SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- Regional Middle East Environmental Advisor
- Notice Date
- 8/13/2008
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Agency for International Development, Overseas Missions, Egypt USAID-Cairo, Department of State, Unit #64902, APO, 09839
- ZIP Code
- 09839
- Solicitation Number
- 263-08-503
- Response Due
- 8/27/2008
- Archive Date
- 8/28/2008
- Point of Contact
- Nancy G. Rofael,, Phone: 202-2522-7182, Samia M Joseph,, Phone: 202-2522-7180
- E-Mail Address
-
nrofael@usaid.gov, sjoseph@usaid.gov
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Solicitation No. 263-08-503 ISSUANCE DATE: 8/13/2008 CLOSING DATE: 4:30 pm Cairo time on 08/27/2008 SUBJECT:USAID/ Cairo, Egypt Solicitation for U.S. Personal Services Contractor [USPSC] For Regional Middle East Environmental Advisor Ladies/Gentlemen: The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications from U.S. citizens or U.S. resident alien, interested in providing PSC services as described in the attached solicitation. Applicants must be able to obtain an Employment Authorization security clearance. Submissions shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified and must include signed OF-612 and a written statement that responds to the requirements of the position (Education/ Experience Required for the position). Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to Nancy Rofael, Human Resources Assistant, USAID/Egypt, EXO, who may be reached at fax#: 011-202-2522-7197 or 011-202-2516-0388, tel.#: 011-202-2522-7182, and email address: nrofael@suaid.gov or usaidhr@usaid.gov. If you would like to apply electronically, please send your application & CV as an email attachment to (usaidhr@usaid.gov). [PLEASE DO NOT SEND CVs TO nrofael@usaid.gov E-MAIL] Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. All applications and the required documents should be submitted to: EXO/HR - USAID/ Egypt U.S. Mail: Nancy Rofael Human Resources Assistant EXO/HR USAID/ Egypt- Unit 64902 APO AE 09839-4902 Air courier: Nancy Rofael Human Resources Assistant EXO/HR USAID/ Egypt Plot 1/A off Laselki St, New Maadi, Cairo, Egypt Postal Code 11435 For those who wish to send their application via pouch, please also send your application & CV by Email attachment (usaidhr@usaid.gov) or FAX [(202) 2522-7197 or (202) 2516-0388] to ensure receipt of your application before the closing date. Application forms, USG Optional Form 612(OF-612) can be located at: OF-612: http://www.usaid.gov/forms/of-612.doc Offerors are requested to provide their full mailing address and contact information (telephone, fax or email). The U.S. Government is under no obligation to award a contract based on this notice. Sincerely, Samia Joseph HR Officer SOLICITATION NUMBER: 263-08-503 ISSUANCE DATE:08/13/2008 CLOSING DATE/TIME:4:30 pm Cairo time on 08/27/2008 POSITION TITLE:Regional Middle East Environmental Advisor MARKET VALUE:GS-14 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:2 years with possibility of extension. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:USAID/Cairo, Egypt SECURITY ACCESS: Employment Authorization AREA OF CONSIDERATION:U.S. Citizens or U.S. resident aliens who are able to obtain the required security clearance. Note: A candidate who is otherwise qualified, but does not meet full requirements of the position, may be appointed as a trainee and be required to serve at a lower grade level for the period of one year. A. ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION OF POSITION: The incumbent residence will be in Cairo, Egypt. Cairo is the largest city in Africa and the Middle East. It has a number of urban problems such as severe pollution, and traffic congestion. However, it is relatively crime-free and offers many cultural and recreational opportunities, including major museums, important historical sites, and most sports. The Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea are easily reachable and provide opportunities for most water sports, especially snorkeling and scuba diving. B.POSITION TITLE OF DIRECT SUPERVISOR: The USAID OFFICE OF Middle East Programs in Cairo (USAID/OMEP) and the Middle East Bureau office of Technical Support in Washington (ME/TS) will jointly provide technical and programmatic supervision. USAID/OMEP will take the supervisory lead on host mission activities while the Middle East BEO will take the supervisory lead on environmental compliance (Reg. 216) responsibilities. The REA reports to both the USAID/OMEP Deputy Director and the ME BEO, and uses professional judgment and skills to plan and carry out assigned activities, projects, or other assignments. S/he develops recommendations to solve difficult problems without precedent, proposes solutions to complex issues and discusses recommendations with his/her technical supervisors. S/he is considered the lead authority for the Missions and an Agency expert on environmental review and compliance procedures and evaluation issues. The work is technically authoritative and almost always accepted without substantive change and is only reviewed for conformance to Agency policy. The Regional Environmental Advisor (REA) for the Middle East will be physically located in Cairo, Egypt, but co-funded by ME/TS and USAID/OMEP. Consequently, there must be close collaboration between the USAID/OMEP Deputy Director and ME BEO to ensure: accountability, service to the host and client missions, day-to-day supervision, and adequate backstopping. To achieve this, management responsibilities of the host Mission and ME/TS are: 1.Selection and retention are determined collaboratively by USAID/OMEP and ME/TS. 2.The host office (USAID/OMEP) will provide day-to-day supervision and logistical support, while ME/TS will provide overall technical and policy guidance, and will coordinate and prioritize regional Reg. 216 backstopping responsibilities (in coordination with the host Mission). 3.Annual work plans with regular updates are required and will be approved by the OMEP and the ME BEO. These work plans and updates will be prepared in close consultation with client bilateral Middle East Missions. 4.Quarterly reports, including individual trip reports, will be submitted to both the USAID/OMEP Program Officer and the ME BEO. 5.Annual performance evaluations will be coordinated by OMEP with input from the ME BEO and the client bilateral Middle East Missions. 6.In exchange for the above described management services, OMEP can expect up to 20% of the Advisor's time to be spent in its service with the remaining time spent serving other clients, especially bilateral Middle East Missions. 7.The incumbent will be required to travel to other Middle East countries, Washington, D.C., and other localities in the performance of his/her duties. It is anticipated that approximately 50 % of the incumbent's time will be spent traveling to other countries in the Middle East, including critical priority countries (Iraq, West Bank, Lebanon), with occasional trips to AID/W for consultations. All travel shall have the prior approval of the USAID/OMEP Program Officer, or authorized designee. C.OVERVIEW: Middle East The Middle East Bureau of USAID provides overall leadership for Agency programs in the Middle East (ME) region. This includes programs in response to urgent foreign policy priorities; large and politically sensitive efforts in Egypt and Jordan; and volatile conflict and post-conflict situations in Iraq, WB/Gaza, Yemen, and Lebanon. ME/TS is a shared services office responsible for providing leadership and technical support on development issues in the Middle East region through analysis, strategy development, program design, technical assistance and information dissemination. ME/TS guides the Bureaus’ strategic thinking in technical areas, reviews performance by operating units, and advises on the appropriate allocation of resources to them. Within ME/TS, the ME BEO is responsible for assuring that ME strategies and programs comply with the mandatory requirements of the Agency’s environmental procedures (22 CFR 216; aka Reg. 216), as well as with legislative and policy mandates on the environment (e.g., the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), USAID’s environmental policy directives; and the Foreign Assistance Act as amended in Sections 117, 118, and 119. The environmental compliance workload is daunting. In FY 2007, the ME BEO reviewed and processed over 200 environmental compliance documents for over $8.5 billion in Life-of-Project funds. This included Environmental Assessments for over $3 billion in infrastructure and other ME activities. Given the high visibility and strategic sensitivity of many of these programs, both careful review and rapid turn around are mandatory. Ensuring appropriate environmental review and providing assistance with Reg. 216 compliance have emerged as important areas of backstopping for ME/TS. Office of Middle East Programs (OMEP) USAID has established a regional presence at the USAID/Egypt Mission. The Office of Middle East Programs (OMEP) allows USAID to better use its regional resources, expertise, and support services for the seven USAID Missions in the Middle East and North Africa (MEA) region, and serves as a way for USAID to better manage the common set of challenges present throughout the region. The objectives of OMEP include the following: 1.Establish and implement a new regional program focused on common, transboundary issues within the Middle East. 2.Coordinate the provision of regional support services (acquisition and assistance, legal, financial management, technical, executive office, program) to the client missions of Lebanon, Morocco, and Yemen. 3.Administer select MEPI activities. 4.Monitor, and as necessary provide implementation support for USAID activities in non-presence countries in the MEA region. 5.Provide facilities for TDYs and surge capacity, as the need arises. USAID regional programs include support for regional water cooperation, promotion of educational opportunities and access through scholarships and increased regional publishing, advancement of economic growth and democracy, and promotion of public-private partnerships to increase the impact of USG expenditures. D.WORK DESCRIPTION: Basic Functions of the Position: As a member of both ME/TS and OMEP environment teams, the Regional Environmental Advisor for the Middle East, based in Cairo, Egypt, provides specialized policy, strategic and technical advice in the areas of environmental review and impact assessment and environment sector programming in the Middle East. The REA will support USAID Missions in the Middle East and their implementing partners, host country national governments, and, as appropriate, other USG agencies (i.e., Department of State, OPIC, TDA, ExIm Bank, DOI, Treasury, EPA, USDA/USFS, DOE) and regional and international organizations that are active in Middle East. Eighty percent (80%) of the REA’s time will be spent supporting USAID programs in the region and up to 20% supporting OMEP’s environment program. The REA's areas of assistance include USAID environmental procedures; environmental impact assessment, monitoring, and mitigation; strategic planning; program development and monitoring; and managing for results. The position is supported by the ME/TS office as well as OMEP. Duties and Responsibilities ME/TS The Regional Environmental Advisor – Middle East supports USAID Missions and partners as well as USAID Mission Environmental Officers and staff in complying with USAID environmental regulations (22 CFR 216), policies, and procedures; and in incorporating principles of environmentally sound design and best practices in planning and implementation of development