SOLICITATION NUMBER: 15/2022
ISSUANCE DATE: May 24, 2022
CLOSING DATE/TIME: June 7, 2022
SUBJECT: Solicitation for Cooperating Country National Personal Services Contractor (CCN PSC)
Project Management Specialist (Economic Growth & Environment), FSN-11, USAID/Uzbekistan, Tashkent.
Dear Prospective Offerors:
The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking offers from qualified persons to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation.
Offers must be in accordance with Attachment 1, Sections I through V of this solicitation. Incomplete offers will not be considered. Offerors should retain copies of all offer materials for their records.
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 offers.
Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in the attached information.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. No late submissions will be accepted.
Sincerely,
Melinda Roberts
USAID/Uzbekistan Executive Officer
ATTACHMENT TO SOLICITATION NO. 15/2022
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
- SOLICITATION NO.: 15/2022
- ISSUANCE DATE: May 24, 2022
- CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR June 7, 2022 (6 p.m. Tashkent time)
RECEIPT OF OFFERS:
- POSITION TITLE: Project Management Specialist (Economic Growth & Environment), FSN-11
- MARKET VALUE: $ 43,589 – $56,529 gross per annum equivalent to FSN-11
(incl. allowance)
In accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local
Compensation Plan of USAID/Uzbekistan.
Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed
market value.
- PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Full-time: 40 hours per week
- PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Uzbekistan, Tashkent
- ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: All HOST COUNTRY NATIONALS
- SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: FSN SBU
- STATEMENT OF DUTIES:
BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION:
The Project Management Specialist (Economic Growth & Environment) position is in the Office of Economic Growth & Environment (EGO), one of four technical offices in the USAID/Uzbekistan Mission. Under the general supervision and technical guidance of the EGO Director or his/her designee the job holder serves as a program manager, cognizant technical officer, and the Mission’s senior professional specialist with emphasis on economic growth and economic structural reforms, environment, and climate change. The job holder is recognized as the Mission’s senior expert and advisor to Mission’s senior management on issues of private and public economic sector development, including: financial services; banking and commercial law; business development (ranging from the commercial legal and regulatory framework to tax and customs procedures); trade policy reform and customs; micro, small and medium-sized enterprise growth, and climate adaptation and mitigation and general environmental issues.
The job holder is expected to operate and carry out duties with a high degree of independence and provide technical assistance to development programs as necessary. The job holder must obtain certification and act as Contracting/Agreement Officer Representative (C/AOR), Alternate C/AOR, and/or Activity Manager for EGO activities as requested by the Office Director or Technical Team Leaders. The job holder serves as mentor for Uzbekistani colleagues in EGO and throughout the mission on economic growth issues.
The job holder is responsible for designing, managing, and evaluating complex, multi-million-dollar USAID/Uzbekistan initiatives promoting economic governance and private sector development and addressing the impacts of climate change. The job holder also serves as the Mission’s Environmental Officer.
The job holder will perform a variety of complex functions related to research, planning, programming, reporting, etc. to support implementation and coordination of economic development assistance projects and programs. The job holder maintains close donor coordination and develops high level contacts. As such, this position entails a substantial degree of demanding representational work at high levels with the Government of Uzbekistan (GoU) and with senior U.S. officials. The job holder is required to work closely and collaboratively with other donor agencies, senior Mission management, the U.S. Embassy, and USAID/Washington staff and with local and international private companies, business associations, NGOs, and academia.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
ACTIVITY/PROJECT MANAGEMENT 40%
The job holder advises and supports one or more economic development and/or environment activities, including detailed information gathering, activity design, management, and monitoring. The position requires initiative and the exercise of independent judgment in activity planning and the identification of problems and required follow up actions. The job holder interacts with chief of parties and activity managers of several contractors, advisors, and identified host country counterparts. Specific responsibilities include:
- Upon completion of required USAID training, the job holder serves as C/AOR and/or alternate C/AOR for one or more major activities, managing activities from inception to completion.
- Manages contractor staff and coordinates assigned activities and projects. Coordinates with contracting and contracted personnel to drive projects to completion.
- Conducts technical analysis independently and/or as a member of a team. Develops cost estimates, institutional capacity assessments, equipment requirement projections, and training needs assessment.
- Drafts necessary documentation and leads reviews related to activity amendments, activity contracting, standard, USAID reports, and project outreach and communication.
- Reviews contracts/agreements in consultation with the Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA) and provides guidance to and oversight of contractor actions concerning project procurement and the use of project funded assets.
- Provides project and activity status and achievement updates as necessary to serve to enhance outreach and communication on EG activities.
- Reviews project reports, conducts site visits, and engages in written and oral communications with project participants and contractors.
- Ensures the activity is delivering the expected results and impact, and if not, propose management or structural changes to achieve greater development impact.
- Serves as Activity Manager for regional or global economic and environment activities implemented in Uzbekistan.
- Keeps Mission Director, Deputy Mission Director, EGO team, and other technical office directors apprised of important developments and their implications for Mission activities in support of economic (including agriculture) reforms, trade, business development, and climate change adaptation and mitigation.
- Monitors implementer performance and verifies that it conforms to the technical requirements and quality standards agreed to in the terms of any given award. Performs site visits to gather data and verify progress toward project objectives.
- Obtains project data, provides input into Agency repositories, and performs the Analysis of information to assess implementer performance, and advance broader Mission objectives.
ANALYSIS AND ACTIVITY DESIGN 30%
- The job holder participates in and/or leads new activity designs. If leading the design effort, the job holder ensures all requirements for approval of new design are met.
- The job holder is responsible for all facets of activity design and development, including information gathering, needs assessments, feasibility studies, drafting of concept papers and scopes of work, activity budget formulation, and evaluation of bids for major projects and programs.
- The job holder conducts analysis of and writes reports and conducts briefings and presentations on Uzbekistan’s and other country environments as required to inform development and management of Mission economic and environmental programming. These include analyses and reports on issues that become the focus of (a) wide public debate, (b) policy development within the executive branch and (c) new legislation at the national or local level, and the interests and positions of concerned and relevant stakeholders inside and outside of government.
- The job holder reviews and tracks proposals/requests from host country counterparts, private sector, NGOs, and academia and determines their suitability for USAID financing.
- Provides analysis and input to inform policy and programming decisions.
- As the Mission Environmental Officer, conducts all necessary analysis and associated work to inform activity designs.
- The job holder engages in planning and strategy development, to include the preparation and compiling of performance and reporting documents such as Country and Regional Strategies, Operational Plans, Performance Reports, and supporting activities, as applicable.
PRIVATE SECTOR ENGAGEMENT (PSE) 15%
- The job holder is responsible for ensuring that all programs in USAID/Uzbekistan’s Economic/Environment portfolio are engaging as greatly as possible with the private sector.
- The job holder must proactively engage the private sector directly and establish and maintain a wide network of relationships with relevant private sector entities.
- The job holder must keep the Mission’s PSE Contacts Tracker updated with all private sector contacts, including details on engagement and interests.
- The job holder may become a member of the Mission’s PSE working group.
COORDINATION AND LIAISON SERVICES 15%
- The job holder briefs visiting USAID officials and serves as Control officer for such visitors, when asked.
- Based on personal contacts, arranges appointments and site visits for official visitors to USAID/EGO activities, accompanying them on field visits and, as appropriate, providing interpreting services.
- The job holder maintains relationships with local public officials and private sector representatives in areas related to USAID programming to direct and assist USAID-funded contractors, grantees and visiting USAID and USG delegations as needed.
- The job holder establishes and maintains good working relationships through participation in meetings, seminars, receptions and similar types of activities with various government, private sector and non-governmental representatives to further his/her ability to gain access to evolving issues and concerns of interest to USAID/Uzbekistan.
- Serves as liaison with the U.S. Embassy Tashkent, host government, and non-government counterparts on economic and climate policy.
Supervision Received: The job holder receives general administrative supervision from the USAID/Office of Economic Growth & Environment Director or his/her designate.
Supervision Exercised: The job holder will be expected to function as the Acting Economic Growth & Environment Office Director when needed, which will include supervisory responsibilities.
- PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.
- POINT OF CONTACT: USAID/Uzbekistan Human Resources Office, e-mail: TashkentHR@usaid.gov (with autoreply).
ii. MINIMUM QualificationS RequireD FOR THIS POSITION
a. Education: A bachelor’s degree from a university in business, economics, business development, natural resources management or other business development related programs is required.
b. Prior Work Experience: The job holder must have at least six years of work experience in the field, which demonstrates increasing responsibility for managing, analyzing, coordinating, and guiding significant analytical and project management efforts. Direct project management experience is essential. A minimum three years of progressively responsible managerial experience in training, public administration, project implementation or related fields. One year of experience with an organization or private sector company with direct experience in working with the U.S. Government or related donor organizations is required.
c. Language Proficiency: Fluent (Level IV) English and Russian language skills are required. Good working knowledge of Uzbek language (Level III) is required.
d. Job Knowledge: An in-depth knowledge of economic, political, social, and cultural characteristics of Uzbekistan and other Central Asian Republics is required. A thorough understanding of the development prospects, potential, priorities, and resources of the Republic is essential. Advanced planning and programming skills are required. A knowledge of, or potential to acquire knowledge of, U.S. Government legislation, programming policies, methodology, procedures, and documentation related to development assistance must be demonstrated. Knowledge of microfinance policies and practices, and economic policy (banking reform, macroeconomics, fiscal and monetary policy) is required. Knowledge of project management tools and practices is essential.
e. Skills and Abilities: The ability to execute all project management responsibilities, including the analysis of project data, the monitoring of activities, the reporting of results, tracking of performance indicators, and communication with contractors on project-related issues. The ability to perform analysis needed to inform strategic programming of USG assistance resources. The ability to establish and maintain contacts with senior level Uzbek officials in both the public and private sectors. The ability to explain and defend USAID policies, objectives, and procedures. The ability to identify, locate, analyze, and evaluate relevant data. The ability to organize and present program information in appropriate written and oral formats.
III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS
For those applicants who meet the minimum qualifications for consideration, the Selection Factors below will be the basis for their overall evaluation and ranking. Applicants will be scored based on the documentation provided with the application, as well as on the responses provided during an interview.
1. Education (10 points)
2. Prior Work Experience (25 points)
3. Job Knowledge (30 points)
4. Skills and Abilities (25 points)
5. Language proficiency (10 points)
The best-qualified among those applicants who meet the minimum qualifications for consideration will be short-listed and invited to take an English proficiency test. Only applicants who pass the English proficiency test will be considered for and potentially invited for an interview.
IV. PRESENTING AN OFFER
- Eligible Offerors must fully meet the minimum qualification requirements. Qualified individuals are requested to submit a cover letter and curriculum vitae addressing the duties and responsibilities of the position and selection factors as detailed above, with specific and comprehensive information and documentation supporting each item; and names, contact numbers, and addresses of three professional references.
Packages should be received by COB Tuesday, June 7, 2022 via e-mail: TashkentHR@usaid.gov;
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
USAID/Uzbekistan reserves the right to obtain from previous employers relevant information concerning the applicant’s past performance and may consider such information in its evaluation. 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.
2. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified above and in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section I, item 12. No late submissions will be accepted.
3. To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission.
V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRES
Once the CO informs the successful Offeror about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Offeror instructions about how to complete and submit necessary forms.
VI. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES
According to Local Compensation Plan.
VII. TAXES
The contractor is solely responsible for all taxation obligations in accordance with cooperating country laws. USAID reserves the right to request proof of payment of taxes by the employee.
VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs
USAID regulations and policies governing CCN/TCN PSC awards are available at these sources:
- USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix J, “Direct USAID Contracts With a Cooperating Country National and with a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf.
- Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms .
- Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs .
- 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 .
