MODIFICATION
R -- Senior Development Specialist
- Notice Date
- 5/13/2010
- Notice Type
- Modification/Amendment
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Agency for International Development, Overseas Missions, Kazakhstan USAID-Almaty, Dept. of State, Washington, District of Columbia, 20521-7030
- ZIP Code
- 20521-7030
- Solicitation Number
- 24-2010
- Archive Date
- 6/19/2010
- Point of Contact
- Tatiana Rossova, Phone: 7 727 250 76 17, Natalya Zubkova, Phone: 7-727-2507612
- E-Mail Address
-
trossova@usaid.gov, nzubkova@usaid.gov
(trossova@usaid.gov, nzubkova@usaid.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- ISSUANCE DATE: 05/13/2010 CLOSING DATE: 06/04/2010 Gentlemen/Ladies: SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (PSC) No. 24-2010 USPSC Senior Development Specialist, USAID/Central Asian Republics, Tashkent, Uzbekistan The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking proposals (Optional Form 612) from persons interested in the PSC services described in the attached. Submissions shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Any questions may be directed to Heather Armstrong, Contracting Officer, and Tatiana Rossova, Personnel Specialist, who may be reached at FAX No. 7-727-250-76-34/35/36, or e-mail per.almaty@usaid.gov Offerors should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their proposals. Sincerely, Heather Armstrong Contracting Officer ATTACHMENT TO SOLICITATION NO. 24-2010 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 24/2010 2. ISSUANCE DATE: 05/13/2010 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: 06/04/2010 (6 p.m. Almaty Time) 4. POSITION TITLE: USPSC Senior Development Specialist 5. MARKET VALUE: $71,674-$93,175 per annum (GS-13 equivalent) with 30% Post Differential (currently) (if no qualified candidates available at market value - salary history may be considered) 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/CENTRAL ASIAN REPUBLICS, Tashkent, Uzbekistan 8. JOB DESCRIPTION: A) BACKGROUND The USAID Regional Mission for Central Asian Republics (USAID/CAR) is a regional USAID Mission with responsibility for the development and management of the U.S. Government's assistance program for the five Central Asian Republics. This program is directed at supporting a program of policy reform, humanitarian assistance, economic growth, democratic and social transition in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan is the most populous country at the heart of a volatile but strategically important region for the United States. Eighteen years after emerging as an independent nation state following the breakup of the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan is still in the midst of a process of social, political and economic transition. U.S.-Uzbek relations over this period have, to varying degrees, been colored by the slow pace of change and concerns about the lack of civil liberties and political rights in the country. U.S. policy towards Uzbekistan is focused on principled, long-term engagement. The strategy of this policy is to advance our near-term interests in securing Uzbek cooperation on the stabilization and reconstruction of Afghanistan while promoting our longer-term goals of consolidating a well-governed state that is guided by the rule of law and upholds basic human rights. Central to this policy is the recognition of Uzbekistan's importance in Central Asia, both for its stability as well as its economic development. It is guided by an understanding of the constraints imposed not only by the Government of Uzbekistan, but also by an international context in which competing development models and mechanisms offer governments a choice of partners. Advancing American principles of representative government and human dignity remains at the core of this policy, tailored to the longer time horizon and limitations imposed by the environment in Uzbekistan. USAID/CAR Uzbekistan Country Office is responsible for oversight and coordination of an approximately $7 million annual assistance portfolio implemented through approximately a variety of institutional contractors and international private voluntary organizations (PVOs), as well as coordinating on behalf of the U.S. Ambassador. B) DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Under the overall direction of the USAID/CAR Regional Mission in Almaty, Kazakhstan and the direct supervision of the Supervisory Program Officer, Uzbekistan Country Office (UCO) Director, the incumbent actively participates in the conceptualization, design and overall management of USAID/CAR's policy strategy/portfolio for the Mission's strategic and cross-cutting objectives in Uzbekistan. The incumbent serves as the defacto Deputy Director in USAID/CAR/Uzbekistan Country Office. In that position s/he is responsible for assisting in oversight and coordination of an approximately $7 million annual assistance portfolio implemented. In this role the incumbent participates in the supervision of nine Foreign National Personal Services Contractor (FNPSC) employees. The incumbent is the alter ego of the Office Director and assumes the responsibilities and authority of the UCO Director in his/her absence. This requires that the incumbent is fully familiar with U.S. government policy priorities, as well as all programs and activities, the issues and objectives involved, and the implementation partners and local counterparts. As needed, the Country Office Director may delegate specific responsibilities or assignments to the incumbent, on either a short-term or long-term basis. The incumbent is required to travel frequently within Uzbekistan to monitor USAID activities and to travel, as well, to the USAID/CAR Regional Mission office in Almaty, Kazakhstan to consult with Mission management and technical support office staff. The incumbent will be required to represent USAID at Meetings within the highest levels of the U.S. and Uzbek governments. Areas of responsibility for the position include but are not limited to: 1) Assist the UCO Director and Country Office staff to achieve the desired outcomes of USAID/CAR's program in Uzbekistan in the most effective and efficient manner. 2) Provide expert advice, technical leadership, and coordination in the conceptual design, development and implementation of USAID/CAR projects/activities in Uzbekistan as well as monitoring the progress of these activities. 3) Serve as a liaison official for USG assistance with the Government of Uzbekistan, the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan, local and international nongovernmental organizations, institutional contractors and international donor organizations. 