R -- U.S. PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACT FOR A YUNGAS REGIONAL COUNTER NARCOTICS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

Notice Date

June 27, 2001

Contracting Office

Regional Contracting Office, USAID/Bolivia, Unit 3914, APO AA, 34032

ZIP Code

34032

Solicitation Number

RFP 511-01-24

Response Due

July 23, 2001

Point of Contact

Maria Elba Villegas, Adquisition Specialist, International Tel. 591-2-786445, Fax 591-2-785689

E-Mail Address

http://www.usaid.gov (maria@usaid.gov)

Description

USAID/Bolivia's Yungas Regional Counter-Narcotics Economic Development Coordinator stationed in La Paz has a broad range of strategic, programmatic, administrative and coordinating responsibilities to enable the implementation of social, agricultural and economic development activities in the Yungas. These activities are linked to excess and illegal coca reduction, in conformance with policy decisions and guidelines made by the Mission's Counter-Narcotics Special Objective Team (CNSOT). The incumbent will serve as a primary source of information and will provide continued guidance to the Mission and YDI implementing entities pertaining to opportunities, trends, constraints and difficulties encountered in the achievement of GOB and Mission counter-narcotics goals and objectives within the Yungas. Specifically, the incumbent shall: A. Participate as core member of the Counter-Narcotics Special Objective Team in the development of strategies, policies, approaches and mechanisms to enable implementing agencies to effectively and efficiently attain expected GOB and SOT goals, objectives and results. The incumbent shall provide analysis and advice on a periodic basis pertaining to technical, social, political and economic issues which have significant effects (positive or negative) in pursuing CN goals and objectives. B. Serve as key member of the Yungas Intermediate Results (IR) Team comprised of selected officials from USAID/Bolivia, contractors and grantees responsible for the day-to-day implementation social, agricultural and economic development activities in the Yungas in conformance with policy decisions and operating plans approved by the CN SOT. C. Serve as the field level coordinator for the Yungas Development Initiative (YDI) for all components, i.e. health services provision, economic opportunities, democracy and citizen participation, road and bridge maintenance and repair, and the Yungas Community Development Fund. The incumbent shall provide guidance and support to contractors, grantees, sub-grantees and GOB agencies in the implementation of social, agricultural and economic development activities in the Yungas, including assistance in the timely preparation of annual operating plans, product line work plans and other similar documents. D. Monitor and report on progress made by GOB and NGO/PVO implementing agencies towards expected results; especially on the adequacy, consistency and reliability of the SOT's performance monitoring and tracking system and will develop an overall performance monitoring system for the YDI. E. Escort VIP delegations, senior USG, GOB and other donor personnel to the Yungas to assist them in better understanding development actions as they relate to coca reduction and provide them with verbal and written briefings which are prepared and approved by the CN SOT. F. Prepare reporting cables as well as analytical and programmatic reports for the CN SOT and the U.S. Mission on a periodic basis in accordance with standard Mission procedures pertaining to the implementation of CN activities in the Yungas. G. Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the CN SOT. 3. Supervision and relationships: A. The Yungas Regional Counter-Narcotics Economic Development Coordinator shall work under the direction of the Chairman of USAID/Bolivia's Counter-Narcotics Special Objective Team and/or his/her designee. Performance of the incumbent shall be in relation to the statement of work (SOW) above and the general technical administrative objectives of USAID/Bolivia's Counter-Narcotics Special Objective. B. Standards for evaluation shall include timely and effective performance of tasks, quality and acceptance of written products, effectiveness of interpersonal communication, management skills, being a team player and effectiveness in accomplishing the SOW. These shall be manifested in the preparation of annual work objectives and requirements. A review/update of these objectives will be held with the Counter-Narcotics SOT Leader. This performance evaluation will include a review of both what the position should be accomplishing as well as the performance of the incumbent. Therefore, if the specific duties and responsibilities are determined by USAID/Bolivia to have changed/evolved over a period of time, the contractor will be expected to adapt to and perform the necessary duties as modified. C. The incumbent shall ensure effective coordination and information sharing with CN SOT and other participating SOT members (e.g. Democracy, Health, Environment, Economic Opportunity) and personnel of implementing/other donor agencies. In this capacity, s/he also shall work closely with farmer associations, communities, municipal authorities and other key individuals to increase family household incomes and reduce household costs. D. As an experienced professional, the degree of autonomy and exercise of judgement required in the implementation of CN and development activities in the Yungas, based on CN SOT policy guidance, is fairly high. The incumbent shall assume substantial responsibility for independently planning and carrying out the specific activities, duties and responsibilities described above. Maintenance of comprehensive activity files, program tracking and problem resolution are implicit management functions that shall be the responsibility of the incumbent. E. With respect to the nature, level, and purpose of contacts, the incumbent shall work with SOT members and other USG and GOB officials, NGO/PVO implementers, other donors' staff, and members of the private sector at the implementation level. An important responsibility of the incumbent shall be to maintain regular consultation with this network of people in relation to counter-narcotics and development objectives and activities. 4. Reports and Work Plans: A. Upon request, the contractor will present reports to the USAID Counter- Narcotics SOT in a timely fashion, focusing on activity progress, problems and plans for their resolution. As required, special reports pertaining to activity progress will be prepared for the U.S. Embassy and USAID/W. These reports will be submitted through the appropriate Mission channels as determined by the incumbent's supervisor and Mission Orders. B. Memorandums of record will be required to document substantive discussions and important decisions from meetings with implementing entities and associated organizations, whether these meetings take place during field trips to the Yungas or in La Paz. C. In addition, ten (10) working days prior to the termination of the contract period, the contractor will present a draft report covering the terms of the contract to the Counter-Narcotics SOT Leader. The report will include a summary of accomplishments relative to the activities identified in the statement of work, general observations and specific recommendations for accomplishing the overall objectives of the counter-narcotics activity. After review by the Counter-Narcotics SOT, the contractor will incorporate any recommendations or substantive changes into a final report that must be presented prior to the end of the contract period. 5. Required Qualifications: A. Academic background: Graduate degree in Agriculture, Agriculture Economics, or an MBA with emphasis in Agribusiness Development, or a Graduate degree in Development Management or at least five years of relevant equivalent experience. B. Desired qualifications: 1.Demonstrated experience in management related to issues and problems of political and socioeconomic development. 2. Demonstrated experience working with a variety of counterparts and partners, specially developing good working relations with national and local government staff. 3. Experience relevant to working within a conflict area and promoting non-conflictive alternatives/solutions. 4. Experience in promoting or supporting integrated rural development in general. 5. Previous experience with and/or demonstrated ability to implement activities under USAID Activity Manager procedures. 6. Other: Ability to analyze development and counternarcotics issues demonstrated through written reports. Strong interpersonal/team building skills and Excellent working skills. Excellent oral and written presentation skills; demonstrable ability to work independently and in teams; proven analytical, organizational and administrative skills; experience in project and program design and experience in working in developing countries. 6.Language: Verbal and written fluency in English ( Native Speaker) and Spanish (Level III) is required as a minimum. Other: A large portion of the contractor's activities will be undertaken in the Yungas (i.e. at least three days a week), thus requiring extensive travel in a USAID vehicle conducted by Mission drivers. Severe topography and poorly maintained roads characterize the Yungas region. The main highway entering the Yungas region has been characterized for years by a national geographic magazine as the worst road in the world. A new highway is being constructed, due for completion in early 2002, however, large areas of the Yungas program area will remain accessible only via the poorly maintained secondary road system. Occasional travel by aircraft and/or helicopter overflights may be required. Leishmaniasis, tuberculosis, Chagas disease and malaria are endemic to the region. However, both USAID and other donor personnel (e.g. FAO, UNDCP) have undertaken development activities for several decades in the region without major mishaps. Planned GOB coca reduction activities (accompanied by armed protection forces) in the region may induce occasional civil disobedience; on such occasions, the USG may restrict travel of its personnel into the region. The Mission has established its own mobile radio-telephone communication system linking any point in the region to La Paz. 8. Evaluation Criteria: Academic Qualifications Max. Pts. 10, Experience Max. Pts. 45, Communication Skills Max. Pts. 20, Computer Literacy Max. Pts. 10, Language Max. Pts. 15,Total 100 Pts. All interested and qualified candidates should send via mail, fax, courier or e-mail: a curriculum vitae, with salary history information and references for the past three years, and a letter of interest specifically relating individual background and experience to position requirements. Please indicate available starting date. Application information should be received no later than July 23, 2001, addressed to: Regional Contracting Officer, USAID/Bolivia, APO AA 34032 FOR U.S. mail or Calle 9 No. 104 Obrajes USAID/Bolivia, La Paz, Bolivia for courier service (phone (591-2) 786445/fax (591-2) 785689/e-mail maria@usaid.gov. This solicitations serves as the RFP. No other solicitation document will be issued.

Web Link

http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/announce/cbd/ (http://www.usaid.gov)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010629/RSOL017.HTM (W-178 SN50Q1W5)