Civil Engineer

A. BACKGROUND The Mission's Office of Health, AIDS, Population and Nutrition (HAPN) is one of the largest office within the Mission. HAPN is responsible for programs in tuberculosis, maternal-child health, malaria, HIV/AIDS and family planning/reproductive health. HAPN's average budget exceeds $270 million, with $200 million for HIV/AIDS. Cumulatively, HAPN intends to expend over $50 million on construction and renovation activities. Coordination of Ethiopia's infrastructure program is complex and includes other USG agencies, other donors, and several Government of Ethiopia (GOE) ministries. The U.S. Government provides considerable support through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). As part of this support, USAID will construct new health centers, renovate existing health centers and build or expand commodity warehouses. In addition, USAID provides technical assistance to assist Ethiopia's public sector in planning, constructing and maintaining health facilities. The United States is the largest bilateral donor to Ethiopia, and USAID manages the vast majority of this USG support. The Mission has sector programs in economic growth, agriculture and trade, assets, livelihoods and transitions (including a large food security program), health, education, democracy and governance. A major Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) program is also part of the Mission portfolio. B. BASIC FUNCTION The Civil Engineer will be based in USAID Ethiopia Office of Health, AIDS, Population and Nutrition (HAPN) in Addis Ababa. The Civil Engineer will be required to travel throughout Ethiopia to conduct site visits to satisfy reporting requirements in conjunction with quality assurance and project acceptance inspections for ongoing contracted work. During field visits to work sites, at times the Civil Engineer may live and work in rustic conditions. The Civil Engineer will participate in the planning, design and execution of new construction, renovation and improvement projects, providing engineering expertise and guidance, analyzing contract plans and specifications to identify problem areas or potential problems with planned construction and activities, and making recommendations to resolve problems. In addition, the incumbent will serve as a Quality Assurance Representative performing contract administrative functions with responsibility for the quality assurance and inspection of construction projects for compliance with plans, specifications, acceptability of materials, methods and workmanship, and required safety and labor law regulations. Projects may include, but are not limited to general vertical construction of health centers, and commodity warehouses. The Civil Engineer will be housed in HAPN and will report to the HIV/AIDS Team Leader, or his/her designate. C. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The incumbent will have the following specific duties and responsibilities: •1. Scheduling and coordinating inspection visits and all logistical and equipment support requirements with contractors and key partners, including the Ministry of Health/Public Health Infrastructure Development (MOH/HKID) Project Management Unit (PMU), regional and zonal engineers, and district officials responsible for maintenance and operations. This will include requests for information, materials, equipment, security personnel, and transportation assets per guidance from HAPN and in accordance with established procedures. •2. Assisting in the development, scheduling, and execution of field site, quality assurance inspections by completing documentation of deficiencies noted (both written and photographic) and by completing and submitting reports to higher officials regarding the status of contracted work and in accordance with established designs, engineering practices, workmanship, and safety and environmental protection requirements. •3. Receiving and reviewing field project reports for completeness of established requirements, and completing daily administrative and operational reporting requirements for submission to higher officials. •4. Gathering and reviewing contract documents, project costs and fee estimates, and daily project status reports for contracted work, processing automated program progress and status reports, obtaining and validating original and contractor submitted bills-of-materials, and maintaining and validating a current list of contracted work projects detailing their status and cumulative costs with regards to the status of bills of materials purchased and expended. •5. Tracking and compiling all project reporting and documentation requirements to include the receipt and filing of project designs, as- built drawings, test data, engineering field and analysis reports, all design and contractor bills-of-materials, and all project close out and facility acceptance documentation. •6. Attending all required meetings, scheduled events, and conferences related to assigned program and project activities. This will involve interacting with national, regional, zonal, district and other local government and community officials regarding facility/project completion and modification issues, including inspection, security, maintenance, operations and logistical support requirements. •7. Anticipating requirements, monitoring operations, taking actions to keep operations on track, managing the flow of information, making timely recommendations, coordinating operations with other relevant officials and engineering staff elements, and synchronizing and maintaining the continuity of operations within assigned areas of responsibility. This may involve development of agreements with GOE officials to ensure that Foreign Assistance Act (FAA) 611(e) requirements are implemented. •8. Identifying required actions, making decisions and recommendations, and executing activities as they pertain to assigned areas of responsibility, and providing timely information, assistance, and recommendations to HAPN Office staff and USAID Mission Management. •9. Continuously monitoring operations as well as the actions of outside forces that could potentially disrupt or desynchronize program efforts. This includes working to identify unforeseen obstacles and problems, implementing measures