Sol_72061523R00005.pdf

Postal Address:

U.S. Agency for International Development

USAID Kenya

P.O. Box 629

Village Market 00621

Nairobi, Kenya

Courier Address:

USAID/Kenya c/o American Embassy

United Nations Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya

Pouch Address:

American Embassy

8900 Nairobi Place

Department Of State

Washington D.C. 20521-8900

Tel: 254-20-862 2000

Fax: 254-20-862 2680 / 2682 http://kenya.usaid.gov/

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72062321R00005

ISSUANCE DATE: March 10, 2021

CLOSING DATE/TIME: March 23, 2021 04:30 p.m. GMT+3

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (U.S. PSC) Regional Team

Lead/ Senior Wildlife Advisor, GS-14

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development

(USAID), is seeking applications from qualified persons to provide personal services under contract as described in the attached solicitation.

Submissions must be in accordance with the solicitation instructions. Applicants should retain copies of all offer materials, for their records.

Applications must be submitted electronically via email to nairobipscjobs@usaid.gov by the closing date and time indicated above. Late, incomplete, or unsigned applications will not be considered. Scanned copies are accepted by email. Applicants must prominently reference the solicitation number in the application submission.

This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit

USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the application. Any questions must be directed in writing to the email addresses specified above.

Sincerely, -s-

Matthew Corbin

Supervisory Executive Officer http://kenya.usaid.gov/ mailto:nairobipscjobs@usaid.gov

Solicitation: 72062321R00005

Attachment 1:

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72062321R00005

2. ISSUANCE DATE: March 10, 2021

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME: March 23, 2021 at 04:30 p.m. (Nairobi Time)

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Executive Office/Human Resources, Patrick Bii, HR Assistant, email at pbii@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: U.S. Personal Service Contractor (U.S. PSC) Regional Team Lead/

Senior Wildlife Advisor

6. MARKET VALUE: $93,907 to $122,077 equivalent to GS-14. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years with three one-year options subject to funding and contractor performance of satisfactory or better.

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Nairobi, Kenya with possible travel as stated in the

Statement of Duties.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S Citizen or U.S Resident Alien1. Citizenship, if dual, must be clearly stated.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: HSPD-12 (Facility/USAID Computer Access Only)

11. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The primary location of work will be on the U.S.

Embassy/USAID compound in Nairobi, Kenya. No special demands are required to perform the work.

12. STATEMENT OF DUTIES/POSITION DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND:

The USAID/Kenya and East Africa Environment Office is responsible for implementing a number of high-level US Government initiatives, including the Eliminate, Neutralize and Disrupt (END)

Wildlife Trafficking Act and the U.S. Presidential Executive Order on Enforcing Federal Laws with Respect to Transnational Criminal Organizations and Preventing International Trafficking

2017. Kenya is a Tier 1 Country under the USAID Biodiversity Policy and East Africa is a Tier 2 region, meaning that Mission resources and staff must align activities to achieve positive outcomes

1 U.S. resident alien means a non-U.S. citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.

mailto:pbii@usaid.gov to protect biologically significant ecosystems. Since FY14, both the Kenya and East Africa operating units within the Environment Office implement Combating Wildlife Trafficking (CWT) activities funding under the CWT directive funding. This funding focus is likely to continue as a significant portion of the overall biodiversity earmark funding in the coming years.

Illegal wildlife trafficking has become one of the most lucrative illicit markets in the world, generating tens of billions of dollars each year, threatening America's national security and strategic interests by financing criminal groups that destabilize developing countries and undermines U.S. Government development efforts. Populations of target species, such as elephant, rhino, big cats, and pangolins, have been decimated by well-armed poachers and highly organized trafficking syndicates. East Africa is a major hub in the global illegal wildlife trade due to its rich biodiversity and well-developed transportation infrastructure. Ivory seizure data (2000-2017) shows Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar ports are the most significant exit points for wildlife trafficking from Africa to Asia. In addition, rapid population growth and urban, agricultural, and industrial development have put increasing pressure on East Africa’s wildlife. Habitat fragmentation, encroachment into protected areas, and the blockage of wildlife corridors all pose significant threats to the survival of iconic species such as elephant and rhino. Rural communities often become the target for transnational crime syndicates and their middle men, who prey on the desperation of poverty to engage in this illicit activity.

East Africa’s economic growth largely depends upon conservation and improved natural resource management at the local, national, and regional levels. Nature based tourism contributes between

7-10 percent GDP to the East Africa Region. At the local level, rural communities depend on wildlife and wildlife habitats for their livelihoods. USAID/Kenya and East Africa therefore take a holistic approach to wildlife conservation. Support is provided at the regional, national and local levels to strengthen policies and political will for investment in natural capital, build capacity at scale for community-led conservation, strengthen enforcement and reduce demand for illegal wildlife, and build greater resilience to climatic and environmental stressors. Engaging with the private sector and generating increased investment in conservation is critical for East Africa’s sustainability and self-reliance.

