SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- Country Office Coordinator for Kazakhstan
- Notice Date
- 10/31/2003
- 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
- 51-2003
- Response Due
- 11/21/2003
- Archive Date
- 12/6/2003
- 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
- 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 512003 2. ISSUANCE DATE: 10/31/2003 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: 11/21/2003 (6 p.m. Almaty time) 4. POSITION TITLE: Country Office Coordinator for Kazakhstan 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, Astana, Kazakhstan 8. JOB DESCRIPTION: A. BACKGROUND The Regional Mission for Central Asia (USAID/CAR), headquartered in Almaty, Kazakhstan, is responsible for the development and management of the U.S. Government?s program of assistance, which supports the five Central Asia governments? policy reforms and programs for economic, social, and democratic transition. USAID/CAR manages all USAID assistance, both bilateral and regional, for the five newly independent republics of Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan. The combined population of the region is nearly 50 million, inhabiting an area two-thirds the size of the continental U.S. The five country program portfolios managed by USAID/CAR are focused on achieving sustainable economic growth, improved standards of living, and strengthened democratic institutions. In carrying out its responsibilities and program activities, USAID/CAR maintains a central headquarters office in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and satellite offices for liaison and communication support in each of the four other republics. USAID/CAR is opening an Astana branch office in November/December, 2003. The USPSC position is located in the USAID/CAR Astana Office. This position is unique in that it is located in the same country as the USAID Central Asia Regional Office. In other countries in the region this position would be responsible for the overall coordination and management of the country programs. The Country Office Coordinator for Kazakhstan is primarily responsible for coordination with various ministries of the Government at the ministerial level. Since the regional office is based in Almaty, maintenance of these relationships has been more difficult. Whereas the incumbent will be responsible for knowledge of all USAID and other donor programs in Kazakhstan (ensuring that there is appropriate coordination and drafting Kazakhstan-related reporting documentation), this position will not be responsible for the direct day-to-day management of USAID programs within Kazakhstan. However, it is anticipated that this position will assume CTO responsibilities for some Kazakhstan specific activities. B. BASIC FUNCTION The Country Office Coordinator for Kazakhstan reports directly to the USAID/CAR Mission Director or his designate in Almaty and provides monitoring and coordination of contractors and grantees based in Kazakhstan. The Country Office Coordinator works closely with USAID/CAR team leaders based in Almaty, Kazakhstan, in coordinating all USAID-funded activities in Kazakhstan including major programs in fiscal reform, financial reform, enterprise development, democratization, health reform, infectious disease, NGO development, PVO assistance, and the environment. The Country Office Coordinator is expected to contribute actively and substantively to USAID program designs for Kazakhstan and to assume CTO responsibilities for some Kazakhstan specific activities. The incumbent will be expected to interface regularly with key Kazakh Government and private sector counterparts on ensuring USAID program impact and counterpart satisfaction with assistance. C. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Country Office Coordinator for Kazakhstan serves as the primary liaison official for the USG assistance program with the Government of Kazakhstan, the American Embassy office in Astana, private voluntary organizations, and international donor organizations. The Country Office Coordinator maintains effective communication between the USAID/CAR Mission, the U.S. Embassy in Astana, USAID grantees and contractors, other donors, and the Government of Kazakhstan. The Country Office Coordinator is responsible for knowledge of all USAID assistance to Kazakhstan and the activities of institutional contractor personnel operating in Kazakhstan. The Country Office Coordinator may do some direct program and project monitoring as requested by USAID/CAR. Through field observation, analysis and consultation with host government, other donors and other local entities, s/he may also identify needs for USAID assistance in areas consistent with the NIS assistance program. The incumbent advises USAID/CAR of these needs, and, as required, develops concept papers outlining the potential USAID response in consultation with appropriate strategic objective team leaders. The Country Office Coordinator will be consulted on allocation of annual program budgets. When the U.S. Embassy permanently relocates to Astana, the Country Office Coordinator will serve as a member of the American Embassy/Kazakhstan Country (Astana) Team on behalf of the USAID/CAR Mission Director. In this regard, the Country Office Coordinator consults closely with the Mission Director to ensure that USAID/CAR?s views are properly reflected. In the interim, the Country Coordinator is expected to have frequent contact and work collaboratively with the Embassy?s political and economic section based in Astana. The Country Office Coordinator provides regular and frequent reporting to the relevant strategic objective team leaders in Almaty on progress, impacts, problems, constraints, and issues related to USAID-financed programs in Kazakhstan. The Country Office Coordinator is expected to review and approve work plans, monitoring plans, and reports for activities financed by USAID in Kazakhstan. The Country Office Coordinator is responsible for a variety of reporting requirements (in consultation with technical and program support offices) including preparation of USAID?s MIR 4 and Annual Report, the EUR/ACE annual report, and other miscellaneous reports and ad-hoc requests. The Country Office Coordinator meets with other donors in Kazakhstan to ensure that programs are complementary and consistent. In addition, he/she ensures that all USAID/CAR staff are informed of other donors plans and activities in Kazakhstan. The Country Office Coordinator is responsible for administrative management of the Astana office and personnel. In consultation with the USAID Controller and Executive Officer in Almaty, the Country Office Coordinator ensures that all administrative and accountability requirements related to USAID operations and activities are handled in accordance with established policies and procedures. The Country Office Coordinator maintains close coordination with Office Directors and works closely with the Public Information Officer to ensure that the USAID program in