Solicitation-Senior_Agriculture_Advisor.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 279-14-501

ISSUANCE DATE: June 30, 2014

CLOSING DATE/TIME: 4:30 pm Cairo time on July 15, 2014

POSITION TITLE: Senior Agriculture Advisor

MARKET VALUE: GS-14

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 11 Months

SECURITY ACCESS: Facility/Computer Access

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens who are able to obtain the required security clearance.

A) Place of Performance:

The security threat level in Yemen is extremely high and USAID/Yemen has a limited footprint in country. The expectation is the PSC will work from his/her home in the US, with at least one trip per month to Washington DC to meet with USAID ME/IPA and other donors, partners, and stakeholders.

The Contractor will also travel to Yemen on TDY at least twice during the period of employment.

B) Period of Service:

The duration of this position is for 11 months, approximately 60 hours per month, 30 hours per pay period unless on TDY, where 80 hours per week is the norm.

C) Background:

The Republic of Yemen is one of the driest, poorest and least developed countries in the world. It ranks 154 of 182 countries on the UNDP Human Development Index. An estimated 50 percent of the people are poor, and one in three is malnourished. Poverty is endemic, particularly in more remote and less accessible areas. About two thirds of the population (including 80 percent of the poor) lives in rural areas and most of them depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. Agriculture is a vital economic sector, providing jobs and income in a country with an unemployment rate estimated as high as 40 percent. Almost half of the country’s population of 25 million lives without access to safe water and sanitation, and over ten million suffer chronic hunger. High unemployment and poverty contribute to political tensions that are compounded by conflict with separate secessionist movements in the north and south, and disruptive extremist operations of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).

People are poor due to lack of productive resources, and inadequate access to basic necessities such as safe water, health care and education. In Yemen the ownership and exploitation of resources including land and water are controlled by elite segments of society. The country's poor natural resource base cannot meet the needs of a population that is growing steadily, and doubling every twenty years. A shrinking resource base, coupled with already low productivity and the shock of internal conflict places enormous pressure on Yemen’s social and economic systems and contributes further to increasing poverty.

USAID/Yemen has created a new three-year Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) that directs efforts in ways that leverage an historic opportunity for political transition, and align and integrate technical areas of development assistance with current humanitarian aid programs. The strategy will capitalize upon positive momentum in the country, mitigate the challenges of vested interests and humanitarian crises, and stay flexible in the fluid context of transition. The focus is on addressing the core barriers to participation that inhibit development and resilience. The immediate emphasis is delivery of humanitarian assistance and support for an informed, inclusive and participatory approach to political transition. Going forward, the programmatic thrust increasingly addresses development challenges at local level; including matters of governance, civic participation, public service delivery, economic growth, and private sector job creation.

This position is focused on Development Objective three (DO 3) of the new CDCS, Sustainable

Economic Opportunities Increased. The lack of economic opportunities for a growing number of

Yemenis is destabilizing; it weakens resilience to crisis and threatens the current political transition.

USAID will support efforts to create private sector economic opportunities oriented to reducing chronic vulnerability and facilitating inclusive growth.

D) Mission Projects:

USAID Yemen is in the process of implementing a program that develops high value markets for agriculture products that have the potential of competing with qat production, are adaptable to production under high efficiency (up to 85% water efficiency) irrigation systems, involve or employ the rural poor, and can be supplied through small scale farmer production. In doing so, the program will create sustainable agriculture production and marketing systems focusing on promoting rural livelihoods, increasing family purchasing power, and improving food security.

The program will also promote sustainable agriculture by promoting production systems encourage greater water efficiency (terrace maintenance and micro-irrigation) and decrease agriculture use of rapidly dwindling groundwater resources. Micro-irrigation will be promoted to use limited water resources and employ water application schedules that have the greatest impact on yields and quality.

