Agi PSC Position.doc

SOLICITATION NUMBER:

USAID/Sudan 650-SU-JUB-AGR-11-001

ISSUANCE DATE:

April 7, 2011

CLOSING DATE:

May 7, 2011 16:30 hrs. GMT+3 SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (PSC) for a Senior Agriculture and Agribusiness Specialist (Juba, Sudan), GS-14 The United States Government, represented by U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID/Sudan), is seeking applications from qualified U.S. Citizens or Third Country Nationals interested in providing Personal Services Contract (PSC) as described in this solicitation.

Submissions shall be in accordance with this solicitation at the place and time specified.

Interested applicants MUST submit the following materials:

· Most current Curriculum vitae or resume

· Complete and hand-signed federal form OF-6l2

· Three references, who are not family members or relatives, with telephones and e-mail contacts

· Covering letter highlighting applicant's reason for applying and supplemental documents specifically addressing the four (4) Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs) shown in the solicitation

USAID/Sudan reserves the right to obtain from previous employers relevant information concerning the applicant's past performance and may consider such information in its evaluation.

Late, incomplete or unsigned applications shall not be considered.

Applications must be e-mailed to:

Ms. Sara Giffen (sgiffen@usaid.gov), Human Resources Specialist, USAID/Sudan.

Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which may accompany their applications.

Sincerely, R. Douglass Arbuckle

Deputy Mission Director/Contracting Officer

ATTACHMENT TO POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

USPSC SENIOR AGRICULTURE AND AGRIBUSINESS SPECIALIST (JUBA, SUDAN)

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED:

May 7, 2011, 16:30 hrs. GMT+3

4. POSITION TITLE:

Senior Agriculture and Agribusiness Specialist (Juba, Sudan)

extensions up to a maximum of five years.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:

Juba, Sudan

8. AREA OF CONSIDERATION:

U.S. Citizens or Third Country Nationals

9. SUPERVISOR:

Deputy Team Leader for Economic Growth (Juba)

10. BACKGROUND:

The Senior Agriculture and Agribusiness Specialist (the Specialist) will provide expert advice and services to support the USAID/Sudan Mission in developing, planning, implementing, managing, and monitoring the Agency’s agriculture portfolio. The Specialist has a leadership role in initiating actions related to strategy, project design, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, analyses, assessments, evaluations and close-out of programs, activities (projects), and/or strategic objectives and operational plans included in the broader agriculture portfolio.

Political Context

The signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) on January 9, 2005, by the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the National Congress Party (NCP) brought an end to Africa's longest-running conflict. As part of supporting durable peace, the CPA provided for fundamental changes through power-sharing, wealth-sharing, and shared security arrangements. The CPA established a national unity government during the six-year interim period. Out of the CPA, the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) was established in 2005. At the end of the six year interim period, the CPA calls for a referendum in January 2011. Through the referendum, Southern Sudanese will vote on whether to become an independent state or remain part of a united Sudan.

Overview of Agriculture in southern Sudan

Agricultural potential in Southern Sudan is high with about 90% of its total area considered suitable for agriculture, 50% of which is prime agricultural land. Soil and climate conditions allow for a wide variety of food and cash crops. Most small-holder farmers grow a wide range of sorghum landraces, with minor crops of maize, millet, and upland rice. Other crops grown include groundnuts, cassava, green grams, cowpeas, beans, sesame, pumpkins and tobacco. Cultivation is almost exclusively by manual means with rudimentary basic tools and the area of land cultivated is determined by family labor availability; and by the minimum acreage required for assurance of basic household food supply. Cropping areas are typically cultivated under a shifting regime due to declines in soil fertility after successive crops. Livestock is a major sector in the economy of Southern Sudan and a major source of livelihood for the majority of the population. About 75% of assessed households own livestock. Rural incomes are quite diversified, reducing exposure to risk.

Challenges to Agriculture

Principle challenges facing the development of Southern Sudan’s agricultural sector include: low/no use of improved technologies; lack of inputs including seeds/planting material/improved breeds, fertilizers, mineral blocks and tools; poor rural infrastructure that hampers access to markets; low literacy and numeracy rates; lack of financial services; weak agricultural and livestock research and extension services; poor quality animals; lack of animal health services; lack of water and pasture for livestock that causes conflict with other resource users; pests and diseases of both crops and livestock; labor shortages; and lack of irrigation. While these constraints apply to both men and women farmers, women are more likely to have a greater degree of difficulty than men in accessing inputs and services. However, women are major participants in agricultural systems. Public sector capacity to provide services and develop policy, legal and regulatory frameworks is weak. The private sector is hampered by a lack of business and management skills.

