SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- Natural Resources Management Specialist
- Notice Date
- 7/2/2003
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- Contracting Office
- Agency for International Development, Overseas Missions, Kazakhstan USAID-Almaty, Dept. of State, Washington, DC, 20521-7030
- ZIP Code
- 20521-7030
- Solicitation Number
- 26-2003
- Response Due
- 7/25/2003
- Archive Date
- 8/9/2003
- Point of Contact
- Tatiana Rossova, Personnel Assistant, Phone 7 3272 50 76 17, Fax 7 3272 50 76 35, - Alexandr Pilganskiy, Personnel Assistant, Phone 7 3272 50 76 17, Fax 7 3272 50 76 35,
- E-Mail Address
-
trossova@usaid.gov, apilganskiy@usaid.gov
- Description
- ATTACHMENT TO SOLICITATION NO. 26/2003 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 26/2003 2. ISSUANCE DATE: 07/01/2003 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: 07/25/2003 (6 p.m. Almaty time) 4. POSITION TITLE: Natural Resources Management Specialist 5. MARKET VALUE: $72,381 - $94,098 per annum (GS-14 equivalent) with 20% Post Differential 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years (renewable) 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/CENTRAL ASIA, Almaty, Kazakhstan with regional travel both in-country and throughout the Central Asia Region (CAR) i.e., Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan 8. JOB DESCRIPTION: A) Background 1. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Almaty, Kazakhstan, with regional travel both in-country and throughout the Central Asia Region (CAR) i.e., Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan is required. 2. JOB DESCRIPTION: A. BACKGROUND USAID/CAR Background: Central Asia Borders Russia, China, Iran and Afghanistan. Due to its location amidst these neighbors and its substantial oil and gas reserves, Central Asia 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 isolation and almost two centuries of Russian domination. A recent civil war, threats of religious extremism, ethnic rivalries, authoritarian governments, and lack of viable institutions makes Central Asia a particular challenge for USAID. The region is considered a Foreign Service hardship post ? 20% post differential for Almaty, Kazakhstan. USAID/CAR is responsible, in close consultation with the five U.S. ambassadors in the region, for the design, development and management of assistance programs in five republics. The central office is located in Almaty, Kazakhstan with offices in Tashkent, Uzbekistan; Bishkek and Osh, Kyrgyzstan; Ashgabat, Turkmenistan; and Dushanbe, Tajikistan. USAID is one of the Agency?s largest Missions responsible for approximately $100 million of assistance annually, with activities in the areas of energy and water, economics and finance, democracy and media, and health and humanitarian assistance. Mission works in partnership with over 80 grantee and contractor teams. USAID/CAR?s assistance seeks to mitigate conflict and expand opportunities for participation, livelihood and quality of life for the citizens of the Central Asian Republics. Staff frequently travels to each of the five countries to manage and monitor development assistance. Within USAID/CAR Almaty, the Office of Energy and Water (EW) has the primary responsibility for all energy (oil, gas, electric power) and water resources, including water activities related to agriculture. The office also serves as USAID/CAR?s contact point for various agricultural activities including the Agency-funded Farmer to Farmer Program, a centrally-funded Collaborative Research Support Program (CRSP) in support of Livestock, and activities with the Israeli International Development Agency (MASHAV). Additionally, the Mission?s Environmental Officer is located in the EW Office. EW is the primary USAID/CAR point of communication and coordination for all energy and water development areas with the governments of the five Central Asian republics, the respective U.S. Embassies, local and international NGOs, other local donors, and private commercial entities. Recognizing the importance of the natural resource base of the Central Asia region in fostering the emergence of a competitive, market-oriented economy, USAID/CAR established a strategic objective (SO) to introduce the integrated management of natural resources in the region. Specifically, SO 1.6 ?Improved management of critical natural resources, including energy? covers the FY2000 to FY2005 period. Success under this SO, as defined in the USAID/CAR strategic plan, is ?successful models of integrated resource management adopted and applied?. Strategy components consist of: a) broad training in environmental and natural resource management, including the development of pilot demonstrations; b) improved policy and regulatory framework; and, c) the establishment of a greater awareness of environmental and natural resource issues among the public. Substantial levels of increased development funding for USAID/CAR has been mandated for expanded water-related activities. These are being carried out primarily in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, and centers on upgrading irrigation and drainage systems and infrastructure at various levels in the distribution system, including the farm level. They also include a limited municipal/potable water project in the Karakalpakstan region. Another important activity is a transboundary water and energy cooperation project that focuses on regional issues of the Aral Sea Basin. Implementation of these activities is being carried out through the existing Natural Resource Management Project (NRMP) mechanism. Additional background information regarding the current USAID/CAR Natural Resource Management Program can be found at the following website: http://www.nrmp.uz. B. STATEMENT OF DUTIES Basic Function of the Position: The Natural Resource Management Specialist will provide project management, and serve as the Mission specialist, for water and other resource activities throughout CAR. This includes identifying, analyzing, and implementing sector programs and activities; identifying key policy constraints to improved resource management; formulating, quantifying and tracking results and performance indicators; and providing guidance to contractors, grantees, the public sector, and PVO and NGO implementing partners. He/she will also serve as an advisor for agriculture, forestry, and biodiversity issues as needed. The person will work in close cooperation with other donors working in the region as well as with key counterparts in order to collaborate on programs and to explain the USAID program. He/she will give recommendations and help develop new activities for the EW office as well as evaluate ongoing programs. The incumbent will serve as the Mission Environment Officer. The incumbent works under the general supervision of the EW Office Director, and works closely with other EW office staff. This includes a USPSC Energy Policy Specialist and 4 Foreign National Specialists. In addition, he/she must keep abreast of changes in his/her profession and interface between the Mission and the Agency on agriculture, and other natural resource management issues and program matters. It is anticipated that work obligations will require the incumbent to travel approximately 25-30 percent of the time. Most travel will be in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, though some travel throughout the CAR region will likely be required. Major Duties and Responsibilities: The responsibilities of the Natural Resource Management Specialist include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. Serve as the CTO for the Special Initiative Water Projects in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Duties includes, (in close cooperation with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan USAID County offices), monitoring the engineering work of institutional contractors, and other entities providing USAID-funded technical assistance and infrastructure development in the water sector, as determined by the EW Office Director. This includes reviewing contractor reports, performing site inspections to monitor activities, and meeting with contractors and subcontractors to explain requirements, monitor progress, and resolve issues. The incumbent will track financial progress, oversee/assist in the review of contractor/grantee vouchers, and undertake financial project planning, as required. 2. Serve as the CTO for the Transboundary and Water and Energy Project. Duties include tracking and monitoring the major components of this complex program. The incumbent needs to review contractor reports, present the program to Mission Management and to US Embassy staffs, keep abreast of a shifting water and energy policy in CAR nations, meet with key policymakers, and based on the information gleaned from these meetings, advise as to the direction of this intervention. This activity is being implemented in close conjunction with the EW office energy specialist and all aspects of the project need to be carried out cooperatively. 3. Serve as the CTO for the MASHAV Cooperation Agreement. This activity is a grant to the Israeli Development Agency, MASHAV. It is jointly funded by all four of the CAR Mission?s Technical Offices, with each office providing project management to separate activities. The incumbent must review reports, monitor progress of all of the MASHAV activities, review vouchers, and along with representatives from MASHAV and the other technical offices provide project oversight, monitoring and evaluation. Occasional meetings with Israeli Ambassadors located in CAR or other high level Israelis in order to report on progress and program evaluation is necessary part of the job. 4. Serve as the Mission Environmental Officer. The incumbent must work with staff from all of the technical offices of the Mission in order to prepare the necessary documentation required by CFR 22.216. He/she must ensure that all of the activities of the mission are in compliance with the regulations. This is accomplished through cooperative monitoring of contractor activities, close consultations with the E&E Bureau Environmental Officer, and making sure that all Mission contracting instruments are covered by an Initial Environmental Examination or other appropriate document. 5. Provide oversight to USAID/Washington funded agriculture programs. These include the Farmer to Farmer Program, the Cooperative Development Research program, and the Livestock CRSP. Activities include meeting with staff of these programs in order to monitor progress, report on these activities to others in the Mission when appropriate, and to assist the implementers to overcome barriers to progress when necessary. 6. Represent the Mission on certain Natural Resource issues. He/she also needs to meet with representatives of other donors and local counterparts on natural resource, water, and agricultural programs and issues in order to explain the Mission?s programs, discuss coordination of activities, overcome program barriers, or provide advice when needed. 7. Participate in the development of new EW activities. Duties include: drafting and reviewing new program descriptions, scopes of work, as well as other technical requirements for the new contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements that will be part of SO 1.6. The incumbent may also participate as EW representative and assist the CO in any activities needed to select implementing partners, as assigned by the EW Office Director. 8. Participates fully as a USAID/CAR staff member. This includes attending staff meetings, contributing to annual reports, serving on Mission or Embassy committees as assigned by the EW Office Director. C. POSITION ELEMENTS 1. SUPERVISION RECEIVED: The USAID/CAR, Energy and Water Office Director will provide general supervision to this position. 2. EXERCISE OF JUDGMENT: Given the incumbent will handle most work independently and in accordance with established Federal and Agency regulations, polices, and procedures, excellent (balanced) judgment is critical to the successful performance of the job. The incumbent will be expected to use initiative, exercise discretion, and patience to resolve problems that arise during the course of the work to which there is no clear or immediate solution and where contact with the supervisor is not possible. 3. NATURE AND LEVEL OF CONTACTS: The incumbent will be required to develop and maintain productive working relationships and contacts with a variety of organizations and individuals. These may include senior host government and regional officials at the level of Deputy Minister and below, and country representatives and other officials of bilateral and multilateral donor agencies, such as the World Bank and Asian Development Bank. Contacts will also include the various U.S., international, and local PVOs and NGOs working in the region. The incumbent will be required to develop and maintain excellent collaborative relationships with appropriate USAID Mission offices in other Central Asian republics. 4. TIME REQUIRED TO PERFORM THE FULL RANGE OF DUTIES AFTER ENTRY INTO THE POSITION: The incumbent is expected to immediately possess the necessary technical, administrative and management skills/abilities required to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the position. D. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS 1. PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE: A minimum of six (6) years of project management in the field of natural resources, water management, or agriculture. At least two (2) of the six years? prior experience will have been with a U.S. Government Agency, other international donor organization(s) and/or USAID-funded Contractor or Grantee. NIS field experience is required, experience in Central Asia is preferred. Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision or guidance is required. Strong interpersonal and communication skills enabling him/her to establish and maintain strong contacts with counterparts both inside and outside of USAID and to work collaboratively with USAID customers/clients and donor partners is required. 2. KNOWLEDGE: Demonstrated knowledge of managing USAID funded contracts. CTO certification is desirable, as is knowledge on US Government environmental regulations as outlined in CFR 22.216. The incumbent must have thorough understanding and knowledge of public participation and government information systems as tools for the development and implementation of public policy. Knowledge of NIS and Central Asia specifics of natural resources problems, issues and political aspects. 3 SKILLS AND ABILITIES: The following skills and abilities are essential to the successful performance of the duties/responsibilities of the position and are also sought: ? Strong skills in project planning, implementation, and evaluation in an international work environment is required ? Command and ease in the use of Microsoft Office software programs (word processing, e-mail, databases, PowerPoint, tracking systems and spreadsheets) for the purpose of preparing USAID internal reports and other documents, briefing presentations, etc. ? Must have demonstrated experience in working in a team environment, sensitivity to others, balanced judgment and the ability to conceptualize ? both strategically and programmatically. ? The ability to work effectively as a team member in culturally diverse team environment and communicate with, and understand the needs of non-technical internal clients is essential. ? Ability to apply the principles of sound management and negotiating is required. ? In addition, Mission is seeking a self-starter to be responsive to client needs with the ability to work calmly, tactfully and effectively under pressure. ? The ability to travel, sometimes under difficult conditions, throughout Central Asia. ? The ability to adapt to the existing management team, be a good listener, a team builder, and an articulate advocate of the Regional Missions? overall EW Strategic Objectives and Goals specific to technical area of assignment. 4. LANGUAGE AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: Native Speaker (Level 5) in both written and spoken English required and Level 3 (Good Working Knowledge) in spoken Russian is highly desirable. Given the level of responsibility associated with this position, both written and oral communication skills must be demonstrated. Exceptional interpersonal skills and diplomacy are required to maintain excellent working relationships with all Mission personnel, internal/external contacts, counterparts, shareholders, and clients. A proven ability to develop and maintain professional relations with senior-ranking Central Asia stakeholders (i.e., regional NGO representatives, local international donor representatives, heads of local delegations, and other key stakeholders and partners) is required. 5. EDUCATION: The successful candidate will have a minimum of a Masters Degree in water management, natural resources, environmental science or a similar field. E. OTHER REQUIREMENTS In addition, the incumbent must also be: 1) a U.S. Citizen; 2) Available and willing to commit to the Contract Performance Period of 24 months; 3) Able to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance at ?SECRET? level and to secure a medical clearance to serve in Central Asia; 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) Willing to travel to work sites and other offices throughout the five Central Asian Republic as/when requested. B) Selection Criteria: Applicants will be evaluated against the following 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 9. APPLYING Qualified individuals are requested to submit a U.S. Government Application for Federal Employment SF-171 including experience, salary history and references, and writing sample (one page analytical essay) no later than COB (6 p.m. Almaty time) July 25, 2003. Applications which do not include explicit references, including their contact information, will not be considered. 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, and writing sample may be submitted by e-mail, fax, DHL or FedEx air courier by the closing date, above, to: Beth Salamanca 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 August 11, 2003. USAID/CAR expects to award a personal-services contract for an off-shore or resident hire US Citizen for two-year period from on or about September 21, 2003 to on or about September 18, 2005, renewable up to five years by mutual agreement subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds. The contract will be signed by August 30, 2003. On or about September 21, 2003, the incumbent shall proceed to Almaty, Kazakhstan to commence performance of the duties specified, subject to medical and security clearance. 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. Almaty is a beautiful city nestled against mountains, bursting with parks and fountains, with tree lined streets and flower gardens. The city has the excitement of Kazakh culture with its nomadic and warrior heritage as well as the benefits of the Russian culture ballet, museums, opera, choirs, and circus. It has the charm and challenges of colorful native markets, as well as the convenience of modern supermarkets. Located at an altitude of 650 meters, where steppe meets mountain, Almaty is backed by the snow capped Tien Shan to the South and faced by a vast plain which stretches to Siberia in the North. There are many places for skiing, skating, hiking, rafting, helicopter trips, camping, and other outdoor activities outside the city. The Almaty International School provides American curriculum for children in grades K 12.
- Place of Performance
- Address: USAID/CAR Regional Mission, 41, Kazybek Bi Street, Almaty,
- Zip Code: 480100
- Country: Kazakhstan
- Zip Code: 480100
- Record
- SN00362221-W 20030704/030702213033 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
| FSG Index | This Issue's Index | Today's FBO Daily Index Page |