R -- Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (PSC) for Senior Water and Energy Policy Advisor

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 111-0304-003 Gentlemen/Ladies: SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (PSC) for Senior Water and Energy Policy Advisor 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: Naira Abramian Personnel Assistant/EXO 7020 Yerevan Place Washington, DC 20521-7020 Or By e-mail to: [email protected] Or By FAX to: Attn – Naira Abramian ( 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 5, 2004. Any questions may be directed to Magdalena Maxwell, 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, Magdalena Maxwell Supervisory EXO USAID/Armenia SENIOR WATER AND ENERGY POLICY ADVISOR FOR U.S.CITIZENS USAID/ARMENIA YEREVAN, ARMENIA 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 111-0304-003 2. ISSUANCE DATE: March 22, 2004 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: April 5, 2004 4. POSITION TITLE: Senior Water and Energy Policy Advisor 5. MARKET VALUE: $73,467 through $95,508 (equivalent to a GS - 14) 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: two years 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Yerevan, Armenia 8: POSITION DESCRIPTION: I. Background USAID/Armenia became a full-fledged Mission in mid-1998, having previously been part of a larger regional Caucasus Mission. The program in Armenia is large, diverse, and politically sensitive. Armenia is mountainous and arid. It is in transition from the Soviet system of laws, practices and attitudes to a market economy and democratically oriented system of government. Although Armenia has made significant progress on the political, economic and social fronts in the thirteen years since independence, there is still much room for improvement and much need for international support in this effort. In addition to its transition efforts, Armenia remains locked in conflict with neighboring Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which lies within Azerbaijan but is occupied by ethnic Armenians. The conflict is currently in a cease-fire, but there has yet been no peaceful resolution to the dispute. The U.S. assistance program in the Caucasus is of particular strategic importance to the United States Government and enjoys high visibility and considerable interest from both the public and private sectors. In the early years of USAID involvement in Armenia, assistance was largely focused on humanitarian assistance to the extensive vulnerable population, including the large number of people displaced by internal conflicts in the region. The current USAID program is focused on helping to lay the foundation for sustainable development in the governance, economic, and social sectors. The portfolio of assistance activities is extensive, labor intensive, and requires close monitoring to ensure that it is having the desired impact. The Senior Water & Energy Policy Advisor (SWEPA) position is in the USAID/Armenia Office of Economic Restructuring and Energy (EREO), one of two technical offices in the Mission. The SWEPA position will provide sector support in energy and water activities for: a) planning, managing, monitoring and evaluating USAID-funded technical assistance, training, and equipment and commodity procurement activities; b) advocating USAID/Armenia-sponsored legal and regulatory reforms, including privatization and sector restructuring; and c) supporting efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of integrated water resource management for enhanced environmental quality. The general scope of SWEPA engagement includes liaising with senior energy, water, and environmental sector officials of the Government of Armenia (GOAM) and with key private sector organizations on the full range of energy and water assistance programs and on policy reform issues in the Mission portfolio on electricity and natural gas sector reform, energy efficiency and renewable energy resource development and integrated water resources management. The objectives of the Mission’s water and energy program are found in Strategic Objective 1.5 of the new Mission strategy for FY 2004-2008, “Secure and Sustained Access to Energy and Water Resources.” SO 1.5 combines classic energy sector development and water supply/quality objectives that serve three overall, interrelated goals of U.S. assistance in Armenia: a) to promote enhanced energy security, recognizing that Armenia has limited indigenous fuel resources available; b) to provide critical economic infrastructure for growth and jobs; and c) to ensure reliable and affordable access to essential utilities for all Armenians. The strategy addresses institutional development of the governing bodies of the water and energy utilities and the delivery of safe, reliable, affordable and accessible public utilities. The problems relating to water and energy, including heat, must be solved to facilitate economic growth, raise Armenians’ living standards, and – not least important – build mutual trust and common purpose among government, the private sector, and the general citizenry. In addition, the program of activities under this SO supports the President Bush’s sustainable development initiatives for clean energy, water for the poor and global climate change. The Mission’s SO 1.5 program will support the GOAM to complete restructuring and commercialization of the existing state energy and water monopolies, including introducing commercial management practices in public utility companies. The program provides assistance to strengthen the independent regulatory body for the energy and water sectors, including working to improve the legal framework to enhance market development and attract foreign investment; it also supports development of sustainable financing mechanisms to promote energy efficiency and demand-side management and to develop Armenia’s renewable energy resources. Finally, SO 1.5 activities support GOAM efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of integrated water resource management, to