MODIFICATION
R -- USPSC Regional Environmental Advisor for Asia and the Middle East, USAID/Central Asian Republics, Almaty, Kazakhstan
- Notice Date
- 9/10/2012
- Notice Type
- Modification/Amendment
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Agency for International Development, Overseas Missions, Kazakhstan USAID-Almaty, Dept. of State, Washington, District of Columbia, 20521-7030
- ZIP Code
- 20521-7030
- Solicitation Number
- 27-2012
- Archive Date
- 9/20/2012
- Point of Contact
- Damira Sagyrbayeva, Phone: 77272507612, Tatiana P Rossova, Phone: 7 7272 50 76 17
- E-Mail Address
-
dsagyrbayeva@usaid.gov, trossova@usaid.gov
(dsagyrbayeva@usaid.gov, trossova@usaid.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- ISSUANCE DATE: 09/06/2012 CLOSING DATE: 09/19/2012 Gentlemen/Ladies: SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (PSC) No. 27-2012 USPSC Regional Environmental Advisor for Asia and the Middle East, 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 Samuel Matthews, Contracting Officer, and Tatiana Rossova, Personnel Specialist, who may be reached at FAX No. 7-727-250-76-34/35/36, or e-mail almaexo_hr@usaid.gov Offerors should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their proposals. Sincerely, Samuel Matthews Contracting Officer ATTACHMENT TO SOLICITATION NO. 27-2012 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 27/2012 2. ISSUANCE DATE: 09/06/2012 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: 09/19/2012 (6 p.m. Almaty Time) 4. POSITION TITLE: USPSC Regional Environmental Advisor for Asia and the Middle East 5. MARKET VALUE: $99,628 - $129,517 per annum (GS-15 equivalent) with 25% Post Differential (currently) 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years (extension optional) 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/CENTRAL ASIAN REPUBLICS, Almaty, Kazakhstan 8. JOB DESCRIPTION: A) Background Asia and the Middle East Regions The Asia and Middle East Bureaus of USAID provide overall leadership for Agency programs in the Asia and Middle East regions and assistance to over 29 countries spanning from Morocco to Papua New Guinea. This includes programs in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, West Bank/Gaza, Yemen and Egypt in response to urgent foreign policy priorities; large and politically sensitive efforts in India, the Philippines, Indonesia, Jordan and Lebanon; and volatile conflict and post-conflict situations in Cambodia, East Timor, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Libya. The Middle East's Office of Technical Support (ME/TS) is responsible for providing leadership and technical support on development issues in the Asia and Middle East regions through analyses, strategy development, program design, technical assistance, evaluations and information dissemination. ME/TS guides the Asia and Middle East Bureaus' strategic thinking in technical areas, reviews performance by operating units, and advises on the appropriate allocation of resources to them. Within ME/TS, the Bureau Environmental Officer (BEO) is responsible for assuring that all Asia and Middle East strategies and programs comply with the mandatory requirements of the Agency's environmental procedures (22 CFR 216; aka Reg. 216) as well as with legislative and policy mandates on the environment (e.g., the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); USAID's environmental policy directives; and the Foreign Assistance Act as amended in Sections 117, 118, and 119. The environmental compliance workload is daunting. Under Reg. 216, USAID operating units cannot obligate funds without prior BEO approval of Initial Environmental Examinations (IEEs) or requests for Categorical Exclusions (CEs). In FY 2011, the BEO reviewed and processed over 200 environmental compliance documents for approximately $2.9 billion in project funding. Given the high visibility and strategic sensitivity of many of these programs both careful review and rapid turn-around are mandatory. Ensuring appropriate environmental review and providing assistance with Reg. 216 compliance have emerged as critically important areas of backstopping for ME/TS. The Regional Environmental Advisor's (REA) position is necessary to support the BEO's timely approval of all compliance documentation for the Asia and Middle East Bureaus. With more than half of the world's population, Asia and the Middle East regions face intensifying demands on environmental systems, natural resources, and government capacity as a result of rapid population growth; increased urbanization; wide-spread deforestation; impacts of climate change; ineffective policies; and pervasive poverty. Improving environmental governance for resource protection, biodiversity conservation, urban development and water resources management is an urgent need across the regions. While diverse in many ways, Asian and Middle Eastern countries and cities face similar challenges in balancing economic growth needs with environmental protection - a challenge that can be addressed through regional cooperation and assistance. Initiatives throughout these regions such as Feed the Future, Global Health and Climate Change, provide important platforms for sharing and replicating experiences, technical innovations, and expertise; and for improving cooperation between Asian and Middle Eastern countries, cities, and communities. Regional cooperation, combined with resource leveraging, is key to catalyzing change in all sectors. Institutional capacity and regulatory policies, including those pertaining to the environment, must be greatly strengthened to ensure compliance, enforcement, public participation, and the resolution of conflict in a manner that is democratic, transparent, and fosters the rule of law. This perspective is especially important to implementing the Agency's FORWARD procurement reform targets to strengthen local NGOs and government-to-government direct funding. B) Basic Functions of the Position As a member of both ME/TS and USAID/CAR environment teams, the REA for Asia and the Middle East, based in Almaty, Kazakhstan, provides specialized policy, strategic and technical advice in the areas of environmental review and impact assessment, and environment sector programming and monitoring. The REA will review and provide clearance on all environmental