SOL_Sr_EG_Adv.pdf

SUBJECT: Solicitation for a Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) – SENIOR ECONOMIC GROWTH ADVISOR / GS-0301-15, USAID/Albania

Issuance Date: 11/16/2011 Closing Date: 12/04/2011

The United States Agency for International Development is seeking applications (OF-612) from U.S. citizen qualified individuals interested in providing personal services as described herein.

Submittals shall be in accordance with the information below at the place and time specified.

Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to Hans J. Thimm, Deputy Executive Officer, USAID /Albania using the following contact information:

Telephone: +355-4-229-3030 Fax: +355-4-223-3520 E-mail: hthimm@usaid.gov

Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. All applications should be submitted via internet as e-mail attachments or by a courier as follows:

By email to: Hans J. Thimm, Deputy Executive Officer, USAID/Albania at hthimm@usaid.gov.

By DHL or FEDEX, consign documents to attention of:

Hans J. Thimm, Deputy EXO USAID/Albania, United States Embassy Rr. e Elbasanit, Nr. 103 1010 Tirana, Albania

Sincerely, Hans J. Thimm Deputy Executive Officer

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: SOL-182-12-000002

2. ISSUANCE DATE: 11/16/2011

3. CLOSING DATE: 12/04/2011 (5 pm EST)

4. POSITION TITLE: SENIOR ECONOMIC GROWTH ADVISOR

5. MARKET VALUE: The position is the equivalent of a GS-15, with salary ranging from $99,628 to $129,517 per annum. Final compensation will be based on individual's salary and work history, experience and educational background.

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 1 year from effective date of contract with possibility of 2 one-year extensions (extensions are dependent on HR/Washington approval).

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Tirana, Albania

8. SUPERVISION: Mission Director

9. SECURITY ACCESS: Secret Level

10. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens and U.S. Permanent Residents

11. POSITION DESCRIPTION: As below

A) Background:

USAID development programs in Albania are financed with Assistance for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (AEECA) funds. Total AEECA assistance for Albania is about $20 million annually, of which USAID/Albania manages approximately $14 million. About half of this annual USAID operating year budget (OYB) is dedicated to economic growth (EG) activities. In addition to the Director, the Mission is staffed with two Direct Hires (USDHs), one Development Leadership Initiative (DLI) officer, two U.S. Personal Service Contractors (USPSCs), and 17 Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs). The Mission’s approved strategic plan (Country Development Cooperation Strategy, CDCS) is organized around two Development Objectives: (a) strengthening the rule of law and promoting good governance and (b) creating conditions for broad-based, sustainable, and inclusive economic growth.

It is within this context that the Senior Economic Growth Advisor will be directly responsible for the USAID Mission’s economic growth portfolio, with decision making authority regarding implementation of the entire EG program. In line with the CDCS, the EG advisor will have responsibility for reconfiguring this portfolio to focus on providing technical assistance, training, and capacity building to improve policies, laws, and regulations that impact the Albanian private sector. Emphasis will be on establishing the conditions for growth, rather than on providing assistance directly to specific enterprises at, for example, the farm or firm level. Facilitating the use of public-private partnerships (PPPs) – for major infrastructure as well as for large municipality undertakings – will be a new and key aspect of the portfolio, along with continuing assistance to the financial sector and interaction with business associations in addressing constraints to commerce and trade.

Both conceptually and in implementation, the Advisor will play the lead role in this reprogramming effort, in order assure that the portfolio is focused at a “transformational” level, which will assure a legacy of strong growth and an economy closer aligned to the EU standards to which Albania aspires.

Redesigned or new activities will focus on strengthening the government-private sector relationship in identifying and instituting changes that will streamline business-related processes, e.g., through expanded use of E-Systems, eliminating corruption-enabling contact points, and creating a stronger enabling environment. Program interventions will include continued technical assistance to the financial sector to, for example, further strengthen the supervisory capabilities of the central bank and improve access to credit.

Creating the ability within the Government of Albania (GOA) to effectively utilize public-private partnerships (PPPs) will help address the “resource gap” related to infrastructure needs, e.g., roads, ports, energy, municipal development initiatives. Work with business and trade associations will emphasize strengthening of market linkages and closer integration with the European Union.

B) Basic Functions of the Position:

With considerable latitude for decision-making and exercising independent judgment, the Senior Economic Growth Advisor will be responsible for overseeing all EG aspects of the USAID/Albania program. This will require an expert and highly experienced business advisor/finance specialist/economist with a broad combination of technical, analytical and managerial abilities, combined with extensive relevant experience and excellent interpersonal and communications skills. The EG Advisor must possess outstanding professional knowledge and technical expertise in the field of economic development with regard to macroeconomic policy, private sector led growth, energy, banking, infrastructure, and public-private partnerships.

Specific, major duties and responsibilities will involve conceptualizing, developing, implementing and monitoring of USAID EG assistance to Albania including working towards leveraging non-USAID resources to address the development needs articulated in the Mission strategy. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

C) Major Duties and Responsibilities:

1) Representation, Coordination, Technical Advice The incumbent will be expected to independently develop and maintain close and collaborative contact with senior-most players in the EG and related sectors; provide sound expert technical advice; and authoritatively engage in technical discussions with ministerial and deputy ministerial level officials of the Government of Albania, senior representatives and staff of bilateral and multilateral donors and other international organizations, and senior U.S. Embassy officials (including the Ambassador and the USAID Mission Director). S/he must work closely with senior-most officials representing Albanian economic institutions, non-governmental organizations, and professional associations.

The incumbent, in concert with Government of Albania counterparts and/or relevant public and private sector organizations, will be responsible for developing innovative approaches that, for example, maximize transformational change and leveraging of additional resources that complement USG inputs, assure maximum coordination with the European Union – particularly with regard to market integration – and work towards strengthening Albanian business and trade associations and links to markets.

The incumbent will liaise with and, as necessary, tap the expertise of Washington-based staff on the overall strategy for economic assistance, as well as on the specific design, management and implementation of EG assistance activities in Albania. S/he will manage and regularly report on progress toward achieving the goals of the USAID/Albania’s EG activities. S/he will assure EG program congruence with the Mission’s strategic plan (Country Development Cooperation Strategy), Operational Plan, Congressional Notifications, and other key USAID/Albania planning (and reporting) documentation.

2) Economic Growth and Private Sector Advisor for USAID/Albania The Senior EG Advisor will take the lead in and provide direction for important economic activities involving gathering, analyzing, interpreting, and publishing an array of economic information bearing on USAID and USG program/project activities in Albania and on the economic well-being of Albania. S/he will initiate, formulate, oversee, guide, and carry out policy analyses of the economy of Albania, as necessary, which will provide recommendations aimed at achieving the EG Development Objective. Where required, s/he will develop new and innovative approaches, conceptual frameworks, or analytical techniques to meet the demands of emerging or anticipated policy and program issues.

The incumbent will also serve as the resident expert on economic issues for the U.S.

Mission to Albania and will provide briefings, draft position papers, and coordinate among inter-agency groups as required regarding economy-related matters.

3) Program Management and Oversight The Senior EG Advisor will provide managerial and technical leadership of a diverse set of EG activities in Albania, including determining work priorities; making decisions on activity implementation matters; identifying and resolving programmatic and budget issues;

ensuring maximum possible leveraging of non-USG resources, e.g., private-public partnerships; confirming that all activities are carried out in a technically sound, timely, and cost-effective manner; directing the EG members of the USAID/Albania Foreign Service National (FSN) staff and appropriately assigning responsibilities; overseeing all EG contracted activities; providing technical advice on best practices; and assuring that activities are carried out in accordance with all applicable Mission and Agency directives and requirements.

The Senior EG Advisor will serve as Manager for all major USAID-funded EG development activities planned or being carried out in Albania. The incumbent will be expected to contribute to the effectiveness of program implementation through monitoring, via site visits and review of technical and progress reports.

The incumbent will manage all financial matters related to program activities such as providing administrative approval of vouchers, planning and preparing for annual incremental funding amendments, accruals and other financial administrative activities as needed to ensure that the fiscal needs of the recipient (GOA) and U.S. and local contractors are met in a timely manner.

S/he will ensure that all activities are appropriately documented in required reports and through regular updates given to USAID stakeholders and external development partners, including Annual Reports, Portfolio Reviews, annual budget and pipeline analyses, Congressional Budget Justifications, and briefings and talking points. S/he will review annual work plans, and negotiate program and activity issues with counterparts in the GOA and with other implementing partners.

S/he will prepare or supervise preparation of all necessary internal USAID program implementation documentation for smooth program execution, including Implementation Letters, acquisition and assistance documents (GLAAS), and other required reporting. S/he will prepare and submit the annual evaluation of contractors’ performance to USAID/Washington for inclusion in their central database on contractors.

The incumbent will ensure that indicators to measure program impact are reasonable, within USAID’s ability to influence, are tracked accurately, and are used to revise program interventions as necessary. S/he will coordinate with members of his/her EG team to ensure data submitted on activities are complete and consistent for reporting purposes.

S/he will keep the EG Team and USAID Senior Management abreast of current events and policy developments in Albania that are relevant to EG program implementation. S/he will conduct consultations with stakeholders and track legislative developments related to economic growth and development. S/he will collect and analyze information to inform and strategically guide program planning.

The incumbent will develop, or cause to be developed, scopes of work, coordinate temporary duty (TDY) assignments, and manage evaluations and assessments of the Mission’s EG portfolio. S/he will plan, coordinate, and participate in audits of EG activities in Albania and be responsible for close-out of activities.

4) General Management The Senior EG Advisor will research, analyze, and report on information about the economic situation in Albania for a variety of audiences including USAID/Washington, USAID/Albania Senior Management, and U.S. Department of State and other USG agencies, as needed.

The incumbent will serve as Team Leader for the in-house EG Team. In this role, s/he will provide mentoring and staff development opportunities to EG FSN professional staff and provide overall direction and leadership to team members. The Senior EG Advisor will manage all assigned work independently and direct the EG Team according to established Mission policies, practices and programmatic guidance, and in accordance with all applicable USAID regulations and guidance.

The incumbent will be based in Tirana, Albania. Travel throughout Albania and occasional travel in the region, e.g., to the USAID Regional Service Center in Budapest, Hungary, and to USAID/Washington will be required.

5) Reporting Requirements The Senior EG Advisor shall prepare or oversee preparation of reports, as required, to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities described above. S/he will also provide, orally or in writing, such reports on work progress as may be required by Mission management.

D) Required Qualifications and Position Elements:

The Senior EG Advisor shall have the following qualifications. Note that in order to be considered, the applicant shall meet those qualifications indicated as “required.”

Education: A minimum of a Master’s Degree in International Business, International Finance, or Economics with a focus on applied economics, trade and fiscal policies, private sector led growth, public-private partnerships, trade and investment, or value chain development (required).

Relevant Experience: At least 15 years of experience designing and implementing development programs and/or internationally focused business plans, of which at least eight years spent working in developing countries (required). Eastern European experience, particularly within the Balkan region, is highly desirable. Significant experience in economic policy reform, economic growth, program design, management, and monitoring and evaluation (required). Familiarity with USG/USAID regulations is highly desirable.

Technical Knowledge: Mastery of the economic development sector including macroeconomic reform, trade and fiscal policies, private sector led growth, trade and investment, value chain development and finance (required).

Skills: Proven ability to communicate and work cross-culturally at a high level, in a challenging and ever-changing environment; excellent written and oral communications skills in English; strong interpersonal skills, team player, and the proven ability to multi-task and lead diverse technical teams; knowledge of MS Outlook (required).

Supervision: The incumbent will report to and be supervised directly by the Mission Director.

E) Available Guidelines:

Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM), Foreign Affairs Handbook (FAR), USAID Automated Directives System (ADS), Mission Policies, Mission Orders and USAID technical handbooks.

F) Exercise of Judgment:

Prompt and sound individual judgment is required in areas of expertise with the regular use of USAID and partner resources to better inform that judgment.

G) Authority to Make Commitments:

The incumbent will not have unilateral signatory authority to make commitments of USG financial, technical, or personnel resources. However, the incumbent will play the key informational and analytical role in determining the Mission’s positions on funding for all EG-related grant and contract approvals or renewals, provision of technical assistance, training opportunities, and other program elements regarding EG budgets.

H) Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts:

Extensive range of contacts up to the highest levels of the GOA, U.S. Mission in Albania, USAID/Washington, locally represented international donor organizations, international and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the private sector, and research organizations/think tanks.

I) Supervision Exercised:

Will oversee and manage USAID EG programs to include guiding programmatic relationships between USAID and contractors/grantees. Will also manage and supervise FSN staff members on the EG Team.

J) Other Requirements:

a) U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent resident and able to obtain secret security and health clearances.

b) Ability to begin work in Albania by January 2012.

K) Length of Assignment:

The selected candidate will be appointed for one year; with the possibility of up to two one-year non-competed extensions (extensions are dependent on HR/Washington approval).

L) Selection Criteria:

Candidates will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

Education and Training: 20 points Relevant Experience: 50 points Communication and Interpersonal Skills: 30 points Total points: 100 points

Education and Training (20 points):

1) Master’s Degree in International Business, International Finance, Economics or related subject with a focus on applied economics, trade and fiscal policies, private sector led growth, public-private partnerships, trade and investment, or value chain development.

2) Training and experience in operational research and analysis or similar area preferred.

Relevant Experience (50 points):

1) At least fifteen years’ experience designing and implementing economic development programs and/or internationally-related private sector undertakings, of which at least eight years have been working in developing countries. Prior professional and field experience designing and implementing economic or related programs and knowledge of the range of best practices from prior donor economic development experiences from around the world will be considered a significant strength.

2) Demonstrated satisfactory experience managing challenging EG programs in complex development environments. Demonstrated ability to successfully cultivate and maintain a wide range of contacts with senior government, donor and NGO counterparts.

3) Prior experience assisting governments in identifying and implementing alternative approaches to the provision of economic services.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills (30 points):

1) University level English speaking, reading and writing proficiency. Candidates may be asked to provide a recent sample of their writing.

2) Demonstrated ability to work collegially and effectively communicate with high level government and other officials, and to successfully lead and work with a multi-cultural team.

3) Demonstrated ability to cultivate and maintain a wide range of contacts with senior-most level counterparts.

M) Medical and Security Clearance Requirements:

The successful applicant must receive medical clearance for serving in Albania. Details of how to obtain U.S. Department of State Medical Unit medical clearance will be provided once a job offer is made and accepted.

The successful applicant must be able to receive USAID secret security clearance that involves a comprehensive background investigation performed by a U.S. Government Agency.

N) Period of Service Overseas:

After written notice from the Contracting Officer that all clearances, including the doctor's statement of medical opinion required under General Provision Clause 4, have been received the contractor shall proceed to Tirana, Albania where s/he shall promptly commence performance of the duties specified above. The contractor's period of service overseas shall extend over a period of 12 months, from o/a January 2012 through January 2013. Specific starting date is negotiable.

O) Benefits/Allowances/Taxes:

1) Benefits Employee'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

2) Allowances (if Applicable) (see Department of State Standardized Regulations, DSSR) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) Post Allowance (Section 220) Post Differential (Section 500) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) Danger Pay (Section 650) Education Allowance (Section 270) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) Educational Travel (Section 280)

3) Federal Taxes USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes under the foreign earned income exclusion.

P) Applying:

Qualified individuals are requested to submit a U.S. government Optional Form 612 which is available at the USAID website http://www.usaid.gov/forms/OF612.pdf 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.

Point of Contact:

Hans J. Thimm, Deputy Executive Officer; Phone: +355-4-229 3030; Fax: +355-4- 223 3520; e-mail: hthimm@usaid.gov

Q) List of Required Forms for USPSCs:

1. Application for Federal Employment, available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms/OF612.pdf

Forms 2 through 9 below 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. All dependents that will be on the Contractor’s orders must be able to obtain medical clearances.

Available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms:

2. Contractor Employee Physical Evaluation Form (a1420-62)

3. Request for Security Action (a6-1)

4. Authority for Release of Information (aid610-14)

5. Foreign Activity Data (a6-85) Available at http://www.opm.gov/Forms/pdf_fill:

6. Questionnaire for National Security Positions (SF86) Others:

7. Fingerprint Cards (2 each) (FD-258)

8. Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1970, As Amended

9. Notice Required by the Privacy Act of 1974

R) Acquisition and Assistance Policy Documents (AAPDS) Pertaining to USPSCs:

AAPDs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/ to determine which AAPDs apply to this contract. Additionally, AIDAR Appendix D also applies to this USPSCs (see http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf).

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