A -- Deputy Officer Director

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 31/20042. ISSUANCE DATE: 09/10/2004 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: 09/23/2004 (6 p.m. Almaty Time) 4. POSITION TITLE: Deputy Office Director 5. MARKET VALUE: $62,905 - $81,778 per annum (GS-13 equivalent) 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: one year (with option for extension) 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/CENTRAL ASIA, Almaty, Kazakhstan 8. JOB DESCRIPTION: A) Background The USAID Regional Mission for Central Asia (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 recovery, democratic and social transition in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Tajikistan poses one of the most difficult development challenges in the region. This small isolated country was already the poorest of the republics when part of the Soviet Union, but civil war and economic collapse since independence have now reduced over 80% of the population to poverty. The country has begun to see a political and economic turnaround since peace accords were signed in 1997. Tajikistan is on the front line of pressing U.S. concerns in the region: narcotics trafficking and terrorism, Islamic extremism, democratic transition, economic reform, and management of region's vast water resources. USAID assistance to the country was initially focused on urgent humanitarian needs and supporting the peace process. Under the new assistance strategy for Central Asia, USAID is increasingly supporting the country's longer-term development needs, while still meeting humanitarian needs. The incumbent serves as the Deputy for Tajikistan Country Officer in USAID/CAR. In that position s/he is responsible for assisting in oversight and coordination of approximately $18 million annually assistance portfolio implemented through four institutional contractors and 20 international private voluntary organizations (PVOs). The position also assists in coordinating on behalf of the U.S. Ambassador a $35 million U.S. Department of Agriculture food aid program involving four U.S. PVOs and the United Nation's World Food Programme (WFP). As a Deputy Director of the Tajikistan Country Office, the incumbent participates in supervision of 10 Foreign National Personal Services Contractor (FNPSC) employees. B. Basic Function: Under the overall direction of the USAID/CAR Regional Mission in Almaty, Kazakhstan and the direct supervision of the Tajikistan Country Officer, the incumbent participates in the conceptualization, design and overall management of USAID/CAR's policy strategy/portfolio for all Mission's strategic and cross-cutting objectives in Tajikistan. C. Scope of Work: The Deputy Country Officer is the alter ego of the Country Officer and assumes the responsibilities and authority of the Country Officer in his/her absence. This requires that the incumbent is fully familiar with all programs and activities, the issues and objectives involved, and the implementation partners and local counterparts. As needed, the Country Officer may delegate specific responsibilities or assignments to the Deputy, on either a short-term or long-term basis. The Deputy is required to travel frequently within Tajikistan 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. Areas of responsibility for the position of deputy country officer include: 1) Assist the Country Officer and Country Office staff to achieve the desired outcomes of USAID/CAR's program in Tajikistan in the most effective and efficient manner. 2) Provide expert advice, technical leadership, and coordination in developing and implementing USAID/CAR projects/activities in Tajikistan as well as monitoring the progress of these activities, 3) Serve as a liaison official for USG assistance with the Government of Tajikistan, the U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan, private voluntary organizations, and international donor organizations. 4) Through field observation, analysis, and consultation with host government and other local entities, identify needs for USAID assistance in areas consistent with NIS assistance program. Advise the Tajikistan Country Office and USAID/CAR's Regional office of these needs, and as required, develop concept papers 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 Tajikistan. 5) As a manager is responsible for coordinating and implementation of Food Aid Program and other Humanitarian Assistance Projects. 6) Assist the Country Officer to maintain effective liaison and communication between the USAID/CAR's Regional Office in Almaty, the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe, USAID grantees and contractors, other donors, the Government of Tajikistan, and AID/Washington. 7) Serve in the absence of the Country Officer as a member of the U.S. Embassy/Dushanbe Country Team. D. Supervision Exercised The incumbent provides administrative supervision for FSNPSC employees. When serving in the capacity of acting country officer, the deputy will assume full supervisory responsibility for the entire Tajikistan Country Office. E. Supervision Received: The incumbent will work directly under the supervision and technical guidance of the FE U.S. Direct Hire Supervisory Program Officer (Tajikistan Country Officer) - Under broad guidance from the USDH Country Officer, work is performed with a high degree of independence. - When serving in the capacity of acting Country Officer the incumbent will report directly to the USAID/CAR Director or his/her designee; also as acting country officer the incumbent will be under parallel supervision from the U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan. F. Level and Purpose of Contacts The incumbent actively engages in official personal contacts with a broad range of individuals and organizations in Tajikistan 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 Tajik 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 social sector committees in the Presidential Apparatuses; - Ministers and deputy ministers in Tajikistan; - U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan 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 G. Qualification Requirements: This position requires a blend of qualities that include: broad development experience; proven management abilities; ability to work independently; strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability and willingness to function in a collaborative and collegial environment; sensitivity to others; intellectual curiosity; balanced judgment; ability to conceptualize, both strategically and programmatically; and ability to generate trust and build alliances with donor partners. The ideal incumbent would have the following characteristics: - Knowledge of the political, social, and economic characteristics of former-Soviet countries, preferably Central Asia. - Knowledge, experience and demonstrated competency in the design, management, and evaluation of projects to improve their quality, relevance, and cost-effectiveness. - Management skills to analyze and resolve a wide range of challenges and problems arising in project/activity implementation. - Familiarity with USG's policies and priorities and means of delivering assistance in developing nations. - High-level proficiency in oral and written communications needed to report on the status of activities and projects; to establish and maintaining effective relations with all levels of people in former-Soviet countries; and, to represent USAID/CAR Tajikistan's projects and strategies in professional meetings and conferences. - Hands-on experience with and knowledge of computer software and hardware. - Experience in Central Asian Republics and on NIS region. - Ability to work as a team member of effectively lead teams. - Master's degree in business administration, international business, or other relevant subject area is preferred. Training (or experience) in relevant administrative policies and procedures is required. - Good Working Knowledge of Russian or Tajik (the local language spoken in Tajikistan). All of the above are elements contributing to success performance in this position H. OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Must be an U.S. Citizen and possess or be able to obtain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance. Must be able to obtain a medical clearance to serve in Central Asia. Minimum Level V (Native) English Language ability (written and spoken) is required. Must be willing to travel throughout the Central Asia Region. 9. EVALUATION CRITERIA Technical Knowledge and Experience: 30 points Managerial and Leadership Experience: 20 points Academic Qualifications: 15 points Language and Communication Skills: 15 points Relevant NIS Experience: 15 points Computer Skills: 5 points Total: 100 points 10. APPLYING Qualified individuals are requested to submit a U.S. Government Application for Federal Employment SF-171 including experience, salary history and references, no later than COB (6 p.m. Almaty time) September 23, 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, may be submitted by e-mail, fax, DHL or FedEx air courier by the closing date, above, to: Patrick L. Robinson 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 September 27, 2004. USAID/CAR expects to award a personal-services contract for an off-shore US Citizen for one-year period from on or about September 30, 2004 to on or about October 30, 2005. The contract will be signed by September 30, 2004. On or about October 29, 2004, the incumbent shall proceed to Dushanbe, Tajikistan to commence performance of the duties specified, subject to medical and security clearance. The duty post for this contract is Dushanbe, Tajikistan. 11. Benefits include post differential, housing, and other benefits per USAID regulations. Basic household furnishings, will be available in quarters to be provided by USAID. Dushanbe, Tajikistan is currently 15% Danger Pay post.