USAID Programs

USAID is the largest bilateral donor in Sudan. USAID/Sudan’s current strategy focuses on supporting the implementation of, and reducing threats to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). This includes providing peace dividends that help maintain the CPA’s viability and address the root factors that fuel conflict. Because large numbers of Sudanese are returning to their original homes in rural areas, USAID/Sudan is increasing its focus to increase economic opportunities for these returnees through improved agriculture and infrastructure that will stimulate both production of, and market demand for, agricultural goods. This will help lay the foundation for increasing rural livelihoods and resiliency. A new 2-year Transitional Strategy that is being developed and will take effect after the Referendum will continue to support agriculture sector development.

USAID/Sudan’s Food, Agribusiness, and Rural Markets (FARM) program was launched in February 2010, and marks the beginning of a growing major shift for USAID to engage in agriculture. This 5-year, $55 million program will initially focus on southern Sudan’s three Equatoria States (West, Central, & East) – with an emphasis on small-holder farmers. A number of new initiatives in agriculture that will complement the FARM project are expected to take off in 2011.

In addition, USAID’s Building Responsibility for the Delivery of Government Services (BRIDGE) programs are implementing activities in states along the administrative border of northern and southern Sudan. As part of their efforts to build local governance capacity and service delivery, support is provide to develop agricultural extension services and agricultural productivity of small-scale farmers, headers, and fishermen. The Office of Foreign Development Assistance supports targeted programs to develop private veterinary services, farmer schools, tractor provision, and emergency seeds and tools in highly disadvantaged areas; and USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives plans to initiate a new program in Jonglei State to support livestock and agricultural productivity. The Famine Early Warning Network (FEWS Net) in Sudan provides information on crop and livestock status as this pertains to food security. FEWS Net in the region is also focusing more intensely on working with World Food Program (WFP) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on market information networking.

11. POSITION DESCRIPTION:

A. Basic Function of the Position:

The Specialist plays a lead role in guiding the technical direction of the Mission’s agriculture portfolio and coordinating agriculture-related activities. This includes facilitating/maintaining technical discussions with top-level officials in the Government of Southern Sudan’s (GOSS) Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries (MARF), and other ministries associated with the advancement of the agricultural sector. This also includes working with the Sudanese private sector, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), other U.S. agencies, multilateral donors, and implementing partners. S/he is expected to be entrepreneurial, resourceful, and innovative in identifying and encouraging promising initiatives to leverage USG, GOSS, and other donor funds.

The Specialist will be responsible for implementing and monitoring agriculture activities by guiding, coordinating, and managing human and financial resources assigned to achieve planned results in agriculture development.

The Specialist may become or will liaise closely with the Mission’s Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR) for the FARM program, work in a ‘matrix management’ structure under the BRIDGE program with other USAID technical teams, and may serve as Activity Manager for the BRIDGE program’s agricultural activities and other selected activities. The Specialist will also identify and develop relevant linkages between agriculture and other USAID implemented programs (e.g., infrastructure, microfinance, land tenure, etc.). The Specialist will also be deeply involved in future agricultural programs. S/he may also serve as alternate COTR/Assistance Officer’s Technical Representative (AOTR) for other programs, as necessary, depending upon staff leave schedules and/or staff shortages. The Specialist will receive training on USAID COTR/AOTR responsibilities if he/she does not already have COTR/AOTR certification.

B. Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

The specific duties and responsibilities of the Specialist shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1) Technical Advisor:

Serve as the Mission’s senior technical expert in agricultural development. This will require technical guidance on issues including:

· Agricultural development (e.g. production input, production techniques, post harvest handling and storage, value-added processing, access to markets, and regional trade);

· Agriculture sector capacity (e.g. research and development, education, extension services, agri-business practices, access to finance, agri-business environment, and complementary business services sector);

· Agriculture-related environment concerns (e.g. sustainable natural resource and land use management and global climate change adaptation and mitigation); and

· Addressing cross-cutting concerns (e.g. gender equity, nutrition, targeting the vulnerable and ultra-poor, and transitioning assistance from disaster relief to development activities in southern Sudan).

Advise the Economic Growth Team and Mission management, individual technical officers, and other staff regarding agriculture development, agriculture sector capacity, agriculture-related environment concerns, and cross-cutting themes. Provide guidance to the Mission, and/or other USG groups/forums; coordinate information; and build consensus with various organizations involved in preparing and making recommendations onstrategic emphases and activities. . The specialist exercises independent judgment and applies broad technical knowledge of agricultural business conditions and trends in preparing implementation documents, concept memoranda and decision papers, budgets, briefing memoranda, authorizations, and Congressional Notifications.

