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ATTACHMENT 1
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72038820R00005
2. ISSUANCE DATE: August 7, 2020
3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: August 28, 2020 at 04:30PM local time in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
4. POINT OF CONTACT: Abdul Kayum, e-mail at [email protected]. Please DO NOT send applications to this email address. For mailbox to send application, see section IV of this solicitation.
5. POSITION TITLE: Senior Agriculture and Trade Advisor
6. MARKET VALUE: $92,977 - $120,868 per annum; equivalent to GS-14.
Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based on the successful candidate’s salary history, work experience and educational background. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.
7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The period of performance for this contract will be two years with three option years subject to the Mission’s need and availability of funds. The contract and extensions cannot exceed 5 years.
8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Dhaka, Bangladesh with frequent domestic travel as stated in the Statement of Work.
9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens, Resident Aliens and Third Country Nationals.
10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: The successful candidate will be required to obtain a Facility Access clearance.
11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES
GENERAL STATEMENT OF PURPOSE OF THE CONTRACT:
General Statement of Purpose of the Contract
USAID/Bangladesh Senior Agriculture and Trade Advisor will support the implementation of high priority U.S. Government initiatives under the Mission’s Economic Growth (EG) portfolio. The principal function is to support Feed the Future (FTF) Programming and directly oversee implementation of activities to achieve measurable results in improving food security in Bangladesh and to better link Bangladesh’s agricultural sector with the Indo-Pacific Region through expansion of agriculture value chains and trade. A secondary function is to promote good coordination and communication between FTF and other EG activities.
The FTF Bangladesh portfolio, under the Global Food Security Strategy (FTF 2.0) and the Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS), is working to intensify staple crop production while simultaneously encouraging availability, accessibility, and utilization of nutritious food. Bangladesh’s FTF portfolio is evolving from a past focus on agricultural production to a greater emphasis on market linkages and trade. Consequently, a highly specialized knowledge is needed to improve program development and implementation towards ensuring a sustainable and private sector-led food security in Bangladesh and ensuring program relevancy to the IPS.
STATEMENT OF DUTIES TO BE PERFORMED:
The senior Agriculture and Trade Advisor provides strategic leadership in identifying and applying innovative approaches and best practices to achieve measurable results in the areas of agribusiness, trade, finance, private sector and small enterprise development activities that improve food security in Bangladesh. The Advisor also provides senior level mentoring and guidance on project management, Agreement Officer Representative/Contracting Officer Representative (AOR/COR) responsibilities, and agriculture productivity. S/he will be expected to complete assignment duties with little direct supervision, exercising extensive independent judgement as S/he works with diverse teams from within the US government (USG) inter-agency and among public and private sectors in Bangladesh and abroad.
Specifically, the Senior Agriculture and Trade Advisor is expected to perform duties in the following areas:
A. Strategic and Technical Guidance in Market Systems Approach and Private Sector Engagement to Strengthen Food Security: 35%
Serves as a key advisor in the implementation of the Mission's market systems approach and private sector engagement, including:
1. Conduct strategic analysis and research, review reports and technical proposals, and prepare substantive reports and briefing materials on issues related to technical and programmatic approaches in enhancing a market systems approach and private sector engagement within the agriculture sector and beyond.
2. Advise the EG Office Director, the Deputy Director - FTF, the EG team, the Program Office, USAID Mission Management, and the USG inter-agency on market systems approaches and private sector engagement in support of USAID-funded food security activities.
B. Program Management: 35%
The Advisor will be responsible for managing a complex portfolio, including strengthening market systems approaches and private sector engagement within food security activities and advising on how these activities can complement other private sector initiatives within EG. S/he will also:
1. Conduct and supervise administrative and financial analyses, develop and track budget preparation, and oversee implementation and other budget requirements for the EG portfolio.
2. Manage, monitor, and oversee the activities of grantees and/or contractors implementing USAID's food security activities. Keep contractors, recipients, and grantees informed of USAID requirements and priorities.
3. Develop performance monitoring plans and monitor their implementation. Conduct evaluations and reporting in support of the EG portfolio.
4. Liaise with implementing contractors, recipients and grantees, and undertake visits to project sites on a regular basis.
5. Contribute to the development of all mission reports, including Country Operational Plans, portfolio reviews; semi-annual and annual reports; quarterly financial reports; quality assessments, and site monitoring reports; among others.
