03 95332421Q0059 RFQ Attach Position Description.pdf

95332421Q0059

DCO Land and Agricultural Economy (LAE) Associate Director (AD) FT PSC Position Position Description

Introduction and Background

MCC’s mission is to provide grant assistance to support economic growth and poverty reduction in select developing countries with a demonstrated commitment to just and democratic governance, economic freedom, and investments in their citizenry. MCC’s partner countries enter into a five-year agreement (Compact) with MCC that includes a plan for achieving shared development objectives and the responsibilities of each country in achieving those objectives. Our model is defined by core principles, of selectivity, country ownership, transparency, and a focus on results.

Our values identify who we are and what is important to us. Our Values are CLEAR: Embrace Collaboration, Always Learn, Practice Excellence, Be Accountable and Respect individuals and ideas.

MCC’s values define how we behave daily, both as individuals and as an institution, in pursuit of our mission. They guide how we make decisions, set priorities, address challenges, manage tradeoffs, recruit, and develop staff, and work together with our country partners and stakeholders.

1. Scope of Position

This position is located in the Department of Compact Operations, Technical Services Division, Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). MCC is a U.S. Government corporation whose mission is to provide assistance that will support economic growth and poverty reduction in eligible developing countries. To be eligible countries must demonstrate a commitment to just and democratic governance, economic freedom, and investments in their citizenry. To receive assistance, eligible countries are required to enter into a public agreement (Compact) with the MCC that includes a multi-year plan for achieving shared development objectives and the responsibilities of each country in achieving those objectives, regular benchmarks to measure progress, multi-year financial plan, and a plan to ensure accountability for the use of MCA assistance.

MCC is authorized to contract with an individual as a personal services contractor (PSC) under the authority of section 614(a) (8) of the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003 (MCA).

This position is not authorized to supervise any Federal employees.

2. Personal Services Contract

MCC is authorized to enter into a contract with an individual as a Personal Services Contractor (PSC) under the authority of Section 614(a) (8) of the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003.

A personal services contract is different from non-personal services Government contract, which establishes an independent contract relationship. Under a non-personal services contract, the contractor or employees of the contractor are subject to the technical direction but not the supervision of the MCC. As defined by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 37.104, a personal services contract is characterized by the employer-employee relationship it creates between the Government and the https://www.acquisition.gov/?q=browsefar

2 | P a g e contractor personnel. Thus, the PSC is subject to the relatively continuous technical direction, supervision, and control of the MCC. PSCs may be assigned inherently governmental duties (see FAR 7.502). By law and by the contract’s terms, the PSC is subject to most of the laws, rules and regulations applicable to the direct hire employee such as MCC regulations, conflict of interest, under some circumstances MCC authorized employment security clearances and financial disclosure. However, under the MCC personal services contract authority, PSCs are not employees for purposes of laws administered by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The following elements apply to this contract:

1) Performance in Washington, D.C., US, MCC eligible countries, other US and foreign cities (as required for outreach purposes), and/or at the PSC’s home of record.

2) Principal tools and equipment furnished by the Government.

3) Services are applied directly to the integral effort of agencies or an organizational subpart in furtherance of assigned function or mission.

4) Comparable services, meeting comparable needs, are performed in the same or similar agencies using civil service personnel.

5) The need for the type of service provided can reasonably be expected to last beyond 1 year.

6) The inherent nature of the service, or the manner in which it is provided, reasonably requires directly or indirectly, Government direction or supervision of contractor employees in order to—

i. Adequately protect the Government’s interest;

ii. Retain control of the function involved; or

iii. Retain full personal responsibility for the function supported in a duly authorized Federal officer or employee.

3. Key Requirements

Awardee must satisfy the following key requirements:

• U.S. citizenship.

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.

• Performance in Washington, DC USA, MCC eligible countries, other US and foreign cities (as required for outreach purposes), and/or at the PSC’s home of record.

• Domestic and international travel may be required.

• Statement of Employment & Financial Interest (e.g., Office of Government Ethics “OGE Form-

450” or similar statement) may be required.

• Active System for Award Management (www.sam.gov) registration (this is a free, Government website) and be listed as sole-proprietor.

• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required.

• For overseas PSCs, the PSC must comply with the US Department of State’s Domestic Employee

Teleworking Overseas (DETO) policy.

4. Duties

a) Major Duties and Responsibilities

Compact Development

As the sector lead, participates in interdisciplinary teams to assess country compact proposals performing a variety of assignments to include: Analysis of country concept papers.

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1. Analysis of country concept papers.

2. Analysis of country proposals including specific recommendations for improvements (e.g., Proposals for compliance with sector due diligence guidelines, sector best practices, MCC’s economic analysis, and monitoring and evaluation guidelines, and recommendations for plans, identification of critical policy and other conditions required for project sustainability, etc).

3. Expert consultation in researching, analyzing, and developing authoritative solutions for complex issues regarding proposed compact programs.

4. Analysis and refinement of budget and financial data/information.

5. Evaluation of risk and mitigating measures.

6. Technical input and support in the development of economic analysis and ERR models.

7. Negotiations with host country counterparts to address and resolve issues during the program development and review process.

8. Preparation of presentations of proposed programs to MCC senior management and Board of

Directors, including relevant sections of Investment Memos and corresponding supporting documentation for IMC and Board Review; and,

9. Support as appropriate during compact negotiations and finalization of compact terms and conditions.

Compact Implementation

As sector and/or project lead on a project or activity in compact implementation phase, monitor implementation progress and provide technical oversight and support to MCA counterparts.

