GENERAL INFORMATION

USAID DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING) AND DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANT’S BANK ACCOUNTS. 

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72061525R10017

2. ISSUANCE DATE: December 20, 2024

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: January 12, 2025 (4:30 PM East Africa Time).

4. POINT OF CONTACT: USAID Kenya and East Africa Human Resources, e-mail at [email protected] 

5. POSITION TITLE: USAID Development Assistance Specialist (Regional Environment Advisor)

6. MARKET VALUE: 7,978,159.00 to Ksh. 13,562,881.00 KSH per year (including 13th month bonus), equivalent to FSN-12 grade level in accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of USAID/Kenya and East Africa. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value. 

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Five (5) years estimated to start o/a September 21, 2025. The services provided under this contract are expected to be of a continuing nature that will be executed by USAID through a series of sequential contracts, subject to the availability of funds, the continued need for services and successful performance. 

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Nairobi, Kenya; with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties. A CCNPSC may be authorized to telework or remote work only from a location within the country of performance, and only in accordance with USAID, Mission and Chief of Mission policies. If remote work is authorized, the contractor’s compensation may be affected in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract, the local compensation plan, and USAID policy. 

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Open to qualified Cooperating Country National (CCN) (an individual who is a cooperating country citizen or a non-cooperating country citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the cooperating country). Employees presently on probation are ineligible to apply. 

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Security certification issued by the US Embassy RSO.

STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

The Regional Environmental Advisor (REA) position is based within USAID/Kenya and East Africa’s (USAID/KEA’s) Strategic Planning and Analysis (SPA) Office. USAID/KEA manages one of USAID’s largest portfolios, with an annual operating year budget averaging close to $500 million across bilateral and regional programming, in addition to an extensive humanitarian assistance portfolio. Unique in Africa, USAID/KEA is one Mission platform managing and supporting two Operating Units (OU), one for the bilateral Kenya program and one for the regional East Africa program.

USAID/KEA provides professional technical and analytical services in support of USAID and host country regional development policy, program and activity planning; activity monitoring and evaluation; and results and information dissemination in the East Africa region. These services are provided in support of the achievement of USAID/KEA's regional strategic objectives as well as the objectives of bilateral USAID missions within East Africa. The REA's responsibility is to ensure and support the USAID/KEA regional operating unit and East Africa bilateral Missions to comply with Agency environmental regulations (22 CFR 216), E.O 13677 Climate Resilient Development and the USAID Climate Change Strategy. The job holder is responsible for drafting Initial Environmental Examinations (IEESs) for the entire annual budget of USAID/KEA’s regional program, which is approximately $30-35 million per year. No obligations can be made without the job holder's consent through a formally approved IEE, which is also signed by the Mission Director.

The REA is one of the Africa Bureau's key regional environmental compliance officers for the East Africa region. The REA will be responsible for guiding and managing ongoing environmental policy activities focusing on the identification, design, and development of regional and bilateral environmental policy and related activities that USAID supports. An important aspect of this work is guiding and directing client USAID missions and associated contractors, grantees and concerned host country personnel in complying with the provisions of 22 CFR 216, the "USAID Environmental Procedures". The REA will also work to strengthen host country capacities in environmental program design/assessment, monitoring, and evaluation. The REA will liaise with the Bureau's Office of Sustainable Development (USAID/AFR/SD) operations, with the Bureau Environmental Officer, with regional counterparts in West and Southern Africa and with the Mission Environmental Officer in bilateral USAID missions in the East Africa region.

Statement of Duties to be Performed

The USAID Regional Environmental Advisor (REA) provides a high level of technical guidance on environmental compliance, as follows: 

Senior Regional Environmental Responsibilities: 50%

East Africa, ensuring its portfolio of programs/projects/activities is in compliance with Reg. 216, USAID Environmental Procedures, and with host-country government environmental and social safeguard regulations. The Specialist provides critical and substantive guidance to the USAID/KEA Front Office, Technical Offices, Agreement Officer’s Representatives/Contracting Officer’s Representatives (AORs/CORs), and implementing partners on environmentally sensitive work, such as health, economic growth and agricultural development, construction activities, tertiary roads, land restitution, and protected areas management. The Specialist facilitates efficient program/project/activity implementation in all sectors, by ensuring the high-quality documentation for environmental compliance; reviewing and approving environmental compliance aspects of Project Development Documents (PDD), scopes of work, and activity descriptions; and, by identifying environmental compliance concerns, with suggested approaches to achieve compliance. The Specialist reviews environmental analyses and documentation (Initial Environmental Examinations [IEEs], Requests for Categorical Exclusions [RCEs], Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plans [EMMPs], Environmental Assessments [EAs], etc.), from all Teams for quality, rigor, and adherence to USAID regulations, policies, procedures, and guidance. The Specialist is the primary liaison between the Mission Environmental Officers (MEO) and the regional Bureau Environment Officer (BEO), and the Agency Environmental Coordinator (AEC) on all environmental matters leading communication and facilitating approvals by USAID/Washington for all procurement actions under the Mission’s portfolio. The Specialist provides strong leadership in the review, approval, and monitoring of Mission activities compliance with Reg. 216. The Specialist manages tracking systems and with other tools, to document and manage compliance with environmental compliance requirements and contributes expertise to the management and improvement of existing information systems. The Specialist leads the review of Multilateral Development Bank, Global Environment Fund, and similar environmentally significant projects in the host country, coordinating the environmental and social reviews with Mission and Embassy staff, and ensuring reviews are timely and technically sound, that the reports are of high quality, and that they meet USAID policy and guidance and relevant external mandates, including the International Financial Institutions Act, Title XIII. As required, the Specialist may serve as AOR/COR, and/or Activity Manager for programs/projects/activities and oversight of analytical work to inform strategy development, such as the Tropical Forest and Biodiversity Analysis required under the Foreign Assistance Act Sections 118/119.

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E): 30%

The Specialist works with Mission staff to lead regular and effective monitoring of the environmental and social compliance aspects of development activities, periodically monitoring programs/projects/activities through office reviews and field visits, and supports staff and IPs to carry out their activity monitoring responsibilities. The Specialist ensures development of, and effective oversight of, Mission document tracking information . systems, including all environmental compliance (IEEs, RCEs, EMMPs, EAs) and climate integration documentation. The Specialist ensures proper and timely reporting, e.g., the environmental compliance reports required in the Operational Plan, by regular monitoring of information systems, noting the need for new documents, status of pending documents, and any outstanding issues, e.g., projects where no environmental compliance field monitoring is being conducted. The Specialist provides specialized expertise in the design and monitoring of policies, strategies, and programs in all functional areas and provides strategic leadership in developing and drafting regular reports as required by USAID/W, Congress, the US Embassy, and other agencies as well. The Specialist participates directly with Mission staff to remedy outstanding issues and keeps Mission management and the MEO and regional BEO informed of issues and resolution. The Specialist travels to all areas of the host country and/or the Region to conduct field visits, in order to support USAID technical leads to monitor environmental compliance, effectiveness of mitigation measures, and evaluate the overall environmental impact of the implementation of programs/projects/activities. The Specialist acts as an advisor, providing feedback to AOR/CORS and to IPs to identify problems, and to offer technical recommendations and potential solutions for full compliance.

Capacity Building and Strategic Leadership: 20%

The Specialist leads assessments of capacity building shortfalls and identifies effective and efficient training delivery approaches to build the capacity of USAID and IP staff, and of host-country counterparts; assists staff to identify and obtain additional environmental expertise and resources to meet environmental and social compliance training needs; and, serves as activity manager for obtaining additional environmental expertise and resources to provide needed capacity building. The Specialist identifies opportunities for integrated “state of the art” approaches and develops training methodologies and/or serves as a lead trainer for formal courses and workshops; and, provides mentoring and on-the-job training to staff, particularly to AOR/CORs and IPs, to ensure environmental compliance requirements, policies, and procedures are known and followed. The Specialist develops networks and shares best practices with other Mission and Washington offices MEOs and Environmental Officers; and, provides MEO technical support to other Missions as needed. The Specialist works closely with the MEO and BEO to communicate requirements, policies, procedures, guidance, best practices, and changes and updates, and supports development of and improvement to various communications tools, such as Webinars, newsletters, websites, etc.

The contractor is eligible for temporary duty (TDY) travel to the United States, or to other Missions abroad, to participate in the "Foreign Service National" Fellowship Program, in accordance with USAID policy.

 

Prior Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of professional experience in an area involving application of environmental impact assessment, environmental and social safeguards, or closely related regulations, standards, policies and best practices in a developing-country setting is required. This experience must demonstrate the ability to prepare and/or review environmental scoping statements, environmental impact assessments, and implementing environmental management plans.

Supervisory Relationship

The USAID Regional Environmental Advisor works under the very general supervision of the USAID/KEA Mission Environmental Officer /or his/her designee. The supervisor makes assignments in terms of overall objectives and resources available. Completed work is reviewed in terms of achievement of Mission and USAID environmental impact assessment goals and successful integration of climate risk considerations, effectiveness in meeting host-country and USAID objectives, and integration with other initiatives in the Office and Mission portfolio. Some technical direction may come from other professionals in the Office; in general, however, the Specialist will be expected to exercise considerable autonomy, with support from other MEOs, the REA and BEO and best judgment in discharging the duties of the assignment.  

Supervisory Controls 

Supervision of other Mission staff is not contemplated. The incumbent will supervise and/or oversee the work of several simultaneous temporary duty (TDY) and longer-term consulting teams, as well as institutional contractors. The incumbent may be responsible for mentoring MEOs/CILs providing substantive input on their performance to supervisors.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve undue physical

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. 

Offerors who meet the minimum qualifications listed above will be evaluated and ranked according to the following job-related criteria. Top-ranking candidates will be invited for a skills test and an oral interview. 

• Job Knowledge (60 Points) 

The Specialist must have in-depth professional-level knowledge of development principles, concepts, and practices, especially as they relate to environmental impact assessments (also referred to as environmental and social safeguards), climate risk management, environmental policies, host country regulations, and environmental best practices and international standards in international development; and, the problems and policies of the host country from the business, political, civil society, and social perspectives. The Specialist must have knowledge and understanding of the economic, political, social, and cultural characteristics of the host country and the region; development problems in the environmental sector in the host country and the region including how climate change may impact development priorities; an understanding of the resources, resource constraints, and overall development prospects and priorities of the host country and the region; and, knowledge of, or the potential to quickly acquire knowledge of, USG regulations, policy, procedures, and practice relating to environmental impact assessment, and climate risk management of development programming policies, regulations, procedures, and documentation, and of the objectives, methodology, and status of assigned activities. The Specialist must have knowledge and understanding of the organization and respective roles of the different levels of the host government, in order to enhance effective communication, and to develop consensus on strategy and program/project/activity implementation. The Specialist must have knowledge of, and demonstrated experience in, the role of environmental impact assessment methods and activities within the broad context of international development programming. 

• Skills and abilities (40 Points) 

The Specialist should possess strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, and proven ability to work independently, with minimal supervision or guidance; and, proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly, and concisely, both orally and in writing, including in the preparation of substantive environmental reports. The Specialist must be able to obtain, evaluate, and interpret factual data, to prepare precise, accurate, and complete reports using computer software applications, and to develop and present briefings; and, apply this knowledge to complex problems in the host country and the region. 

Total possible points:  100 

SUBMITTING AN OFFER 

Step 1: Eligible Offerors are required to register in MyJobsInKenya at www.myjobsinkenya.com

Step 2: Complete the job application at www.myjobsinkenya.com 

Step 3: Internal Offerors/Current USG Employees: Attach an updated curriculum vitae/resume (no more than five pages), a copy of your most recent Performance Evaluation Report, and copies of all relevant certificates, offerors must sign a Sexual Misconduct Self-Certification form [see hyperlink] related to sexual misconduct when submitting the offer failure to which one will not be considered for award. Scan and attach all the documents and upload them to MyJobsInKenya.

                        OR

External Offerors/Not Current USG Employees: Attach an updated curriculum vitae/resume (no more than five pages) and copies of all relevant certificates and offerors must sign a Sexual Misconduct Self-Certification form [see hyperlink] related to sexual misconduct when submitting the offer failure to which one will not be considered for award. Scan and attach all the documents and upload them to MyJobsInKenya. 

USAID’S ZERO TOLERANCE FOR SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

USAID has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual misconduct with the goal of fostering a respectful, safe, healthy and inclusive work environment. USAID maintains policies and procedures to establish a workplace free of sexual misconduct as described in Agency policy at ADS Chapter 113, Preventing and Addressing Sexual Misconduct. 

By acceptance of the contract award, the contractor acknowledges having read, and agrees to abide by, the Agency’s ADS 113 policies and procedures. 

SELF CERTIFICATION

Offerors must sign a Sexual Misconduct Self-Certification form [see hyperlink] related to sexual misconduct when submitting the offer. The signed form will be filed in the award file. If the offeror fails to submit a signed-certification, the offeror will be determined to be non-compliant to submission requirements and will not be considered for award. 

• For the Apparently Successful Offeror:
  • If Self-Certification response is “Yes”: In consultation with the Resident Legal Advisor (RLO) or General Counsel Acquisition and Assistance (GC/AA), the CO will request further details from the offeror. 
  • Event of False Certification: If the certification provided is found to be false, the offeror may be eliminated from consideration for the award. If the contract has been awarded, the false certification may be grounds for termination of the contract. The action may be punishable to the full extent of the law. 

USE OF THE AGENCY’S MISCONDUCT PORTAL AND INQUIRIES MADE TO PREVIOUS COs FOR APPARENTLY  SUCCESSFUL OFFEROR

The Office of Employee and Labor Relations (ELR) operates USAID’s Misconduct Reporting Portal. Prior to award, the CO will email ELR at [email protected] to identify whether Agency records include any prior disciplinary action related to sexual misconduct taken against the apparently successful offeror.

If the apparently successful offeror has previously held a Personal Services Contract at USAID, the CO will attempt to contact the previous administrating CO to inquire about previous disciplinary actions related to sexual misconduct against the apparently successful offeror.  

NEW ENTRANT ORIENTATION (NEO)

For PSCs onboarded in Washington, the contractor must complete the information session on USAID’s zero tolerance policy for sexual misconduct as part of NEO. The CO will include documentation in the award file that the contractor has completed NEO and has been made aware of USAID’s zero tolerance policy for sexual misconduct. 

For PSCs onboarded overseas, including CCNPSCs and TCNPSCs, the PSC must complete an online module related to USAID’s zero tolerance policy for sexual misconduct as administered by their cognizant CO as part of their onboarding process. The CO will include documentation in the award file that the PSC has completed the online module and has been made aware of USAID’s zero tolerance policy for sexual misconduct. 

Note to Applicants:

1. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted through myjobsinkenya.com.
2. Submissions will only be accepted through myjobsinkenya.com. Late and incomplete applications (those that do not contain the applicant’s most current and up to date detailed CV and relevant education certificates) will not be considered for the position.
3. All Applicants must provide at least three professional references, who are not family members or relatives, with working telephone and e-mail contacts. The references must be able to provide substantive information about your past performance and abilities. USAID reserves the right to contact your previous employers for relevant information concerning your performance and may consider such information in its evaluation of the application.

 LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD 

The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit any required forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award.

BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCE  

Benefits and allowances are offered in accordance with the Local Compensation Plan (LCP).

TAXES

CCNPSCs are required to pay PAYE and statutory deductions. All applicable taxes will be deducted from the stated gross market rate.

USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs 

USAID regulations and policies governing CCN PSC 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/ads/policy/300/aidar
2. 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:

LINE ITEMS

ITEM NO (A)	SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION) (B)	QUANTITY (C)	UNIT (D)	UNIT PRICE (E)	AMOUNT (F)
0001	Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs) - Award Type: Cost - Product Service Code: [ R497] - Accounting Info: [insert one or more citation(s) from Phoenix/GLAAS]	1	LOT	$ TBD	$_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_

 

3. 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. 

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/resources_standards-of-conduct.
   
   
5. 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].

6. FAR Provisions Incorporated by Reference 

52.204-27

PROHIBITION ON A BYTEDANCE COVERED APPLICATION

JUN 2023