US. Agency for Internationa] DevelopmentCra45*24B-27Gate2Tel: (571) 275 2000

Fax:(571)275 2319Awww.usaid.gov

ariSupervisory Executive Officer

SUBJECT: Solicitation for a Cooperating Country Personal Service Contractor (CCNPSC) -USAID Project Management Specialist - Sustainable Landscapes and Resilience

(Single Vacancy)

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development(USAID), is seeking offers from qualified individuals interested in providing the personalservices under contract as described in this solicitation. For further information aboutUSAID/Colombia please visit https://www.usaid.eov/colombia.

The offeror must meet requirements as described in the attached solicitation and submit theiroffer package electronically to BogotaHRfaiusaid.gov as outlined in Section IV, "How toApply". Please cite the solicitation number and position title within the subject line of youremail offer (application). Offer letters and forms must be signed. Incomplete and unsignedoffer/forms will not be considered.

This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commitUSAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the offer.

Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in the attachedinformation or to BogotaHR(q).usaid.gov.

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72051419R10006JOA-DOS:ISSUANCE DATE: February 15, 2019CLOSING DATE/TIME: March 1,201916:00 Colombian time.

FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLEUSAIDI COLOMBIA

Bogota-2019-018

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ATTACHMENT 1 72051419R10006

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: SOL: 72051419R10006

2. ISSUANCE DATE: February 15, 2019

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR

RECEIPT OF OFFERS:

March 1, 2019 no later than 16:00 Colombian

Time

4. POSITION TITLE: USAID Project Management Specialist –

(Sustainable Landscapes and Resilience)

5. MARKET VALUE: Equivalent to FSN-11 (COP$111,207,549 –

183,492,453)

Final compensation will be negotiated within the

listed market value.

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Initial period of one year with options for four

one-year extensions. Extension will depend on

the need for continuations of services, availability

of funds, and satisfactory performance.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Colombia with possible travel as stated in

the Statement of Work.

8. WHO MAY APPLY: All interested candidates.

9. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: As an employment precondition, the successful

offeror is required to obtain U.S Embassy/

Colombia Regional Security Office (RSO)

Security Clearance.

The U.S. Agency for International Development, USAID, is seeking an individual for the

position of USAID Project Management Specialist (Sustainable Landscapes and Resilience) at

the USAID Environment Office.

10. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

10.1 General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

This position is part of the Environment Office of the USAID/Colombia Mission in Bogotá and

reports to the USAID Project Management Specialist (Environment - FSN-12). The primary

purpose is to serve as one of the lead Mission advisors in matters associated with sustainable

landscapes and reslience. Responsibilities include project management and technical leadership

on sustainable landscapes, rural economic development, Reduced Emissions from Deforestation

and Forest Degradation (REDD), restoration, resilience, ecosystem based adaptation, payment

for environmental services and environmental remediation as it pertains to damages and

contamination from illegal and informal gold mining --as they relate to Mission’s Country

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Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) and its associated Development Objectives, as well

as contributing to U.S. Embassy bilateral priorities.

The position serves as part of a team of key advisors to the Environment Office, senior

management, Government of Colombia (GOC), counterparts, and other U.S. Government (USG)

agency officials on USAID/Colombia’s sustainable landscapes and resilience policies,

regulations and best practices. The position requires travel (15%-20% of time) to activity sites to

monitor and evaluate progress and to identify and resolve problems.

10.2 Duties to be Performed

A. Project Development, Management and Administration 70%

1. Incumbent serves as contracting officer’s technical representative (COR/AOR) and/or

activity manager providing management oversight for several key activities or implementing

mechanisms under the management of the Environment Office. This includes project

monitoring, analyses and approval of contractor reports, and preparation of progress reports for

the Mission. H/she will be responsible for activities focused on sustainable landscapes and

resilience.

