Gentlemen/Ladies: SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (PSC) No. 620-03-00187 USAID/Nigeria The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking proposals (Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612 only) from U.S. citizens, eligible U.S. “Green Card” holders and eligible third Country Nationals (TCNs) interested in providing PSC services described in the attached solicitation. Submission shall be in accordance with the attached information and required forms at the place and time specified. Any questions may be directed to Josephine Udomi, Personnel Assistant, who may be reached at Fax No. 234-9-2342930 or email:
[email protected]. Offerors should retain for their record copies of all enclosures which accompany their proposals. Sincerely, Don J. Brady, Contracting Officer ATTACHMENT TO SOLITATION NUMBER.: 620-03-00187 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 620-03-00187 2. ISSUANCE DATE: July 11, 2003 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: August 10, 2003 4. POSITION TITLE: Deputy Controller 5. MARKET VALUE: $61,251 - $79,629 Per Annum (GS 13 Equivalent). 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years (renewable) 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Abuja, Nigeria, West Africa. 8. JOB DESCRIPTION/STATEMENT OF WORK: A. POSITION TITLE: Deputy Controller. B. ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION OF POSITION: Controller Office USAID/Nigeria, Africa Bureau, Abuja, Nigeria C. DIRECT SUPERVISOR: Controller D. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The Deputy Controller shall report directly to the Controller and shall be expected to work independently with limited supervision over day-to-day activities. The Deputy Controller shall supervise FSNs, TCNs assigned to work in the Controller Office. A) BACKGROUND I. Introduction The Office of Financial Management (OFM) is one of the key support offices within USAID/Nigeria and reports directly to the Mission Director. OFM is responsible for providing financial management services to the Mission which includes financial analysis, financial advisory services, cashiering, budgeting, voucher processing, audit and monitoring, coordination and monitoring of an accounting system. II. Basic Function of the Position The Deputy Controller serves as the alter ego to the Controller and shares fully in the responsibilities assigned to OFM. In particular, the incumbent provides in-depth training to the accounting staff as the Mission implements a comprehensive accounting system and assists in training the OFM staff in their professional duties in areas of financial analysis, budgeting and vouchering. He/she also is required to carry out other duties as assigned. III. Duties and Responsibilities 1. Serves as the Deputy Controller and accounting Officer for the Mission: 75% Deputy Controller, the primary tasks will be to: a. Develop and manage the Mission Accounting and Control System (MACS) and/or the new Phoenix Accounting System, which accounts and controls all official financial reporting on the use of appropriated funds. Develops appropriate Mission-specific accounting processes or systems, ensuring the validity of accounting data. b. Ensure that all requests for obligating, earmarking, and/or committing funds receive adequate review and analysis against illustrative budget or budget elements in the SOAgs and other activity design documents, Limited Scope Grant Agreements, MACS, Implementation Letters (ILs), and other funding document, before submitting to the Controller for signature. c. Ensure the monthly reconciliation of cashier accountability reports with Paris and Charleston Financial Service Centers. d. Develop new ideas and procedures in accounting for incorporation into Mission practices, particularly as automation technology changes how OFM work is accomplished. 2. Training of staff in the Office of Financial Management: 25% Train the Accountants in the budget and accounting operations in the following areas: a. Supervise the Project Accountant and the Operating Expense Accountant in how to plan, organize, and prioritize the work assignments for each of them. b. Prudent cash management and funds control and the analysis of appropriate methods of disbursements (e.g. reimbursement of advances) to grantees, host government institutions, and local and international contractors/vendors. c. Prepare operating expense budgets and providing financial data necessary to develop project and support budgets. d. Supervise the Financial Analyst and train them in all aspects of Financial Analyst functions. 3. Provide training and technical guidance to OFM staff on issues relating to the use and limitations of appropriated funds, referencing the ADS and appropriate methods of financing for grant Agreements, PASAs, Cooperative agreements and other program implementation or obligation documents. 4. Develop the Project Accountants and the Financial Analyst in providing technical guidance to project teams on the financial implementation of their projects/programs; identify and solve financial implementations problems; review the financial aspects of project and grant agreements, amendments, and contractor cost proposals; and develop specific financial procedures to be included in implementation letter. 5. Carry out other duties as may be assigned. IV. Skills and Qualifications To address and carry out effectively the range of duties and responsibilities described above, the incumbent should possess the following: Education: A Bachelors degree in accounting, in Finance or Business Management is required. A professional certification in Accounting, i.e. CPA of ACCA, is highly desirable. Prior Work Experience: At least 10(ten) years of progressively responsible experience in professional accounting, auditing, or financial management activity, at 5(five) years of which must have been with USAID in an accounting or financial management capacity. General Knowledge: A thorough knowledge and understanding of professional accounting principles, theories, practices and terminology. In depth working knowledge of general accounting, budgeting, reporting, and prevailing customs and practices as they apply to USAID accounting and auditing practices is required. A thorough knowledge