6. Make recommendations to the Mission on program direction and management.
C. Build Strategic Partnerships 20%
The Advisor will be responsible for developing new and innovative partnerships and maintaining working relationships, including:
1. Fostering and maintaining strategic partnerships with new and existing partners, mid- to senior - level GOB officials, private sector representatives, the donor community, and civil society to enhance collaborative efforts that achieve mutual goals and objectives.
2. Serving as a member of USAID technical working groups and other relevant forums to plan and improve the USAID and USG portfolio around market systems approaches and private sector engagement for sustainable food security.
D. Mentor Junior Officers and Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs) 10%
The Advisor will provide senior level support, training, and mentoring to new and junior US Direct Hire and FSN staff working on the FTF portfolio, on project management, AOR/COR responsibilities as well as specialized knowledge of technical and programmatic approaches in enhancing market systems approaches and private sector engagement to improve food security.
Supervisory Relationship
The Senior Agriculture and Trade Advisor reports directly to the EG Deputy Office Director – Feed the Future.
Supervisory Controls
Although he/she reports directly to the EG Deputy Office Director -Feed the Future, the Senior Agriculture and Trade Advisor should exercise independent judgement to autonomously carry out his/her responsibilities
12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Frequent travel with field visits, remote villages and rural areas are required to successfully perform this position, which may involve varying levels of stress and hardship. However, external to that frequent travel requirement, the work requested does not involve undue physical demands.
II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
To be considered for the position, a candidate must meet the Minimum Qualifications listed below.
Education: The applicant must have a Master’s Degree in economics, agricultural economics, agronomy, business administration, or a related field.
Prior Work Experience: Minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible professional or program experience in market systems approaches and/or private sector engagement, and agricultural development programs with international donors, non-government organizations (NGOs) and/or government. Prior experience with international development agencies procedures and operations (e.g., development approaches, procedures for programming funds, defining objectives, and monitoring results, and procedures for awarding grants and contracts) is highly expected.
Job Knowledge: The position requires specialized knowledge of technical and programmatic approaches in enhancing market systems approaches and/or private sector engagement to improve food security and trade. This may include demonstrated knowledge in the areas of agricultural value chain development, on- and off-farm agricultural sector/market-led job creation, digital agriculture, digital business solutions, entrepreneurial innovation, and/or access to agricultural finance.
Significant knowledge of program management, and monitoring and evaluation methods as well as a broad range of issues related to agricultural development is required. Expert knowledge of best practices in agriculture development program design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and learning, including collaboration, learning and adapting strategy is necessary. Knowledge of strategies, programs, and working methodologies of other donor agencies in the livelihood sector is desired. Knowledge of the structure and working of the USG broadly is expected as is knowledge of how agriculture and trade can contribute to the objectives of the Indo-Pacific Strategy.
Skills and abilities: Strong analytical, management and organizational skills are required. The position requires demonstrated ability in strategic planning, technical and socio-economic analysis, and budget preparation and reporting skills. Considerable confidentiality, sensitivity, poise and maturity are mandatory as the applicant will represent USAID in meetings with mid- to senior-level Bangladeshi government officials, and with private sector and donor partners. The applicant should process strong interpersonal and cross-cultural skills, the ability to work within a team setting and with minimal supervision. Strong leadership and negotiation skills are required. Familiarity with Microsoft Access and PowerPoint is desired.
Leadership and diplomacy skills are required as the incumbent will work with new private sector partners, Technical and senior GOB officials, USAID implementing partners, academia, donors, media, judiciary, and civil society to resolve issues and to further progress towards improving food security in Bangladesh and trade within the Indo-Pacific region.
Language Proficiency: Excellent English writing and speaking ability is required. The candidate should have a demonstrated capacity to communicate complex policy, strategy, and program issues orally and in writing in a clear, concise, and well-organized manner.
III. EVALUATION & SELECTION FACTORS
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 a writing sample 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.
Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the following selection criteria:
1. Education (10 points)
The extent to which the applicant meets or exceeds the required level of education as described above.
2. Past Working Experience (45 points)
The extent to which the applicant’s relevant experience and technical expertise meets or exceeds the requisite levels of professional experience set forth above.
3. Leadership and Interpersonal Skills: (30 points)
The extent to which the applicant’s relevant experience meets or exceeds the requisite levels of acquired knowledge, skills and abilities as set forth above.
4. Communication Skills (15 points)
The extent to which the applicant meets or exceeds the required language ability as explained above.
Total = 100 points
OTHER AREAS OF CONSIDERATION: This US/TCNPSC position is open to all U.S. Citizens, Resident Aliens and Third Country Nationals.
