USPSC SEED Program Adviser

Added: Nov 03, 2015 3:44 am

SOLICITATION NUMBER SOL-367-16-000002
ISSUING DATE November 3, 2015
CLOSING DATE November 17, 2015- 5:00 P.M Kathmandu Time.
POSITION TITLE SEED Program Advisor
NUMBER OF POSITION(S) One
MARKET VALUE GS-15 ($101,630 - $132,122)

ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION OF POSITION Kathmandu, Nepal
DIRECT SUPERVISOR USAID/Nepal Acting Director of Social, Environmental and Economic Development Office (SEED)
SUPERVISORY CONTROL Minimal. After an initial period, the incumbent is expected to act independently with minimal day-to-day direction.
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE Six to Nine months, o/a 11/2015 - 08/2016
SECURITY ACCESS U.S. citizens with ability to obtain secret level security clearance
AREA OF CONSIDERATION U.S citizens only

POSITION DESCRIPTION: SEED PROGRAM ADVISOR

1. Introduction and Background

USAID/Nepal requests the services of a USPSC to support the broad and complex SEED portfolio for six to nine months (cumulative) beginning o/a November 30, 2015 until o/a August 30, 2016. The SEED Office consists of the Feed the Future (FTF) and Global Climate Change (GCC) Presidential Initiatives, and activities in Food for Peace (FFP), economic growth and energy.

2. Objectives:

The objective of the assignment will be to support the implementation of the USAID/Nepal SEED portfolio for six to nine months. The USPSC will support the SEED Office writ large. The scope of this task consists of mentoring of personnel, guidance of the design and procurement of SEED activities, contributions to improve reporting and strategic functions, liaison with stakeholders.

3. Work Requirements:

Task Areas:

3.1 Guide the implementation of FTF, GCC, FFP, economic growth and energy activities

3.2 Provide input to project design and procurement processes

3.3 Provide input to strengthen SEED reporting and strategic functions

3.4 Liaise with the USAID Director's office, other Mission technical offices, Mission support offices, relevant USAID Washington, implementing partners and other partners.

3.5 Participate in relevant GON and donor meetings

The USPSC shall:

3.1 Review and provide input to strengthen ongoing FTF, FFP, GCC, economic growth and energy activities: In coordination with the acting SEED Office Director, conduct weekly meetings with the FTF, Environment, Resilience, and Project Management Unit Team Leaders to review planning and implementation of activities of each team. Review activities for timeliness and quality. Discuss issues and problems and solutions. Identify problems that need higher level intervention and meet with implementation partners if necessary. Assign as necessary SEED staff to appropriate committees, evaluation committees, etc. Plan for upcoming SEED events, outreach and PR issues, etc.

 

Ongoing SEED activities (as of October, 2015):

Food Security:
• Nepal flagship FTF Project (KISAN)
• Nepal Business Literacy Project
• FTF Monitoring and Evaluation Project
• Cereal System Initiative for South Asia (CSISA)
• Integrated Pest Management Innovation Laboratory
• Food for Peace / Community Resilience Program - two awards
• UNCDF Mobile Money activity
• US Peace Corps interagency agreement

Environment:
• Hariyo Ban
• Initiative for Climate Change Adaptation
• US Forest Service interagency agreement
• International Water Management Institute PIO

Resilience (FFP):
• SABAL
• PAHAL

Energy:
• Nepal Hydropower Development Program

3.2. Provide input to improve project design and procurement processes: Review with Team Leaders the multiple steps of project design and procurement under way in SEED during the performance period. Review adherence to design and procurement schedules. Identify problems and meet with support offices or front office if necessary to resolve issues.

SEED ongoing program planning:

• Design of KISAN II

Ongoing SEED procurement activities:
• Project for Aquatic Natural resources Improvement (PANI)
• Hariyo Ban II
• Nepal Biodiversity and Ecology Research Center
• Various amendments to existing agreements
• Miscellaneous procurements in SEED technical areas

3.3 Provide input to strengthen SEED reporting and strategic functions: Ensure that SEED staff contribute appropriately to weekly Mission reporting, FTF reporting, quarterly accruals reporting and other reporting requirements as needed.

3.4 Liaise with the USAID Director's office, other Mission technical offices, Mission support offices, relevant USAID Washington, implementing partners and other partners. Prepare agenda for bi-weekly one-on-one meetings with USAID Nepal front office. Prepare for and attend Senior Management Team meetings and other Mission meetings as needed. Meet with implementing partners, prospective partners, partner agencies as needed.

3.5 Participate in relevant GON and donor meetings: Represent USAID at GCC donor meeting as needed. Represent SEED at meetings with partner GON Ministries; Agriculture Development, Energy, Forests and Soil Conservation.

4. Performance Period:

The assignment will be for 6 - 9 months total, to begin o/a November 30, 2015 and end o/a August 30, 2016, the period of performance need not be consecutive.

5. Reporting Relationships

• The USPSC will report to the USAID/Nepal Acting SEED Office Director. Other appropriate USAID/Nepal offices will provide guidance as necessary.
• The USPSC will supervise SEED PSC staff. He/she may be required to facilitate high level meetings, lead teams, etc.

6. Contract Type and Payment Schedule

USAID/Nepal will offer a U.S. Personal Services Contract. The position has been classified at the GS-15 level. Step will be determined based on documented salary history. Salary, FICA and Medicare will be provided. Per diem will be provided through a separate Travel Authorization. USG housing may be provided if available.

7. Required Qualifications for the SEED Program Advisor:

A. Education: Master's degree or equivalent degree required.

B. Experience:
1. At least 15 years of experience related to planning and implementation of international development programs in the areas of agriculture and/or environment
2. At least 15 years of experience managing diverse teams in an international context
3. Development experience in South Asia Region
4. Experience working directly with government and donor representatives in planning and programming
5. Working on interdisciplinary and/or multi-cultural team environments
6. Fluency in spoken and written English
7. Strong English writing skills
8. Strong interpersonal skills

 

C. Knowledge:

1. Advanced knowledge of agriculture, and environment programming
2. Advanced knowledge of program planning processes
3. Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation processes
4. Advanced knowledge of design, implementation procurement procedures
5. Knowledge of team building and coaching

D. Other Requirements
1. Ability to start work in Kathmandu on o/a November 30, 2015.
2. Ability to obtain USAID Security Clearance at secret level.
3. Ability to obtain Medical Clearance.

8. Selection Criteria

Successful applicant will be selected through a review of the resume provided.

The following criteria will be used to evaluate the applications:

(30%) Demonstrated advanced knowledge of development programming in agriculture and/or environment programming in an international context, preferably in developing countries, preferably in South Asia

(30%) Demonstrated experience in managing diverse teams in an international context.

(30%) Demonstrated advanced knowledge in USAID design, implementation and procurement procedures.

(10%) Demonstrated experience collaborating with host country organizations and country governments and international donors.

9. Application Submission Instructions

Send your application by e-mail to: usaidnepalhr@usaid.gov

The application must include following:

1. Resume
2. OF-612
3. Names and contact details for three references.

Hard copies may be sent to the following address:

Executive Officer USAID/Nepal
U.S. Embassy
G.P.O. Box 295 Maharajgunj Kathmandu, Nepal