R -- USAID/HONDURAS IS SEEKING FOR A USPSC MANAGER POSITION FOR THE MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY THROUGH FHIS IN HONDURAS

ISSUANCE DATE: MAY 8, 2002CLOSING DATE: JUNE 7, 2002 AT 5:00 PM (Honduran Time) REFERENCE: USAID/HONDURAS SOLICITATION NO. 522-02-021 NON-PSC MANAGER POSITION FOR HONDURAS- SALARY RANGE BEGINNING AT: $90,000 The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development in Honduras (USAID/Honduras) is seeking applications (Optional Form 612, Standard Form 171, or Resume) for a Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) of a U.S. Manager for the Municipal Infraestructure Rehabilitation and Constructiong through FHIS in Honduras. Submissions shall be in accordance with Scope of Work herewith to the following address: Office of Contract Management, USAID/Honduras, Unit 2927, APO AA 34022 or by fax no. 011 (504) 236-7776. SCOPE OF WORK U. S. Manager FHIS Executing Unit Municipal Development Activity: "Municipal Infrastructure Rehabilitation and Contraction through FHIS" Background: Municipal Development Activity Devastation caused by Hurricane Mitch in late-October 1998, and the associated flooding which continued through January 1999, resulted in the deaths of thousands of Hondurans, left nearly a million people temporarily homeless and caused incalculable crop, equipment, and infrastructure damage. The impact on water, drainage, and sanitation systems in Honduras was particularly severe. The Municipal Infrastructure Rehabilitation and Contraction through FHIS of the Municipal Development Activity (MDA INFRASTRUCTURE Infrastructure) of USAID's Hurricane Reconstruction Program is supporting the construction of works related with the repair, rehabilitation, improvement and expansion of water, drainage, sewerage and landfill systems damaged by Hurricane Mitch as well as the establishment of new systems in sites where families displaced by the hurricane have been relocated. It is expected that approximately 30 municipalities will benefit from major repair, rehabilitation, improvement and expansion of their basic water, drainage and sanitation systems. Design and construction of the systems will be contracted by the FHIS Executing Unit in close collaboration with municipal governments. Expected results include: 1) rehabilitation and expansion of approximately 24 urban water supply and 27 urban sanitation systems that will be operated by municipal governments; 2) construction of eight new water and sanitation systems for resettled populations; and 3) comprehensive storm drainage systems constructed in five secondary cities. Private sectors firms will be contracted to execute reconstruction and regular assistance activities; day-to-day supervision will be provided primarily by individual contract consulting engineers and supervisors. An estimated 20 firms are expected to be involved, including contractors and supervisory firms. FHIS Executing Unit The implementation of these construction projects had originally been undertaken by the Directorate for Major Infrastructure (DIM) of the Honduran Fund for Social Investment (FHIS). Under the direction of the DIM/FHIS, approximately 12 water systems, 15 sanitation systems, 5 new water and sanitation systems for resettled populations, and 3 drainage systems have been contracted and completed for a value of US$40 million. In an effort to improve the timely contracting and execution of the remainder of the water and sanitation systems (with an expected cost of US$30 million), implementation responsibilities have been transferred to an executing unit within FHIS ("FHIS Executing Unit"). This executing unit has been given the necessary authority to contract the remaining water and sanitation construction, and manage existing construction contracts within the established timeframe. Under the direction of its U.S. citizen Manager (the "Manager"), the FHIS Execution Unit, which responds directly to the FHIS Minister or his designee is the entity responsible for the tendering process, supervision of construction contracts, and completion of the established objectives. A similar executing unit was established to contract and build the roads and bridges activities of USAID's Hurricane Reconstruction Program. Through approximately May 31, 2002, this executing unit will be responsible for closing out the roads and bridges component while assuming responsibility for MDA INFRASTRUCTURE INFRASTRUCTURE. On or about June 1, 2002, the FHIS Executing Unit will be solely responsible for the implementation of MDA INFRASTRUCTURE INFRASTRUCTURE. This executing unit is unique because of its special authority to manage and execute construction contracts. It is a unit entirely within the supervision of the Minister of FHIS, but is also unique in that all staff, both U.S. and Honduran nationals, are contracted with USAID program funds (i.e., MDA INFRASTRUCTURE INFRASTRUCTURE funds). Headed by a U.S. citizen Manager, the FHIS Executing Unit will be comprised of MDA INFRASTRUCTURE INFRASTRUCTURE-financed Honduran staff to implement the contracting, field supervision, financial administration, and concurrent auditing activities. A U. S. citizen will also be contracted for the position of Chief Engineer and will serve as the FHIS Executing Unit's chief technical, scientific and engineering expert. Under the supervision of the Manager, the Chief Engineer will insure that the FHIS Executing Unit inspects, measures and monitors all construction activities and provides regular assistance to assure contract compliance and adherence to acceptable engineering practices; that the engineering staff are effecting proper technical oversight and payment certifications; and that they are dedicating approximately 60% of their time to field inspections during both design and contract implementation phases. To facilitate the engineering oversight, the Manager, with input from the Chief Engineer, will develop standard formats for supervision record keeping and maintenance of daily staff activity and travel records. The remainder of FHIS Executing Unit staff will include approximately xx senior Honduran water and sanitation engineer experts, xx middle-level Honduran field engineers, two contracts specialist engineer, xx financial officer, and a complement of administrative and support staff. The FHIS Executing Unit will also include a two-person Internal Concurrent Audit Team (CAT), which unlike the rest of the staff, will report directly to the FHIS Controllers and USAID controllers. Role of Manager The MDA INFRASTRUCTURE INFRASTRUCTURE will be managed by a U. S. citizen Manager, who is chiefly and personally responsible for achieving the results set forth in the agreements, amendments and implementation letters, in accordance with all relevant procedures established in the MDA INFRASTRUCTURE INFRASTRUCTURE operational manual. Despite being contracted by USAID, the Manager will report directly to the FHIS Minister or his designee. The Manager must be a senior, widely experienced and recognized expert in construction/reconstruction program management who without significant external guidance will be capable of using leadership skills, independent judgment and initiative to assume management responsibility for a uniquely ambitious undertaking. He/she will be responsible for assuming lead responsibility of the FHIS Executing Unit, devising and improving implemention procedures when necessary, and managing in an independent manner its technical, financial, contractual, and supervisory functions, as well as ensuring that established procedures for the internal concurrent audit are followed. The Manager will be responsible for the supervision of the entire staff of the FHIS Executing Unit in accordance with the procedures established in the operational manual. These responsibilities include monitoring staff performance, renewing personnel contracts, establishing salaries, and hiring or eliminating staff as needed. New contracting and separation of all Honduran FHIS Executing Unit staff will be done with the concurrence of FHIS (with the exception of the FHIS Executing Unit Internal Concurrent Audit Team which will be approved by USAID and FHIS Controllers), as established in the operational manual. Otherwise, the Manager will be expected to supervise and make personnel decisions independently, appealing to the FHIS Minister or his designee on a limited basis, such as for interpretation or clarification of personnel policies. The Manager will establish internal procedures for managing the contracting process, including rigorous pre-qualification and bidding processes, and will critically review and approve for payment all invoices and vouchers submitted by contractors and vendors. No contracts will be executed under this component, and no transfer or disbursements of funds from MDA INFRASTRUCTURE INFRASTRUCTURE accounts will be executed without advance written authorization from the Manager. The Manager will report directly to the FHIS Minister or his designee and provide both FHIS and USAID with updates at regular intervals to be determined jointly. The Manager will promptly bring to the personal attention of the FHIS Minister, USAID, and the CAT, major problems which come to his/her attention which could affect the MDA INFRASTRUCTURE INFRASTRUCTURE's transparency or achievement of results. The Manager will work independently with FHIS and other GOH officials, host country entities, municipal governments, USAID and other donor agencies as needed. He/she may be called upon to brief senior U.S. Government officials and Members of the United States Congress visiting Honduras. The Manager will insure that complex challenges in maintaining transparency and ensuring the durability and quality of these expensive reconstruction investments are overcome. In order to ensure the sustainability of the water and sanitation systems, the Manager will coordinate closely with the USAID Municipal Development Program. He/she will use a vigorous, hands-on field-oriented approach, which is expected to include significant field travel. Contract Management The Manager will establish and insure compliance with transparent procedures for: 1) overall supervision of ongoing construction activities including technical oversight and financial monitoring; 2) the contracting and supervision of new water/sewer/drainage systems, flood protection works, and landfills; 3) the contracting and technical oversight of supervisory engineering firms and/or individuals. The Manager will insure that the pre-qualification process includes verification of the credentials and capabilities of proposed engineering staff. During the construction phase, the Manager will insure that FHIS Executing Unit staff verify, through on-site inspections, the title and condition of equipment utilized matches or exceeds the equipment included in the proposals. The Manager will insure that opportunities to bid are publicly advertised to pre-qualified firms, and that bids are processed, considered and adjudicated in accordance with the requirements set forth in the agreements, amendments and implementation letters (which may amended from time to time), and the appropriate sections of the operational manual. He/she will assure, through management of the FHIS Executing Unit, timely compliance with contract specifications and conditions. Financial Management At the request of FHIS, USAID will advance MDA INFRASTRUCTURE funds into discrete accounts held by a private Honduran bank. The funds will be used exclusively for specified purposes. No transfers or disbursement of MDA INFRASTRUCTURE funds will be made without the advance written authorization of the Manager. The Manager will be responsible for all advances and monthly liquidations and will insure that all funds are used in a cost-effective manner. The Manager will oversee the administration of a petty cash fund and will assure FHIS Executing Unit responsiveness to requests from the USAID Controller's office for accruals, projections and other financial data. The Internal Concurrent Audit Team (CAT), to be established and/or maintained by the Manager, will aggressively and independently review 100% of MDA INFRASTRUCTURE's financial and contract documentation to insure compliance with the Agreement. The CAT, which reports directly to the FHIS Controller and USAID Controller will also observe and report on contract pre-qualification and bidding procedures and will independently pursue reports of irregularities. The CAT will submit a monthly report of findings and observations directly to the FHIS Controller and USAID Controller, with copies to the Manager and senior officials of FHIS and USAID. The Manager will work collaboratively with the CAT to resolve problems and strengthen procedures, when necessary. The Manager will review and improve a written professional code of ethics developed under RECAP and assure staff awareness, understanding and adherence to this code, including the strictest compliance with confidentiality and integrity requirements throughout the design, contracting and execution process. In accordance with contract provisions and the operational manual, the Manager will promptly request concurrence of FHIS to terminate any contractor or staff whose performance demonstrates a violation of transparency, or any contractor or staff who exhibits, in the Manager's opinion, substantial technical deficiencies and/or irregularities. He/she will work with FHIS to pursue all contract and legal remedies available under Honduran law. Technical Liaison The Manager will establish and maintain systems to ensure that MDA INFRASTRUCTURE activities are smoothly integrated into regular municipal operations in those municipalities where construction will be executed. He/she will insure that appropriate coordination with the respective municipal engineers and municipal environmental units is undertaken during the planning and oversight of construction activities. (This may include coordination with local beneficiary communities as well.) The Manager will assure that the FHIS Executing Unit liaises effectively with USAID/Honduras personnel, technical scientists, experts and engineers of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) as needed. USACE's engineers will continue to be an expert resource available to the Manager and utilized at his or her own discretion and with the concurrence of USAID, to address technical, financial, or quality control issues. Special Challenges The Manager will face challenges arising out of a contracting process in which transparency and adherence to standards has vulnerabilities. There are three key challenges facing the Manager and the FHIS Executing Unit: 1. Insuring transparency of contracting and financial management; 2. Developing and adhering to technical specifications and designs which promote the durability and sustainability of the water and sanitation systems; and 3. Preparing environmental reviews for submission to USAID to insure the protection of the local environment. Duration and Termination The duration of this contract will be twenty (20) months, with an option to extend, if needed, for an additional six (6) months. As currently contemplated, this is a USAID direct contract with an individual for non-personal services (non-PSC). The Contractor shall provide the services described in this Scope of Work to FHIS to assist it in accomplishing the MDA INFRASTRUCTURE. The Manager will report directly to the FHIS Minister or his designee. Furthermore, the contract may be terminated, with or without cause, at the convenience of the U.S. Government. This position is subject to availability of funding for MDA INFRASTRUCTURE implementation. Qualifications A senior, widely experienced and recognized expert in the field of construction/ reconstruction program management who, without significant external guidance, will be capable of using independent judgment and initiative to assume management responsibility for a large-scale ambitious undertaking. Twelve years of successful hands-on international infrastructure activity management experience, of which five must be in Spanish-speaking Latin America and five in public infrastructure construction. Specific experience in water, drainage and sanitation construction would be particularly useful. Demonstrated ability and versatility to methodically manage a large, complex activity in a wide geographical area involving numerous special challenges (i.e., acute transparency vulnerabilities, design for durability and hazard mitigation, political complexities, shortages of qualified personnel, hardship conditions, security risks, etc.). Fluency in spoken and written Spanish required. FSI-S 4 desirable; minimum FSI-S 3+. Polished speaking and writing skills in English are also required. Computer literacy in MSWord, Excel and activity management software such as MSProject. Demonstrated commitment to a field-oriented hands-on dynamic style of management involving considerable field travel. Demonstrated ability to use independent judgment without significant external guidance and support and to use initiative to create and sustain procedures, insure compliance with designs and specifications, and resolve problems as they arise. Demonstrated experience with USAID or multi-lateral donor grant and loan requirements, including contracting procedures, specifically, of USAID's ADS 305 Host-Country Contracting procedures. Demonstrated ability to select and mobilize results-oriented staff committed to integrity, quality and excellence. Demonstrated senior diplomatic presentation and political skills in dealing with senior host country officials in complex political environments and ability to create consensus without compromising the integrity and results of the objectives. Demonstrated ability to work under pressure. Strong inter-personal skills. U. S. citizen. Specific public infrastructure reconstruction experience following disasters is desirable.