SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- USPSC Development Transition Specialist, USAID/Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek
- Notice Date
- 7/19/2013
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- 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
- 39-2013
- Archive Date
- 8/20/2013
- Point of Contact
- Tatiana P Rossova, Phone: 7 3272 50 76 17
- E-Mail Address
-
trossova@usaid.gov
(trossova@usaid.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- ISSUANCE DATE: 07/18/2013 CLOSING DATE: 08/05/2013 Gentlemen/Ladies: SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (PSC) No. 39-2013 USPSC Development Transition Specialist, USAID/Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic 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 Samuel Matthews, Contracting Officer, and Tatiana Rossova, Personnel Specialist, who may be reached at FAX No. 7-727-250-76-34, or e-mail almaexo_hr@usaid.gov. Offerors should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their proposals. Sincerely, Samuel Matthews Contracting Officer ATTACHMENT TO SOLICITATION NO. 39-2013 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 39/2013 2. ISSUANCE DATE: 07/18/2013 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: 08/05/2013 (6 p.m. Almaty Time) 4. POSITION TITLE: USPSC Development Transition Specialist 5. MARKET VALUE: $84,697-$110,104 per annum (GS-14 equivalent) with 25% Post Differential (currently) 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic 8. JOB DESCRIPTION: A) BACKGROUND The USAID Kyrgyz Republic Mission (USAID/KR) is headquartered in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic with a sub-office in Osh, Kyrgyz Republic. The Kyrgyz Republic is bordered by Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and China. The Kyrgyz Republic is an emerging parliamentary democracy still recovering from a violent political transition in 2010. Because it serves as a potential model for democracy in the region, and because of its proximity to South Asia and its potential to contribute to stability in nearby Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Kyrgyz Republic is of considerable geopolitical and strategic interest to the United States. USAID/KR is responsible for management of a development program of over $50 million, of which approximately $25 million are dedicated to economic development activities spread across several sub-sectors: macro-economic policy, trade and investment, private sector development, agriculture, and clean energy. In addition to the Mission Director, the Mission is staffed with three direct hires, five U.S. Personal Service Contractors (USPSCs), and 17 Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs). USAID/Kyrgyz Republic (USAID/KR) is seeking highly motivated, highly qualified individuals to manage a complex portfolio of flexible programs designed to assist the continuing transition to a peaceful society with a capable system of governance in the Kyrgyz Republic. USAID/KR works with Kyrgyz partners, and local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) supporting the development of the private sector, agriculture, basic and higher education, improved healthcare, rule of law, protecting human rights, combating corruption, strengthening political competition and civil society, the media, and enhancing the quality of governance. The mission is also responsible for management of conflict reduction programs. The Development Transition Specialist (Specialist) is a member of the USAID/Kyrgyz Republic Mission and reports to the Senior Development Transition Specialist.. S/he serves as a Mission expert and coordinator in providing technical leadership and support for cross-cutting issues related to the ongoing development transition in the Kyrgyz Republic. This cross-cutting program includes elements of Democracy and Governance programming such as civil society, governance, media, rule of law, and human rights as well as economic development and social services activities. The incumbent will provide technical assistance in areas related to improving local and national governance, increasing economic opportunities, increasing the level of inclusiveness within and integration between different regions of the Kyrgyz Republic, and reducing the risk of conflict. The Specialist will be primarily based within the office of a USAID/KR implementing partner and will be responsible for the day-to-day management of this implementing partner's activities. The incumbent provides substantive input in the design, implementation and monitoring of projects in these areas and in the management of the implementing partner's key personnel. Working within strategic guidance provided by the upcoming USAID/KR Country Development Cooperation Strategy, the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic's National Sustainable Development Strategy and other strategic documents, the Specialist assists the Senior Development Transition Specialist in development of the implementing partner's project-level strategic framework and management plan. Using this framework and management plan as a guide, the Specialist takes the lead in the identification of key partnerships with Kyrgyz Government, private sector, and civil society institutions. The Specialist then guides and manages the implementing partner's team in the development and management of activities to work with these partner institutions to achieve long-term development goals. These activities include cash and in-kind grants, short and long-term technical assistance, training. The Specialist will frequently be called upon to use her/his technical knowledge and development experience to personally design high profile activities working towards governance, public administration and economic development objectives. The Specialist is also the primary manager for the USAID/KR implementing partner's activities in the Southern Kyrgyz Republic, which are largely managed from a sub-office in the city of Osh. The incumbent will travel frequently to the region (30% travel) and works directly from the implementing partner's office to supervise the design and management of activities in this region. The range of responsibilities and functions are outlined below. B) DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Under the direct supervision of the Senior Development Transition Specialist, the