SOURCES SOUGHT
L -- ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
- Notice Date
- 7/24/2012
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Agency for International Development, Overseas Missions, Afghanistan USAID-Kabul, Department of State, Washington, District of Columbia, 20521-5820
- ZIP Code
- 20521-5820
- Solicitation Number
- SOL-306-12-000075-DIR
- Archive Date
- 9/10/2012
- Point of Contact
- Sameer Lodeen, Phone: 202-216-6288-Ext 4344
- E-Mail Address
-
slodeen@usaid.gov
(slodeen@usaid.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: SOL-306-12-000075-DIR 2. ISSUANCE DATE: July 26, 2012 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME: August 26, 2012 AT 16:30 local time 4. POSITION TITLE: ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR 5. NUMBER OF POSITION: One 6. MARKET VALUE: GS-15 ($99,628 to $129,517) 7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Thirteen months with an option for renewal 8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Kabul, Afghanistan 9. DIRECT SUPERVISOR: Mission Director 10. SUPERVISORY CONTROLL: Minimal. The incumbent is expected to act independently with little direction 11. SECURITY ACCESS: Secret Level 12. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. citizens only POSITION DESCRIPTION A. Basic Function of the Position The Alternative Development Program is a major component of the U.S. Government's assistance to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan's (GIRoA) counter-narcotic strategy. This incumbent will support the National Alternative Livelihood Policy signed by six GIRoA ministries in March, 2012. Achieving the GIRoA goal of eliminating poppy in areas were alternatives are sufficiently present requires a multi-faceted, coordinated effort under GIRoA direction that focuses on good governance, including the rule of law, extension of state presence into rural areas, and increased investment to stimulate growth and employment in the rural economy. The Alternative Development Program Manager requires professional knowledge and technical expertise in promoting high-value, licit agricultural production, economic growth, and other opportunities for alternative development. The position requires understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of developing country agricultural institutions to use this knowledge to foster strategic partnership involving relevant partners and investors to optimize return on USAID/s investment in agricultural sector. Particular skills/experience required includes an appreciation of the substantive nature of agricultural and economic growth and environmental programs and their interrelationships as related to alternative development. Ability to manage civil-military relationships and donor coordination will be critical. B. Duties and Responsibilities The incumbent will be responsible for: 1. Under the general direction and supervision of the Mission Director, or his/her designee in Kabul, the Director of Alternative Development will manage and resolve technical and implementation issues and programs pertaining to alternative development in Afghanistan. Activities managed include, but are not limited to: business development, agricultural development, private sector development, enterprise development and other economic initiatives centered on expanding the licit economy. The Director for Alternative Development uses knowledge in agriculture to identify development priority interventions and interpret the effects of various economic, policy and social factors on development and viability of enterprises and how to design and implement programs to alleviate constrains to enterprise development; identifies and targets existing opportunities or creates and target new opportunities to be exploited through increased agricultural production. The Director for Alternative Development coordinates and integrates USAID field activities within the region assigned which is expected to be one of the southern provinces of Afghanistan where alternative development funding is concentrated or other provinces as needed. The incumbent provides oversight of USAID partners implementing programs in the field, ensures that Mission activities are coordinated with, complimentary to, and supportive of the assistance activities of other USAID programs and other U.S. Government agencies, and ensures the design and implementation of all USAID activities are coordinated with Afghan counterparts, international organizations and donor activities in Afghanistan. The Program Manager - AD ensures that all activities are in compliance with USAID's environmental regulations (Regulation 216). 2. Representation, Coordination, Technical Advice, and Policy Dialogue: The Director of Alternative Development represents USAID in the Alternative Development activities, including economic development of agriculture, trade, policy, environment, education, and enterprise subsectors. S/he participates in, coordinates, and manages USAID inputs into alternative development assessments conducted in conjunction with the GIRoA, other USG agencies, international organizations, or other donors. The Director of Alternative Development establishes and maintains high-level contact with the provincial Government officials, international organizations, and other USG representations in their assigned region. S/he promotes respectful, cooperative, and productive relationship within and external to USAID including persons with cultural and individual differences. 3. Strategy Development: The Director of Alternative Development provides planning, analysis, evaluation and technical advice and recommendations to the USAID/Afghanistan Mission senior management on strategies for alternative development, and the design, management and implementation of alternative development. The individual tracks and regularly reports on progress toward achieving the goals of the USAID alternative development programs in the assigned region. The individual participates in the reporting for the Mission Performance Plan; Operational Planning; Annual Reports; Congressional Notifications; and other strategic planning and reporting documentation for Afghanistan. Demonstrates understanding of local realities and formulates and implements goals and objectives accordingly. 4. Program Management and Oversight: The Director of Alternative Development will manage and provide technical guidance on USIAD's portfolio of alternative development activities in their assigned region, including: negotiating work priorities; expediting activity implementation matters; identifying and resolving program issues; monitoring that development activities are carried out in a technically-sound, timely, and cost-effective manner; assigning responsibility for program management and implementation actions to FSN staff as appropriate; and assuring that activities are carried out in accordance with all applicable Mission and Agency directives and requirements. This will include serving as a Contract/Agreement Officer's Representative (COR/AOR) and/or Alternate COR/AOR for one or more multi-million dollar alternative development contracts, cooperative agreements or grants being implemented by US-based contractors/grantees and local and international sub-contractors and grantees. The individual understands methods to measure and track performance, impact and outcome of USAID investments. The incumbent performs a mentoring role in providing technical advice and recommendations to USAID's partners regarding the design and implementation of alternative development activities planned or being carried out in Afghanistan. This includes chairing workshops and other meetings related to implementation of the Alternative Development programs. The Director of Alternative Development ensures the effectiveness of program implementation through monitoring via site visits and review and clearance of technical reports. The incumbent serves as a point of contact for interagency coordination. Takes actions to promote teamwork that includes diverse group of individuals. 5. General Management: The Director of Alternative Development will continuously gather and report on information about the alternative development situation in the assigned region for a variety of audiences including USAID/Washington, US State Department, US Congress, and other USG organizations. The incumbent provides mentoring, staff development, supervision to one or more Foreign Service National (FSN) professional staff. S/he prepares and issues necessary internal USAID program implementation documentation for program implementation, including Action Memos, Modified Acquisition and Assistance Request Documents (MAARDS), technical directives and required reporting. S/he manages all assigned work either independently or as required, as part of a team according to established Mission policies, practices and programmatic guidance; and in accordance with all applicable USAID regulations and guidance. The incumbent may participate in the gathering of information for baseline and annual statistics on the progress of the alternative development program. Other aspect of monitoring and evaluation may be required as well. S/he is expected to make independent judgments that can be defended as necessary. 6. The Program Manager - The Director of Alternative Development will be stationed in Kabul with other US or coalition government civilian and US or coalition military representatives. Most field bases have a USAID representative that acts as afield program officer or development advisor with responsibility for assisting with management and implementation of USAID projects. In the case of ADAG, this office has led the efforts for field-based CORs or AORs that are based in these field units specifically for management of these activities. The staff on these bases may include State Department and USDA representatives as well as other international donor representatives and at times local USAID FSN staff. The incumbent will have frequent contact with the Contractor/Grantee and will be fully informed on the activities being implemented. The incumbent will met with, give briefings to, and provide insight on the progress of the program(s) in the region where assigned. Must be able to use effective approaches for choosing course of actions or developing appropriate solutions. C. EVALUATION/SELECTION CRITERIA: 1. Work Experience: (20 Points): The candidate must have a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in the design, implementation, management and/or monitoring and evaluation of development activities. Experience in conflict regions and/or with counternarcotics operations is strongly preferred. Experience is required in the collection, analysis, and presentation of information related to projects. Prior management experience in a position of similar complexity is required. 