A -- Religion, State and Society Specialist

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 18/20042. ISSUANCE DATE: 06/01/2004 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: 07/02/2004 (6 p.m. Almaty Time) 4. POSITION TITLE: RELIGION, STATE AND SOCIETY SPECIALIST (RSS SPECIALIST) 5. MARKET VALUE: $62,905 - $81,778 per annum (GS-13 equivalent) with 25% Post Differential 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years (renewable) 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/CENTRAL ASIA, Tashkent, Uzbekistan 8. JOB DESCRIPTION: A) Background: The USAID Regional Mission for Central Asia (USAID/CAR or the - Mission) 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/CAR 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. The region is considered a Foreign Service hardship post - 25% post differential for Tashkent, Uzbekistan. USAID/CAR is responsible for approximately $110 million of assistance annually, with activities totaling $400 million in the areas of energy and environment, economics and finance, democracy and conflict mitigation, as well as health and education. The Mission works in partnership with over 70 grantee and contractors throughout the region. The Tashkent office, led by the Country Representative, includes a team of 2 USDH, 2 USPSCs, and 15 local national technical and administrative support staff. For two years, USAID has explored the issue of engaging religious leaders and integrating people of influence into our development activities. These discussions included USAID staff, government and civil society, and a wide range of scholars, Islamic experts and experts on religion, state and society, media and youth in Central Asia. USAID has created the - Working Group on Religion and Society. This interagency, inter-embassy Working Group is represented by staff from USAID/CAR (including each country office) and US Embassy in Central Asia as well as staff from USAID Washington and the State Department. This Working Group seeks to advance USAID's strategic objectives, and explores the influence of religion, state and society on USAID activities in enterprise and finance, education and health, democracy and conflict mitigation, as well as energy and water. B) Basic Function: The successful candidate will serve as the USAID/CAR Mission Religion, State and Society Specialist. The candidate will implement a broad USAID strategy on religion, state and society in Central Asia, which is in the processing of being finalized. The RSS Specialist will also serve as the point person for coordinating outreach, developing and implementing program ideas, analysis, and representational functions for religion, state and society issues as they relate to the overall development assistance program. As such, s/he will provide senior level expert leadership, guidance and advice on how USAID/CAR interacts with religious, state and social actors within its assistance program so as to mitigate the risk of conflict arising from religious extremism. The RSS Specialist is authorized broad latitude to interact with senior government officials, religious scholars and leaders, local government officials, NGO leaders, as well as other people of influence in the region. In this role the RSS Specialist will establish contact and develop relationships with a broad array of U.S., international and regional NGOs, think tanks, and moderate religious institutions and explore partnership opportunities on development issues relating to religion, state and society with a focus on mitigating the risk of extremism. In addition, the RSS Specialist will coordinate with other donors and international organizations, including Muslim outreach programs. The RSS Specialist will be based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and travel one-half of her/his time throughout the Central Asian region, principally in southern Kyrgyzstan, southern Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. C) Major Duties and Responsibilities: Specifically, the candidate will have four major areas of responsibility: First, the candidate will serve as a primary USAID representative to a variety of religious leaders, scholars and communities in Central Asia. In this capacity, the candidate will develop deep contacts among credible and independent, male and female religious leaders and scholars, media and youth. This representational function will constructively engage these people of influence, introduce and integrate them (when appropriate) into USAID development and assistance projects. Second, the candidate will provide regular, written analysis as to interplay of religious, state and social actors in the region. The purpose of this analytical function is to: (i) understand trends in religious extremism and moderation; (ii) identify geographic and demographic areas vulnerable to extremism; (iii) identify feasible and tangible steps USAID can take to mitigate the risk of increased extremism; and (iv) advise USAID leadership on approaches to engaging and integrating religious leaders into our development and humanitarian programs, when appropriate. Third, the candidate will collaborate with each Embassy's political and public affairs sections, as well as with senior officials at USAID Washington and the State Department. The candidate will help to ensure that USAID efforts are responsive to and integrated within the larger U S Government foreign policy framework. Finally, the RSS Specialist will serve as the Deputy Team Leader of the Working Group on Religion and Society. The candidate will facilitate implementation of assistance programs that are developed from the USAID strategy on religion, state and society. In this role s/he will work with other USAID/CAR strategic objective teams and implementing partners to design and implement new activities. In consultation with other members of the Working Group on Religion and Society, the RSS Specialist will work to identify, coordinate and implement cross-sector opportunities. In this role s/he will identify opportunities to engage religious leaders in health, education, energy and water, etc. development programs. The RSS Specialist may also manage small grant projects as opportunities and funding arise to implement small projects within communities that are at risk for extremism. D) Supervisory Controls: The RSS Specialist receives policy direction and guidance from the Team Leader for the Working Group on Religion and Society. On a day to day basis, the RSS Specialist will report to the Uzbekistan Country Office Director and coordinate with the Democracy and Conflict Mitigation Office on common issues such as youth, conflict mitigation and media. The RSS Specialist has a high degree of independence to act within overall policies and objectives and has broad coordination, representation and analytical responsibilities. S/he will also often be required to exercise independent judgment and initiative. E) QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND SELECTION CRITERIA 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 live in Uzbekistan and travel extensively throughout the five Central Asian Republics. 1) WORK EXPERIENCE: (20 points) Have a minimum of three (3) years progressively responsible experience working on religion, state and social issues (must be a recognized professional). International experience is necessary; preference will be given to those with specific experience in Central Asia or predominately Muslim countries. 2) KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITY: (50 points) a) Knowledge of political, economic and social conditions, as well as knowledge of historic issues, concepts, principles, techniques and practices related to religion, state and society in Central Asia is critical. The Candidate must also have an understanding of development work and ability to design and implement creative and innovative programs with the religious community. b) This position requires strong writing and analytical skills, relating directly to the issue of religion, state and society in Central Asia. Must be able to make oral presentations logically and persuasively to senior host country officials, donors, the NGO community, USG officials and to members of the local communities, especially to people of influence such as religious scholars and leaders, students and media. c) The incumbent requires leadership skills and will facilitate implementation of assistance programs that are developed from the USAID strategy on religion, state and society. The incumbent should have demonstrated skills in the ability to identify, coordinate and implement cross-sector opportunities. Additionally, s/he will need to be able to identify opportunities to engage religious leaders in health, education, energy and water, etc. development programs. d) Exceptional interpersonal skills and diplomacy are required to maintain excellent working relationships with all Mission personnel, internal/external contacts, counterparts, shareholders, and clients. The candidate must be willing and able to represent USAID in various capacities. The candidate must be comfortable in traditional religious settings and working with conservative leaders, while at the same time be able to function and represent USAID to other NGO's, international donors and the host governments. 4) LANGUAGE SKILLS: (15 points) Must have native fluency in English and have proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly, concisely, both orally and in writing. Candidate must have demonstrated ability to produce professional quality written analysis. Must have professional proficiency (Level: 3/3) in one of the following languages: Russian, Kyrgyz, Uzbek or Tajik. 5) EDUCATION: (15 points) Advanced degree in religious studies, international relations, conflict mitigation, social sciences, law or related disciplines is required. A PH.D. on issues that relate directly to religion, state and society is preferred. 9. Applying: Qualified individuals are requested to submit a U.S. Government Application for Federal Employment SF-171 (preferable) or OF-612 including experience, salary history and references, and writing sample (one page analytical essay) no later than COB (6 p.m. Almaty time) July 2, 2004. The forms are 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: 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 on or about July 30, 2004. USAID/CAR expects to award a personal-services contract to an off-shore US Citizen for two-year period from on or about September 7, 2004 to on or about September 6, 2006. The contract is expected to be signed on or about August 13, 2004. On or about September 7, 2004, the incumbent shall proceed to Tashkent, Uzbekistan to commence performance of the duties specified, subject to medical and security clearance. The duty post for this contract is Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Benefits include post differential, housing, and other benefits per USAID regulations. Basic household furnishings will be available in quarters to be provided by USAID. Tashkent has a continental/high desert climate, characterized by cold winters (with snow in January and February) and hot summers. July and August temperatures can range from 95 to 110F. For the most part summers are dry and dusty. November and December are usually cold and wet. Tashkent offers several Uzbek- and Russian- language drama, opera, and ballet theatres. There are a few museums to visit and shops with Uzbek arts and crafts, including jewelry, ceramics, carpets, embroideries, brass trays, and other handicrafts and antiques. Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, and other cities offer fascinating history with beautiful monuments and architecture. There are a growing number of quality restaurants with international cuisine. Tashkent offers sports and other recreational pursuits: tennis complexes, a golf club, a bowling club, several swimming pools, two simple horseback riding facilities, weekend hiking, winter skiing, and a water park complete with slides. There are many parks around town with children's rides, slides, and swings. Touring and camping are popular. The local mountains are very beautiful, stark and rugged. Travel agencies can organize bicycling, white water rafting, skiing, and hiking tours. The Tashkent International School provides American curriculum for children in grades K 12. In addition, the Ulugbek International School offers classes K-12 in English and is based on the U.S. educational system. There are two half-day pre-schools in operation in Tashkent for children 2-6 years old.