SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- Solicitation for Personal Services Contrator (PSC) for Economic Advisor
- Notice Date
- 12/1/2003
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- Contracting Office
- Agency for International Development, Overseas Missions, Armenia USAID-Yerevan, Department of State, Washington, DC, 20521-7020
- ZIP Code
- 20521-7020
- Solicitation Number
- 111-1103-005
- Response Due
- 1/9/2004
- Archive Date
- 1/24/2004
- Point of Contact
- Nooneh Haroutunian, Personnel Assistant, Phone 374-1-56-96-56, Fax 374-1-54-38-71, - Naira Abramian, Personnel Assistant, Phone 3741-56-96-56, Fax 3741-54-38-71,
- E-Mail Address
-
nharoutunian@usaid.gov, nabramian@usaid.gov
- Description
- SOLICITATION NUMBER: 111-1103-005 Gentlemen/Ladies: SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (PSC) for Economic Advisor The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications (SF 171 or 0F 612) from U.S. Citizens interested in providing the PSC services described in the attached. Please send applications to: Nooneh Haroutunian Personnel Assistant/EXO 7020 Yerevan Place Washington, DC 20521-7020 Or By e-mail to: nharoutunian@usaid.gov Or By FAX to: Attn ? Nooneh Haroutunian ( 374-1) 54 38 71 (Armenia) Submissions shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified and must be received at USAID/Armenia by COB January 9, 2004. Any questions may be directed to Magdalena Maxwell, Supervisory EXO, USAID/Armenia who may be reached at FAX No. (374-1) 54 38 71 (Yerevan, Armenia), or via e mail to: mmaxwell@usaid.gov. Offerors should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their proposals. Application forms: USG Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612 can be located at the USAID website: http://www.usaid.gov/procurment bus opp/procurement/forms. APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PROVIDE A COVER LETTER ADDRESSING HOW THEY MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION. Sincerely, Magdalena Maxwell Supervisory EXO USAID/Armenia ECONOMIC ADVISOR USAID/ARMENIA YEREVAN, ARMENIA 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 111-1103-005 2. ISSUANCE DATE: November 26, 2003 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: January 9, 2004 4. POSITION TITLE: Economic Advisor 5. MARKET VALUE: $72,381 through $94,098 (equivalent to a GS - 14) 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: two years 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Yerevan, Armenia 8: POSITION DESCRIPTION: I INTRODUCTION U.S. Government (USG) engagement in Armenia is designed to promote market-oriented economic reform, regional economic integration and political cooperation in the Southern Caucasus. Successful integration will increase standards of living of Armenians. Second, it will promote regional stability in the Southern Caucasus as a counterweight to the worsening crisis in the Northern Caucasus areas within the Russian Federation. Finally, such integration will ensure unfettered access to the region's natural resources and products, especially Caspian energy supplies; and strengthen Armenia's linkages to the world economy. The Economic Advisor serves as the Mission Economist. The majority of his/her responsibility would lie within USAID/Armenia's Office of Economic Restructuring and Energy (EREO). The portfolio is designed to accomplish three Strategic Objectives (SOs) of the Mission: SO 1.3 Growth of a competitive private sector; SO 1.5 a more economically sustainable and environmentally sound energy sector; and SpO 1.6 more sustainable water management for enhanced environmental quality. Additionally, the Economic Advisor would support the Program Office and the Social Transition Team with economic analysis. II DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Economic Advisor will have the following detailed duties and responsibilities: A. Country monitoring, analysis and reporting (30%). Monitors and analyzes macroeconomic and microeconomic situation, along with sectoral policy developments, based on documents from the IMF, World Bank, EBRD and other published/unpublished sources. Under the supervision of the EREO Office Director and at the request of the Senior Mission Staff, interprets and prepares economic reports for the Front Office, EREO Division Chief, Chief of the Program Office and Team Leader for Social Transition on economic issues, trade offs, and policy developments of potential concern to USAID. Drafts economic analysis, debt reports, and/or other program or activity documents. Initiates and plans methodology for analyses of crosscutting Caucasus regional economic issues, interprets findings and prepares final report. Critiques other donors? economic analyses and comments upon adequacy, internal consistency and conditionality included in the programs. Coordinates donor activities as they relate to EREO economic restructuring and energy activities, as well as social issues, such as health sector reform and pensions. B. Economic Liaison (10%). Establishes and maintains ongoing contacts with representatives of: other Mission offices, USAID/Washington, USAID Missions in the region, State and Treasury departments, and with other donors such as the IMF, World Bank and EBRD, concerning economic developments and policy in Armenia. Represents USG foreign assistance programs to GOA counterparts. Must be able to deal diplomatically and with sensitivity both within USAID and State, and with outside agents to reconcile often-conflicting interests and advocate USAID inspired policy reforms. C. Technical Leadership (30%) . Provides leadership in project conceptualization, design, proposal review, and evaluation. Identifies issues that may be of concern to USAID senior staff. Manages the implementation of activities involving the reform of the tax, fiscal and customs; commercial law, competition and regulation; labor markets, government accounting reform. Evaluates USAID/Armenia's capability and procedural effectiveness in executing sectoral program objectives and recommends strategies for improving program impact and operational efficiency. D. Performance Monitoring (25%). Provides leadership in establishing performance monitoring systems within the mission in general, and the EREO results framework in particular. Works closely with the Team leaders of Strategic Objective (S.O) 1.3 Growth of competitive private sector, S.O 1.5 ? A more economically sustainable and environmentally sound energy sector Investment increased and Sp.O. 1.6 ? More sustainable water management for enhanced environmental quality, and when appropriate, serves as a Team Leader. To a lesser extent, assists the Program Office and the Social Transition Team with performance monitoring. Assesses progress in achieving outputs and results for Intermediary Results (IR) activities, carries out evaluations/assessment of activities as needed; and report problem areas and corrective steps to the concerned S.O. Team Leaders and the EREO Office Director. E. Other (5%). Other job-related duties as maybe assigned by supervisor or her/his designee. IV EVALUATION FACTORS A. Education (0-15points): A Masters degree in economics is required but a Ph.D. is preferred. Degree work should emphasize macroeconomic policy, international trade, international finance, banking, emerging market economies, and/or economies in transition. B. Experience (0-30 points): A minimum of 8 to 10 years (more if candidate does not have a Ph.D.) of demonstrated experience working on economic issues in the public and/or private sector is required. Of this experience, at least three years should be in the management of analytical/advocacy programs. Experience in policy dialogue/advocacy on economic issues at the national and international level and with projects in developing countries and economies in transition is required. Recent work experience in Eastern Europe or in the Former Soviet Union is desirable but not mandatory. C. Knowledge Required (0-30points): Professional knowledge and experience in the application of economic development theory and practice, including economic stabilization, structural adjustment, external debt, trade, pricing policies, etc. Knowledge of applied quantitative techniques and computer programs, and ability to translate statistical results into clear, meaningful program related synthesis including, as appropriate, policy reform and program related issues and recommendations. Familiarity with, or demonstrated ability to quickly obtain knowledge of, USAID policy and strategy directions and their relationship to the USG strategy of foreign assistance. Understanding of IMF, World Bank and other donor programs, policies and practices, and mechanisms for multilateral and bilateral donor coordination in the NIS economic assistance programs. A firm understanding of international, macro and microeconomics, and their application in the context of transforming centrally planned economics into market economies. Familiarity with, or demonstrated ability to quickly obtain knowledge of, the political, social and economic structure of Armenia as it affects accomplishment of Mission goals and objectives in market reform, economic restructuring, and enterprise development. Based upon training, experience and professional interest, incumbent is expected to propose relevant tasks to be pursued; and demonstrate a great deal of self motivation and professional initiative in pursuing agreed upon tasks. . D. Skills (0-20 points): Strong conceptual and analytical ability to identify national and international economic issues, understand economic relationships, identify and measure economic trade offs and design economic options that have an applied, problem solving orientation. Ability to present complex economic issues and relationships clearly and persuasively both orally and in writing to high level representatives of the host government, USAID, other donors, and local/international private sector firms. Ability to work effectively in a team environment, proactively support consensus building, and cope with numerous and competing demands. - Ability to negotiate sensitive issues to resolve differences of opinion and to promote sound economic policy and strategy formulation within the office, at the USAID Mission level, and with high level policy makers within the GOA. E. Languages (0-5 points) A working knowledge of Russian or Armenian is desirable. Very strong English speaking and writing skills are required. V SUPERVISION AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES The Economic Advisor, under the supervision of the EREO Director, or designees, carries out assignments with a high degree of independence. Meets regularly with supervisor to discuss status of assignments and to receive additional guidance. The Contractor is an expert in the field, thus carries out most of the work independently, providing leadership and analytical input to Activity Managers, FSN Staff, other contractors, partners and customers in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of USAID program activities. The Economic Advisor would be expected to have a significant level of project management responsibility. In particular, s/he would serve as the Cognizant Technical Officer (CTO) on various activities. As such, it is expected that s/he would receive training and become certified as a CTO. The Economic Advisor is expected to exercise a high degree of independent judgment in the performance of his/her responsibilities. Creativity, flexibility, and persuasiveness are strongly sought to maximize the impact of the position as well as the USAID economic restructuring and energy program. Teamwork is highly valued, and the Contractor will be expected to work collaboratively and cooperatively to complete work products. Work will be assessed based on quality as well as quantity of output. On a case by case basis, and under the direction of the EREO Office Director and/or Mission Management, the Contractor may be authorized to make commitments on behalf of the Mission, either within the USAID system or with GOAM. Guidelines for the successful performance of the position include, but are not limited to, the ADS series, the Mission strategic plan and results framework, individual activity designs and other documents (e.g., contracts, grants), mission orders, and Agency and USG regulations (e.g., on procurement, environment, etc.). VI ? OTHER FACTORS The Contractor will receive administrative support from the USAID/Armenia mission, including office space, equipment and supplies. The Contractor will be based in Yerevan, Armenia and focus on Armenia. Occasional travel within the region may be required. AS A MATTER OF POLICY, AND AS APPROPRIATE, A PSC IS NORMALLY AUTHORIZED THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS: (Under Automated Directives Systems (ADS) http://www.usaid.gov/ads.html 1. BENEFITS Employee's FICA Contribution Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Annual Increase Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual & Sick Leave 2. ALLOWANCES (if Applicable). * (A) Temporary Lodging Allowance (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). 3. CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) PERTAINING TO PSCs 01-10 Revision of Medical Clearance Process ? Personal Services Contract with U.S. Citizens 00-08 Revision of Competitive Process-PSC with U.S. Citizens 00-05 PSC Annual Health Insurance Costs 00-03 2000 FICA and Medicare Tax Rates for Personal Services Contracts (PSCs) 00-02 Latest ES-06 Maximum Pay Rate 99-22 PSC Policy 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 98-16 Annual Salary Increase for USPSCs 98-14 Change in Required Application Form for USPSCs 98-3 Class Deviation to 31.205-6(g)(3), Foreign National Severance Pay Under Professional Services Contracts 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) LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs 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). ** The forms listed 2 through 5 shall only be completed upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job. Subject to Funds Availability
- Place of Performance
- Address: USAID/Armenia, 18 Marshall Baghramian Ave., Yerevan, Armenia
- Zip Code: 375019
- Country: Armenia
- Zip Code: 375019
- Record
- SN00478867-W 20031203/031202074641 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
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