Ladies/Gentlemen: SOLICITATION NUMBER: 167-Pristina-PSC-FY07-02 ISSUED BY: Executive Office, USAID/Kosovo SUBJECT: Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) - Senior Public Information Officer The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID),is seeking applications (Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612) from qualified individuals interested in providing 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 Executive Officer, John Liebner or to Human Resources Specialist, Mimoza K?puska at the Executive Office of USAID/Kosovo in Pristina, who may be reached by phone:(++381)(38)243673, fax:(++381) (38) 249 493, email:
[email protected] email:
[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 via fax, internet as email attachments, or by DHL courier as follows: BY EMAIL TO: Mimoza K?puska, Human Resources Specialist:
[email protected], BY DHL, consign documents to: Address: Attention Mimoza K?puska, Executive Office USAID/Pristina, Kosovo Arberia I, Ismail Qemali, No.1 Pristina, Kosovo Telephone 381 38 243 673 Sincerely, Signed John Liebner Please make sure your application form is signed, otherwise it will not be taken into consideration. 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 167-Pristina-PSC-FY07-02 2. ISSUANCE DATE: April 16, 2007 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: May 14, 2007 4. POSITION TITLE: Senior Public Information Officer, USAID/Kosovo 5. MARKET VALUE: $ 79,115.00 - $ 102,848.00 per annum (GS 14 ? equivalent) 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: September 2007 - September 2009 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Pristina, Kosovo 8. POSITION DESCRIPTION: A. Basic Function of the position: The USAID Mission in Kosovo was established in 1999. Since then, the assistance program has moved from post-conflict humanitarian response to focus on building economic and political systems that afford choices, opportunity, and responsibility to all of Kosovo?s citizens. USAID?s assistance program in Kosovo helps to foster economic reform, democracy, and respect for a multi-ethnic society. Accordingly, the Mission manages a large and growing portfolio of activities in economic policy, enterprise development, energy reform and electric utility management, rule of law, decentralization, civil society development, and conflict mitigation, among others. Currently, Kosovo is in the midst of historic change. Seven years of United Nations? administration will end with a resolution on Kosovo?s status in 2007. The terms of the settlement agreement will place heavy demands on Kosovo?s fledgling institutions. As a trusted partner in development, USAID will be called upon to help with many aspects of this transition. Based in Pristina, the Senior Public Information Officer (S/PIO) will support the Mission?s achievement of its objectives in three main ways: 1) by developing and disseminating information about the Mission?s activities to key audiences in Kosovo, thereby demonstrating the USG?s ongoing commitment through the transitional period; 2) by ensuring high-quality reporting and communication among USAID/Kosovo and various U.S.-based stakeholders to demonstrate the relevance of USG assistance. This will likely include management of frequent visits from high-level government officials to Kosovo; and 3) by supporting the Mission?s strategic planning, design, and reporting efforts to accommodate the many program requirements expected to emerge throughout the transition period and subsequent settlement agreement implementation. The S/PIO is a staff member of the Mission?s Program and Project Development Office and reports directly to the USAID/Kosovo Program Officer. Duties and Responsibilities The specific duties and responsibilities of the S/PIO shall include: i. Program Coordination and Outreach: Provide public information support to all USAID strategic objectives by understanding their needs and prioritizing needs for disseminating information. Maintain knowledge of the inter-relationships and significance of various program components in the process of economic, democratic, and social transition in the region. Prepare and publish materials that communicate USAID/Kosovo programs and policies. Exercise final authority over the style and format of written products. ii. VIP Visit Coordination: Take primary responsibility for integrating protocol arrangements with regular and out-of-the-ordinary USAID activities at the time of the visit, and act as liaison between Mission and USOP for events arranged by the latter. Planning and coordination include, but are not limited to: conducting pre-planning visits, accompanying advance teams to negotiate protocol issues with local staff and officials, establishing and confirming event schedules, preparing briefing books and other materials, etc. S/he will also coordinate logistics of such events. iii. Program Planning: Support the USAID Mission and all Strategic Objective Teams in assessing program effectiveness, host country needs, and other transition issues that affect critical aspects of Mission programs and activities. Recommend and participate in developing strategies for addressing emerging assistance priorities. Develop written materials required for mobilization of assistance, including program statements, scopes of work, and other relevant documentation. iv. Reporting: Draft and edit strategy papers; prepare and coordinate annual impact of USG assistance cable; direct development of periodic impact stories/cables; and prepare or edit various reports to USAID/W and the Department of State, such as narratives for Mission Congressional Budget Justification, Annual Report submissions, etc. B. Evaluation Criteria for Competitive Procurement I. Education ? A college degree in a related field (e.g., journalism, communications, international relations or development, public administration) is required. Graduate-level work is preferred. II. Work Experience ? Minimum of eight years of progressively responsible experience in related fields is required. Previous work experience with USAID or international development organizations is highly desirable. III. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities i. Demonstrated skills and extensive hands-on experience in public relations are required. A broad understanding of issues related to international development, the Central and Eastern European region, and transition economies is required. ii. Broad operation planning experience, analytical ability, excellent communication skills and the capacity to convert planning concepts into firm plans to meet a variety of contingencies. iii. Communication and interpersonal skills ? Excellent written and oral English communication skills are required, as well as personal initiative, organizational skills, the ability to work independently, and the capacity to present information creatively. iv. A deep understanding of the local political and economic context, particularly elements which could affect implementation of USAID/Kosovo?s program during the ongoing political transition, including current arrangements and institutions, political parties, ethnic dynamics etc., is required. Familiarity with the roles of key counterparts, including other donors, PISG institutions, and UNMIK/ICO is also a considerable plus. C. Length of Contract: Two years with option for renewal (subject to mutual agreement between USAID and selected applicant). D. Logistical Support Assignments of U.S. personnel to Kosovo are accompanied. Spouses and dependents over 21 years of age are authorized to accompany the contractor to post. Current post danger pay for Pristina is 20%. Current post differential pay is 20% and cost of living allowance is 15%. Please note that all allowances are subject to change. FICA and federal income tax will be withheld by USAID. USAID/Kosovo will provide the contractor with suitable housing and office space and equipment, consistent with mission standards and requirements. The Contractor will have post privileges, such as check cashing, medical care, and in-coming and out-going personal mail service in accordance with USOP rules and regulations. E. Period of Service The target start date for this position is September 2007. Within 15 days after written notice from the Contracting Officer that all clearances have been received or, unless another date is specified by the Contracting Officer in writing, the Contractor shall proceed to Pristina to perform the above services. The Contractor?s period of service is expected to be two years, with the option for renewal (mutually agreed to by USAID and selected applicant. 9. OTHER REQUIREMENTS: This position is opened only for U.S. Citizens, who must obtain a secret level of security clearance and required medical clearances. 10. BENEFITS: AS A MATTER OF POLICY, AND AS APPROPRIATE, A PSC IS NORMALLY AUTHORIZED THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS: 10-1. BENEFITS Employee's FICA Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Annual Increase Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual & Sick Leave Access to medical facilities Pouch mail service as per post policy 10-2. 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) (J) Danger Pay (Section 650) * Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). C. FEDERAL TAXES: PSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes under the foreign earned income exclusion. 11. APPLYING Qualified individuals are requested to submit a U.S. Government Optional Form 612 or SF 171. This form is available at the USAID website, http://www.info.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms or http://fillform.gsa.gov, or at local US Federal offices. OF 612 shall be submitted by fax, e-mail, DHL air courier by the closing date. 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. 12. CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs and AAPDs) PERTAINING TO PSCs AAPD 06-11 Home Leave and Revised General Provision 5, Leave and Holidays (August 2006) AAPD 06-10 PSC Updated Medical Expense Payment Responsibility (October 2006) AAPD 06-07 AIDAR, Appendix D: Contract budget, salary determination and salary increase AAPD 06-03 Updated Contractor Salary Approval Threshold Policy/Procedures AAPD 06-01 Medical Evacuation Update AAPD 05-10 Calculation of Vacation Leave for U.S. Personal Services Contractor?s (USPSC) AAPD 05-08 Personal Service Contracts (PSCs) Annual Health Insurance Costs AAPD 05-02 Clarification of Policy for Personal Services Contracts with Anticipated Contract Performance periods Exceeding Five (5) Years AAPD 04-15 Cash Awards for USPSCs and TCNPSCs CIB 01-07 Clarification of the Extension/Renewal Policy Regarding Personal Services Contracts CIB 01-10 Revision of Medical Clearance Process - Personal Services Contracts ("PSC") with U.S. Citizens CIB 00-08 Revision of Competitive Process - Personal Services Services Contracts ("PSCs") with U.S. Citizen CIB 00-3 FICA & Medicare Tax Rates for Personal Services Contracts (PSCs) CIB 99-7 Contractual Coverage for Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) Services CIB 98-25 Defense Base Act (DBA) Coverage and DBA Waiver List CIB 98-24 Use of Compensatory (Comp) Time by PSCs CIB 98-23 Guidance Regarding Classified Contract Security and Contractor Personnel Security Requirements CIB 98-16 Annual Salary Increase for USPSCs CIB 98-14 Change in Required Application Form for USPSCs CIB 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 CIB 97-3 New USAID Contractor Employee Physical Examination CIB 96-23 Unauthorized Provision in Personal Services Contract CIB 96-19 U. S. Personal Services Contract (USPSC) - Leave CIB 96-8 Determining a Market Value for PSCs Hired Under Appendix D, Handbook 14 CIB 94-9 Sunday Pay for U.S. Personal Services Contractors (PSCs) CIB 93-17 Financial Disclosure Requirements Under a Personal Services Contract (PSC) 13. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs For initial consideration: 1. Optional Form 612 or SF 171. Resume or CV may be attached. Upon advice by the Contracting Officer that the applicant is successful the following forms will be needed: 2. Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet (AID 1420-17) 3. Contractor Physical Examination ( Form DS 1843) 4. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86) 5. Finger Print Card (FD-258). ** (Available from the law enforcement offices or in USAID/Washington). * 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. SUBJECT TO FUNDS AVAILABILITY