USAID Project Management – Resilience

Description

• Dear Prospective Offerors:
• The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking offers from qualified persons to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation
• Offers must be in accordance with this solicitation.  Incomplete or unsigned offers will not be considered. Offerors should retain copies of all offer materials for their records
• USAID will evaluate all offerors based on the stated evaluation criteria.  USAID encourages all individuals, including those from disadvantaged and under-represented groups, to respond to the solicitation
• This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the offers
• SOLICITATION NO.: 72065624R10021 opened to all Mission current employees and external candidates who meet the stated qualifications
• POINT OF CONTACT: Human Resources Section, email at Mission-Maputo-HR@usaid.gov
• MARKET VALUE:  USD 61,522– USD 86,140 per annum, equivalent to FSN-11 (Step1-12).  In accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of USAID/Mozambique. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value
• PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:  The base period will be one year, estimated to start on or about April 2025.  Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise an option period for the dates estimated as follows:
• Base Period:         April 2025 – April 2026
• Option Period 1:      April 2026 – April 2030
• PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Maputo, Mozambique, with possible travel
• ELIGIBLE OFFERORS:  To meet basic eligibility requirements, the applicant must be a cooperating country citizen, or a non-cooperating country citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the cooperating country
• SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Employment Certification (RSO Certification)
• The USAID Project Management Specialist (Resilience) will play a critical role in mainstreaming a resilience approach across USAID/Mozambique’s agriculture and environment portfolios. USAID defines resilience as the ability to protect and improve the well-being of people, communities, and systems despite stresses and shocks (including climate shocks, conflict, and macro-economic stresses)
• This position will require project management, policy guidance, and thought leadership and will require external engagement with public and private stakeholders. The incumbent will ensure coordinated efforts across Agriculture, and Environment teams to promote sustainable development, enhance food security, and adapt to climate change impacts in Mozambique all while building resilience to future shocks
• The purpose of the position will be to provide technical and operational linkages between Environment and Agriculture teams in the REGO office as well as the development to humanitarian liaison between the development activities carried out by REGO and general relief efforts responding to climate and other shocks implemented by BHA. In essence this position bridges relief to development towards climate and economic resilience. The incumbent will be sitting under supervision of the Environment Team Lead who is envisioned to be USAID/Mozambique resilience coordinator but will frequently support the agriculture team and other operating units on resilience issues. No supervisory roles are envisaged in this position
• The incumbent will be expected to perform work-related travel
• Offerors are required to provide names, contact numbers, and e-mail addresses of three professional references from individuals who are not family members or relatives
• Only interviewed candidates will be informed in writing of the Selection Committee’s final decision
• Once the Contracting Officer (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 required forms
• This is a local position and compensation will be in accordance with the Local Compensation Plan
• USAID regulations and policies governing CCN/TCN PSC awards are available at these sources:
• 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
• Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms. Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract award as described below:
• Item No
• (A) SERVICES (DESCRIPTION)
• (B) QUANTITY
• (C) UNIT
• (D) UNIT PRICE
• (E) AMOUNT
• (F) 0001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs) - Award Type: PSC - Product Service Code: R497 - Accounting Info: 1 LOT $ _TBD__ $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_1001 Option Period 1 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)
• Award Type: PSC
• Product Service Code: R497
• Accounting Info:  1 LOT $ _TBD__ $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs
• 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/resources_standards-of-conduct
• 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

Duties

Activity Development and Supervision (50%)

• The Resilience Specialist will supervise the implementation of program activities under USAID’s Resilient Economic Growth Office, including in the Environment and Agricultural portfolios
• Responsibilities include:
• Managing and monitoring Agriculture and Environment activities to ensure they are meeting USAID’s objectives
• Being the Activity manager or Agreements Officer Representative or Contracts Officer Representative, for resilience linked activities
• Conducting regular and rigorous field visits and reporting on the provincial and district-level implementation of USAID Agricultural and Environment activities
• Organizing evaluations of work plans, quarterly and annual reports and budgets, assessing their conformity with USAID regulations and policies
• Providing technical guidance in a collaborative manner to improve program implementation
• Producing regular reports on implementation status per participating Implementing Partner and/or contractor
• Participating in teams monitoring and evaluating Agricultural and Environment activities
• Coordinate communication efforts with implementing partners to capture success stories and other programmatic highlights
• Working collaboratively on a design team to ensure that new USAID activities take a resilience approach
• However, during the probationary period, and prior to obtaining COR certification, the incumbent will be also responsible for the following:
• Maintaining up-to-date contact details for office contacts and ensuring that the Mission's contact list is regularly updated
• Arranging travel and logistical plans for staff and high-level visitors, including international travel and field site visits, while facilitating their engagement with partners and officials from international NGOs

Representation and Technical Leadership (30%)

• The Resilience Specialist will represent the US Government in discussions with Government of Mozambique (GRM) Ministers, officials, the private sector, academics, civil society, and donors. The incumbent will also provide technical advice to the Resilient Economic Growth Office (REGO) and the USAID Mission more broadly on enhancing food security through agricultural and natural resource-based interventions while fostering climate resilience, nature conservation and economic growth
• Responsibilities include:
• Maintaining regular contact with relevant Ministries including the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Land and Environment, private businesses, associations, non-government organizations, and donors involved in Environment and Agriculture policy formulation or review
• Providing technical guidance to USAID staff on how to build resilience into USAID projects
• Representing USAID in seminars, workshops, and meetings where GRM policies and USAID assistance are discussed
• Identifying key public and private sector figures advocating for policy reform and maintaining regular contact with them
•  Articulating REGO and Agricultural and Environmental Program objectives to partners and interested members of civil society, the GRM, and the donor community
•  Reviewing technical reports and bulletins relating to agriculture and environment to enhance programing that will build resilience in USAID/Mozambique current and future activities
• Recommending appropriate technologies, innovations and approaches including environmental, agricultural and social innovations that will enhance economic growth and well-being for Mozambicans through various REGO implementation mechanisms
• Communicating technical observations and occurrences to colleagues, internal and external leadership relating to agriculture, environment and natural resources
• Offer highly specialized advice on policy, strategic, and technical issues related to Agriculture, Food Security, Resilience, Natural resources management, biodiversity conservation, cultural and national context. This advice is to be on agricultural and environmental issues provided to USAID, Other USG agencies, GRM, other donors, international organizations, private sector, and NGOs. Incumbent will offer advice on resilience

Knowledge management, Communication and Reporting (20%)

• The Resilience Specialist will perform related duties to enhance the quality and effectiveness of USAID/Mozambique's assistance under REGO. Responsibilities include:
•  Reviewing applications/proposals for assistance for Agricultural, Environment, and Resilience activities and making recommendations concerning such proposals
• Analyzing and reporting on the results and impact of REGO Agricultural and Environment activities for the Mission's Annual Portfolio Review (PPR, PIR, QFR) and other reporting requirements
• Maintaining and updating informational databases relevant to Environment, Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition programs, including results reporting on Private Sector Engagement, Resilience, and Feed the Future databases
• Highlighting/Crafting programmatic success stories to showcase examples of programmatic results
• Coordinating with USAID/Mozambique’s Humanitarian Assistance Office efforts linking relief programs to development programs especially relating to climate adaptation

