SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- Program Manager (Conflict Mitigation)
- Notice Date
- 12/23/2003
- 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
- 57-2003
- Response Due
- 1/9/2004
- Archive Date
- 1/24/2004
- Point of Contact
- Beth Salamanca , Contracting Officer , Phone +7 3272 50 76 17 , Fax +7 3272 50 76 35 , - Alexandr Pilganskiy, Acquisition Specialist, Phone 7 3272 50 76 17, Fax 7 3272 50 76 35,
- E-Mail Address
-
bsalamanca@usaid.gov, apilganskiy@usaid.gov
- Description
- 5. MARKET VALUE: $61,251 - $79,629 per annum (GS-13 equivalent) with 25% Post Differential 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/CENTRAL ASIA, Tashkent, Uzbekistan 8. JOB DESCRIPTION: A) BACKGROUND USAID/CAR 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. 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. It works in partnership with over 70 grantee and contractor teams. USAID/CAR's assistance seeks to expand opportunities for participation, livelihood and quality of life for the citizens of the Central Asian Republics. Staff frequently travels to each of the five countries to manage and monitor assistance. Conflict Mitigation Program Background Information: A. USAID/CAR?s conflict prevention and community action programs build social stability in key regions of Central Asia by improving living conditions and economic opportunities through community action and organization. The programs includes cooperative agreements with: Mercy Corps International for cross-border activities in the Ferghana Valley; Mercy Corps International for activities in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan; ACDI/VOCA for activities in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan; CHF for activities in southern Uzbekistan; Aga Khan Foundation for activities in Tajikistan; and UNDP for activities in Tajikistan. Specific activities within these programs: - Rehabilitate and improve the social and public infrastructure of communities aimed at reducing conflict; - Provide loan and business development opportunities to micro and small enterprises; - Facilitate dialogue in and among communities to address potential sources of conflict; and - Build community organizational, self-governance, and advocacy capabilities To ensure that USAID/CAR is meeting the needs of local communities, and to reinforce democratic processes, decisions regarding the selection of specific community development infrastructure projects such as schools, health clinics, domestic/potable community water delivery systems, and social service/community centers, involve the local community. Geographic Focus: The USAID/CAR Conflict Mitigation Program focuses on particular regions where the potential for conflict and extremism is greatest: the southern portions of Uzbekistan; the Ferghana Valley (Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan (including Batken)); southern Kazakhstan; non-Ferghana Valley regions of Tajikistan; and the Lebap region of Turkmenistan. The Ferghana Valley is a key geographic focus of USAID/CAR?s program that has activities in all three countries comprising the Valley. USAID/CAR works in the Ferghana Valley with local non-governmental organizations, the independent media and legal reform, substantial health care reform, support to small businesses including, micro-lending, capacity building for economic and business faculties, and significant investment in water and irrigation management. In 2002, USAID/CAR expanded its Ferghana Valley activities to include a conflict mitigation program that spans all three countries, as well as other regions in Central Asia. Types and Scope of Activities Envisioned: The Conflict Mitigation Program is designed to focus on the following activities/areas: Community Mobilization: This activity utilizes a regional approach to reduce resource-based conflict through community mobilization and enhances cross-border and multi-ethnic linkages over a three-year period, by empowering cross-border and multi-ethnic communities to identify and address sources of conflict through constructive dialogue and action planning. The community action programs will focus on enhancing community infrastructure, living conditions, and economic opportunities through improved community dialogue and collective action. To ensure that USAID investments are sustainable and meet the needs of local communities we are assisting, all infrastructure repairs or new construction are selected through a participatory process involving citizens and local government/ leadership of the community. Introduction of participatory, democratic practices through this project will also bolster USAID?s objectives in building a democratic culture in Central Asia. Infrastructure: To the maximum extent possible, USAID is building linkages with other sectors in which USAID is working to ensure maximum synergies between reform processes and improved infrastructure. These include health, water, and other activities that strengthen and improve communities. A secondary factor is the breadth of the impact, targeting those activities that will touch as many lives in the community as possible. A final consideration is sustainability. While it should not be the driving factor for selection, we are targeting those types of infrastructure projects that are most likely to be sustainable in the long term. B) STATEMENT OF DUTIES Basic Function of the Position: The Program Manager will support USAID/CAR?s regional conflict prevention program in Central Asia through the Regional Mission?s satellite office in Tashkent, Uzbekistan where the position will be based. The Program Manager will also work with USAID Technical Offices and other donors to coordinate related activities in the Ferghana Valley, southern Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and southern Kazakhstan. As most of the responsibilities of this position are located outside of Tashkent, it is expected that up to 50% of the incumbent?s time will be spent traveling in the region. The incumbent will serve as the Cognizant Technical Officer (CTO) for 4-8 grants, cooperative agreements or contracts for conflict mitigation activities. S/he will manage community action programs that build social stability and alleviate sources of conflict in key regions of Central Asia. The Program Manager will coordinate with the USAID/CAR Conflict Prevention Team, USAID country offices, US Embassies, and local officials to ensure conflict prevention and community action programs are effectively coordinated on a regional basis. The Program Manager will coordinate, monitor, evaluate, recommend solutions, and report on USAID-financed activities in the Ferghana Valley areas of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan; southern Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and southern Kazakhstan. As the Program Manager will have significant independence, particularly given the regional nature of the work, he/she will be responsible for reporting (both verbal and written) on all fieldwork to the DM Director and/or his/her designee. S/he will also work closely with each of the USAID offices in countries in which conflict mitigation activities are taking place. Major Duties and Responsibilities: The duties/responsibilities of the Program Manager, Conflict Mitigation Program will include but are not limited to the following: 1. Manage the implementation of the community action programs throughout Central Asia. Provide program oversight and direction consistent with the technical guidance provided by the Democracy and Conflict Mitigation Office Director and other relevant technical offices in USAID/CAR/Almaty to ensure effective implementation and foster synergies. 2. Manage the implementation of the USAID/CAR Conflict Mitigation Program throughout Central Asia, including serving as the CTO for 4-8 grants, cooperative agreements or contracts. Provide program oversight and direction consistent with the technical guidance provided by the Democracy and Conflict Mitigation Office Director and other relevant technical offices in USAID/CAR/Almaty to ensure effective implementation and foster synergies. Review and comment on implementing partners? workplans and activity reports. Through site visits, monitor implementing partners? activities and provide feedback and direction to the implementing partners to insure high-impact activities to mitigate conflict in Central Asia. 3. Is responsible for day-to-day coordination of conflict prevention program activities in Central Asia with counterparts and outside contractor personnel. He/she will resolve any conflicts that may arise. He/she will determine the approach and priority of activities and when/if other contractor personnel are needed to accomplish the Conflict Mitigation program?s strategic objectives and goals. Based on established objectives, the incumbent will develop program implementation plans/schedules. His/her work will be reviewed in terms of progress during quarterly and annual activity reviews. 4. Lead the USAID/CAR Conflict Mitigation Team which includes representatives from each of the USAID/CAR country offices as well as technical offices in USAID/Almaty. Responsibilities include organizing coordination meetings periodically; disseminating information about conflict issues and programs; encouraging cross-fertilization of members through exchange of knowledge and experience; and ensuring that USAID/CAR?s conflict mitigation activities maintain their cross-cutting nature. 5. Represent USAID/CAR Conflict Mitigation Team to explain, promote, and resolve differences in opinions at donor, regional, and local government and other meetings and making presentations at public meetings and forums in regard to conflict mitigation activities. Working with USAID implementers, foster regular and substantive contacts and exchanges of information, ideas, and coordinated approaches within the donor community. 6. Monitor progress of, identify problems, recommend solutions, and report on the conflict mitigation programs. Track the range of activities funded through the Community Action Investment Program (CAIP) and other USAID-financed Ferghana Valley projects, relying on and supplementing as needed, contractor and grantee reports. Monitor activities of other donors (such as World Bank, World Health Organization, UN, OSCE, UNHCR), the Government of Uzbekistan, the private sector, and the non-government sector, identifying issues and opportunities of relevance to USAID activities in the region. 7. Prepare periodic performance evaluation/monitoring reports for USAID/CAR analyzing developments in conflict ensuring that USAID-funded efforts are appropriately focused. 8. Directly supervise one Host-Country National PSC Program Management Assistant (FSN-4005-9). The Program Management Assistant will assist the Conflict Mitigation Program Manager in his/her duties overseeing all of USAID/CAR?s conflict mitigation activities in Central Asia. 9. Respond to requests for information from USAID/CAR and other USG organizations, collaborating with USAID/CAR/Almaty and Country Offices in drafting ?success stories? and other reports for conflict mitigation activities in Central Asia. 10. In coordination with the USAID/CAR Information Specialist, ensure significant publicity for USAID-funded conflict mitigation activities in Central Asia. This includes developing strategies for information dissemination, and working with the USAID/CAR implementing partners to ensure that they have sufficient plans and activities related to publicizing their efforts. C) POSITION ELEMENTS 1. SUPERVISION RECEIVED: The USAID/CAR Uzbekistan Program Officer/ Country Office Director (or designee) will provide general supervision to this position. Based on the complexity and highly specialized nature associated with the responsibilities/duties of this position, the incumbent will receive technical guidance from the Regional Democracy and Conflict Mitigation Office (DM) Director appropriate USAID/CAR Technical Officers in Almaty as/when necessary. In collaboration with the incumbent the Uzbekistan Program Officer/Country Office Director and the Democracy and Conflict Mitigation Office Director will: 1) establish annual work objectives and performances measures; 2) review work products and accomplishments to ensure compliance with Agency policies, and implementation of best practices; 3) provide regular feedback to incumbent throughout the Performance Evaluation Period; and 4) prepare the annual Evaluation Report as/when required. The Supervisor will obtain 360-degree input from the appropriate USAID/CAR technical offices and team members. 2. AVAILABLE GUIDELINES: Foreign Affairs Manual, Automated Directives System, Contracting Information Bulletin (CIB), Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), AIDAR, Mission Orders, Mission Notices and general guidance provided by the immediate supervisor. 3. EXERCISE OF JUDGMENT: 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. He/she will have considerable latitude in the exercise of his/her duties in the areas of: program management and evaluation, identification and resolution of issues affecting the overall program performance. The incumbent will be expected to use initiative, exercise discretion, and patience in dealing with Mission and Country Office personnel as well as 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. 4. AUTHORITY TO MAKE COMMITMENTS: The incumbent will have no independent authority to commit the U.S. Government Mission funds on behalf of USAID/CAR/Almaty or USAID/CAR Uzbekistan Country Program Office. 5. NATURE AND LEVEL OF CONTACTS: The incumbent works directly with local Government officials, NGOs, private sector and international donors, other USAID offices, USG agencies, U.S.-based international donors and partners. Given the cross-cutting nature of USAID?s conflict mitigation work in the Central Asia, the Program Manager will be required to develop open and clear lines of communication to facilitate information exchange and program activity dialogue on conflict mitigation program activities with the individual USAID/CAR technical offices (Energy and Water, Democracy and Conflict Mitigation, Health and Education, Enterprise and Finance) located in Almaty. In addition, the Contractor must develop and maintain a strong working relationship with the USAID/CAR Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan Country Offices. The purpose of all contacts is to insure the smooth functioning and ultimate success of conflict mitigation programs. 6. SUPERVISION EXERCISED: The incumbent will supervise Host-Country National staff (CCN PSC) and other PSCs positions below GS-13 level as/when appropriate. The incumbent will establish annual work plans in collaboration with the employee(s), review accomplishments, provide employees with feedback throughout the Performance Evaluation Cycle and prepare annual Performance Evaluation Reports as/when required. 7. TIME REQUIRED TO PERFORM THE FULL RANGE OF DUTIES AFTER ENTRY INTO THE POSITION: The incumbent is expected to possess the necessary technical, administrative and management skills/abilities required to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the position. D) REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 1. PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE: Have a minimum of five (5) years progressively responsible experience working in International Development in a variety of sectors such as: conflict resolution and/or conflict mitigation, democracy, micro-enterprise, economic and business, water and irrigation. At least three of the five 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 development activities/programs in the Europe or Eurasia region. Current work experience with a focus towards conflict prevention/resolution/ mitigation, community social and public infrastructure reform; micro and small enterprise development and conflict prevention dialogue in the Europe and Eurasian region. 2. KNOWLEDGE: Knowledge of USAID procurement and program management procedures and regulations; working knowledge of political and historic issues, concepts, principles, techniques, and practices related to the administration of social and public infrastructure reform in Central Asia or New Independent States. Knowledge of the framework for international agreements, which govern infrastructure reform, and a board-based knowledge of the most up-to-date Conflict Mitigation technical assistance and grants highly preferred. 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 in several locations and 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 overall Strategic Objectives 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 written and spoken Russian is highly desirable. 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 and 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 all Mission personnel, internal/external contacts, counterparts, shareholders, and clients. A proven ability to develop and maintain professional relations with the most senior-ranking stakeholders (i.e., regional NGO representatives, local international donor representatives, heads of local delegations, and other key stakeholders and partners) is required. 5. EDUCATION: Hold a Masters degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Political Science, International Relations, Diplomacy, Trade, Finance and Development or a related field such as Economics, Social Sciences and/or Development. 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 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 extensively throughout Central Asia to work sites and other offices as requested. F) Selection Criteria: Applicants will be evaluated against the following criteria: Technical Knowledge and Experience: 30 points Managerial and Leadership Experience: 20 points Relevant NIS Experience: 20 points Academic Qualifications: 15 points Language and Communication Skills: 15 points Total: 100 points. 9. APPLYING Qualified individuals are requested to submit a U.S. Government Application for Federal Employment SF-171 including experience, salary history and references, no later than COB (6 p.m. Almaty time) January 09, 2004. 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: Patrick Robinson 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 January 23, 2004. USAID/CAR expects to award a personal-services contract for an off-shore or resident hire US Citizen for two-year period (with option for extension up to five years subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance) from on or about February 22, 2004 to on or about February 21, 2006. The contract will be signed by February 6, 2004. On or about February 22, 2004, the incumbent shall proceed to Tashkent, Uzbekistan to commence performance of the duties specified, subject to medical and security clearance. The duty post for this contract is Tashkent, Uzbekistan. 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: 41 Kazybek Bi Street, Almaty
- Zip Code: 480100
- Country: Kazakhstan
- Zip Code: 480100
- Record
- SN00494811-W 20031225/031223211521 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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