SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- PSC - Senior Finance and Economic Advisor
- Notice Date
- 10/29/2003
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- Contracting Office
- Agency for International Development, Overseas Missions, Serbia & Montenegro USAID-Belgrade, Kneza Milosa 50 11000 Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro, Belgrade, SM, 11000
- ZIP Code
- 11000
- Solicitation Number
- 170-S-03-001
- Response Due
- 11/28/2003
- Archive Date
- 12/13/2003
- Point of Contact
- Heather Armstrong, Executive Officer, Phone 381-11-306-4790, Fax 381-11-361-8267, - Heather Armstrong, Executive Officer, Phone 381-11-306-4790, Fax 381-11-361-8267,
- E-Mail Address
-
harmstrong@usaid.gov, harmstrong@usaid.gov
- Description
- ISSUANCE DATE: 10-27-2003 CLOSING DATE: 11-28-2003 Ladies/Gentlemen: SUBJECT: Senior Finance and Economic Advisor 170-S-03-001 The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications of qualified individuals from U.S. Citizens interested in providing Personal Services Contract (PSC) services as described in the attached solicitation. Submittals shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to: USAID/Serbia & Montenegro Executive Office Attn: Dejan Jasnic 50 Kneza Milosa 11000 Belgrade, Serbia TELEPHONE NUMBER: +381-11-306-4675 FAX NUMBER: 381-11-361-8267 E-MAIL ADDRESS: djasnic@usaid.gov Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. All applications and the required documents should be submitted to: Please e-mail or fax if possible. USAID/Serbia & Montenegro Executive Office Attn: D. Jasnic 50 Kneza Milosa 11000 Belgrade, Serbia Sincerely, Heather Armstrong Executive Officer SOLICITATION NUMBER: 170-S-03-001 ISSUANCE DATE: 10-27-2003 CLOSING DATE/TIME: 11-28-2003 AT 1700 Local time (+6 EST) POSITION TITLE: Senior Finance and Economic Advisor MARKET VALUE: GS-15 ($85,140 - $110,682) PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two Years (with possible extension) PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Podgorica, Montenegro SECURITY ACCESS: Secret Clearance AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens POSITION DESCRIPTION Introduction: After the decade of wars in the region and sanctions, Montenegro has been working to emerge as a democratic state with a market driven economy. The USAID Program in Montenegro is designed to facilitate this transition. The program commenced on a limited scale at the end of 1997, and initial grants from USAID to several NGOs were made shortly thereafter. Humanitarian relief programs (Food For Peace) and Office of Transition Initiatives programs began around the same time. The USAID-funded economic reform program started in 1999, with a focus limited to privatization. Around the time that Yugoslav forces mobilized and occupied Kosovo, in early 1999, and NATO retaliated with air strikes, the Montenegro program increased dramatically. By the summer of 1999, a major budget support effort was initiated and the economic reform program expanded into new policy areas. USAID/Kosovo & Montenegro assumed management responsibility for the expanding program. However, because USAID staff could not establish a full-time presence in Montenegro for security reasons, the impact of the assistance program was somewhat limited, especially with regard to policy reform which requires constant and continuing hands on effort. With the fall of Milosevic in September/October 2000, USAID personnel were permitted to work in Montenegro on a more continuous basis, though with some lingering restrictions. By April 2001, the situation had begun to ?normalize,? establishment of a full-time USAID staff in Montenegro commenced, and management of the program was transferred from Pristina to Belgrade. The USAID program now includes a diverse portfolio in economic policy reform, private sector development, democracy and governance, community development, and local government (approximately $189 million from 1991 to 1993). USAID implementers have played a key role in working with the Government of Montenegro in implementing its economic reform program. The goal of the program is to transform the economy of Montenegro from a static, centrally planned system damaged by a decade of intermittent sanctions and disrupted regional markets, to a modern market driven economy with linkages rebuilt to the region and the world. The early stages of the program involved the drafting of considerable legislation to transform the business regulatory and banking environment and make it consistent with international best practice and EU directives. The current program is focused largely on implementation of this legislation and other reforms. Critical legislation passed by mid-year 2003 includes: an organic budget law; a public procurement law; law on the central bank and bank bankruptcy legislation; a comprehensive set of tax laws including personal and corporate income, property, excise, and value added taxes, as well as a new tax administration code; business regulatory legislation including a new business organization law which vastly simplified the procedures for starting a business, a modern bankruptcy law, a concessions law, and a movable property pledge law; an accounting and auditing law, calling for the implementation of IAS in the Republic; an energy law calling for the establishment of an independent regulator; and amendments to the Law on Banks and the off-shore companies act, effectively ending Montenegro?s tenure as one of the last bastions of total secrecy in off-shore banking. Considerable focus is being placed on implementing these laws and building the responsible institutions. With USAID support, the department of public revenues is undergoing a full