SOURCES SOUGHT
R -- Intermittent Senior Multi-Sector Advisor
- Notice Date
- 7/2/2003
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- Contracting Office
- Agency for International Development, Overseas Missions, Tirana USAID-Albania, 9510 Tiran Place, Washington, DC, 20521-9510
- ZIP Code
- 20521-9510
- Solicitation Number
- 182-03-004
- Response Due
- 7/2/2003
- Archive Date
- 7/17/2003
- Point of Contact
- Posner Ann, Executive Officer, Phone 355 4 266 395, Fax 355 4 266 394, - Posner Ann, Executive Officer, Phone 355 4 266 395, Fax 355 4 266 394,
- E-Mail Address
-
aposner@usaid.gov, aposner@usaid.gov
- Description
- Gentlemen/Ladies: SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (PSC) Intermittent Senior Multi-sector Advisor. The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission to Albania, is seeking applications (OF 612 only) from US Citizens interested in providing the personal services described herein. Submissions shall be in accordance with the attached information and required forms at the place and time specified. Via courier, hand carried or delivered documents or international mail: Executive Officer USAID Albania US Embassy Rruga Elbansanit 103 Tirana, Albania Via U.S. Mail: Executive Officer DOS USAID 9510 Tirana Place Washington DC 20521-9510 Via email: lpikuli@usaid.gov Applicants are requested to provide their full mailing address and contact information (fax, telephone and email where applicable). Any questions may be directed to Ann Posner, Executive Officer who may be reached via telephone at (355) 426-6395, x1031; fax, (355) 426-6394; or email as indicated above. Applicants should retain for their own record copies of all enclosures that may accompany their applications. Please reference the number of this solicitation when sending your application. Sincerely, Ann Posner Executive Officer USAID Albania SOLICITATION NUMBER: 182-03-004 1. ISSUANCE DATE: July 2, 2003 2. CLOSING DATE: July 27, 2003, 7pm GMT (5pm, local time in Tirana) 3. POSITION TITLE: Intermittent Senior Multi-sector Advisor (SMA) 4. MARKET VALUE: GS-14 equivalent -- $72,381 - $94,098. Compensation will be based on the market value of the position, the individual's salary and work history, experience and educational background. 5. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years If funds are available and clearances are obtained, commencement would be August-September 2003 6. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Tirana, Albania Position Description: See below. I. Background: USAID manages development and transition programs in Albania financed through Support for Eastern European Democracies (SEED) funds. Total SEED assistance for Albania is about $28 million annually, of which USAID/Albania manages roughly $21.5 million. In addition to the Director, the Mission is staffed with three Direct Hires (USDHs), six US Personal Service Contractors (USPSCs), and 13 Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs). The Mission?s Strategic Plan is organized around a Results Framework containing five strategic objectives (SOs), which link with E&E Bureau goals for: strengthened democracy (SO 2.1); civil society and rule of law (SO 2.2); economic restructuring (SO 1.3); health sector reform (SO 4.1); and special initiatives (SO 4.2). USG interests in reducing corruption in Albania is an important influence on these new directions, so expanded emphasis is being given to rule of law, civil society, democracy, governance, and anti-trafficking of human beings which fall within the above defined SOs. Based on recent assessments and to streamline management in light of continuing staffing constraints, scopes of work (SOWs) are being developed for a limited number of new umbrella type contracts and grants which will be awarded this fiscal year and early next. The Mission is designing, contracting and implementing these new mechanism in a carefully phased manner to avoid lapses in the provision of key technical assistance and training to the GoA, NGOs, and the Albanian private sector. As an additional mechanism to strengthen Mission management under existing OE and staffing constraints, Mission intends to contract for the intermittent services of a Senior Multi-sector Advisor (SMA) to provide a management ?surge capability? to help deal with peak periods of SO management need at minimum cost. As the management services will be focused predominantly on USAID/Albania?s three largest SOs, Mission proposes to fund the position with funds attributable to them. II. Basic Function of the Position: The incumbent will serve intermittently as a SMA, who will provide program guidance and support for the design, implementation and monitoring of the portfolios associated with the three primary Mission Strategic Sectors: Democracy and Governance, Economic Reform and Primary Health Care. The Advisor will assist SO teams and participate in activity development, implementation, monitoring, and results reporting. As an intermittent Advisor, the incumbent will perform the work of the assignment during a series of up to 4 TDYs totaling approximately 95 days(excluding travel days) annually.. III. Major Duties and Responsibilities: Serves as an expert advisor and technical authority on