2. Responsible for directly managing as AOR/COR, Activity Manager or Alternate

AOR/COR at least one large and several smaller projects related to USAID sustainable

landscape, resilience and rural economic development. These include, among others, COR/AOR

of the Paramos and Forests Activity, Activity Manager of the Silvacarbon/Swamp Inter-Agency

Agreements, Subject Matter Expert on restoration, reforestation and/or remediation of

degraded/contaminated/abandoned gold mining sites, as well as a number of task orders to

provide direct technical assistance to the Ministry of Environment, IDEAM, the National

Planning Department and the Ministry of Agriculture, and/or to conduct evaluations and analysis

to contribute to the mission’s strategic planning and learning.

3. Participates in activity design; assists on an as-needed basis in the preparation of

activity/project design, scopes of work, program descriptions and/or any justification and/or

waivers that may be required for new programs related to environmental and climate change

issues. Reviews and analyzes proposals for new projects and activities. Evaluates and

recommends on the suitability and desirability of the implementing partner and also on proposed

sub-contractors or sub-grantees.

4. The incumbent monitors project implementation progress under contracts, grants, sub-

grants, cooperative agreements, etc., including deliverable requirements. The incumbent works

to ensure that activities achieve their intended results. S/he provides technical and organizational

leadership on the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of projects and activities.

S/he ensures that partners meet their benchmark requirements in accordance with USAID

regulations.

5. Provides administrative and technical oversight of awards (grants and cooperative

agreements). Approves their proposed subcontractors, grantees and hiring of key personnel;

reviews and approves the recipients' work plans and recommends to the Environment Office

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Director any changes desired in the projects' descriptions and/or technical provisions of the

awards.

6. Conducts site visits to monitor activities, identify and assist in resolving problems,

provide guidance on USAID policies and procedures and answer questions they may arise.

Following these visits, prepares trip reports with findings and recommendations and supplements

these with oral briefings to the Environment Team Office Director and, on request, to other

Mission officials including the Mission Director and Deputy Director.

7. Prepares briefing documents for high-level visitors on the status of sustainable

landscapes/reslience programming, including budgets, funding projections, implementation, and

commitment and obligation documents, financial plans, pipeline analysis, feasibility studies, and

other documents. Prepares technical, policy, and performance reports periodically and ad-hoc

during the year As needed, coordinates visits of mid-to-senior USG officials, including

Congressional Delecations, to project areas.

8. The incumbent manages a budget associated with his/her COR or AOR responsibilities,

including budget preparation, tracking, and analysis. Manages financial matters related to

program activities, such as providing administrative approval of vouchers, planning and

preparation ofing annual incremental funding amendments, and other financial and

administrative activities to ensure that fiscal needs of implementing partners and Environment

Office are met in a timely manner.

9. Assists the Environment Office staff with overall management and associated tasks of the

USAID/Colombia 5-year $150 million dollar portfolio, consisting of 8-12 projects focused on

Sustainable Landscapes/Resilience, Biodiversity Conservation, Renewable Energy Market

Integration and Environmentally Responsible Small and Mediun Gold Mining. The incumbent

liaises with the other Environment Office team members and other offices to ensure successful

coordination and value-added to activity results.

B. Technical Leadership in Sustainable Landscapes and Resilience 30%

1. The incumbent provides technical guidance and expertise to implementing partners,

Environment Team, and other Mission teams associated with sustainable landscapes, Reduced

Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD), restoration, reslience and

ecosystem based adaptation, payment for environmental services and environmental remediation

as it pertains to damages and contamination from illegal and informal gold mining.

2. The incumbent engages internal and external stakeholders regarding sustainable

landscapes and resilience issues, including reviewing proposals and scopes of work, attending

representative events, responding to inquiries and communications, and developing technical

concept papers and/or activity designs associated with project implementation.

3. The incumbent establishes and maintain an extensive range of high-level contacts with

the GOC, other donors, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), trade or business associations

relevant to the sector and other organizations; meet with representatives of these entities to

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exchange information and to coordinate efforts; analyze and evaluate GOC policies affecting

Mission programs, and work with mayors, governors, Ministry officials and other relevant

partners to facilitate program implementation and resolution of conflicts, as warranted.

4. The incumbent contributes to, and in some cases, may lead Mission reporting on

sustainable landscape and resilience activities including progress on Congressional earmarks,

namely, the sustainable landscapes and biodiversity earmarks.

