SOL-596-12-000005 REGIONAL ENR SENIOR ADVISOR.pdf

SOLICITATION FOR U.S. PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACTOR (USPSC)

Regional Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) Senior Advisor

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: SOL-596-12-000005

2. ISSUANCE DATE: June 4 2012

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: June 18, 2012 at 4:30 p.m. (San Salvador, El Salvador, Local Time)

4. POSITION TITLE: Regional Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) Senior Advisor

5. MARKET VALUE: GS-13 ($71,674 to $93,175). The standard compensation package also includes a contribution for life and health insurance and a contribution to FICA. If the selected candidate qualifies as an off-shore hire under USAID regulations, the employee will receive post differential approved for San Salvador, El Salvador, (currently set at the rate 15% of base pay), housing, international travel, shipment benefits, and other applicable allowances. If the selected candidate is a resident hire under USAID regulations (a U.S. citizen who, at the time of hiring as a PSC, resides in El Salvador), then s/he will not be eligible for any fringe benefits (except contributions for FICA, health insurance and life insurance), allowances or differentials (AIDAR, Appendix D).

This position has been classified at the GS-13 level. Salary will be negotiated within the GS-13 level based on prior salary history.

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Maximum of 12 months, depending on the need for continuation of such services.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: El Salvador

8. CLEARANCES: The final selected candidates must obtain an Employment Authorization and medical clearances within a reasonable period of time (USAID will provide details regarding these clearances to the selected candidate). If such clearances are not obtained within a reasonable time or negative suitability issues are involved, any offer made may be rescinded.

10. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens only

SOL-596-12-000005

11. STATEMENT OF WORK

A. INTRODUCTION

The ENR Senior Advisor provides policy, technical, and coordination leadership to USAID/El Salvador in the area of biodiversity conservation, climate change, and environmental law enforcement. S/he oversees the management of both bilateral projects and regional projects in these technical areas. The Senior Advisor will work on important components of several regional initiatives, such as the Global Climate Change Initiative, regional efforts under the CAFTA-DR agreement and its successor Pathways for Prosperity, and other inter-agency efforts.

B. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION:

Serve as a technical advisor on policy and program issues related to natural resource management, biodiversity, and climate change. Develop concept papers, strategies, project authorizations, and project agreements/amendments, in line with Agency regulations and under guidance from senior managers in the EG Office. Assist in the planning of a broad range of program activities, including identifying opportunities for integrating biodiversity conservation and/or climate change activities with other sector programs.

Oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of all environment programs in USAID El Salvador, including both bilateral and regional programs.

Incorporate strategic management concepts in implementation of these activities.

Specific tasks include design of new activities, statements of work, evaluation of proposals and applications, review of annual work plans, implementation and monitoring of indicators and targets, and preparation of the environment sections of the Mission’s annual operational plan, performance plan and report, and strategic and resource plan.

Oversee the evaluation and management of centrally- and regionally-administered projects that affect broad Mission areas within the natural resources and biodiversity sector.

Conduct data, policy, and trends analyses and provide technical recommendations and leadership to inform strategic planning exercises at the sector, country, and inter-agency scale. Analyze the status of environmental threats, environmental policy and governance, and their impact.

Provide oversight to USAID implementing partners to ensure effective technical and financial management and desired development impact. Serve as a liaison with regional counterparts, other USAID offices, bilateral and multilateral donors, other USG agencies, NGOs, and the private sector to ensure coordination of activities in furtherance of biodiversity conservation goals.

Assist the Regional Environmental Advisor in preparing environmental reviews.

C. POSITION ELEMENTS:

1. Degree of responsibility for decision-making: Individual will have wide latitude in planning and executing work assignments, including representing the office in international meetings and before host country and regional officials. The Senior Advisor will be called on to advice local authorities on development issues related to the environment, based on professional knowledge and a professional assessment of local conditions.

2. Level of complexity of the work environment: Given the complex nature of our regional programs; the Senior Advisor will be required to work with a wide and diverse list of organizations and officials, representing regional organizations, national ministries, and the NGO sector. Because of the nature of regional programs in the environmental sector, the position requires a high level of coordination, negotiation, and presentation capacity.

3. Level and purpose of contacts: The Regional Environment and Natural Resources

Senior Advisor will be required to maintain extensive contacts with technical and senior policy making officials of Central American governments and international organization (donors, private sector, NGOs, academic sector) in order to obtain information and encourage cooperation with regard to environmental issues.

Works closely with Central American regional organizations, USAID regional and bilateral mission staff, pillar bureaus in AID/W, and other US Government agencies working on these issues in the region, in order to improve coordination and effectiveness of programs.

4. Supervisory Controls: The ENR Senior Advisor reports to the Economic Growth

Office Deputy Director, Regional Programs, and at times acts as Deputy Office Director for Regional Programs in his/her absence. The Senior Advisor serves as a technical leader of the team in strategic planning and the design of programs to maximize environmental and social benefits. Minimal guidance is provided by the Deputy Director, Regional Programs, mainly in the form of general legislative, Mission, or policy directions and resource constraints. The ENR Senior Advisor will independently initiate, plan, implement and monitor programs, keeping the supervisor informed of accomplishments and problems. The incumbent has the highest degree of independence in seeking optimum technical or policy solutions to environment problems in the light of current developments, but his or her work must be sound and able to stand up to scrutiny of USAID’s and the Embassy’s Front Office.