complex and, often, precedent-setting policy and activity issues, developing policies, strategies, and plans for development assistance programs for Mission SO teams and implementing partners. Incumbent will provide specialized expertise to Mission Offices and SO Teams in designing and monitoring policies, strategies, and programs. For the three primary SOs, provides support in drafting and finalizing activity and team reporting documents. SMA advises Mission SO teams on new developments, and the most effective approaches to problems of development assistance in the country, and articulates the benefits of interventions to effectively reach specific target audiences. Incumbent will provide technical advice, guidance, and support to Mission SO teams on technical and related program issues regarding the design, implementation, management, and evaluation of activities and activity portfolios. In role of acting SO team leader, provides technical liaison with other USG Agencies, other donor organizations, multilateral banks, PVOs/NGOs, and other organizations to coordinate their efforts with specific USAID SO programs, activity portfolios and approaches in Albania. SMA provides technical and managerial guidance for Mission SO research topics and activity-specific issues. S/he coordinates incorporation of the research findings into implementable interventions within the Mission SO portfolios. Provides expert advice and state-of-art professional assistance and support on policy, activity and SO portfolio implementation planning issues in development assistance. Incumbent provides assistance to SO teams and their partners in the organization and management of performance reviews and assessments. Based on the outcomes, SMA assists SO teams in developing or modifying annual procurement plans and in adjusting the design of new/ongoing activities, as appropriate. Over the course of the assignment, the Advisor will organize and conduct internal performance reviews of the activity portfolios of each Mission SO. SMA assists selected SO Teams in the design and oversight of sectoral and multi-sectoral assessments, and special topic analyses. Maintains knowledge of current literature in order to advise USAID/Albania to facilitate and coordinate activities in selected SO development assistance areas. Attends conferences and meetings for the purposes of professional interchange, and establishes and maintains effective working relationships with colleagues and institutions in related fields. Prepares, or oversees the preparation of activity and SO authorizations, funding documentation, and related implementation letters. Incumbent participates, as requested, in the review of contractor selection and approval, including preparing related documents such as invitations for bid, and plans and specifications for professional services. Coordinates, as required, the evaluation of activities and activity portfolios to ascertain impact and cost effectiveness, including implications for future activities. Advisor plays a key role in development and review of USAID Albania SO activities and activity portfolios. Ensures all phases of project and non-project activity are developed to meet technical, legal, financial, statutory, regulatory and policy requirements. As needed, assists SO Teams in developing SOWs for sector-level assistance initiatives and interventions, to be implemented through large, competitively let umbrella-type grants and contracts. Incumbent coordinates the development and maintenance of a database, and practical indicators, on trends in development assistance under selected SOs in the Mission portfolio. SMA utilizes research findings to assist respective SO teams to refine overall efforts to achieve SOs and associated intermediate results, taking into consideration decreased budgets and other constraints. Analyzes trends with respect to the implications for selected Mission SOs and makes recommendations for action to SO teams and team leaders. As directed, organizes and leads internal SO team exercises to identify the parameters of new assistance initiatives and interventions. Performs other duties as assigned. IV. Management Controls The Advisor will report to the Mission Director or his designee and will be a senior member of Mission management. S/he will be expected to function with a high degree of autonomy within general USAID policies and management guidelines. When functioning as acting SO team leader, the SMA will exercise the same supervisory functions as the team leader. V. Desired Qualifications: In order to perform the duties described above, the SMA should have the following qualifications: A. An advanced degree in an international development-related field. B. A demonstrated track record of increasing responsibility and experience in the design, management and implementation of activities and SO activity portfolios. A combination of activity design and management skills is highly desirable. Familiarity with technical issues in public health, democracy, agriculture and economic growth is a plus. C. Familiarity with USAID policies and procedures relating to activity design, budgeting implementation, and evaluation. Basic familiarity with USAID acquisition regulations is highly desirable. A minimum of 10 years of experience in USAID in SO portfolio and activity management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation capacity is desirable. D. Familiarity with SO activity and portfolio management, results frameworks and performance measurement. E. Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a range of professional counterparts. F. Superior written and oral communication skills. The ability to meet tight deadlines with concise documents and oral interpretation is required. G. Demonstrated persuasiveness, cross cultural sensitivity, tact and poise. VI. Selection Criteria: A. Education 10 points - An advanced degree from a recognized (preferably American) university in an international development-related field. B. Experience 50 points - At least 15 years of experience working in developing countries, including 10 years USAID experience in the design, management and implementation of development activities. - Combination of activity design, management and evaluation skills is highly desirable. - Familiarity with technical issues and managing for results in public health, democracy, education, environment and economic growth is a plus. 3. Other Experience 25 points - Familiarity with USAID policies and procedures relating to activity design, implementation and evaluation. - - Familiarity with strategic management, results frameworks and performance measurement. - - Ability to produce well-written documents under tight deadlines. 4. Interpersonal/Communication skills 15 points - Excellent written and oral communication skills. - Demonstrated interpersonal, teamwork and organizational skills. - Demonstrated experience supervising and mentoring employees in a cross-cultural context. - TOTAL POINTS: 100 points Medical and security clearance requirements 1. The successful applicant must receive medical clearance for serving in Albania. Details of how to obtain US Department of State Medical Unit medical clearance will be provided once a job offer is made and accepted. 2. The successful applicant must be able to receive USAID security clearance that involves applicant's comprehensive background investigation performed by a US Government Agency. Period of service overseas The incumbent will provide the services described above for two years, commencing in mid-calendar year 2003 for two years with options to extend. Exercising the said options will depend on continuing need of the services, availability of funds and satisfactory or better performance, pursuant to FAR 52.217-9. Typical benefits/allowances As a matter of policy and appropriateness, a USPSC is typically authorized the following compensation amenities: Benefits Employee?s FICA Contribution Contribution towards Health and Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Annual Increases Eligibility for Worker?s Compensation Annual and Sick Leave Allowances (if applicable, based on Department of State Standardized Regulations, DSSR)* a. Temporary Lodging Allowances (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). APPLYING Qualified individuals are requested to submit a U.S. Government Standard Form OF-612 (available at the USAID website: http://www.info.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms Internet, http://fillform.gsa.gov, or at Federal offices), by fax, e-mail or separate post by the closing date, above. Applicants are requested to provide their full mailing address and contact information (fax, telephone and email where applicable). 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. All applications must be signed. Contract Information Bulletins (CIBs) pertaining to PSCs (available online: http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/cib/) 01-10 Revision of Medical Clearances Process - Personal Services Contracts (PSCs) with U.S. Citizens, dated 03/31/01 01-07 Clarification of the extension/renewal Policy Regarding Personal Services Contracts (PSCs) dated 03/23/01 00-08 Revision of Competitive Process - Personal Services Contracts (PSCs) with U.S. Citizen 00-05 Personal Services Contracts (PSCs) Annual Health Insurance Costs 00-03 2000 FICA and MEDICARE Tax Rates for Personal Services Contracts (PSCs) 99-15 Changes to AIDAR Concerning Resident Hires and Deviations 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 98-19 Home Leave Under U.S. Personal Services Contractors (PSCs) 98-16 Annual salary increase for USPSCs 98-14 Change in required application form for USPSCs 98-12 Guidance regarding advertisement of personal services contracts (PSCs), and requirements for evaluating applications for PSCs 97-17 PSCs with U.S. Citizens or U.S. Resident Aliens recruited from the U.S. 97-16 Class Justification for Use of Other Than Full & Open Competition for Personal Services Contracts with U.S. Citizens contracted 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. Optional Form 612 or Standard Form 171 **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).
- Place of Performance
- Address: Executive Officer, USAID Albania, US Embassy Rruga Elbansanit 103, Tirana
- Country: Albania
- Country: Albania
- Record
- SN00362225-W 20030704/030702213036 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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