20160706_SOL-486-16-000016_SERVIR_Coordinator_Final.pdf

RFP No. SOL-486-16-000016 ISSUANCE DATE: July 6, 2016 CLOSING DATE: July 20, 2016 4 pm, Bangkok Time

SUBJECT: Solicitation for a U.S. Personal Services Contractor (USPSC) – SERVIR Mekong Coordinator, USAID/RDMA, Bangkok, Thailand

To All Interested Applicants:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking an application (AID 302-3 form and resume) from U.S. citizens interested in providing the PSC services described in the attachment.

Interested applicants must submit all the materials required by the solicitation and should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Submission of application shall be sent to Ms. Kornpreeya Paoluglam, Acquisition Specialist, at kpaoluglam@usaid.gov with a copy to Mr. Paul Martin, Contracting Officer at pmartin@usaid.gov. To ensure delivery by the due date and time, it is recommended that the application be sent in as email attachments.

Late applications will not be considered.

Applicants are required to sign the certification at the end of the AID 302-3. Applications that are received without a signature or incomplete applications will not be considered for the position.

This solicitation does not represent a commitment on behalf of USAID and the U.S. Government is not obligated to make an award or to pay for any costs associated with the preparation and submission of a proposal in response to this solicitation. USAID reserves the right to award all or none of the contracts contemplated herein, subject to availability of funds.

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

Sincerely, Paul Martin Regional Contracting Officer

USAID/RDMA, Bangkok, Thailand

USAID/RDMA

Regional Office of Procurement (ROP) 25th Floor, Athenee Tower, 63 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

SOL-486-16-000016

USPSC SERVIR-Mekong Coordinator

Attachment 1: SOLICITATION NO. SOL-486-16-000016 for SERVIR Mekong Coordinator

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: SOL-486-16-000016

2. ISSUANCE DATE: July 6, 2016

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME: July 20, 2016, at 4.00 pm Bangkok Time

4. POSITION TITLE: SERVIR Mekong Coordinator

5. MARKET VALUE OF POSITION (Base Pay): GS-14 equivalent ($87,263 - $113,444) The position has been classified at the GS 14 level. Salary to be paid within this grade will depend on experience, qualifications, and salary history. The standard compensation package also includes a contribution for life and health insurance and a contribution to FICA.

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: To start as soon as possible for a period of eleven months.

7. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: US Citizens only

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Bangkok, Thailand

9. SUPERVISION: The position is directly supervised by the Sustainable Mekong Team Lead, RDMA/REO.

10. SECURITY ACCESS: The contractor will require "Facility Access" security clearance level.

11. JOB DESCRIPTION:

A POSITION TITLE:

SERVIR-Mekong Coordinator

B INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND:

USAID’s Regional Development Mission for Asia (RDMA) serves as a regional center providing program, technical, and support services in South, Southeast, and East Asia and the South Pacific. RDMA manages regional programs throughout Asia as well as substantial bilateral programs in countries without bilateral USAID missions, including China and Laos. RDMA is additionally one of USAID’s twenty Science, Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (STIP) priority Missions. As such, RDMA is strengthening both its internal capacity and portfolio of STIP activities.

The SERVIR Mekong program, which will be managed by the SERVIR Mekong Coordinator will be an integral component of RDMA’s STIP platform and will also be part of the global network of SERVIR hubs supported by USAID and NASA. The overarching goal of SERVIR is to enable developing countries to improve their environmental management and resilience to climate change by strengthening the capacity of governments and other key stakeholders to integrate Earth observation information and geospatial technologies into development decision-making. The SERVIR program was launched by USAID and NASA in 2004. The program has supported regional centers in Mesoamerica, East Africa, and the Himalaya Hindu-Kush region. The NASA SERVIR Coordination Office in Huntsville, Alabama provides global support to SERVIR hubs in the development of geospatial tool and products. The SERVIR Demand Team provides support to hubs on monitoring and evaluation, sustainability, communications, and stakeholder engagement. Both of these two mechanisms are managed by USAID Washington’s Global Climate Change Office. Additional partners in the program include U.S. government agencies, foreign ministries, foreign space agencies, NGOs, universities, private sector companies, international organizations, and development agencies. For more information about SERVIR see: http://www.servirglobal.net.

