GENERAL INFORMATION 1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72068324R00004 2. ISSUANCE DATE: May 23, 2024 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: May 27, 2024 - 11:59 p.m. (GMT) 4. POINT OF CONTACT:
[email protected] 5. POSITION TITLE: Climate Change and Water Security, Sanitation and Hygiene (WSSH) 6. MARKET VALUE: GS-15 ($123,041 – $159,950) per annum (Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.) 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Niamey, Niger with possible domestic and international. The contractor may be authorized to telework or remote work only from a location within the country of performance, in accordance with Mission policy. Telework or remote work from outside the country of performance may only be authorized in certain situations in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract. 8. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE : The base period is for two years, estimated to start on or about June 2024 or as soon as possible. The Contracting Officer may exercise three one-year extensions, in accordance with a continuing need on the part of the Agency, the continued availability of funds and the appropriate quality of performance, for dates estimated as follows: Base period June 2024 - June 2026 (two years) Option period 1 June 2026 - June 2027 (one year) Option period 2 June 2027 - June 2028 (one year) Option period 3 June 2028 - June 2029 (one year) 9 . ELIGIBLE OFFERORS : United States (U.S.) citizen – offshore or resident in Niger or Third Country Nationals offshore or resident in Niger. Order of preference will be U.S. citizens followed by Third Country Nationals. Hiring Preference: In order of preference, U.S. Nationals (U.S. Citizens and permanent legal residents) offers will be evaluated first. Only when it is determined that there are no qualified U.S. Nationals (U.S. Citizens and permanent legal residents) will receive the offers from Third Country Nationals be considered. Reference ADS 309.3.1.10 and 309.3.1.4 . 10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: The successful offeror must obtain a U.S. Government Secret Clearance for U.S. citizens and a Facilities Access for Third Country Nationals. 11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES: Background The Climate Change (CC) and Water Security, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WSSH) will be a key advisor to the Mission’s CC and WSSH portfolios. This is a challenging and exciting position located in USAID/Niger’s Agriculture and Resilience office (AGR). The main function of the CCA and WSSH Advisor is to: Support USAID/Niger’s climate change adaptation, mitigation and natural resource management programming; provide strategic and technical guidance and leadership in climate-related topics for AGR; and help develop strategic partnerships with stakeholders to achieve measurable results in reducing the impacts of climate change and improving environmental conditions in Niger. Support USAID/Niger’s efforts in integrating cross-sectoral climate smart solutions in the areas of food security, enterprise development, renewable and, where applicable, clean energy, energy efficiency, trade, natural resources management, health, governance, and education. Ensure that USAID’s CC and WSSH policies are integrated into the program cycle. Work closely with a multi-disciplinary Mission staff to address key development challenges in the water sector in Niger. Contribute to and perform a variety of analytical/ technical, coordination/collaboration, and program management duties related to climate change adaptation and WSSH. Major Roles and Responsibilities The Climate and Water Security, Sanitation, and Hygiene Advisor is an advisor for the Mission’s growing climate and WSSH sector activities. The incumbent will ensure that the Mission has the necessary strategic, technical, and management expertise to handle and successfully implement Climate, WSSH, and environment programs. S/he is expected to guide, coordinate, manage and monitor the expanding and high-profile climate and WSSH related portfolio of Niger, leading to successful outcomes. S/he will serve as the in-house subject matter expert on climate and WSSH and the Mission’s representative in policy, strategic and technical engagements with the interagency, host country government, international and bilateral organizations, and donor agencies to address technical issues and coordinate efforts. S/he will be committed to climate change adaptation and mitigation, WSSH, and natural resources management. Sector Technical Leadership and Strategy 40% of time The advisor will serve as the lead technical officer for climate change adaptation and mitigation and resilience and WSSH, and provide expert direction in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and profile of the portfolio. Lead efforts to identify, prioritize and address key technical challenges, policy and institutional constraints and opportunities in water and sanitation service provision and management including water resources management in Niger. Through literature review and regular communication with local and international stakeholders, keep abreast of emerging developments in the national and global Climate Change landscape and WSSH, and advise accordingly on how these policies, strategies and technical guidelines can most effectively be incorporated into Mission programming. Play a key role in identifying and coordinating among the various USG climate change and WSSH related activities and players. Specifically, the Advisor will have the following duties and responsibilities: Serve as a technical leader and expert in strategic planning exercises for climate change, environment, and WSSH, and in the design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of programs that maximize environmental benefits to achieve optimal economic and social development. Lead efforts to identify, prioritize and address key technical challenges, and policy and institutional structures, constraints and opportunities in sustainable water, security, and sanitation service provision and management in the country, including those related to private sector participation in the sector. Identify opportunities to use available USAID field support mechanisms to expand water security and sanitation coverage and improve hygiene and to leverage resources from other sources and related funding streams, e.g. climate adaptation, food security. Through literature review and regular communication with local and international stakeholders, keep abreast of emerging developments in the national and global climate landscape and WSSH and advise accordingly on how these policies, strategies and technical guidelines can most effectively be incorporated into Mission programming. Play a key role in identifying and coordinating among the various USG (especially MCC/MCA-Niger) and internal USAID water security, sanitation and hygiene and climate-related activities and players. Provide technical guidance with regards to the appropriate use of environmental earmarked funding (such as climate change adaptation, WSSH, Biodiversity, Sustainable Landscapes, Energy, etc). Ensures indicators are used correctly and is the primary drafter/reviewer of key issue reports around these earmarks. Serve as the Mission Environment Officer who is responsible for working with the Mission to ensure all Mission activities comply with 22 CFR 216 and all Mission programs fulfill the requirements of ADS 204. Project Management 40% of time Assist in the administration of the Mission’s $2.5 million annual budget for climate change adaptation and $3.9 million annual budget for WSSH, leading to successful outcomes within Development Objectives (DO) 2 and 3 of the Mission’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy, including leading meetings, discussions, and engagement with other DOs. Liaise with implementing partners to discuss technical and programmatic direction of the climate change adaptation and WSSH portfolios. Conduct field visits to USAID-supported climate change and WSSH activities to meet with implementing partners and government officials as appropriate to provide technical, programmatic, and administrative guidance as necessary. Develop concept papers, scopes of work, USAID project and activity design documents and bilateral and multilateral agreements related to the design of water, sanitation and hygiene related programs, with the goal of ensuring that program design and implementation will achieve planned results and USAID goals in alignment with the U.S. Global Water Strategy and associated water directive. Maintain a technical portfolio as Contracting Officer’s Representative/Agreement Officer’s Representative (COR/AOR) and/or Activity Manager, which includes review and approval of work plans, budgets, quarterly and annual reports, performance monitoring plans, monitoring activities through field visits and ensuring that financial reporting (accruals/vouchers) are submitted to the Financial Management Office as required. Compile, analyze, and disseminate, on a regular basis, to USAID mission staff and USAID/Washington, progress in achieving sector objectives (e.g. PPRs and OPs). Participate, engage and contribute to USAID’s institutional learning on climate change adaptation and WSSH (e.g. learning workshops, webinars, commentary), drawing on lessons learned, issues and recommended solutions. Specific duties will include the following: Develop concept papers, scopes of work, USAID project and activity design documents and bilateral and multilateral agreements related to the design of water security, sanitation and hygiene and climate related programs, with the goal of ensuring that program design and implementation will achieve planned results and USAID goals. Maintain a technical portfolio as Contracting Officer’s Representative/Agreement Officer’s Representative (COR/AOR) and/or Activity Manager, which includes review and approval of work plans, budgets, quarterly and annual reports, performance monitoring plans, monitoring activities through field visits and ensuring that financial reporting (accruals/vouchers) are submitted to the Financial Management Office as required. Lead routine meetings with implementing partners to discuss technical and programmatic direction of the climate change adaptation and WSSH portfolios. Conduct field visits to USAID-supported climate change adaptation and WSSH activities to meet with implementing partners and government officials as appropriate to provide technical, programmatic, and administrative guidance as necessary. Compile, analyze, and disseminate, on a regular basis, to USAID mission staff and USAID/Washington, progress in achieving sector objectives together with commentary on issues and recommended solutions. Representation and Coordination 20% of time The advisor will represent USAID at designated national, regional and international meetings that relate to climate change adaptation and WSSH, including regular participation in any national level Technical Working Group of Development and Donor Partners and related committees. Develop, maintain and strengthen working relationships with key partners, including relevant host government ministries, local governments, international organizations and other donors, private sector, NGOs, and universities to identify and implement efforts to increase synergy among the key stakeholders. Organize site visits and prepare orientation materials for delegations from USAID Headquarters, State Department, other agencies, and Congress. Roles and duties will include: Represent USAID at designated national (e.g. PROSEHA), regional and international meetings that relate to climate change adaptation and WSSH, including regular participation in national level technical working groups and related committees. Develop, maintain and strengthen working relationships with key partners, including implementing partners, national ministries, local governments, international organizations and other donors, private sector, NGOs, universities and the media to identify and implement efforts to increase synergy among the key stakeholders. Provide briefings to USAID and its partners on the status of USAID water security, sanitation and hygiene and climate activities in-country. Prepare and deliver presentations on the same issues to local government and USG officials and international and local program partners and colleagues. Serve as the Mission’s representative on all inter-agency forums related to climate change adaptation and WSSH. Organize site visits and prepare orientation materials for delegations from USAID Headquarters, State Department, other agencies, and Congress. Maintain relationship with USAID DC based Climate Change and WSSH technical and regional bureau support for coordinated support and serve as a liaison on technical issues between the USAID/W Team and the Mission Position Elements Supervision Received: The incumbent works under the general supervision and policy guidance of the Director, Office of Agriculture and Resilience, or her/his designee, who will review and approve his/her work plan and performance measures. The climate change adaptation and WSSH Advisor will work closely with other technical teams on a day-to-day basis. S/he is also expected to collaborate with key staff in the Health Office and Humanitarian Office, among others. Supervision Exercised: None. 12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION Education A graduate degree in a relevant discipline - related fields like natural sciences, natural resource management. Experience Minimum 10 years progressively responsible experience in international development with at least two years gained in a developing country context. Strong preference for experience working in Sahelian countries. Knowledge of climate and/or WSSH and and/or related fields (Agriculture, Natural Resource Management, Rural Development, etc.) would be an advantage. Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills Quickly adapts to new work environments and understands new unfamiliar sectors. Writes clearly and succinctly. Collaborative team player and effective communicator. Experience effectively coordinating across cross sectoral teams. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c). In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers. FAR provisions of this solicitation are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far. The technical evaluation committee may conduct reference checks, including references from individuals who have not been specifically identified by the offeror, and may do so before or after a candidate is interviewed. Selection Process After the closing date for receipt of application, a Selection Committee will convene to review applications that meet the minimum requirements and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation criteria. Incomplete applications from applicants will not be scored. As part of the selection process, only shortlisted applicants will be invited to participate in an oral interview. Applicants meeting the required minimum 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 interviews with the most highly ranked applicants and make the interview a deciding factor in selection. Evaluation factors 1. PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE (30 points in total) : Minimum 10 years progressively responsible experience in international development with at least two years gained in a developing country context. Strong preference for experience working in Sahelian countries. Knowledge of climate and/or WSSH and and/or related fields (Agriculture, Natural Resource Management, Rural Development, etc.) would be an advantage. 2. JOB KNOWLEDGE (30 points in total) : Expertise in strategic planning, program and activity design, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the full spectrum of climate change and WSSH service delivery. Knowledge of development programming and project management required as demonstrated through education and/or experience. Knowledge of water security and sanitation sector development in West Africa, including state-of-the art approaches in technology selection, policies/enabling environment, institutional structures, community governance, financing, environmental sustainability, and social/cultural issues including gender. Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with USAID activity design and procurement processes. 3. SKILLS AND ABILITIES (30 points in total) : Quickly adapts to new work environments and understands new unfamiliar sectors. Writes clearly and succinctly. Collaborative team player and effective communicator. Experience effectively coordinating across cross sectoral teams. 4. LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY (10 points in total) : Level IV English; excellent (FSI 3:3) French language verbal and reading communication skills are required. 5. EDUCATION (Pass/Fail) : Offerors without a relevant degree will not be considered for award or proceed forward in the evaluation process. Relevant master’s degree is strongly preferred in an international development-related field, including international development, public policy, international relations, economics, law, anthropology, and others. Total Possible Points: 100 Prior Work Experience: 30 points Job Knowledge: 30 points Skills and Abilities: 30 points Language Proficiency: 10 points Education: Pass/Fail Total Possible Points: 100 Evaluation Factor Total – 100 points , and Pass/Fail for Education and Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks USAID policy specifies that U.S. citizens or resident aliens (USNs) are preferred over third country nationals (TCNs). Therefore, USN and TCN offers will not be evaluated together. USAID will evaluate USN offers first and if the CO determines that there are no qualified USNs, only then will USAID evaluate TCN offers. SUBMITTING AN OFFER Offers must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted electronically to:
[email protected] with the Solicitation number in the application submission . Qualified applicants are required to submit : 1. A Cover letter with current résumé/curriculum vitae (CV) attached . The CV/résumé must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the application in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria. Broad general statements that are vague or lacking specificity will not be considered as effectively addressing selection criteria. 2. Applicants are required to provide a minimum of five (5) references within the last ten (10) years from the applicant's professional life, namely individuals who are not family members or relatives. References should be from direct supervisors who can provide information regarding the applicant's work knowledge and professional experience. Applicants must provide e-mail addresses and/or working telephone numbers for all references. 3. Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts form AID 309-2 . Applicants should note that the salary history for the purposes of the AID 309-2 is the base salary paid, excluding benefits and allowances such as housing, travel, educational support, etc. Offerors are required to complete and sign the AID 309-2 form . USPSCs/TCNPSCs performing overseas must follow the Mission policies and/or directives from the U.S. Department of State regarding COVID-19 requirements. PLEASE NOTE THAT INCOMPLETE AND/OR UNSIGNED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED . LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award. 1. Medical History and Examination form (DS-6561) 2. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85) 3. Fingerprint Card (FD-258) 4. Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) BENEFITS As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: A. BENEFITS: Employer's FICA Contribution Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Leave and Holidays B. ALLOWANCES: Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas), available at https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101 For USPSCs (a) Temporary Quarters 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) For Resident Hire US or TCNPSCs If a TCN or Resident Hire USPSC is selected for this position the benefits will be adjusted as per Mission and AIDAR policy. TAXES USPSC are required to pay Federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable State Income taxes. TCNPSCs are subject to an individual’s country tax laws and should follow tax requirements of their country of origin. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs USAID 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. 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/ads/policy/300/aidar. 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. PSC Ombudsman The PSC Ombudsman serves as a resource for any Personal Services Contractor who has entered into a contract with the United States Agency for International Development and is available to provide clarity on their specific contract with the agency. Please visit our page for additional information: https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman The PSC Ombudsman may be contacted via:
[email protected]. Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted to participate in the oral interview process. Equal Employment Opportunity Policy The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. END OF SOLICITATION