SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- Democracy Specialist
- Notice Date
- 7/15/2003
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- Contracting Office
- Agency for International Development, Overseas Missions, Kazakhstan USAID-Almaty, Dept. of State, Washington, DC, 20521-7030
- ZIP Code
- 20521-7030
- Solicitation Number
- 34-2003
- Response Due
- 7/29/2003
- Archive Date
- 8/13/2003
- Point of Contact
- Beth Salamanca , Contracting Officer , Phone +7 3272 50 76 17 , Fax +7 3272 50 76 35 , - Tatiana Rossova, Personnel Assistant, Phone 7 3272 50 76 17, Fax 7 3272 50 76 35,
- E-Mail Address
-
bsalamanca@usaid.gov, trossova@usaid.gov
- Description
- 4. POSITION TITLE: Democracy Specialist 5. MARKET VALUE: $61,251 - $79,629 per annum (GS-13 equivalent) with 25% Post Differential 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years (renewable) 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/CENTRAL ASIA, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan 8. JOB DESCRIPTION: A. BACKGROUND Central Asia borders Russia, China, Iran and Afghanistan. Due to its location amidst these neighbors and its substantial oil and gas reserves, Central Asia is a region of considerable geopolitical and strategic interest to the United States. With a total population of 55 million and dozens of ethnic groups, the five new nations of the region are emerging from isolation and almost two centuries of Russian domination. A recent civil war, threats of religious extremism, ethnic rivalries, authoritarian governments, and lack of viable institutions make Central Asia a particular challenge for USAID. The region is considered a Foreign Service hardship post -- 25% post differential for Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. USAID's Regional Mission for Central Asia (USAID/CAR) is responsible, in close consultation with the five U.S. Ambassadors in the region, for the design and management of USAID assistance programs in five republics. The central office is located in Almaty, Kazakhstan with offices in Tashkent, Uzbekistan; Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan; Osh, Kyrgyzstan; Ashgabat, Turkmenistan; and Dushanbe, Tajikistan. USAID/CAR is one of the Agency's largest Missions responsible for approximately $90 million of assistance annually, with activities totaling $400 million in the areas of energy and environment, economics and finance, democracy and media, and health and humanitarian assistance. Mission works in partnership with over 70 grantee and contractor teams. The office in Bishkek, led by the Country Representative, includes a team of three USPSCs and 12 local national technical and administrative support staff that will manage a program with a budget of approximately $42.5 million in FY 2003. They oversee, with technical guidance from the USAID Regional Office, 30 in-country contractor/grantee teams and 5 non-resident teams. These teams work in a variety of development areas including education, agribusiness, fiscal reform, land reform, trans-boundary energy and water, agriculture, private sector development, local government reform, democracy, media, health, judicial reform, human rights, banking, credit, trade and investment, small and medium enterprise development, and civil society and NGO development. The assistance provided in these programs seeks to expand opportunities for participation, livelihood and quality of life for the citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic. B. STATEMENT OF DUTIES BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITION The USPSC Democracy Specialist is located in the USAID/CAR/ Kyrgyzstan Country Office. The employee serves as the Mission?s Democracy Specialist for democracy activities implemented in the Kyrgyz Republic. Work involves a full range of project and program design, activity monitoring, data collection, political, conflict and social analysis and program evaluation in the democracy sector in the Kyrgyz Republic. The employee is responsible for monitoring and managing USAID/CAR/ Kyrgyzstan initiatives in the democracy sector. As such, the employee must have considerable knowledge of political, social and cultural developments of Central Asia, a background in democracy, media, NGO, and local government development programming. The Employee must be effective in developing and cultivating cooperative working relationships with American and international PVOs, NGOs, local non-governmental partners and government officials in the Kyrgyz Republic. In addition, the employee works closely with and coordinates USAID programs with the U.S. Embassy, in which his/her office, will be housed. The Democracy Specialist will also be expected to provide rapid response to request from the Ambassador related to USAID programs and program areas. The employee will supervise activities of the USAID/CAR/Kyrgyzstan project management assistant for democracy and media. The employee will provide the assistant with training, mentoring and feedback on performance. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Manages, monitors, serves as liaison for, designs and reports on all aspects of the democracy and media program. Under the general supervision of the USAID/CAR/Kyrgyzstan Country Representative and technical direction of the Democracy and Conflict Mitigation Director (or his/her designee), provides strategic vision for the democracy and media program in the Kyrgyz Republic, continually honing USAID?s strategy and approach to ensure the democracy program is appropriate given local conditions, developments and opportunities. Monitors progress of all democracy activities (civil society, media assistance, parliamentary, social partnerships, local government, and rule of law activities) which are underway in the Kyrgyz Republic, to ensure results are achieved. Identifies barriers to program implementation and success, and develops solutions to maximize program impact. Works collaboratively with USAID Central Asia Regional Mission Democracy and Conflict Mitigation, Enterprise and Finance, and Health and Education technical staff from Almaty to ensure program and activities are implemented effectively. Tracks development of and analyzes political, media and social issues crucial for the successful implementation of democracy activities in the Kyrgyz Republic (i.e. judicial