Farmer Organizations (FOs) will be assisted to demonstrate the impact of traditional water conservation methods (terraces) combined with rain water harvesting and irrigation in creating sustainable production systems in Yemen.

High value markets developed under this program will create a “pull” effect creating economic incentives for private investment and greater demand for key value chains (coffee, horticulture, honey, livestock, etc.) that result in increased incomes for the rural poor. The Mission will work to create linkages with high value export markets; as access to markets increases, mechanisms will be put in place to ensure USAID assisted farmers can successfully produce the agricultural commodities needed by these markets and that they receive a premium farm-gate price. As incomes increase, the rural poor will be able to purchase sufficient food to meet nutritional requirements.

Under the Competitive Agriculture Systems for High Value Crops (CASH) Project, USAID is supporting activities that can help create high value, lucrative markets for Yemeni agricultural products and link smallholder producers to these markets with premium prices for their production. The project’s theory of change is that, as market opportunities increase, farmers will have greater incentive to adopt cost effective practices to increase the production and quality of key products which will in turn promote high value product marketing, increase family incomes, and provide greater access to food. A key precept to this approach is that fully developed and competitive agriculture value chains are required to achieve increased food security.

E) Major Duties and Responsibilities:

The Contractor is responsible for providing direction and guidance to the Mission in relations to building the agriculture value chain and seeking economic opportunities afforded through the agribusiness. The Contractor’s responsibilities will include but are not limited to developing a:

Resilience Strategy - Plan for supporting CASH Agreement Officer Representative (AOR) in developing specific actions required to ensure implementation of work plans and provision of program support required for transition from humanitarian assistance to sustainable development;

Support Plan - Design and implement a plan to assist CASH AOR in providing technical direction, comply with monitoring and evaluation requirements, and support on various technical and programmatic tasks related to the project;

Water Sector Initiatives – The Mission is designing water/agribusiness/science & technology

(STIP) initiatives, specifically USAID/Yemen’s water activities, agribusiness investment, and areas for incorporating science, technology and innovation, as part of the CASH project. These programs are aimed at maximizing the impact of the new Middle East North Africa (MENA)

Water Initiative and will, in large part, be related to improving water use efficiency in the agriculture sector. With the agriculture sector using 90 percent of Yemen’s water resources, groundwater aquifers are being depleted at an alarming rate, the Senior Agriculture Advisor will develop and work with the Mission on implementing new water initiatives aimed at conserving water resources.

Water Sector Strategy - Draft a water strategy for USAID Yemen that includes an integrated water/gender/livelihoods strategy that uses agriculture to re-vitalize Yemen’s economy. Key focus will be on recommending actions to better utilize water in the agriculture sector and assisting

Mission staff in drafting documentation related to design and implementation of water activities in

Yemen.

Agriculture Water Activities – Draft specific agriculture water initiatives at the direction of

Mission management. These initiatives would respond to opportunities provided through centrally funded program and other non-Mission funding sources. To the extent possible these initiatives will focus on agriculture sector.

Coffee Sector Support – Provide technical assistance to support activities in Yemen’s coffee sector as the CASH project initiates implementation. Support CASH implementers to promote activities that will promote successful transition from humanitarian assistance to sustainable development.

National Coffee Strategy - Coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation to develop a national coffee production and marketing strategy that will reach the ROYG goal of increasing coffee production to 50,000 metric tons by 2019. This work would include coordinating with the new World Bank Smallholder Agriculture Productivity Enhancement Project (SAPEP), ongoing

SMEPS Coffee Program, and other initiatives underway in Yemen’s coffee sector.

Access to Markets Plan – Develop in coordination with the CASH Project, a marketing outreach strategy to gain greater access to international markets for Yemeni coffee. Work to implement mechanisms that create value for the entire coffee value chain by designing strategies to increase transparency, certify origin and differentiate Yemeni coffee. This task would include designing and implementing pilot marketing initiatives that would highlight Yemeni coffee in key markets in the US and other international markets (i.e, coffee caravan, Q auction, etc.).

And other duties as assigned.

F) POSITION ELEMENTS:

1. Supervision Received: The USPSC is part of the Economic Growth and Agriculture team in the

Technical Office and will report directly to the USDH Technical Office Director (an FS-01 position), who in turn reports to the USAID/Yemen Mission Director.

2. Available Guidelines: ADS, USAID/Yemen’s CDCS 2014-2016, Yemen’s Agriculture

Strategy, and Mission Orders.

3. Exercise of Judgment: Substantial reliance is placed upon professional judgments and perceptions of the operations of agricultural value chains, needs, costs, feasibility, and the related project requirements in order to effectively carry out the Mission's objectives regarding the implementation of complex Agribusiness Projects. S/he represents the Mission in high level ministerial meetings with senior Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MAI) officials at the

Ministerial, Under Secretary, and Directorial levels and in DC at the Assistant Administrator, Deputy

Assistant Administrator, and Director level.

4. Authority to Make Commitments: There are significant commitments involved in managing the assigned portfolio in addition to a significant level of authority to the PSC to carry-on policy reform discussions with the MAI and Water Authorities.

INCUMBENT DOES NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE COMMITMENTS ON BEHALF

OF THE US GOVERNMENT.

5. Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: The incumbent will act as a primary point of contact with the World Bank, other donors, USG officials and Government of Yemen Officials the development, implementation and coordination of agribusiness and water sector and as the Mission's liaison with US consultants, manufacturers and suppliers and with Host Country personnel responsible for the implementation of the on-going projects and those being developed.

6. Supervision Exercised: Supervises various relationships and awards.

G) Required/Desired Qualifications and Selection Criteria:

In order to be considered for the position, a candidate must be a U.S. citizen and be able to obtain

Facility/Computer Access Security Clearance. S/he must submit an application in accordance with the guidance. In addition, candidates must meet the Selection Criteria listed below. Consideration and selection will be based on a panel evaluation of the criteria.

Completion of a writing sample is mandatory for consideration to this position.

Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the following selection criteria:

1. Education and Language Proficiency: (10 points)

Minimum of a master’s degree in Agronomy, agribusiness or a related field is (required). English fluency is (required); Arabic language ability would be an advantage but not required.

2. Prior Work Experience: (40 points)

Fifteen to twenty years of progressively responsible professional experience in international development, preferably in the areas of agribusiness/agronomy in developing countries is (required).

Specifically, this should include experience in the design and development of programs, management and technical guidance in program implementation, and monitoring and evaluating program progress and effectiveness. Demonstrated technical expertise and leadership in Agriculture-related programs, preferably value chain development, and programmatic skills within the context of developing countries is (required). Superior intellectual skills and subject matter expertise to develop strategies to overcome development challenges and resolve implementation obstacles to agricultural development as exemplified through work history. Analytic skills and capacity to assess information and devise creative and appropriate solutions to implementation challenges. Current knowledge of best practices, and current research and development trends in economic growth, water and agriculture. Professional experience working with governments, international donors, private sector and NGO implementers in the agriculture sector, preferably in the value chain and water management subsectors. Specific

USAID experience in program planning, project design, budgeting, implementation oversight and/or reporting systems and procedures is preferred.

3. Knowledge: (35 points)

Demonstrated technical expertise and leadership in agriculture-related programs, in the context of developing countries is (required). Demonstrated strategic, analytic skills and current knowledge of agricultural trends and best practices, particularly in the value chain and water management subsectors in developing countries. Demonstrated project management skills, including effective oversight of people, programs, and financial resources to implement programs contributing to democratic development. Ability to gather and make concise oral and written presentations. The successful candidate must have demonstrated the capacity to professionally represent USAID.

