Solicitation No. 263-04-007 ISSUANCE DATE: November 10, 2003 CLOSING DATE: 4:30 pm Cairo time on December 13, 2003 SUBJECT:USAID/ Egypt - Solicitation for U.S. Personal Services Contractor [USPSC]For Human Resources Supervisor Ladies/Gentlemen: The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications from U.S. citizens interested in providing PSC Services as described in the attached solicitation. Submissions shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified and must include signed SF-171 or OF-612 and a written statement that responds to the requirements of the position (Education/ Experience Required for the position). Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to Linda Gregory, Management Office Deputy Director, or Samia Joseph, Human Resources Officer, USAID/Egypt, MGT, who may be reached at fax#: 011-202-522-7197, tel.#: 011-202- 522-7102 or 011-202-522-7180, and email address:
[email protected], or
[email protected]. Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. All applications and the required documents should be submitted to: MGT/HR/US - USAID/ Egypt U.S. Mail Air courier Samia Joseph Samia Joseph Human Resources Officer Human Resources Officer Office of Management Office of Management USAID/ Egypt- Unit 64902 USAID/ Egypt APO AE 09839-4902 Plot 1/A off Laselki St, New Maadi, Cairo, Egypt Postal Code 11435 For those who wish to send their application via pouch, please also send your application & CV by Email attachment (
[email protected]) or FAX ((202) 522-7197) to ensure receipt of your application before the closing date. Application forms, USG Standard Form 171 and Optional Form 612 can be located at: http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms/SF171/sf171.pdf http://inside.usaid.gov/forms/formsnumeric.html Offerors are requested to provide their full mailing address and contact information (telephone, fax or email). The U.S. Government is under no obligation to award a contract based on this notice. Sincerely, Samia Joseph HR Officer SOLICITATION NUMBER: 263-04-007 ISSUANCE DATE: November 10, 2003 CLOSING DATE/TIME: 4:30 pm Cairo time on December 13, 2003 POSITION TITLE: Human Resources Supervisor MARKET VALUE: GS-13 ($61,251-$79,629) PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 2 years only PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/ Cairo, Egypt SECURITY ACCESS: SECRET AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens POSITION DESCRIPTION I. Introduction: Organizational Location of Position: The position requires residence in Cairo, Egypt. Cairo (pop. approx. 16 million) is the largest city in Africa and Middle East. Although suffering from many urban problems (e.g. severe pollution, and traffic congestion), Cairo is relatively crime-free and offers many cultural and recreational opportunities, including major museums, important historical sites and most sports. The Red Sea and the Mediterranean, easily reachable for weekend trips, provide opportunities for most water sports, especially snorkeling and scuba. USAID/ Egypt Program : USAID/ Egypt manages the largest and one of the most diverse bilateral assistance program in USAID, with Fiscal Year [FY] 2004 operating year budget of $575 million and a pipeline of approximately $1.4 billion. The Mission, with 47 U.S. Direct Hire (USDH), 21 U.S. Personal Services Contract (USPSC), and approximately 240 Foreign Service National (FSN) employees, manages approximately 130 major contracts and grants. The program is highly visible and, consequently, attracts intense State Department interest, Embassy oversight and Congressional scrutiny. USAID/ Egypt is implementing assistance programs across its Strategic Objectives (SOs). The Mission employs a vast range of mechanisms in implementing activities to achieve these SOs, including cash transfer policy reform programs, infrastructure construction, endowments, a commodity import program and a significant local currency program, in addition to traditional technical assistance and grants. The USAID/ Egypt Mission also supports the US-Egyptian Partnership for Economic Growth and Development. The Partnership provides an additional dimension of complexity to program management because of the imperative to balance long-term foreign assistance objectives with more immediate priorities articulated by the Office of the Vice President and a wide range of other US government departments/ agencies participating in the Partnership. The Mission is currently restructuring its portfolio to accommodate the planned reduction in the program budget over the next couple of years and a newly- approved Country Strategy that is designed to support Egypt’s efforts to compete successfully in the global economy. II. Basic Functions The HR Supervisor is responsible for planning, developing, and implementing a full range of American and Foreign National personnel services to support the USAID Egypt program. Personnel management services will also be provided to other USAID Missions as requested, where USAID Egypt has been designated to provide regional support. Services provided and overseen include position classification, recruitment, hiring and termination, as well as oversight of mission systems for evaluation, counseling, and training. The HR Supervisor advises mission management on personnel policies and issues, and serves as the primary Mission point of contact with the Embassy on matters pertaining to post-specific regulations and guidelines affecting American and host country employees. The HR Supervisor administers the Mission awards, employment, and training programs, and ensures Mission compliance with all legal, regulatory, procedural and policy requirements governing personnel management activities. III. Specific Duties and Responsibilities A. Foreign National Personnel Program: Collaborates with the Embassy and USAID/Washington on development and implementation of personnel policies and procedures for local personnel, including the FSN Handbook and the Local Compensation Plan. Oversees development of recruitment sources for new or newly vacated positions. Oversees the interviewing, testing and selection of applicants. Reviews position descriptions and provides technical guidance and assistance to employees and supervisors on position evaluation matters. Conducts CAJE position classification reviews as needed. Oversees planning of career development for local personnel, including counseling, identification of training opportunities, development of Mission-specific training programs, and transition assistance. Manages issuance of all personnel actions and maintenance of permanent personnel records. Oversees the administration of Mission participation in local welfare and medical programs. B. American Personnel Program: Interprets regulations and makes sure employees are informed of all matters affecting assignments, performance evaluations, leave and retirement policies, health benefits, and insurance allowances. Manages the Mission’s annual evaluation process, participating in the organization and support of Mission Appraisal Committees. Administers the annual position validation process, ensuring timely submission of data to AID/Washington. Manages the Mission’s employment program for US Personal Services Contractors (USPSC’s), both long and short term, local hire and off-shore, OE and project funded. Oversees assistance rendered to newly assigned personnel, both before and after arrival, advising on employee services such as housing, servants, commissary privileges, dependent schooling options, post protocol, and employment possibilities for dependents. Manages the Mission’s check-in process for new arrivals, as well as the check-out procedures for employees departing on R&R, home leave, and transfer. Oversees staff coordination with the Embassy on matters relating to notifications of arrival and departure, requests for residence visas, and local identity cards. C. Training Program: Administers the Mission’s annual training program. Provides advice and oversees support provided to the Mission Training Committee in the identification of training needs, allocation of training funds, development of mission and regional training opportunities, and nominations to USAID leadership courses. Oversees monitoring of Mission utilization of training resources to ensure compliance with pertinent regulations and guidelines. Oversees the provision of logistical support to Mission and regional training programs conducted in Egypt. Administers the Mission language programs, including identifying employee needs, scheduling classes, tracking participation, and overseeing the language instructors. D. Travel: Administers the Mission’s travel program. Interprets regulations and makes sure employees are well informed on all matters relating to travel regulations and post-funded travel. Serves as the Mission liaison with Carlson WagonLit on travel matters. Directs the preparation of all travel authorizations issued within the Mission, ensuring compliance with all pertinent laws and regulations. E. Other Duties: Ensures that services provided meet all legal, regulatory, procedural, and policy requirements of the specialized personnel program areas. Directs the clerical and administrative functions essential to the processing and documentation of personnel actions. Evaluates and makes recommendations on staffing needs of the Mission; assists in developing and implementing reorganizations/realignments as needed to reflect changing Mission objectives and priorities. Participates in the preparation of annual budget estimates to assure that personnel requirements and wage adjustments are adequately provided for. Develops and implements an effective employee management program by anticipating and identifying sources of difficulties and taking corrective action, ensuring that complaints are handled expeditiously and equitably and that the Agency’s and post's grievance procedures are well understood and operable, assuring an active support of equal employment opportunities. Ensures timely and accurate updates to USAID staffing databases. Oversees preparation and issuance of periodic staffing reports. Coordinates with the Embassy on preparation and review of differential reports, the post report, and other reports required by the Department of State. IV. Required/Desired Qualifications: A. Education: A college degree, or equivalent work experience, is required; an advanced academic degree is highly desirable. B. Prior Work Experience: At least ten years progressively responsible experience in personnel management is required; personnel management experience in the U.S. Government is preferred. C. Security Clearance: Must possess or be eligible for a SECRET security clearance. D. Post-Entry Training: Limited job instruction will be provided. Training in CAJE classification certification will be provided if needed. E. Language Proficiency: Level 4 English language proficiency is required. F. Knowledge: Demonstrated knowledge of personnel management is required. A thorough knowledge of Federal personnel and Acquisition Regulations [FAR], and Federal Travel Regulations [FTR] is required. Knowledge of USAID and Department of State personnel policies of the interagency Foreign Affairs Manuals [FAM], Standardized Regulations [SR] and USAID Personnel Regulations is highly desired. G. Skills and Abilities: A comprehensive knowledge of the principles of customer service, as well as sound managerial, analytical and interpersonal skills, are required. The ability to analyze and interpret complex policies, to articulate these policies and their application to Mission operations, and to put into effective practice USAID regulations and directions is essential. V. SELECTION CRITERIA Prospective candidates will be evaluated according to the following criteria: Education: 10 points Technical Knowledge: 20 points Professional Work Experience: 40 points Teamwork/Interpersonal/Communicational Skills: 30 points Total: 100 points VI. TYPE AND DURATION OF APPOINTMENT: Employment shall be through an A.I.D. Personal Services Contract for a period of two years. This Personal Services Contract is subject to the availability of funds. VII. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES: As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, an offshore PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: BENEFITS: Employee's FICA Contribution Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual & Sick Leave Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service Annual Increase APO mail service as per post policy ALLOWANCES (If Applicable):* (1) Temporary Lodging Allowance (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) and (7) Danger Pay (Section 650) (8) Educational Allowance (Section 270) (9) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) (10)Educational Travel (Section 280) * Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes. VIII. APPLYING: Qualified individuals are requested to submit: (1) A Cover Letter of no more than 3 pages that describes how the applicant meets the required qualifications and skills described above; (2) A curriculum vitae which at a minimum, describes education, latest experiences and career achievements; (3) A completed and signed SF-171 or OF-612; (4) Names, contact numbers, and addresses of three professional references; (5) A written statement certifying the date and length of time for which the candidate is available for the position. The U.S. Government Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612 is available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/ or at Federal offices (Note: applicants who submit the SF-171 will be considered as having submitted the proper forms for consideration. However, since the SF-171 has been updated through the OF-612, candidates should strive to submit using the OF-612 and attaching a resume). Note: Only US citizens may apply for this position. This position requires the applicant to obtain “secret” clearance. To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application, and as the subject line in any cover letter. The highest ranking applicants may be selected for an interview. Applicants may choose any of the methods in the Cover Page to submit their applications but USAID accepts no responsibility for delay in transit, mis-routing, etc. Submissions shall be in accordance with the above information at the place and time specified. Given the often intermittent problems people experience in the world with fax and email, all candidates are notified that, should they choose to utilize this method, they should confirm with the USAID Human Resources office that all documentation submitted was received prior to the closing date of this notice. Equipment failures at USAID or by the applicants’ network are not acceptable reasons for late submission, as candidates have the option of sending their application hard copy by courier. No, repeat no, applications will be considered after the closing time and date, and it is the applicant’s full responsibility to ensure that all their documentation has been received by our office. IX. 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 1420-62). ** 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). ** ** 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. X. CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBS) PERTAINING TO PSCS 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 CIBS apply to this contract.