Requisites

• Education: A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, Environmental Engineering, Natural Resource Management, Biodiversity Conservation, Forest Ecology & Management, Agricultural Development, Rural Development, Agronomy or a related field
• Prior Work Experience: A minimum of five years of professional level experience in an area(s) related to strategy and policy development, program design and management, especially in conservation, community based natural resource management, agricultural, food security, and climate resilience related fields, which includes coordination experiences
• Language Proficiency: Level IV (Fluent) English and Portuguese language (written, oral, and reading) is required
• Job Knowledge: Advanced knowledge of climate and livelihood resilience, biodiversity conservation, rural development, or agricultural development, enterprise market/trade development, and/or natural resource management programs in Mozambique and/or Southern Africa. Knowledge of Mozambique’s economic, political, social, and cultural characteristics, government’s environmental and agricultural regulatory policy and regulations, and/or major trends in national conservation and/or climate resilience sector development. Basic knowledge of gender mainstreaming
• Skills and Abilities: Demonstrated ability to establish positive relations with Government of Mozambique officials at the national, provincial, and/or district levels, and/or with USAID, donors, private sector, and/or NGOs involved in development activities in order to coordinate events or obtain information useful in conducting analyses of complex issues. Critical thinking, self-motivation, and excellent organizational skills. A strong grasp of computer applications is required
• The incumbent must be capable of working independently on several tasks simultaneously with minimal supervision. Must be able to obtain, analyze, and evaluate complex data and to prepare precise and accurate reports to various audiences. The incumbent must be able to communicate complex technical issues to diverse audiences
• The incumbent must be able to analyze complex and technical information to make independent recommendations on resilience issues as it relates to Agricultural and Natural Resource management for USG programming and management. The incumbent will also encourage innovation in the management and use of Mission programs and resources. The incumbent must be able to work in teams and lead teams set up for both broad and specific events and projects. In addition, the incumbent will be expected to participate actively in meetings as appropriate with the U.S. Embassy, USAID/Washington representatives, other donors, counterpart government officials, partners and technical experts. Demonstrated capability for perceptive analysis and the ability to write and speak clearly and effectively in these contexts are required skills

• Specifically, the Project Management Specialist should demonstrate the following:
• Stakeholder Engagement: Ability to collaborate with diverse partners and communities
• Analytical Thinking: Capacity to assess complex environmental data and propose solutions
• Cross-Cultural Communication: Effective communication across diverse cultural contexts
• Problem Solving: Creative approach to addressing dynamic environmental challenges
• Leadership: Guiding teams, facilitating collaboration, navigating administrative processes in an efficient manner to achieve project success
• Data Interpretation: Analyzing data to inform decision-making and reporting

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. The FAR provisions referenced above 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

The following evaluation factors are established

• Education:                            10 points
• Prior Work Experience:       25 points
• Job Knowledge                   30 points
• Skills and Abilities:              30 points
• Language Proficiency:         5 points
• Maximum Points:                100 points

Position elements

Notes

• A cover letter in English with CV/Applicant Resume as well as academic transcripts/diplomas
• Names, contact numbers, and e-mail addresses of three professional references from individuals who are not family members or relatives.  Reference checks will be conducted for the final selected candidate for the Contracting Officer to make a responsibility determination. USAID/Mozambique reserves the right to solicit references from other sources as deemed appropriate
• Any application received in Portuguese will not be considered. Only English applications will be considered
• 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
• Per this scoring Skills and Abilities and Job Knowledge are the most important factors, followed by Prior Work Experience, Language Proficiency and Education. Applications will initially be screened for conformity with minimum requirements. Only applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements for the position will be considered. Candidates will be evaluated based on relevant education, prior work experience, knowledge, language proficiency, skills and abilities demonstrated in their application packages. A Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) will be convened to review applications and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation criteria. Applications from candidates who do not meet the required selection criteria will not be scored. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted and will be invited for a language test. Candidates successfully passing the language exam will be invited for an oral interview and may also be required to pass a written test. No response will be sent to unsuccessful applicants
• Professional references will be conducted for the top ranked candidate and will be utilized to supplement the TEC’s recommendation to the Contracting Officer to offer the position to the top ranked candidate. USAID/Mozambique reserves the right to solicit references from other sources as deemed appropriate
• Final selection will be based on the application package, language abilities, oral interview and reference checks. This is a local position and compensation will be in accordance with the Local Compensation Plan
• Please note that USAID and the U.S. Government NEVER require payment of any money in connection with a job application
• Physical Demands: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands
• Point of Contact: Mission-Maputo-HR@usaid.gov