interventions. In particular, the REA shall perform the following services as required by ME/TS: 1.Assist USAID Mission Environmental Officers, Assistance Objective team leaders, and implementation partners in the preparation of Initial Environmental Examinations, Requests for Categorical Exclusions, EA Scoping Statements, and terms of reference for Environmental Assessments of USAID-funded activities; 2.Working under the guidance of the ME BEO, conduct environmental portfolio reviews and periodic site visits for USAID activities to monitor compliance with all USAID environmental procedures and regulations, with particular attention to implementation of monitoring and mitigation measures specified in IEEs and EAs. 3.Support streamlining, harmonization, and standardization of Reg. 216 procedures in the Middle East region, particularly with respect to environmental screening and review under umbrella NGO programs; 4.Prepare an annual summary of the status of each mission as it relates to satisfying USAID’s environmental requirements and recommend, if warranted, actions necessary for compliance; 5.Assist Mission Environmental Officers to prepare reports related to overall Environmental Compliance, Tropical Forestry, and Biodiversity that may be required as part of USAID annual reporting and /or strategy preparation; 6.Train, or lead and organize teams that train, USAID mission staff, host-country government, and civil society personnel in environmental impact assessment procedures and USAID environmental regulations with a view to strengthening local capacity within USAID Missions and partner institutions for assuring the environmental soundness of development programs. 7.Promote coordination and collaboration in regional environmental programming and planning among USAID Missions in Middle East. Represent USAID/Cairo at meetings, workshops and conferences organized by various organizations, including other donors and international organizations. 8.Develop effective working relationships with USAID personnel, host-country authorities, international donors (including MDBs and the GEF), regional and international development organizations, NGOs and other civil society organizations, and private sector groups within the Middle East in order to improve overall environmental program coordination. 9.Develop, or lead/participate in teams that develop, environmental profiles and other analyses of major environmental issues in Middle East if/as requested by the USAID/Cairo Director or Program Officer and/or the ME BEO. 10.Collect and disseminate information on best practices for environmental management of selected classes of activities; environmental technologies; environmental laws and regulations; and lessons learned among USAID Missions in the Middle East, AID/W, NGOs, MDBs, and regional organizations. 11.As requested by the USAID/Cairo Program Officer and the ME BEO, monitor and assess the environmental impacts of key investments of the Multilateral Development Banks (World Bank, IDB, CAF), other USG Agencies (OPIC, TDA, ExIm Bank) and the U.S. private sector in the Middle East. This work will be coordinated with the environment staff in USAID's Bureau for Economic Growth, Agriculture and Trade in Washington. USAID/OMEP 1.Assist the Mission Environmental Officer by advising Mission staff on the development of Initial Environmental Examinations and overall compliance with Reg. 216 requirements. 2.Provide strategic direction to contractors and grantees to ensure their activities support the strategic framework objectives of the OMEP and ensure compliance with USAID guidelines, policies and procedures. 3.Coordinate activities with appropriate personnel at the OMEP, USAID/Washington, USAID Missions, US Embassies and other US government agencies, such as the US EPA. 4.Develop, maintain and strengthen working relationships with key partners, including national ministries, local governments, international organizations and other donors, private sector, NGOs, universities and the media to identify and implement efforts to increase synergy among the key stakeholders. These contacts are at the senior management level. 5.Prepare and disseminate, on a regular basis, to Mission staff, USAID/Washington, and program partners, information on issues, accomplishments and worldwide best practices in environmental impact assessment and environmentally sound design. Document success stories in improving environmental governance. 6.Provide briefings to visitors to the OMEP and to the press on environmental impact assessment and environmental governance in the region and USAID’s programs in this area. Prepare and deliver presentations on the same issues to regional and international workshops and conferences. 7.Represent the OMEP at meetings, workshops and conferences organized by various organizations, including other donors and international organizations. REQUIRED/DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION: The Regional Middle East Environmental Advisor shall have the following qualifications. Note that in order to be considered those marked “required” must be met. 1.Education: Advanced degree (MS/MA level or above) in a discipline relevant to environmental protection and impact assessment (required). As an alternate, a relevant Bachelor’s degree and five years relevant experience added to the minimum described below may be substituted for the advanced degree. 2.Prior Work Experience: Five or more years of progressively more responsible experience in environmental impact assessment and compliance (required). Experience with NEPA compliance or 22 CFR 216 compliance highly desired. 