2. Education: (15 Points): The candidate must have a graduate degree in the field of Agriculture, Economics, Rural Development, International Development, Business Administration, International Relations, or a related subject. 3. Knowledge (25 points): Must have a sound, experience-based knowledge of agriculture and broader economic development within the broader community development context. Alternative development and counternarcotics programming experience is strongly preferred. Candidates must possess a thorough knowledge of the social, political, economic, and development realities of working in a post-conflict environment, preferably Afghanistan-related. Must be knowledgeable of monitoring and evaluation, and implementation oversight. 4. Abilities & Skills (15 points): S/he must have a high degree of technical, analytical, and quantitative skills. Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, as well as a proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision or guidance, are required. S/he must have solid operational and management skills, computer skills, multi-tasking skills, and the ability to conceptualize both strategically and programmatically. Also essential is the ability to work effectively as a leader of multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams, including the ability to effectively facilitate discussions and/or meetings. Ability to relate to government officials, professional consultants, US and non-US military colleagues and local and third country nationals is criticial. 5. Communication (25 Points): S/he should have a proven ability to communicate (in English) quickly,clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, including the preparation of technical reports. S/he should have the ability to rapidly learn and explain USAID and other development programs, objectives, and procedures. Maximum Points Available: 100 D. Term of Performance The term of the contract will be for 13 months. Within four weeks after written notice from the Contracting Officer that all clearances have been received or, unless another date is specified by the Contracting Officer in writing, the incumbent shall proceed to Kabul to perform the above services which may be extended upon mutual agreement and subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds. This position has been classified at a U.S. Government GS-15. The actual salary of the successful candidate will be negotiated depending on qualifications and previous salary history. In addition, the Mission has a 35% Post Differential allowance and 35% Danger Pay. FICA and federal income tax will be withheld by USAID. During this one year period you will be entitled to two Rest and Recuperation trips (R&R) and up to three Regional Rest Breaks. You will be entitled to 20 days Administrative Leave plus two days of travel time for each break. In excess of the Administrative Leave, you will have to use your Annual Leave or Compensatory time for the breaks. Afghanistan is a no-dependent post. E. General information regarding living and working conditions in Afghanistan Life in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan has improved somewhat since the establishment of the government, and great strides have been made to regularize the availability of services, utilities, and supplies of common consumer items. Living conditions, however, are still difficult but this position offers a historic opportunity to work closely with a dedicated team to assist the Afghans to bring peace and stability to their war-torn country. Afghanistan is an unaccompanied post. All staff members are housed on the heavily guarded and fortified Embassy compound, at a military compound, or at a PRT. F. Medical and Security Clearance The selected applicant must be able to obtain a USG Secret level security clearance. U.S citizens should obtain Department of State Class I Medical Clearance. G. Benefits: As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the benefits and allowances listed in this section. [NOTE: A contractor meeting the definition of a U.S. Resident Hire PSC, shall be subject to U.S. Federal Income Tax, but shall not be eligible for any fringe benefits (except contributions for FICA, health insurance, and life insurance), including differentials and allowances.] A. BENEFITS: o FICA Contribution o Contribution toward Health & life insurance o Pay Comparability Adjustment o Eligibility for Worker's Compensation o Annual & Sick Leave o Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service as per post policy B. ALLOWANCES (If Applicable): (1) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) (2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) (3) Post Allowance (Section 220) (4) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) (5) Post Differential (Chapter 500) (6) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) and (7) Danger Pay (Section 650) (8) Education Allowance (Section 270) (9) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) (10)Education Travel (Section 280) * Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). C. FEDERAL TAXES: PSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes under the foreign earned income exclusion. H. CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs/AAPDs) PERTAINING TO PSCs AAPD 06-11 Home Leave and Revised General Provision 5, Leave and Holidays AAPD 06-10 PSC Medical expense payment responsibility AAPD 06-07 AIDAR, Appendix D: Contract budget, salary determination and salary increase AAPD 06-01 Medical evacuation insurance CIB 01-10 Revision of medical clearance process - PSC with U.S. Citizens CIB 01-07 Clarification of the extension/renewal policy regarding PSCs CIB 01-05 Clarification of the Rest and Recuperation (R&R) policy regarding Third Country Nationals (TCNs) CIB 00-08 Revision of Competitive Process - PSCs with U.S. Citizens CIB 00-03 FICA & Medicare Tax Rates for Personal Services Contracts CIB 99-22 PSC Policy CIB 98-23 Guidance regarding Classified Contract Security and Contractor Personnel Security Requirements CIB 98-16 Annual Salary Increase for USPSCs CIB 98-14 Change in Required Application Form for USPSCs CIB 98-11 Determining a Market Value for Personal Services Contractors Hired under Appendix D. CIB 97-17 PSC's with U.S. Citizens or U.S. resident aliens CIB 97-16 Class Justification for use of Other Than Full and Open Competition for Personal Services Contracts with U.S. Citizens Contracted with Locally, with CCNs and TCNs Subject to the Local Compensation Plan, and for Overseas Contracts of $250,000 or less CIB 96-23 Unauthorized Provision in Personal Services Contracts CIB 94-09 Sunday Pay for U.S. Personal Services Contractors CIB 93-17 Financial Disclosure requirements under a Personal Services Contract CIB 89-29 Use of Government Bill of Lading for Transportation of Personal Service Contractor (PSC) Household Effects, Unaccompanied Baggage and Privately Owned Vehicles Various Contract Information Bulletins (CIBs) and Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives (AAPDs) pertain to Personal Services Contracts can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/cib/subject.html#psc Additionally, AIDAR Appendixes D or J also applies to PSCs can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf H. APPLYING All applications should be submitted electronically to e-mail address AfUSAIDJobs@state.gov Attention: Sameer Lodeen Human Resources Specialist USAID/Afghanistan To ensure that your application is received for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number as (DIR1275) in the subject line of your e-mail or your application may not be considered. Applicants may submit an application against this solicitation at any time but prior to August 26, 2012 16:30 local (Kabul) time unless revised. The highest ranking applications may be selected for an interview. Please note that only short listed candidates will be notified. J. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs: Interested applicants must submit the following documents or their applications may not be considered for this position: 1. Most current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume; 2. Three (3) to five (5) references, who are not family members or relatives, with working telephone and email contacts, • The applicant's references must be able to provide substantive information about his/her past performance and abilities. USAID/Afghanistan will only contact references for the finalist, and will only do so with the permission of the applicant. 3. A written statement that addresses the Evaluation/Selection Criteria in this solicitation. The CV/resume must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the application in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria. Broad general statements that are vague or lacking specificity will not be considered as effectively addressing particular selection criteria. K. Other Information related to PSCs: Various Contract Information Bulletins (CIBs) and Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives (AAPDs) pertain to Personal Services Contracts. Those documents can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/cib/subject.html#psc Additionally, AIDAR Appendixes D or J also applies to PSCs, which can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf Point of Contact: Sameer Lodeen Human Resources Specialist Email: slodeen@usaid.gov Phone (in Afghanistan) - (202) 216-6288 Ext. 4344; Cell 0093797777301 or Fax (202) 216-6288 (Ext. 105)
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/AID/OM/AFG/SOL-306-12-000075-DIR/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Place of Performance, USAID/Afghanistan, U.S. Embassy, Great Masoud Road, Kabul, Afghanistan, Kabul, Non-U.S., 0093, Afghanistan
- Record
- SN02814213-W 20120726/120725000947-3fbb12cfe4825272cf330b756917adc5 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
| FSG Index | This Issue's Index | Today's FBO Daily Index Page |