SOURCES SOUGHT
R -- PSC Senior Advisor for Local Government
- Notice Date
- 10/29/2003
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- Contracting Office
- Agency for International Development, Overseas Missions, Croatia USAID-Zagreb, American Embassy Department of State, Washington, DC, 20521-5080
- ZIP Code
- 20521-5080
- Solicitation Number
- 160-04-02
- Response Due
- 11/13/2003
- Archive Date
- 11/28/2003
- Point of Contact
- Jeffrey Nedoroscik, Supervisory Executive Officer, Phone 385-1-661-2088, Fax 385-1-661-2192,
- E-Mail Address
-
jefferynedoroscik@usaid.gov
- Description
- Senior Advisor for Local Government SOLICITATION NUMBER: 160-04-02 ISSUANCE DATE: October 30, 2003 CLOSING DATE: November 13, 2003 SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) Senior Advisor for Local Government, USAID Croatia ISSUED BY: Executive Office, USAID Croatia Ladies/Gentlemen: The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications (Optional Form 612 or SF-171) from qualified individuals interested in providing PSC services as described in the attached solicitation. Submissions shall be in accordance with the attached information and delivered to the undersigned at USAID Croatia at the place and time specified. Applications, which shall include salary history for the prior three years, and the names and contact points (email address/telephone/fax numbers for at least three references with knowledge of the applicant?s work skills) may be emailed (preferred), faxed, mailed, or hand-carried to the undersigned. To ensure delivery by the due date it is recommended that applications be sent in as email attachments or by fax if possible. If an applicant does not have access to an Optional Form 612 or SF-171, the same information may be initially submitted in resume form so long as the items stated in the earlier paragraphs are covered. The award of a contract hereunder is subject to the availability of funds and final approval of the grade and funding for this position. Applicants should retain for their record copies of all enclosures that accompany their applications. Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to the Executive Officer, Jeffrey A. Nedoroscik, USAID Croatia, who may be reached by phone (385) 1-6612088, fax (385) 1-66612008 or by e.mail at jefferynedoroscik@usaid.gov. All applications and the required documents should be submitted to: Jeffrey A. Nedoroscik Executive Officer USAID Croatia American Embassy Zagreb 2 Thomas Jefferson Street 10010 Zagreb, Croatia Sincerely, Jeffrey A. Nedoroscik Executive Officer 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 160-04-02 2. ISSUANCE DATE: 30 October 2003 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: 13 November 2003, 5 PM CET 4. POSITION TITLE: Senior Advisor for Local Government 5. MARKET VALUE: $72,381 - $94.098 (GS-14 equivalent) 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: June 2004 ? June 2006 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Zagreb, Croatia A. Summary of Duties The Senior Advisor for Local Government will perform the services specified herein. Such services shall be under the general policy guidance of the USAID Mission Director. The contractor will work as a USAID/Croatia staff member and will take directions and report directly to the US DH Democracy and Governance Team Leader. In this capacity, s/he will have first line management responsibility for two USAID-funded activities in support of democratic transition in Croatia with specific emphasis (but not limited to) the areas of local governance and media. In addition, s/he will supervise two Croatian Project Specialists. Activities are carried out at the national and local levels of government in Croatia. B. Background In 1996 Croatia?s local government sector increased five-fold to 567 local governments. The 2002 fiscal and decentralization plan left nascent county and municipal administrations ill-prepared to assume the newly devolved authorities. In response, USAID began a pilot local government program to assist local authorities with ?best-practices? in financial and asset management, local economic development and citizen participation in local affairs. In FY 2002, USAID designed a computerized financial management model that enables local governments to analyze their financial state. A further intervention was a budget transparency process developed by USAID implementers. The process includes public budget hearings; mayor's budget messages publicized through the local media; and ?Budgets-In-Brief? to assist citizens to become involved in the budget process. Cities have adopted asset management reforms introduced by USAID. This has led to immediate results as local governments are now able to increase revenues from assets that had never been previously used for income. The Croatia Mission has just completed the design and tender for a new local government reform project that will build upon the best practices developed on the current project. The goal of the new project is to continue dissemination of best practices developed on the first project and expand the project with additional public administration models including performance monitoring, policy dialogue and loan packaging. This last area of technical assistance will be particularly important for enabling local governments to access municipal finance through the private capital market, multilateral lending institutions or host government facilities such as the regional development fund. The policy dialogue will focus on new legislation and serve to consolidate gains made in the Croatian local government sector and reform the sector to conform to European Charter on Local Self Government and EU practices. Reflecting this priority is the approximately $20 million local government reform project that will be set in place by January 2004. C. Position Description The Senior Advisor for Local Government provides specialized technical assistance and serves as a project/grant manager within the USAID/Croatia Office of Democracy and Governance to ensure the timely and effective implementation of a portfolio of activities in support of the overall USAID/Croatia Democracy and Governance Strategy. Specific duties include, but are not limited to: supervision of two Croatian