

5/1/2021

Estimated start date

The USIP Selection Committee will review all proposals received on time using the selection criteria established in this RFP based on the best value offered to USIP. The Selection Committee reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, in whole or in part, to award multiple contracts, and/or to enter into negotiations with any party, in the best interests of the Institute. The Institute may cancel this RFP at any time prior to contract award.
Selection Criteria

• Educational background in international relations, conflict resolution, political science, economics or a related field.
• Familiarity with security governance, security sector reform, hybrid security and justice is preferred.
• Familiarity with West Africa, especially Sahelian countries is strongly preferred.
• Experience with academic, police, and legal research preferred.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Fluency in French (spoken and written) is required.
• Must have the ability to work in a team, as well as independently.

Proposals will be evaluated as follows. For more detail on each submission requirement, see the Submission Requirements section of this RFP.

Evaluation criteria

Corresponding Submission Requirement

Weight

Cover Letter and interview for short listed offerors

30%

CV and interview for short listed offerors

• Complete applications must be submitted by email to edion@usip.org and lstehlik-barry@usip.org by 11pm on April 9, 2021.
• The Institute is not liable for any costs incurred by offerors prior to issuance of an executed contract with the Institute
• Submissions must be typed and submitted electronically and must include all submission requirements outlined in the Submission of Requirements section of this RFP. No changes or corrections to a response will be allowed after the deadline.
• All submissions should be in English and US dollars.
• Any questions concerning this RFP should be directed to Leila Stehlik-Barry (lstehlik-barry@usip.org ) and Ena Dion (edion@usip.org). Pertinent responses will be made available to all offerors by email. No inquiries will be accepted after specified time and date.
• Any proposal not addressing all RPF requirements may be considered non-responsive. Late proposals may be rejected as non-responsive.
• This RFP is not an offer to enter into an agreement with any party, but rather a request to receive proposals from offerors (organizations or persons) interested in providing the services outlined herein. Such proposals shall be considered and treated by USIP as offers to enter into a contract.
• USIP shall not be obligated for the payment of any sums whatsoever to any recipient of this RFP until and unless a written contract between the parties is executed.
• Unless stated otherwise within this RFP, the selected Contractor shall be responsible for providing all equipment and/or supplies required to perform the services.
• The selected Contractor shall not discriminate against any person in accordance with Federal, state, or local law.
• The submission of any materials to USIP in response to this RFP will constitute (i) a representation that the Offeror owns or has unrestricted license to use and license such materials and all intellectual property expressed therein; and (ii) the grant of a non-exclusive license to USIP to use such materials and intellectual property for any purpose, including specifically the evaluation, negotiation, and documentation of a contract with any party.
• The offeror will commit to adhering to the attached USIP Terms & Conditions, else risk removal from consideration. Exceptions to these terms must be clearly outlined in an annex to the Technical Proposal.

Certification Page
(Please submit with the proposal)

A. The Offeror certifies that: (1) Prices in the offer have been arrived at independently without consultation, communication, or agreement with any other competitor; (2) Prices in the offer have not been and will not be knowingly disclosed by the offeror, directly or indirectly, to any other competitor before bid opening or contract award unless otherwise required by law; and (3) No attempt has been made or will be made by the offeror to induce any other competitor to/not to submit an offer for the purpose of restricting competition.

B. Representation. The Offeror certifies that it will not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services to USIP in the performance of the contract, subcontract or other contractual instrument resulting from this solicitation.

After conducting a reasonable inquiry, for purposes of this representation, the Offeror represents that does not use covered telecommunications equipment or services, or use any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services.

As used in this Certification, "covered telecommunications equipment or services" is fully defined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation, FAR 52.204-25 .

C. If Offeror is not able to certify statement B above, Offeror must mark below and provide a disclosure with a full description of the covered telecommunications equipment and/or services and any factors relevant to determining if such use would be permissible.

Offeror is not able to certify representations above and disclosures are attachment to this certification form.

On Behalf of Offeror:


Name of Organization or Independent Contractor