SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- Democracy Specialist
- Notice Date
- 7/26/2010
- 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
- 39-2010
- Archive Date
- 8/23/2010
- Point of Contact
- Tatiana Rossova, Phone: 7-727-2507617, 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: July 26, 2010 CLOSING DATE: August 20, 2010 Gentlemen/Ladies: SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (PSC) No. 39-2010 USPSC Democracy Specialist, USAID/Central Asian Republics, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan 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 Geoffry Lohsl, 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, Geoffry Lohsl Contracting Officer ATTACHMENT TO SOLICITATION NO. 39-2010 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 39/2010 2. ISSUANCE DATE: 07/26/2010 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: 08/20/2010 (6 p.m. Almaty Time) 4. POSITION TITLE: USPSC Democracy Specialist 5. MARKET VALUE: $71,674-$110,104 per annum (GS-13/14 equivalent) with 25% Post Differential (currently) (within this range, the salary to be paid will depend on selected candidate's qualifications and salary history) 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years (with possibility of extensions) 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Central Asian Republics, Kyrgyzstan Country Office, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan 8. JOB DESCRIPTION: A) Background The Regional USAID Mission for Central Asia, located in Almaty, Kazakhstan, is responsible for the development and management of the U.S. Government's regional assistance program directed at supporting a program of policy reform, humanitarian assistance, economic recovery and development in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The USAID office in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan manages day-to-day oversight and management of the USAID program in that country. The Kyrgyz Republic is experiencing major political and economic change following the overthrow of President Kurmanbek Bakiev in early April 2010, and the recent violence in the South of the country. Kyrgyzstan now represents a country in democratic transition in a region not known for democratic governments. The historical legacy of seven decades of Soviet rule is large. Kyrgyzstan's success or failure in its efforts to achieve successful democratic transition will have long-term ramifications for how democracy is viewed in Kyrgyzstan. The U.S. remains committed to furthering democratic governance in the Kyrgyz Republic and to its long-term stability and development. USAID program of assistance to Kyrgyzstan includes (a) humanitarian assistance and stabilization efforts; (b) economic restructuring and privatization; (c) democratization; and d) social sector reform. A cross-cutting conflict prevention program for the Ferghana Valley region led to the opening a satellite office in the southern city of Osh in 2005 that will soon be reopened once the security in the South is re-established. Given recent events, programming focused on the South has become a priority. B) BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITION: The incumbent serves as the Democracy Specialist in the Kyrgyzstan Country Office (KCO) of USAID/CAR located in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The employee serves as the Mission's Democracy Specialist for all democracy, governance and conflict mitigation activities implemented in the Kyrgyz Republic. Work involves a full range of project and program design, management, oversight, activity monitoring, data collection, political, conflict and social analysis and evaluation of the program portfolio in the democracy, governance and conflict mitigation sectors in the Kyrgyz Republic. In this role, the Democracy Specialist must employ knowledge of political, social and cultural developments in Central Asia, and have a background in diverse democracy and governance programming including, rule of law, human rights, media, NGO, parliamentary, local government, elections, political party, conflict mitigation, youth, religion, trafficking-in-persons, and gender development. The Democracy Specialist must be effective in developing and cultivating cooperative working relationships with American and international private voluntary organizations (PVOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international donors, local non-governmental partners and government officials in the Kyrgyz Republic. In addition, the employee works closely with and coordinates USAID programs with the U.S. Embassy Bishkek, in which his/her office is housed and the Democracy and Conflict Mitigation (DM) Office based in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The Democracy Specialist also provides rapid response to requests from the Ambassador and others related to USAID programs and program areas and serves as a key advisor to the Embassy staff on democracy, governance and conflict-mitigation-related issues. The incumbent supervises the democracy, governance and conflict mitigation-related activities of two foreign service national (FSN) Project Management Specialists. The Democracy Specialist, together with the Senior Development Specialist (the defacto Deputy Country Representative), provides training, mentoring and feedback on performance for the two FSN staff. C) MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1) Manages, monitors, designs, serves as liaison for and reports on all aspects of the democracy, governance and conflict mitigation portfolio in Kyrgyzstan. Under the general supervision of the USAID/CAR/Kyrgyzstan Country Office Director and his/her Deputy, and with technical direction from the Democracy and Conflict Mitigation (DM) Office Director (or his/her designee), provides strategic vision for the democracy, governance and conflict mitigation programs in the Kyrgyz Republic, continually honing USAID's strategy and approach to ensure the democracy program is appropriate given local conditions, developments and opportunities. 2) Monitors progress of all democracy activities (in the areas of civil society, youth, media, parliament, rule of law, human rights, political party, elections, conflict mitigation, trafficking-in-persons, etc.) which are underway in the Kyrgyz Republic, to ensure results are achieved. Identifies barriers to program implementation and success, and develops solutions to maximize program impact. Works collaboratively with USAID/CAR staff to ensure program activities are implemented effectively. Tracks development of and analyzes political, media and social issues crucial for the successful implementation of democracy, governance and conflict mitigation activities in the Kyrgyz Republic. Monitors pertinent legislation and local media to stay abreast of the latest developments that could impact USAID's democracy, governance and conflict mitigation programs. 3) Based on thorough understanding and analysis of political and social developments in the Kyrgyz Republic, proposes, and recommends new democracy, governance and conflict mitigation programs or changes to existing democracy/governance/conflict mitigation programs and activities in collaboration with relevant C/AOTRs and technical staff. Develops and drafts program goals and objectives, and prepares statements of work (SOW) and program descriptions for new activities, project assessments, evaluations and other related efforts. Drafts mid-term and annual portfolio review and operational plan documents for democracy, governance and conflict mitigation programs in the Kyrgyz Republic, highlighting success stories and program impact achieved, and describing future plans and activities. 4) Serves as a democracy advisor to the U.S. Embassy and Mission staff, reporting on all aspects of the democracy, governance and conflict mitigation programs. The incumbent cooperates with the Embassy on arranging visits of the Ambassador or other delegations to USAID project sites and arranges events such as democracy/governance roundtables, appropriate. 5) Drafts reporting cables and other informational documents related to USAID's democracy, governance and conflict mitigation assistance in the Kyrgyz Republic. Serves as site officer, develops potential site visits, prepares briefing documents for, and briefs high level visitors such as Congressional Delegations, State Department and USAID Representatives, on USAID's democracy, governance and conflict mitigation activities in the Kyrgyz Republic. 6) Within the framework of general guidelines, as arrived at through policy discussions with relevant program officers, conducts meetings with government counterparts, organizes roundtables with DM implementing partners and relevant donors, regarding the design, development and implementation of democracy/governance and conflict mitigation activities in order to push forward programmatic agendas, formulate strategy and coordinate activities. Conducts frequent site visits to assess program and activity impact. 7) Serves as the Contracting/Agreement Officer's Technical Representative (C/AOTR) and/or Activity Manager for the Kyrgyz Republic-specific and/or regional contracts and cooperative agreements in the democracy, governance and conflict mitigation sector. 8) Advises the Ambassador, Mission Director, Country Office Director, Democracy and Conflict Mitigation Office Director, Embassy officers on the performance of USAID/CAR democracy, governance and conflict mitigation activities. Serves as USAID/CAR/Kyrgyzstan representative on the U.S. Embassy Democracy Commission. Coordinates democracy, governance, and conflict mitigation activities with other U.S. Government agencies, especially the Public Affairs Section of the Embassy and the State Department's Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL). Along with the Country Office Director and his/her Deputy, acts as an official USAID representative in dialogue and coordination with other international donors active in the Kyrgyz Republic and Central Asia. 9) Consistent with the overall Mission strategy, incumbent independently cultivates / maintains contacts and dialogue with Government Officials, donors, and non-governmental counterparts in the Kyrgyz Republic. These contacts and dialogues will be used by the Democracy Specialist to effectively provide input for programming democracy, governance and conflict mitigation assistance. 