5. The incumbent contributes to and in s ome cases may lead strategic/policy and tactical

discussions and/or input related to the development and management of effective climate change

mitigation related programming. This may require the development of analytical and policy

papers that help shape USAID sustainable landscape, resilience and rural economic development

programming in Colombia.

6. The incumbent represents Environment Office and Mission to internal and external

stakeholders and development partners in a wide variety of events sponsored by USAID,

including conferences, workshops, donor meetings and other relevant forums on climate change

and related policy issues. S/he ensures effective coordination of USAID/funded activities within

the US government as well as other donors and the GOC. These responsibilities require the

incumbent to demonstrate highly developed professional judgment and to provide technical

direction and management oversight.

11. AREA OF CONSIDERATION:

Cooperating Country Nationals (CCN), meaning an individual who is a cooperating country

citizen or a non-cooperating country citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the

cooperating country.

According to ADS 309.3.3, a “USAID policy is that the use of CCNPSCs is preferred over the

use of Third Country National Personal Service Contractor (TCNPSCs) in order to integrate the

foreign assistance effort into the community, enhance the skills of the cooperating country's

population, and contribute to the local economy.”

● Submit a complete offer as outlined in the solicitation section titled HOW TO APPLY;

● Be able to obtain U.S Embassy/Colombia RSO Security Clearance;

● Be able to obtain a medical clearance;

● Employment is subject to funds availability and required approvals.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The primary location of work will be on the U.S. Embassy/USAID compound in

Bogota/Colombia. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

13. POINT OF CONTACT:

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Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in the attached

information or to BogotaHR@usaid.gov.

Note: No in-person appointments or telephone calls will be entertained.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

a. Education: A Bachelor's degree in Natural Resources Management, Conservation,

Forestry, Environmental, Natural Resource Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences,

Business Administration, Finance with a similar environmental focus or a related

environmental field is required.

b. Prior Work Experience: At least five years of successful work experience Natural

Resources Management, Conservation, Forestry or Environmental or Natural Resource

Economics or Public Policy, Business Administration or Finance with a similar

environmental focus.

c. Post Entry Training: H/she will receive training to become a certified AOR/COR and

additional job related training necessary for project management, including training in

agency reporting, financial management, monitoring systems and in other special areas,

when available. In addition, h/she may receive specialized professional development in

sustainable landscapes, rural economic development, Reduced Emissions from

Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD), restauration, reslience, ecosystem based

adaptation, and payment for environmental services. Incumbent will maintain certifications

and eligibility for serving in required capacities.

d. Job Knowledge: Knowledge of routine office computer software such as internet, Microsoft

Office Suite, and other common applications is required and general knowledge of

sustainable development.

e. Skills and Abilities: Must have the ability to establish and maintain contacts with a broad

range of officials of the Mission, the Embassy, the GOC, the Colombian State, and members

of the Environment Office. Ability to learn, explain and defend USAID project policies,

objectives and procedures. Ability to obtain, analyze and evaluate a variety of complex data

relevant to Environment Office programs, development contexts, and to present findings and

recommendations effectively in written and oral forms in both English and Spanish. Ability

to plan, develop, manage and evaluate technical programs/projects. Must have a high level

of personal motivation and high customer service standards.

f. Language Proficiency: (List both English and host country language(s) proficiency

requirements by level (II, III) and specialization (sp/read): Level IV (fluent) in both

English and Spanish is required.

g. All offerors must attach a copy of a valid language test results in the non-primary

language (English and/or Spanish) to be eligible for consideration. USAID Colombia will

only accept the language tests administered by AVANTI Language School SAS. Please

follow instructions below on the section titled “Language Testing Procedures”.

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III. EVALUATION CRITERIA

To be considered for this position, offerors must meet the minimum qualifications noted above.

In a supplemental narrative included with the offer package, offerors must address each

minimum qualification above as it relates to their ability to meet the position’s major duties and

responsibilities. Offerors should describe specifically and accurately experience, training,

education and/or awards they have received that are relevant to the each minimum qualification.

Responses are to be submitted in English and limited to two (2) pages using Times New Roman

12; the document must have one (1) inch margins.