C MAJOR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

BASIC FUNCTIONS:

The SERVIR Mekong Coordinator is responsible for a range of duties that focus on three major categories: 1) management of the new SERVIR Mekong hub; 2) partnership building, coordination and communication with existing SERVIR partners and collaborators, as well as engagement with potential future partners or collaborators; and 3) technical guidance and advocacy regarding use of geospatial tools and services (in particular those generated through the SERVIR program) to improve decision making and development outcomes.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Management of SERVIR Mekong (55%) Serves as Agreement Officer's Representative (AOR) in Bangkok at USAID’s Regional Development

Mission for Asia (RDMA) for the SERVIR-Southeast Asia Hub and guides the Hub in the development of work plans and performance management and monitoring plans.

Engages regularly with USAID Washington, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the SERVIR Demand Team to ensure well integrated and strategically planned activities.

Serves as activity manager for USAID-funded NASA and SERVIR Demand Team activities in the Mekong region.

Coordinates SERVIR activities with regional and bilateral projects in Lower Mekong countries.

Partnerships, Coordination, and Communication (30%)

Liaises with other donors as well as with other US Government (USG) agencies, for example, NASA, U.S.

Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S.

Geological Survey (USGS), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. National Geospatial-

Intelligence Agency (NGA), State Department, and various entities of the Department of Defense, and identifies opportunities to leverage resources or establish partnerships.

Represents the USG to foreign counterparts, academic and research institutions, foreign space agencies, and private sector partners on the application of geospatial information technologies and their potential to more effectively identify and address development challenges.

Coordinates with other donors, particularly those with activities related to the provision of geospatial services in South East Asia.

Provides regional input to inform USG engagement in international efforts such as the Group on Earth

Observations (GEO) and the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS).

Technical Guidance & Advocacy Regarding Integration of Geospatial Technologies into Decision-making (15%)

Articulates the benefits of earth observations and geospatial technologies for improving outcomes for the most pressing development challenges.

Facilitates the use of SERVIR tools and products by USAID and its partners in Southeast Asia to improve development approaches and impact.

D QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: A Master’s degree in biological sciences, agriculture, climate change, natural resource management, geographical information system GIS, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

Prior Work Experience: Minimum of five years of work experience required where the position responsibilities include working with diverse stakeholders and applying science and technology, including geospatial tools, to address development challenges required. Prior experience in the region and working with USG or with other international development organizations is preferred.

Languages: Excellent spoken and written English is required.

Incumbent must successfully demonstrate the following competencies:

Technical Knowledge:

Demonstrated knowledge of climate change and environmental management;

Understanding of environmental issues and challenges in developing countries, especially within the context of Asia;

Understanding of how to work effectively in developing country contexts with a broad spectrum of stakeholders including government officials and civil society;

Successful application of geospatial tools for evidence-based decision making in the development context;

Familiarity with USAID policies and business processes is strongly preferred

Skills and Abilities:

Strong written and oral communication skills;

Excellent interpersonal, leadership, mentoring, and team building skills;

Proven ability to develop strong working relationships across organizational boundaries and to work effectively in a multi-cultural and team environment;

Ability to plan, develop, lead and evaluate important and complex programs independently;

Demonstrated experience managing international development assistance activities is preferred;

Demonstrated experience working with technical institutions and host country governments in developing countries;

Ability to take an analytical and interdisciplinary approach to evaluating issues within the context of international development assistance activities;

Demonstrated critical and creative thinking skills, particularly with respect to the identification and development of innovative service delivery approaches;

Commitment to manage a complex and demanding program that is also visible and vital to U.S.

interests

E SUPERVISION/OVERSIGHT OVER OTHERS:

The incumbent will not have supervisory responsibilities.

