SOLICITATION NUMBER: 111-0305-002 Gentlemen/Ladies: SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (PSC) for Controller The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications (SF 171 or OF 612) from U.S. Citizens interested in providing the PSC services described in the attached. Please send applications to: Nooneh Haroutunian HR Specialist/EXO 7020 Yerevan Place Washington, DC 20521-7020 Or By e-mail to:
[email protected] Or By FAX to: Attn – Nooneh Haroutunian ( 374-1) 54 38 71 (Armenia) Submissions shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified and must be received at USAID/Armenia by COB April 1, 2005. Any questions may be directed to Bradford Palmer, Supervisory EXO, USAID/Armenia who may be reached at FAX No. (374-1) 54 38 71 (Yerevan, Armenia), or via e mail to:
[email protected]. Offerors should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their proposals. Application forms: USG Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612 can be located at the USAID website: http://www.usaid.gov/procurment bus opp/procurement/forms. APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PROVIDE A COVER LETTER ADDRESSING HOW THEY MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION. Sincerely, Bradford Palmer Supervisory Executive Officer USAID/Armenia CONTROLLER USAID/ARMENIA YEREVAN, ARMENIA 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 111-0305-002 2. ISSUANCE DATE: March 4, 2005 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: April 1, 2005 4. POSITION TITLE: Controller 5. MARKET VALUE: $89,625 through $116,517 (equivalent to a GS - 15) 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: two years 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Armenia 8: POSITION DESCRIPTION: I. BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW: USAID/Armenia has a program and operating expense budget, including pipeline, of over $100 million. From the standpoint of accounting and financial management, this puts it in the large-sized Mission category. Some $4 million is for project activities in the Armenian-controlled portion of Azerbaijan known as Nagorno-Karabakh NK. The funding of the Mission's programs, projects and activities are drawn from multiple sources. Separate accounting, control and payment mechanisms apply to each. The Controller must establish and ensure that all controls comply with the regulations and directives of the General Accounting Office, the Office of Management and Budget, the U.S. Treasury, and USAID, as well as with applicable statutes and generally accepted accounting principles and standards. These guidelines establish only broad parameters, which must in turn be interpreted and applied by the incumbent to program/project operations and the administration of operating expense allowances. II. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES A. Serves as Chief of the Financial Management Office and administers the financial management program of USAID/Armenia and exercises technical supervision and quality control over fiscal and accounting operations of the four Strategic Objective (SO) Teams and two Special Objective (SpO) Teams. As the Mission's Chief Financial Officer, provides expert technical advice on all matters relating to financial management. Represents the Mission externally in all Mission financial dealings. B. Is responsible to the Mission Director for all financial management activities of the Mission. Implements and manages these which include budgeting, accounting, financial analysis and financial and progress reporting. Directs the day-to-day operations of the Financial Management Office and, as a member of the Mission Director's senior management team, provides advice and guidance to the Mission and the Government of Armenia (GOAM) on financial management practices, procedures and reporting requirements, as well as on the financial soundness and status of USAID financial programs and activities. C. Provides the Mission with uniform guidance and procedures for financial management of all funds available to the mission. Participates in the formulation and review of proposed programs and activities before submission to USAID/W and conducts reviews of financial performance relative thereto. Provides the Mission staff and GOAM officials with assistance and advice relative to financial management practices and procedures applicable to program implementation. D. Serves as advisor to the Mission Director regarding the financial implications of the provisions of existing or contemplated agreements. Provides advice and guidance to Mission and GOAM officials on financial management practices, the financial implications of provisions of existing or contemplated loan and strategic objective agreements, on the effect and significance of exchange rate changes upon local currency payments, etc. E. Directs the maintenance of a comprehensive accounting system and provides necessary financial and statistical data to the Mission Director, the SO and SpO Teams and other Mission staff. Develops and prescribes appropriate systems of internal controls pertaining to all aspects of disbursement and collection of monies, control of receipts and allotments under which they are financed, and provides guidance on financial management principles and standards for joint undertakings entered into with other donors. F. Reviews the implementation of activities and agreements from the financial management point of view to determine whether project objectives are met economically and efficiently and determines the effectiveness of