prepare projects for IFI financing, and to improve the quantity and quality of regional dialogue on energy and water, both to improve resource management and to contribute to conflict resolution. The SWEPA will be required to provide accurate and informed advice to Mission Management and key counterparts on the full range of energy and water sector issues, with particular emphasis on both policy reforms and implementation. S/he will require a depth of expertise that will allow her/him to provide leadership in these technical and policy reform areas to Mission Management, to Foreign Service National (FSN) staff, to partners and counterparts, and to customers. Key counterparts and customers will look to the Advisor to present viable and relevant policy options to address the complex and often conflicting array of energy and water sector issues. II. Detailed Duties & Responsibilities A. Planning (15%): The SWEPA will provide substantive technical and advocacy leadership for USAID/Armenia’s legal and regulatory reform programs in Armenia’s energy and water sectors. This will include, but not be limited to: 1) identifying achievable development results in collaboration with USAID customers; 2) establishing dialogue with and obtaining/maintaining support from partners, customers, and stakeholders; 3) obtaining USAID/Washington and EUR/ACE agreement on development results and related financing; and 4) obtaining Mission-level approvals for initiating development activities. B. Achieving (25%): The SWEPA will facilitate the achieving functions of the energy and water sector program (Strategic Objective 1.5) in order to ensure that planned development results are achieved in an efficient, timely manner, consistent with USAID regulations and policies. The SWEPA will effectively manage Mission energy and water sector activities including: program and project planning and monitoring, evaluating & guiding contractor performance to ensure effective and efficient use of resources. As program and activity manager, team leader and member, the SWEPA will ensure that implementation of activities embodies USAID’s core values to ensure a customer focus and results orientation, to empower team members through enhanced accountability, to promote teamwork & participation, and to value diversity. C. Judging (10%): Sound judgment, particularly in energy and water sector legal and regulatory reform is required to: select appropriate data for analysis and interpretation; anticipate needs; make appropriate contacts in order to fulfill requirements of the position; and review periodically the development context, results indicators, and activity implementation progress, identifying problem areas. Moreover, sound judgment and diplomatic skills will be needed in advocating USAID/Armenia proposed policy reforms in both energy and water sector restructuring and privatization with senior level GOAM officials and groups. D. Monitoring (15%): The SWEPA will be responsible for ensuring the acceptable performance and completion of contract scopes of work (SOWs), terms of reference (TORs), work plans, delivery orders, budget tasks, and specifications by short- and long-term technical advisors as well as by institutional contractors. The SWEPA will periodically visit project sites and write reports with observations and recommendations. E. Policy Dialogue (10%): The SWEPA will: meet with host country officials and customers to determine needs for assistance in the energy, water and environmental management sectors; meet periodically with other donors to report and coordinate programs and activities; and use this information to prepare SOWs for technical assistance and commodity procurement. The SWEPA will be responsible for identifying opportunities for USAID/Armenia to leverage IFI loan resources in support of the USG’s policy reform agenda in the energy, water and environment sectors. The SWEPA will be a key USG Mission team member, providing advice and analysis to the Ambassador and assisting coordination of other USG energy and water sector implementing agencies. F. Human & Institutional Capacity Development (HICD) (10%): The SWEPA will assist in the development of an in-depth program of HICD for energy, water, and environmental sector policy makers and professionals in Armenia, including in-country and U.S. training and exchanges and other appropriate activities. G. FSN Recruitment and Training (10%): The SWEPA will be responsible for the recruitment, training, and career development of competent energy, water and environmental sector FSN professionals, as required. H. Other Job-related Duties, as assigned (5%): The SWEPA will be responsive to all reasonable Office and Mission management requests for advice and technical assistance within the scope of the individual’s competence. III. Qualifications A. General Competencies: The successful candidate will demonstrate: • An in-depth knowledge of the concepts, principles, techniques, and practices of a professional field in or directly related to energy (e.g., oil, gas and electricity), water resources management, and environmental management; • Advanced education and considerable experience in energy and water sector legal and regulatory reform and/or economics preferred, with experience or educational background in environmental management of the energy and/or water sectors; • In addition to a strong technical background, demonstrated project development and management skills, the incumbent must have a good knowledge of, or the potential to acquire knowledge of, USAID policies, regulations, methodologies, and documentation; • The strong intellectual and conceptual skills needed to develop strategies to overcome legal, regulatory and operating constraints, as needed to accomplish USAID goals and objectives in Armenia’s complex energy and water sectors; and • A good knowledge of Armenian economic and political development would be useful but is not mandatory. The successful candidate must be able to advocate effectively and often independently energy and water sector legal and regulatory reforms, privatization, and restructuring with public and private sector counterparts. To do so will require the incumbent to: • Quickly establish her/his technical bona fides with key policy makers; • Design and implement major advocacy programs in support of the USG’s energy and water policy agenda; and • Convincingly argue and persuade high-level counterparts to introduce urgently needed policy reforms in the domestic energy, water, and environmental management sectors. The successful candidate must be able establish and maintain contacts with appropriate counterparts in the GOAM, donor organizations, bilateral agencies and private sector organizations. Strong management skills are required to develop and implement program activities involving technical assistance, training, and commodity procurement. Administrative skills are required to oversee and evaluate the performance of multi-disciplinary teams of technical advisors, institutional contractors, and other implementing partners. The successful candidate must possess the ability to obtain, evaluate and interpret factual data and prepare precise, accurate and complete reports as needed to assist in project development and implementation efforts. The SWEPA must be able to recognize significant trends in collected data and to bring these to the attention of superiors in a timely fashion and must possess skill in operating various computer software programs needed to compile/analyze data. B. Education: At least a Masters Degree (Ph.D. preferred) in energy or resource economics or policy, international business, or a related science or technical area is required. C. Experience: Ten years or more experience working on energy and/or water legal and regulatory reform issues, including those related to environmental management, in the public and/or private sector needed. Recent work experience in Eastern Europe or the former Soviet Union is desirable, but not mandatory. Work experience in the establishment and operation of independent regulatory commissions for energy, water or other public utilities in the U.S. and elsewhere is considered particularly useful. D. Languages: A working knowledge of Armenian and/or Russian is desirable but not mandatory. IV. Selection Criteria Experience (35%): Prefer 10 years of experience, at least five of which in a developing country context, with specific prior experience in energy and water sector policy analysis, advocacy and implementation, in planning, managing, monitoring and evaluating technical assistance activities, advocating legal and regulatory reforms, supporting efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of resource management, and in supervising contractors in emerging market situations. Previous experience living and working in developing countries, preferably emerging economies. Education (20%): A Masters degree in a suitable field is required, PhD is preferred. If the degree is in a technical field other than business or economics, demonstrated experience managing public policy advocacy activities, with a strong emphasis on economics, is required. Communication and Management Skills (20%): Demonstrated ability in developing and maintaining counterpart contacts and relationships at both the senior policy and technical implementation levels. The position requires strong communications, interpersonal, teamwork, and leadership skills, as well as the ability to prepare reports and technical and policy briefs sometimes with short deadlines. Ability to resolve potential problems in a team context, while maintaining an aggressive work pace, in order to produce results under intense scrutiny and visibility. Ability to interact and work effectively with organizational management and support offices. Experience and comfort with management information systems. Administrative Knowledge (20%): Knowledge of project management and experience relevant to that in the Position Description. Language (5%): A working knowledge of Armenian and/or Russian. V. Supervision & Management Responsibility The SWEPA, under the supervision of the Director of EREO, carries out assignments with a high degree of independence. The SWEPA meets regularly with her/his supervisor to discuss status of assignments and to receive additional guidance. Within 30 days of beginning employment, the SWEPA will draft annual goals and priorities, which s/he will revisit annually after approval. The incumbent is an expert in the field and is thus expected to carry out most of the work independently, providing technical leadership to country program advisors, FSN staff, other contractors, partners and customers in the development, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of program activities. The SWEPA is expected to use a high degree of independent judgment in the performance of her/his responsibilities. Creativity, flexibility, and persuasiveness are strongly encouraged to maximize the impact of the USAID programs in energy reform, integrated water resources management, and environmental policy and management. The work involves attention to a wide variety of details simultaneously, and the incumbent is expected to determine her/his own priorities, based on team and office discussions. Teamwork is highly valued and the incumbent will be expected to work collaboratively and cooperatively to achieve completed work products. Work will be assessed based on quality as well as quantity of output in addition to success in promoting teamwork principles throughout the mission. On a case-by-case basis, and under the direction of the supervisor and/or Mission Management, the SWEPA may be authorized to make commitments on behalf of Mission, either within the USAID system or with the GOAM. Guidelines for the successful performance of the position include, but are not limited to: the ADS series; the Mission Strategy; individual activity designs and other documentation (e.g., contracts, grants); Mission Orders; and Agency and USG regulations (e.g., on procurement, environment, etc.). 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