Solicitation No. 263-06-505 ISSUANCE DATE: 9/11/06 CLOSING DATE: 4:30 pm Cairo time on 10/15/2006 SUBJECT: USAID/ Cairo, Egypt Solicitation for U.S. Personal Services Contractor [USPSC] For Agribusiness Development Officer Ladies/Gentlemen: The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications from U.S. citizens or U.S. resident alien, interested in providing PSC services as described in the attached solicitation. Applicants must be able to obtain an Employment Authorization security clearance. Submissions shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified and must include signed SF-171 or OF-612 and a written statement that responds to the requirements of the position (Education/ Experience Required for the position). Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to Nancy Rofael, Human Resources Assistant, USAID/Egypt, EXO, who may be reached at fax#: 011-202-522-7197 or 011-202-516-0388, tel.#: 011-202-522-7182, and email address:
[email protected] or
[email protected] Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. All applications and the required documents should be submitted to: EXO/HR - USAID/ Egypt U.S. Mail: Nancy Rofael Human Resources Assistant EXO/HR USAID/ Egypt- Unit 64902 APO AE 09839-4902 Air courier: Nancy Rofael Human Resources Assistant EXO/HR USAID/ Egypt Plot 1/A off Laselki St, New Maadi, Cairo, Egypt Postal Code 11435 For those who wish to send their application via pouch, please also send your application & CV by Email attachment (
[email protected]) or FAX [(202) 522-7197 or (202) 516-0388] to ensure receipt of your application before the closing date. Application forms, USG Optional Form 612(OF-612) can be located at: OF-612: http://www.usaid.gov/forms/of-612.doc Offerors are requested to provide their full mailing address and contact information (telephone, fax or email). The U.S. Government is under no obligation to award a contract based on this notice. Sincerely, Samia Joseph HR Officer SOLICITATION NUMBER: 263-06-505 ISSUANCE DATE: 09/11/2006 CLOSING DATE/TIME: 4:30 pm Cairo time on 10/15/2006 POSITION TITLE: Agribusiness Development Officer MARKET VALUE: GS-14 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One Year PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Cairo, Egypt SECURITY ACCESS: Employment Authorization AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens or U.S. resident aliens who are able to obtain the required security clearance. Note: A candidate who is otherwise qualified, but does not meet full requirements of the position, may be appointed as a trainee and be required to serve at a lower grade level for the period of one year. A. ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION OF POSITION: The incumbent residence will be in Cairo, Egypt. Cairo is the largest city in Africa and the Middle East. It has a number of urban problems such as severe pollution, and traffic congestion. However, it is relatively crime-free and offers many cultural and recreational opportunities, including major museums, important historical sites, and most sports. The Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea are easily reachable and provide opportunities for most water sports, especially snorkeling and scuba diving. B. BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION: The position is located in the Productive Sector Development (PSD), Agribusiness, Competitiveness and Exports Division (ACE) and reports directly to the Agribusiness, Competitiveness and Exports (ACE) Team Leader. As a recognized expert in the agribusiness field, the incumbent performs a full range of consultative, advisory, monitoring, management, information gathering and evaluation services in the field of agricultural policy and economics. The three basic functions of the position are to serve as: (1) the Cognizant Technical Officer (CTO) for USAID activities as assigned by the Team Leader or his/her designee (2) the agricultural economist for the Agribusiness, Competitiveness and Exports Division and Productive Sector Development; and (3) the team?s monitoring and evaluation system(s) expert. In addition, s/he may provide support to other offices and divisions as needed. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: A. The incumbent serves as Cognizant Technical officer (CTO) for contracts, grants and/or cooperative agreements, as assigned by the Contracting Officer and Team Leader or his/her representative. He/she also provides technical direction to contractors and support to grantees and cooperative agreements recipients as assigned by the Team Leader or his/her designee. In this capacity, the incumbent performs the following duties: 1. Reviews documentation submitted to USAID for accuracy and insures that USAID regulations are followed. 2. Provides management oversight and technical direction to project activities as assigned. Prepares reports for meetings, quarterly progress reports, and other documentation required by the mission. Reviews and accepts contractor, cooperative agreement and/or grantee deliverables. Prepares annual contractor performance reports (CPRs). 3. S/he maintains funding control and records of obligations and disbursements and helps assure that the ACE projects are adequately funded. Prepares statements of work and supports and monitors the performance of numerous US and Local technical assistance to assure actions effectively support project activities, and are in compliance with USAID requirements. B. S/he serves as the agricultural economist for the Agribusiness, Competitiveness and Exports (ACE) Division and a team member for the team?s projects in support of agricultural economics. In this capacity, the incumbent performs the following duties: 1. Designs, negotiates, formulates, implements, monitors, and evaluates agricultural activities implemented under ACE Division. This includes (a) advising the Mission on alternative approaches for resolving problems as they arise, (b) communicates complex, important technical and procedural details between USAID and GOE counterpart entities, and (c) reviewing documentation submitted to USAID for accuracy and insures that USAID regulations are followed. 2. Maintains a wide range of contacts in the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation (MALR) and other related Ministries, the agricultural & agribusiness private sector, and agricultural associations. S/he also assures that ACE project surveys maintain sufficient quality control and that statistically valid techniques are used. Analyzes results and advises USAID on alternative approaches which may be used in negotiation and implementation of ACE projects. 3. In collaboration with other ACE project team members, provides leadership to develop and maintain a program monitoring and feedback system to track project implementation. Serves as liaison to the concerned ministries, other donors, PVOs and the private sector. Initiates and coordinates actions for assigned activities for planning, implementing, and evaluating agricultural economics. 4. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships at the policy and operational level especially at the level of First Undersecretary within collaborating GOE ministries. The incumbent also establishes and maintains effective relationships with the Minister, Chairman, and Director General within these ministries. C. The incumbent serves as the agricultural economist for design and implementation of the ACE Performance Monitoring Program (PMP) indicators. In this capacity, the incumbent performs the following duties: 1. Collects information from key organizations, reviews data, and provides summary statistics and graphical presentations. Prepares farm budgets and price policy analyses. This may include graphical analyses related to economic policy issues as needed. 2. Provides both the analytical and technical support, e.g., performance monitoring indicators and results, to the Productive Sector Development and Divisions. This may include policy briefs and technical and analytical reviews of key agricultural economic issues. D. Establishes and maintains close working relationships with sub-cabinet level GOE officials in the Ministry of International Cooperation, the Ministry of Agriculture, and other ministries; as well as with leaders and members of numerous Egyptian private sector business associations supported by USAID, and US and Egyptian contractors. Establishes strong relationships with the agribusiness private sector community. Travels often to the field and to Ministry offices, and meets with customers to interact with direct beneficiaries of activities, to meet with leaders within the public and private sector and to collaborate directly with directors of research institutes, universities and senior GOE officials, as needed. E. Other duties: 1. Provides technical support in the design and evaluation of other mission programs in fields of economics, policy, and human resource development. 2. Provide technical support to other Offices and Divisions. This includes coordination between these entities and the ACE Division. 3. Other duties as assigned by the Team Leader or his/her designee. REQUIRED/DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION: The Agribusiness Development Officer shall have the following qualifications. Note that in order to be considered those marked ?required? must be met. 1. Education: BA in Agricultural Economics, Agriculture or other related fields is (required). 2. Prior Work Experience: Ten years of progressively responsible experience in areas of agricultural and agribusiness policy, economics, or project management is (required), including experience in the analysis and interpretation of data and presentation of findings in written and oral form. 3. Language: Strong written and oral presentation skills are (required). 4. Knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge of agriculture and agribusiness and agricultural and agribusiness trade policies and Project Management are (required). Considerable knowledge of economic policy analysis, data collection and analysis of data sets, use of spreadsheets and statistical analysis. Considerable knowledge of computers (PCs) and the use of software programs are preferred. 5. Skills and Abilities: S/he must have high level economic and policy analytical skills; good verbal communication and excellent writing skills; and high computer skills. Able to develop and monitor extensive range of high level contacts in GOE and private sector. Able to render advice with detachment and objectivity. Ability to give and receive feedback in a constructive, positive manner and work with teams. Ability to manage people, projects and contractors is (required). SELECTION CRITERIA: To be considered, the applicant shall meet those qualifications marked (required). Candidates will be evaluated according to the following criteria: Ranking Factors: Factor Points Education 10 Prior Work Experience 30 Language 10 Knowledge 20 Skills and Abilities 30 Total 100 APPLYING: Qualified individuals are requested to submit: (1) A cover letter of no more than 3 pages that demonstrates how the candidates? qualifications meet the work requirements; (2) A curriculum vitae which at a minimum, describes education, latest experiences and career achievements; (3) A completed and signed SF-171 or OF-612; (please send signed and scanned copy if applying by e-mail) (4) A relevant writing sample, minimum of two pages and maximum of ten pages; (5) Names, contact numbers, and addresses of three professional references; (6) A written statement certifying the date and length of time for which the candidate is available for the position. (please send signed and scanned copy if applying by e-mail) The U.S. Government Standard Optional Form 612 is available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/forms/of-612.doc or at Federal offices. To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application, and as the subject line in any cover letter. The highest ranking applicants may be selected for an interview. Applicants may choose any of the methods in the Cover Page to submit their applications but USAID accepts no responsibility for delay in transit, mis-routing, etc. Submissions shall be in accordance with the above information at the place and time specified. Given the often intermittent problems people experience in the world with fax and email, all candidates are notified that, should they choose to utilize this method, they should confirm with the USAID/ Cairo Human Resources office that all documentation submitted was received prior to the closing date of this notice. Equipment failures at USAID or by the applicants network are not acceptable reasons for late submission, as candidates have the option of sending their application hard copy by courier. No, repeat no, applications will be considered after the closing time and date, and it is the applicant?s full responsibility to ensure that all their documentation has been received by our office. TYPE AND DURATION OF APPOINTMENT: Employment shall be through an A.I.D. Personal Services Contract for a period of one year. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES: As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, an offshore USPSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: BENEFITS: Employee's FICA Contribution Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual & Sick Leave Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service Annual Increase APO mail service as per post policy ALLOWANCES (If Applicable):* (1) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) (2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) (3) Post Allowance (Section 220) (4) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) (5) Post Differential (Chapter 500) (6) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) and (7) Danger Pay (Section 650) (8) Educational Allowance (Section 270) (9) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) (10)Educational Travel (Section 280) * Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes. CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBS) PERTAINING TO PSCS CIBs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to this website http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/cib/subject.html#psc to determine which CIBS apply to this contract.