Economic Growth and Governance Advisor

Solicitation No. 279-11-502 ISSUANCE DATE: 09/05/2011 CLOSING DATE: 4:30 pm Cairo time on 10/05/2011 SUBJECT: USAID/ Sanaa, Yemen Solicitation for U.S. Personal Services Contractor [USPSC ] Economic Growth and Governance Advisor Ladies/Gentlemen: The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications from U.S. citizens interested in providing PSC services as described in the attached solicitation. Applicants must be able to obtain secret clearance. Submissions shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified and must include signed 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#: 011-202-2522-7197 or 011-202-2516-0388, tel.#: 011-202-2522-7182, and email address: nrofael@suaid.gov or usaidhr@usaid.gov. If you would like to apply electronically, please send your application & CV as an email attachment to (usaidhr@usaid.gov). [PLEASE DO NOT SEND CVs TO nrofael@usaid.gov E-MAIL] 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: EXO/HR C/O Nancy Rofael USAID/ Egypt- Unit 64902 APO AE 09839-4902 Air courier: Nancy Rofael EXO/HR USAID/ Egypt Plot 1/A Nady El Etesalat st., 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 (usaidhr@usaid.gov) or FAX [(202) 2522-7197 or (202) 2516-0388] 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: 279-11-502 ISSUANCE DATE: 09/05/2011 CLOSING DATE/TIME: 4:30 pm Cairo time on 10/05/2011 POSITION TITLE: Economic Growth and Governance Advisor MARKET VALUE: GS-14 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 2 years with possibility of extension. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Sanaa, Yemen SECURITY ACCESS: Secret AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens 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: USAID/Yemen, US Embassy, Sana'a, Yemen. Yemen is a limited unaccompanied post with 4 R&Rs, 25% post differential and 30% danger pay B. INTRODUCTION Yemen's current political crisis has provoked warnings of an even more dire economic situation with fears of shortages in basic commodities, government revenue and intensified hardship for its most vulnerable citizens. Along with its pervasive poverty, severely constrained foreign investment and decreasing oil revenues that will disappear within a decade, Yemen suffers from weak governance and widespread corruption. Illiteracy and unemployment are a fact of life for close to half of the population, most of whom lack access to basic social services. Water scarcity and food insecurity contribute to human development indicators that are comparable to many countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Democratic progress has been stymied. Human and institutional weaknesses profoundly challenge progress in all sectors. There has never been a more important time than now to provide development assistance in Yemen, and the changes occurring in the region open a window of opportunity for reform and progress that few have witnessed to date. USAID assistance to Yemen, aimed at mitigating "drivers of instability" and conflict, is vital to U.S. national interests in the region, and homegrown reform movements in the region make for real opportunities to support social, economic and democratic development. The current USAID program includes an innovative and highly integrated community livelihoods program and a responsive governance effort, both designed to improve services and promote social-economic progress and democratic development. Livelihoods programming currently focus on employment creation - particularly for youth - micro and small businesses, and agricultural development. Governance efforts emphasize civic participation in national reform, combating corruption and anticipate support for elections and democratic reforms. USAID/Yemen requires the expertise and advisory services of a development professional with experience in the design, management and evaluation of economic growth and democracy and governance programs. Particular knowledge areas required include: agriculture and rural livelihoods, economic policy and reform, private sector development, value chains, and business-enabling environments, in addition to elections and political process, local governance and decentralization, public finance, institutional strengthening, transparency and anticorruption, and civil society development. The Economic Growth and Governance (EG/G) Advisor will provide technical leadership and programmatic guidance in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of USG-financed economic and democratic development objectives and activities, advising on appropriate opportunities for USG assistance. The Advisor will receive direction from the Deputy of the Technical Office, work collaboratively and serve as a technical mentor to local USAID staff and USAID's implementing partners conducting on economic growth, democracy and governance activities. The Advisor will also represent USAID in meetings with multilateral and bilateral donors, the Yemen government, non-government organizations (NGOs), the private sector, and other key stakeholders involved in economic growth, democracy and governance assistance. In addition to strategic, technical, and program expertise, the EG/G Advisor will be a highly motivated person, capable of operating independently and effectively, in a complex, fluid and cross-cultural environment, and responding to evolving challenges by identifying realistic solutions to problems and recognizing opportunities for progress. A key objective for the position is to promote better integration and linkages between livelihoods, job creation, agricultural development that reach local populations, civil society and local governance work that address immediate community grievances and broader economic policies and governance reforms. C. SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Reports to the American direct-hire Deputy of the Technical Office or to the Mission Director in their absence. D. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: I. Technical & Strategic Leadership 30% Advises on economic growth (EG), livelihoods, private sector development, agriculture and economic reform as well as democracy and governance (DG)-related matters in Yemen, serving as principal advisor and subject matter expert to the USAID Mission and the U.S. Embassy. Serves as a technical resource, assisting in planning a broad range of economic growth and reform and democracy and governance activities, including identifying opportunities for integrating sound development and stabilization principles and practices within USAID's integrated program and responding to local needs. Analyzes policy and institutional constraints to economic growth and democratic development in Yemen, identifies reform options and priorities, and recommends feasible assistance approaches within the USAID/Yemen program. Maintains current knowledge on policies, concepts, practices, procedures, guidelines, and models, including USG and USAID policies and initiatives; and shares related information with and provides guidance with USAID staff and implementing partners. Liaises with USAID/W's EGAT and DCHA bureaus regarding technical support and USAID/Washington initiatives. Identifies implementation obstacles, knowledge gaps and needs for further analysis, surveys and assessments. Advises USAID/Yemen on economic growth and democracy -related aspects of crisis and humanitarian programming, for instance, the impact of food subsidies, cash-for-work and other economic incentives, post-conflict electoral processes, and transitional governance issues. Serves as professional mentor to USAID's junior EG and DG staff. II. Activity-level Monitoring and Management 40% Serves as technical lead in the oversight, management, and assessment of economic growth and democracy development-related activities. Advises USAID's C/AOTRs and activity managers on the development, implementation, and impact of all USAID/Yemen DG and EG interventions. Monitors and supports effective project implementation, serving as a technical resource and advisor to implementing partners. Performs a variety of duties related to special projects or activities involving economic growth, agriculture, livelihoods, jobs creation, microenterprises, small businesses, economic reform, anticorruption, elections, political processes, local governance and civil society issues. Serves as professional mentor to junior USAID staff and may supervise up to four locally engaged staff (LES). III. Planning and Reporting 20% Reviews reports, analyzes statistical and economic data, and keeps abreast of current research pertaining to economic and democratic development practice and related current issues in Yemen. Participates and assists in the planning and design of technical assistance and activities in response to local developments, needs and opportunities. May conceptualize, design, document, and manage new bilateral or centrally-administered economic growth or democracy and governance projects and/or related assessments. Develops concept papers, project authorizations, and project amendments in line with Agency regulations and guidance. Drafts periodic reporting documents, program highlights, reporting cables, and relevant sections for required annual and ad hoc reporting and planning processes, including the Operational Plan, Mission Strategic Resource Plan, and the Performance Report, ensuring that EG and DG-related information is current and accurate. Oversees USAID/Yemen reporting on all DG and EG-related indicators and issues, including review and revision of relevant segments of implementing partner Performance Monitoring Plans. IV. Coordination 10% Coordinates assigned activities and maintains productive professional relations with colleagues from other USAID entities (including USAID's bureaus and offices, especially Asia/ME, EGAT, and OFDA/DG and OTI), the Department of State, other USG agencies, international donors, implementers, and the Yemen government. Liaises with counterparts and stakeholders in other USAID regional and central bureaus, providing input in the development of Agency-wide policies, strategies, performance indicators, assessments, and best practices. Participates in and contributes to DG and EG-related policy dialogues and fora. Contributes substantially to the development and maintenance of private sector, and government and NGO relations, including exploring and identifying prospects for alliances and public/private partnerships in the furtherance of USAID/Yemen's program. Represents USAID/Yemen in donor coordination and host country initiatives related to both the economic growth and democracy and governance. May lead or coordinate special crosscutting initiatives and task force groups to accomplish programmatic goals. REQUIRED/DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION: The Economic Growth and Governance Advisor shall have the following qualifications. To be considered, the applicant shall meet those qualifications marked "required". Candidates will be evaluated according to the following criteria: - Be a U.S. citizen. - Ability to obtain secret level security and medical clearances are required. - Ability to begin work in Yemen as soon as candidate obtains the required clearances. Start date negotiable. 1. Education and Language Proficiency: (10 points) Minimum of a master's degree in economics, international development, law or a related field, with emphasis on economic growth and democratic development approaches suitable in a development context is (required). English fluency is (required); Arabic language ability would be an advantage. 2. Prior Work Experience: (40 points) Seven to Ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in international development, preferably in the areas of economic growth and democracy strengthening in developing countries is (required). Specifically, this should include experience in the design and development of programs, management and technical guidance in program implementation, and monitoring and evaluating program progress and effectiveness. Demonstrated technical expertise and leadership in EG and DG-related programs, including strategic planning, and programmatic skills within the context of developing countries is (required). Superior intellectual skills and subject matter expertise to develop strategies to overcome development challenges and resolve implementation obstacles to economic growth and democratic development as exemplified through work history. Analytic skills and capacity to assess information and devise creative and appropriate solutions to implementation challenges. Current knowledge of best practices, and current research and development trends in economic growth and democracy and governance. Professional experience working with governments, international donors, private sector and NGO implementers in democracy and/or economic sectors. Demonstrated experience effectively managing people, programs, and financial resources serving as a project manager or team leadership responsible for work plans, monitoring, coordinating and/or implementing DG and EG programs. Specific USAID experience in program planning, project design, budgeting, implementation and/or reporting systems and procedures is preferred. 3. Knowledge: (35 points) Demonstrated technical expertise and leadership in EG and DG-related programs, in the context of developing countries is (required). Demonstrated strategic, analytic skills and current knowledge of EG and DG trends and best practices in least developed countries and fragile states. Demonstrated project management skills, including effective oversight of people, programs, and financial resources to implement programs contributing to economic growth and democratic development. Ability to gather and make concise oral and written presentations. Proven effectiveness as leader, mentor and/or supervisor. The successful candidate must have demonstrated supervisory skills and the capacity to professionally represent USAID. 4. Abilities and Skills: (15 points) Demonstrated history of experience in a multicultural team environment working with a wide range of individuals and organizations to address democratic and economic challenges. Proven ability to reach consensus with diverse groups, inspire coalitions of interest, professionally mentor less experienced colleagues and facilitate productive multi-disciplinary teams. Strong interpersonal skills including a record of effective collegial/team relations and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a range of professional counterparts at all levels, including those from host-country government, private sector and NGOs, USAID missions, other USG agencies and international donors. The successful candidate must have demonstrated supervisory skills and the capacity to professionally represent USAID. Demonstrated persuasiveness, cross-cultural sensitivity, tact and poise to successfully advocate practices, approaches and policies with a range of audiences in an intercultural context. Superior written and oral communication skills are essential (with a writing sample required) along with demonstrated ability to gather and convey information, make oral presentations and prepare reports, correspondence and other written materials. The ability to meet tight deadlines with concise documents and verbal interpretation is (required). Strong computer skills and proficiency in MS Office software is (required). Total points: 100 points 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 & Language Proficiency 10 Prior Work Experience 40 Knowledge 35 Abilities & Skills 15 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 OF-612; (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. The U.S. Government Optional Form 612 is available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/forms/OF612.pdf 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 two years with possibility of extension. This Personal Services Contract is subject to the availability of funds. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES: As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, the offshore USPSCs are normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: BENEFITS: Employee's FICA Contribution (USPSCs only) 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 (USPSCs only) Annual Increase APO mail service as per post policy (USPSCs only) ALLOWANCES (If Applicable):* (1) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) (not applicable) (2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) (not applicable) (3) Post Allowance (Section 220) (not applicable) (4) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) (not applicable) (5) Post Differential (Chapter 500) (6) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) and (7) Danger Pay (Section 650) (8) Educational Allowance (Section 270) (not applicable) (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. CIBs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to this website http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/ to determine which CIBS apply to this contract.