4) Take the lead for the Country Office in program management/administration in terms of Uzbekistan's budget and reporting processes, including tracking and maintaining budget information, as well as coordinating all information for reporting purposes, with responsible Almaty staff as well as Embassy personnel, as appropriate. This includes the annual Strawman and 653a planning and reporting processes. 5) As delegated by the Country Office Director, the incumbent will take the lead in producing annual reporting documents including the Performance Plan Report (PPR), the Operational Plan (OP), Portfolio Reviews, Strategy Reviews, Mission Strategic Resource Plan (MSRP) and related or similar documents. 6) The Incumbent will be the primary point person and take the lead on ensuring that U.S. Government gender, people with disability and environmental compliance regulations are followed and met. 7) Through field observation, analysis, and consultation with host government, international donor organizations and other local entities, identify needs for USAID assistance in areas consistent with U.S. Government Strategic Goals and policy priorities. Advise the Uzbekistan Country Office and USAID/CAR's Regional Office of these needs, and as required, develop concept papers and project designs outlining the potential USAID response. Incumbent keeps the Country Officer apprised of issues, problems, successes and solutions in the management of the country office and of USAID's program in Uzbekistan. 8) Take the lead for the Country Office in the overall conceptualization and implementation of assigned activities within UCO portfolio and supervise local staff responsible for such activities. 9) Assist the UCO Director to maintain effective liaison and communication between the USAID/CAR's Regional Office in Almaty, the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent, USAID grantees and contractors, other donors, the Government of Uzbekistan, AID/Washington and the Office of the Assistance Coordinator for Europe and Eurasia. 10) Coordinate UCO's procurement planning processes including serving as a liaison on procurement issues with USAID/CAR's Office of Acquisition and Assistance and technical offices, overseeing the preparation and updating of the annual procurement plan in compliance with USAID/CAR's established deadlines and ensuring that USG procurement regulations including PALT timelines, waivers, statutory checklists, etc are understood, followed and completed by UCO. 11) Supervise the Public Outreach efforts of the Country Office: assisting in the development of briefing materials, newsletters and press releases on assistance programs and ensuring that all outreach and media materials are of a high quality, coordinating with Public Outreach and Communications Specialist in Almaty and establishing a close working relationship with the Public Affairs section in the U.S. Embassy. 12) Serve in the absence of the Country Office Director as a member of the U.S. Embassy/Tashkent Country Team, the USAID representative to the Donor Working Groups and with the Government of Uzbekistan. 13) Serve as the Primary and/or Alternate Agreement/Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (AOTR/COTR) in one or more sectors. 14) On a continual basis, the incumbent critically reviews USG and other donor activities to ensure maximum coordination and leverage for USG policy initiatives. Based on a thorough understanding and analysis, the incumbent recommends new and/or changes to existing programs and activities. He/she works closely with the Office of Acquisition and Assistance to participate in USAID/Central Asia Design Teams for the development of scopes of work (SOW) and/or program descriptions for new activities, project assessments, evaluations and other related efforts. He/she assures quality control and timely preparation of financial obligating documents and authorizations as required by the USAID/Central Asian Republics regional mission. C) Supervision Exercised The incumbent will have direct supervisory responsibilities for FSN staff, as will be determined by the Country Office Director. When serving in the capacity of acting UCO Director, the incumbent will assume full supervisory responsibility for the entire Uzbekistan Country Office (9 FSNPSC employees). D) Supervision Received The incumbent will work directly under the supervision and technical guidance of the U.S. Direct Hire Supervisory Program Officer (Uzbekistan Country Office Director) Under broad guidance from the USDH Country Office Director, work is performed with a high degree of independence. When serving in the capacity of acting Country Office Director the incumbent will report directly to the USAID/CAR Mission Director or his/her designee; also as acting Country Office Director the incumbent will be under parallel supervision from the U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan. E) Level and Purpose of Contacts The incumbent actively engages in official personal contacts with a broad range of individuals and organizations in Uzbekistan and beyond. The purpose of these contacts is to promote USAID's development assistance objectives and to increase his/her understanding of the dynamics of Uzbek society as they affect USAID's programs. Contacts also serve to gain insights from the procedures, methodologies, and experiences from host country counterparts and implementing partners as they affect USAID's implementation effectiveness. It is expected that personal contacts will include, but not be limited to, the following: Heads of various sector committees in the Presidential Apparatuses; Ministers and deputy ministers in Uzbekistan; U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan and other members of the Country Team; Chiefs of Party of USAID-funded contracts and grants; Senior officials and executives from U.S. headquarters of USAID-funded contracts and grants; Institutional contractors, PVOs and NGOs; Host Country officials responsible for assistance matters; Representatives of international donors; USAID/CAR Office Directors; USAID/Washington representatives and CODELs, STAFFdels Department of Defense including Representatives from the U.S. Central Command and the U.S. Transportation Command F) QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS 1) General: 1) Must be a U.S. citizen and possess or be able to obtain a U.S. Government "Secret" security clearance; 2) Must be able to obtain a StateMed medical clearance to serve in Uzbekistan; 3) Must be available and willing to commit to the Contract Performance Period of 24 months; 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) Must be willing to travel throughout Uzbekistan and occasionally to other countries in Central Asia. 2) Professional Experience and Technical Knowledge: Minimum seven years of progressively responsible experience demonstrating knowledge and competency in the design and management of international donor-funded development programs/projects, and evaluation of such projects to improve their quality, relevance, and cost-effectiveness. Minimum three years professional experience managing and overseeing donor funded programs in one or more of the following relevant sectors, economic growth, democracy and governance, health, education, conflict mitigation, and/or energy. At least two years of supervisory experience. Comprehensive knowledge of the political, social, and economic characteristics of the former-Soviet countries and Central Asia particularly. At least two years of relevant experience in NIS region and/or Eastern Europe, Central Asian Republics preferred. Familiarity with USG's policies and priorities and means of delivering assistance in developing nations. Knowledge of USAID portfolio management requirements and experience in project management, monitoring and evaluation is preferred. 3) Management, Communication & Interpersonal Skills/Abilities: Proven management skills to analyze and resolve a wide range of challenges and problems arising in project/activity implementation. Ability to conceptualize, both strategically and programmatically Proven ability to work as a team member, successfully lead teams and effectively build teams. High-level proficiency in oral and written communications needed to report on the status of activities and projects; to establish and maintain effective relations with all levels of people in former-Soviet countries; and, to represent USAID/CAR Uzbekistan's projects and strategies in professional meetings and conferences. Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability and willingness to function in a collaborative and collegial environment; sensitivity to others; balanced judgment; and ability to generate trust and build alliances with donor partners and host government contacts are essential. 4) Academic Experience and Language Skills: Bachelor's degree in international relations, international development, business administration, or other relevant subject area. Master's degree is preferred. Training (or experience) in relevant administrative policies and procedures is required. Minimum Level V (Native) English Language ability (written and spoken) is required. Demonstrated good working knowledge (Level III) in both written and spoken Russian preferred. 5) Computer Skills: Proficiency with computer programs, including those in budgeting, presentations and desktop publishing. G) EVALUATION CRITERIA Applicants will be evaluated against the following criteria: Professional Experience and Technical Knowledge: 40 points Management, Interpersonal, and Communications Skills/Abilities: 30 Academic Experience and Language Skills: 25 points Computer Skills: 5 points Total: 100 points Notice to Applicants: The USAID reserves the right to obtain from previous employers relevant information concerning the applicant's past performance and may consider such information in its evaluation. 9. APPLYING Qualified individuals are requested to submit a Optional Application for Federal Employment OF-612 including experience, salary history, list of references, and recent sample of his/her written work (maximum 1-3 pages, i.e. policy memo) no later than COB (6 p.m. Almaty time) June 4, 2010. The form is available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ or Internet http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/formslibrary.do?formType=OP, 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: Tatiana Rossova Personnel Specialist Personnel Office USAID/CAR Almaty 41 Kazibek Bi Street Almaty, Kazakhstan Email: per.almaty@usaid.gov Fax: 7 727 2507634/35/36 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. USAID/CAR expects to award a personal services contract for an off-shore US Citizen for up to two-year period commencing as early as practically possible subject to security and medical clearances and funds availability. 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. 11. For more information about USAID/Central Asian Republics see Mission's website http://centralasia.usaid.gov/ Attachment 3 AS A MATTER OF POLICY, AND AS APPROPRIATE, A PSC IS NORMALLY AUTHORIZED THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS: 1. BENEFITS Employer's FICA Contribution Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Annual Increase Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual & Sick Leave Eligibility for 401(k) 2. ALLOWANCES (if Applicable). (A) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120). (B) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130). (C) Post Allowance (Section 220). (D) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230). (E) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260). (F) Education Allowance (Section 270). (G) Education Travel (Section 280). (H) Post Differential (Chapter 500). (I) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600), and (J) Danger Pay (Section 650). LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs 1. Optional Form 612. **2. Medical History and Examination (DS-1843) or Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62). **3. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or **4. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85). **5. Finger Print Card (FD-258). NOTE: Form 5 is available from the requirements office. * Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). ** The forms listed 2 through 5 shall only be completed upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job. 3. POLICY GUIDANCE PERTAINING TO PSCs a) ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) and CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (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 AAPDs and CIBs apply to this contract. b) AIDAR: The Agency for International Development Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR) Appendix D - Direct USAID Contracts With U.S. Citizens or U.S. Residents for Personal Services Abroad found at: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf is the primary regulation governing USPSCs for USAID.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/AID/OM/ALM/24-2010/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: 3 Moyqorghon St., 5th Block, Yunusobod District, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
- Record
- SN02149629-W 20100515/100513235917-2f89600202194dafbdc662a2a1d02a97 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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