2) Program/Activity Development and/or Management:

Provide analytical leadership and contribute to Mission strategy development to enhance the long-term impact of USAID agriculture investments. Plan and design mission-specific activities under established and/or proposed program objectives, and take responsibility for implementing, monitoring, and evaluating agriculture sector initiatives. Design and/or manage programs addressing agriculture development, agriculture sector capacity, agriculture-related environmental concerns, and cross-cutting concerns. Leverage USG, GOSS, and other donor funds to achieve the Mission’s goals and objectives.

Provide appropriate/effective programming of Mission resources, planning, development, budgeting, procurement, implementation, monitoring, managing for results, reporting and close-out of agriculture development assistance activities in southern Sudan. Mentor and provide formal and informal training to staff in areas of expertise and develop/implement improved approaches to activity management.

Coordinate closely with all U.S. Government entities to identify and exploit opportunities to leverage efforts to achieve objectives and results within a “whole of government” framework. This includes USAID/Sudan’s offices of Education, Health, Democracy and Governance, Food for Peace, Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), the USAID/East Africa Regional Mission, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), the U.S. Department of State (DOS), and U.S. Department of Agriculture (DOA).

Prepare reports and records of work accomplishments, and maintain administrative information such as project working files and official files. Prepare, present, and communicate work-related information to the supervisor and, when required, to Mission Management, the Embassy, the GOSS and others as assigned. Inform the supervisor of personnel performance management issues/problems and recommend/request related actions such as: assignments, reassignments, promotions, peer reviews, performance appraisals, and awards.

3) Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR) / Agreement Officer’s Technical Representative (AOTR):

Review contractor performance through site visits, correspondence, meetings and telephone conversations to complete ensure appropriate technical programming, recommend cure or show cause notices when the contractor is not in compliance, and conduct contract or agreement reviews to evaluate performance.

Monitor contractor/grantee activities to assure compliance with technical, financial, delivery and other terms of contracts, cooperative agreements, or grants. Review official agreement files to ensure no pending administrative actions, and obtain approval of all close-out documentation. Prepare, as necessary, contract and grantee guidance pertaining primarily to program assistance, and approve and provide oversight on work plans, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plans, and report to the supervisor as required.

Following contract award, monitor all the phases of including:

· Monitoring the progress of implementing partners, including assessing performance and recommending to the contracting officer changes in requirements;

· Interpreting the statement of work and any other technical performance requirements;

· Performing technical evaluations as required;

· Performing technical inspection and acceptance required by contracts or agreements; and

· Assisting in the resolution of technical issues.

Provide oversight and direction on meeting the goals and objectives of assistance activities, modifications of programs, and reporting to the Contract Officer on the status of the work and the quality of implementer performance.

· Recommend modifications to work plans, changes in the contractor/grantees team and other remedial actions required to achieve results, expected by USAID.

· Issue technical directives in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations/Automated Directives Systems (FAR/ADS) requirements.

· Maintain working COTR/AOTR files, closely evaluate the results, benchmarks, and milestones of activity M&E plans.

· Ensure that indicators from USAID’s Operational Plan are included and reported in the M&E plans.

· Perform other duties as required and assigned by the supervisor.

12. POSITION ELEMENTS:

A. Supervision Received: The Specialist operates with a high degree of independence and works under the general guidance of the Economic Growth Team Leader and reports directly to the Deputy Team Leader, who is in charge of Agricultural activities. Supervision is of a very general nature, with the expectation that the specialist would seek advice and consultation from his/her supervisor concerning policies, priorities, or goals.

B. Available Guidelines: Automated Directives Systems (ADS), Office of Management and Budget Circulars, policy issuances governing administration of activity, Mission Orders, USG/ USAID policies and strategies, and other appropriate available information.

C. Exercise of Judgment: Exercises a high degree of sound and unbiased professional judgment during the development and implementation of activities related to agriculture and agribusiness in southern Sudan. Independent judgment must be exercised on a broad range of strategic and activity management issues and when meeting with counterparts, contractors, partners, customers, etc. The Specialist is expected to have a thorough understanding of Agency ethical standards, specifically with regard to managing contractor, other donor, and host-government relationships.

D. Authority to Make Commitments: The Specialist may have the authority to make commitments of a non-financial nature. Commitments must be in adherence to pre-established program objectives and USAID policies.

E. Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts: Develops and maintains working relationships with top-level Government of South Sudan (GOSS) officials, including at the Minister level, and contractor representatives; has regular contacts with broad USG counterparts, other donors, partners, stake-holders, etc. Contacts are for the purposes of program/strategy formulation, activity design, program coordination and development, exchanging information, and explaining USAID and Mission strategies, requirements and other matters.

F. Supervision Exercised: The specialist may provide supervision to professional and administrative staff in order to provide guidance and oversight, to monitor development, content, scheduling, and adherence to USAID goals and regulations.

G. Interpersonal Skills: The Specialist must exercise discretion and tact in a variety of stressful situations and when dealing with personnel to resolve challenges that arise during the course of the work, for which there often is not a clear solution. This position requires excellent interpersonal skills as the Specialist works and coordinates with a broad range of experts, analysts, program implementers and senior officials in a multicultural setting.

H. Time required to Perform a Full Range of Duties: Immediately, though USAID training may be required before the Specialist can serve as a COTR/AOTR. The Specialist is expected to be skilled in strategic analysis, management and coordination so that s/he can be able to carry out the duties and responsibilities from day one.

I. Period of Performance: The personal service contract will be for one (1) year, with possibility of extension. Extensions will be contingent on the need for continued services, satisfactory performance, and availability of funds.

J. Logistical Support: Assignments of U.S. personnel to Juba are designated as "unaccompanied" meaning that no dependents may accompany the employee to post. Current post danger pay for Juba is 25%. Current post differential pay is 25% and cost of living allowance is 20%. Please note that all allowances are subject to change. FICA and federal income tax will be withheld by USAID. In addition, employees will be limited authorized shipment of household effects (HHE), standard airfreight (250 lb. for the employee), and limited shipment of consumables. Shipment of a POV is not currently authorized. USAID/Sudan will provide the contractor with suitable housing and office space and equipment, consistent with mission standards and requirements. The Contractor will have post privileges, such as check cashing, medical care, and in-coming and out-going personal mail service in accordance with DOS rules and regulations.

K. Estimated Start Date: The target start date for this position is as soon as possible, but not later than within 21 days 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.

L. Other Requirements: This position is open to U.S. Citizens and Third-Country Nationals. The selected candidate must obtain a “secret" security clearance (if eligible) or security authorization for employment, and required medical clearance.

13. QUALIFICATIONS / SELECTION CRITERIA

Applicants are encouraged to provide a cover letter addressing how they meet the requirements of each of the criteria below. Applicants should provide this information in the same sequence as indicated below. Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the following selection criteria:

Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs)

Education (10 points)

Possession of a Master's degree or equivalent from a national or international university in agriculture, agricultural economics, business management, or a related field required. A PhD in one of these fields is preferred.

Prior Relevant and Overseas Work Experience (40 points)

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible, relevant work experience managing and implementing agricultural development activities. Such activities should have included components to: increase agricultural production; improve post production storage and handling; increase domestic, regional and international market penetration; facilitate trade linkages; develop agriculture/food policy and standards; develop sustainable natural resource and land use management practices; promote gender equity; and facilitate the participation of the ‘ultra poor’ in agricultural activities.

At least two years of overseas experience working in fragile states, democracies in transition, or post-transition societies. Work in Sudan and sub-Saharan Africa preferred, but experience in the countries of the former Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, the Balkans, Timor-Leste, Iraq, or Afghanistan will be accepted.

Experience working in dynamic, highly collegial and collaborative work environments, requiring close consultation, management, and coordination. Experience working in multi-lateral development programs, and particularly with officials and technical experts from other countries is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (40 points)

(a) Intellectual Leadership in Agriculture: Demonstrated professional expertise in agriculture-related development assistance and development approaches to improve food security.

(b) Program Design and Implementation: Experience-based knowledge of monitoring and evaluation, knowledge of USG budgetary and procurement processes and property management principles in a developing country context, preferably with USAID, another USG agency or other international donors, is required.

(c) Program Oversight: Demonstrated ability to provide oversight of large, complex activities that are implemented under challenging social and political conditions. Demonstrated ability to function with minimal supervision to address complex and challenging inter-agency and political dynamics is required.

(d) Geographic Context: Knowledge of Sub-Saharan Africa – particularly post-conflict countries – and its cultural/work environment is preferred. Knowledge of cultural systems/norms and business practices in southern Sudan is preferred.

Demonstrated technical, analytical, and decision-making skills that can be applied to heavy workload/high stress work environments. Demonstrated skills in designing, managing and evaluating government agricultural projects. Skills supervising complex projects implemented across large geographic areas.

Required to have excellent interpersonal skills to facilitate working within a team. Demonstrated ability to work across Mission offices, as well as to coordinate with other USG agencies and other regional and bilateral development initiatives. Demonstrated ability to work well with host country government officials, professional consultants, and local and third country nationals.

A demonstrated ability to perform with minimal administrative or secretarial support is required. Required to have very good computer skills, including ease and skill in using Microsoft Office applications.

Communication (10 Points)

Excellent communication skills are required, with proven ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. The applicant should have a demonstrated ability to produce professional quality analytical pieces and make oral presentations logically and persuasively to senior USG officials, other donors, and foreign and local government officials.

Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Proficiency in Arabic is highly desirable.

14. ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT:

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC recruited off-shore is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

A. BENEFITS

Employer's FICA and Medicare Contribution*

Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

Pay Comparability Adjustment

Annual Salary increase

Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

Annual & Sick Leave

Shipment and storage of household effects (limited shipment authorized at present) Access to Embassy medical facilities, and pouch mail service B. ALLOWANCES [if applicable, as found in the Standardized Regulations (Government Civilian Foreign Areas) Sections cited below]

(1) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120)

(2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

(3) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(4) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230)

(5) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

(6) Educational Allowance (Section 270)

(7) Educational Travel (Section 280)

(8) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

(9) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600)

(10) Danger Pay (Section 650)

(11) Sunday Pay

C. SECURITY AND MEDICAL CLEARANCE

The Contractor will be required to obtain a class one (1) medical clearance from State M/MED prior to departure to post. Also, at least a temporary security clearance or employment authorization must be obtained prior to travel to post of duty. Until and unless a final adjudication of a secret clearance is received, the contractor shall:

· have no access to classified or administratively controlled materials,

· travel to post by himself/herself only, and

· be authorized no entitlements other than those normally authorized for short-term (less than a year) employees at post.

D. FEDERAL TAXES

USPSCs are not exempt from payment of federal income taxes, FICA, and Medicare.

E. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs Forms outlined below can be found at:

http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ or at http://www.forms.gov/bgfPortal/main.do

1. Optional Form 612

2. Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet (AID 1420-17)

3. Contractor Physical Examination (DS-1843 and DS-1622)

4. Questionnaire for Sensitive positions (for National Security)SF-86), or

5. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)

6. Finger Print Card (FD-258) (available from the requirement office)

Forms in 3-6 should not be submitted unless specifically instructed to do so by the Contracting Officer.

F. CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs and AAPDs) PERTAINING TO PSCs

15. INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS:

Qualified applicants are requested to submit an Application for Federal Employment (SF-171) or Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF612) and a Resume containing the following information:

1) Personal Information: Full name, mailing address (with zip code), email address, day and evening phone numbers, social security number, country of citizenship, highest federal civilian grade held (also give job series and dates held) ;

2) Education: high school, name, city and state, date of diploma or GED; colleges and universities, name, city and state, majors, type and year of any degrees received (if no degree, show total credits earned and indicate whether semester or quarter hours) ;

3) Work Experience: provide the following information for your paid and non paid work experience related to the job for which you are applying (do not send job descriptions); job title (include series and grade if federal job), duties, and accomplishments, employer's name and address, supervisor's name and phone number, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours per week, salary. Indicate if we may contact your current supervisor;

4) Other Qualifications: Other pertinent information related to the qualifications required for the position, as noted above including job-related training courses (title & year), job-related skills; for example, other languages, computer software/hardware, tools, machinery, typing speed, job-related certificates and licenses (current only), job-related honors, awards, and special accomplishments, for example, publications, memberships in professional or honor societies, leadership, activities, public speaking and performance awards (give dates but do not send documents unless requested) .

5) Applicants are required to provide three references with complete contact information including email address and telephone numbers.

Interested candidates should send above via the internet to the attention of Sudan Contracting Officer, at one of the addresses indicated below. To ensure that the application is considered for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number and title of position on your application and as the subject line in any cover letter. Applications must be received by the closing date and time specified in the cover letter.

Any questions regarding this solicitation should be submitted via e-mail to the Contracting Officer (nthunberg@usaid.gov) with a copy to Human Resources Specialist (sgiffen@usaid.gov).

NOTE: FINALIZATION OF THIS RECRUITMENT IS CONTINGENT ON THE MISSION'S ABILITY TO OBTAIN FINAL APPROVAL FOR THE POSITION AND ON FUNDS AVAILABILITY.