documents prior to BEO approval. The REA will support USAID Missions in South, Central, and East Asia, Pakistan and Afghanistan and the Middle East and their implementing partners, host country national governments, and, as appropriate, other USG agencies (i.e., Department of State, OPIC, TDA, Exim Bank, DOI, Treasury, EPA, USDA/USFS, and DOE) and regional and international organizations that are active in these regions and countries. Eighty percent (80%) of the REA's time will be spent supporting USAID Mission programs in the regions and up to 20% supporting the Environment Team of USAID/CAR. The REA's areas of assistance include overseeing program compliance with USAID environmental procedures; IEEs and CEs; environmental scoping and impact assessments; environmental monitoring and mitigation plans; strategic planning; and overall environmentally-sound program design and implementation. The position is supported by the ME/TS office, USAID/CAR, the Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan Affairs (OAPA) and the Office of Middle East Programs (OMEP). C) Duties and Responsibilities ME/TS The Regional Environmental Advisor for Asia and the Middle East supports USAID Missions and partners as well as USAID Mission Environmental Officers and staff in complying with USAID environmental regulations (22 CFR 216), policies, and procedures; and in incorporating principles of environmentally sound design and best practices in planning and implementation of development interventions. In particular, the REA shall perform the following services as required by ME/TS: 1. Assist USAID Mission Environmental Officers (MEOs), Assistance Objective team leaders, and implementation partners in the preparation of IEEs, CEs, EA Scoping Statements, and terms of reference for Environmental Assessments of USAID-funded activities; 2. Working under the guidance of the Asia/Middle East BEO, conduct environmental portfolio reviews and periodic site visits for USAID activities to monitor compliance with all USAID environmental procedures and regulations, with particular attention to implementation of monitoring and mitigation measures specified in IEEs and EAs; 3. Support streamlining, harmonization, and standardization of Reg. 216 procedures in the Asia/Middle East regions, particularly with respect to environmental screening and review under umbrella NGO programs; 4. Prepare an annual summary of the status of each mission as it relates to satisfying USAID's environmental requirements and recommend, if warranted, actions necessary for compliance; 5. Assist Mission Environmental Officers to prepare reports related to overall Environmental Compliance, Tropical Forestry, and Biodiversity that may be required as part of USAID annual reporting and /or strategy preparation; 6. Train, or lead and organize teams that train, USAID mission staff, host-country government, and civil society personnel in environmental impact assessment procedures and USAID environmental regulations with a view to strengthening local capacity within USAID Missions and partner institutions for assuring the environmental soundness of development programs; 7. Promote coordination and collaboration in regional environmental programming and planning among USAID Missions in Asia and the Middle East. Represent USAID at meetings, workshops and conferences organized by various organizations, including other donors and international organizations; 8. Develop effective working relationships with USAID personnel, host-country authorities, international donors (including MDBs and the GEF), regional and international development organizations, NGOs and other civil society organizations, and private sector groups within Asia in order to improve overall environmental program coordination; 9. Develop, or lead/participate in teams that develop, environmental profiles and other analyses of major environmental issues in Asia and the Middle East if/as requested by USAID/CAR Director or Program Officer and/or the Asia/Middle East BEO; 10. Collect and disseminate information on best practices for environmental management of selected classes of activities; environmental technologies; environmental laws and regulations; and lessons learned among USAID Missions in Asia, AID/W, NGOs, MDBs, and regional organizations. USAID/CAR 1. Assist the Mission Environmental Officer by advising Mission staff on the development of IEEs, CEs, EAs and overall compliance with Reg. 216 requirements. 2. Provide strategic direction to contractors and grantees to ensure their activities support the strategic framework objectives of programs in Asia/Middle East to ensure compliance with established USAID guidelines, policies and procedures. 3. Coordinate activities with appropriate personnel at the USAID/CAR, USAID/Washington, USAID Missions, US Embassies and other US government agencies, such as the US EPA. Wherever possible, ensure USAID's regional initiatives complement bilateral activities; 4. Develop, maintain and strengthen working relationships with key partners, including national ministries, local governments, international organizations and other donors, private sector, NGOs, universities and the media to identify and implement efforts to increase synergy among the key stakeholders. These contacts are at the senior management level. 5. Prepare and disseminate, on a regular basis, to Mission staff, USAID/Washington, and program partners information on issues, accomplishments and worldwide best practices in environmental impact assessment and environmentally sound design. Document success stories in improving environmental governance. 6. Provide briefings to visitors to the USAID/CAR and other regions as required to the press on the environmental impact assessments and environmental governance in the regions. Prepare and deliver presentations on the same issues to regional and international workshops and conferences. 7. Represent the ME/TS, USAID/CAR, OAPA and OMEP at meetings, workshops and conferences organized by various organizations, including other donors and international organizations. 