The USAID/Kenya and East Africa Environment Office seeks to employ a Regional Team Lead/

Senior Wildlife Advisor to provide leadership, regional coordination, program management and technical support to advance USAID’s CWT and broader biodiversity conservation work in Kenya and East Africa.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The position is located in USAID/Kenya and East Africal’s Office of Environment (ENV). The incumbent reports to the ENV Deputy Office Director and works independently on most technical matters. The incumbent is a key expert upon whom the Mission relies to advise on wildlife policy, programs and resource allocation decisions. The incumbent interacts with a range of Mission staff across the region, interagency representatives, government officials, donor organization, private sector enterprises and non-governmental organizations.

Leadership: 50%

The Advisor is the USAID/KEA/ENV Regional Team Leader and provides direction to regional team members and oversees the Regional portfolio for USAID/KEA/ENV. The Advisor serves as the principal interlocutor on all existing and forecasted programs in the region. The Advisor will provide critical leadership to advance the U.S. Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking, the

U.S. Eliminate, Neutralize and Disrupt (END) Wildlife Trafficking Act, U.S. Presidential

Executive Orders relating to the prevention of International Trafficking, and the USAID

Biodiversity Policy in East Africa. This includes, but is not limited to, leadership and direction on CWT matters for USAID/KEA staff, bilateral Missions, other regional Missions, the interagency, implementing partners, regional organizations and government officials in the region.

The Advisor will represent USAID East Africa Missions within the broader USG anti-trafficking effort and will engage with high-level technical and political stakeholders within regional governments and relevant intergovernmental organizations such as the Lusaka Agreement Task

Force, the nascent Horn of Africa Wildlife Enforcement Network, and the East African

Community. The Advisor will be the primary interlocutor for USAID/KEA’s regional CWT activities, USAID bilateral missions in Africa and Asia, and USAID Washington, in order to effectively coordinate and leverage resources for greater impact and facilitate a community of practice on CWT and biodiversity conservation.

The Advisor will lead efforts to support the Journey to Self-Reliance (J2SR) in accordance with the Agency Policy Framework on Ending the Need for Foreign Assistance that seeks to strengthen the capacity and commitment of local organizations to lead, own and manage their development pathways. The Advisor will lead on the implementation of the USAID Private

Sector Engagement (PSE) Policy by acting as a relationship manager for private businesses and companies interested in Biodiversity and Countering Wildlife Trafficking.

The incumbent will lead and implement ENV’s regional strategy, regional MEL strategy and deliver on USAID’s Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting Strategy. The incumbent supervises the development of the new regional Environment MEL Implementation Plan which includes guiding the MEL FSN on internal and external capacity building efforts and MEL reporting requirements.

Supervision, Technical Advice and Coordination: 30%

The incumbent is the Regional Team Lead, Senior Wildlife Advisor and supervises one Foreign

Service National (CCN) PSC Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) staff member.

The Advisor will provide technical guidance in the design, implementation and monitoring, evaluation, and learning, and reporting on regional program strategies and funding agreements.

The Advisor will provide technical analysis on existing and new bilateral and regional policies, strategies and laws related to biodiversity conservation and CWT in the Kenya and East Africa region. The Advisor will identify and promote synergies and strategic linkages in bilateral and regional activity implementation by various implementing/ development partners including private sector entities.

The Advisor will coordinate with other USAID bilateral staff engaging in working on CWT on regional CWT issues. The Advisor will have active engagement in the USAID global CWT coordination effort through regular conference calls and relevant meetings in order to influence

USAID global thinking, strategy and action on CWT from a field perspective, and will co-chair the

Kenya US Embassy CWT working group. The Advisor will actively engage in the Development

Partners Wildlife Issues Group, as well as engage civil society and the private sector, to foster strategic coordination for better impact, and to advance and leverage USAID strategic support through a broader consortium.

Project Management :20%

The Senior Wildlife Conservation Advisor will serve as an Agreement/ Contract Officer's

Representatives (AOR/COR) and/or Activity Manager for CWT projects, and other activities related to CWT. Project responsibilities are outlined in the AOR/COR designation letter as provided in the Automated Directive System 300 Series (specifically ADS 302 & 303). The

Advisor will participate in regional project management discussions, participate in regional field visits and make presentations to persuade diverse audiences, from highest policy-making decision levels to the average citizen, to influence and provide leadership during planning and program implementation.

The Advisor will lead the development of any new Kenya and East Africa CWT activities; lead efforts to integrate CWT into Kenya community-based natural resources management programming and strategic plans; and work with the Strategic Communications Manager and MEL

Specialist to support effective monitoring and evaluation and learning of CWT activities and to ensure that evidence-based approaches for conservation are prioritized, captured and shared through a learning network. The Advisor will provide technical support to develop the

Environment Office regional budget and performance planning as it pertains to CWT and broader conservation work. The Advisor will lead on regional reporting such as the annual Operational

Plan and the Performance Plan and Report, as well as regional strategy and activity development.

POSITION ELEMENTS

a. Degree of Responsibility for Decision Making: The incumbent’s work includes areas such as planning and executing major professional, technical, administrative, in the areas of Biodiversity, Wildlife Trafficking and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning. The incumbent will develop the ENV Regional Strategy and link it to Regional Mission strategies. The Advisor will guide numerous internal and external stakeholders, including Embassy Nairobi, other U.S. Government agencies, other donors, and implementing partners to ensure the implementation of the strategy. The Advisor will regularly make technical decisions under broad administrative direction to ensure that

ENV objectives effectively meet the goals of the Mission strategy.

b. Level of Knowledge: The Regional Team Lead/ Senior Wildlife Advisor will have an advanced knowledge of international development programming, biodiversity and wildlife trafficking issues in East Africa. S/he must have familiarity with various actors in the sector, including, but not limited to Non-Governmental Organizations, other donors, and government actors. The candidate should have knowledge of USAID programming, monitoring, evaluation, learning and collaboration, learning and adapting policies, regulations and procedures including experience implementing and managing MEL work.

The incumbent is considered a senior member of the office and must demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities in performance management, supervision and leadership.

c. Supervisory Controls: The position is supervised by the Environment Office Deputy

Director who will establish overall work objectives. The incumbent and the supervisor will together develop deadlines, projects, and work to be accomplished. A high degree of autonomy, self-direction and deadline management is required.

d. Guidelines for Work: The Advisor must be proactive in keeping abreast of evolving guidelines and policies. S/he must be able to exercise broad knowledge of USAID regulations related to USG biodiversity and wildlife trafficking guidelines, and

Monitoring & Evaluation, specifically ADS 202, 203 and 204. Other guidelines include

Agency regulations, ADS Series, Africa Bureau and PPL procedural and policy guidance, USAID/USG strategy documents, Mission Orders, and the Foreign Affairs Handbook

(FAR), and other USAID or U.S. Government policies.

The Advisor will interpret USG biodiversity and wildlife trafficking guidelines and applications using creative and innovative approaches that engage all stakeholders, based on the incumbent’s assessment of program approaches. The incumbent will also lead internal and external program personnel, AORs, CORs, and Activity Managers to ensure that all ENV partners comply with USAID guidelines and best practices.

e. Complexity of Work Environment: The work is generally sedentary and does not pose undue physical demands. The position is highly-complex with duties that include advanced systems thinking, negotiation, persuasion, internal and external representation, statistical analysis, mentorship and advisory responsibilities. The position is sensitive in nature because it is cross-cutting among a multitude of USG agencies and strategies. The incumbent must be able to flexibly and effectively address a changing environment as

ENV launches new CWT and regional activities.

f. Scope and Effect of Work Performed: The Advisor will establish criteria for ENV

Regional and CWT integrated programming. High-level reporting includes the

Environment Office’s commitments in achieving U.S. government initiatives such as the

U.S. Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking, and the Eliminate, Neutralize, and Disrupt

(END) Wildlife Trafficking Act.

g. Level and Purpose of Contacts: The incumbent is expected to develop, strengthen and maintain contacts across USG Agencies, USAID Regional Missions, USAID

Implementing Partners, USAID/Washington, other donors and stakeholders, and Kenyan government officials. Purpose is to collaborate, develop and advocate for regional and

CWT policies and activities. Correspondence will be initiated with little to no guidance.

The incumbent must demonstrate a high level of sensitivity to the diverse cultural context in Kenya and the region.

h. Supervision over others: Supervises. The incumbent supervises one FSN Program

Management Specialist for Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning , and provides leadership and guidance to the Regional ENV team.

i. Travel requirements: The incumbent is expected to travel approximately 20 percent of the time. The employee must be available and able to travel through the greater East

Africa region, including Kenya. If the employee travels, the work may additionally involve safety and/or security precautions, wearing of protective equipment, and exposure to severe weather conditions.

j. Support Items: The employee will be provided with the support services, equipment, and supplies necessary to perform the work. This will include a workstation that includes a desk, computer, file cabinets, network access, with the possibility for mobile computing devices based on need and Mission management approval.

k. Sunday Pay: Is not authorized.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

The incumbent must meet the following requirements in education and professional experience:

Education: Master’s degree in Natural Resource Management, Social Sciences, and/or field directly related to the professional experience outlined below.

