Financial Management Advisor

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 22/2019 ISSUANCE DATE: 12/11/2019 CLOSING DATE: 01/03/2020 (6:00 pm Almaty local time) SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (PSC) No. 22/2019 Financial Management Advisor, USAID/Central Asia/FMO, Almaty, Kazakhstan 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 Attachment 1 of this solicitation. Incomplete or unsigned offers will not be considered. Offerors should retain copies of all offer materials for their records. 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 offer. Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in the attachment 1. Sincerely, Mark Gray Contracting Officer ATTACHMENT 1 SOLICITATION NO. 14/2019 I. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. SOLICITATION NO.: 22/2019 2. ISSUANCE DATE: 12/11/2019 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: 01/03/2020 (6:00 PM Almaty local time) 4. POINT OF CONTACT: James Berscheit, jberscheit@usaid.gov, or USAID/CA Human Resources, almatyhr@usaid.gov and centralasiajobs@usaid.gov 5. POSITION TITLE: Financial Management Advisor 6. MARKET VALUE: $90,621-$117,810 per annum (equivalent to GS-14). Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value. 7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The U.S. Personal Services Contract will be for one year, (subject to possible one year extension) 8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: The duty post for this contract is Almaty, Kazakhstan. The selected candidate is expected to work eight hours per day during the core working hours of the USAID/Central Asia Mission 9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens 10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facility Access II. STATEMENT OF DUTIES Basic Function of the Position The work of the USAID/Central Asia Financial Management Office (FMO) is very complex, high-profile, and requires specialized and highly qualified staff, both American and local. USAID/CA's FMO consists of two USDH, seven accountants, four financial analysts, three voucher examiners, and two admin staff (17 total). The FMO provides regional financial services to five countries that require close coordination with USAID's country offices, embassies, and implementing partners to ensure sufficient controls exist to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse; and maintain an efficient operating environment. Financial Management Advisor (the - Contractor) shares responsibility with the Regional Controller in the management of USAID/Central Asia's financial operations including financial analysis, audit management, operating expense budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, internal control, and payment processing. The Contractor serves as the Authorized Certifying Officer, ensuring that all payments are made in accordance with applicable U.S. Government and USAID policies and regulations. The Contractor may travel to project sites where USAID/Central Asia has program activities to perform reviews of accounting and internal control systems, records, and to assess the financial management capabilities of project implementing agencies and institutions. In the absence of the Regional Controller, the Contractor will report to the Deputy Mission Director. The Contractor shall provide assistance and advice to Mission program teams, implementing partners, cooperating agencies and other country officials relative to financial management practices and procedures, financial implications for proposed or existing agreements, means and methods of financing, interpretation of USAID regulations, and contract reporting requirements. The Contractor is responsible for providing mentoring and guidance to the Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs) in the FMO and assists the Regional Controller in all matters relating to Mission internal financial management and technical program activities and including financial analysis. The Contractor shall assist USAID, NGOs and Government project authorities in meeting the general financial requirements of USAID and provides financial advice and guidance to USAID/Central Asia and its country offices. Major Duties and Responsibilities Serve as Mission's principal Authorized Certifying Officer. Direct the review and payment of all types of invoices, advances, billings, and collections; analyze and reconcile accounts with those of the Disbursing Office. This includes obtaining and using USG credit cards for specific payments. Manage the voucher and payment processing section. Ensure the timely certification of payment requests and funds advance requests after careful review for accuracy and compliance with accounting/government regulations including the Prompt Payment Act (PPA) guidelines. Ensure the timely reconciliation of Mission disbursement accounts with those of the Disbursing Office and U.S. Treasury. Provide oversight, guidance, and support to the accounting, financial analyst, and accounts payable personnel to ensure that they possess all the necessary skills, and that they function effectively in carrying out their required duties in support of the accounting and accounts payable process. Represent the FMO, when necessary, at mission meetings and Strategic Planning; participates in reviews of the financial progress of on-going projects. Maintain contact with officials of USAID/Central Asia and implementing partners, i.e., institutional contractors and grantees, regarding the collection of financial data and the analysis of financial information for USAID financial management. Assist in the preparation of the annual budgets, providing analyses, forecasts and estimates for inclusion. Supervise the preparation of recurring or special financial reports or data as may be required for submission to AID/W. Perform detailed reviews and analyses of financial plans for proposed projects. Provide advice and guidance to project managers on the financial implementation of projects; Assist in the development of new and review of existing internal procedures. Analyze new and revised procedures and practices issued by AID/W or Mission management as they affect projects or operations of the Mission. Participates in the development of modified procedures to meet the requirements promulgated. Establish, maintain, and assess internal control to provide reasonable assurance that the broad control objectives of the Federal Managers Financial Integrity Act are met. Assume additional duties that revolve around Mission integrity, compliance, and internal control related matters. Supervisory Relationship: Financial Management Advisor reports directly to the Controller. Supervisory Controls: Financial Management Advisor supervises 15 staff in OFM, including direct supervision of three voucher examiners and four financial analysts. III. Other important information: Exercise of judgment: Although s/he performs under the direction of the USAID/Central Asia Controller, Financial Management Advisor has wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment to autonomously carry out USAID/Central Asia financial operations. Nature, level and purpose of contacts: Financial Management Advisor works within and outside the Mission to give or obtain information, and to give or obtain technical opinion, explain and interpret policies and objectives, and to seek acceptance of recommendations. Contacts include Director's Office, Program Office, Executive Office, Mission's Technical Offices, ICASS Management, Asia Bureau-USAID/W, M/CFO-USAID, Development Partners, and the Regional Inspector General's Office-RIG/M. Level of complexity: High level of complexity. Financial Management Advisor must absorb and understand complex, detailed, specialized information in order to effectively carry out his/her functions; the job is highly complex with defined framework requiring adept analytical skills and high level of judgment; Financial Management Advisor is expected to resolve complex problems on his/her own and using judgment. Available guidelines: Guidelines include Agency regulations, ADS requirements, Office of Foreign Assistance guidance, Asia Bureau procedural guidance, Agency financial management guidance, Mission Orders and professional financial literature. The incumbent must be able to assess alternatives and interpret guidelines accordingly. Excellent judgment and the ability to deal with ambiguity in guidelines are essential. Scope and Effect of the work performed: Financial Management Advisor is expected to oversee the Financial Analysis and Payment Sections in the USAID/Central Asia Office of Financial Management and be responsible for the financial operations of USAID/Central Asia. Post-entry training: On the job training will be provided in USAID financial procedures. Authority to make commitments: The incumbent will not have independent authority to commit US Government Mission funds on behalf of the U.S. Government. Physical Demands: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands. Point of Contact: For any additional questions you may contact James Berscheit, jberscheit@usaid.gov, or USAID/CA Human Resources, almatyhr@usaid.gov and centralasiajobs@usaid.gov IV. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION 1. GENERAL: Must be a U.S. citizen, must be able to obtain a U.S. Government - FACILITY ACCESS security clearance. Must be able to secure a medical clearance to serve in Central Asia. Must be willing to travel throughout Central Asia region; available and willing to commit to the Contract Performance Period of 12 months. 2. EDUCATION: A Bachelor's Degree (BA) in accounting or related area is required. 3. WORK EXPERIENCE: Must possess a strong background and prior work experience in accounting and finance with international organizations; managing a financial operation; and overseeing financial activities, including payment, financial analysis, local and US payrolls, and cashiering operations. Prior experience in Financial Operation including serving as in a Financial Management Advisor or equivalent position for at least 7 years is required. Must be an authorized certifying officer or have the ability to become authorized/reauthorized prior to the assignment. Must have experience developing professional staff capacities. 4. JOB KNOWLEDGE: Excellent knowledge of professional accounting principles, theories, practices, and terminology as well as US Government financial management policies, procedures, and regulations is required. 5. SKILLS AND ABILITIES: A high level of analytical skill and demonstrated ability to exercise significant, independent professional judgment is required. Must have the ability to perform in a team and maintain cordial and professional relationships with USAID staff, Host Government, NGOs and Contractor personnel. Strong demonstrated management, supervision, and talent development skills. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to promote teamwork, proven ability to work well in complex institutional settings, and to develop networks of relationships that facilitate collaboration among colleagues. Proficient in governmental accounting and computer systems, including certifying payments in Phoenix or a similar sized-financial/accounting system. 6. LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: Fluent English writing and speaking ability is required. Other: Consideration and selection will be based on a panel evaluation of the Evaluation Factors (Section V). Please note that not all candidates will be interviewed or contacted. USAID will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews unless expenses are preauthorized. Reference checks may be conducted on those candidates selected for an interview. The candidate's references must be able to provide substantive information about his/her past performance and abilities. V. 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. FAR provisions of this solicitation are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far. Applicants who meet the Education/Experience requirements and Selection Factors will be further evaluated. Applications that do not meet the required minimum qualifications will not be scored. Candidates meeting the above required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application. After meeting the minimum qualifications, consideration and selection will be based on a panel evaluation of the Evaluation Criteria. Additionally, USAID may request writing samples and an interview from the top-scoring candidates. Top-scoring candidates will also be asked to provide three professional references. Please note that not all applicants will be interviewed or contacted. USAID will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews unless the expenses are pre-authorized. Reference checks may be conducted on candidates selected for an interview. Applicants must not appear as an excluded party in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). Job Knowledge: Total Points 15 Demonstrated advanced knowledge of professional accounting principles, theories, practices, and terminology as well as US Government financial management policies, procedures, and regulations is required. Past Working Experience: Total Points 30 A strong background and prior work experience in accounting and finance with international organizations; managing a financial operation; and overseeing financial activities, including payment, financial analysis, local and US payrolls, and cashiering operations. Prior experience in a USAID Financial Operation including serving as in a USAID Financial Management Advisor or equivalent position. Must be an authorized certifying officer or have the ability to become authorized/reauthorized prior to the assignment. Abilities and Skills: Total Points 30 A high level of analytical skill and demonstrated ability to exercise significant, independent professional judgment is required. Must have the ability to perform in a team and maintain cordial and professional relationships with USAID staff, Host Government, NGOs and Contractor personnel. Strong demonstrated management and supervision skills. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to promote teamwork, proven ability to work well in complex institutional settings, and to develop networks of relationships that facilitate collaboration among colleagues. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to promote teamwork, proven ability to work well in complex institutional settings, and to develop networks of relationships that facilitate collaboration among colleagues. Staff Development Abilities and Skills 15 A strong background and prior work experience in staff development. Demonstrated ability to mentor, coach, and provide actionable feedback to financial professionals. Language Proficiency: Total Points 10 Demonstrated capacity for excellent English writing and speaking. Demonstrated capacity to communicate complex policy, strategy, and financial issues orally and in writing in a clear, concise, and well-organized manner. Ability to write high-quality reports, action memorandums, or other documentation. Total = 100 points TERM OF PERFORMANCE The base term of the contract will be for a period of one year, which may be extended upon mutual agreement and subject to, continued need, satisfactory performance and availability of funds. This position has been classified as equivalent to a GS-14 position in the USG Civil Service. The actual salary of the successful candidate will be negotiated depending on qualifications and previous salary history. In addition to the basic salary, differentials and other benefits in effect at the time and which are applicable and subject to change on a similar basis as for direct-hire USG employees will be added. SECURITY AND MEDICAL CLEARANCE The USPSC will be required to complete a full physical examination (including relevant immunizations) from his/her own physician and then obtain a medical clearance from State M/MED prior to service overseas. Also, USAID/Central Asia must initiate a security clearance prior to the Contractor's travel to post of duty. Until a temporary or final adjudication of a security clearance is received, the contract shall not be signed. If candidate fails to obtain a security clearance (temporary or full) within six months, the offer may be retracted. VI. SUBMITTING AN OFFER Submission of a r'sum alone IS NOT a complete application. This position requires the completion of additional forms and/or supplemental materials as described in this section. Failure to provide the required information and/or materials will result in your not being considered for employment. All application packages are to be submitted via email to: centralasiajobs@usaid.gov and/or almatyhr@usaid.gov, and James Berscheit jberscheit@usaid.gov citing the Solicitation number and the Position title. Interested individuals meeting the Minimum Qualifications above are required to submit the following: Complete and submit the offer form AID 309-2, - Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals, available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section I. Offeror submissions must clearly reference the number of this Solicitation to ensure the offer is for the position in this Solicitation. Cover letter and current r'sum/curriculum vitae (CV). The CV/r'sum must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the application in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria. Broad general statements that are vague or lacking specificity will not be considered as effectively addressing. Ensure the application covers the evaluation and selection criteria, as outlined in Section III of this solicitation. Applicants must provide a minimum of three references within the last five years from the applicant's professional life, namely individuals who are not family members or relatives. Ideally, references should be from direct supervisors who can provide information regarding the applicant's work knowledge and professional experience. Applicants must provide e-mail addresses and/or working telephone numbers for all references. To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position. Offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission. VII. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRES Once the Contracting Officer (CO) informs the successful applicant about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful applicant instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms: Forms outlined below can found at: http://www.usaid.gov/forms 1. Medical History and Examination form (DS-6561) 2. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85) 3. Finger Print Card (FD-258) 4. Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) The above listed forms shall only be completed upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job. VIII. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a USPSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: 1. BENEFITS: (a) Employer's FICA Contribution (b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance (c) Pay Comparability Adjustment (d) Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation) (e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation (f) Annual and Sick Leave ALLOWANCES: (if/as applicable) Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas): (a) Temporary Quarter Subsistence Allowance (Section 120) (b) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) (c) Cost-of-Living Allowance (Chapter 210) (d) Post Allowance (Section 220) (e) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) (f) Education Allowance (Section 270) (g) Education Travel (Section 280) (h) Post Differential (Chapter 500) (i) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600), and (j) Danger Pay Allowance (Section 650) The employee must meet qualification requirements for certain benefits and allowances. IX. TAXES It is the responsibility of the selected candidate to abide by the tax regulations. USPSCs are required to pay Federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable State Income taxes. X. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs USAID regulations and policies governing USPSC awards are available at these sources: 1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix D, - Direct USAID Contracts with a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien 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 . 3. Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs . [The CO must check http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs to determine which AAPDs/CIBs apply and insert the relevant AIDAR deviation or other policy text as applicable by the type of USPSC.] 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 .