Solicitation Program Budget Analyst.doc

SOLICITATION NUMBER:

267-10-027

ISSUANCE DATE:

September 27, 2010

CLOSING DATE/TIME:

October 18, 2010 / 17:00 Baghdad Time

POSITION TITLE:

Program Budget Analyst

MARKET VALUE:

GS-12 ($ 60,274 to $ 78,355) PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Thirteen Months with possible extension PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Iraq

SECURITY ACCESS: N/A

AREA OF CONSIDERATION:

US/Third Country National (TCN) Personal

Services Contractor (PSC)

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Program Budget Analyst, USAID/Iraq Program Office

I. BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITION

The Program Budget Analyst works in the Mission’s Program Office (PRO) and reports to the Supervisory Program Officer. He/she is a key member of the PRO team and Mission staff. He/she manages and executes the Mission’s approximate annual program budget of 350 million. The incumbent coordinates the budget with senior Mission staff, requests the allowance of funds from Washington, negotiates budget details with senior Embassy and Washington officials, is responsible for the accuracy of funds committed by MAARDs, prepares memos on intended use of funds for the Director of Foreign Assistance, prepares Congressional Notifications and budget justifications for the Embassy and OMB, develops the Mission’s Annual Congressional Budget Justification, is responsible for ensuring budget-related accuracy in the Mission’s Operational Plans, and ensures Mission compliance with the ADS on all of the above. S/he will also be assigned other specific tasks critical to planning, execution, management, and tracking of the Iraq program.

II. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

As a Program Budget Analyst, the incumbent uses his/her USAID budget knowledge, skills and experience to manage the following responsibilities and to proactively work with the Financial Management Office, Contracts Office and Technical Teams as noted below in order to complete the following types of budget-related functions:

A. Program Budget Planning and Management (60%)

1) Under the leadership of the Supervisory Program Officer, the Budget Analyst is responsible for coordinating the preparation and submission of the program request and planning budgets and justifications to the Embassy and Washington.

2) Responsible for the accuracy of the Mission’s program budget, monitoring the status of all sources of funds, and requesting and tracking the allowance of funds by USAID Washington to the field.

3) Responsible for preparing all budget information for the Iraq Operational Plan and submitting the information. This includes entering the information annually and updating the information through out the year to ensure it reflects all reprogramming actions done on the USAID Iraq budget. Prepare documentation, re-programming memos and change notices, for all re-programming actions

4) Responsible for preparation and maintenance of the Mission Operating Year Budget (OYB) tables and the Mission Procurement Plan. Works with contract and technical offices to ensure procurement plan is in place for all approved funds.

5) Responsible for preparation and submission of the summary budget tables for USAID’s portion of the Congressional Budget Justification.

6) Maintains appropriately organized electronic files on at least four consecutive funding years at any given time (obligated amount in the past year, approved amount in the current year, and requested amounts for the coming two years) on the p:/PRO/Public drive. Maintains organized electronic files that contain appropriate documents and historical records on Mission budgets and reports that are easily accessed by the rest of USAID/Iraq (including PRTs and Iraq Office in Washington) at https://iraq.usaid.gov.

7) Maintains a log of all budget-related waivers signed by, and not-withstanding authority invoked by, the Mission Director.

8) Tracks all directives and earmarks and ensures they are properly reported through ‘Key Issues’ in the Operational Plan.

9) Performs other duties as may be required by the Supervisory Program Officer or the Deputy Program Officer to facilitate the management and implementation of the Mission’s program budget.

B.

Program Budget Implementation and Monitoring (20%)

1) Monitors program budget implementation in accordance with the requirements of congressional notification of funds and the approved Operational Plan.

2) Updates the Mission’s Procurement Plan with all technical offices in the course of reviewing and providing clearance for incoming MAARDs.

3) Coordinate with the Project Design Specialists to ensure all pre-obligation requirements are met and provide input in the pre-obligation memos prior to obligation of funds.

4) Coordinate with the Project Design Specialists, FMO, and Contracts Office to indentify financial issues for portfolio reviews. Review the financial information and analysis provided by the COTR in the portfolio review reports.

5) Proactively coordinates with FMO on all issues relating to program budget implementation. In cooperation with the FMO Accounting section and financial analysts, closely monitors program funds’ commitment and obligation status, reconciles the Mission’s latest budget planning tables with the FMO Phoenix reports, and prepares monthly reports for USAID-Washington on obligations and disbursements.

6) In coordination with OFM and OAA, monitors project close-outs and funds’ de-obligations, and through work with Technical Teams identifies potential needs for re-obligation.

7) Provides budget information to the Development Outreach & Communications (DOC) Team responsible for public outreach and reporting. Reviews and updates the USAID information briefers, fact sheets, and other information products for budget data accuracy.

8) With concurrence of the Supervisory Program Officer, serves as a primary contact and responds to requests for USAID program budget information from USAID/Washington, State/DFA, the Embassy, auditors, the US military, and other counterparts.

C. Budget Support to Technical Offices (10%)

1) Actively help technical offices use and analyze budget data, conduct mortgage and pipeline analyses, track authorized ceilings in project and program approval action memoranda.

2) Provide budget and financial information for MAARD packages and ensure all financial actions conform with the USAID Automated Directives System (ADS), and fit within the Mission’s Operational Plan and Foreign Assistance Framework.

3) Provide support, guidance and necessary training to Technical Teams to ensure compliance with budget policies and adherence to the Agency’s forward funding and other budget and financial rules and regulations; thereby, facilitating quality implementation. Instructs Technical Team on the need for budget or financial waivers that may be required for their programs, as appropriate. Provide guidance on drafting appropriate waivers.

D. Supervise, Mentor and Train (10%)

1) Serve as Budget expert leader and work closely along side the Mission’s LES Program Budget Specialist training them on the USAID budgeting functions.

2) Develop an individual development plan for the LES Program Budget Specialist that provides them the knowledge and experience they need to be fully functional in their position.

3) Mentor program budget specialist on the full range of USAID budget duties.

III. QUALIFICATIONS AND SELECTION CRITERIA

Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the following selection criteria:

A.

Education:

A University degree in Finance, Business Administration, or other relevant discipline is required.

B. Work Experience/Knowledge and Skills:

At least ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in the development and planning of program budgets is required. Work experience within an international donor organization is preferred.

C. Language :

English Level IV (Fluent) oral and written is required

D. Knowledge:

S/he will have extensive and proven working knowledge in formulating and analyzing budgets. The incumbent must have extensive knowledge of planning and managing budgets in a US or international development/donor organization. Must have a good knowledge of Federal Budget system. Familiarity with the Foreign Assistance Framework is highly desirable.

E. Other Skills:

Good organizational skills and attention to detail, excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft PowerPoint, and the ability to use internet search engines to facilitate information gathering and research is required. It is essential that the Budget Analyst have excellent management, interpersonal, and team building skills.

IV. SELECTION PROCESS AND CRITERIA

Applications from candidates who do not meet the required minimum qualifications will not be scored further. Reference checks will be conducted for all applicants. Only applicants who pass this initial screening will be interviewed. Interviews may be conducted via telephone.

Applicants will be ranked based on the following selection criteria:

· Technical knowledge / work experience

30 points

· Knowledge of budgeting & financial reporting procedures in a U.S. or international development / donor organization

· Minimum of ten years of work experience in development and planning of program budget

· Education/Communication/Computer Skills

20 points

· Education and/or training received

· English language writing and speaking proficiency

· Computer skills including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and other commonly used software. Knowledge of Access database software is desirable but not required.

· Quality of application and resume

· Reference Checks

50 points

· Past performance in supporting the management of similar budgets

· Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team

· Other demonstrated skills and abilities

· Knowledge of relevant USG rules and regulations

Total 100 points

Note: Applicants must list at least three references, and provide current contact information, preferably both E-mail addresses and a telephone number. The Selection Committee will conduct reference checks on all applicants who meet the required minimum qualifications, by contacting references listed in the application, as well as other individuals who are found to be familiar with the applicant’s work.

V. TERM OF PERFORMANCE / COMPENSATION

Within two weeks after written notice from the Contracting Officer that all clearances, including medical and security clearances, have been received, or unless another date is specified by the Contracting Officer in writing, the contractor shall proceed to the Washington, D.C. area for mandatory pre-deployment training and orientation, and then directly to Baghdad, Iraq, where s/he shall promptly commence performance of the duties specified above. The term of the contract will be for approximately thirteen months (including the mandatory training period in Washington, D.C.), with a period of service of one year at post.

The position has been classified at a GS-10 level. The actual salary of the successful candidate will be negotiated within the GS-10 pay band, depending on qualifications and previous salary history. It is unlikely that an individual will be selected who does not already have the prior training and experience to fully perform at the GS-10 level, or who in some other way does not fully meet all requirements for the position. However, should such an individual be offered a position, the offered salary may be at less than the minimum salary in the GS-10 pay band.

In addition to the basic salary, differentials and other benefits in effect at the time, and which are applicable and subject to change on a similar basis as for direct-hire USG employees, will be added. Illustratively, these may include 35% Post Differential, 35% Danger Pay, 5% Sunday Differential, and a Separate Maintenance Allowance, if applicable (Iraq is a no-dependent post).

The employees serving in Iraq are authorized three short regional rest breaks and two Rest and Recuperation (R&R) breaks per year, or, alternatively, three R&R breaks and no regional rest breaks. Twenty days of administrative leave are provided per year in addition to annual leave and may be taken during these rest breaks.

USAID will provide furnished housing and three meals per day within the guarded and fortified International Zone in Baghdad.

VI.

MEDICAL AND SECURITY CLEARANCES

The selected candidate must be able to obtain both a background security clearance and a worldwide available medical clearance. The security clearance involves a comprehensive investigation performed by the appropriate U.S. Government agency. Details on how to obtain US Department of State Medical Unit clearance will be provided once a job offer is made and accepted.

VII.

BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES/TAXES

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a US/TCN PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: (NOTE: An individual defined as a Resident-Hire employee may only be eligible for those benefits listed under item A below.)

A. BENEFITS:

Employer's FICA Contribution

Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

Pay Comparability Adjustment

Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

Annual & Sick Leave

Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service

B. ALLOWANCES (If Applicable):

Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120)

Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

Post Allowance (Section 220)

Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230)

Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

Education Allowance (Section 270)

Education Travel (Section 280)

Post Differential (Chapter 500)

Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) and

Danger Pay (Section 650)

C. FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs and TCNPSC green card holders are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes under the foreign earned income exclusion.

VIII. APPLYING

Qualified individuals must submit an Optional Form 612 which is available at the USAID websites, http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/forms.asp, or at Federal offices. Resumes may be attached to the OF-612 and applicants are encouraged to write a brief appendix to demonstrate how prior experience and/or training address the minimum qualifications and selection criteria.

The application, summary statement, or cover letter must list at least three references and provide current contact information, preferably both an e-mail address and a telephone number.

All applications should be submitted electronically to:

iraquspscjobs@usaid.gov

All applications should be received by the closing date and time previously specified. 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. The selection will be based on the panel evaluation of the applicants vis-à-vis selection criteria mentioned previously. Applicants should also note that the salary history for the purpose of the OF-612 is the salary paid, excluding benefits and allowances such as housing, travel, educational support, vehicle use, etc. The OF-612 applications must be signed.

Points of Contact

Ms. Maka Beradze, Human Resources Specialist, Phone (in Iraq) - (+1) 202-216-6276, xt1013; Email: mberadzetdy@usaid.gov or Francisco Santos, Human Resources Specialist, Phone (in Iraq) - (+1) 202-216-6276, xt1298; Email: frsantos@usaid.gov

1. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs

Forms outlined below can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/

1. Optional Form 612.

2. Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62)**

3. AID 6-1 (Request for Security Action)**

4. SF-86 (Questionnaire for National Security Positions)**

5. FD-258 (Fingerprint Cards) 2 ach**

6. AID 610-14 (Authority for Release of Information)**

7. AID 6-85 (Foreign Residence Data)**

8. Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1970, As Amended**

9. Notice Required by the Privacy Act of 1974**

** Forms 2 through 9 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job. Note: The selected individual shall be required to obtain a security clearance.

2. ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) PERTAINING

TO PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACT (PSC)

AAPDs contain information or changes pertaining to USAID policy, regulation and procedures concerning acquisition and assistance. A number of AAPDs pertain to Personal Service Contracts. Please refer to the USAID website: http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/ to locate relevant AAPDs. Additionally, AIDAR Appendix D or J also applies to PSCs and can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf

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