F POST ENTRY TRAINING:

The incumbent will be expected to possess the necessary technical training and skills required to perform the duties/responsibilities required of the position. Post entry training will be focused primarily on the Agency's established policies, procedures and regulations. Organized/formal training (both internal & external) may be provided if it is determined to be in direct support of USAID/RDMA activities.

G LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY:

Strong written and oral proficiency in English is required. Given the nature of the position, effective written and oral communications are absolutely critical to perform successfully in this position. Incumbent must be able to communicate effectively and accurately with: 1) all categories of mission employees; 2) host government officials at the senior minister level and lower; 3) business and community leaders at senior level; 4) numerous international and local health organizations, donors, the United Nations and other international organizations and other embassies; 5) USAID Washington Bureaus and the equivalent offices in the State Department; and 6) the general public. The incumbent is required to be able to prepare briefing documents (when required), including participation in the drafting of annual technical, programmatic, and fiscal reports. The incumbent must also be able to prepare reports, correspondence, and documents in English in a professional and competent manner requiring little or no editorial changes. Language proficiency in an Asian language is a plus.

H PHYSICAL CONDITION:

The successful candidate will be required to pass a medical certification exam, paid for by the U.S.

Government. USAID prohibits discrimination in hiring and employment on the basis of physical or mental impairment. USAID promotes, with reasonable accommodation, the full realization of equal employment opportunities for the disabled in recruitment, promotion, assignment, and training.

I EXERCISE OF JUDGMENT:

The incumbent will often be expected to use his/her own personal, well-informed judgment in devising innovative approaches to resolving technical, administrative, managerial and/or policy problems. Excellent (balanced) judgment must be exercised in setting priorities. The use of initiative, discretion, and patience is expected from the incumbent in dealing with USAID/RDMA office personnel as well as representatives from other donor organizations to resolve problems that arise during the course of work for which there is often no clear or immediate solution. The incumbent will also be required to follow and adhere to USAID's Code of Ethics and Conduct.

J SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

The Sustainable Mekong Team Lead will provide formal supervision. However, the incumbent is expected to work independently under broad guidance and policy direction.

In collaboration with the incumbent, the supervisor will establish annual work objectives and review work outputs and accomplishments to ensure compliance with Agency policies. The incumbent is expected to establish priorities, adhere to and meet established deadlines, and perform responsibilities and duties with minimal guidance. The incumbent must be proactive as well as self-motivated and self-directed.

K AUTHORITY TO MAKE COMMITMENTS:

The incumbent will have no independent authority to commit U.S. Government (USAID/RDMA) funds on behalf of the U.S. Government.

L ADDITIONAL POSITION GUIDELINES

The incumbent will be required to be proactive in keeping abreast of evolving guidelines and policies which affect climate change and landscape management activities within the region, including but not limited to the latest research and available data, the Agency’s Automated Directives System (ADS), General Notices/Mission Orders/Mission Notices, U.S. Government Procurement regulations, and USAID Program Strategy and Policy Documents.

M OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

The incumbent must be:

A U.S. Citizen;

Available and willing to work outside the regular 40-hour workweek when required/necessary;

Willing to travel to work sites and other offices as/when requested; and, Ability to obtain a security clearance at the level of “Facility Access” within a reasonable period of time.

N SELECTION CRITERIA:

The following factors will be the basis for the evaluation of all applications. All applications will be evaluated based on the documentation submitted with the application. In addition to the forms required below, applicants should provide a cover letter and a current resume/curriculum vitae (CV) addressing how they meet the requirements of each criterion below and submit three to five professional references with complete contact information. Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the following selection criteria:

Education and Work Experience (20 points)

A Master’s degree in biological sciences, agriculture, climate change, natural resource management, GIS, or related disciplines appropriate to the position;

Minimum of five years of work experience where the position responsibilities required working with diverse stakeholders and applying science and technology, including geospatial tools, to address development challenges;

Excellent spoken and written English is required.

Prior experience in the region preferred;

Prior experience working with USG or other international development organizations preferred.