functional restructuring and implementation of a new IT system to assist in collections and taxpayer services. The treasury system is now tracking all public expenditures and revenues. USAID has also assisted in the start-up of the new accounting Institute to govern the accounting profession, as well as conducted extensive training of accountants, companies and trainers to prepare them for the new legislation. On the commercial side, the business organization Law has been effectively implemented with over 15,000 companies re-registered into a new Internet accessible registry. The six main bankruptcy judges finished a study tour in the United States, equipping them to deal with the new reorganization and voluntary restructuring provisions in the bankruptcy law. Along with assistance from USAID advisors, a group of university professors is re-designing the law school curriculum to take account of new and changed legislation. Ongoing training and implementation assistance was also provided in areas including: reform of the payments system and the movement of payments services from the centralized, monopoly payments bureau to the commercial banks. Though this has proceeded more slowly than hoped, the government has adopted an aggressive timetable for 2003. Other ongoing elements of the program include: financial system reform including on and off-site supervision capacity building and problem bank resolution; public procurement training; and public education on all legislation developed with USAID support. Key legislation developed in 2002 and still in the pipeline which is to have a major effect on the transformation of the Montenegrin economy includes the Pension law, which will help bring the pension system back into balance, lessening the severe fiscal pressures the system now exerts. Anti-money laundering and anti-corrupt practices legislation was also developed and is also slated for Parliamentary approval later in 2003. In early 2003, following the election of a stable ruling coalition, USAID assisted the GOM in developing a comprehensive four year Economic Reform Agenda. USAID and BearingPoint, as the main policy reform implementer, have been meeting on a monthly basis with the Prime Minister and Cabinet to track and discuss progress. Private sector development continues to be an important part of USAID efforts in Montenegro. Opportunity Bank, starting as a micro credit program, opened as a full service bank in September 2002 to serve SMEs. To date they have lent $5,782,250 to 2,339 clients where some 9,000 jobs have been generated or saved. The Montenegro Business Alliance, an association of business owners founded under USAID implementer CIPE, has been active in arranging four regional business forums with similar groups in other countries to tie back together regional business connections. Several million Euros in contracts have been arranged at these meetings. Another implementer began in 2002 working on the restructuring of six of the larger companies newly privatized under the mass voucher privatization program and is also involved in conducting accounting and management seminars throughout the republic. A new private sector development/competitiveness activity is proposed for start-up late in 2003. Duties and Responsibilities of the Position: Based in Podgorica, the PSC Senior Finance and Economic Advisor (SFEA) will be responsible for development and oversight of economic policy, institutional reform, and private sector development projects in Montenegro. These programs command a significant share of all USAID programs in Montenegro and include sizeable teams providing technical assistance. He/She will report to senior USAID management in Montenegro on technical and policy matters related to economic policy, institutional reform and private sector development, and on program management and coordination issues. The SFEA will have the following duties and responsibilities: ? Analyze and supervise formulation of economic, finance and private sector related reform policies and programs which promote stability and growth in the Montenegrin economy. Conduct continuing policy dialogue with high level GOM counterparts (minister, deputy prime minister, heads of agencies, and at times through participation in the monthly ERA monitoring meetings with the Prime Minister) regarding economic reform measures. Under the general policy direction of USAID/Serbia & Montenegro senior management, guide the development of the USAID program and project strategy related to economic policy, institutional reform and private sector development in Montenegro. ? Under the general policy direction of USAID/Serbia & Montenegro senior management, guide, develop and manage comprehensive and complex technical assistance programs related to: o macroeconomic policy formulation and implementation; o financial sector regulation, including banking and insurance; o tax policy and administration, and institution building of tax administration and IT; o development and implementation of business regulatory legislation, leading to lower transactions costs and barriers to doing business; o completion of reform in the payments system; o a grants program for the initial financing of the energy regulatory agency; o pension reform, including passage and implementation of a first pillar reform law and the further development, passage and implementation of second pillar reforms; o economic policy research and advocacy; o private sector research and advocacy; o the establishment and growth of a USAID supported banking institution, Opportunity Bank; o monitor and report on progress on the GOM?s Economic Reform Agenda; o continue to monitor compliance with conditions under USAID budget support; o coordinate and be the liaison between four implementers conducting related but separate activities to leverage off the strengths of each. ? Coordinate and manage all economic policy and institutional reform related reporting activities under USAID program and projects. Prepare or oversee the preparation of periodic status and progress reports, and other reports or documents on economic policy reform and private sector development as required by USAID. Oversee the development and maintenance of a management and results information system for the economic reform program. Prepare economic reform related briefing and informational documentation for official purposes. ? Advise the USAID Officer in Charge and Mission Director, program and technical offices, and other staff regarding economic reform related issues affecting policy, strategic planning, technical direction, programming, activity design, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, managing for result, and other USAID program matters. ? Perform other tasks, as requested by Mission management, and which are consistent with the advisory, managerial, and reporting requirements of the position of Senior Finance and Economic Advisor for USAID/Montenegro. Supervision/Oversight Over Others: Supervise one FSN-10 Program Specialist/Private Sector. QUALIFICATIONS Education/Experience Required for the Position: This is a senior level position in a high profile USG foreign assistance program that requires knowledge, experience, maturity, and an ability to function in a complex, highly demanding, and often uncertain environment. The ideal candidate will have depth of experience in all aspects of economic policy analysis, advocacy and implementation. A masters degree in economics or public policy with a strong emphasis on economics is required (PhD is preferred), with 10 years of experience, at least five of which spent in a developing country context. Other characteristics of the ideal candidate include: ? Demonstrated skills in successfully leading and managing multi-sectoral and complex projects, and supervising contractors in emerging market situations. ? Demonstrated skills in developing and maintaining counterpart contacts and relationships at both the senior policy and technical implementation levels. ? Previous experience living under difficult situations. Ability to resolve potential problems in a team context, while maintaining an aggressive work pace, in order to produce results under intense scrutiny and visibility. ? Strong communications, interpersonal, teamwork, and leadership skills. Ability to prepare reports and technical and policy briefs sometimes with short deadlines. Experience with the management and leadership of teams. Ability to interact and work effectively with organizational management and support offices. Experience and comfort with management information systems. ? Knowledge of USAID program management procedures, and experience with USAID financed projects. ? Work experience in transition countries ? Knowledge of the Balkan region ? Speaking ability in Serbo-Croatian SELECTION CRITERIA Experience: Prefer 10 years of experience, at least five of which in a developing country context, and in all aspects of economic policy analysis, advocacy and implementation and in successfully leading and managing multi-sectoral and complex projects, and supervising contractors in emerging market situations. Education: A masters degree in economics or public policy with a strong emphasis on economics is required (PhD is preferred). Communication and Management Skills: Demonstrated ability in developing and maintaining counterpart contacts and relationships at both the senior policy and technical implementation levels. The position requires strong communications, interpersonal, teamwork, and leadership skills, as well as the ability to prepare reports and technical and policy briefs sometimes with short deadlines. Ability to interact and work effectively with organizational management and support offices. Experience and comfort with management information systems. Living Experience: Previous experience living and working under difficult situations, preferably emerging economies. Ability to resolve potential problems in a team context, while maintaining an aggressive work pace, in order to produce results under intense scrutiny and visibility. Administrative Knowledge: Knowledge of USAID program management procedures, and experience with USAID financed projects. APPLYING: Qualified individuals are requested to submit: For USPSCs 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); For CCNs and TCNs a resume and/or Mission specified forms. 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 number on your application, and as the subject line in any cover letter. The highest ranking applicants may be selected for an interview. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCS Forms outlined below can 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). ** * 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. 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. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES: As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: (NOTE: An individual defined as a Resident Hire employee may only be eligible for those benefits listed under item A below.) 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 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.
- Place of Performance
- Address: Podgorica, Montenegro, Serbia & Montenegro
- Country: Serbia & Montenegro
- Country: Serbia & Montenegro
- Record
- SN00461210-W 20031031/031029213025 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
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