Temporary Hiring Consultant
Job Description
MARINE DEBRIS FOUNDATION
Hiring Consultant
Statement of Work
Overview
The Marine Debris Foundation (the “Foundation”) Board of Directors (the “Board”) is requesting an experienced contractor to facilitate a process to recruit and hire an executive director for the Foundation. The contractor will solicit and recruit a diverse, well-qualified pool of applicants and work collaboratively with the Board to identify and hire the best candidate.
Background
On December 18, 2020 the passage of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act (P.L. 116-224) established the Marine Debris Foundation as a charitable and nonprofit organization. The purposes of the Foundation include encouraging, accepting, and administering private gifts of property for the benefit of, or in connection with, the activities of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Marine Debris Act, 33 U.S.C. 1952, and other relevant agencies; conducting activities that will augment NOAA’s efforts to address marine debris; participating with and assisting other governments, entities, and individuals in addressing marine debris; and supporting other activities related to marine debris.
The Act specifies that the governing Board of the Foundation consists of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and 12 additional Directors appointed by the Under Secretary. The Presidential Signing Statement for the Act further specified that the appointments required the approval of the Secretary of Commerce. The inaugural Board was appointed in April 2022. Following an initial meeting of the Board in June, Dr. Ginny Eckert was elected Chair of the Board, and the Foundation filed for incorporation. In October 2022, the Board established its intent to hire an executive director to lead the operational work of the Foundation and created an Executive Director Search Committee, consisting of four Directors, to assist in the process.
The Foundation is currently receiving operational support and fiscal sponsorship from The Ocean Foundation (TOF). The selected contractor will receive payment from and sign a contract with TOF, however all decisions and guidance will be provided by the Foundation Board of Directors and its Executive Director Search Committee.
Tasks and Deliverables
The contractor will complete the tasks and produce the deliverables that are outlined below.
Finalize Position Description and Hiring Process
The contractor shall complete the following tasks:
- Meet with the Search Committee to review the Scope of Work, learn about the Marine Debris Foundation, and discuss the position description and hiring process.
- Provide expert advice to finalize a position description that accurately reflects the tasks and duties and required knowledge and skills for a top tier executive director.
- Provide expert advice on an efficient and fair hiring process, including the required application materials and recommendations on methods to reduce implicit bias in hiring.
The contractor shall produce the following deliverables:
- Position description, including the required and optional application materials;
- Document outlining the steps of the hiring process;
- A potential list of questions for candidate interviews; and
- Recommended elements for candidate background checks or other vetting.
Timeline: The contractor will complete the previous tasks and deliverables within three (3) weeks of signing the contract.
Recruit a Diverse, Well-Qualified Pool of Candidates
The contractor shall complete the following tasks:
- Advertise the position on platforms likely to maximize the reach and diversity of applicants.
- Draft a template email and social media posts that Board members can use to help distribute the job posting to their networks.
- Identify diverse, well-qualified candidates, including candidates that may have non-traditional experiences and expertise, and solicit applications.
The contractor shall produce the follow deliverables:
- A pool of well-qualified and diverse applicants.
- Documentation of the total number of platforms used to ensure a diverse applicant pool; the percentage of applications received per platform; and applicant demographics, including gender, race, ethnicity, and location.
Timeline: The contractor will post and advertise the position within one (1) week of finalizing the position description and hiring process. The contractor will complete the remaining tasks and deliverables within at least four (4) weeks of posting the position.
Administer the Application and Review Process
The contractor shall complete the following tasks:
- Serve as a point of contact for questions from candidates regarding the application process or position description. Work with the Search Committee as needed to answer candidate questions.
- Collect all application materials from candidates and review for completeness.
- Review the candidates and categorize them into the following tiers: top candidates, other qualified candidates, candidates not meeting minimum qualifications.
- Categorize the diversity or other notable factors for each of the candidates.
- Provide the organized application materials to the Search Committee and provide a summary of the applicant pool (e.g., in a spreadsheet or other format).
- Support the Search Committee in determining which candidates to interview and whether screening interviews are needed.
- If needed, conduct screening interviews.
- Schedule and facilitate interviews for the Search Committee or Board of Directors with the selected candidates.
- As determined during the first installment of deliverables, conduct basic background checks on the final candidate(s), including for criminal records, publicly available social media and statements, and other standard vetting elements.
- As determined during the first installment of deliverables, conduct post-selection reference gathering and any additional vetting on the final candidate(s).
The contractor shall produce the following deliverables:
- Reviewed, organized, and categorized (e.g., tiers, diversity factors) application materials.
- Candidate interviews.
- Background checks on selected candidate(s).
- Reference checks and any additional materials on selected candidate(s).
Timeline: The contractor will provide the reviewed, organized, and categorized application materials no later than two (2) weeks after the application deadline. The contractor will complete the remaining tasks and deliverables within approximately eight (8) weeks of providing the application materials to the Search Committee.
The contractor shall furnish materials and services necessary to conduct the project tasks as described above. The tasks shall be undertaken in active collaboration with the Search Committee, with an emphasis on open and scheduled communication through the most appropriate means (individual calls, conference calls, emails, etc.). The contractor may also use subcontractors to complete portions of the required work in this Statement of Work with approval from the Marine Debris Foundation.
Virtual Meetings
The contractor shall meet virtually with the Search Committee or Board of Directors, separate from candidate interviews, a minimum of three times, either via teleconference or video conference in order to:
- Review the Scope of Work, learn about the Marine Debris Foundation, and discuss the position description and hiring process.
- Review the applicant pool and determine which candidates to select for advancement.
- Discuss any issues raised during review and vetting of the final candidate(s).
The contractor shall meet with the Search Committee or Board of Directors as needed to discuss progress, exchange information, and resolve emergent issues. Periodic requests for status updates or other project information may be requested by the Marine Debris Foundation on an as-needed basis.
Period of Performance
This Scope of Work describes anticipated contract support work for the Marine Debris Foundation beginning on the date of award and running for up to five months thereafter.
Travel
Travel is not required for this work.
Compensation and Direct Costs
The Marine Debris Foundation is expecting to award a total contract amount of between $20,000 and $40,000, which shall include any direct costs (e.g., recruitment website posting fees, subcontractors). The compensation schedule and terms are negotiable (e.g. monthly payments upon receipt of invoice, installment payments upon completion of deliverables).
How to Apply
Request for Proposals: Hiring Consultant- Request to submit a written proposal for an experienced contractor to facilitate a process to recruit and hire an executive director for the Marine Debris Foundation
- The Marine Debris Foundation has initiated a Request for Proposal (RFP) process to identify an individual or firm qualified to facilitate a process to recruit and hire an executive director for the newly formed Marine Debris Foundation. The contractor will solicit and recruit a diverse, well-qualified pool of applicants and work collaboratively with the Board to identify and hire the best candidate.
Requirements: Submitted proposals must address the below Statement of Work and include the following:
- An up-to-date curriculum vitae or resume (for individuals) or set of those materials for the senior executives of a firm.
- A summary of an approach and methodology to ensure a diverse, well-qualified candidate pool, a work plan, and comments on the Statement of Work if any (max. 2 pages).
- Three references of past clients who have had similar needs.
- The total amount to be charged including any direct costs (e.g., recruitment website posting fees, subcontractors) quoted in US dollars.
Proposed Timeline
- Proposals are due no later than end of the day (23:59 ET) January 13, 2023. The recruitment process of an executive director is expected to begin February 2023.
- The individual is responsible for ensuring that their proposal is received by the deadline.
- Proposals should be submitted by e-mail to: [email protected]
- Thank you for your interest in working with the Marine Debris Foundation and we look forward to receiving your proposal.