SOLICITATION_-_Investment_and_Partnership_Advisor_-_10-30-19.pdf

ATTACHMENT 1 Solicitation Number: 72062420R00001

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72062420R00001

2. ISSUANCE DATE: October 30, 2019

3. CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: November 20, 2019/17:00 GMT

4. POINT OF CONTACT: USAID/West Africa, Accra, e-mail at accrapsc@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Investment and Partnership Advisor, USAID/West Africa

6. MARKET VALUE: $90,621 - $117,810 equivalent to GS-14.

Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The duration of the US/TCN Personal Services Contract

(US/TCNPSC) will be for a base of one (1) year, with option to extend for four (4) additional years. Exercise of options will depend on continuing need of services, availability of funds, and Washington’s approval.

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/West Africa - Accra, Ghana

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Open to U.S. Citizens (including Permanent legal residents) or Third

Country Nationals.

Hiring Preference:

In order of preference, U.S. Citizens (including Permanent legal residents) offers will be evaluated first and only when it is determined that there is no qualified U.S. Citizens (including Permanent legal residents) that offers from Third Country Nationals (TCN) will be considered.

References 309.3.1.10 and 309.3.1.4.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facility Access or Employment Authorization

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

1. BACKGROUND OF POSITION:

The position is located in the Regional Economic Growth Office of USAID/West Africa and will work under the supervision of the Trade and Investment Team Leader. The Investment and Partnership Advisor will have primary day to day responsibility for identification and facilitation of private-sector investments and partnerships that directly support accomplishment of development impacts across a range of sectors and activities within USAID/West Africa. In addition, the Advisor will provide subject matter expertise in investment promotion and partnerships to support bilateral USAID Missions and limited and non-presence countries across West Africa to identify and execute transactions that support their portfolios and objectives.

To successfully perform the work, the Advisor will be required to develop an extensive network of trusted relationships and partnerships with U.S., international and regional private sector actors including executives of mailto:accrapsc@usaid.gov companies, industrial parks, financial institutions and investment funds. The Advisor will also engage with other USG agencies with trade and investment mandates including, but not limited to, the Department of State, Department of Commerce, Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Export Import Bank, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and Millennium Challenge Corporation.

The Advisor will similarly develop relationships with West African public and private entities with trade promotion and investment mandates such as trade finance institutions, free zone/special economic zone authorities and trade and investment promotion agencies and bodies. Similarly, the Advisor will have relationships with key development partners with investment tools and mandates such as the International Finance Corporation, African Development Bank and other bilateral/multilateral development finance institutions.

2. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The specific duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

A. Investment and Partnership Stakeholder and Transaction Identification –35%

The Advisor will regularly meet with, and develop a network of, private sector, government and donor counterparts to identify high potential private-sector projects, transactions and/or partnerships for consideration for support by USAID and partner USG agencies. He/she will develop and maintain tracking tools that identify high potential opportunities by country, sector and partner along with the type of support needed to mobilize or accelerate those transactions, investments or partnership opportunities. The Advisor will design and lead investment, transaction and partnership assessments for different sectors and countries with a focus on identification of prioritized opportunities that demonstrate high levels of feasibility and readiness, significant potential for large scale development impacts through facilitating private investment, and alignment of interests between USAID and our private partners. The Advisor will provide guidance and support to various USAID staff and implementing partners in leading similar efforts to support advancement of their activities and results. The Advisor will represent USAID at various investment related events across West Africa and internationally to develop relationships and identify potential opportunities for additional consideration and support.

B. Investment Facilitation and Partnership Design and Execution –35%

The Advisor will identify the barriers to specific investment, transaction and partnership opportunities and devise a set of strategic interventions and/or a package of assistance to overcome these barriers and realize financial closure of investments and private-sector partnerships. S/he will review business plans, financial plans/statements, investment memoranda, and other transaction documents; will analyze project viability; assess potential reputation risks of transactions and undertake/support due diligence by USAID and our partners. The Advisor will design and execute innovate and performance-based mechanisms and tools to support transactions that ensures USAID and private-sector incentives are aligned, that risks are appropriately shared and that private-partners are rewarded for achievement of results. The Advisor will identify and structure collaboration opportunities around investment opportunities with other USG agencies, governments and development partners to take advantage of the full range of expertise, tools and resources available to support the realization of successful investments and partnerships.

C. Professional Development and Training of USAID Staff –20%

As the leading USAID subject matter expert on investment and partnership development in West Africa, the Advisor will support the skills development of USAID staff across the region in investment and partnership identification, prioritization and execution. This will include the Advisor proactively integrating local USAID staff members into the execution of their duties wherever possible to gain first-hand experience and establish relationships with key investment and private-sector partners. The Advisor will design and deliver periodic training for USAID and implementing partner staff tasked with supporting these types of roles in the West Africa region as well as developing and sharing examples of successes/failures and innovative approaches.

D. Support to Regional Economic Growth Office– 10%

USAID/West Africa’s Regional Economic Growth Office must respond to a diverse range of requests for information, support for high-level visitors and other demands that are not always predictable in advance. This necessarily means that all staff will from time to time perform other duties decided by the Team Leader or Office Director. These may entail performing work in an “acting” capacity for a colleague who is traveling or on leave, assisting a colleague with an especially urgent task, or personally taking responsibility for a special project. Special projects may require the Advisor to act as an expert on special projects, advise top management on major office issues; or lead, conduct or participate in complex studies and management reviews.

POSITION ELEMENTS

Supervision Received: The Advisor will not directly supervise any staff members.

The Advisor will perform assignments under the guidance and management of the USAID/West Africa Trade and Investment Team Leader. The Advisor is expected to exercise considerable independent judgment and initiative. The actions and decisions of the Advisor will be as a technical expert and adviser to the Team Leader, Office Director, Mission management and other USG agencies. Regular travel across West Africa is required to identify and support transactions and partnerships. The annual performance of the Advisor will be reviewed in terms of achievement of established work objectives.

Available Guidelines: The incumbent is expected to become familiar with and follow USAID processes, procedures and rules as documented in the Automated Directive System (ADS). In situations where the Advisor needs additional clarity or guidance, his/her supervisor will provide such guidance. The Advisor will be required to be proactive in keeping abreast of evolving guidelines and policies, including but not limited to the ADS, USG procurement regulations, and USAID program strategy, design and policy documents.

Complexity: The management environment in which the incumbent will operate is highly complex, with many donors, country and regional interests and USG interests, and requires an experienced professional with advanced advisory, interpersonal and public diplomacy skills. Working to develop partnerships with the private sector that advance mutual interests and ensure additionality of USG resources requires advanced negotiation skills. Excellent, balanced judgment must be exercised in setting priorities. The position requires planning, follow-up/implementation and teamwork abilities. The incumbent will be expected to be highly productive and meet short deadlines. S/he must have the ability to understand and operate in USAID’s regulations regarding procurement, and other aspects of project implementation. USG guidance includes laws, legislative initiatives, complex funding streams, specific legislative guidance, and other factors that often must be considered in planning and implementing support activities.

Exercise of Judgment: The incumbent must exercise sound and independent judgment in interpreting and applying USG and USAID-specific regulations and standard operating procedures in the course of carrying out the assigned duties.

Authority to Make Commitments: The incumbent is not authorized to make financial commitments on behalf of the USG. However, because of the incumbent’s expertise and standing as a highly qualified professional in his/her field, his/her conclusions and recommendations will be taken into account by USAID direct hire colleagues who have such decision-making authority regarding funding commitments and obligations.

Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts: The incumbent maintains close contact with USAID West Africa’s Trade and Investment Team and USAID bilateral Missions in the region as well as with a range of USG personnel working on trade and investment related activities. The Advisor will be required to develop and maintain contacts with a large number of private sector, government and donor partner institutions.

The purpose of contacts is to design and develop active partnerships with counterparts engaged on investment to achieve larger development impacts through better leveraging limited USG resources through private sector investments and partnerships. This will include senior government representatives at the Minister/Deputy Minister level, CEOs/Managing Directors/Sourcing Directors of companies and financial institutions, USAID Mission Directors across the West African region, USG representatives covering trade and investment, regional institution representative and donor counterparts up to the level of Ambassador. Contacts with the parties mentioned above will occur in both structured and unstructured settings.

The broad use of initiative, discretion and patience is expected from the Advisor in dealing with USAID personnel as well as representatives from other donor organizations and U.S. Embassies to resolve problems that arise during the course of work where there is no clear or immediate solution. In addition, considerable judgment is required in working effectively and coordinating efforts in support of USAID’s development objectives and in collecting, analyzing and reporting on progress of activities and recommending project actions.

Physical Demands/Work Environment: Work is performed primarily in the USAID/West Africa office in Accra, and will require frequent travel to the USAID West Africa office in Accra and other countries with trade and investment activities in West Africa (estimated 25% of their time).

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

A. EDUCATION : A minimum of a Master’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics or a highly related field is required.

B. WORK EXPERIENCE - A minimum of five to seven years of professional-level work experience in investment, finance or partnership facilitation is required.

C. LANGUAGE - Level IV English (fluent) and Level III French (professional proficiency) is required.

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

A. TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE (40 points) Demonstrated knowledge of development practices to support private sector development including specific approaches and best practices to promoting investment and access to financing. Demonstrated knowledge of a wide range of investment and financial facilitation tools and approaches. Demonstrated knowledge of the economy and business landscape of West Africa.

Demonstrated ability to organize and effectively plan work to ensure that programs and tasks are completed accurately and within deadlines is required. The ability to obtain, evaluate and interpret data and prepare high quality communications products and reports is necessary. The ability to undertake assessments, make concise recommendations, propose well-thought out strategies to resolve these problems, secure commitment from counterparts, and successfully implement final decisions and strategies and approaches is necessary.

B. WORK EXPERIENCE (40 points) A minimum of five to seven years of professional-level work experience in investment, finance or partnership facilitation is required. Demonstration of successful professional experience facilitating transactions and partnerships in West Africa. Successful experience developing and/or managing innovative investment facilitation activities is highly desired. Specific experience in undertaking investment assessments and designing successful interventions.

C. COMMUNICATION (20 points)

The applicant must also have strong writing skills, demonstrated ability to prepare succinct reports, and ability to work within short deadlines with minimal supervision. Operational, managerial and strong analytical and writing skills are necessary, including experience in analysis, interpretation and presentation of data in both oral and written form and in precise, accurate, clear and complete formats. Strong computer skills are essential in order to prepare effective, comprehensive reports and for daily work. Excellent knowledge of and experience with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Applications, as well as the ability to conduct Internet research and management of other Internet resources, is required.

Evidence of strong collaborative skills, including the ability to work effectively with superiors, subordinates, colleagues and partners is required, as is maturity, objectivity, resourcefulness, adaptability, and sound professional judgment. Effective teamwork is an essential factor in successful day-to-day management and operations.

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

1. Eligible offerors are required to complete and submit the offer form AID 309-2, “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals,” available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms.

2. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section I.

3. Offeror submissions must clearly reference the number of this Solicitation to ensure the offer is for the position in this Solicitation.

4. A Cover Letter of not more than two (2) pages describing how the incumbent’s skills and experience fit the requirements of the position.

5. A current CV/resume. The CV/resume must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the application in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria. Broad general statements that are vague or lacking specificity will not be considered as effectively addressing particular selection criteria. Complete dates (month/year) are also required on

CV.

6. Any attachments provided via email must be in a format compatible with Microsoft Word

2003/2010 or PDF and not zipped.

7. Offerors also must address the above Section III: Evaluation and Selection Factors, in a Summary Statement to be included in the application. This Summary Statement, limited to two (2) pages, must describe specifically and accurately what experience, training, education, and/or awards the Offeror has received that are relevant to each selection factor above. The Summary Statement must include the name of the Offeror and the announcement number at the top of each page.

8. Offerors must provide a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of five (5) references within the last five years from the Offeror’s professional life, namely individuals who are not family members or relatives. Three references must be from direct supervisors who can provide information regarding the Offeror’s work knowledge and professional experience. Offerors must provide e-mail addresses and/or working telephone numbers for all references.

http://www.usaid.gov/forms

9. Offerors must provide their full mailing address with telephone, facsimile numbers (if available) and email address and should retain for their records copies of all enclosures that accompany their submission.

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

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award:

Forms outlined below can found at: http://www.usaid.gov/forms/

1. Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals (AID 309-2);

2. Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms); *

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). *

* Forms 2 through 5 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an Offeror is the successful candidate for the job.

VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

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

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), available at https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101

(a) Temporary Quarter Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)

(b) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

(c) Cost-of-Living Allowance (Chapter 210)

(d) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(e) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(f) Education Travel (Section 280)

(g) Post Differential (Chapter 500) mailto:accrapsc@usaid.gov http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92 http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92 https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101

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