Solicitation for Off-Shore U.S Citizen Personal Services Contractor (USPSC) - Economic Growth Advisor, USAID/Sri Lanka and Maldives (Deadline Extended)

Solicitation Number: 72038321R000057272038320R00002038320R00002 Issuance Date: April 5, 2021 Closing Date and Time: April 11, 2021/11.59 p.m. Sri Lanka time (Deadline extended) Subject: Solicitation for Off-Shore U.S Citizen Personal Services Contractor (USPSC) - Economic Growth Advisor, USAID/Sri Lanka and Maldives To All Interested Applicants: The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications (AID 309-2 and resume) from U.S. citizens interested in providing the PSC services described in this solicitation. Submissions shall be in accordance with the instructions to applicants provided in Attachment I and submitted by the date and time specified. Interested applicants must submit all the materials required by the solicitation and should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Incomplete or unsigned offers will not be considered. Offerors should retain copies of all offer materials for their records. Submissions must be electronic and sent to hrcolombo@usaid.gov by the deadline indicated above. To ensure delivery by the due date it is recommended that applications be sent as email attachments of a size less than 25MB. Late applications will not be considered. Any questions regarding this position should be sent to hrcolombo@usaid.gov. Applicants are required to sign the certification at the end of the AID 309-2. Applications that are received without a signature or incomplete applications will not be considered for the position. 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 application. Sincerely, Christopher Daly Supervisory Executive Officer USAID/Sri Lanka and Maldives ATTACHMENT I I. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. SOLICITATION NO: 72038321R00005 2. ISSUANCE DATE: April 5, 2021 3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: April 11, 2021,11.59 p.m. Sri Lanka Standard Time 4. POINT OF CONTACT: Christopher Daly, Executive Officer, e-mail at cdaly@usaid.gov. 5. POSITION TITLE: Economic Growth Advisor (Offshore USPSC) 6. MARKET VALUE: $ 93,907 - $ 122,077 equivalent to GS-14. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value. 7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The period of performance for this contract will be one (1) year with extensions subject to the Mission's needs and funds availability. This is a full-time position with 40 hours per week schedule 8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Sri Lanka & Maldives 9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: This vacancy is open to U.S. Citizens & lawful permanent U.S. residents. Applications will be accepted from Resident and Off-shore candidates. 10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: As an employment pre-condition, the successful applicant is required to obtain a Secret clearance. 11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES: General Statement of Purpose of the Contract: USAID/Sri Lanka & Maldives mission is based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Mission manages a small but complex and dynamic development portfolio. The Mission consists of two technical offices - the Office of Economic Growth (OEG) and the Governance and Vulnerable Populations Office that implement activities across a range of technical fields. Both offices contribute to U.S. Government strategic objectives in the region as well as align with host country government priorities. The Mission also works closely with neighboring Missions (primarily USAID/India and the USAID/Regional Development Mission for Asia (RDMA)) on regional economic growth programming. The incumbent serves as an Economic Growth Advisor for OEG in USAID/Sri Lanka & Maldives. As an Economic Growth Advisor, the incumbent oversees the design of new OEG activities, serves as a program manager or alternate, mentors staff, and serves as an advisor to the OEG Director. The OEG portfolio currently consists of activities in the following sectors: public financial management, small & medium enterprise development, natural resource management, business enabling environment, trade, energy, and technical vocational education training. S/he reports to the Director of the Office of Economic Growth. Statement of Duties to be Performed: The specific duties of the Economic Growth Advisor include, but are not limited to, the following areas: A. Project Design and Management/Mentoring Staff (70%) ? Mentor employees in a variety of areas such as: 1) project design and management, 2) monitoring and evaluation, 3) the USAID programing cycle, and 4) other relevant topics. ? Lead a team comprised of Mission staff and Agency experts to design new activities for OEG in line with U.S. Government strategic objectives and USAID/Washington priorities. ? Draft Scopes of Work and/or Program Descriptions as well as related supporting documents. ? Coordinate with Mission support offices to ensure new activities comply with all Agency design guidance as well as legal, policy, and regulatory requirements. ? Lead technical evaluation committees. ? Coordinate with the Mission's Governance and Vulnerable Populations Office, U.S. Embassy counterparts, USAID/Washington, USAID/India, and USAID/RDMA on programming. ? Represent USAID and engage with the private sector and host country government officials on programming. ? Manage or serve as an alternate for OEG activities. Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to: 1) activity oversight (including monitoring and evaluation and reviewing/approving deliverables); 2) analyzing programmatic issues (both financial and technical) as well as recommending appropriate remedial measures; 3) preparing activity and reporting documents; and 4) communicating programmatic achievements to the U.S. Embassy and USAID/Washington counterparts. ? Respond to USAID/Washington or the U.S. Embassy's requests for information. ? Conduct research, analysis, and prepare reports on key economic topics to inform programming. ? Draft OEG memorandums and ensure documents adhere to policy guidelines. B. Special Assignments (30%) ? Conduct ad hoc analysis, synthesize data, and serve as an advisor to the OEG Director. ? Represent USAID at official functions and meetings with the host country government, donor counterparts, interagency, and the private sector. ? Represent OEG in mission-wide committees. ? Chair or participate in sectoral donor working groups. ? Draft or contribute to cables relevant to OEG's portfolio. ? Respond to ad-hoc assignments from the Mission Director, the U.S. Embassy, and USAID/Washington. ? Compile, review, and coordinate OEG reporting documents, including the Operational Plan and Performance Plan and Report ? Serve as Control Officer for high-level visitors. SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP: The incumbent reports to the OEG Director or his/her designee. The individual will also be in frequent contact with other Office Directors, the Mission Director, and U.S. Embassy counterparts. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: This is not expected to be a supervisory position. However, the incumbent will provide work guidance and mentoring to staff. OTHER REQUIREMENTS: 1) Must be an U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent US residents.be able to obtain a U.S. Government-issued security clearance at the level of SECRET. 2) Must be able to obtain a State/Med medical clearance to serve in Sri Lanka. 3) Must be available and willing to commit to the Contract Performance Period of 12 months. 4) Available and willing to work additional hours beyond the established 40-hour workweek and outside established Monday-Friday workweek, as may be required or necessary; and 5) Must be willing to travel throughout Sri Lanka and/or the Maldives. 12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work is mostly based in an office setting and does not require any unusual physical demands. Travel around Sri Lanka and to and from Maldives on TDY status will average up to 10% per quarter. When travelling to the Maldives on TDY status, the incumbent may be expected to travel between islands in the Maldives to meet with local partners. Travel internal to the Maldives will require transport in ocean going speed boats and seaplanes. This requires one's ability to enter and exit unstable forms of transportation while carrying luggage without assistance. II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS A. Education: A Master's Degree from a recognized, accredited university in Economics, Development, Business, Business Management or Administration, or a related subject. B. Prior Work Experience: A minimum of five years of international development experience working in a developing country. A minimum of three years of project management experience with a development organization. Experience mentoring and managing employees is required. Proven ability to function in a complex, frequently changing political and economic environment. C. Post-Entry Training: Training will be focused primarily on USAID's policies, procedures, and regulations related to project management and USAID's program cycle. Other Agency-specific training (both internal & external) may be provided from time to time depending on the availability of program funds, individual technical needs, and if determined to be in direct support of USAID/Sri Lanka & Maldives economic growth activities. The incumbent must obtain AOR/COR Certification within six (6) months of the PSC employment if not acquired beforehand. D. Language Proficiency: Fluent (Level IV) oral and written English is required. E. Knowledge: The incumbent must have in-depth knowledge of current economic development concepts, private sector trends, market competitiveness, enterprise development, and/or trade, and investment best practices. F. Skills and Abilities: The incumbent must demonstrate and have the ability to: ? Research, organize, analyze, interpret, and evaluate very technical information to inform activities under design and current programming. ? Prepare meaningful, well written reports, and presentations. ? Work independently and with minimal oversight in a fast paced, team-oriented environment ? Obtain and evaluate complex data and prepare concise and accurate studies and reports. ? Communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively to maintain an extensive range of high-level contacts in government and private sector circles. ? Edit and proofread documents with strong attention to accuracy and detail. III. SELECTION AND EVALUATION CRITERIA: 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 pursuance 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 will be evaluated against the following criteria in order of importance: ? Experience ? Knowledge and Technical Skill ? Interpersonal and Leadership Skills ? Education Notice to Applicants: The USAID reserves the right to obtain from previous employers relevant information concerning the applicant's past performance and may consider such information in its evaluation. IV. INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS: Applications should include the following: 1. Cover letter or written statement that addresses the Minimum Criteria in this solicitation. 2. Most current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume. 3. Contact information (telephone numbers and email addresses) for at least three references with knowledge of the applicant's prior work skills; and 4. Signed application form AID-309-2, - Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at: http://www.usaid.gov/forms. 5. Information on current or prior U.S. Government security clearance and current or prior U.S. Government/employment medical clearances. 6. Applications shall be submitted electronically via email to hrcolombo@usaid.gov by the closing date and time indicated above. Late applications will not be considered. 7. To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, applicants must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the application submission. 8. Scanned copies are accepted by e-mail. Applicants should retain for their record copies of all enclosures which accompany their application. V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS Once the 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. 1. Medical History and Examination (DS-1843). 2. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or 3. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85). 4. Fingerprint Card (FD-258). (NOTE: Form is available from the requirements office.) VI. BENEFITS, ALLOWANCES & TAXES: AS A MATTER OF POLICY, AND AS APPROPRIATE, AN INDIVIDUAL MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF OFFSHORE HIRE USPSC IS NORMALLY AUTHORIZED THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS. Individuals meeting the definition of resident hire will only receive the standard compensation package that includes a contribution for life and health insurance and a contribution to FICA. 1. BENEFITS 1. Employee's FICA Contribution 2. Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance 3. 72% of Health Insurance Annual Premium (not to exceed $20,399 for a family and $7,266 for employees without dependents) 4. 50% of Life Insurance Annual Premium (not to exceed $500) 5. Pay Comparability Adjustment 6. Annual across the board salary increase for USG employees and USPSCs 7. Eligibility for Worker's Compensation 8. Vacation & Sick Leave VII. TAXES: USPSCs are required to pay Federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable State Income taxes. VIII. 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 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