VA - EVALUATION SIUPPORT SERVICES -3 yrs

VA-EVALUATION Support Services See PWS Please include your CAGE code with your submission and have "140F0S24Q0004" in the subject line. If you require more time to complete the submission please email Robert_Sung@fws.gov for an extension. See pages 42 and 45 of the solicitation document for submission instructions Information from PWS: 3. WORK TO BE PERFORMED BY CONTRACTOR 3.1 Work Responsibilities Activity A: Support DIC capacity for data management. Serve as a technical expert in DIC to manage and maintain program data, including a project dataset of conservation areas and wildlife strongholds that have received IA financial assistance since 1990. [As defined by the CFO Performance Management Playbook for federal financial assistance, projects are the level between a program (i.e., CFDA assistance listing) and individual awards.] In coordination with DIC Evaluation Officer, other staff and partners, define and collate

information on conservation areas of programmatic importance. Manage and organize data related to DIC projects, including compilation and quality control of existing datasets on DIC past funding history. Duties will include providing technical expertise on (1) conservation geography, including knowledge of landscapes and place names in Asia, Africa and Latin America; (2) developing areas of programmatic importance as an authoritative DIC project layer, based on Service funding since 1990, input from DIC program staff, and other conservation information (e.g., conservation protection status, biodiversity status); (3) maintaining an authoritative and comprehensive funding history for areas of programmatic importance, including review and quality control of previously categorized awards; (4) establishing dataset linkage between projects, past funding history, and surveys of conservation impact; (5) development of a data structure and data management plan, including quality assurance and quality control practices for DIC project data, in accordance with the Service data management policy. Activity B: Support DIC scientific integrity to assess, build and use evidence. Promote accountability, goal setting and documentation of Service progress against outcomes, and a return-on-investment approach with Service resources. Contribute to agency monitoring procedures to inform program strategy and decision-making, by advancing the Service¿s responsibilities under and aligning program practices with the Foreign Aid Transparency and Accountability Act of 2016, the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018, and associated OMB guidelines. Build on existing program practices in the Multinational Species Conservation Funds and other International Affairs financial assistance programs by promoting use of project data referenced in Activity A such that Service resources are directed to critical needs, conservation areas and grant activities with the strongest evidence of effectiveness and potential impact. Contribute to any required reporting or data calls as relevant and needed. Lead on social science contributions where appropriate. Activity C: Strengthen DIC capacity to share and communicate conservation data and evidence. Develop visual design and data communication products to advance program evaluation activities referenced in Activity A and B. Assist DIC Chief and Evaluation Officer to identify communication and visual design needs, based on existing data, intended audience and context. Support adherence to communication practices and standards (e.g., 508 compliance). Document program planning and design (as required by financial assistance regulation 2 CFR 200.202), project past funding history, the results of Service funding, and other information in coordination with the Technical Liaison. Contribute to internal data sharing practices, which may include development of data visualizations and organization tools (e.g., Sharepoint) or data management tools using R programming language, to ensure information and data is accessible across Service programs and the public where appropriate. Contribute to briefings, presentations, data calls, and Service public communications (e.g., social media, public-facing blogposts) as relevant and needed. Activity D: Support DIC management of data- and evidence-related contracts and interagency agreements. Assist the coordination of contracts and interagency agreements related to conservation data and evidence. Develop outputs and reporting in consultation with the Technical Liaison. Participate in coordination calls and meetings where appropriate. Serve as the back-up to the Technical Liaison for coordination and management of data- and evidence-related contracts and interagency agreements. Contracts awarded under this announcement will be funded, in whole or in part, through a Participating Agency Program Agreement (PAPA) between the US Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Bureau for Development, Democracy, and Innovation (DDI). The Activity Title of the Agreement is Critical Capacity Partnership signed on August 17, 2021. Section 632(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended (FAA), 22 U.S.C section 2392 (b). Recipients are subject to the PAPA¿s special terms and conditions, attached separately. 3.2 Required Knowledge, Skills, and Experience: -Mastery knowledge of and skill in data visual design and data organization, including application in a program evaluation and international conservation context. -Preferred experience working with data in financial assistance programs, including familiarity and experience with documenting and communicating the results and effectiveness categories of environmental financial assistance as administered by state and federal programs. -Preferred experience in international wildlife conservation, including familiarity and experience in countries or regions (e.g., Southeast Asia) that are not covered by existing program evaluation staff. -Preferred experience working in R programming language. -Masters degree in environmental related science or equivalent experience with a focus on animals. -The ability to work independently while also discerning when to seek assistance. -Strong organizational skills with a desire to increase and strengthen program evaluation capacity and data communication in international wildlife conservation. -Attention to detail and the ability to meet deadlines in a fast moving environment. -Desire and willingness to be an integrated member of the Division of International Conservation, attending Division meetings, and learning about the work of the Division¿s programs more generally. -Experience conducting conservation research in different cultures, and demonstrating exemplary written and oral communication skills. -Strong project management and critical thinking skills. -Valid passport and ability to travel internationally and to Washington D.C. (as needed) approximately 1-2 times per year.