3.Knowledge, Abilities & Skills: Demonstrated experience and ability to judge potential environmental impacts of proposed economic development assistance activities (required). Overseas experience (required). Proven outstanding skill in design, management, and evaluation of development assistance programs, with expertise in performance monitoring highly desired. Experience working with USAID field missions in the Middle East is very highly desired. Demonstrated expert understanding of the role of foreign assistance in promoting the sustainable use of natural resources and balancing economic development needs with conservation objectives. Demonstrated mastery of collaborative development assistance planning and implementation activities (both independently, in a leadership capacity and as a member of a team, as appropriate) with a wide variety of individuals, groups, environmental institutions and technical organizations. Ability to work effectively under pressure to carry out specific, results-oriented tasks in developing countries given constraints in time, information and logistical support. Computer and Communication Skills: Demonstrated experience supporting, maintaining, and updating web-based training and resource materials to support environmental impact assessment and environmentally sound design is desirable. 4.Communication, Teamwork, and Interpersonal Skills: Excellent communications skills, including the ability to clearly articulate environmental, conservation, natural resource management, clean production, and pollution prevention issues both in writing and orally (required). Proven ability to function highly effectively in cross-cultural situations. Willingness to travel extensively overseas to USAID-assisted countries, including critical priority countries in the region. 5.Ability to Obtain Security Clearance: A U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien able to obtain an Employment Authorization security clearance is (required). SELECTION CRITERIA: To be considered, the applicant shall meet those qualifications marked (required). Candidates will be evaluated according to the following criteria: Ranking Factors: FactorPoints Education10 Prior Work Experience35 Knowledge, Ability & Skills35 Communication/Teamwork/Interpersonal Skills20 Total100 APPLYING: Qualified individuals are requested to submit: (1) A cover letter of no more than 3 pages that demonstrates how the candidates’ qualifications meet the work requirements; (2) A curriculum vitae which at a minimum, describes education, latest experiences and career achievements; (3) A completed and signed OF-612 or SF-171; (please send signed and scanned copy if applying by e-mail) (4) A relevant writing sample, minimum of two pages and maximum of ten pages; (5) Names, contact numbers, and addresses of three professional references; (6) A written statement certifying the date and length of time for which the candidate is available for the position. (please send signed and scanned copy if applying by e-mail) The U.S. Government Standard Optional Form 612 is available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/forms/of-612.doc or at Federal offices. 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. The highest ranking applicants may be selected for an interview. Applicants may choose any of the methods in the Cover Page to submit their applications but USAID accepts no responsibility for delay in transit, mis-routing, etc. Submissions shall be in accordance with the above information at the place and time specified. Given the often intermittent problems people experience in the world with fax and email, all candidates are notified that, should they choose to utilize this method, they should confirm with the USAID/ Cairo Human Resources office that all documentation submitted was received prior to the closing date of this notice. Equipment failures at USAID or by the applicants network are not acceptable reasons for late submission, as candidates have the option of sending their application hard copy by courier. No, repeat no, applications will be considered after the closing time and date, and it is the applicant’s full responsibility to ensure that all their documentation has been received by our office. TYPE AND DURATION OF APPOINTMENT: Employment shall be through an A.I.D. Personal Services Contract for a period of two years with possibility of extension. This Personal Services Contract is subject to the availability of funds. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES: As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, an offshore USPSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: BENEFITS: Employee's FICA Contribution Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual & Sick Leave Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service Annual Increase APO mail service as per post policy ALLOWANCES (If Applicable):* (1) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) (Not applicable) (2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) (Not applicable) (3) Post Allowance (Section 220) (Not applicable) (4) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) (Not applicable) (5) Post Differential (Chapter 500) (6) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) and (7) Danger Pay (Section 650) (Not applicable) (8) Educational Allowance (Section 270) (9) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) (10)Educational Travel (Section 280) * Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes. CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBS) PERTAINING TO PSCS CIBs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to this website http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/cib/subject.html#psc to determine which CIBS apply to this contract.
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- Place of Performance
- Address: USAID/ Egypt, Plot 1/A off Laselki St, New Maadi, Cairo, Egypt, Postal Code 11435, Cairo, Egypt
- Record
- SN01639643-W 20080815/080813224748-9552cd8c172327e397a0fb58b115e640 (fbodaily.com)
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