USPSC Senior Private Sector Development Specialist, USAID/Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek

ISSUANCE DATE: 05/30/2013 CLOSING DATE: 06/14/2013 Gentlemen/Ladies: SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (PSC) No. 22-2013 USPSC Senior Private Sector Development Specialist, USAID/Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking proposals (Optional Form 612) from persons interested in the PSC services described in the attached. Submissions shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Any questions may be directed to Markus Dausses, Contracting Officer, and Tatiana Rossova, Personnel Specialist, who may be reached at FAX No. 7-727-250-76-34/35/36, or e-mail almaexo_hr@usaid.gov. Offerors should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their proposals. Sincerely, Markus Dausses Contracting Officer ATTACHMENT TO SOLICITATION NO. 22-2013 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 22/2013 2. ISSUANCE DATE: 05/30/2013 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: 06/20/2013 (6 p.m. Almaty Time) 4. POSITION TITLE: USPSC Senior Private Sector Development Specialist 5. MARKET VALUE: $84,697-$110,104 per annum (GS-14 equivalent) with 25% Post Differential (currently) (if no qualified candidates available at market value - salary history may be considered) 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic 8. JOB DESCRIPTION: A) BACKGROUND The USAID Kyrgyz Republic Mission (USAID/KR) is headquartered in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, a sub-office in Osh, Kyrgyz Republic. The Kyrgyz Republic is bordered by Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and China. The Kyrgyz Republic is an emerging parliamentary democracy still recovering from a violent political transition in 2010. Because it serves as a potential model for democracy in the region, and because of its proximity to South Asia and its potential to contribute to stability in nearby Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Kyrgyz Republic is of considerable geopolitical and strategic interest to the United States. The U.S. Government's program of assistance in the Kyrgyz Republic is focused on the growth of diversified enterprise and trade; building a more open, democratic culture; better management of environmental resources, including energy; and improved primary healthcare and education services. The mission manages over $50 million in assistance funds annually. The Mission implements its programs together with more than 30 contractor and grantee teams. The Mission currently has three technical offices: the Economic Development Office (EDO), the Democracy and Governance Office (DGO) and the Health and Education Office (HEO). The Mission also maintains a cross-cutting office with a large role in economic development activities. The EDO is responsible for the management of a large portfolio (approximately $20 million/year). These activities currently include a robust agriculture program, private sector diversification, energy sector reform, and macro-economic reform. The office must closely coordinate with the cross-cutting portfolio as well as regional programs managed from the USAID/Central Asian Republics Mission (USAID/CAR), which is headquartered in Almaty, Kazakhstan. EDO activities fall under seven Program Areas: - 4.1 Macroeconomic Foundation for Growth - 4.2 Trade and Investment - 4.3 Financial Sector - 4.4 Infrastructure - 4.5 Agriculture - 4.6 Private Sector Competitiveness - 4.7 Economic Opportunity The Economic Development Office Director (Office Director) is being recruited to serve in a management capacity with a high level of responsibility within the USAID/KR mission. The Office Director will serve as a technical specialist in the design and management of USAID programs supporting economic development and economic diversification throughout the Kyrgyz Republic. In addition, the Office Director will provide a high level of support to the EDO in a management and administrative capacity. The range of responsibilities and functions are outlined below. B) DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Under the general guidance of the USAID/KR Mission Director, the Office Director has the following duties and responsibilities: Activity and Strategy Development (30%): 1) Serves as the Mission's technical lead on economic development, advising Mission management on all issues as they pertain to economic development in the Kyrgyz Republic. Where opportunities arise, the Office Director coordinates the integration of EDO activities with activities of other technical offices' portfolios and with regional activities managed by the USAID Central Asian Republics Mission. 2) Serves as the USAID technical lead for regional economic development programs as related to the Kyrgyz Republic. The Office Director coordinates and integrates USAID/KR EDO programs with USAID/CAR program as well as those of USAID's South Asian missions. The USAID/CAR EDO Director is a key point of contact, technical cooperation and guidance for the Office Director. 3) Serves as the technical lead on economic development, contributing to the design and management of activities that fall under the Mission's cross-cutting initiatives. 4) Conceptualizes and designs projects and programs that contribute optimally to long term development of the economic development program. 5) Directs Mission dialogue with Kyrgyz government representatives in the areas of economic development, market environment, financial markets, and financial institutions. 6) Represents the Mission in discussions with economic development advisors and analysts from other donors, including the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the International Monetary Fund. 7) Leads the Mission's management of Global Development Alliance and Public-Private-Partnership initiatives, which entails significant effort in outreach to private-sector firms (domestic and international) to development alliances and partner relationships. 8) Manages all elements of the economic development portfolio in the Kyrgyz Republic, including liaison with senior technical officers in USAID/CAR and USAID/Washington, the U.S. interagency group, Kyrgyz government officials. 9) Ensures coordination and alignment of USAID/CAR Economic Growth activities with those of other USG agencies. 