SOL-521-15-000060_Senior_Energy_Advisor.doc

SOL-521-15-000060

ISSUANCE DATE: 08-19-2015

CLOSING DATE: 09-18-2015

Ladies/Gentlemen:

SUBJECT: SOL-521-15-000060

Senior Energy Advisor The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications of qualified individuals from U.S. Citizens/and TCN Thrid Country Nationals interested in providing Personal Services Contract (PSC) services as described in the attached solicitation.

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

Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to:

Elénita Lahens

USAID/HAITI

Blvd. 15 Octobre

Tabarre 41

Port-au-Prince, Haiti

TELEPHONE NUMBER: 011-509-2 229-8000

E-MAIL ADDRESS: elahens@usaid.gov Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. All application and the required documents should be submitted to:

elahens@usaid.gov or sneptune@usaid.gov Sincerely, Charis Nastoff Contracting Officer

SOLICITATION NUMBER: SOL-521-15-000060

ISSUANCE DATE: 08/19/2015

CLOSING DATE/TIME :09/18/2015

POSITION TITTLE: SENIOR ENERGY ADVISOR

MARKET VALUE: GS 15

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: ONE YEAR Renewable + 4 one year option

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI

SECURITY ACCESS: EMPLOYEMENT AUTHORIZATION

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens/TCN Senior Haiti Energy Advisor Purpose and Scope of Position

USAID/Haiti will be implementing a new large-scale Haiti - Energy program to (1) reform the electricity sector, improve system efficiencies, and improve access to reliable and affordable power for households and businesses; as well as to (2) reduce the consumption of charcoal and firewood by households, food vendors, and energy-intensive businesses.

As a senior member of the USAID/Haiti team in Port au Prince, the Haiti Energy Advisor will perform a senior leadership role in managing the implementation of the USG Haiti Energy program and in providing technical assistance and policy support to the Government of Haiti (GOH). The Advisor must be highly motivated and experienced in managing energy programs, especially power sector reform, under a complex political environment involving multiple stakeholders. Ideal candidates will have both strong technical understanding of the sector and strong leadership and communications skills. The applicant will be expected to be the principal liaison with the Haitian Government and sector partners and provide guidance and advice to USAID, the Department of State, and other USG stakeholders such as Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) who contribute to the USG’s interagency effort in Haiti.

Duties and Accountabilities

1.

To lead and manage the implementation of the Haiti Energy Program, including supervising the work of implementing partners, monitoring implementation progress and budgets, performing site visits, addressing issues/ problems as they arise, and providing feedback and progress reports to senior USG staff.

2.

To have overall responsibility for the Haiti Energy program, including supervision of USAID/Haiti engineering staff who will be overseeing the design and construction of USAID infrastructure investments in generation, transmission and distribution.

3.

To provide professional advice to the GOH on sector reform, including appropriate models for private sector participation, approaches to improving utility management and operations, and development of an enabling legal and regulatory framework.

4.

To assist in the development of regulatory institutions as needed and help enable them to effectively carry out their mandate.

5.

To support an on-going dialogue between GOH authorities, USG stakeholders, donors and partners to reach consensus on and ownership of program objectives and activities.

Selection Criteria

The following factors will be taken into account to select qualified candidates:

1.

An advanced degree (s) in a field relevant to the Haiti Energy Program, such as Economics, Engineering, Public Administration, or Business Management.

2.

Minimum of 10 years of experience in the energy sector with a focus on such issues as public policy, sector reform, utility management, infrastructure rehabilitation and expansion, off-grid electrification, household energy as well as a demonstrable understanding of the current status of the energy sector in Haiti. Experience in working in post-disaster or post-conflict environments and/or developing countries with similar conditions to Haiti is desirable.

3.

A good understanding of policies, strategies, technology and social components related to power sector reform, utility management, rehabilitation and expansion of electricity infrastructure, off-grid electrification, and household energy solutions. Experience in the privatization of state-owned utilities would be an asset.

4.

Strong analytical and communication skills and problem-solving ability.

5.

Demonstrated project management skills to effectively lead and manage multi-disciplinary teams in the design and execution of programs and projects. General knowledge of USAID policies and operational programs preferred;

6.

Proven ability to engage effectively and diplomatically in multi-cultural and politically complex environment to build effective working relations with senior GOH officials, USG partners, donors, international financial institutions and other sector counterparts;

7.

Ability to produce quality work under pressure and meet deadlines;

8.

Ability and willingness to travel within Haiti.

9.

Fluent in written and speaking communication skills in English 2/2 in French is desirable.

Reporting

The Advisor would sit in the USAID Mission in Port-au-Prince and report to the Mission Director on a day-to-day basis.

The Advisor is tasked with the coordination of the entire USG energy program in Haiti and leads the interaction with the GOH on these matters, other donors (e.g. Canada, Brazil, and Venezuela) and multi-lateral development banks, as well as with participating USG entities (in addition to USAID, this includes the Department of State, DOE, and USDA. As such, the Advisor will also be directly accountable for the success of the project to the USAID-Haiti Mission Director and coordinate closely with the Haiti Coordinator at State.

The Senior Haiti Energy Advisor will draw on the policy insight and technical expertise resident in the Haiti energy working group of the USG.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Qualified individuals are requested to submit:

Forms are (available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ or internet http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/formslibrary.do?formType=ALL or at Federal offices). Applicants should note that the salary history for the purposes of the AID 302-3 is the base salary paid, excluding benefits and allowances such as housing, travel, educational support, vehicle use, etc.

Successful application for this position requires the completion of additional forms and/or supplemental materials as described in this section. Failure to provide the required information and/or materials will result in your not being considered for employment.

A. Where to Send the Application

Interested candidates should send their complete application via the internet or international mail, to the attention of the addresses indicated below. To ensure that the application is considered for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number and title of position on your application and as the subject line in any cover letter. E-mail applications must be received by the closing date and time specified in the cover letter.

1. Email Application Submission address:

Elenita Lahens, elahens@usaid.gov - or: Shirley Neptune, sneptune@usaid.gov

B. ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT:

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC recruited off-shore is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

a) BENEFITS

· Employer’s FICA and Medicare Contribution*;

· Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance;

· Pay Comparability and Adjustment;

· Annual Salary Increase;

· Eligibility for Worker’s Compensation (USPSC only);

· Annual & Sick Leave;

· Shipment and storage of household effects;

· Shipment of POV (Private Own Vehicle);

· Access to Embassy medical facilities, and pouch mail service;

· Defense-based Accreditation and Medevac insurance.

*Note: If a US citizen, the contractor’s salary will be subject to employee’s FICA and Medicare contribution.

FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal and State Income Taxes.

b) ALLOWANCES: TCNPSCs will be paid allowances in accordance with the Haiti Mission Order. Details are available on request. USPSCS will be eligible for allowances listed in the Standardized Regulations Government Civilian Foreign Areas Sections cited below – if applicable.

1. Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120);

2. Living quarters allowance (Section 130);

3. Post Allowance (Section 220);

4. Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230);

5. Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260);

6. Education allowance (Section 270);

7. Educational Travel (Section 280);

8. Post differential (Chapter 500);

9. Payments during Evacuation/authorized Departure (Section 600);

10. Danger Pay (Section 650);

11. Consumables Allowance.

SECURITY AND MEDICAL CLEARANCE: Medical and security clearances are required of USPSCs.

C. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC:

Forms outlined below can found at: http://www.usaid.gov/forms or at http://www.forms.gov/bgfPortal/citizen.portal

1. Application for Application for Federal Employment (AID 302-3);

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

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 applicant is the successful candidate for the job.

CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETIN (CIBs) AND Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives (AAPDs) pertaining to PSCs

AAPDs and CIBs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contract. Those documents can be found at this website:

http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/cib/subject.html#psc Additionally, the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/faa; AIDAR Appendix D can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf.

ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED REGARDLESS OF AGE, RACE, COLOR, SEX, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, LAWFUL POLITICAL AFFILIATION, NON-DISQUALIFYING HANDICAP, MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AFFILIATION WITH AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION, OR OTHER NON-MERIT FACTOR.

(END OF SOLICITATION)

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