Responsibilities include:

1. Per MCC clearance matrix and standards of clearance, review and clear all documents requiring MCC non-objection. These include procurement documents such as RFP and evaluation reports;

Quarterly Disbursement Requests (QDR); Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) plans; and other exceptional documents such as proof of compliance with Condition Precedents (CP’s);

2. Develop strategy (and budget) with appropriate members of the Country Team for Project implementation oversight, approve consultants’ SOW, monitor, and provide feedback on consultants’ performance and review due diligence financial reports.

3. Monitor MCA Project Teams’ adherence to procurement plan and timeline.

4. Monitor and track progress of MCA Project Team’s efforts to adhere to CP achievement schedule, and support MCA to assure and verify satisfaction of CP requirements.

5. Participate in regular coordination meetings with Country Team members and MCA counterparts.

6. Monitor and report on project process and non-routine events (potential “red flags”) at regular

Country Team meetings.

7. Quality assurance on MCA development of all key Procurement Terms of Reference.

8. Travel as needed to provide Project oversight, technical support and coaching to the appropriate

MCA team members.

9. Identify capacity “gaps” and provide input to development of capacity building strategy for MCA

Project Team; and,

10. Draft project related portions of the Internal Program Review (IPR) and communicate with MCA counterparts’ key findings and concerns as appropriate.

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Practice Area

Communicate and consult with the appropriate Practice Lead as appropriate and participate actively in the relevant Practice Area to:

1. Ensure consistency and quality of professional practice in accordance with and in compliance with MCC’s statutory requirements.

2. Support the continuing development of professional expertise at MCC in relevant and related practice areas.

3. Support continued learning, sharing and dissemination of information among all staff, and innovation in selected professional areas across MCC; and,

4. Provide guidance to management in the development of policies and advice on “best practice” standards in specified professional areas and lead the development of such policies and standards when requested by management.

Other Responsibilities

1. As assigned, participates in Technical Evaluation Panels and serves as Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR).

2. Contributes to the improvement of operational procedures, compiles and analyzes data and supports both internal external reporting and communication.

3. Prepares background, analysis, and recommendations for senior management use at meetings, external events, and other forums.

4. Consults with all levels of management, other federal agencies, and international development stakeholders, as appropriate.

5. Maintains awareness of MCC’s internal regulations and guidelines as well as other relevant regulatory materials.

6. Performs other related duties as assigned.

b) Travel

The incumbent will be required to undertake est. 4-8 international trips annually.

c) Supervisory Controls

As an authority in the analysis and evaluation of programs and issues, the employee is subject only to administrative and policy direction concerning overall project priorities and objectives. The employee is typically delegated complete responsibility and authority to plan, schedule, and carry out major projects concerned with the analysis and evaluation of programs or organizational effectiveness. Analyses, evaluations, and recommendations developed by the employee are normally reviewed by management officials only for potential influence on broad agency policy objectives and program goals. Findings and recommendations are normally accepted without significant change.

d) Guidelines

Guidelines consist of broad administrative and program policy statements, basic legislation, related court decisions, or local laws that require extensive interpretation. The employee uses judgment

5 | P a g e and discretion in determining intent, and in interpreting and revising existing policy and regulatory guidance for use by others within or outside the employing organization. The employee is recognized as an expert in the development and/or interpretation of guidance on program planning and evaluation in a specialized area.

e) Complexity

The employee analyzes interrelated issues of effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of substantive mission-oriented programs. He or She develops detailed plans, goals, and objectives for the long-range implementation and administration of programs, and/or develops criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the program. Decisions concerning planning, organizing, and conducting studies are complicated by conditions, such as conflicting program goals and objectives.

Options, recommendations, and conclusions take into account and give appropriate weight to uncertainties about the data and other variables which affect long-range program performance.

f) Scope and Effect

The purpose of the work is to analyze and evaluate major aspects of substantive, mission-oriented programs. The employee resolves problems or copes with issues which directly affect the accomplishment of principal agency program goals and objectives. The employee develops regulations or guidelines for the conduct of program operations, or new criteria for measuring program accomplishments. Study reports contain findings and recommendations of major significance to top management of the agency, and often serve as the basis for new systems, initiatives, policies, or programs.

g) Personal Contacts/Purpose of Contacts

Personal contacts include individuals and groups at all levels of the Corporation, representatives from other Federal agencies/organizations, contractors, and the general public. The purpose of contacts is to influence, motivate, persuade or negotiate with others who may hold different points of views in order to influence managers or other officials to accept recommendations or to obtain the desired effect.

h) Physical Demands

The work is primarily sedentary, although some walking, bending, or carrying of light items may be involved and travel can be particularly physically demanding.

i) Work Environment

Work is mainly performed in an office setting although field work can be conducted in remote and difficult environments.

Currently, MCC is operating under a temporary maximum telework policy. However, requests for full-time telework arrangements post-pandemic will not be considered at this time. Guidance on additional work schedule flexibilities will be issued to the workforce prior to or upon expiration of the maximum telework options available during the pandemic period.

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5. Position Security Level

Noncritical-Sensitive/Moderate Risk (T3)

The PSC start date is contingent upon a successful background investigation conducted by the MCC Security Office (MCC Domestic & International Security (DIS)).

5. Position Security Level