Senior Development Advisor, USAID/Kyrgyz Republic

ATTACHMENT TO SOLICITATION NO. 26/2021 I. GENERAL INFORMATION SOLICITATION NUMBER: 26/2021 ISSUANCE DATE: May 27, 2021 CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: June 10, 2021 (6:00 PM Bishkek time) POINT OF CONTACT: USAID/CA Human Resources, almatyhr@usaid.gov and centralasiajobs@usaid.gov (with autoreply) POSITION TITLE: Senior Development Advisor, USPSC Off- Shore Hire MARKET VALUE: $110,460 - $143,598 per annum (GS-15 equivalent) with 25% Post Differential (currently). Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic with travel as stated in the Statement of Work. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret II. STATEMENT OF DUTIES: A) BACKGROUND The Kyrgyz Republic is the only freely elected parliamentary democracy in post-Soviet Central Asia. However, the country's democratic institutions have been challenged this past year by the COVID-19 pandemic and deep political instability. New nationalist political forces seek to roll back reforms and even parliamentary democracy itself. As such, in support of long-term stability and prosperity, the United States focuses on defending, sustaining, and strengthening the country's hard-won democratic gains while promoting economic progress, strengthened public services and stronger ties across the region. USAID works with the Kyrgyz Republic to consolidate democratic governance by partnering with institutions, promoting civic engagement, strengthening independent media, improving the delivery of public services and expanding economic opportunity. The Mission also works to advance high priority regional initiatives such as the C5+1, a platform that brings together the five countries of Central Asia and the United States to discuss and work on issues of common interest. Over the past 25 years, USAID has invested nearly $1 billion in USAID's development and stabilization programs. While the country has been successful in lowering its rate of extreme poverty, over 38% of the population remains below the national poverty line. This tenuous economic position has been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with economic losses estimated at almost nine percent of GDP. Indeed, the Kyrgyz Republic has been extremely hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic -- it is the second hardest hit country in the Asia region, following the Maldives, with an official incidence rate of 1,274.2 cases per 100,000. Bishkek, the capital, has suffered particularly hard --the excess mortality in 2020 has been estimated at 117 excess deaths per 100,000, which represents more than 164 percent of the deaths experienced in 2019. The annual USAID budget for Kyrgyz Republic is approximately $30 million, and the overall portfolio is valued at approximately $130 million. Current efforts focus on helping the country consolidate its progress toward accountable, inclusive governance, increasing economic opportunities and improving its education and health systems. B) BASIC FUNCTIONS The Senior Development Advisor is integral to providing direction and vision to the diverse and complex mission portfolio, and mentorship to the six-person Program Office (PO) team. The incumbent reports to the Mission Director or his/her designee. The Senior Development Advisor is expected to perform functions more often associated with a Supervisory Program Officer. The incumbent is central to ensuring the achievement of the Mission's ambitious Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) covering health, education, democracy and governance, and economic growth, and working to ensure the effective implementation of the portfolio. USAID maintains strong relationships with the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, partnering closely with line ministries to advance foreign policy priorities. Simultaneously, evolving political dynamics in the country regularly necessitate sudden pivots or reassessments of programming approaches. The Senior Development Advisor is expected to have a solid understanding of political dynamics and U.S. foreign policy priorities at play in Central Asia, and specifically in the Kyrgyz Republic. The incumbent regularly collaborates with interagency Embassy colleagues at all levels, the Central Asia Regional Mission in Almaty, Kazakhstan, USAID and State colleagues in Washington, and liaises with international donor organizations working in the development sphere in the country. S/he is expected to have a strong grasp of Agency regulations, policies, and procedures and be able to advise other team members on all areas related to project design, monitoring and evaluation, outreach and communications, budgeting, and Congressional reporting. The operating environment in the Kyrgyz Republic necessitates someone who has extensive overseas experience in complex (and at times volatile) operating environments. This position requires broad development experience, exceptional leadership, and strong interpersonal and teamwork skills. The range of responsibilities and functions are outlined below. C) MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES/SCOPE OF WORK The Kyrgyz Republic Senior Development Advisor (SDA) is the alter ego of the Program Office Director and assumes the responsibilities and authority of this role in his/her absence, except where prohibited by regulations/directives. This requires that the incumbent is fully familiar with U.S. government policy priorities, as well as USG-funded development programming and activities, the issues and objectives involved, and the implementation partners and local counterparts. The SDA is required to travel frequently within the Kyrgyz Republic to monitor USAID activities and to travel, as well, to the USAID/CAR Regional Mission office in Almaty, Kazakhstan to consult with regional mission management and technical support office staff. The SDA will be required to represent USAID at meetings within the highest levels of the U.S. and Kyrgyz governments. PROGRAMMATIC PLANNING, REPORTING AND OVERSIGHT (65%) Areas of responsibility for the position of the SDA include: Assist the Mission Director and Mission staff to effectively accomplish programmatic development goals of the CDCS; Provide expert advice, technical leadership, and coordination in the conceptual design, development and implementation of USAID projects/activities in the Kyrgyz Republic as well as monitoring the progress of these activities; Serve as a liaison regarding USG assistance programs with the Government of Kyrgyz Republic, the U.S. Embassy in Kyrgyz Republic, local and international nongovernmental organizations, institutional contractors and international donor organizations; Take the lead for the Mission in program management/administration in terms of Kyrgyz Republic's budget and reporting processes, including tracking and maintaining