Kazakhstan is appropriately publicized. D. POSITION ELEMENTS a. Supervision Exercised Project Management Specialist FSN 10 Secretary/Administrative Assistant FSN-7 Chauffeur FSN-3 USAID Funded Contractors There are 43 U.S. grantee and contractor representatives and sub-grantees operating in Kazakhstan at any one time. Additionally, there are both long-term and short-term institutional contractors. The Country Office Coordinator is responsible for monitoring the Chiefs of Party and the activities being funded by USAID, and in consultation with USAID/CAR team leaders providing guidance as appropriate. b. Supervision Received: Under the supervision of the USAID/CAR Mission Director or his designate and in coordination with the Directors of USAID/CAR?s various technical and support offices, plans and carries out assignments with a high degree of independence. Assigned duties demand innovative thinking, sage judgment, personal initiative and the ability to assume increasing responsibility and authority. c. Exercise of Judgment: In instances not clearly covered by written guidelines, uses own judgment in devising innovative approaches to resolving technical, administrative, and managerial/policy problems. Substantial judgment must be exercised in setting priorities and deciding what outside assistance is necessary, and for conclusions and recommendations based on analyses. d. Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: Head of State, Republic of Kazakhstan US Ambassador to Kazakhstan Minister level positions Chiefs of Party PVOs, NGOs Host Country Officials International Donors USAID/CAR/Almaty Contacts are in person, by phone or written communications on important issues as well as routine administrative functions or coordination activities such as collecting, obtaining, and verifying information pertaining to program/activity planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. Consultations are held for explaining follow-up on activity proposals and objectives, securing cooperation, resolving problems, obtaining or furnishing information. E. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS a. Education and Experience: Masters degree in one of the social sciences, economic, or business preferred. Minimum six years progressive experience in some field relating to business and or economic development, rule of law, or community development, is required. Successful management of staff in a complex program is essential. Experience with USAID or other donors and development agencies programs is preferred. b. Language Proficiency: Comprehensive written and oral English is required. Working knowledge of Kazakh language very desirable; Russian language knowledge is also desirable. c. Knowledge: Knowledge and understanding of the Central Asia political and economic environment, and the concerned government and non-government entities is essential. Must have a comprehensive knowledge, or the potential to acquire such knowledge, of the following: USG legislation relating to political and economic development assistance; USAID programming policies; regulations, procedures, and documentation; and USAID results frameworks, Strategic Objectives and activities related to democracy and market transition programming; USAID management and administrative policies and procedures. d. Abilities and Skills: Incumbent must have ability to: obtain, analyze, and evaluate a variety of data and to organize and present it in concise written and oral form; independently plan, develop, manage and evaluate important and complex programs; and, furnish information and advice in assigned areas with objectivity. The incumbent must be able to independently establish and maintain contacts with senior-level officials of the Kazakhstani Government and with important persons in the non-governmental and private enterprise arena in order to explain and defend USAID activity and program policies, objectives and procedures and to transmit and interpret host-country government, non-governmental, and private sector attitudes and concerns to senior USAID officials. The incumbent must have the ability to effectively manage program resources and staff. Computer skills and familiarity with word processing and spreadsheet programs are required. II. Other Factors This position requires a senior level officer with credentials in negotiating and managing complex multi-sectoral development programs in a multiplicity of cultures and circumstances. USAID officials occupy office space within the Embassy office in Astana. Though methods and techniques from the occupational field are established and commonly accepted, however, in some important respects they are not well defined or are controversial or untested, and frequently require interpretation and modification. Available guides establish a broad pattern of operations which requires a frequent need to exercise judgment and interpretation, and provides an opportunity for initiative and innovation. This position requires an experienced, professional, technically qualified individual who can exercise authority, good judgment, articulate and uphold USAID objectives in a challenging environment. The independence of action and decision making to be granted to the incumbent in implementing USAID?s assistance portfolios add to the challenges of the position. F. 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 attain a USG-issued security clearance at the level of SECRET and StateMed medical clearance; 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 as requested. B) 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 9. APPLYING Qualified individuals are requested to submit a U.S. Government Application for Federal Employment SF-171 or OF-612 (SF-171 preferred) including experience, salary history and references, and writing sample (one page analytical essay) no later than COB (6 p.m. Almaty time) November 21, 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 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 99 Furmanov Street, 480091 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 December 2, 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 December 28, 2003 to on or about December 24, 2005, renewable up to five years by mutual agreement subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds. The contract will be signed by December 16, 2003. On or about December 28, 2003, the incumbent shall proceed to Astana, Kazakhstan to commence performance of the duties specified, subject to medical and security clearance. The duty post for this contract is Astana, Kazakhstan. 10. Benefits include post differential, housing, and other benefits per USAID regulations. Basic household furnishings, will be available in quarters to be provided by USAID.
- Place of Performance
- Address: 99 Furmanov Str., Almaty, Kazakhstan
- Zip Code: 480091
- Country: Kazakhstan
- Zip Code: 480091
- Record
- SN00462619-W 20031102/031031213010 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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