For USPSCs:
For Third Country Nationals:
Hiring Preference:
USAID policy specifies that U.S. citizens or resident aliens (USNs) are preferred over third country nationals (TCNs). Therefore, USN and TCN offers will not be evaluated together. USAID will evaluate USN offers first and if the CO determines that there are no qualified USNs, only then will USAID evaluate TCN offers.
If a Third Country National is hired under this solicitation then the following applies:
NOTE: Please be advised that references may be obtained independently from other sources in addition to the ones provided by an applicant.
SECURITY AND MEDICAL CLEARANCE
The US/TCNPSC will be required to complete a full physical examination (including relevant immunizations) from his/her own physician and then obtain a medical clearance from State M/MED prior to service overseas. Also, USAID/Bangladesh must initiate a security clearance prior to the Contractor’s travel to post of duty. Until a temporary or final adjudication of a security clearance is received, the contract shall not be signed.
If candidate fails to obtain a medical clearance and a security clearance (temporary or full) within six months, the offer may be retracted.
Candidate must not appear as an excluded party in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).
IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER
a. Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. Dates (month/year) and locations for all field experience must also be detailed. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.
b. Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work.
c. Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments.
4. Names, contact numbers, and e-mail addresses of three professional references from individuals who are not family members or relatives.
Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the email address listed in Section IV.
By submitting your application materials, you certify that all of the information on and attached to the application is true, correct, complete, and made in good faith. You agree to allow all information on and attached to the application to be investigated. False or fraudulent information on or attached to your application may result in you being eliminated from consideration for this position, or being terminated after award, and may be punishable by fine or imprisonment.
To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, candidates must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission.
SUBMIT APPLICATION PACKET ELECTRONICALLY:
Interested candidates should send above electronically to [email protected], to the attention of the addresses indicated below. To ensure that the application is considered for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number and title of position on your application and as the subject line in any cover letter. E-mail applications must be received by the closing date and time specified in the solicitation.
Attention: Supervisory Executive Officer
USAID HR Section/Executive Office
USAID/Bangladesh
Only qualified and shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Additionally, only candidates that are interviewed will be notified if the position is filled.
V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD
The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award:
1. Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms)
2. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-86), or
3. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)
4. Finger Print Card (FD-258)
Forms 1 through 4 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that a candidate is the successful candidate for the job. Do not submit forms 1 through 4 with your application.
VI. BENEFITS AND 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
(g) Sunday pay
(h)* Shipment and storage of household effects
(i)* Shipment of POV (Private Own Vehicle)
(j)* Access to Embassy medical facilities, and pouch mail service
(k)* Transportation to Post
(l)* Housing
2. ALLOWANCES*
TCNs will be paid allowances in accordance with the Bangladesh Mission Order. Details are available on request. USPSCS will be eligible for allowances listed in the Standardized Regulations Government Civilian Foreign Areas Sections cited below – if applicable. Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas):
(a)* Post Allowance (COLA) (Section 220)
(b)* Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)
(c)* Education Allowance (Section 270)
(d)* Education Travel (Section 280)
(e)* Post Differential (Chapter 500)
(f)* Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600)
g) * Medical Evacuation (Medevac) Services,” as applicable AAPD 18-02 REVISED, December 18, 2019
* Note: Resident Hire USPSCs are not eligible to receive these benefits and allowances.
Resident Hire means a U.S. citizen who, at the time of hire as a PSC, resides in the cooperating country as a spouse or dependent of a U.S. citizen employed by a U.S. government agency or under any U.S. government-financed contract or agreement, or for reasons other than for employment with a U.S. government agency or under any U.S. government-financed contract or agreement.
VII. TAXES
USPSC: USPSCs are required to pay Federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable State Income taxes.
TCNPSC: TCNPSCs are responsible for their own tax payments in accordance to their respective government legislation and no deductions for tax purposes will be made at source by USAID payroll.
VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs
USAID regulations and policies governing US/TCNPSC awards are available at these sources:
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.
4. CIBs and AAPDs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to the following link to determine which CIBs and AAPDs apply to this contract: http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs
5. ADS 309 – Personal Services Contracts can be found at: https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/309.pdf
6. 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.
USAID IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: All qualified candidates will be considered regardless of age, race, color, sex, creed, national origin, lawful political affiliation, non-disqualifying handicap, marital status, sexual orientation, affiliation with an employee organization, or other non-merit factor. Management may consider the following when determining successful candidacy: nepotism, conflicts of interest, budget, and residency status.
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