Gentlemen/Ladies: SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (PSC) The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking proposals (Standard Form 171's or OF-612) from qualified U.S. citizens interested in providing the PSC services described in the attached solicitation. Submissions shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Proposals should be sent to Olga Berzina, Personnel Officer, USAID/Russia via fax (7-095) 960-2141/2142, or by email
[email protected] She can be reached at (7-095) 728-5000, x5874. Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their proposals. Application forms, USG Standard Form 171 (SF-171) and Optional Form 612 (OF-612) can be located at: http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms/SF171/sf171.pdf http://inside.usaid.gov/forms/formsnumeric.html Sincerely, /signed/ Dean Salpini, Contracting Officer 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 118-00-05 2. ISSUANCE DATE: April 7, 2004 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: April 28, at 12:00 noon Moscow time 4. POSITION TITLE: Deputy Director of the Office of Economic Growth (OEG) 5. MARKET VALUE: GS-15 ($87,439 - $113,674) 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 2 years with possibility of extension 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Russia, Moscow 8. SECURITY ACCESS: Secret 9. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens 10. JOB DESCRIPTION: Basic Function of Position The USAID Mission in Moscow, Russia designs and carries out activities to support Russian-led transition to market-based democracy in which Russian citizens have greater opportunities to improve their quality of life. Main areas of interest include: small and medium-size business development, economic policy reform, environmental protection, civil society development, protection of human rights, strengthening local governance, and improvement of healthcare practices and social welfare. USAID/Russia’s portfolio is about $87 million. The position is located at the Office of Economic Growth (OEG). OEG portfolio value is almost $18 million. The Deputy Director of the Office of Economic Growth (OEG) will oversee the design, implementation, and coordination of all USAID-financed activities in the OEG portfolio. The OEG portfolio is responsible for four major program areas: Economic Policy (think tanks mainly), Financial Sector, Regional Economic Development and Environment. The office is currently responsible for managing over 20 activities in these program areas. OEG staff consists of 1-2 USDHs, 1 PASA and 13 FSNs. The Deputy Director reports directly to the Director, Office of Economic Growth and serves as his/her alter ego. In the absence of the Office Director, the incumbent will serve as Office Director in an acting capacity. The incumbent is responsible for overall management of the office, including conceptualization and design of individual activities. In the absence of the director, the officer serves as a representative and spokesperson to counterparts, partners and USG agencies. Major Duties and Responsibilities % of time 1.Core management responsibility for the day-to-day activities of the office, providing procedural, technical, and management guidance: oversee the implementation of programs that contribute optimally to long-term development of the economic growth program and impact on Russia as it moves toward a market economy; provide authoritative policy and operational guidance to the OEG teams for program development and implementation; monitor and provide technical direction and guidance to the work of the CTOs to conceptualize and implement new and on going activities; provide leadership in establishing performance-based monitoring systems and ensure that such systems can be used as effective management and decision-making tools (40%) 2. Program Support and Coordination: manage the OEG procurement planning and implementation, supervising CTOs and support staff to ensure that all office procurement actions are properly identified, scheduled, developed, and implemented in a timely manner; coordinate activities with Mission Director, Program and Project Development Officers to provide continuous reporting on Economic Growth developments to ensure maximum program impact with the available resources and to work in step with market reforms; provide regular and frequent reporting to the Director of the Office of Economic Growth, the Mission Director, the Deputy Director and the E&E Bureau Offices on progress, impacts, problems, constraints, and issues related to USAID-financed economic growth and environment programs; ensure that office activities are administered in accordance with established policies and procedures, in consultation with USAID controller, contracting officer and executive officer; ensure that OEG reporting, documentation, and written communications are responsive, reasoned, accurate and prompt; direct overall management control and audit follow up activities and keep the Office Director informed concerning progress, problems, and remedial action required that are beyond his own authority (35%) 3. Liaison with U.S. and Russian governments and the donor community: the incumbent will assist the Office Director in the following activities, and act in his absence Participate in Mission and regional embassy dialogue with host government representatives in the areas covered by the OEG portfolio; represent the Mission in discussions with economic advisors and analysts from other donors, including the World Bank, the EBRD and the International Monetary Fun; manage crucial elements of the economic growth portfolio, including liaison with project backstop officers in AID/Washington, the embassy and government officials (10%) 4. Supervision and Staff Development Oversee hiring and training of USPSC and FSN staff ensuring that adequate support is provided for efficient and effective office operations and that OEG staff is fully trained in USAID policies, procedures, and operations: serve as first line supervisor for the FSN staff on the financial sector and regional economic development teams; provide guidance to the economic policy and environment teams; review work from the standpoint of achievement of overall objectives in the areas for which the incumbent is accountable; evaluate the technical and/or managerial performance of subordinates as well as their conformance with policy regulations, and procedures; initiate or review proposals for all types of personnel actions affecting the office staff (15%) Desired Qualifications a. Education: The qualified person must have a university degree in a related field such as business, economics, law, political science or public administration. An advanced degree or graduate training is preferable. 10 points b. Prior Work Experience: This is a senior level position that requires maturity -- at least 10 years of directly relevant experience -- and an ability to function in complex, frequently changing political and economic conditions. The incumbent must have demonstrated ability to manage a series of simultaneous, complex, new and ongoing activities, must be able to accomplish a wide range of assignments on short notice, and must have prior successful management and supervisory experience in a position of similar complexity. The experience can be with USAID, other government agencies, work with donor or USAID contractors. It can be overseas or relevant US experience, but should be related to development or public administration. At least five years of supervisory experience is required. Experience in Russia or in countries with similar transition economies is preferred. 50 points c. Post- Entry Training: The candidate is expected to be qualified to do the job without additional training. S/he will be eligible for training that introduces new procedures. d. Language Proficiency: Professional level language skills in spoken Russian are highly desirable. 5 points e. Knowledge: Knowledge of USAID programs, procedures and contracting methods is highly desirable. 20 points f. Abilities and skills: Excellent oral and written communications skills are essential. The incumbent must also have demonstrated leadership ability and the ability to work in a collegial and persuasive fashion that is action oriented. S/he must be able to operate effectively as a team leader, with the ability to motivate, guide and manage. The position requires excellent project management and supervisory skills and creative program design, problem solving and decision making skills. The ability to analyse policies, programs and carry out project-level analysis is required. 15 points Position Elements a. Supervision Received: The Deputy Director reports to the OEG Office Director. b. Available Guidelines: These guidelines will include the ADS, the FAR, the AIDAR, Mission Orders and USAID/W statements. c. Exercise of Judgment: The Deputy Director is expected to carry out all his functions with minimal direction from the Office Director. d. Authority to Make Commitments: : The same authority as the Office Director. As always only the contracting officer can commit the USG to the expenditure of funds. e. Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts: The Deputy Director is expected to initiate and maintain contacts with the GOR up to the level of Deputy Minister. S/he also will maintain contacts with numerous agencies in the Embassy, with other donor agencies and with the private sector. f. Supervision Exercised: The Deputy Director has core responsibility for day to day operations of the Office of Economic Growth and as such supervises and oversees the work of 13 FSNs (FSN-7 through FSN-11) and possibly 1 local hire USPSC (GS-13). g. Time required to perform full range of duties: The ideal candidate will require six months, less qualified candidates will require a year. AS A MATTER OF POLICY, AND AS APPROPRIATE, A PSC IS NORMALLY AUTHORIZED THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS: 1. BENEFITS Employee's FICA Contribution Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Annual Increase Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual & Sick Leave Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service 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) Educational Allowance (Section 270). (G) Educational Travel (Section 280). (H) Post Differential (Chapter 500). (I) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600), and (J) Danger Pay (Section 650). * Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas) FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes. 3. ACQUISITION & ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs/CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) PERTAINING TO PSCs AAPDs/CIBs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to this website: http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/, to determine which AAPDs/CIBs apply to this contract. 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). ** The forms listed 2 thru 5 shall only be completed upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job.