of laws, regulations and procedures associated with USAID financial management is required. A thorough knowledge of how USAID activities are designed, evaluated, and implemented is required. Skills and Ability: Must be innovative and have the ability to exercise independent and sound judgment in financial and accounting matters. Must have excellent training skills to effectively transfer knowledge and skills to the OFM staff in the full range of OFM operations. Must possess ability to collect and present facts and recommendations in a clear, concise manner, both orally and in writing. Must be able to communicate effectively with Mission staff, host country counterparts, and the general public. Must possess an in-depth knowledge of large integrated accounting systems and of spreadsheet and word processing software. V. Selection Criteria A candidate will be selected based on his/her qualifications, availability, results of reference checks and interview. The selected individual must complete all medical examinations as well as undergo required security clearance. Candidates will be reviewed according to the following evaluation criteria and scoring: Education 20 points Prior work experience 50 points General Knowledge 15 points Skills and Abilities 15 points VI. Position Elements a. Supervisory Control Over Position: The Deputy Controller will work under the general policy guidance of the Controller Office. Direct supervision will be exercised by the Controller. The Deputy Controller is expected to carry out his/her work with substantial independence, serving as an alter ego to the Controller and providing in-depth training to accounting staff. Work will be reviewed in terms of achievement of established milestones, effectiveness in facilitating Financial Management services, success in staff mentoring and appropriateness of the Office Financial Management activity. b. Guidelines Used and Judgment Required: Guidelines include: USAID’s Automated Directive System (ADS); Mission Orders; standard accounting, auditing and financial management operating procedures and systems requirements. c. Complexity: Tasks involve financial analysis, financial advisory services, budgeting, voucher processing, audit and monitoring of accounting system of the Mission. The incumbent applies a depth of expertise to advice on full range of Financial Management issues. He/she must continuously apply innovative thinking to solve Financial Management problems which resist resolution. d. Authority to Make Commitment: The Deputy Controller is authorized to approve administrative documents in the absence of the Controller. In addition, the incumbent will be responsible for management of local staff assigned to specific activities in the Controller Office. e. Supervision Exercise: The Deputy Controller may supervise FSN staff assigned to work in the Controller Office. f. Nature, Level and Purpose of Personal Contacts: The incumbent serves as the alter ego to the Controller and as such supervises day-to-day activities of cash management and funds control and the analysis of appropriate methods for disbursements to grantees, host government institutions, and local and international contractors/vendors. VII. Compensation: The term of the contract will be for two years from on/about September, 2003 to on/about September 2005, which period may be extended by mutual agreement subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds. This position bas been classified at a U.S. Government GS-13 level. The actual salary of the successful candidate will be negotiated within the range depending on qualifications and previous salary history. In addition, the Mission has a 25% Post Differential allowance. VIII.Benefits: As a matter of policy and as appropriate, a USPSC is normally authorized the following benefits: Employee’s FICA Contribution Contribution toward Health and Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Eligible for Worker’s Compensation Annual and Sick Leave Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service Allowances (if Applicable): 1. Temporary Lodging Allowances (Section 120) 2. Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) 3. Post Allowance (Section 220) 4. Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) 5. Post Differential (Chapter 500) 6. Payments during evacuation/authorized departure (Section 600) 7. Danger Pay (Section 650) 8. Educational Allowance (Section 270) 9. Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) 10. Educational Travel (Section 280) II. Applying Qualified individuals are requested to submit a U.S. government Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612 (available at the USAID website). http://www.usaid/gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms or internet http://fillform.gsa.gov, or at Federal offices); All applications should be addressed and mailed to: The Executive Officer USAID/Nigeria 3rd Floor Metro Plaza Plot 992 Zakaria Maimalari Street Central Business District Garki Abuja, Nigeria All applications must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in the cover letter. To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation numbers on your application and as the subject line any cover letter. The highest ranking applications may be selected for an interview. III. List of Required Forms for PSCs Forms outlined below can be found at: Http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc>solicit/ 1. Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612 2. Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-63).** 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) • ** Forms 2 through 5 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job. Note: The selected individual must be eligible for a U.S. government security clearance at the Secret level and obtain a full medical clearance for service. IV. Contract Information (CIBS) Pertaining to PSCS 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 97-11:(Corrected) 1997 FICA & Medicare Tax Rates for Personal Services Contracts 97-6: Contractual Coverage for Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) Services 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 96-11: PSC’s Annual Health Insurance Costs 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)