Professional Experience: The candidate must have at least seven years progressive experience in the field of natural resource management, biodiversity conservation or related environment sectors. The candidate must have at least five years of international experience, East African experience preferred. The candidate must have expertise in leading and managing policy and programmatic implementation to combat wildlife trafficking and poaching. To be effective, the incumbent should have experience working with a range of professionals from fields that include; natural resource management, wildlife management, resource economics, wildlife based tourism/hunting, community-based conservation, program performance monitoring/evaluation, and environmental crime. Prior experience with the international donor community preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: The candidate requires advanced knowledge of international development programming, biodiversity and wildlife trafficking issues in East Africa. The candidate must have familiarity with various actors in the sector, including, but not limited to

Non-governmental organizations, donors, and government actors. The candidate should have knowledge of USAID programming, monitoring, evaluation, learning and collaboration, learning and adapting policies, regulations and procedures. The candidate should have experience implementing and managing MEL work. The candidate must have excellent organizational, verbal and written communication skills to manage project communications and disseminate project information. The candidate is considered a senior member of the office and must demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities in performance management, supervision and leadership. The candidate must have highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation, coaching and conflict management. The candidate must be able to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner. The candidate must be able to moderate, facilitate and train. The candidate must demonstrate the ability to liaise and negotiate with partners. The candidate must have knowledge and experience with gender and youth issues. The candidate must have the ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision, and the ability to work under time pressures to meet deadlines.

Language: Level 4 English required. Basic Kiswahili required.

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR

52.215-1. The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c). In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers. FAR provisions of this solicitation are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

Candidates will be evaluated based on the knowledge, skills and abilities demonstrated in their application and on a written assessment, presentation, and oral assessment. USAID will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. Interviews are expected to be completed virtually, given the global pandemic and social distancing requirements.

Evaluation Scoring:

Round 1: Initial Assessment

● Application Assessment of Knowledge, Skills and Abilities – 20 points

● Education- Pass/Fail (no points assigned)

● Years of Professional Experience- Pass/Fail (no points assigned)

Round 2: The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in:

● Written Assessment – 25 points

● Presentation – 25 points

● Interview – 30 points

References will be requested for the highest rated applicant(s) – Pass/Fail (no points assigned)

Total Possible Points: 100

IV. APPLYING/SUBMITTING AN OFFER

1. Interested applicants are required to submit the following:

1) Offer form AID 309-2, “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with individuals,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-309-2

2) An up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV) or resume (no more than five pages), cover letter explaining your qualifications for the position, copies of all relevant certificates, and include three (3) references, who are not family members or https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-309-2 relatives, with working telephone and e-mail contacts. The references will be asked to provide a general assessment of the applicant's suitability for the position. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure submitted references are available to provide a written or verbal reference in a timely manner.

2. Applications must be submitted electronically via email to nairobipscjobs@usaid.gov by the closing date and time indicated above.

3. To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission/cover letter.

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award.

• Medical Form (DS Form 6561)

• EQIP Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security (SF-86) or

• EQIP Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)

• EQIP Signature Forms (3-CER, REL, MEL)

• Fingerprint Card (FD-258) (available from requirements office)

• AID 6-85 (Foreign Residence Data)

VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a USPSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

1. BENEFITS:

(a) Employer’s FICA Contribution

(b) Contribution toward Health and Life Insurance

(c) Pay Comparability Adjustment

(d) Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation)

(e) Eligibility for Worker’s Compensation

(f) Annual and Sick Leave

2. ALLOWANCES:

Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations

(Government Civilians Foreign Areas)

a. Temporary Quarter Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)

b. Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

c. Cost-of-Living Allowance (Chapter 210)

d. Post Allowance (Section 220)

e. Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

f. Education Allowance (Section 270)

g. Education Travel (Section 280) mailto:nairobipscjobs@usaid.gov http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92 http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92 http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92 http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92

h. Post Differential (Chapter 500)

i. Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600), and (j) Danger Pay

Allowance (Section 650)

VII. TAXES

USPSCs are required to pay Federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable State Income taxes.

VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING

TO PSCs

USAID regulations and policies governing USPSC awards are available at these sources:

1. AIDAR: The Agency for International Development Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR)

Appendix D – “Direct USAID Contracts with U.S. Citizens or U.S. Resident Alien for

Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clauses “General Provisions,” found at:

http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf

2. Contract Cover page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms

LINE ITEMS

ITEM NO (A) SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION) (B) QUANTITY (C) UNIT (D)

UNIT PRICE (E) AMOUNT (F)

0001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Labor Hour

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: Kenya 2018-2019 DV funding per requisition.

1001 Option Period 1-3 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Labor Hour

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: To be provided

3. Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins

(AAPDs/CIBs): AAPDs/CIBs for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs

4. Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for

Employees of the Executive Branch,” available from the U.S. Office of Government

Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations

[END OF SOLICITATION]

http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/forms https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations