The purpose of this midification is to provide the full text of the solicitation document as follows. SUPERVISORY PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER U.S. CITIZEN LOCAL HIRE POSITION SOLICITATION NUMBER: 111-0903-004 Gentlemen/Ladies: SUBJECT: Solicitation for LOCAL HIRE Personal Services Contractor (PSC) 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: Naira Abramian Personnel Assistant DOS/USAID 7020 Yerevan Place Washington, DC 20521-7020 Or By e-mail to:
[email protected] Or By FAX to: Attn. – Naira Abramian 374-1 543-871 (Armenia) Submissions must be received at USAID/Armenia by COB October 17, 2003. Submissions shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Any questions may be directed to Naira Abramian, Personnel Assistant, USAID/Armenia who may be reached at FAX No. 374-1 543-871 (Yerevan, Armenia), or via e mail to:
[email protected] Offerors should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their proposals. Application forms: USG Standard Form 171 and Optional Form 612 can be located at the USAID website: http://www.usaid.gov/procurment bus opp/procurement/forms Sincerely, Magdalena Maxwell Supervisory Executive Officer Supervisory Public Information Officer U.S. Citizen Local Hire Position USAID/Armenia Yerevan, Armenia 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 111-0903-004 2. ISSUANCE DATE: September 25, 2003 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: October 17, 2003 4. POSITION TITLE: Supervisory Public Information Officer 5. MARKET VALUE: $61,251 through $79,629 (equivalent to a GS - 13) 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: two years 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Yerevan, Armenia, Program Office 8. POSITION DESCRIPTION: I. Direct Supervisor: Director or designee, USAID/Armenia Program Office, who provides both general guidance and specific assignments to the Supervisory Public Information Officer. II. Supervisory Controls: The incumbent will have a broad development background and USAID experience; therefore, he/she will independently carry out the functions of this position, based on general procedural guidelines and strategic/policy direction from his/her supervisor. III. Introduction: Armenia is a small, landlocked, mountainous country with few natural resources. About the size of Maryland (29,800 square kilometers), it is situated in the Caucasus Region, surrounded by Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey. In September 1991, Armenian voters opted for independence from the Soviet Union. However, the break-up of the Soviet Union brought an end to the commercial ties and protected markets which had helped make Armenia among the most prosperous of the former Soviet republics. Armenia’s early years of independence were characterized by severe economic decline and energy shortages. This situation precipitated a new humanitarian crisis, while the country was still recovering from the economic and social fallout of the 1988 earthquake, which had left over 25,000 people dead and 500,000 homeless. To a large extent, the crises that Armenia experienced during the early- to mid-1990’s have abated. However, political and economic institutions and practices are nascent and progress towards structural reform has been inconsistent. While there has been positive economic growth in recent years, Armenia has yet to recover to its pre-independence income levels. Armenia’s internal political landscape remains unstable, and its relations with its neighbors remain problematic. Finally, there is not an adequate social safety net to meet the basic needs of country’s vulnerable groups, including those who have been negatively impacted by Armenia’s transition process. Notwithstanding the above mentioned conditions, since its independence Armenia has emerged as a strategically important republic in the Caucasus, whose progress towards a democratic political order and free market economy is critical to U.S. interests in the region. Since 1998, USAID has shifted its program emphasis from humanitarian to a longer-term developmental approach to facilitate Armenia’s transition to a free market democracy. Currently, the Mission has strategic objectives in the following four principal areas: private sector growth, energy sector, democracy/governance and social sectors. In these areas, the Mission is carrying out an ambitious program that balances the needs for macro-level reform and sustainability with the immediate demands to improve the quality of life of the Armenian populace. In addition, the Mission has two special objectives—one that addresses water management issues, and another includes regional and politically driven initiatives (e.g., earmark for assistance in the earthquake zone). Since 1994, USAID/Armenia’s funding has averaged $67 million annually. In FY 2002, the Mission expects a program budget of approximately $55 million with more that 50 ongoing and new activities. These figures establish Armenia as one of the largest per capita recipients of U.S. assistance in the world. High political interest by the US Congress, an active and vocal US Diaspora community and an active in country Armenian NGO community make it imperative that results of USAID's program and its successes are widely disseminated. The incumbent's key function will be to manage the flow of information to important USAID stakeholders. IV. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The incumbent will serve as the Supervisory Public Information Officer (SPIO) in USAID/Armenia’s Program Office. In this capacity, the SPIO will: 1. 40% - Supervise/Info Strategy/Program knowledge and coordination/PR materials Supervise and be actively involved in the development and implementation of a Mission information strategy. The strategy will facilitate information access and sharing across activities and offices, communicate the Mission's program to internal and external stakeholders, and strengthen the Mission’s reporting function. The information strategy will reflect the objectives of USAID assistance, integrate information availability into activity planning and execution, and explain how information will be used to show the impact of USAID assistance on the transformation process in Armenia. The Mission’s information strategy will include mechanisms that encourage alliances with Diaspora organizations. Maintain knowledge of the inter-relationships and significance of various program components in the process of economic, democratic and social transition in Armenia. Utilize this knowledge to improve coordination of activities within USAID/Armenia and with other USG agencies. Advise internal and external stakeholders on aspects of the Mission’s program. Oversee the development and maintenance of programmatic public relations materials in two languages – English and Armenian – including brochures, Activity Fact Sheets, periodic news letters, video documentaries, visual displays, internet site, etc. Oversee responses to project proposals and requests for information on USAID/Armenia projects from Armenian Diaspora Organizations in the U.S. and Europe. Coordinate with Mission staff to develop, organize and maintain updated hard and electronic versions of briefing materials, including background papers, success stories and presentations of USAID/Armenia projects. Edit these documents into uniform, succinct and readable briefing books for presentation to high-level U.S. delegations. 2. 25% - Media / PD Serve as principal contact for local and international press and media. For USAID-Government of Armenia meetings, lead advance team to negotiate protocol issues with staff of participating government officials, establish event schedules, ascertain staging requirements, etc. Coordinate with the Mission Director, Activity Mangers, and the Public Diplomacy (PD) section of the Embassy to promote press and media coverage of Mission activities. In collaboration with AID/W/LPA, develop print and video resources to raise the Mission’s profile in the U.S., particularly in US Armenian Diaspora media, as well as in the local Armenian press. Advise the Mission Director and other Mission staff on press and media relations. Maintain press and media contacts. Develop press and media materials such as press releases and activity background papers. Serve as Mission liaison with the local Public Diplomacy (PD) office. Work with PD in planning public diplomacy events related to Mission activities in Armenia. 3. 20% - Briefings/trips Draft speeches/talking points for Mission Director, Ambassador, and other Mission or USG officials, as necessary. Assist in other Program Office writing and reporting requirements as necessary. Conduct fact-finding trips to communities throughout Armenia to understand their needs and concerns. Write up findings and brief Mission staff on findings. Arrange for local officials to receive current information about USAID, its programs and roll-out activities. 4. 5% - Serve as a member of at least one Mission Strategic Objective Team. 5. 10% - Provide other program (budget, strategy, results monitoring) and/or project development support, as required. V. SUPERVISION OVER OTHERS Supervise the work of the information specialist / translator / interpreter. Supervise work of the Outreach Coordinator, ensuring s/he has a training plan in place, and receives continual guidance and increasing responsibility so that s/he can act as S/PIO's alter ego. VI. EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION – Selection Criteria To address and carry out effectively the range of duties and responsibilities described above, the incumbent must possess the following: • The qualified person must possess broad operational planning experience, analytical ability, excellent communication skills and the capacity to convert planning concepts into firm plans to meet a variety of contingencies. 20% • 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. 20% • A demonstrated ability to supervise staff and work flows, work as both a team member and leader, and provide leadership in the areas of his/her competencies, are required.15% • Good familiarity with the Armenian-American Diaspora community and press is highly desirable. 10% • A master’s degree is required (Examples of areas of specialization include journalism, international relations or development, public administration). 10% • The ability to establish and maintain collegial relations with press and media contacts, and sound judgment in representing the USG while discussing program activities with the press and media are essential elements of the job. 10% • A broad understanding of issues related to international development, Armenia, and transition economies is required. 5% • Demonstrated skills and hands-on experience in public relations are highly desirable. 5% • Proficiency in Armenian or Russian is highly desirable. 5% AS A MATTER OF POLICY, AND AS APPROPRIATE, LOCALLY HIRED USPSCS ARE AUTHORIZED THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS: (Under Automated Directives Systems (ADS) http://www.usaid.gov/ads.html BENEFITS: Employee's FICA Contribution Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Annual Increase Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual & Sick Leave LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs 1. Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612. 2. Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62)** *3. 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)** NOTE: Form 5 is available from the requirements office. * 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