to reduce their effects whenever possible, and reporting problems and recommendations to HAPN staff when situations exceed the incumbent's ability to control or influence them. •10. Continuously conduct risk management to identify hazards affecting plans and operations, and recommend control measures. •11. Effectively manage time and resources within assigned areas of responsibility, to include the synchronization of program activities with those of the USAID FSN Construction Specialist, the USAID/Washington Office of Economic Growth, Agriculture and Trade/Infrastructure and Engineering (EGAT/I&E) unit, and other supported teams and agencies as appropriate. •12. Supervise the USAID FSN Construction Specialist. •13. Obtaining, providing, and processing input and recommendations from staff members, and establish, monitor and control timelines, and identify critical operational events affecting operations. •14. Provide daily input and advice to his/her Supervisor regarding all matters pertaining to proposed, planned, and ongoing contracted work and activities, and the completion of other activities as assigned by the Supervisor and/or the Contracting Officer. •15. Develop relevant sections of the PEPFAR Country Operational Plan (COP) and other relevant program documents and reports as needed. D. EVALUATION CRITERIA: I. Education (10 Points): An advanced degree in civil engineering is required and the candidate must be a registered Professional Engineer (PE). II. Prior Work Experience (50 Points): A minimum of 15 years of pertinent professional experience of which at least ten years must be at the senior civil engineer level. Three or more years of overseas experience are required with experience in Ethiopia or other Sub-Saharan or developing country settings desired. Demonstrated experience in establishing relationships with key public sector, donor and private sector stakeholders is essential. Specific experience in U.S. Government agencies or international donors managing infrastructure projects is highly desirable. III. Knowledge Skills and Abilities - all required (30 Points): An in-depth knowledge of international building standards and practices is required. Knowledge of USAID policies, regulations, methodologies, and documentation is desired. A good knowledge of Ethiopian economic and political conditions is useful but not required. Demonstrated expertise in civil engineering - design/management of construction activities and quality assurance is required. S/he must have project management, implementation, design and evaluation skills, and the proven ability to identify problems and develop creative solutions, as well as demonstrated good interpersonal skills, and demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment and to solve problems in a technically-sound manner. IV. Communication Skills: (10 Points) Excellent English verbal communication skills, tact, and diplomacy, and the ability to establish and develop productive working relations with key stakeholders are required. E. TERMS OF PERFORMANCE, COMPENSATION AND LIVING CONDITIONS: The term of the contract will be for two years from on/about June 1, 2010 (earlier if clearances can be completed) to on/about May 31, 2012 (unless otherwise agreed). Within 2 weeks after written notice from the Contracting Officer that all clearances have been received or, unless another date is specified by the Contracting Officer in writing, the incumbent shall proceed to Addis Ababa to perform the above services which may be extended upon mutual agreement and subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds. The salary range for this position has been established in the GS-14 range. The actual salary of the successful candidate will be negotiated depending on qualifications and previous salary history, but will not exceed the top of the range. In addition, the Mission has a 25% Post Differential allowance. FICA and federal income tax will be withheld by USAID. F. Position Elements a) Supervision Received : The Civil Engineer will work under the direction of the HIV/AIDS Team Leader or his/her designee. S/he will develop a personal annual performance plan, in coordination with his/her supervisor, and will be evaluated annually on the basis of the performance plan. The Civil Engineer independently plans and carries out the work, selecting technical and managerial approaches and techniques to be used, and informs the supervisor of progress and significant challenges and remedies. Regular consultation with other members of USAID's HAPN Team is expected. b) Available Guidelines: Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM), Foreign Affairs Handbook (FAR), Automated Directives System (ADS), Mission Orders and Mission Notices. c) Exercise of Judgment : Excellent judgment is critical to successful performance by the incumbent and to successful implementation of USAID/Ethiopia's construction program. S/he must be able to negotiate sensitive issues with GOE officials and other partners and to analyze and solve difficult problems related to program formulation and implementation. The Civil Engineer must be able to provide rapid independent analysis of problems, issues, and opportunities as they arise, and make recommendations to senior management. S/he must be able to review and appraise the quality of reports, evaluations and other technical services procured by USAID. Considerable reliance is placed by USAID on the judgment of the Advisor to make critical program decisions. d) Authority to Make Commitments : The incumbent has no independent authority to make resource commitments on behalf of the U.S. Government. e) Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: The Incumbent must provide consistent, credible and diplomatic representation of USAID to high level GOE, donor, and other partner contacts for technical, policy and program management issues related to Construction. S/he will have frequent contacts with high level officials of the MOH, donors, and other partners to facilitate smooth functioning of systems for USG financed constructions. S/he will negotiate with MOH and other partners at State (Deputy) Minister, National Program Director and program manager level on the implementation and monitoring of USAID- or PEPFAR-funded