reform, NGO training and advocacy, rule of law, trafficking of women and children, human rights, judicial reform, NGO legislation, conflict prevention). Monitors pertinent legislation, and events of local media to stay abreast of the latest developments that could impact USAID?s democracy program. Based on thorough understanding and analysis of democratic developments in the Kyrgyz Republic, proposes, and recommends new and/or changes (in collaboration with relevant CTOs) to existing democracy programs and activities. Develops and drafts program goals and objectives, and prepares scopes of work (SOW) and/or program descriptions for new activities, project assessments, evaluations and other related efforts. Drafts mid-term and annual program review documents for democracy program in the Kyrgyz Republic, highlighting success stories and program impact achieved, and describing future plans and activities. Drafts DM success stories, reporting cables and other informational documents to publicize USAID?s democracy assistance in the Kyrgyz Republic. Serves as site officer, develops potential site visits, prepares briefing documents for, and briefs high level visitors such as Congressional Delegations, State Department and USAID Representatives, on USAID?s democracy and media activities in the Kyrgyz Republic. Within the framework of general guidelines, as arrived at through policy discussions with relevant program officers, conducts meetings with government counterparts, organizes bi-weekly roundtable with DM implementing partners and relevant donors, regarding the design, development, and implementation of democracy/community development activities in order to push forward programmatic agendas, formulate strategy, and coordinate activities. Conducts frequent site visits to assess program and activity impact. Serves as the Cognizant Technical Officer and/or activity manager for the Kyrgyz Republic-specific contracts and grants in the democracy sector. In that role, prepares financial documents and authorizations for signature of responsible superiors. Serves as an active member of the USAID/CAR Mission?s Conflict Prevention, Education and Youth, and Gender cross-cutting sector teams. In the absence of the Country Representative, serves as the Acting Country Representative. Reports, along with the Country Representative, on the performance of USAID/CAR Ddemocracy activities to Embassy officers, and Ambassador. Serves as USAID/CAR representative on U.S. Embassy Democracy Commission. Coordinates democracy activities with other U.S. Government agencies, especially the Public Affairs Section of the Embassy and the State Department?s Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL). Along with the Country Representative, acts as the official USAID representative in dialogue and coordination with other international donors active in the Kyrgyz Republic and Central Asia. Consistent with the overall Mission strategy, incumbent independently cultivates/maintains contacts and dialogue with local counterparts including non-governmental organizations (NGO) in the Kyrgyz Republic. These contacts and dialogues will be used by the employee to effectively provide input for programming democracy assistance. Any other duties as required by the USAID/CAR/Bishkek Country Representative and/or the Democracy and Conflict Mitigation Director. C. SUPERVISION RECEIVED: The Democracy Specialist will work under the general supervision of the Sprv Program Officer/Country Representative and under the technical direction of the Supervisory Democracy Officer (USAID/CAR Democracy and Conflict Mitigation Office Director) or his/her designee. In collaboration with the incumbent the Country Representative and the USAID/CAR Office Director will: 1) establish annual work objectives and performance measures; 2) review work outputs and accomplishments to ensure compliance with Agency policies, and implementation of best practices; 3) provide regular feedback to incumbent throughout the Performance Evaluation Period; 4) prepare the annual evaluation report as/when required; and 5) obtain 360 degree input from the appropriate USAID/CAR technical offices and team members. Given that the incumbent will handle most work independently and in accordance with established Federal and Agency regulations, policies and procedures, excellent (balanced) judgment are critical to the successful performance of the job. The incumbent will be expected to use initiative, exercise discretion, and patience in dealing with Mission and Country Office personnel as well as with personnel at the U.S. Embassy, representatives from other donor organizations, and stakeholders to resolve problems that arise during the course of the work for which there is often no clear or immediate solution and where contact with the supervisor is not possible. D. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS 1) PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE: Have a minimum of five (5) years progressively responsible experience working in International Development. At least two of the three years? prior work experience will have been with a U.S. Government Agency, other international donor organization(s) and/or USAID-funded Contractor or Grantee in the design, implementation, administration and management of national and/or regional democracy and media activities/programs in Central Asia. Preference is for experience in the former Soviet Union, with Kyrgyz Republic experience highly desirable. 2) KNOWLEDGE: Knowledge of USAID procurement and program management procedures and regulations; working knowledge of political and historic issues and developments, as well as concepts, principles, techniques, and practices related to the administration of democracy and media development in Central Asia or the New Independent States. 3) SKILLS AND ABILITIES: This position requires a unique blend of qualities to include: demonstrated leadership skills and exceptional communications and interpersonal skills; an ability and willingness to function in a collaborative and collegial environment; sensitivity to others; integrity; intellectual curiosity; balanced judgment; the ability to conceptualize - both strategically and programmatically; and an ability to generate trust and build alliances. The ability to manage multiple activities under extreme time constraints to independently carry out institutional and program assessments, develop policy recommendations, and direct technical analyses is essential. The incumbent must be a self-starter - able to work calmly, tactfully and effectively under pressure as a team member in a culturally diverse team environment. In addition, the ability to be responsive to clients? needs and to adapt to the existing management team by being a good listener, a team builder, and an articulate advocate of the Regional Mission?s Democracy and Conflict Mitigation Strategic Objective and Goals is required. Command of software programs for e-mail, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and graphics presentations is required. 4) LANGUAGE AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: Native Speaker (Level 5) in both written and spoken English required and Level 3 (Good Working Knowledge) in both speaking and comprehension of Russian or Kyrgyz is required. Given the level of responsibility associated with this position, communication skills, both written and oral must be exceptional. The incumbent is required to: 1) prepare specific status/progress reports, briefings, talking points, letters and other documents requiring no editorial changes prior to distribution; and 2) prepare and present oral briefings and/or training sessions. Exceptional interpersonal skills and diplomacy are required to maintain excellent working relationships with the U.S. Embassy, all USAID Mission personnel, internal/external contacts, counterparts, shareholders, and clients. A proven ability to develop and maintain professional relations with the most senior-ranking Central Asia stakeholders (i.e., regional NGO representatives, local international donor representatives, heads of local delegations, and other key stakeholders and partners) is required. 5) EDUCATION: A Bachelor?s degree in a related field including but not limited to: political science, public administration, public policy, international affairs or anthropology is required. Although not essential, candidates with a Master?s degree in a related field or a juridical doctorate would be given preference. E. OTHER REQUIREMENTS In addition, the incumbent must also be: 1) a U.S. Citizen; 2) Available and willing to commit to the Contract Performance Period of 24 months; 3) Able to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance at ?SECRET? level and to secure a medical clearance to serve in Central Asia; 4) Available and willing to work additional hours beyond the established 40-hour workweek and outside established Monday-Friday workweek, as may be required or necessary; and 5) Willing to travel to work sites and other offices throughout the Kyrgyz Republic as/when requested. 9. Selection Criteria: Applicants will be evaluated against the following criteria: Technical Knowledge and Experience: 30 points Managerial and Leadership Experience: 20 points Academic Qualifications: 15 points Language and Communication Skills: 15 points Relevant NIS Experience: 15 points Computer Skills: 5 points Total: 100 points 10. APPLYING Qualified individuals are requested to submit a U.S. Government Application for Federal Employment SF-171 including experience, salary history and references, and writing sample (one page analytical essay) no later than COB (6 p.m. Almaty time) July 29, 2003. Applications which do not include explicit references, including their contact information, will not be considered. The form is available at the USAID website, http://www.info.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms or Internet http://fillform.gsa.gov, or at Federal offices. Applications, recent supervisor reference and three (3) personal references, and writing sample may be submitted by e-mail, fax, DHL or FedEx air courier by the closing date, above, to: Beth Salamanca Contracting Officer Personnel Office USAID/CAR Almaty 41 Kazibek Bi Street Almaty, Kazakhstan Tel: 7 3272 507612 ext. 345, Email: per.Almaty@usaid.gov Email or faxed documentation is preferred as mail delivery may be untimely. To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application, and as the subject line in any cover letter. Selection will be made by a Mission committee no later than August 11, 2003. USAID/CAR expects to award a personal-services contract for an off-shore or resident hire US Citizen for two-year period from on or about September 21, 2003 to on or about September 18, 2005, renewable up to five years by mutual agreement subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds. The contract will be signed by August 30, 2003. On or about September 21, 2003, the incumbent shall proceed to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to commence performance of the duties specified, subject to medical and security clearance. The duty post for this contract is Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. 11. Benefits include post differential, housing, and other benefits per USAID regulations. Basic household furnishings, will be available in quarters to be provided by USAID. 12. Bishkek has a continental/high desert climate, characterized by cold winters (with snow in January and February) and hot summers. July and August temperatures can range from 20 to 40 degrees Celsius. For the most part summers are dry. Bishkek offers several Kyrgyz and Russian-language drama, opera, and ballet theatres. There are a few museums to visit and shops with Kyrgyz arts and crafts, including jewelry, ceramics, carpets, embroideries, brass trays, and other handicrafts and antiques. Osh offers a fascinating history. There are a growing number of quality restaurants with international cuisine. Bishkek offers sports and other recreational pursuits: a bowling club, several swimming pools, simple horseback riding facilities, weekend hiking and winter skiing. Touring and camping are popular. The local mountains are very beautiful, stark and rugged. Travel agencies can organize bicycling, white water rafting, skiing, and hiking tours. The Bishkek International School provides American curriculum for children in grades K 12.
- Place of Performance
- Address: 41 Kazibek Bi Street, Almaty
- Zip Code: 480100
- Country: Kazakhstan
- Record
- SN00371258-W 20030717/030715213041 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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