Gentlemen/Ladies:

SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (PSC) No. 27-2011
USPSC Strategy and Program Office Director, USAID/Central Asian Republics, Almaty, Kazakhstan

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking proposals (Optional Form 612) from persons interested in the PSC services described in the attached.

Submissions shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified.

Any questions may be directed to W. Brent Schaeffer, Contracting Officer, and Tatiana Rossova, Personnel Specialist, who may be reached at FAX No. 7-727-250-76-34/35/36,
or e-mail [email protected]

Offerors should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their proposals.

Sincerely,

W. Brent Schaeffer
Contracting Officer

ATTACHMENT TO SOLICITATION NO. 27-2011

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 27/2011
2. ISSUANCE DATE: 06/07/2011
3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED
FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: 06/30/2011 (6 p.m. Almaty Time)
4. POSITION TITLE: USPSC Strategy and Program Office Director
5. MARKET VALUE: $99,628 - $129,517 per annum (GS-15 equivalent) with 25% Post Differential (currently)
6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year (extension optional)
7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/CENTRAL ASIAN REPUBLICS, Almaty, Kazakhstan
8. JOB DESCRIPTION:

A) Background

The USAID Regional Mission for Central Asian Republics is headquartered in Almaty, Kazakhstan, with country offices in Tashkent, Uzbekistan; Ashgabat, Turkmenistan; and Dushanbe, Tajikistan, as well as provides full range of programmatic and administrative management support for USAID Representative Office in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. 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.

The Regional Mission for Central Asia (USAID/CAR) is responsible for the strategic planning, program design and implementation, achievement of results, and reporting for the USAID assistance programs for the five Central Asian Republics. The U.S. Government's program of assistance in the region is focused on the growth of small-scale enterprise and trade; building a more open, democratic culture; better management of environmental resources, including energy; and improved primary healthcare. It ranks as one of the Agency's largest programs, with funding levels that have averaged over $115 million annually. The Mission implements its programs together with more than 80 implementing organizations funded via acquisition and/or assistance mechanisms. The staff manages a program that addresses six program areas principally focused on assisting these former communist states in making the transition to Western-style democracies with viable market economies.

The Mission currently has three technical offices: Office of Economic Development (EDO), Democracy and Governance (DGO), and Health and Education (HEO) and is in the process of developing and implementing its new whole-of government strategy for each country and the region for 2011-2016 that will create greater focus of our development efforts and require significant restructuring of our implementation portfolio.

It is a challenging work environment and this position requires an experienced professional, technically qualified individual who can exercise sound judgment, and can articulate and uphold the Agency's strategic objectives and goals within the broader context of the USG foreign policy objectives in a diverse and constantly changing environment.

B) BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITION:

The incumbent will serve as Acting Director of the Strategy and Program Office (SPO) for USAID/Central Asian Republics (CAR), exercising the full authorities of that position and responsible for the full range of responsibilities attributed to the position. In coordination with the Regional Deputy Mission Director, s/he will provide day-to-day management oversight of all mission activities and programs. S/he will work with USAID staff from all five USAID/CAR Country Offices - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan - to advance USAID's programmatic and management interests.

During this time, the contractor will be in charge of the day-to-day management of the SPO office and will coordinate closely with the Regional Deputy Mission Director. Illustrative duties will include the overall supervision of six Foreign Service Nationals and mentoring/coaching five U.S. Direct Hire Junior Officers (note: the Junior Officers while assigned to the SPO, do not fill specific SPO positions as they are in training status and spend a lot of time doing rotations in other offices/Country Offices); follow up on new project designs and drafting Activity Approval Documents; draft narrative sections for the 2011 Operational Plan and Mission Strategy and Resource Plan, Performance Report and other documents as required in conjunction with USAID/CAR's three technical offices and five Country Offices; and other routine program office duties. The contractor will serve as mentor to the Junior Program Officers and the incoming Deputy Program Officer.

Other tasks will include preparation and review of scene-setters and related documents for VIP visitors, managing logistical arrangements for site visits, preparing talking points for high-level meetings, ensuring that note-taking is carried out for government-to-government meetings and managing all necessary follow-up actions, including the preparation of cables, reports to USAID/Washington, and responses to various inquiries and requests from high-level visitors.

Upon completion of his/her assignment, the incumbent will brief USAID/CAR senior management on the principal issues that arose and how they were dealt with.

C) Supervision Received

The PSC Strategy and Program Office Director will report to the USAID/CAR Regional Deputy Mission Director. Under broad USAID/CAR Mission guidance work is performed with a very high degree of independence and is reviewed only for adherence to administrative policy of the Agency and for assurance that the broad, technical objectives have been fulfilled. The incumbent will keep the Mission informed of progress/and problems/issues, his/her recommendations are considered authoritative and are not reviewed technically.

D) Supervision Exercised

The incumbent will provide technical guidance and supervision to the USAID/Central Asia/Strategy and Program Office employees - one Internationally Recruited USPSC and six FSNPSC program development professional and one administrative support staff.

The incumbent also will provide mentorship and guidance for at least four Junior DLI Officers.

E) Levels of Contacts

The Incumbent actively engages in official personal contacts with Host-Country high ranking officials (at the Ministerial level), different U.S. Agencies, international organizations, private groups, U.S. or foreign private groups, etc. In Turkmenistan it is expected that personal contacts will include, but not be limited to, the following:

Heads of State in five Central Asian Republics
Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Parliamentarians, and staff in the Ministries of Economics, Finance, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Education, etc.
US Ambassadors in five Central Asian Republics and other members of the Country Teams Counterpart Host Country Officials responsible for assistance matters in Central Asia
Non-U.S. Ambassadors in Central Asia supporting development initiatives
Chiefs of Party of USAID contractors/grantees engaged in development initiatives in Central Asia
Senior officials and executives from the U.S. headquarters of USAID-funded contractors/grantees
Institutional contractors, NGOs, PVOs working on related matters
International donors operating in Central Asia
USAID/Central Asian Republics Office Directors
USAID/Washington
CODELs, STAFFdels

F) 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 Kazakhstan. Must be willing to travel throughout Central Asia.

2) Prior Work Experience: This is a position that requires maturity and a minimum of ten years of progressive experience in the field relating to economic development, rule of law, education development, public health management, community development, and/or food security, and analysis with a proven track record of programmatic accomplishment and professional achievement as well as the ability to function in complex, frequently changing political and economic conditions. The candidate must have at least five years of effective international program development/management experience including strategic planning and analysis while residing in a transitional or developing country. Preference will be given to those with experience in Central Asian Republics or other post-Soviet republics. At least three years of successful leadership experience in a team environment is required.

3) Knowledge and Technical Skills: 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; intellectual curiosity; balanced judgment; and the ability to conceptualize - both strategically and programmatically; and an ability to generate trust and build alliances with donor partners. Knowledge of the political, social, and economic characteristics of former-Soviet countries, preferably Central Asian. Exceptional proficiency in oral and written communications; to report on the status of activities and projects; to establish and maintain effective relations with all levels of people in former-Soviet countries; and, to represent USAID/CAR's projects and strategies in professional meetings and conferences. 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. Familiarity with USAID's policies and priorities and means of delivering assistance in developing nations. Preference will also be given to individuals with knowledge of USAID procedures and systems for strategic planning, results frameworks, activity design, program monitoring and evaluation. Hands-on experience with and knowledge of Agency-provided computer software and hardware used in the USAID system.

4) Interpersonal and leadership skills: Exceptional leadership, communication and interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability and willingness 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. Proven ability to work well in complex institutional settings and to develop networks of relationships that facilitate collaboration among colleagues and a genuine interest in assisting USAID staff with expedient program implementation. Must exercise discretion, tact and diplomacy especially when dealing with politically sensitive issues, 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. Technical skills are not sufficient to be selected for this position.

5) Education: A graduate degree in one of the social sciences, economic, or in public administration, political science, international affairs, public policy, or other relevant field.

6) Language Skills: Must be fluent in English (Level IV) and have proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly, and concisely, both orally and in writing, including technical reports and strategic, conceptual documents.

G) Selection Criteria: Applicants will be evaluated against the following criteria:

Experience: 30 points
Knowledge and Technical Skills: 25 points
Interpersonal and Leadership Skills: 20 points
Language Skills: 15 points
Education: 10 points
Total: 100 points

Notice to Applicants: The 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.

F) OTHER REQUIREMENTS

1) Must be an 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 Central Asia. 3) Must be available and willing to commit to the Contract Performance Period of 12 months; 4) Available and willing to work additional hours beyond the established 40-hour workweek and outside established Monday-Friday workweek, as may be required or necessary; and 5) Must be willing to travel throughout the Central Asia Region.

9. APPLYING

Qualified individuals are requested to submit a Optional Application for Federal Employment OF-612 including experience, salary history, list of references, and recent sample of his/her written work (maximum 1-3 pages, i.e. policy memo) no later than COB (6 p.m. Almaty time) June 30 2011. The form is available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ or Internet http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/formslibrary.do?formType=OP, 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:

Tatiana Rossova
Personnel Specialist
Personnel Office
USAID/CAR Almaty
41 Kazibek Bi Street
Almaty, Kazakhstan
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 7 727 2507634/35/36

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.

USAID/CAR expects to award a personal services contract for an off-shore US Citizen for one-year period commencing o/a August/early September'2011 subject to security and medical clearances and funds availability. 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. For more information about USAID/Central Asian Republics see Mission's website http://centralasia.usaid.gov/

Attachment 3

AS A MATTER OF POLICY, AND AS APPROPRIATE, A PSC IS NORMALLY AUTHORIZED THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS:

1. BENEFITS
Employer's FICA Contribution
Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance
Pay Comparability Adjustment
Annual Increase
Eligibility for Worker's Compensation
Annual & Sick Leave
Eligibility for 401(k)

2. ALLOWANCES (if Applicable).
(A) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120).
(B) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130).
(C) Post Allowance (Section 220).
(D) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230).
(E) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260).
(F) Education Allowance (Section 270).
(G) Education Travel (Section 280).
(H) Post Differential (Chapter 500).
(I) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600), and
(J) Danger Pay (Section 650).

LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs

1. Optional Form 612.
**2. Medical History and Examination (DS-1843) or Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62).
**3. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or
**4. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85).
**5. Finger Print Card (FD-258).

NOTE: Form 5 is available from the requirements office.

* Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas).
** The forms listed 2 through 5 shall only be completed upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job.

3. POLICY GUIDANCE PERTAINING TO PSCs

a) ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) and CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to this website http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/cib/subject.html#psc to determine which AAPDs and CIBs apply to this contract.

b) AIDAR: The Agency for International Development Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR) Appendix D - Direct USAID Contracts With U.S. Citizens or U.S. Residents for Personal Services Abroad found at: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf is the primary regulation governing USPSCs for USAID.