Offerors must include their name and the solicitation number at the top of each additional page.

1. POSITION ELEMENTS

a. Supervision Received: The USAID Project Management Specialist (Sustainable

Landscapes and Resilience) is under the direct supervision of the the USAID Project

Management Specialist (Environment - FSN-12). H/she must be able to perform h/her

duties with minimal day-to-day supervision. The incumbent must have the sound

judgment, knowledge and self-confidence to act independently, with basic prior direction

from his/her direct supervisor.

b. Supervision Exercised: Supervision of other USAID staff is not contemplated.

c. Available Guidelines: Basic administrative policy statements and precedents are

provided. Guidelines are available for program design, development and

implementation duties area in the form of the USAID ADS system. Formal guidelines

are not available for the other duty areas. Guidance will be provided by the Superviser,

Office Director and other members of the Environment Office, but generally on an ad

hoc basis. The USAID Sustainable Landscapes and Resilience Specialist must be able to

perform in a consistently strong fashion in the absence of explicit guidelines or guidance.

d. Exercise of Judgment: The USAID Project Management Specialist (Sustainable

Landscapes and Resilience) is expected to consistently exercise high quality judgment,

but in most cases, h/she will be expected to consult with his/her direct supervisor, Office

Director or other Environment Office members before taking actions or making

recommendations to USAID Mission Management.

e. Authority to Make Commitments: The Job Holder exercise authority given to all USAID

activity managers and CORs/AORs, and may make administrative arrangements consistent

with ADS guidance and Mission Policy. S/he is not authorized to make financial

commitments on behalf of the U.S. Government.

f. Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: Contacts required by the position include: (1)

mid-level USAID officials, including Office Directors and staff personnel of the

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Colombia Desk or technical offices in Washington; (2) mid-level Embassy officials,

including Foreign Service Officers of the Political, Economic, and Public Affairs

Sections of the State Department and other mid-level USG representatives; (3) mid-level

officials in the GOC and the oversight institutions of the Colombian State; (4)

representatives of international and Colombian non-governmental organizations; (5)

mid-level officials from other international donor institutions, and (6) representatives of

Environment Office implementing partners. In the case of the last group, the purpose of

the contacts will be to provide program direction and guidance, while contacts with other

donors will be to explain USAID’s Environment programs and to assist in gaining

support and collaboration. In all cases, the USAID Sustainable Landscapes and

Resilience Specialist will be expected to initiate and sustain contacts with little oversight

from his/her supervisor.

g. Time Expected to Reach Full Performance Level: 1 year for the full range of duties as the

USAID Sustainable Landscapes and Resilience Specialist in the Environment Office.

Trainings and other mentoring will be provided in both administrative and project

management duties.

2. BASIS OF RATING

Offerors who meet the minimum qualifications and basic eligibility requirements will be further

evaluated based on their responses to the minimum requirements in the supplemental document.

Those offerors determined to be competitively ranked will also be evaluated on their interview

performance and on their professional reference checks. The offeror rating system is as follows:

Evaluation Factors

• Work Experience: 15 points

• Job Knowledge: 25 points

• Written Communication: 20 points

• Skills and Abilities: 20 points

• Oral Communication: 20 points

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks – Pass/Fail (no points assigned)

Total Possible Points: 100

IV. PRESENTING AN OFFER

Offers must be submitted in accordance with the instructions in the section titled How to Apply.

Incomplete offer packages may be eliminated from further consideration. All documentation will

be reviewed to ensure offerors meet the minimum requirements, and offerors who do not meet

the minimum requirements will not be scored.

Offerors may be invited to take a written technical test. Final offerors may be interviewed.

Reference checks may be requested. The offeror’s references must be able to provide substantive

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information about his/her past performance and abilities. If an offeror does not wish USAID to

contact a current employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the offeror’s cover

letter; USAID will delay such reference checks pending the offeror’s concurrence.

V. HOW TO APPLY

All offers must be submitted by e-mail with the subject line SOL: 72051419R10006 –USAID

Project Management Specialist (Sustainable Landscapes and Resilience) position to BogotaHR@usaid.gov

Attention: Executive Officer

USAID/Colombia

Human Resources Office

Offerors must submit their offer by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3. Late

offers will not be considered.

Qualified Offerors must submit the following documents or their offers will not be considered

for this position:

1. Application for Employment as a Locally Employed Staff or Family Member -DS-174 which

you can find at the following link:

https://co.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/103/2017/04/DS-174expires05-31-2019-

Apr112017.pdf

2. Supplemental document with written responses to the evaluation criteria – education, prior

work experience, job knowledge, skills and abilities (Maximum 2 pages).

3. Copy of valid language test results administered by AVANTI Language School SAS.

4. Copy of Colombian work permit and/or residence visa (if applicable).

1. LANGUAGE TESTING PROCEDURES

Most of the positions at the U.S. Embassy require specific levels of both Spanish and or English.

All offerors seeking a Mission Colombia local position must submit a valid language test result in

the non-primary language (English and/or Spanish).

The test result(s) must be submitted along with the offer; otherwise the offer will not be

considered.

For recruitment purposes the United States Mission Colombia will only accept the language tests

as follows:

English and/or Spanish:

Test administered by AVANTI Language School SAS.

Language test results are valid for one year.

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If offerors do not have a valid language score from one of the above mentioned Language

Institutes, they may contact the following Institute to be tested in English and/or Spanish as

required:

Avanti Language School: Carrera 21 # 87 – 24 Polo Club, Bogota, Colombia. Offerors must

request a language test by writing to academic@avantilanguageschool.com - For further

information please contact PBX: 634-6637 or mobile 321-463-6470. Cost of language test is the

offeror’s responsibility.

**Failure to include the required language testing scores will result in the offeror being

deemed ineligible for the position.

2. IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS:

At the time of the offer, candidates must fully meet the education requirement (graduated and

degree and/or diploma already received) as specified, and must also meet in full the work

experience requirement. There is no exception for these requirements.

Short-listed candidates will be requested to provide proof of education such as valid copies of

degrees, diplomas, certificates and other pertinent documents as needed. Failure to provide the

required documentation will eliminate the candidate from further consideration.

Please cite the solicitation number and position title within the subject line of your email offer.

Any attachments provided via email must be compatible with Microsoft Word 2003 or PDF. ZIP

files will not be accepted. Note that attachments to emails must not exceed 20 MB. Offer letters

and forms must be signed. Incomplete and unsigned offers/forms will not be considered.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted and may be interviewed.

USAID retains the right to cancel or amend the solicitation and associated actions at any stage of

the recruitment process.

USAID reserves the right to obtain information on finalists from any and all sources inside or

outside the US Government.

VI. 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 the following

forms.

1. U.S. Embassy Colombia Security Certification Request

2. Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet (AID 1420-17)

3. Medical clearance

4. Copy of education certificates (copy of actual degree)

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VII. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES:

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits

and allowances:

Salary: Will be determined by the USAID Contracting Officer within the equivalent to FSN–

11 salary range based on experience, qualifications, and salary history. This position

is taxable; incumbent will be required to pay Colombian taxes.

BENEFITS and ALLOWANCES:

▪ Christmas Bonus: 1 month basic salary per year

▪ Vacation Bonus: 1 month basic salary per year

▪ Service Bonus: 1 month basic salary per year

▪ Education Allowance (if applicable)

▪ Benefit Allowance: Cps $1,072,273 per year

▪ Meal Allowance: Cps $751,955 per year

▪ Severance: (cesantías), plus 12% interest per year of severance

▪ Life insurance

▪ Medical insurance (optional)

Please be advised that all bonuses and allowances are paid proportionately; actual payments are

pro-rated according to the number of months worked during the pay year. Also, the selected

candidate will receive health and pension benefits according to Colombian labor law.

VIII. TAXES

Local Employee Staff (CCN) is responsible for paying local income taxes. The U.S Mission does

not withhold year end local income tax payments.

IX. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING

TO PSCs

USAID regulations and policies governing CCNPSC awards are available at these sources:

1. 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 .

2. Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-

309-1

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3. Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins

(AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at

https://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

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The U.S. Mission 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. The Department of State 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.