SOL-660-12-000003 - Natural Resources Program Manager.docx

USPSC/TCN Natural Resources Program Manager USAID Solicitation # SOL-660-12-000003

December 07, 2011

SUBJECT: SOL-660-12-000003: SOLICITATION FOR PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACTOR (USPSC/TCN) NATURAL RESOURCES PROGRAM MANAGER FOR THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO.

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), requests an application from qualified U.S. Citizens and Third Country Nationals interested in providing PSC services as described in the attached solicitation. Submittals shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified in this document.

Interested applicants MUST submit the following materials:

1. Your most current curriculum vitae or resume.

2. Signed form OF-612, Optional Application for Federal Employment.

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

4. Three references, who are not family members or relatives, with telephone and e-mail contacts.

5. Cover letter stating period of availability for work in DRC and explaining applicant’s reason for applying.

The CV/resume must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the application. The references must be able to provide substantive information about your past performance and abilities. USAID/EA reserves the right to obtain from previous employers relevant information concerning the past performance and may consider such information in its evaluation.

If you are selected for this position you must be available to start work o/a February 01 2012. This availability shall be indicated in your cover letter. Please submit your application by e-mail to the Senior Acquisition Specialist Johnny Damian at jdamian@usaid.gov. Ensure that you indicate the solicitation number and position title (SOL-660-12-000003 – Natural Resources Program Manager in the subject line.

Form OF 612 and Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet (AID 1420-17) must be signed and if submitted unsigned it will be rejected. Scanned copies are accepted by e-mail.

Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. Any questions regarding this solicitation may be directed to the Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist at jdamian@usaid.gov. Please provide your current full mailing address with telephone, facsimile numbers and email address in the application.

USAID/DRC anticipates awarding one (1) Personal Services Contract as a result of this solicitation. This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit USAID to pay any costs incurred in the preparation and submission of the application. Any resulting award of PSC contracts from this solicitation are subject to the availability of funds.

Sincerely, /s/ Linda McElroy Regional Contracting Officer

ATTACHMENT 1 – POSITION DESCRIPTION

Overview:

An External Evaluation of the CARPE phase II completed in 2011, assessed progress against the CARPE goals and objectives and recommended a third phase of the CARPE through 2020 during which greater focus will be on policy reform to support sustainable forest management systems and to more directly support local communities’ clear access rights to forest resources and associated ecosystems services payments and to explicitly incorporate and support the evolving Global Climate Change policies surrounding the Reduction of Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation plus conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+).

The position is one of four professional staff positions on the Central Africa regional Program for the Environment (CARPE) Strategic Objective Team. CARPE is a stand-alone operating unit based in the USAID/DRC mission with the goal during CARPE III of; accelerating Central Africa’s transition to climate-resilient, low emissions development through sustainable management of biodiverse forests with a development objective as follow: “the ecological integrity of the humid forest ecosystem of the Congo Basin maintained.”. This Development Objective is to be reached through the achievement of four Intermediate Results (IR): (1) Targeted forest landscapes sustainably managed; (2) Biodiversity threats in targeted forest landscapes mitigated; (3) Policy and regulatory environments supporting sustainable forest and biodiversity conservation established; and (4) Capacity to monitor forest cover change, greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity strengthened in the six most forested countries in Central African (Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Gabon, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic).

The incumbent of this position has a range of complex analytical, management, and program monitoring responsibilities within CARPE. The position is based in Kinshasa, DRC but is responsible for monitoring CARPE programs in six Central African countries. He/she serves as an expert on natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, financial management, economic sector policies, and the role of civil society in natural resources management and related subject matters. The contract is for an initial two-year period with the possibility for an additional three years with satisfactory performance, a continuing need for the position and availability of funds.

The incumbent serves as the Regional Field Coordinator within the Strategic Objective Team (SOT). As the Regional Field Coordinator, he/she will serve as Agreement Officer Technical Representative (AOTR) for at least two major CARPE activities as assigned by the SO Team Leader and the Regional Acquisition and Assistance Officer. The incumbent will also perform communication/outreach public diplomacy elements of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP), by working with the 50 international CBFP partners at high government and donor levels in the six Central African countries served by CARPE.

Additionally, the incumbent will monitor and guide the work of six CARPE Focal Points and civil society/local NGO recipients of the CARPE small grants program. In this capacity, he/she must maintain constant and extensive contacts with local, regional and headquarters counterparts at senior levels and with donor representatives to promote CARPE’s goal of sustainable resource management in Central Africa.

Additional responsibilities include the monitoring of the impact of CARPE’s strategic objective of reducing forest degradation and loss of biodiversity with a particular focus on natural resources and conservation policy reform and global climate change mitigation. He/she must execute the full range of analyses to identify constraints and propose solutions and therefore provide guidelines for the CARPE Focal Point Officers in DRC, Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Central Africa Republic and Cameroon.

Duties and Responsibilities:

· Manage and act as the Agreement Officer Technical Representative (AOTR) for at least two CARPE Activities with an annual budget of approximately $2.5 million.

· Identify natural resources policy, legislative and implementation issues constraining the good governance of natural resources in six Central Africa countries and formulate and/or provide advice and counsel to individual CARPE Country teams or country action plans to foster and support natural resources, particularly REDD+, policy and legal reform.

· Liaise and coordinate with the four CARPE Focal Point officers in carrying out their individual country programs.

· Assess technical content of work plans, grant applications, proposals and a variety of program documentation.

· Conduct pipeline and other financial analysis of CARPE grant recipients, including local NGO small grant recipients.

· Prepare independent government budget estimates for USAID grant programs.

· Conduct monitoring missions throughout the six CARPE participating countries.

· Ensure that all CARPE project implementing activities complies with US 22 CFR 216 on environmental compliance.

· Act as the USAID CARPE SO Team Leader in the absence of the SO Team or DD Team Leader.

MEDICAL AND SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS

The successful applicant must be able to travel and work in remote and primitive environments and to receive medical clearance for serving in the DRC. Details of how to obtain US Department of State Medical Unit medical clearance will be provided once a job offer is made and accepted.

The successful applicant must be able to receive USAID security clearance that involves applicant's background investigation performed by a US Government Agency.

The successful applicant must be able to report to post in Kinshasa, DRC to assume duties promptly upon medical and security clearances being granted.

EVALUATION CRITERIA / SELECTION CRITERIA (100 POINTS TOTAL)

Applicants meeting the required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application and obtained through reference checks. USAID reserves the right to conduct telephonic interviews with the most highly ranked applicants and make the interview a deciding factor in selection.

Education (Total: 20 points)

A graduate degree is required. The degree should be equivalent to a US MS in environmental sciences, natural resource management, agricultural science, forestry, or other technical field closely related to natural resource management and agriculture. A Ph.D. and a history of peer reviewed published research in a relevant area is preferred.

Experience (Total: 45 points)

The candidate must have a minimum of eight years prior experience in the technical subject matter, demonstrated successful experience in the management of donor programs, and clearly demonstrated successful experience addressing the reform of environmental and natural resources policy. Relevant experience is related to natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, forestry/agro forestry, and sustainable agriculture, preferably in Central Africa.

At least six years of professional experience working on community-based natural resource management issues, and managing these activities, is required. A comprehensive, successful and progressive professional record of addressing technical and policy issues surrounding sustainable forest management, biodiversity, and community-based natural resource management in Africa, and preferably in Central Africa, is required.

Demonstrated professional success in addressing the technical and policy elements of natural resources and conservation issues being targeted by the USAID/CARPE program in Central Africa is essential.

Experience with USAID management systems, and familiarity with USG/USAID acquisition and assistance regulations, preferably through direct management of similar USAID projects and experience as an AOTR--with the demonstrated capability to manage programs for results and implement policies and procedures in accordance with established regulations is highly preferred.

Familiarity with REDD+ process development in Central Africa is desired. Knowledge of USAID “Regulation 16” on environmental compliance and monitoring is highly desirable.

Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills (Total: 20 points)

Excellent leadership, communications and interpersonal skills are critical for this position. The incumbent must have the following demonstrated skills:

Must be able to demonstrate the ability to work effectively with a broad range of USG personnel and partners and have demonstrated skills in donor coordination and collaboration. Ability to work both independently and in a team environment to achieve consensus on policy, program, and administrative matters is required.

Ability to work effectively in a team environment and communicate highly technical information related to conservation of biodiversity and tropical forests, local alternative livelihoods strategies related to biodiversity conservation and formulation and application of resource policy to a wide range of audiences to achieve consensus on policy, project, research, and administrative matters.

Language, Communication, and Computer Skills (Total: 15 points)

Excellent verbal communication skills, tact and diplomacy are required to establish and develop sustainable working relationships at the highest level and to develop a high level of trust with public/private partner organizations. Verbal communication skills in both English and French are required used to negotiate activity plans and resolve activity implementation issues with counterparts, partners and team members. Ability to communicate technical information to both professional and lay person audiences is necessary. Excellent written communication skills are required to prepare regular and ad hoc reports, activity documentation and briefing papers.

The incumbent must demonstrate the following requirements:

Demonstrated strong English writing and speaking skills are necessary. FSI 3-3 competency in English language is required. Computer skills in word processing and spreadsheet applications are required.

Demonstrated French language skills at a minimum at the FSI 3-3 level are required.

Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook, Access, GIS and other statistical and other relevant software) are required for effectively operating in this position. Good computer skills are required to implement, analyze, and monitor, and manage activity goals, inputs, outcomes, and achievements, both program and impact.

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