A -- Democracy Advisor

ATTACHMENT TO SOLICITATION NO. 5/2004(amended) 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 5/2004(amended) 2. ISSUANCE DATE: 03/01/2004 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: 03/26/2004 (extended) (6 p.m. Almaty Time) 4. POSITION TITLE: DEMOCRACY ADVISOR 5. MARKET VALUE: $62,170 - $80, 818 per annum (GS-13 equivalent) with 25% Post Differential 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years (renewable) 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/CENTRAL ASIA, Almaty, Kazakhstan 8. JOB DESCRIPTION: A) Background The USAID Regional Mission for Central Asia is headquartered in Almaty, Kazakhstan, with country offices in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, and Dushanbe, Tajikistan. It is responsible for the development and management of the U.S. Government's program of assistance that is focused on the growth of small-scale enterprise and trade; building a more open, democratic culture; better management of environmental resources; and improved primary healthcare. USAID/Almaty manages all USAID assistance for the five Central Asian Republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. Central Asia is bordered by Russia, China, Iran and Afghanistan. Due to its substantial oil and gas reserves, it 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 150 years of Russian domination. A recent civil war, threats of religious extremism, ethnic rivalries, authoritarian governments, and lack of viable institutions make Central Asia a particularly difficult challenge for USAID. Democracy and Conflict Mitigation (DM) is one of four technical offices in the Mission, and the DM Office Director reports directly to the Mission Director. Democracy and Conflict Mitigation is responsible for achieving results in the following Mission Strategic Objectives in Central Asia: Strengthened Democratic Culture Among Citizens and Target Institutions, and Sources of Conflict Mitigated in Target Communities. Activities included in the DM portfolio include assistance in the development of civil society, political process, civic education, media, rule of law, human rights, anti-trafficking, conflict mitigation, and local government, with annual total funding of $30-40 million. B) Basic Function The Democracy Advisor will serve as the senior manager responsible for rule of law and anti-trafficking. As such, s/he will provide senior level expert leadership and guidance on democracy policies, strategies, programs and activities. The Democracy Advisor will provide a full range of consultative, advisory, information-gathering, analytical, and evaluative technical services of broad scope and complexity on democracy issues. The Democracy Advisor is authorized broad latitude to deal with senior government officials, members of parliament, local government officials, as well as senior leaders in the non-governmental arena. The Democracy Advisor must be able to think and operate strategically and programmatically, analyzing complex situations in order to assist in the development of USAID strategic plans and programs, and assessing the impact of host country policies and practices on USAID programs. S/he will be based in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and travel about one-third of the time throughout Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. C) Major Duties and Responsibilities: The specific duties of the Democracy Advisor may include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. Technical Leadership: the Democracy Advisor will serve as the Mission's resident expert on trafficking in persons and rule of law issues, providing substantive analysis as follows: a. Tracks political developments in Central Asia and provides periodic analysis of issues pertaining to human trafficking and legal/judicial reform. b. Prepares periodic in-depth reports analyzing specific topical issues impacting USAID programming and strategy. Specific issues will be identified in conjunction with the DM Director and the Mission Director. 2. Program Management: The Democracy Advisor will ensure that Democracy and Conflict Mitigation Office activities in legal reform, judicial reform, and trafficking in persons achieve results in an efficient, timely manner and are consistent with USAID regulations and policies. Specific duties include: a. Serving as Cognizant Technical Officer for contracts and grants for programs implementing democracy activities. b. Ensuring that all legal, policy and regulatory requirements are met before obligation of funds for Democracy and Conflict Mitigation activities. c. Drafting and obtaining approval for resource obligation documents such as MAARDs and MOUs. d. Coordinating with Program Support and Financial Management to obtain funding for Democracy and Conflict Mitigation activities. e. Ensuring that implementing partners receive needed information on USAID regulations and policies, including audit regulations, USAID and Embassy logistical support services, and assistance with country and regional issues. f. Designing new activities, drafting scopes of work and program descriptions, and reviewing proposals, workplans and budgets from implementing partners. g. Meeting regularly with partners; conducting site visits and inspections; maintaining up-to-date information on developments in areas of USAID-sponsored democracy initiatives; and informing Mission management and relevant offices of significant problem areas that could impede results, and recommending solutions. h. Providing leadership for monitoring activities, ensuring that performance monitoring systems are in place and that periodic, reliable measures/indicators of portfolio impact are established and used. i. Developing effective reporting systems that ensure that USAID Democracy and Conflict Mitigation programs are publicized effectively internally in the USG, and externally in Central Asia. j. Participating on the Mission's anti-corruption cross-cutting teams to ensure that democracy perspectives are reflected in programming in this area. D) Qualification Requirements 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. Education: A Juris Doctorate is highly desirable and preferred for this position. A Master's Degree in Political Science, International Affairs, International Law or similar area along with the equivalent portion of relevant experience may substitute for the lack of a J.D. 3. Prior Work Experience: Must be a recognized professional with a proven track record managing democracy and governance activities. S/he must have at least 4 years experience in democracy activities and/or analysis with a proven track record of programmatic accomplishment and professional achievement. Experience must include program and activity management; preference will be given to those who have experience designing and managing rule of law and/or anti-trafficking activities. International development experience is required; preference will be given to those with experience in Central Asia, other post-Soviet republics or Central and Eastern Europe. Knowledge of political, economic and social conditions, as well as knowledge of political and historic issues, concepts, principles, techniques, and practices related to the administration of juridical and public infrastructure reform in Central Asia or New Independent States is critical. Preference will also be given to individuals with knowledge of USAID procedures and systems for strategic planning, grants and contract management, results frameworks, activity design, program monitoring and evaluation. 4. Skills and Abilities: Language and Communication Skills: Must be fluent in English and have proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly, and concisely, both orally and in writing, including technical reports. Must have demonstrated ability to produce professional quality analytical pieces. Must be able to make oral presentations logically and persuasively to senior officials, other donors, the NGO community, and to USAID and other USG officials. Fluency in Russian and/or one of the languages of Central Asia is highly desirable. 5. Teamwork/Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional leadership, communications and inter-personal skills are critical. In addition, the incumbent must be able to interact effectively with a broad range of internal and external partners and USAID clients, international organizations, and host country government officials or NGO counterparts. S/he must be able to function collaboratively and productively as a member of a multi-disciplinary and multi-functional team, and must have the ability to work effectively in a team environment to achieve consensus on policies, activities and administrative matters. Technical skills are not sufficient to be selected for this position. 6. Computer Literacy: Strong spreadsheet and word processing skills are needed to manage activities. E) Supervision and Relationships 1. Supervisory Control Over the Position: This position is supervised by the DM Director (a U.S. Direct Hire employee), who advises on general responsibilities to meet USAID's strategic goals, supervises policy guidance, and reviews work in terms of overall accomplishment of desired results. The incumbent is expected to carry out his/her work independently, providing technical leadership to democracy staff and implementing partners in the development, implementation and monitoring/evaluation of program activities. This work will be reviewed yearly in terms of achievement of established milestones, effectiveness in facilitation teamwork, and appropriateness of program activity. 2. Guidelines Used and Judgment Required in Their Application: Guidelines used include, but are not limited to, the ADS; Mission Orders; DCHA/DG Guidance; and standard accounting, auditing and financial management operating procedures. Incumbent must have good judgment in determining appropriate solutions to problems, exercise his/her own initiative without prompting by the DM Director, and use discretion in his/her meetings with Senior Mission management, host country counterparts, and implementing partners. 3. Nature, Level and Purpose of Personal Contacts: The nature, level and purpose of personal contacts include negotiating or coordinating program activities with senior level representatives of the media, NGOs, and the private sector; senior level representatives of national, regional and local governments in the region; the U.S. Embassy in each of the countries of Central Asia; and international organizations. The Democracy Advisor requires a high level of negotiation skills to obtain substantive cooperation. The full range of contact is required, from the individual citizen to the mid-level government official to the highest levels of government. The Democracy Advisor will be expected to present, justify, and maintain positions on democracy issues consistent with the USAID strategy for Assistance for the Central Asian Republics. F) Selection Criteria: Applicants will be evaluated against the following criteria: Technical Knowledge and Experience: 30 points Project Management and Leadership Experience: 25 points Relevant International Experience: 15 points Language and Communication Skills: 15 points Academic Qualifications: 10 points Computer Skills: 5 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, and writing sample (one page analytical essay) no later than COB (6 p.m. Almaty time) March 26, 2004. 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, and writing sample may be submitted by e-mail, fax, DHL or FedEx air courier by the closing date, above, to: Beth Salamanca 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 April 15, 2004. USAID/CAR expects to award a personal-services contract for an off-shore US Citizen for two-year period from on or about June 1, 2004 to on or about June 1, 2006. The contract will be signed by May 15, 2004. On or about June 1, 2004, the incumbent shall proceed to Almaty, Kazakhstan to commence performance of the duties specified, subject to medical and security clearance. The duty post for this contract is Almaty, Kazakhstan. 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. Almaty is a beautiful city nestled against mountains, bursting with parks and fountains, with tree lined streets and flower gardens. The city has the excitement of Kazakh culture with its nomadic and warrior heritage as well as the benefits of the Russian culture ballet, museums, opera, choirs, and circus. It has the charm and challenges of colorful native markets, as well as the convenience of modern supermarkets. Located at an altitude of 650 meters, where steppe meets mountain, Almaty is backed by the snow capped Tien Shan to the South and faced by a vast plain which stretches to Siberia in the North. There are many places for skiing, skating, hiking, rafting, helicopter trips, camping, and other outdoor activities outside the city. The Almaty International School provides American curriculum for children in grades K 12