implementation based on analysis of the use of funds for manpower, supplies, equipment, and facilities for USAID and cooperating country funding sources. Participates in the review of proposed contracts executed or approved for financing by the Mission. G. Participates with the Program Officer, the Supervisory Executive Officer and other concerned Mission personnel in the formulation, preparation, and review of Mission requests for program and operating expense funds, supplies fiscal data and the cost factors needed for budget formulation and estimates. Provides advice, guidance, and supporting financial data to Mission officials concerned with the preparation of program, technical and capital assistance agreements and implementation orders. Provides advice on means and methods of financing; the interpretation of USAID accounting and financial reporting regulations; and contract reporting requirements. H. Serves as Mission liaison with the Inspector General and is the focal point for audit activities including identifying- requirements and developing plans, reviewing all audit and investigation reports from the IG and identifying actions to be taken in response to the findings and recommendations and assigning action for compliance and response. Also serves as liaison between U.S. banking institutions and the GOAM through USAID/W. Is responsible for the financial aspects of loan guarantee servicing during the formulation phase and in connection with loan guarantee implementation monitoring. Advises the Mission Director on the handling on loan guarantee defaults. Directs the operation of the Mission's automated payment tracking system and ensures compliance with provisions of the Prompt Payment Foreign Service Travel Regulations and other applicable payment guidance. Performs other miscellaneous related duties as assigned. III. SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS/EVALUATION CRITERIA Education: 20% A degree in business administration, economics or financial management from a college or University is required. A Masters degree is desirable. Experience: 45% Five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, auditing, financial analysis or related work is required. Strong background and work experience in accounting and finance, with international organizations, managing a financial operation and overseeing financial activities including financial analysis, payments, local and US payrolls, and cashiering operations. Must be a USAID/FM authorized certifying officer or have the ability to become authorized/reauthorized prior to assignment. Professional Skills: 30% Proven ability to work well in complex institutional settings and to develop networks of relationships that facilitate collaboration among colleagues; Demonstrated ability to exercise significant, independent professional judgment. Language skills: 5% Professional/native fluency and presentation in English IV. SUPERVISION RECEIVED Reports to the Mission Director directly or through the Deputy Mission Director. Work assignments are in the broadest terms and performance is evaluated in terms of accomplishments and compliance with laws and regulations. V. SUPERVISION EXERCISED Supervises a staff of seven professional and technical personnel including a Chief Accountant, three Financial Analysts, two Voucher Examiners and Accountant. Exercises full range of normal first- and second-level supervision. AS A MATTER OF POLICY, AND AS APPROPRIATE, A PSC IS NORMALLY AUTHORIZED THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS: (Under Automated Directives Systems (ADS) http://www.usaid.gov/ads.html 1. BENEFITS Employee's FICA Contribution Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Annual Increase Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual & Sick Leave 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). 3. CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) PERTAINING TO PSCs 01-10 Revision of Medical Clearance Process – Personal Services Contract with U.S. Citizens 00-08 Revision of Competitive Process-PSC with U.S. Citizens 00-05 PSC Annual Health Insurance Costs 00-03 2000 FICA and Medicare Tax Rates for Personal Services Contracts (PSCs) 00-02 Latest ES-06 Maximum Pay Rate 99-22 PSC Policy 99-7 Contractual Coverage for Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) Services 98-24 Use of Compensatory (Comp) Time by PSCs 98-23 Guidance Regarding Classified Contract Security and Contractor Personnel Security Requirements 98-16 Annual Salary Increase for USPSCs 98-14 Change in Required Application Form for USPSCs 98-3 Class Deviation to 31.205-6(g)(3), Foreign National Severance Pay Under Professional Services Contracts 97-16 Class Justification for Use of Other Than Full & Open Competition for Personal Services Contracts with U.S. Citizens Contracted with Locally with CCNs and TCNs Subject to the Local Compensation Plan, and for Overseas Contracts of $250,000 or Less 97-3 New USAID Contractor Employee Physical Examination 96-23 Unauthorized Provision in Personal Services Contract 96-19 U.S. Personal Services Contract (USPSC) - Leave 96-8 Determining a Market Value for PSCs Hired Under Appendix D, Handbook 14 94-9 Sunday Pay for U.S. Personal Services Contractors (PSCs) 93-17 Financial Disclosure Requirements Under a Personal Services Contract (PSC) LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs 1. Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612. 2. 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)** * 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. Subject to Funds Availability