Technical Knowledge (40 points)

Demonstrated knowledge of climate change and environmental management;

Understanding of environmental issues and challenges in developing countries, especially within the context of Asia;

Understanding of how to work effectively in developing country contexts with a broad spectrum of stakeholders including government officials and civil society;

Successful application of geospatial tools for evidence-based decision making in the development context;

Familiarity with USAID policies and business processes is strongly preferred.

Skills and Abilities (40 points)

Strong written and oral communication skills;

Excellent interpersonal, leadership, mentoring, and team building skills;

Proven ability to develop strong working relationships across organization boundaries and to work effectively in a multi-cultural and team environment;

Ability to plan, develop, lead and evaluate important and complex programs independently;

Demonstrated experience managing international development assistance activities (preferred);

Demonstrated experience working with technical institutions and host country governments in developing countries;

Ability to take an analytical and interdisciplinary approach in evaluating issues within the context of international development assistance activities;

Demonstrated critical and creative thinking skills, particularly with respect to the identification and development of innovative service delivery approaches;

Commitment to manage a complex and demanding program that is also visible and vital to U.S.

interests

O INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS:

Interested individuals are requested to submit following:

1. Fully completed and hand-signed copy of an Optional Application for Federal Employment Form

(AID-302-3) at http://www.usaid.gov/forms. Applicants should note that the salary history for the purposes of the AID-302-3 is the base salary paid, excluding benefits and allowances such as housing, travel, educational support, vehicle use, etc.

2. A current resume or curriculum vitae (CV);

3. Any supplemental documentation specifically addressing how your knowledge, experience and qualifications met the Selection Criteria factors outlined in the solicitation.

4. Personal Information: full name, mailing address, email address, day and evening phone numbers, and country of citizenship;

5. A minimum of three and a maximum of five references, including two references which must be from direct supervisors who can provide information regarding the applicant’s knowledge.

6. Information on current or prior U.S. Government security or employment authorization clearance and current or prior U.S. Government/employment medical clearances.

7. Copies of required work and/or residency permits.

NOTE: Submission of a resume alone IS NOT a complete application. This position requires the completion of additional forms and/or supplemental materials as described in this section. Failure to provide the required information and/or materials will result in your not being considered for employment.

This office must receive your application prior to the closing date and time specified in this solicitation by email.

Late applications will not be considered. Please note all applications must be signed – unsigned applications shall NOT be considered. Please reference the solicitation number on your application, and as the subject line in any cover letter.

P Selection Process:

After the closing date for receipt of applications, a committee will be convened to review applications and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation criteria. Applications from candidates which do not meet the required selection criteria will not be scored. As part of the selection process, finalist candidates may be interviewed either in person or by telephone at USAID’s discretion. Reference checks will be made only for applicants considered as finalists.

If an applicant does not wish USAID to contact a current employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the applicant’s cover letter, and USAID will delay such reference check pending communication with the applicant. Only finalists will be contacted by USAID with respect to their applications. The final selected candidates must obtain security and medical clearances within a reasonable period of time (USAID will provide details regarding these clearances to the selected candidates). A substantial delay in obtaining either required clearance will make the applicant ineligible for selection.

Q ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT:

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

1. BENEFITS:

Base Salary Employer’s FICA and Medicare Contribution* Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance Pay Comparability and Adjustment Eligibility for Worker’s Compensation (USPSC only) Annual & Sick Leave

* Note: US citizens will be subject to employee’s FICA and Medicare contribution.

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

3. SECURITY AND MEDICAL CLEARANCE:

A Facility Access Security Clearance is required. Medical clearance is required.

4. CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETIN (CIBs) AND ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY

DIRECTIVES (AAPDS) PERTAINING TO PSCS:

- AAPDs and CIBs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contract. Those documents can be found at this website:

https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs

- AIDAR Appendix D can be found at:

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf

- ADS Chapter 309, Personal Services Contracts with Individuals can be found at:

https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/309

ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED REGARDLESS OF AGE, RACE, COLOR, SEX,

CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, LAWFUL POLITICAL AFFILIATION, NON-DISQUALIFYING HANDICAP, MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AFFILIATION WITH AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION, OR

OTHER NON-MERIT FACTOR.

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