Private Sector Advisor

Added:Jul 27, 2018 3:37 amATTACHMENT 1 [72066018R00004]I. GENERAL INFORMATION1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72066018R000042. ISSUANCE DATE: July 27, 20183. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: August 26, 2018 (5:00pm Kinshasa local time.)4. POSITION TITLE: Private Sector Advisor5. MARKET VALUE: $89,370-$116,181 equivalent to GS-14.The final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based on the successful candidate's salary history, work experience, and educational background. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years, with three additional one-year extensions pending approval, need, performance, and funding, not to exceed five years.7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congowith possible travel as stated in the Statement of Work.8. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: The final selected candidates must obtain both the appropriate security and medical clearances within a

reasonable period of time. If such clearances are not obtained within a reasonable time or negative suitability issues are involved, any offer made may be rescinded. Facility Access (USPSC); and Background Check (TCNPSC).9. STATEMENT OF DUTIES1. General Statement of Purpose of the ContractThe Central Africa Regional Program for the Environment (CARPE) is a long-term, regional environment initiative started in 1995 with the objective to reduce the rate of forest degradation and loss of biodiversity through increased local, national, and regional natural resource management capacity in the Central Africa region.Phase I (1995-2002) was to coordinate work on identifying and establishing the conditions and practices required to reduce deforestation and loss of biological diversity in Central Africa. In its first phase, CARPE's partners focused on increasing the knowledge of Central African forests and biodiversity and building institutional and human resources capacity.In Phase II CARPE implemented sustainable natural resources management practices in 12 landscapes in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Republic of Congo (ROC), Gabon, Cameroon and Central African Republic (CAR) to conserve biodiversity, forest management, mitigate climate change effects through support to the Reduced Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) strategies and action plans, implementation of Low Emissions Development Strategy (LEDS) and improve overall environmental governance in the region, and strengthen natural resources monitoring capacity.CARPE is now in its third Phase (CARPE III), which started in October 2013 and is currently authorized through 2020. The Goal of CARPE III is "Central Africa's transition to climate-resilient, low emissions development accelerated through sustainable management of bio-diverse forests." The Development Objective is to maintain the ecological integrity of the humid forest ecosystem of the Congo Basin.CAPE III comprises four intermediate results that support this objective. These intermediate results (IR) are: (1) Targeted forest landscapes sustainably managed; 2) Threats to biodiversity in targeted forest landscapes mitigated; (3) Policy and regulatory environments supporting sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation established; and (4) Capacity to monitor forest resources, greenhouse gas emission and biodiversity strengthened. The results will be accomplished through two distinct but interdependent projects: Central Africa Forest Ecosystems Conservation (CAFEC) and Environmental Monitoring and Policy Support (EMAPS).During 2016 and early 2017, the CARPE office and partners contributed to an external evaluation of the CARPE RDCS (Regional Development Cooperative Strategy) to assess areas of strength, weakness and to build consensus for areas of improvement. The findings of this evaluation and subsequent discussions and decisions within the Mission have led CARPE to place increased emphasis on private sector engagement, natural resource value chains and market linkages across the Program. CARPE is already re-orienting both on-going work and planned activities to align with this vast area of untapped potential on private sector engagement through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in protected areas and others At the moment, the CARPE Team does not have significant expertise or experience working with private sector partners or approaches and needs to update team composition to ensure the greatest chances of success with this new approach. This position is intended to fill this gap and require the incumbent to identifying gaps in our knowledge around certain sectors or value-chains as well as models that can be applied to align those sectors with the CARPE Program goals. The employee will lead on these items and guide the CARPE team to update program approaches across all activities in the $150 million Program.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 three Central African countries. He/she serves as an expert on private sector engagement approaches in natural resource management, biodiversity conservation and provides both advice and management on related issues in the CARPE team. 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.2. Statement of Duties to be PerformedProgrammatic (40%)Assist the CARPE Office Director to refine and apply private sector approaches:• Collaborate with the CARPE Office Director and team members to articulate and refine the opportunities for working with private sector solutions in the context of the CARPE Program.• Serve as CARPE's senior policy, strategy and technical expert on private sector engagement, natural resources related value chains, market linkages, and investment issues.• Identify opportunities for private sector to align with CARPE by making relevant contacts outside the U.S. Government, analyzing and presenting options and guiding partnership opportunities to conclusion.• Convince internal and external stakeholders of the benefits of private sector partnerships as well as defining and leading the practical steps needed to formalize specific partnerships.• Advise the CARPE Director and CARPE Team members and the DRC Mission regarding economic governance and economic growth related issues affecting natural resource related value chains, from the small scale to commercial scale.• Critically analyze relevant value chains and identify strategic areas for USAID engagement to achieve biodiversity and forestry related outcomes through strategic partnerships.Technical (40%)Activity management and representation with stakeholders and partners:• Manage activities and act as the Contract/Agreement Officer Technical Representative (COR/AOR) for at least two CARPE Activities with an annual budget of approximately $5.0 million.• Through a wide range of contacts, identify natural resources policy, legislative and implementation issues constraining the expansion of private sector approaches to natural resource management in several Central Africa countries and help shape appropriate responses to bring about reforms.• Conduct research, refine strategies, establish counterparts and articulate feasible private sector solutions.• Assess technical content of work plans, grant applications, proposals and a variety of program documentation.• Participate on technical evaluation committees as appropriate.• Conduct monitoring missions throughout the CARPE participating countries.• Establish and maintain technical relationships with USAID staff, Embassy officials, senior host government officials, international donors, the private sector (DRC, ROC, CAR, U.S., international), industry associations, partners and grantees.• Define and shape CARPE monitoring and evaluation data collection and analysis related to the impact of private sector approaches.Administrative (20%):• 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.• Serve as the Mission point of contact with senior host Government officials for various projects and activities.3. Supervisory RelationshipThe US/TCNPSC works directly under the supervision of the carpe Office Director. The incumbent is expected to exercise considerable independent judgment and initiative in executing all duties responsibilities, and work with minimal direct supervision.4. Supervisory ControlsThe US/TCNPSC will be a direct supervisor of two CCN/TCN CARPE staff members. The incumbent assists the Office Director in providing management assistance and supervision oversight in the implementation of the entire CARPE program and all its activities.5. Other important informationIf a third country national (TCN) PSC is selected for award, during the period of this contract, the TCN contractor must provide at least one hour per day of training to a cooperating country national (CCN) designated by USAID. The TCNPSC's Supervisor will establish a training plan with benchmarks to measure the contractor's progress toward achieving this training deliverable10. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens, Resident Aliens and Third Country Nationals (TCN). Per ADS 309.3.1.11(c), if the CO issued a combined solicitation that was open to multiple eligible sources (i.e. USNs and TCNs or CCNs and TCNs), the TEC must not evaluate USN and TCN offers or CCN and TCN offers together. In order to comply with the order of preference in section 309.3.1.4, the CO must provide the TEC only those offers received from the preferred type first. After the evaluation of USN or CCN offers, if the CO, as the Source Selection Authority, determines that there are no qualified USNs or CCNs for the position, the CO may then provide the TCN offers to the TEC for evaluation.For USPSC:• Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident ("green card holder");• U.S. resident alien means a non-U.S. citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States;• Submit a complete application as outlined in the solicitation section titled APPLYING;• Be able to obtain facility access authorization;• Be able to obtain a Department of State medical clearance;• Be willing to travel to work sites and other offices as/when requested;• Employment is subject to funds availability and all the required approvals obtained.For TCNPSC:• Be a Third Country National. Third Country National means an individual: (1) Who is neither a citizen nor a permanent legal resident of the United States nor of the country to which assigned for duty (DRC), and (2) Who is eligible for return to his/her home country or country of recruitment at U.S. Government expenses;• Submit a complete application as outlined in the section titled APPLYING;• Be able to obtain facility access authorization;• Be able to obtain a Department of State medical clearance;• Be willing to travel to work sites and other offices as/when requested;• Employment is subject to funds availability and all the required approvals obtained.11. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.12. POINT OF CONTACT: usaidhrkinshasa@usaid.gov.II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITIONApplications will be initially screened by the Human Resources Office to determine whether applicants have met the advertised minimum qualifications. A list of qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring office for further consideration and screening.EDUCATION: A graduate degree equivalent to a U.S. Master of Sciences (MS) or Master of Arts (MA) in environmental sectors such as science, natural resource management, and agricultural science, forestry, or private sector subjects such as economics, business, finance or other technical field closely related to private sector engagement with natural resource management is required.WORK EXPERIENCE: The candidate must have a minimum of eight (8) years prior experience in natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, forestry/agro forestry, and sustainable agriculture, preferably in Central Africa. Within those eight (8) years, the applicant must have a minimum six (6) years professional experience working on private sector engagement issues, and managing related activities.III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORSApplicants must provide a narrative for each selection criteria listed below in this section. This information will be used for evaluating and scoring each criterion. Be sure to include your name and the solicitation number at the top of each page.EXPERIENCE (50 points):• Demonstrated successful experience in the management of donor programs.• Clearly demonstrated successful experience addressing the reform of environmental and natural resources policy.• At least six years of professional experience working on private sector engagement issues, and managing these activities. A professional record of addressing private sector strategies through technical and policy approaches related to sustainable forest management and biodiversity in Africa, and preferably in Central Africa.• 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.• 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 a COR/AOR--with the demonstrated capability to manage programs for results and implement policies and procedures in accordance with established regulations is highly preferred.TEAM WORK AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS (30 points):• Must be able to demonstrate the ability to work effectively with the private sector, 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 private sector partnerships, functioning of markets, and value chains of relevance to conservation of biodiversity and tropical forests to a wide range of audiences to achieve consensus on policy, project, research, and administrative matters.LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION, AND COMPUTER SKILLS (20 points):• Demonstrated strong English writing and speaking skills are necessary. Competency in English language is required. Computer skills in word processing and spreadsheet applications are required.• Demonstrated French language skills are required.• Demonstrated 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.BASIS OF RATING:Applicants who clearly meet the Education/Experience requirements and basic eligibility requirements will be further evaluated based on scoring of their Evaluation Factor responses. Those applicants determined to be competitively ranked will also be evaluated on their interview performance and satisfactory professional reference checks.IV. APPLYING1. Eligible offerors are required to complete and submit the offer form AID 309-2, "Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals," available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms.2. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section I, item 12.3. To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission.4. Letter of Application and current resume.5. To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission.6. Please submit the application only once; and7. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered; the application must be submitted before or on the closing date at local DRC time 5 p.m. (Local DRC Time).V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRESOnce 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 the following forms.1. Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms)2. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-86), or3. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)4. Finger Print Card (FD-258)VI. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCESAs a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:1. BENEFITS:(a) Employer's FICA Contribution(b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance(c) Pay Comparability Adjustment(d) Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation)(e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation(f) Annual and Sick Leave2. ALLOWANCES (if applicable):Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas)(a) Temporary Quarter Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)(b) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)(c) Cost-of-Living Allowance (Chapter 210)(d) Post Allowance (Section 220)(e) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)(f) Education Allowance (Section 270)(g) Education Travel (Section 280)(h) Post Differential (Chapter 500)(i) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600), and(j) Danger Pay Allowance (Section 650)VII. TAXESUSPSCs are required to pay federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable state income taxes.VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCsUSAID regulations and policies governing USPSC awards are available at these sources:1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix D, "Direct USAID Contracts with a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for Personal Services Abroad," including contract clause "General Provisions," available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf .2. Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms .3. Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs .4. 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 .END OF SOLICITATIONEQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The U.S. Mission in DRC provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation. USAID/DRC also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs.The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation. Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.