4. Abilities and Skills: (15 points)

Demonstrated history of experience in a multicultural team environment working with a wide range of individuals and organizations to address agricultural-sector challenges. Proven ability to reach consensus with diverse groups, and inspire coalitions of interest. Strong interpersonal skills including a record of effective collegial/team relations and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a range of professional counterparts at all levels, including those from host-country government, NGOs, USAID missions, other USG agencies and international donors (required). The successful candidate must have demonstrated the capacity to professionally represent USAID.

Demonstrated persuasiveness, cross-cultural sensitivity, tact and poise to successfully advocate practices, approaches and policies with a range of audiences in an intercultural context. Superior written and oral communication skills are essential (with a writing sample required) along with demonstrated ability to gather and convey information, make oral presentations and prepare reports, correspondence and other written materials. The ability to meet tight deadlines with concise documents and verbal interpretation is (required). Strong computer skills and proficiency in MS

Office software is (required).

Total points: 100 points

E. Clearance requirements

The selected candidate must obtain medical and security clearance.

H) SELECTION CRITERIA:

To be considered, the applicant must meet those qualifications marked (required). Candidates will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

Ranking Factors:

Factor Points

Education & Language Proficiency 10

Prior Work Experience 40

Knowledge 35

Abilities & Skills 15

Total 100

APPLYING:

Qualified individuals are requested to submit:

(1) A cover letter of no more than 3 pages that demonstrates how the candidates’ qualifications meet the work requirements;

(2) A curriculum vitae which at a minimum, describes education, latest experiences and career achievements;

(3) A completed and signed OF-612;

(4) A relevant writing sample, minimum of two pages and maximum of ten pages;

(5) Names, contact numbers, and addresses of three professional references;

(6) A written statement certifying the date and length of time for which the candidate is available for the position.

The U.S. Government Optional Form 612 is available Application form is available online https://dcb.cit.nih.gov/documents/of612.pdf or at Federal offices.

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. The highest ranking applicants may be selected for an interview.

The evaluation and selection process usually takes two to three months after the deadline. Shortlisted applicants are invited for tests and/or interviews during this time frame. Due to the high volume of applications, only candidates who are seriously being considered for a position are contacted for an interview. Please do not contact HR for a status report on your application once your application has https://dcb.cit.nih.gov/documents/of612.pdf been acknowledged. Interviewed candidates will normally be advised of the outcome of the selection process after a period of about four weeks.

Applicants may choose any of the methods in the Cover Page to submit their applications but USAID accepts no responsibility for delay in transit, mis-routing, etc. Submissions shall be in accordance with the above information at the place and time specified. Given the often intermittent problems people experience in the world with fax and email, all candidates are notified that, should they choose to utilize this method, they should confirm with the USAID/ Cairo Human Resources office that all documentation submitted was received prior to the closing date of this notice. Equipment failures at

USAID or by the applicants network are not acceptable reasons for late submission, as candidates have the option of sending their application hard copy by courier. No, repeat no, applications will be considered after the closing time and date, and it is the applicant’s full responsibility to ensure that all their documentation has been received by our office.

TYPE AND DURATION OF APPOINTMENT:

Employment shall be through a USAID Personal Services Contract for a period of eleven (11) months.

This Personal Services Contract is subject to the availability of funds.

BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES:

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, the offshore USPSCs are normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

BENEFITS:

Salary: Will be determined by the USAID Contracting Officer within the GS – 14 salary range based on experience, qualifications, and salary history. This position is taxable; incumbent will be required to pay US taxes.

Employee's FICA Contribution

Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

Pay Comparability Adjustment

Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

Annual & Sick Leave

Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service

Housing in Country

APO mail service as per post policy

ALLOWANCES (If Applicable):*

(1) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

(2) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) and

*Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas).

*Candidates meeting the definition of resident hire USPSC will receive corresponding benefits.

FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes.

CIBs/AAPDs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to this website: http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs to determine which apply to this contract.

Clearances:

Samia Joseph, HR ________________________

Warren Gray, Acting EXO ________________________ http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs