GDO for USAID/Chisinau

Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) General Development Officer, USAID Moldova 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 121-09-02 2. ISSUANCE DATE: April 30, 2009 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: May 15, 2009, 5:00 PM Kyiv, Ukraine time. (10:00 AM EST U.S.) 4. POSITION TITLE: General Development Officer (GDO), USAID Moldova 5. MARKET VALUE: Equivalent to a GS-14 ($83,445 - $108,483). Final compensation will be based upon the candidate's past salary, work history and educational background 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Up to one year 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Chisinau, Moldova, with field trip assignments within Moldova and to Ukraine 8. SPECIAL FACTORS: Please note that no USPSC contract can be executed until a candidate has received medical and security clearances BACKGROUND The Moldova Office of the USAID Regional Mission (headquartered in Kiev, Ukraine) has program responsibility for the formulation of the Moldova technical assistance strategy, and the development, implementation and oversight of USAID-financed activities in Moldova. USG assistance is focused on two primary strategic objectives: (a) private enterprise growth to create jobs and economic opportunities and (b) effective, responsible and accountable democratic institutions. USAID also coordinates foreign assistance reporting for all USG activities in Moldova. The USAID/Moldova Office manages a diverse portfolio of more than 20 activities with a fiscal year 2009 Operating Year Budget (OYB) of approximately $12 million. In addition, USAID implements a 2-year, $24.7 million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Threshold Country Program (TCP). Future OYBs are expected to average in the $15-20 million range. The Country Program Officer (CPO) manages the office's affairs and its portfolio of programs in Moldova. The Chisinau Office staff consists of 3 USAID Direct Hires (a CPO, a GDO (vacant) and a Program Development Officer (PDO), 1 USPSC Development and Outreach Assistant, a Department of Justice Direct Hire, and 25 FSNs. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES a. The GDO will serve as the Deputy Country Program Officer and will participate in all aspects of planning, programming and strategy development related to USAID's assistance to Moldova. The GDO works across the USAID/Moldova portfolio, especially in the areas that pertain to combating corruption and strengthening democratic development; participates in the programming process in determining assistance requirements and phasing of assistance; and provides strategic inputs to key program documents, in close coordination with the CPO and the Regional Mission's Program Office. b. The GDO provides technical support to Project Management Specialists and Project Management Assistants in their roles as Contracting and/or Agreement Technical Representatives (COTR/AOTR) of USAID programs and activities, to ensure prompt and efficient implementation of programs, and, in conjunction with the PDO, regular evaluation of results. The incumbent will provide the support and assistance necessary to maximize program impact of USAID activities across all objectives. Where appropriate, the GDO will assure prompt response and appropriate follow-up to audit recommendations. The incumbent provides technical support to FSN technical officers in their roles as Team Leaders, where appropriate. The GDO may serve as Team Leader under any of Moldova's Foreign Assistance Framework Objectives. c. The GDO will assist the PDO in the completion of the Moldova Annual Report and other USAID strategy documents, and will assist in preparing the input of FSN technical officers. He/she will coordinate the preparation of briefing materials covering USAID activities in Moldova as well as the drafting of communications from the USAID CPO and the United States Ambassador to host country government counterparts with respect to accomplishments, performance, and/or legislative issues of concern to USAID programs. d. The GDO will assist in management and evaluation of USAID/Moldova's MCA TCP, and support other anti-corruption activities as required. The incumbent will provide policy-level, technical and management assistance to USAID and other USG agencies at post, the Government of Moldova (GOM), and private sector and NGO/PVO contacts, in order to determine how best to address implementation issues that may have an impact on project results. e. The GDO will assist in the development and oversight of the implementation of programs across Moldova's Foreign Assistance Framework Objectives, in consultation with the CPO, PDO, Moldova Team Leaders, and where appropriate, USAID/Kyiv staff, USAID Bureau staff, and US Embassy/Chisinau staff. f. Through field observation and consultation and analysis with host government counterparts and USAID implementing partners, the GDO will provide technical advice and support to Team Leaders and assist in the conceptualization, design and implementation of USAID programs. g. The GDO provides regular and frequent reporting to the CPO, Regional Mission, bureau offices and US Embassy in Chisinau as required on progress, impacts, problems, constraints, opportunities and issues related to the implementation of USAID programs in Moldova. h. When required the GDO represents USAID at senior levels and coordinates with other donors and multilateral agencies in Moldova. Conducts analyses and makes recommendations on policy, technical and administrative issues that form the basis of U.S. positions to be advanced by the U.S. Government in its discussions with the World Bank, the IMF, UNDP, the European Union, the European Commission, the G7, and a host of bilateral donors in Moldova. The GDO ensures that USAID policies and programs in Moldova complement other donor efforts and multilateral institutions and, where necessary, adjusts or revises USAID/Moldova programs to avoid duplication. The GDO ensures that USAID regional mission senior management and staff are informed about other donor and multilateral policies and programs throughout the region that might impact on USAID/Moldova programming. SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP: The GDO will report to the Moldova CPO and will manage those programs and projects assigned by the CPO. The GDO may or may not be required to supervise other staff as determined by the CPO. LEVEL OF CONTACTS: US Ambassador to Moldova, Deputy Chief of Mission, Mission Director (based in Kyiv), MCC senior staff, USAID senior staff and U.S. Embassy section heads, contractor and grantee chiefs of party. The GDO will also negotiate development and implementation of assistance programs with other donor representatives and GOM officials at senior technical levels. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Demonstration of professional skills and judgment required to effectively develop, advocate and justify modifications to programs - Proven ability to coordinate and collaborate with highly qualified professionals from a range of disciplines to resolve conflicting points of view and achieve consensus on practical solutions - Master's degree in economics, political science, international relations, business administration, public administration or a related field - Seven years of experience in international development work, preferably in Eastern Europe or the former Soviet Union - Familiarity with USAID policies, strategies and procedures is required - U.S. citizenship - Ability to obtain a SECRET level security clearance - Ability to obtain a Department of State medical clearance - Knowledge of conditions and factors in Moldova which may influence implementation of USAID projects is preferred - Romanian or Russian language capability desirable Applicants not meeting minimum qualifications will not be evaluated further. QUALITY RANKING FACTORS Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and selective factors will be further evaluated based on the Quality Ranking Factors (QRF) listed below. Applicants are strongly encouraged to address each of the factors on a separate sheet describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, and/or education that are relevant to each factor. Be sure to include your name, social security number, and the announcement number at the top of each additional page. A. Professional Experience - 40 pts (i) Knowledge and experience in the design, management and implementation of a development portfolio (20 points) (ii) Broad familiarity with development technical areas (10 points) (iii) Capacity to adapt to managing one or several technical development areas (10 points) B. Program Management - 30 Points (i) Ability to design and implement a development strategy (10 points) (ii) Ability to manage programs, to include programmatic and financial issues (10 points) (iii) Ability to review, evaluate and apply complex policies and regulations (10 points) C. Interpersonal and Communication Skills - 30 Points (i) Ability to provide rapid, concise, accurate reporting, both verbally and in writing (10 points) (ii) Ability to work effectively as a team member and in diverse cultures (10 points) (iii) Ability to supervise a diverse staff (10 points) Maximum Points Available: 100 BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a USPSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: BENEFITS: Employee's FICA Contribution Contributions toward Health & Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Annual Increase Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual and Sick Leave ALLOWANCES*: Post Differential (Section 500) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) Post Allowance (COLA)(Section 220) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) Payments During Evacuation (Section 600) Education Allowance (Section 270) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) Danger Pay (Section 650) Educational Travel (Section 280) *Dept. of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) (Government Civilians Foreign Areas) FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes. APPLICATION Qualified applicants are requested to submit a Resume and an application for Federal Employment (SF-171) available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/psc_solicitations.html or Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF-612). Applicants are required to provide three references with complete contact information including email address and telephone numbers.