8. Provide mentoring to new Foreign Services Officers as Regional Environmental Advisors in the Regional Development Mission for Asia (RDMA) due in December 2012 in Bangkok and OMEP in Cairo in the summer of 2013. D) Supervision and Relationships USAID/CAR and ME/TS will jointly provide technical and programmatic supervision. USAID/CAR will take the supervisory lead on host mission activities while the Asia/Middle East BEO will take the supervisory lead on environmental compliance (Reg. 216) responsibilities. The REA reports to both the USAID/CAR Strategy & Program Office Director and the Asia/Middle East BEO, and uses professional judgment and skills to plan and carry out assigned activities, projects, or other assignments. S/he develops recommendations to solve difficult problems without precedent, proposes solutions to complex issues and discusses recommendations with his/her technical supervisors. S/he is considered the lead authority for the Missions and an Agency expert on environmental review and compliance procedures and evaluation issues. The work is technically authoritative and almost always accepted without substantive change and is only reviewed for conformance to Agency policy. The Regional Environmental Advisor (REA) for Asia/Middle East will be physically located in Almaty, Kazakhstan but supervised jointly. Consequently, there must be close collaboration between the USAID/CAR Strategy & Program Office Director and the Asia/Middle East's Bureau Environmental Officer (ME/TS) to ensure: accountability; service to the host and client missions; day-to-day supervision, and adequate backstopping. To achieve this, management responsibilities of the host Mission and ME/TS are: 1. The host mission will provide day-to-day supervision and logistical support, while ME/TS will provide overall technical and policy guidance, and will coordinate and prioritize Reg. 216 priorities. 2. Annual work plans with regular updates are required and will be approved by the host Mission and the Asia/Middle East BEO. These work plans and updates will be prepared in close consultation with client bilateral Asia/Middle East Missions. 3. Trip reports, will be submitted to both the USAID/CAR Strategy & Program Office Director and the Asia/Middle East BEO. 4. Annual performance evaluations will be coordinated by the host Mission with input from the Asia/Middle East BEO and the client bilateral Asia/Middle East Missions. 5. In exchange for the above described management services, the host Mission can expect up to 20% of the Advisor's time to be spent in its service with the remaining time spent serving other clients, especially bilateral Asia/Middle East Missions. 6. The incumbent will be required to travel to other Asia/Middle East countries, Washington, D.C., and other localities in the performance of his/her duties. It is anticipated that approximately 70 % of the incumbent's time will be spent traveling to other countries in Asia, with occasional trips to AID/W for consultations. All travel shall have the prior approval of the USAID/CAR Program Officer, or his authorized designee. E) Qualification Requirements 1) Education: Advanced degree (MS/MA level or above) in a discipline relevant to environmental protection and impact assessment. 2) Technical Knowledge and Development Program Management Experience: a. Five or more years of progressively more responsible experience in environmental impact assessment and compliance, including NEPA compliance or 22 CFR 216 compliance. b. Demonstrated experience and ability to judge potential environmental impacts of proposed economic development assistance activities. Overseas experience required. c. Proven outstanding skill in design, management, and evaluation of development assistance programs, with expertise in performance monitoring. Experience working with USAID field missions in Asia is very highly desired. d. Demonstrated expert understanding of the role of foreign assistance in promoting the sustainable use of natural resources and balancing economic development needs with conservation objectives. e. Demonstrated mastery of collaborative development assistance planning and implementation of activities (both independently, in a leadership capacity and as a member of a team, as appropriate) with a wide variety of individuals, groups, environmental institutions and technical organizations. Ability to work effectively under pressure to carry out specific, results-oriented tasks in developing countries given constraints in time, information and logistical support. 4) Communications Skills: a. Excellent communications skills, including the ability to clearly articulate environmental, conservation, natural resource management, clean production, and pollution prevention issues both in writing and orally. b. Computer and Communication Skills: Demonstrated experience supporting, maintaining, and updating web-based training and resource materials to support environmental impact assessment and environmentally sound design is desirable. c. Proven ability to function highly effectively in cross-cultural situations. d. Willingness to travel extensively to USAID-assisted countries. All of the above are elements contributing to success performance in this position 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 24 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 Asia Region. I) EVALUATION CRITERIA Academic Qualifications and Technical Knowledge: 30 points Relevant Regional/Overseas Experience: 30 points Development Programs Management and Leadership Experience: 10 points Communication Skills: 25 points Computer Skills: 5 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. 9. APPLYING Qualified individuals are requested to submit a Optional Application for Federal Employment OF-612 including experience and salary history, resume, 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) September 19, 2012. 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: almaexo_hr@usaid.gov Fax: 7 727 2507634 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 two-year period commencing as soon as possible (preferably o/a October 1'2012) 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.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/AID/OM/ALM/27-2012 /listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: USAID/CAR Almaty, 41 Kazibek Bi Street, Almaty, Kazakhstan, Almaty, Kazakstan
- Record
- SN02876396-W 20120912/120911001857-5e96f08683c8072622da4ff26c3ea322 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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