5. Supervision/oversight of others: The incumbent supervises two senior Foreign

Service National (FSN) Program Management Specialists.

6. Available Guidelines: Guidelines include USAID and State Department policies and regulations. The incumbent is a recognized technical authority in the interpretation of broad guidelines (e.g., joint policies and intergovernmental agreements that often require specific interpretation) as they relate to natural resources and biodiversity.

7. Exercise of Judgment: The Senior Advisor must demonstrate sound and mature judgment, particularly when presenting USAID policies or positions.

8. Authority to Make Commitments: None. The Regional ENR Senior Advisor will have no authority to commit funds on behalf of the U.S. Government

9. Travel: A significant portion of the incumbent’s time will require travel within the

Region.

D. EVALUATION/SELECTION CRITERIA:

1. Education (10 points)

Graduate degree in one of the social sciences, conservation biology, ecology, natural resource management, or other closely related field.

2. Prior Work Experience (25 points) Minimum five years of experience working with development programs related to environmental and natural resources management.

Experience in strategic planning, preferably in the development of results frameworks, development objectives, and quantitative and qualitative indicators for success.

3. Language Proficiency (15 points) Written and verbal fluency in English and Spanish is required. All applicants must be fluent in Spanish at the FSI 4/4 level.

4. Knowledge (25 points)

The incumbent’s knowledge of the programmatic areas covered should be at an experienced professional level. S/he will be expected to analyze, propose and implement solutions to complex project implementation matters that arise and recommend solutions to the Mission. S/he is expected to negotiate technical resolutions with high-level regional officials in a way that represents USG foreign policy interests and seeks consensus that ensures program implementation continues smoothly.

Sound technical knowledge of environmental issues in every sub-specialty, US government development priorities, and of political considerations related to working regionally.

Knowledge of USAID program development, activity design, implementation, assessment, and reporting procedures.

5. Abilities and Skills (25 points) Proven analytical, organizational (e.g., scheduling, planning, and leading meetings) and administrative skills (including use of computer applications: Outlook, Word, and Excel).

Demonstrated ability to work independently and with minimal supervision. Ability to lead and work collaboratively with a range of professional counterparts, and mentor supervised employees as required.

Demonstrated persuasiveness, cross-cultural sensitivity.

Excellent written and oral presentation skills. The ability to meet tight deadlines with concise documents and oral interpretation is required.

The incumbent must have the ability to represent USAID to external audiences.

Maximum Points Available: 100

E. PERIOD OF PERFOMANCE:

Maximum of 12 months, depending on the need for continuation of such services.

F. MEDICAL AND SECURITY CLEARANCE:

The selected applicant must be able to obtain an Employment Authorization clearance.

The selected applicant, and any eligible family members who will accompany the applicant to post, shall be required to obtain a Department of State Medical clearance to work and/or live in El Salvador as a precondition for employment and/or residence in El Salvador.

G. BENEFITS:

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the benefits and allowances listed in this section. [NOTE: A contractor meeting the definition of a U.S.

Resident Hire PSC, shall be subject to U.S. Federal Income Tax, but shall not be eligible for any fringe benefits (except contributions for FICA, health insurance, and life insurance), including differentials and allowances.]

BENEFITS:

(1) FICA Contribution

(2) Contribution toward Health & life insurance

(3) Pay Comparability Adjustment

(4) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

(5) Annual & Sick Leave

(6) Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service as per post policy

ALLOWANCES (If Applicable):

(1) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120)

(2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

(3) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(4) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230)

(5) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

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

(7) Danger Pay (Section 650)

(8) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(9) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) (10)Education Travel (Section 280)

* Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas).

FEDERAL TAXES:

PSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income under the foreign earned income exclusion.

H. ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) AND CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) PERTAINING

TO PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACT (PSC):

AAPDs and CIBs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to this website to determine which AAPDs and CIBs apply to this contract:

http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/cib/subject.html#psc

Additionally, AIDAR Appendix D applies to PSCs and can be found at:

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

I. INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS

a) List of required forms for personal services contractors:

For initial consideration:

1. Cover letter

2. Application Form OF-612

3. Curriculum Vitae

Upon advice by the Contracting Officer, the finalist candidate will complete and submit the following forms:

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

5. Medical Clearance Form (DS 6561)

6. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86)

7. Finger Print Card (FD-258). **(Available from the law enforcement offices or in USAID/Washington).

b) Application Process:

Qualified individuals are requested to submit an application stating their interest along with updated OF-612 (Application for Federal Employment), a current resume, and a cover letter including experience, salary history and references no later than June 18, 2012 at 4:30 p.m. (San Salvador, El Salvador Local Time). Applications, recent supervisor reference and three (3) personal references (names and contact information) must be submitted by E-mail.

Please send your application package to this e-mail account: iescolan@usaid.gov. The candidate must sign the completed OF-612, the resume, and the cover letter, and scan and send them to the above-mentioned e-mail account. Incomplete, unsigned applications and late submissions will not be considered.

To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application, and as the subject line in any cover letter.

USAID/El Salvador expects to award a personal services contract for a US Citizen for a maximum period of 12 months commencing as early as practically possible subject to security and medical clearances and funds availability. The duty post for this contract is El Salvador.

J. PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT

Irma de Escolán Acquisition Specialist Executive Office USAID/El Salvador Telephone: (503) 2501-3428 Fax: (503) 2298-0885 E-mail: iescolan@usaid.gov

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