activities, and will advocate to ensure that Health construction issues are taken into account in MOH budget and strategic plans. S/he will negotiate and coordinate with GFATM, GAVI, GAIN and others as needed for HIV- and health-related activities. The Engineer will represent USAID/Ethiopia with multi-lateral donor coordination bodies and in defining donor technical, policy and program support to the MOH and other Ministries. f) COMPLEXITY: The Civil Engineer will be responsible for tracking contractor performance with regards to projected completion dates, the receipt and validation of cumulative project and program costs, gathering all project documentation for contracted work and funded projects, and ensuring the completion of all administrative and reporting requirements. This will include receiving and reviewing field project reports from contractors for completeness, compliance with established requirements, and assisting in the development and completion of all in-progress and final project inspection and reporting requirements. The incumbent will prepare internal Mission documentation supporting project planning and implementation and will assist with internal and external reporting to meet USAID/Ethiopia, USAID/W and U.S. Embassy requirements. The Civil Engineer will be responsible for managing the contracts/grants, addressing the Health construction requirements of USAID/Ethiopia's and coordinating with multiple public and private agencies and organizations. The need for decisive leadership in managerially complex and often sensitive, high pressure situations requires that the incumbent exercise good judgment and tact, and operate with substantial responsibility and authority. g) POST ENTRY TRAINING: The Civil Engineer may receive on-the-job training regarding PEPFAR, USAID and USG policies, procedures and regulations, including the Automated Directives Systems (ADS) and Mission Orders. S/he will also receive training in USAID project management and implementation, and auditing and financial management when available and as needed. The Civil Engineer will receive mandatory training as a Cognizant Technical Officer (CTO) and become certified for that function. h) Medical and Security Clearance: The selected candidate must be able to obtain a USG employment authorization level security clearance and a Department of State medical clearance. i. Benefits: AS A MATTER OF POLICY, AND AS APPROPRIATE, AN INDIVIDUALMEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF AN OFFSHORE HIRE USPSC IS NORMALLY UTHORIZED THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS. 1. Benefits (1) Employee's FICA Contribution (2) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance --72% of Health Insurance Annual Premium (not to exceed $20,339 for a family and $7,266 for employees without dependents) --50% of Life Insurance Annual Premium (not to exceed $500) (3) Pay Comparability Adjustment--Annual across the board salary increase for USG employees and USPSCs (4) Eligibility for Worker's Compensatio (5) Vacation & Sick Leave 2. Allowances* (If Applicable): As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, an offshore USPSC is normally authorized the following allowances: (1) Post Differential (Section 500) (2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) (3) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) (4) Post Allowance (COLA)(Section 220) (5) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) (6) Payments During Evacuation (Section 600) (7) Education Allowance (Section 270) (8) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) (9) Danger Pay (Section 650) (10) Educational Travel (Section 280) * Dept. of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). 3. Other Benefits: Additional benefits are available for individuals hired from outside Ethiopia in accord with the AIDAR, Federal Travel Regulations and Standardized Regulations, e.g., international airfare from place of residence, R&R, international shipment of personal effects, unaccompanied baggage allowance, consumables allowance, POV Shipment, Repatriation Travel, furnished housing and educational allowances for dependent children. G. FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes under the foreign earned income exclusion. H . LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs: For initial consideration: 1. OF-612 or SF-171 Upon advice by the Contracting Officer that the applicant is the successful candidate: 2. Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet (AID 1420-17) 3. Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62). 4. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86) 5. Finger Print Card (FD-258). **(Available from the law enforcement offices or in USAID/Washington). The list of required PSC forms above can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ I. APPLICATION PROCESS: Qualified individuals are requested to submit a U.S government OF-612 which is available at the USAID website http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/forms.asp , or at Federal Offices. Alternatively, the old SF-171 may be submitted in lieu of the OF-612. All application forms must be signed and dated prior to transmittal. Applicant's detailed CV and a cover letter of application should also be included. All applications should be submitted electronically to [email protected] To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application and as the subject line of cover letter. The highest ranking applications may be selected for interview. Applications must be received before the closing time and date in item number three of this solicitation. Applications received after that date and/or time may not be considered. ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) PERTAINING TO PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACT (PSC) : AAPDs contain information or changes pertaining to USAID policy, regulation and procedures concerning acquisition and assistance. A number of AAPDs pertain to Personal Service Contracts. Please refer to the USAID website http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/ to locate relevant AAPDs. Additionally, AIDAR Appendix D or J also applies to PSCs and can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf