SOLICITATION_Senior_Project_Management_Specialist_Private_Sector_Competitiveness_and_Agriculture,_GS-14.pdf

ATTACHMENT 1 72011718R00001

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72011718R00001

2. ISSUANCE DATE: February 28, 2018

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: March 16, 2018 (6 p.m. EST)

4. POSITION TITLE: Senior Project Management Specialist/ Private Sector

Competitiveness and Agriculture

5. MARKET VALUE: $89,370 - $116,181 equivalent to GS-14

Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Chisinau, Moldova with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Work.

8. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret Level

9. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

BASIC FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION / BACKGROUND

USAID/Moldova has program responsibility for the development, implementation and oversight of USAID-financed activities in Moldova, as well as the formulation of the overarching strategy within which these activities operate. USAID programs are currently focused on two primary foreign assistance objectives: 1) Economic Growth and (2) Governing Justly and Democratically.

Formerly a satellite office of USAID’s Regional Mission to Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus, USAID/Moldova is now a full Mission with fully delegated authority. The new Moldova Mission manages a diverse and growing portfolio of 12 activities. The new Mission continues to receive support services from USAID/Ukraine.

This position is located in the Office of Economic Growth and reports to the U.S. Director Hire Office Director. The office manages a diverse portfolio concentrated in the following areas: 1) competitiveness (with a focus on IT, tourism, light manufacturing and wine); 2) agriculture (including high value agriculture for export, climate-smart agriculture and organic agriculture);

3) business enabling environment; and 4) banking and financial sector. The office is also engaged in the development of joint projects with emerging donors, including Romania and other European and Eastern European states.

The incumbent will lead the design of new activities in climate-smart agriculture, tourism, viticulture and the financial sectors as well as the development of one or more Emerging Donor Challenge Grants and joint projects with the Government of Romania. He/she will oversee the agriculture portfolio and serve as COR/AOR for several smaller projects that complement the Mission’s flagship competitiveness activity. He/she will mentor local staff in the technical aspects of agriculture and agribusiness value chains. He/she will serve as alternate COR/AOR for agriculture and competitiveness activities. The incumbent will serve as Acting Office Director in the absence of the USDH officer. The incumbent may supervise one or more local staff.

In addition to managing the economic growth team, the incumbent is the senior expert on agricultural sector policy and agricultural trade diversification reforms for USAID/Moldova and serves as the lead point of contact for engaging with the Moldovan Government on key agricultural policy, SPS, and the agricultural competitiveness agenda. The incumbent independently leads the design, implementation and monitoring of economic growth activities implemented in Moldova, serving as Activity Manager and/or Contract’s Officer’s Representative (COR) for one or more activities described below. In this capacity, the incumbent promotes the policy interests of the U.S. Government at the central, rayon and municipal levels of the host country and gains Moldovan government and donor community acceptance of USAID conceptual and policy frameworks and operating practices.

The Project Management Specialist manages economic/agricultural development and private sector competitiveness portfolio activities. She/he leads the drafting of portions of the Moldova Annual Report for the relevant sectors included in his/her portfolio and other key USAID strategy documents, such as the CDCS, PADs, etc.

The incumbent conducts research and analysis into agricultural sector development issues and leads key pre-design agricultural/access to finance sector assessments, and therefore must be conversant in a broad range of areas, including agricultural policy, private sector competitiveness, EU integration agenda, export analysis, foreign investment and access to finance, to carry out the full range of agricultural policy related advisory functions.

USAID is the lead bilateral donor in the agricultural development sector. This advisory position therefore entails a high degree of demanding representational work with the Government of Moldova, international donors (World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, EU, UNDP, and EBRD) and external partners both in Chisinau and the regions. These contacts include Chiefs of Mission, Ambassadors, the Minister of Economy, Minister of Finance, Minister of Agriculture, key deputy ministers, Parliament's Agriculture Committee, the National Food Safety Agency, and senior ranks of the Millennium Challenge Corporation and the State Department's Office of the Coordinator of U.S. Assistance for Europe and Eurasia Office (EUR/ACE).

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The incumbent is expected to operate and carry out duties with a high degree of independence.

She/he provides direct technical and managerial oversight as alternate Contracting Officer’s Representative (A/COR) for a complex and mixed economic growth portfolio including the economic/agriculture and private sector competitiveness portfolio activities, including USAID/Moldova’s flagship Agricultural Competitiveness Activity. In addition, the incumbent also serves as alternate COR for USAID’s Competitiveness Activity.

A. Representational, Advisory and Senior Leadership: 50%

1. As the senior expert on agricultural sector policy and agricultural trade diversification reforms for USAID/Moldova, the incumbent is a recognized expert among the donor/GOM community and will provide strategic, technical, and organizational expertise as well as leadership on issues related to agricultural policy, EU/DCFTA/SPS agenda, and agricultural competitiveness/trade issues. She/he is called upon to frequently advise top office and embassy staff on a wide array of agricultural development/economic growth issues. The incumbent maintains close donor coordination and develops high level contacts. (15%)

2. As Deputy Office Director (Acting Director as required), monitors program strategies and provides periodic updates on the Government of Moldova's development and execution of its competitiveness policies, business enabling environment progress, agricultural, food safety, EU legal approximation strategy. Analyzes the degree to which the objectives of USAID/Moldova’s economic growth programs are being met. Presents strategic and programmatic findings in a clear and concise manner (verbally and in writing) to a wide range and high level audience; including Department of State personnel, new USAID employees, and USAID superiors (Office Directors, Office Deputies and the Front Office) (10%)

3. Formulates Mission and Embassy-wide strategies, operational plans and new concept papers that promote sound economic growth practices and internationally recognized standards and are consistent with USAID and Department of State programming guidance. Leads discussions on the Agriculture and Food Safety Sector coordination and development. Provides advice to the Office Chief and Mission Director/Deputy Director for use in modifying programs. (10%)

4. Identifies suitable opportunities which may increase Moldovan government and private sector contributions to economic growth in areas where USAID assistance can have an impact. Such activities could include policy dialogue, major alliances with new partners and coordinated approaches with other major donors like the World Bank. Promotes expansion of effective strategies and approaches that can expand coverage and quality of economic services. She/he assists in negotiations with host country government on project design and implementation, ensuring that host country officials at the highest level are apprised of program progress. These responsibilities require the incumbent to demonstrate highly developed professional judgment, with a high level of inter-personal skills and diplomacy, and to provide technical direction and management oversight.

(10%)

5. Develops and sustains close collaborative, professional relationships with senior government and parliament officials, key business leaders, other major donors, international organizations, and leading economic development research institutions.

Convenes strategic partners' meetings designed to build synergy between USAID and other donor organizations. These meetings may also include USAID/Ukraine when Regional scope requires. (5%)

B. Private Enterprise Growth Activity Management 40%

Serving as the senior expert on agricultural sector policy and agricultural trade diversification reforms for USAID/Moldova leads, coordinates and directs the implementation of all of USAID/Moldova's agricultural competitiveness development programs. She/he will be expected to perform the function of Contract’s Officer Representative (COR), when required, for projects within the USAID/Moldova economic growth portfolio, including USAID/Moldova’s flagship Agricultural Competitiveness Activity. In addition, the incumbent also serves as alternate COR for USAID’s Competitiveness Activity. As office programs move through various phases of development, she/he will design and implement additional activities.

Specific duties include:

1. Ensures that activities achieve their intended results. She/he provides technical and organizational leadership on the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of economic growth development programs. She/he ensures that partners meet their benchmark requirements in accordance with USAID regulations.

2. Conducts research and analysis into agricultural sector development issues and leads key pre-design agricultural/access to finance sector assessments, and therefore must be conversant in a broad range of areas, including agricultural policy, private sector competitiveness, EU integration agenda, export analysis, foreign investment and access to finance, to carry out the full range of agricultural policy related advisory functions.

3. Acts as the main point of contact (POC) in the area of agricultural policy, agricultural trade/competitiveness, and agricultural sector access to finance issues. She/he provides proficient and professional guidance along with technical direction to the implementing partner/s.

4. Conducts site visits to monitor program progress, as well as implementing partners, stakeholders, and counterparts’ implementation of activities at the local, and regional government level on a periodical basis.

5. Provides high level technical advice to institutional contractors, grantees, Moldovan Government officials, and other stakeholders as warranted.

6. Organizes and leads internal review meetings to evaluate contractor’s performance based on identified criteria.

7. Collaborates with other USAID projects, and other donors and organizations in the economic development sector to ensure synergy of program activities with those of other organizations, to achieve maximum pertinence and impact.

8. Manages financial matters related to program activities, such as providing administrative approval of vouchers, planning and preparing for annual incremental funding amendments, and other financial administrative activities as needed, to ensure that fiscal needs of the recipient U.S. and local contractors are met in a timely manner.

9. Prepares all necessary internal USAID program implementation documentation for smooth program implementation, including Program Implementation Letters (PILs), GLAAS actions and other required reporting.

10. Prepares and submits the annual evaluation of contractors’ performance for inclusion in the central database of contractors.

C. Supervision 10%

Directly supervises the work of up to five FSN PSCs during times of Acting Director of Economic Growth Office during the absence of Director

POSITION ELEMENTS

a. Supervision received: Employee is expected to work independently in planning and carrying out assignments, receiving only general guidance from the Supervisory Economic Growth Office Director.

b. Available guidelines: The incumbent will abide by all Embassy and USAID administrative procedures, USAID's Automated Directives System, supervisor's oral and written instructions, and USAID/Moldova Mission Orders.

c. Exercise of judgment: The incumbent shall demonstrate a professional level of judgment and initiative in order to respond to intra-office, inter-office, inter-agency and inter-governmental activities. Sound judgment is required to deal effectively with government officials. Judgment to anticipate and identify office needs related to administrative and program support is important.

She/he is also required to use sound judgment in dealing with implementing partners and other U.S. governmental entities. The incumbent is expected to analyze situations and the requirements to resolve problems. The incumbent must recognize requests for decisions or position papers that require prior USAID review and approval.

d. Authority to make commitments: Commitments are limited to actions within the scope of the position (i.e., advising on when actions will be completed, assuring that required documents will be delivered by a certain time, etc.). No commitments are authorized to GOM officials, international agencies, donor organizations, contractors or grantees.

e. Nature, level and purpose of contacts: Continuous contact is maintained with senior levels of the Moldovan Government, including the Minister of Agriculture, the Head of the Food Safety Agency, Minister of Economy key deputy ministers, members of the Parliament's Agricultural Committee, senior members of the unrecognized Transnistrian authorities, and senior ranks of the Millennium Challenge Corporation and the State Department's Office of the Coordinator of U.S. Assistance for Europe and Eurasia Office (EUR/ACE), international agencies (World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, EU Commission, IFAD, FAO, UNDP, and EBRD), educational institutions, and NGOs to obtain unpublished and published information concerning the projects and the economic growth program. Contact is at all levels in the Mission, the Embassy, and with contractors/grantees to monitor activities, resolve problems, provide guidance, advice, and attend workshops and seminars, and other meetings.

10. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: US Citizens, Off-Shore Hire.

11. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

12. POINT OF CONTACT: James Berscheit, Supervisory Regional Executive Officer, e-mail at jberscheit@usaid.gov.

mailto:jberscheit@usaid.gov

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

The following minimum qualifications are required for this position.

Education: Possession of a bachelor’s degree in international trade relations, business administration, economics, or other appropriate field is required. Possession of a Master degree in international development/international project development, business administration, economics, or other appropriate field is required.

Work Experience: The Specialist is required to have a minimum of eight (8) years of economic growth development experience with multi-lateral or bi-lateral organizations, including at least five (5) years as program manager for a large agricultural competitiveness development project.

Five to seven years’ experience is required of handling a range of managerial tasks (e.g.

monthly/yearly plans and objectives, staff control and development, budgetary control, service enhancement, managing projects).

Job Knowledge: A thorough understanding of the Moldovan agricultural sector and agricultural policy environment is required. Must also have a thorough knowledge of Moldovan economic, political, social and cultural characteristics; local business practices; and, of political and development prospects and priorities. Thorough knowledge of U.S. Government legislation relating to development assistance and USAID programming policies, regulations procedures and documentation is essential. Knowledge of USAID project development, design, management, performance monitoring and reporting, and procurement policies and procedures is required. Knowledge of USAID’s Policy Determinations (PDs) on agricultural development programs is required. A thorough understanding of the EU-Moldova DCFTA chapters, related to SPS/Market Access for Goods/Trade Facilitation. knowledge of USAID agricultural value chain development methodologies and agricultural competitiveness best practices is required.

Knowledge of international /EU agricultural policies and country region context is relevant.

Language: Level IV (fluent) English proficiency is required. Incumbent must be able to communicate clearly and effectively with all categories of Mission employees and appropriate Embassy personnel, as well as the general public, to assure complete comprehension of Agency regulations and program information as well as in preparation of technical reports and presentations and briefings.

Skills and Abilities: The Specialist serves as the Mission’s senior expert on agricultural sector development issues and is recognized as a subject matter expert among donors and peers within the counterpart Moldovan Government institutions. The incumbent must have superior communication skills. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain high-level contacts in the Moldovan Government, donor organizations, bilateral and multilateral agencies, private-sector organizations, and educational institutions. The ability to obtain, evaluate and interpret factual data and prepare precise, accurate and complete reports is required. Proven, demonstrated ability to work independently under tight deadlines and heavy workload within agreed upon parameters with minimal supervision or guidance and while exercising sound judgment is required. Skills in conceptualizing project programming, policies and plans and developing strategies for their implementation is required. Ability to work effectively in a team environment and proactively work to achieve consensus on policy, project and administrative matters is required. The position requires an ability to diplomatically and tactfully confront and resolve institutional and interagency bureaucratic challenges while maintaining collaborative relations. The incumbent must have computer skills including ease and skill in using word processing and power point programs, email.

Other Requirement: Assignment is contingent on obtaining a medical and security clearance.

Ability to quickly obtain security clearance is highly desired.

III EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

To be considered for this position, applicants must meet the minimum qualifications noted above. For those who do, further consideration and selection will be based on a panel assessment of the selection factors listed below.

Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the following selection criteria to a maximum score of 100 points. The following factors will be the basis for determining the qualifications of all applicants:

o Education (10 points) o Work Experience (35 points) o Job Knowledge (30 points) o Language (10 points) o Skills and Abilities (15 points)

The most qualified candidates will be interviewed and may be asked to provide a writing sample.

Professional references will be evaluated for applicants being considered for selection. Note:

Please be advised that references may be obtained independently from other sources in addition to the ones provided by an applicant.

IV. APPLYING

In order to be considered for the position, a candidate must meet the minimum qualifications listed in the solicitation at the time of submission and must submit all the following required materials:

• Cover Letter;

• Curriculum Vitae/Resume;

• Complete and signed Form AID 302-3 “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts” (available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms/);

• List of three to five professional references.

All application packages are to be submitted via email to: ChisinauHR@usaid.gov

Please cite the solicitation number and position title within the subject line of your email application.

Incomplete, unsigned or late applications will not be considered. Only those applicants who are selected for interviews will be contacted.

Any questions concerning this solicitation may be directed to James Berscheit, Supervisory Regional Executive Officer at jberscheit@usaid.gov.

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR USPSCs http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ mailto:ChisinauHR@usaid.gov mailto:jberscheit@usaid.gov

Once the Contracting Officer (CO) informs the successful Offeror about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Offeror instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms, needed to obtain medical and security clearances.

1. Medical History and Examination Form/ Medical Clearance Update (DS-6561/DS-3057)

2. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-86), or

3. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)

4. Finger Print Card (FD-258)

VI. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a USPSC is normally authorized the following benefits:

1. BENEFITS:

a) Employer's FICA Contribution

b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

c) Pay Comparability Adjustment

d) Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation)

e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

f) Annual and Sick Leave

2. ALLOWANCES:

Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas)

a) Temporary Quarter Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)

b) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

c) Post Allowance (Section 220)

d) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

e) Education Allowance (Section 270)

f) Educational Travel (Section 280)

g) Post Differential (Section 500)

h) Payments During Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600)

VII. TAXES

USPSCs are required to pay Federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable State Income taxes.

VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

PERTAINING TO PSCs

USAID regulations and policies governing USPSC awards are available at these sources:

1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix D, “Direct USAID Contracts with a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf .

2. Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms.

3. Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs .

4. Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch,” available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635.

See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations .

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/forms http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations