Ladies/Gentlemen: SOLICITATION NUMBER: 167-Pristina-PSC-FY04-05 ISSUED BY: Executive Office, USAID/Kosovo SUBJECT: Personal Service Contractor (USPSC)-Senior Economic Growth Advisor 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 Human Resources Assistant, Mimoza Këpuska, 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] 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 Kepuska, Human Resources Assistant:
[email protected] BY DHL, consign documents to: Address: Attention Mimoza Këpuska, Executive Office USAID/Pristina, Kosovo Dragodan II House 1 Pristina, Kosovo Telephone 381 38 243 673 Sincerely, Signed Sean O’Leary 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 167-Pristina-PSC-FY04-05 2. ISSUANCE DATE: April 2, 2004 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: April 23, 2004 4. POSITION TITLE: Senior Economic Growth Advisor – USAID/Kosovo 5. MARKET VALUE: $ 87,439.00 - $ 113,674.00 per annum (GS 15 – equivalent) 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: June 2004 – June 2006 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Pristina, Kosovo 8. POSITION DESCRIPTION: A. Basic Function of the position: The 1980s marked a watershed in recent Kosovo history. During the 80s and early 90s, Serbia, the dominating “partner” in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia, systematically began to exclude ethnic Albanians from positions of employment in the public and private sectors in the province of Kosovo as well as from access to services once available to them. This systematic exclusionary policy, in Kosovo often referred to as apartheid, led to conflict between the Albanian population in Kosovo and the Serbian administrators and police. The heavy-handed and eventually bloody attempts of the Serbs to put down the Albanian Kosovar rebellion ultimately led to the bombing campaign of NATO in 1999 that caused the withdrawal of Serbian authority and the establishment of UN administration (through UNMIK) over the province. Support for the development of economic growth (EG) is a key element of accomplishing USAID’s strategic objectives in Kosovo. USAID’s new five-year strategic plan for Kosovo includes two EG strategic objectives (SOs): SO 1.2, Improved policy and institutional climate for productive investment and SO 1.3, Accelerated private sector growth. USAID assistance in support of these SOs includes a contract with BearingPoint focused on the policy and institutional climate for productive investment (SO 1.2). The areas supported by this contract are budget and tax, financial regulatory system (the Banking and Payments Authority of Kosovo), the commercial legal environment and privatization. Support in each area includes institutional strengthening and public education. The contract also provides support for increased integration into regional trade. Activities under SO 1.3, Accelerated growth of the private sector, are currently being developed and will focus on competitiveness and import substitution via increased competitiveness of the agricultural sector, improved capacity of private enterprises and an improved business operating environment. The EG Office also supports SO4.1, Social stabilization achieved through special initiatives, through assistance to improve the commercial viability of the Kosovo Energy Company. In the area of local governance USAID plans to fund a new initiative to strengthen local governance, improve municipal leadership, increase transparency and accountability at the local level, and assist municipal governments to promote local economic development. This initiative will be managed in the Democracy Governance Office, but will require input and technical advice from the EG Office. STATEMENT OF WORK 1. General. The Senior Economic Growth Advisor will serve as the Director of USAID/Kosovo’s Economic Growth Office and as the principal technical advisor to USAID/Kosovo senior management on all issues and programs pertaining to economic growth. The Advisor will be responsible for: 1) managing and leading the Economic Growth Office of USAID/Kosovo; 2) devising appropriate strategies and plans for supporting economic growth in Kosovo; 3) leading the design and implementation of cost-effective programs that produce meaningful results in strengthening EG; 4) facilitating the proper coordination and integration of USAID economic activities within the Mission’s portfolio; 5) ensuring that all Mission EG activities are coordinated with, complementary to, and supportive of similar assistance activities of other U.S. government agencies; 6) ensuring that the design and implementation of all EG activities are fully coordinated with international organizations and bilateral donors active in this area; and 7) providing policy advice and analyses to senior Mission management on topics related to economic growth in Kosovo. The Advisor will serve as a principal technical resource on economic growth and as the Mission’s primary point of contact on matters related to programming under USAID’s Strategic Objective (SO) 1.2 and 1.3. The Advisor will also serve as a day-to-day liaison with other U.S. Government agencies, international organizations and foreign donors engaged in providing assistance for economic growth, and representatives of the Kosovar Government (Provisional Institutions of Self-Government, PSIG). 2. Specific Duties and Responsibilities: The Advisor’s major duties and responsibilities include: a. Program Management • Planning and developing new EG programs or activity initiatives as the leader of USAID’s EG team. • Managing the Mission EG portfolio on a day-to-day basis, including making decisions on activity implementation matters, identifying and resolving program issues, assuring that all activities are carried out in a technically sound and cost-effective manner, assigning responsibility for program management and implementation matters to subordinates, and assuring that activities are carried out in accordance with all applicable Mission and Agency directives and requirements. May also be called upon be the Cognizant Technical Officer (CTO) for specific activities in the EG portfolio. • Leading or participating on EG strategic objective teams, ensuring regular reporting on SO activities and tracking of the Performance Management Plan. • Planning, implementing, participating in, commenting upon, or preparing Mission views on evaluations, assessments or audits of EG activities. b. Strategy Development • Providing analysis, advice and recommendations to senior Mission management and staff regarding the formulation of Mission strategy for assistance for EG and on the management and implementation of those related activities in the Mission’s portfolio. • Participating, as required, in the development of Mission strategic plans, results analysis and resource requests and other strategic planning and reporting documentation. • Determining what additional analyses, assessments, or reviews are required for the development of Mission EG strategy or activities; designing and overseeing the implementation of such analyses or assessments; and following-up as necessary. c. Office Management and Supervision • Serving as Director of the Economic Growth Office, and supervising staff currently comprised of one USDH New Entry Professional, two USPSC advisors and six Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs). • Completing staff performance evaluations; review and revise position descriptions; managing staffing issues and determine staff assignments; approving requests for leave and travel; managing office training plan; and determining the need for TDY assistance. • Providing technical, administrative and managerial leadership for the EG Office, convening office meetings, ensuring information sharing and collaboration among EG Office staff and projects, and raising issues with senior management as necessary. • Providing technical and administrative oversight of all EG Office projects. • Ensuring proper management of the EG Office budget, including procurement planning, use of program funds, and monitoring pipelines to avoid funding gaps. • Overseeing the EG Office Performance Monitoring Plan (including collection of performance results data), and EG Office Strategic Objective teams. • Ensuring response by EG Office to Program Office requests for information or participation, such as participation in strategic planning exercises, or providing project information (for newsletters, UNMIK quarterlies, AID/W inquiries, etc). d. Coordination, Technical Advice and Policy Dialogue • Participating in, coordinating, or managing USAID inputs into assessments conducted in conjunction with other USG agencies, international organizations, or other donors. • Maintaining close contact, providing technical advice, and engaging in policy dialogue as appropriate with staff and senior representatives of international organizations and missions (particularly UNMIK and OSCE), the Kosovar private sector, non-governmental organizations and foreign donors active in providing assistance, Kosovar governmental structures (including the Assembly, Ministry of Finance and Economy, and other Ministries and municipal governments), the Kosovo Trust Agency, organizations providing support to, and staff of, the Kosovo Energy Company, USAID assistance providers, and other U.S. Government agencies. e. General Management • Continuously gathering information about, and keeping current on, developments pertaining to EG in Kosovo and reporting such developments as required to Mission management and staff. • Carrying out such other tasks related to Mission economic growth activities as might be assigned from time-to-time by Senior Mission Management. The Advisor will handle all assigned work either independently or, as required, as part of teams, according to established Mission policies, practices and programmatic guidance, as in effect from time-to-time; and in accordance with all applicable USAID regulations and guidance as provided in the USAID ADS and elsewhere. The Advisor is expected to make independent judgments that can be defended as necessary. As a highly qualified professional, substantial reliance is placed on the employee to independently plan and carry out the specific activities entailed in fulfilling major duties and responsibilities. The employee will resolve problems that arise by determining the approaches to be taken and methodologies to be used; developing, coordinating, and clearing proposed solutions with all necessary parties; and then taking appropriate actions necessary to resolve the problem. Travel within and outside of Kosovo will be required. 3. Reporting Requirements The Advisor will be required to prepare and provide reports as required to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities described above. The Advisor will also provide, orally or in writing, such reports on work progress or advice on economic growth issues as may be required from time-to-time by Senior Mission Management or other senior USAID officials. The Advisor will also submit a trip report on all travel performed outside of Kosovo during the contract period. 4. Supervision and Relationships All work will be carried out under the general guidance of the Mission Director and Deputy Mission Director, USAID/Kosovo. The Advisor will serve as Director of the Economic Growth Office, and supervise staff of one USDH New Entry Professional, two GS-14 USPSC advisors and six Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs). The Advisor will maintain contact and interact technically and professionally in a highly collaborative manner with a wide range of parties, including high level officials of the UN Interim Administration for Kosovo (UNMIK), OSCE, and other international organizations; senior officials of Kosovar government ministries; staff of the Kosovo Trust Agency; members of the elected Kosovar assembly, as well as local government officials; Kosovar and international businesspeople; and experts provided under assistance programs sponsored by non-governmental organizations and foreign government donors. The Advisor will also be required to interact with senior officials of the Department of State, and to work closely and collaboratively with officials of the U.S. Office Pristina (USOP). The Advisor will also closely coordinate with the Mission’s other technical offices and Program Office on all matters of mutual programmatic interest. B. Length of contract: Two Years, with the Option for Renewal (Mutually Agreed to by USAID and Selected Applicant). C. Evaluation Criteria for Competitive Procurement Required Qualifications: Education and Prior Work Experience The following educational and work experience are required to qualify for this position: (a) A graduate degree in a related field, such as, law, economics or finance. Those without graduate degrees, who possess at least eight years appropriate and specialized work experience, will also be considered. (b) A minimum of six years of progressively more responsible work experience in economic growth development with implementers of such projects or donor organizations responsible for the design and oversight of such programs is required. The person selected should have demonstrated experience and ability in strategic development and planning, and implementation, and preferably have experience in a range of economic growth sub sectors (e.g., institutional development, policy/regulatory development & implementation, business development, privatization, trade, etc.). (c) A minimum of four years of practical work experience (economic growth development) in developing countries, preferably in the Balkans, Central/Eastern Europe or countries of the former Soviet Union. (d) Experience working in dynamic, highly collegial and collaborative working relationships, requiring close consultation, management, and coordination. Experience working in multilateral development programs, and particularly with officials and technical experts from other countries is desirable. (e) Knowledge of USAID management and monitoring systems. (f) Supervisory experience. Language and Communication Skills Fluent English speaking, reading, and writing proficiency are required. Must have excellent oral and written communication skills. Knowledge of Albanian and/or Serbian would be an asset. Must have excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work constructively within a team framework; Demonstrated ability to maturely and effectively communicate in cross-cultural settings, particularly with officials from other countries. Special Skills Must have strong analytical and management skills, as well as the ability to “multi-task.” Must be knowledgeable of and able to effectively use word processing and data management systems and applications, including Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, Internet, and e-mail applications. 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 25% and cost of living allowance is 5%. 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 June 2004. Within 3 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: Applicants who apply for this position must obtain USAID security clearance and medical clearance. 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 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 Waiver 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) 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