10) Ensure effective communication and collaboration is maintained on democracy, governance and conflict mitigation portfolio programming, budgeting and procurement planning issues with/between the Kyrgyzstan Country Office (KCO), the Regional Democracy and Conflict Mitigation Office in Almaty, USAID grantees and contractors, other donors, the Government of Kyrgyzstan, USAID/Washington and the Office of the Assistance Coordinator for Europe and Eurasia. 11) Coordinate KCO's democracy, governance and conflict mitigation 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 democracy, governance and conflict mitigation 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 KCO. 12) Responsible for producing democracy, governance and conflict mitigation portfolio 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. 13) Any other duties as required by the USAID/CAR/Bishkek Country Office Director and/or the Democracy and Conflict Mitigation (DM) Office Director. D) SUPERVISION RECEIVED: The Democracy Specialist will work under the general supervision of the Kyrgyzstan Country Office Director and his/her Deputy and under the technical guidance of the USAID/CAR Democracy and Conflict Mitigation Office Director or his/her designee. Given that the incumbent will handle most work independently and in accordance with established Federal and Agency regulations, policies and procedures, excellent judgment is critical to the successful performance of the job. The incumbent will be expected to use initiative and exercise discretion in dealing with Mission and Country Office personnel as well as with personnel at the U.S. Embassy, representatives from other donor organizations, the host government, 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. E) QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS: 1) PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE: A minimum of five (5) years progressively responsible experience working in international development. At least two years of prior work experience is required with a U.S. Government Agency, other international donor organization(s) or an NGO or other organization in the design, implementation, administration and management of activities/programs in one or more of the following fields: rule of law, human rights, civil society, media, legislative strengthening, elections, political parties, conflict mitigation or local governance. Preference is for experience in Central Asia. Comprehensive knowledge of the political, social, and economic characteristics of the former-Soviet countries and/or Central Asia is preferred. Knowledge of USAID procurement and program management procedures and regulations is highly desirable. 2) MANAGEMENT, COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS AND 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. Strong 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. The candidate must be a self-starter i.e. able to work calmly, tactfully and effectively under extreme time constraints and 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 U.S. Governments goals and objectives is required. 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 host country; and, to represent USAID/CAR/KCO Democracy and Conflict Mitigation portfolio and strategies in professional meetings and conferences. 3) LANGUAGE AND COMPUTER SKILLS: Language: Native Speaker (Level 5) in both written and spoken English required. Level 3 (Good Working Knowledge) in both speaking and comprehension of Russian or Kyrgyz is desired but not required. Computer Skills: Proficiency with computer programs, including those in budgeting, presentations and desktop publishing. 4) EDUCATION: A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a democracy-related field such as, but not limited to: political science, public administration, public policy, international affairs or international development or related field is required. Although not essential, a Master's degree in a related field or a law degree is preferred. F) OTHER REQUIREMENTS 1) Must be an U.S. Citizen and possess or be able to obtain a U.S. Government-issued security clearance at the level of SECRET. 2) Must be able to obtain a State/Med medical clearance to serve in Central Asia. 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 able and willing to travel within Kyrgyzstan and throughout the Central Asia Region, as required. G) SELECTION CRITERIA: Applicants will be evaluated against the following criteria: Professional Experience and Technical Knowledge: 40 points Management, Communication and Interpersonal Skills/Abilities: 30 points Academic Qualifications: 15 points Language and Computer Skills: 15 points Total: 100 points Notice to Applicants: The USAID reserves the right to obtain from previous employers and other sources 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 20, 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 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 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 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/39-2010/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: 171, Mira Ave, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
- Record
- SN02218470-W 20100728/100726235728-88470066f7c66405b2f6da7b3ee658bd (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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