Specialist has duties and responsibilities including but not limited to the following: 1) Project Technical Management 60% - Provide day-to-day direction and supervision for a large USAID/KR implementing partner staff in both Bishkek and Osh, oversee management of Chief of Party and other Key Personnel. - Oversee design of project activities, including designing activities personally. Provide informed, written and oral recommendations to the Senior Development Transition Specialist and Contracting Officer for activity approvals and identification of strategic partnerships. - Supervise management of project activities, using knowledge from monitoring and activity evaluations to make judgments on progress and recommendations on strategic directions. - Conduct site visits to evaluate recipient performance and provide advice and programmatic support. - Monitor local and regional political developments and regularly brief USG and partner staff on their potential programmatic impact. - Review, update and expand as appropriate the Mission's analysis of transition-related issues in the Kyrgyz Republic. Advise Mission management on the implications of this analysis for development programming. - Develop strategies, effective reporting and activity design, including writing scopes of work, program descriptions and assessments. - Develop lessons learned and best practices on USAID transition programming particularly in situations which may be applicable to the Kyrgyz Republic; also, as needed, keep current on approaches related to cross-cutting issues (e.g. youth, media) and related sectors (e.g. education, economic growth). - Participate in public outreach function, as needed. 2) Project Administration 25% - Take the lead on collecting information and drafting/editing regular reporting products. - Participate in planning, scheduling and control of annual cycles of program and funding activity. - Perform a wide range of administrative functions (budget preparation, financial management, records management and travel assistance) to help ensure programmatic success. - Analyze proposals to ensure compliance with USAID and United State Government (USG) policy, technical, cost/financial, and legal requirements as well as all applicable Federal regulations, Directives and Executive Orders. - May serve as Contacting Officer's Representative (COR) and/or Agreement Officer's Representative (AOR) on transition-related programs. In so doing, s/he would be solely responsible for providing technical direction; monitoring and evaluating the delivery of assigned activities in compliance with the terms of cooperative agreements and contracts; submits reports on activities progress, including professional analyses of related problems and recommendations for corrective action to improve implementing organizations or contractor performance; and advises and assists grantees in the development of detailed designs, plans, and cost estimates for assigned activities. - May serve as Alternate COR and/or Alternate AOR for multiple awards. This means that the individual would be required to temporarily undertake all COR/ AOR responsibilities on behalf of another team member in her/his absence. - Manage existing and new grants, cooperative agreements and contracts that may cover extended periods of time and involve substantial funds, assuming general program management oversight of various projects developed. Collaborate and coordinate closely with interagency counterparts. 3) Acting Senior Development Transition Specialist (Program Director) 15% When required, the Specialist assumes higher representational responsibilities as the Senior Development Transition Specialist, who functions as the Program Director for the cross-cutting USAID/KR project. When serving in this acting Program Director status, the Specialist is responsible for: - Supervision of four Kyrgyz national USAID staff and full strategic management of cross-cutting project. - Approval of activities within the project strategic framework. - U.S. interagency and donor coordination/representation of USAID Development Transition activities and priorities to a wide audience. - Other duties as assigned. C) POSITION ELEMENTS: 1) Supervision received: The incumbent will work under the general policy and technical guidance of and report to the USAID/Kyrgyz Republic Senior Development Specialist. The Supervisor will set overall objectives. The employee and the supervisor together will develop deadlines, projects, and work to be accomplished. The incumbent is expected to take initiative, act independently, and manage his/her tasks with minimal supervision. 2) Supervision Exercised: The Specialist will supervise two FSN Project Management Specialists. Together they will develop deadlines, projects, and work to be accomplished. When service as Acting Senior Development Transition Specialist, will supervise four FSN staff. 3) Available Guidelines: USAID Automated Directives (ADS), USAID Acquisition Regulations (AIDAR), State Department's Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM), strategic and other general program documents, and contact with contracting and financial management specialists. 4) Exercise of Judgment: In instances not clearly covered by written guidelines, the incumbent will use his own personal, well informed judgment in devising innovative approaches to resolving technical, administrative, managerial and/or policy problems. Excellent (balanced) judgment must be exercised in setting priorities. The use of initiative, discretion and patience is expected in dealing with Mission personnel as well as representatives from other donor organizations to resolve problems that arise during the course of work for which there is often no clear or immediate solution. In addition, considerable judgment is required in working effectively with officials in the government and the private sector, in overseeing contractor activities and coordinating multi-sector efforts in support of USAID/KR development objectives, and in collecting, analyzing and reporting on progress of activities and recommending project actions. The incumbent will also be required to follow and adhere to the Agency's Code of Ethics and Conduct. 5) Level of Contacts: The Incumbent actively engages in official personal contacts with Host-Country high ranking officials, different U.S. Agencies, international organizations, private groups, U.S. or foreign private groups, etc. It is expected that personal contacts will include, but not be limited to, the following: - Prime Minister and Vice Prime Ministers - Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Parliamentarians, and staff in the Ministries of Economics, Finance, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Education, etc. - U.S. Ambassador and other members of the Country Team members - Counterpart Host Country Officials responsible for assistance matters - Non-U.S. Ambassadors in the Kyrgyz Republic supporting development initiatives - Chiefs of Party of USAID contractors/grantees engaged in development initiatives in the Kyrgyz Republic - Senior officials and executives from the U.S. headquarters of USAID-funded contractors/grantees - Institutional contractors, NGOs, PVOs working on related matters - International donors operating in the Kyrgyz Republic - USAID/Central Asian Republics and USAID/Kyrgyz Republic Office Directors - USAID/Washington - CODELs, STAFFdels D) REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS 1) General: Must be a U.S. citizen, must be able to obtain a U.S. Government "SECRET" security clearance. Must be able to secure a medical clearance to serve in Central Asia. Must be willing to travel throughout the five Central Asian Republics. 2) Prior Work Experience: This position requires maturity and a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience demonstrating technical expertise and programmatic skills in international development in transition-related programs in developing countries, preferably related to transitions in governance or recovery from complex crises. Specifically, this should include experience in the design and development of programs, management and technical guidance in program implementation, and monitoring and evaluating program progress and effectiveness. Must have experience working with cash and in-kind grants under contracts, short and long-term technical assistance, and training. Professional experience working with governments, international donors, private sector and NGO implementers in the conflict management sector. Specific USAID experience in program planning, project design, budgeting, implementation oversight and/or reporting systems and procedures is preferred. Experience managing programs in Central Asia and the Kyrgyz Republic specifically is preferred. 3) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Demonstrated technical expertise in transition-related programs, in the context of developing countries. Demonstrated strategic, analytic skills and current knowledge of international development management trends and best practices. Demonstrated project management skills, including effective oversight of people, programs, and financial resources to implement programs contributing to international development. Demonstrated history of experience in a multicultural team environment working with a wide range of individuals and organizations to address development transition challenges. Strong interpersonal skills including a record of effective collegial/team relations and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a range of professional counterparts at all levels, including those from host-country government, NGOs, USAID missions, other USG agencies and international donors. Demonstrated technical expertise in transition-related programs, and programmatic skills within the context of developing countries. Subject matter expertise to develop strategies to overcome development challenges and resolve implementation obstacles to conflict prevention as information and devise creative and appropriate solutions to implementation challenges. Current knowledge of best practices, and current research and development trends in economic growth and democracy and governance. Strong analytical and writing skills as evidenced by previous experience and a writing sample, along with demonstrated ability to gather and convey information, make concise oral and written presentations and prepare reports, correspondence and other written materials. Strong interpersonal skills including a record of effective collegial/team relations and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a range of professional counterparts at all levels, including those from host-country government, NGOs, USAID missions, other USG agencies and international donors. Demonstrated the capacity to professionally represent USAID. The ability to meet tight deadlines with concise documents. Strong computer skills and proficiency in MS Office software. Completion of a writing sample is mandatory for consideration to this position. 4) Education and Language Proficiency: Minimum of a master's degree in international development, international relations, law, public administration, or a related field. Minimum Level IV (Fluent) English and proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly, and concisely, demonstrating a high degree of articulateness both orally and in writing, including technical reports. Given the level of interaction with host-country counterparts required by this position, strong command of Russian or Kyrgyz is also desirable. E) SELECTION CRITERIA Applicants will be evaluated against the following criteria: International Development Experience: 40 points Knowledge Skills and Abilities: 50 points Education and Language Proficiency: 10 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) August 05, 2013. The form is available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ or http://transition.usaid.gov/forms/OF612.pdf. 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: almaexo_hr@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 two-year period commencing o/a September 30, 2013, subject to security and medical clearances and funds availability. The duty post for this contract is Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. 10. Benefits include post differential, housing, and other benefits per USAID regulations. Basic household furnishings will be available in quarters to be provided by USG. 11. For more information about USAID/Kyrgyz Republic 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/39-2013 /listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
- Record
- SN03122695-W 20130721/130719235246-050dc2f71dea435603d2bd9e43502d60 (fbodaily.com)
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