10) Supervises and provides technical direction and guidance to the work of technical advisors in the EDO to conceptualize and implement new and ongoing activities. 11) Coordinates activities with Mission Director and the Strategy and Program Office to provide continuous reporting on private-sector development to ensure maximum program impact with the available resources and to work in step with market reforms. Economic Development Office Portfolio Management, Support, and Representation (30%): 12) On a continual basis, the Office Director critically reviews USG and other donor activities to ensure maximum coordination and leverage for USG policy initiatives. Based on a thorough understanding and analysis, the incumbent recommends new and/or changes to existing programs and activities. The Office Director works closely with the Office of Acquisition and Assistance to participate in project design teams for the development of scopes of work (SOW) and/or program descriptions for new activities, project assessments, evaluations and other related efforts. The Office Director assures quality control and timely preparation of financial obligating documents and authorizations as required by the USAID/KR mission. 13) Takes the lead for the EDO in program management/administration in terms of budget and reporting processes, including tracking and maintaining budget information, as well as coordinating all information for reporting purposes. 14) The Office Director takes the lead in producing annual reporting documents including the Performance Plan Report (PPR), the Operational Plan (OP), Portfolio Reviews, Strategy Reviews, Mission Resource Requests (MRR) and related or similar documents. 15) Serves as the primary point person and take the lead within the EDO on ensuring that U.S. Government gender, people with disabilities, and environmental compliance regulations are followed and met. 16) Coordinates the EDO's procurement planning processes including serving as a liaison on procurement issues with the Office of Acquisition and Assistance, overseeing the preparation and updating of the annual procurement plan in compliance with USAID/KR's established deadlines and ensuring that USG procurement regulations including PALT timelines, waivers, and statutory checklists are understood, followed and completed by the EDO. 17) Oversees the Public Outreach efforts of the EDO: assisting in the development of briefing materials, newsletters and press releases on assistance programs and ensuring that all outreach and media materials are of a high quality, coordinating with Public Outreach and the USAID/KR Communications Specialist establishing a close working relationship with the Public Affairs section in the U.S. Embassies of all five USAID/CAR presence countries. Program Monitoring, Evaluation, and Management (40%): 18) Provides regular and frequent reporting to the Mission Director, the Deputy Mission Director, and USAID/Asia Bureau desk officer on progress, impacts, problems, constraints, and issues related to USAID private-sector development programs in the Kyrgyz Republic. 19) Ensures that administrative and accountability requirements related to USAID economic development projects are handled in accordance with established policies and procedures, in consultation with USAID Controller and Executive Officer in Almaty. 20) Plans and designs evaluation instruments as needed to make informed program design and management decisions. Conduct or lead data gathering, research and analysis, and dialogue with counterparts necessary to inform program design decisions. Evaluate the costs, benefits and effectiveness of projects. 21) Serves as Assistance Officer's Representative and/or Contracting Officer's Representative (AOR or COR), or as alternate AOR or COR, for economic development. 22) Supervises three senior FSNPSC Project Management Specialists in the administration of their duties. 23) Mentors EDO FSNPSCs, works with staff on individual staff development plans, identifying appropriate training and professional growth opportunities. C) POSITION ELEMENTS: 1. Supervision received: The incumbent will work under the general policy and technical guidance of the USAID/KR Mission Director or his/her designee. 2. Available Guidelines: USAID Automated Directives (ADS), USAID Acquisition Regulations (AIDAR), State Department's Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM), strategic and other general program documents, and contact with contracting and financial management specialists; 3. Exercise of Judgment: In instances not clearly covered by written guidelines, the incumbent will use his own personal, well informed judgment in devising innovative approaches to resolving technical, administrative, managerial and/or policy problems. Excellent (balanced) judgment must be exercised in setting priorities. The use of initiative, discretion and patience is expected in dealing with Mission personnel as well as representatives from other donor organizations to resolve problems that arise during the course of work for which there is often no clear or immediate solution. In addition, considerable judgment is required in working effectively with officials in the government and the private sector, in overseeing contractor activities and coordinating multi-sector efforts in support of USAID/KR development objectives, and in collecting, analyzing and reporting on progress of activities and recommending project actions. The incumbent will also be required to follow and adhere to the Agency's Code of Ethics and Conduct. 4. Supervision Exercised: The incumbent will supervise three FSNPSC Project Management Specialists. D) REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS 1) General: Must be a U.S. citizen, must be able to obtain a U.S. Government "SECRET" security clearance. Must be able to secure a medical clearance to serve in Central Asia. Must be willing to travel throughout the five Central Asian Republics. 2) Prior Work Experience: This position requires maturity and a minimum of seven years of relevant experience with a proven track record of programmatic accomplishment and professional achievement as well as the ability to function in complex, frequently changing political and economic conditions. At least five years of effective international program development experience in areas related to private-sector development or economic policy reform in developing or transition economies. Candidates will be assessed on their leadership in previous positions in conceptualizing, developing, and implementing high-impact international economic-reform and private-sector-development programs. Project or program management experience while residing in a transition or developing country. Previous experience in project implementation should include monitoring and evaluating programs' effectiveness and the application of the results of such monitoring and evaluation in refinements to programs to enhance their effectiveness. At least three years of successful leadership experience in a team environment. 3) Skills and Abilities: Strong analytical and writing skills as evidenced by previous experience and a writing sample. Exceptional interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work in a collegial and persuasive fashion in a team environment. Demonstrated team-mentoring and leadership skills, as well as staff professional development abilities. Fluent in English and proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly, and concisely, demonstrating a high degree of articulateness both orally and in writing, including technical reports. Given the level of interaction with host-country counterparts required by this position, strong command of Russian or Kyrgyz is also desirable. Demonstrated a thorough understanding of private-sector development best-practices in developing or transition economies, with a mix of both theoretical and knowledge and practical experience. Demonstrated ability to produce professional quality statements of work in the specified technical areas, and to make oral presentations logically and persuasively to senior USG officials, other donors, the NGO community, and host-country counterparts (government and non-government.) 4) Teamwork/Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional leadership, communications and inter-personal skills. Ability to interact effectively with a broad range of internal and external partners and USAID clients, international organizations, and host country government officials or NGO counterparts. Ability to function collaboratively and productively as a member of a multi-disciplinary and multi-functional team, and to work effectively in a team environment to achieve consensus on policies, activities and administrative matters. Technical skills are not sufficient to be selected for this position candidates are required to convincingly relate how their experience demonstrates their ability to mentor and develop staff within team environments. 5) Education: A graduate degree in economics, business, agriculture, finance, public policy, international relations, or a related field. E) SELECTION CRITERIA Applicants will be evaluated against the following criteria: International Economic Development Experience: 40 points Management and Team Leadership Skills and Experience: 20 points Writing and Communication Skills: 30 points Academic Qualifications: 10 points TOTAL: 100 POINTS 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. 9. APPLYING Qualified individuals are requested to submit a Optional Application for Federal Employment OF-612 including experience, salary history, list of references, and recent sample of his/her written work (maximum 1-3 pages, i.e. policy memo) no later than COB (6 p.m. Almaty time) June 20, 2013. The form is available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ or http://transition.usaid.gov/forms/OF612.pdf. Applications, recent supervisor reference and three (3) personal references, and writing sample may be submitted by e-mail, fax, DHL or FedEx air courier by the closing date, above, to: Tatiana Rossova Personnel Specialist Personnel Office USAID/CAR Almaty 41 Kazibek Bi Street Almaty, Kazakhstan Email: almaexo_hr@usaid.gov Fax: 7 727 2507634/35/36 Email or faxed documentation is preferred as mail delivery may be untimely. 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. USAID/CAR expects to award a personal services contract for an off-shore US Citizen for two-year period commencing o/a September 01, 2013 (or earlier), subject to security and medical clearances and funds availability. The duty post for this contract is Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. 10. Benefits include post differential, housing, and other benefits per USAID regulations. Basic household furnishings will be available in quarters to be provided by USG. 11. For more information about USAID/Kyrgyz Republic see Mission's website http://centralasia.usaid.gov/ Attachment 3 AS A MATTER OF POLICY, AND AS APPROPRIATE, A PSC IS NORMALLY AUTHORIZED THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS: 1. BENEFITS Employer's FICA Contribution Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Annual Increase Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual & Sick Leave Eligibility for 401(k) 2. ALLOWANCES (if Applicable). (A) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120). (B) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130). (C) Post Allowance (Section 220). (D) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230). (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 (Section 650). LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs 1. Optional Form 612. **2. Medical History and Examination (DS-1843) or Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62). **3. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or **4. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85). **5. Finger Print Card (FD-258). NOTE: Form 5 is available from the requirements office. * Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). ** The forms listed 2 through 5 shall only be completed upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job. 3. POLICY GUIDANCE PERTAINING TO PSCs a) ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) and CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to this website http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/cib/subject.html#psc to determine which AAPDs and CIBs apply to this contract. b) AIDAR: The Agency for International Development Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR) Appendix D - Direct USAID Contracts With U.S. Citizens or U.S. Residents for Personal Services Abroad found at: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf is the primary regulation governing USPSCs for USAID.