budget information, as well as coordinating all information for reporting purposes, with responsible Bishkek and Almaty staff, as well as Embassy personnel, as appropriate. This includes the annual Strawman, Annual Budget Reviews, and 653a planning and reporting processes; As delegated by the Mission Director, the SDA will take the lead in producing annual reporting documents including the Performance Plan Report (PPR), the Operational Plan (OP), Portfolio Reviews, Strategy Reviews, Quarterly Financial Reporting meetings with CAR/OFM, Mission Strategic Resource Plan (MSRP) and related or similar documents; The SDA will be the primary point person, and take the lead on ensuring that new project designs, and existing activities fully integrate gender, people with disability, and environmental compliance best practices and that U.S. Government regulations are followed and met; Through field observation, analysis, and consultation with host government, international donor organizations, and other local entities, identify needs for USAID assistance in areas consistent with U.S. Government Strategic Goals and policy priorities. Advise the Kyrgyz Republic Mission of these needs, and as required, develop concept papers and project designs outlining the potential USAID response. Incumbent keeps the Mission Director and, as appropriate, USAID's Asia Bureau, apprised of issues, challenges, successes, and solutions in the management of the Mission and of USAID's programming in the Kyrgyz Republic; MISSION MANAGEMENT (25%) Assume responsibility for Mission implementation of assigned activities within the portfolio, ensuring that all personnel resources to oversee the portfolio are properly considered and supervise local staff responsible for Mission activities; Complete basic personnel functions such as approval of timesheets, advise team leads on human resource issues, coordinate human resource/personnel actions requested by CAR/EXO, drafting of award nominations, completing performance reports, and ensuring team leads maintain EXO deadlines for such actions; Assist the Mission Director to maintain effective liaison and communication between the USAID/CAR in Almaty, the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek, USAID grantees and contractors, other donors, the Government of Kyrgyz Republic, AID/Washington and EUR/ACE; Develop strategic public outreach and communication products and enhance the outreach and messaging efforts of implementing partners to better convey programmatic impact and USG foreign policy goals. Assist the Development Outreach and Communication (DOC) team in the development of briefing materials, newsletters, and press releases on assistance programs and ensure that all outreach and media materials are of a high quality, coordinating with the DOC Specialist and maintain a close working relationship with the Public Affairs section in the U.S. Embassy; Serve as the USAID representative as a member of the U.S. Embassy's Country Team, the Development Partners Coordination Council (DPCC), and with the Government of Kyrgyz Republic as delegated by the MD; Liaise with U.S. Embassy counterparts on mission management issues involving motorpool, security and housing, ICASS, and interacting with GSO or RSO on emerging issues; RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (10%) Coordinate the Mission's procurement planning processes, in collaboration with the Mission's Budget Specialist, 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 annual procurement plan in compliance with USAID/CAR's established deadlines and ensuring that USG procurement regulations including PALT timelines, waivers, statutory checklists, A/COR documentation, etc are understood, followed, maintained, and completed by Mission staff; Serve as the Primary and/or Alternate Agreement/Contracting Officer's Representative (AOR/COR) in one or more sectors, if required; On a continual basis, the incumbent critically reviews USG and other donor activities to ensure maximum coordination and leverage for USG policy initiatives. Based on a thorough understanding and analysis, the incumbent recommends new and/or changes to existing programming and activities. He/she works closely with the Office of Acquisition and Assistance for the development of scopes of work (SOW) and/or program descriptions for new activities, project assessments, evaluations, and other related efforts. SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP: The incumbent will have direct supervisory responsibilities for FSN staff, as well as USPSCs, as will be determined by the Mission Director. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The SDA will be supervised by the Mission Director. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: 1) Must be a 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 the Kyrgyz Republic. 3) Must be available and willing to commit to the Contract Performance Period of 24 months. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands. Must be available and willing to work additional hours beyond the established 40-hour workweek and outside established Monday-Friday work week, as may be required or necessary. Must be willing to travel throughout the Kyrgyz Republic (25% of time) and occasionally to other countries in Central Asia. POINT OF CONTACT: USAID/CA Human Resources, almatyhr@usaid.gov II. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION: 1) Prior Work Experience: This is a position that requires a demonstrated commitment to international development and a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience serving in senior management positions within international development organizations, experience working within the U.S. Government, and working in highly complex and difficult operating environments. The incumbent must possess a proven track record of programmatic accomplishment and professional achievement, demonstrating expertise in management and evaluation of programs and the ability to function in complex, frequently changing political and economic conditions. The incumbent must have at least five years of effective international program development/management experience while residing in a transitional or developing country and at least seven years of successful leadership experience in a team environment are also required. Demonstrated extensive knowledge of USAID/State regulations governing all areas of program development is highly desirable. Experience in USAID or knowledge of USAID systems is highly desirable. Experience working in the international development sphere in Central Asia, and the Kyrgyz Republic specifically, is strongly preferred. 2) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Development Program Management and Writing Excellent management skills; strong analytical and writing skills as evidenced by previous experience. Advanced understanding and knowledge of development principles, Mission operations, Embassy operations, internal controls, organizational and project management. The incumbent must be fluent in English and have proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly, and concisely, both orally and in writing, including technical reports. S/he must have demonstrated ability to produce professional quality statements of work, white papers, and other professional documents. S/he must be able and willing to edit the written work of and mentor local staff to improve their writing skills. Working knowledge of Russian or Kyrgyz is highly desirable but not required. Leadership, Team-building and Vision Mission management experience by itself is not sufficient to be selected for this position, and candidates are required to convincingly describe how their experience demonstrates their ability to mentor and develop staff within team environments. The successful candidate should have exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills, and be able to function collaboratively and productively to strengthen team cohesion and help it achieve greater results. The incumbent must have past experience mentoring staff and helping them to develop their skills. Relationship Building and Communication Incumbent should have a demonstrated ability to develop and maintain high-level, effective relationships with a broad range of host country government officials or NGO counterparts, USAID partners, and other donor organizations. The incumbent 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. 3) Education: A minimum of a Master's Degree in a relevant development-related field (eg: public policy, foreign affairs, law, or other). III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION CRITERIA: Prior Work Experience: 40% Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 60% -------- of this: - Programmatic Oversight: 20% - Leadership, Team-building, and Vision: 20% - Relationship Building and Communications: 10% - Education 10% Notice to Applicants: 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. The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c). In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers. FAR provisions of this solicitation are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far. Applicants who meet the Education/Experience requirements and Selection Factors will be further evaluated. Applications that do not meet the required minimum qualifications will not be scored. Candidates meeting the above required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application. After meeting the minimum qualifications, consideration and selection will be based on a panel evaluation of the Evaluation Criteria. Additionally, USAID may request writing samples and an interview from the top-scoring candidates. Top-scoring candidates will also be asked to provide three professional references. Please note that not all applicants will be interviewed or contacted. USAID will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews unless the expenses are pre-authorized. Reference checks may be conducted on candidates selected for an interview. Applicants must not appear as an excluded party in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). IV. APPLYING Qualified individuals are requested to submit a) the most current Curriculum Vitae or resume; b) completed and signed AID 302-3 form (Offeror Information For Personal Services Contracts) including experience and salary history; c) list of references with telephone and e-mail contact information no later than COB (6 p.m. Bishkek time). The form is available at the USAID website https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1866/a302-3.doc The application package should be submitted by e-mail to: almatyhr@usaid.gov To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number in the subject line and in any cover letter. USAID/CA reserves the right to obtain from previous employers relevant information concerning the applicant's past performance and may consider such information in its evaluation. If an applicant does not wish USAID to contact a current employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the applicant's cover letter, and USAID will delay such reference check pending communication with the applicant. Benefits include post differential, housing, and other benefits per USAID regulations. Basic household furnishings will be available in quarters to be provided by USG. For more information about USAID/Kyrgyz Republic see http://www.usaid.gov/kyrgyz-republic V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRES Once the CO informs the successful Offeror about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Offeror instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms: 1. AID 302-3 Offeror Information For Personal Services Contracts form. 2. OF-306 Declaration of Federal Employment 3. Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms) 4. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-86), or 5. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85) 6. Finger Print Card (FD-258) VI. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: 1. BENEFITS: (a) Employer's FICA Contribution (b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance (c) Pay Comparability Adjustment (d) Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation) (e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation (f) Annual and Sick Leave 2. ALLOWANCES: Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas) (a) Post Differential (Chapter 500) (b) Post Allowance (Section 220) (c) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) (d) Education Allowance (Section 270) (e) Education Travel (Section 280) (f) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600), and (g) Danger Pay (Section 650). VII. TAXES USPSCs are required to pay Federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable State Income taxes. VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs USAID regulations and policies governing USPSC awards are available at these sources: 1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix D, - Direct USAID Contracts with a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for Personal Services Abroad, including contract clause - General Provisions, available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf . 2. Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms . 3. Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs . [The CO must check http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs to determine which AAPDs/CIBs apply and insert the relevant text as required.] 5 4. Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the - Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch, available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations.