Moldova DG Advisor

Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) Democracy and Governance Adviser, USAID Moldova 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 121-10-01 2. ISSUANCE DATE: November 13, 2009 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: November 29, 2009, 5:00 PM Kyiv, Ukraine time. (9:00 AM EST U.S.) 4. POSITION TITLE: Democracy and Governance Adviser, 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: This is an intermittent contract which may require multiple periods of performance between December 15, 2009 and December 31, 2010. The first period of performance will take place on/about December 15, 2009 through March 31, 2011. Subsequent performance periods will be agreed to between the parties. - 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Chisinau, Moldova, with field trip assignments to Ukraine. - 8. SPECIAL FACTORS: Please note that no PSC contract can be executed until a candidate has received medical and security clearances. BACKGROUND The Moldova Office of the USAID Regional Mission (headquartered in Kyiv, 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. However, USAID also coordinates foreign assistance reporting for all USG agency assistance 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 $17 million. Future OYBs are expected to average in the $15-20 million range. The Country Program Officer manages the office's affairs and its portfolio of programs in Moldova. The Chisinau Office staff consist of 3 USAID Direct Hires (a Country Program Officer (CPO), a General Development Officer (GDO) and a Program Development Officer (PDO)), 1 USPSC General Development Officer, 1 USPSC Development and Outreach Assistant, and 25 locally hired staff. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES The Democracy and Governance Adviser (DGA) takes the lead technical role in all aspects of planning, programming and strategy development related to USAID's DG assistance to Moldova. The DGA works across the entire DG portfolio, especially in the areas of civil society and political competition and consensus building; 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. Working in close coordination with the Office of Democracy and Governance in Kyiv, the DGA will assist USAID/Moldova to identify new opportunities for reforms in the current post-election period, will recommend future program directions, and will participate in the design of programs that will respond both to the priorities of the new Government of Moldova and USG assistance priorities. The DGA provides technical support and guidance to Project Management Specialists and Project Management Assistants in their roles as Contracting Officer's Technical Representatives (COTR) of USAID DG 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. The incumbent provides technical support to FSN technical officers in their roles as Team Leaders, where appropriate. The DGA may serve as Team Leader in any of the areas under the Governing Justly and Democratically Assistance Objective. The DGA will assist the Program Development Officer (PDO) and the GDO in the completion of USAID strategy and reporting documents and will assist local technical staff in preparation of their input to these documents. He/she will coordinate the preparation of briefing materials covering USAID activities in Moldova as well as the drafting of communications from the USAID Country Program Officer and the United States Ambassador to host country government counterparts with respect to accomplishments, performance, and/or legislative issues of concern to USAID programs. The DGA will assist in management and evaluation of USAID/Moldova's portfolio of DG activities, and will support other 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. The DGA will assist in the development and oversight of the implementation of programs across Moldova's Foreign Assistance Framework Objectives, in consultation with the CPO, GDO, PDO, Moldova Team Leaders, and where appropriate, USAID/Kyiv staff, E&E Bureau staff, and US Embassy/Chisinau staff. Through field observation and consultation and analysis with host government counterparts and USAID implementing partners, the DGA will provide technical advice and support to Team Leaders and assist in the conceptualization, design and implementation of USAID programs. The DGA provides regular and frequent reporting to the Country Program Officer, Regional Mission, E&E 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. When required the DGA represents USAID at senior levels and coordinates with other donors and multilateral agencies in Moldova, especially in the DG area. S/he 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 DGA 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 DGA 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 DGA will report to the Moldova Country Program Officer and will manage those programs and projects assigned by the CPO. The DGA may or may not be required to supervise other USPCS, TCNPCS, or local staff, as determined by the CPO. LEVEL OF CONTACTS: US Ambassador to Moldova, Deputy Chief of Mission, Mission Director (based in Kyiv), USAID senior staff and U.S. Embassy section heads, contractor and grantee chiefs of party. The DGA may also negotiate development and implementation of assistance programs with other donor representatives and GOM officials at senior technical levels, as directed by the CPO. QUALIFICATIONS Demonstrated professional skills and judgment required to effectively develop, advocate and justify modifications to programs in the Democracy and Governance area (required); 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 (required); Knowledge of conditions and factors in Moldova which may influence implementation of USAID projects (preferred); Master's degree in economics, political science, international relations, business administration, public administration or a related field (required); Seven years of experience in international development work, preferably in Eastern Europe or the former Soviet Union (required); Familiarity with USAID policies, strategies and procedures (preferred); U.S. citizenship (required); Ability to obtain a SECRET level security clearance (required); Ability to obtain a Department of State medical clearance (required); 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 selection 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 DG development portfolio (20 points) (ii) Broad familiarity with development technical areas (10 points) (iii) Capacity to adapt to managing one or several areas in the Democracy and Governance sector (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 which may be prorated accordingly: BENEFITS: Employee's FICA Contribution Contribution 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) 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 Materials and Point of Contact A cover letter and curriculum vitae should be sent to kyv09-2009@usaid.gov. Only best qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview. Please send any inquiries to Ms. Tamara Leschenko, Human Resources Assistant, Email: tleschenko@usaid.gov.