Project Specialists; drafting of issues papers, strategy papers, and project design documents; drafting of public information documents including press releases, data sheets, briefing papers and information packages; and overall monitoring of local government activities. Development and management of annual and multi-year budgets for assigned activities; field monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on assigned activities; development and implementation of specific elements of the D/G program monitoring and evaluation plan, including identification of key progress indicators and collection of data; and contribution to USAID/Croatia annual and other regular reporting documents. In addition, the Senior Advisor for Local Government will serve as Acting Team Leader in the absence of the US DH Democracy and Governance Team Leader. As a Senior Advisor for Local Government, the selected individual will be responsible for all aspects of the Local Government contract management, including effective performance of contractors and identification and reporting on specific results and impact of USAID funded activities. The D/G strategy for Croatia is focused on achievement of one Strategic Objective (SO): "More Effective Citizen Participation and Improved Governance". In FY04, it is projected that the Local Government Reform Project II will account for approximately 16% of the value of the yearly USAID/Croatia portfolio and will reach 25% in FY05. The entire D/G portfolio currently includes specific project activities in the areas of non-governmental organization (NGO) sector development, independent media, local government strengthening, political party building, civil society development, rule of law, and training. In addition, the Office of Democracy Governance provides technical assistance, analysis and advice on issues related to strengthening NGOs and improving governance systems for three other strategic objective teams (SOs). The Senior Advisor for Local Government will participate in all activities within the SO. The Senior Advisor for Local Government will be an integral member of the D/G Strategic Objective Team, including serving as Acting Team Leader when necessary, and will work closely with other American and Foreign Service national D/G project specialists. As a team member, s/he will be required to contribute to training of other team members on USAID systems. Knowledge of USAID reporting is essential. Within the Strategic Objective Team, the Senior Advisor for Local Government may be requested to provide management and/or technical backstopping for any and all projects in the D/G program portfolio and therefore, as much as possible, keep up to date on the results of the D/G Team?s activities. D. Duties And Responsibilities _, ~. , , . . . ~= The Senior Manager for Local Government contributes to the overall development and implementation of USAID/Croatia Democracy Governance Strategy. S/He contributes to the design and development of specific project activities and initiatives to achieve strategic objective of increased, better-informed citizens participation in political processes. A. Manages implementation of USAID-funded Local Government Reform Program. Travels on monitoring visits about 20-30% of time. Reviews workplans, monthly reports, and regularly prepares monitoring reports. Follows developments in Croatian local governance and makes recommendations for necessary modifications in the Contractor's Task Order. Monitors legal and policy environment concerning local government. Establishes regular contacts and communication with NGOs (Institute for Public Finance, Association of Cities and Municipalities) as well as U.S. Government and other-donor funded activities that impact local government, including Security Pact activities. B. Supervise two Croatian Project Specialists who will be assigned to specific Local Government Reform Project activities. Responsible for the staff development and training of these Project Specialists. C. Provides technical direction to, monitors performance of, and reports on impact of the USAID-funded Local Government Reform Project II. At times, the Senior Advisor for Local Government will be asked to participate in other areas covered in this portfolio such as civil society, political process or rule of law/legal reform. The Senior Advisor for Local Government must coordinate project financing and other management actions with backstop officers located in USAID/Washington technical offices and other USAID regional offices. D. As assigned by the Senior Democracy and Governance Officer, the Senior Advisor for Local Government will undertake technical review of project and/or grant proposals (solicited and unsolicited, including development of rating criteria and management of review process and advises designated contracting officer of results). E. As designated and/or requested by the Senior Democracy and Governance Officer, the Senior Advisor for Local Government routinely serves as a liaison official with representatives of other USG agencies in Croatia, national and local representatives of the government of Croatia, representatives of local and international NGOs, and with other donors on issues related to development and implementation of USAID/Croatia Democracy and Governance Strategy. F. Through field observation, analysis and consultation with host government and other local government and non-governmental entities as well as bilateral and multilateral donors, advises the Senior Democracy and Governance Officer, the Mission Director and the Ambassador on other assistance needs to facilitate the transition in Croatia to a more open, democratic society. G. Undertakes field monitoring and assessment missions and provides regular written and oral reporting to the Senior Democracy and Governance Officer, the Mission Director, the Ambassador and Embassy staff, and USAID/W technical and regional offices on progress, impact, problems, constraints, opportunities and other issues related to USAID-financed democracy and governance programs in Croatia. H. Contributes to the USAID D/G program monitoring and evaluation plan for the collection and analysis of data and information necessary to monitor implementation and assess impact of USAID-funded D/G program activities. I. As needed and/or requested by the Senior Democracy and Governance Officer, prepares, facilitates, coordinates, and participates in regional evaluations, conferences, seminars, or other activities related to USAID-funded support for democratic transition in the Central European region. Any other tasks not specifically listed above that are relevant to the position or, any other performance that is consistent with the duties listed above. E. Level of Contacts - USAID Mission Director, SO Team Leaders, other senior USAID staff - Chiefs of Party and senior management representatives of grantees and contractors - US Embassy Political Section and Public Diplomacy Officers - Local Government Mayors and staff, and other Croatian professionals - Country representatives and other senior management staff of local and international NGOs and private foundations operating in Croatia - Staff of GOC deputy prime minister, other senior ministry officials and county and municipal government officials - Staff of bilateral and multilateral donors Possibly includes: - National and local political party representatives - Election commission representatives - Staff of legislative bodies and parliamentarians United States Government officials F. Qualifications, Experience and Language Skills Eligible applicants should have at least ten years of experience, with a background in local government preferred but international relations, political science or related studies are acceptable. Knowledge of Croatia's local government situation, as well as political and economic development is preferred. Croatian language skills also desirable. The qualified candidate will: Have experience with local government practices such as asset management, financial management, local economic development, and citizen participation and how these are applied and work in a setting such as Croatia's; Have experience with local government in a transitional country and the issues this sector faces as decentralization is pursued by the central government; Be familiar with the general state of transition economies and societies and be able to deduce and project from this familiarity, the current and future state of a local government going through the transition; Be familiar with the policy dialogue taking place in a transition country vis-?-vis the local government sector and have experience in directing an effort that addresses this dialogue; Have experience with local government activities of other donors and institutions such as the European Union, World Bank, and bilateral donors; Have experience interacting with central and local government officials and high-ranking USG officials; Insofar as this position is also responsible for the conclusion of USAID's media program in Croatia, the qualified candidate will have experience with the media sector as well as knowledge of principal laws and legislation concerning the media sector in a transition country; Experience in closing activities is highly desirable. G. Supervision Supervision will be received by the US DH SO 2.1 Team Leader. H. Other Requirements The selected candidate must be able to obtain USAID security and medical clearances. I. Other Factors The PSC will receive administrative support from the Mission, including office space, equipment and supplies. The Post currently carries a 5% post differential and a 15% post allowance. Benefits As a matter of policy and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: (NOTE: An indivudual defined as a resident hire employee may only be eligible for those benefits listed under Item A below). a. Benefits Employee?s FICA contribution Contribution towards health & life insurance Pay comparability adjustment Eligibility for worker?s compensation Annual & sick leave Access to Embassy health unit and pouch mail service b. Allownces a. Temporary Loding Allwance (Section 120) b. Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) c. Post Allowance (Section 200) d. Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) e. Post Differential (Chapter 500) f. PaymentsDuring Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) and g. Danger Pay (Section 650) c. Federal Taxes: PSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes under the foreign earned income exclusion. J. Applying Qualified individuals are requested to submit U.S. Government Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612 (available at the USAID website at http://www.info.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurements/forms or at http://fillform.gsa.gov) by fax, e.mail or separate post by the closing date listed above to: Jeffrey A. Nedoroscik Executive Officer USAID Croatia American Embassy Zagreb 2 Thomas Jefferson Street 10010 Zagreb, Croatia Phone: (385) 1-6612088 Fax: (385) 1-6612008 E.mail: jefferynedoroscik@usaid.gov To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application, and as the subject line of any cover letter. K. Contract Information Bulletins (CIBs) Pertaining to PSCs 01-10 Revision of Medical Clearance Process ? Personal Services Contracts (PSCs) with U.S. Citizens 00-5 Personal Service Contracts (PSCs) Annual Health Insurance Costs 00-3 2000 FICA & Medicare Tax Rates for Personal Services Contracts (PSCs) 99-7 Contractual Coverage for Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) Services 98-25 Defense Base Act (DBA) Coverage and DBA Waver List 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 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) L. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs Optional Form 612 of SF 171. Resume or CV may be attached. **Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet (AID 1420-17) **Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62). **Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86) **Finger Print Card (FD-258). (Available from the law enforcement offices or in USAID/Washington). ** Forms shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job.
- Place of Performance
- Address: USAID Croatia, US Embassy Zagreb, 2 Thomas Jefferson Street, Zagreb
- Zip Code: 10010
- Country: Croatia
- Zip Code: 10010
- Record
- SN00461206-W 20031031/031029213023 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
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