SOL-696-13-000012_-_Senior_Economic_Growth__Advisor.pdf

U.S. Agency for International Development B.P: 2848

KIGALI, RWANDA

Tel: +250 252 596 400 Fax +250 252 596 591 www.usaid.gov/rw

Solicitation No.: SOL-696-13-000012 Issuance Date: August 14, 2013 Question Due Date/Time: August 22, 2013 at 5:00 pm (Kigali Time) Closing Date/Time: September 11, 2013 at 5:00 pm (Kigali Time)

SUBJECT: Solicitation for US Personal Services Contractor (PSC) for Senior Economic Growth Advisor

Ladies/Gentlemen:

The United States Government, represented by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications from qualified U.S. Citizens, U.S. Resident Aliens to provide personal services as described in this solicitation. USAID/Rwanda anticipates awarding one contract as a result of this solicitation, subject to availability of funds.

Submissions shall be in accordance with the instructions provided in this solicitation, at the place and time specified.

Interest applicants must submit all the materials required by the solicitation such as (but not limited to):

(i) A signed U.S. government OF-612 which is available at the USAID website http://inside.usaid.gov/forms/,

(ii) The applicant’s detailed CV and a cover letter of application; and

(iii) Three (3) to five (5) references, who are not family members or relatives, with telephone and email contacts.

Electronic submission is authorized and the most preferred. Electronic application packages are to be submitted by email to: KIGALIHR@USAID.GOV. Please quote the number and position title of this solicitation on the subject line of your email application.

Be sure to include the announcement number at the top of each of the additional pages.

For those who wish to send hard copies of their application by mail, address package to:

Hadiza Linganwa Executive Officer USAID/Rwanda 2657 Avenue de la Gendarmerie B.P. 2848 Kigali, Rwanda

SOL-696-13-000012

To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application and as the subject line of cover letter. Highly ranked applications may be selected for interview.

Any questions regarding this solicitation should be submitted in writing to Hadiza Linganwa, Executive Officer via email at hlinganwa@usaid.gov; no later than August 22, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. (Kigali Time).

Applications must be received no later than September 11, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. (Kigali Time), as stated in the solicitation. Please note that USAID/Rwanda does not accept responsibilities for delays transmission or receipt of application. Applications received after that date and/or time specified will not be considered.

USAID/Rwanda reserves the right to award, or not award a contract as a result of this solicitation. This solicitation does not represent a commitment on behalf of USAID.

Additionally, the US Government is not obligated to pay any costs associated with the preparation of an application in response to this solicitation.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted; no response will be sent to unsuccessful Applicants.

Sincerely, Martin Fischer Contracting Officer

Attachment: Solicitation No. SOL-696-13-000012

Attachment to Solicitation No. SOL-696-13-000012

1. SOLICITATION NO.: SOL-696-13-000012

2. ISSUANCE DATE: August 14, 2013

3. QUESTIONS DUE DATE/TIME: August 22, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. (Kigali Time)

4. CLOSING DATE/TIME: September 11, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. (Kigali Time)

5. POSITION TITLE: Senior Economic Growth Advisor

6. MARKET VALUE: Position is classified at GS-15 with annual salary range of

$100,126 to $130,168. The actual salary will be negotiated based on qualifications, work experience and previous salary history of the successful candidate.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year. Level of effort is full time (40 hours per week)

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Kigali, Rwanda

9. SUPERVISION: Contractor will report to the USAID/Rwanda Mission Director

10. SECURITY ACCESS: US Citizen – Secret Level; Third Country Nationals –

Employment Authorization

11. MEDICAL CLEARANCE: The apparently successful applicant, and any eligible family members who will accompany the applicant to post, shall be required to obtain a Department of State Medical clearance to l live and/or work in Rwanda as a pre-condition for employment and/or residence in Rwanda.

12. WHO MAY APPLY: U.S Citizens and Third Country Nationals (TCNs)

I. Background:

Rwanda has experienced extremely rapid socio-economic development progress over the past ten years without a corresponding opening in the country’s democratic space. On the one hand, the GoR has proven to be an extremely effective partner in the achievement of the USG’s most significant development objectives. Further, given its strong public-sector financial systems and relatively low level of corruption, Rwanda offers an ideal opportunity to advance USAID's procurement reform efforts, particularly making greater use of host-country systems to deliver assistance. On the other hand, Rwanda’s performance on internationally accepted measures of political rights and civil liberties is poor and on a seemingly declining trend. It is within this context of competing U.S. foreign policy objectives that USAID/Rwanda operates.

Despite its progress in recent years, and an ambitious vision to attain middle-income status by 2020, 45% of Rwanda’s citizens remain poor, and the country ranks 166 out of 187 on the most recent Human Development Index. Foreign assistance accounts for nearly half of the GoR’s annual budget, and the U.S. Government is Rwanda’s largest bilateral development partner, providing over $200 million in FY 2012. USAID/Rwanda managed nearly three-quarters of this total in pursuit of four Development Objectives: (1) Economic Growth: strengthened private sector development with a focus on agri-business and natural resources; (2) Democracy and Governance: good governance and strengthening service delivery, improving CSO capacity, and conflict mitigation; (3) Health:

infectious disease, reproductive health, maternal and child health, and health systems strengthening; and (4) Education: improving literacy at the primary level and workforce readiness for youth.

Rwanda is a focus country for several key Administration initiatives, including the Feed the Future food security and Global Climate Change initiatives, which, along with other Administration and Congressional priorities, has dramatically increased resource levels.

In the last five years, the Economic Growth portfolio has grown nearly five-fold, from an annual budget of less than $8 million to over $35 million in FY 2012, resulting in a significant intensification of management responsibilities. The Economic Growth Office contains 11 positions, five ex-patriates, including one first-tour Office, and six Foreign Service Nationals.

II. Duties and Responsibilities of the Position:

Based in Kigali, the PSC Senior Economic Growth Advisor will be responsible for development, management, monitoring and evaluation of a broad range of Economic Growth (EG)-related programs undertaken by USAID in Rwanda.

Agriculture and Private Sector Development: The Government of Rwanda (GOR) commitment to agriculture as the basis for economic growth is well established. After being the first country on the continent to fully commit itself to the rigorous policy framework for agriculture growth laid out by the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Program (CAADP), Rwanda has yet again positioned itself as a continent-wide leader by being the first country to complete implementation of its CAADP Country Investment Plan and to develop a new agriculture strategy built on the success and lessons learned. This new strategy, the Strategic Plan for the Transformation of Agriculture III, establishes the country’s vision for private sector-led agricultural intensification and commercialization as the basis for medium-term economic growth and development. USAID is accordingly shifting its strategy for agriculture to a more market-oriented approach.

In a country receiving food aid a mere three years ago, Rwanda’s efforts have produced astonishing food security and poverty reduction results: by 2011, maize yields had increased six-fold; bean production grew by over 40 percent; and the Third Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey, released in early 2012, showed a 15 and 20 percent reduction in stunting and poverty, respectively, between 2005/6 and 2010/11.

However, despite dramatic supply-side increases, the private sector is ill-prepared for the GOR’s planned transition to private sector-led agricultural intensification and commercialization as the next phase of economic growth and job creation. The need to support both the supply and demand sides of the agriculture economy to evolve in tandem suggests a strategy for USAID/Rwanda that increasingly focuses on private sector strengthening and enabling environment reforms to support market expansion, while also strategically targeting certain productivity efforts critical to support increasing market demand.

Environment and Energy: Through its environment programs, USAID/Rwanda helps to improve the capacity of Rwandans to adapt to global climate change. USAID is supporting the GOR to sustainably manage land and water resources through work in national parks, surrounding communities, and targeted watersheds. Activities aim at increasing economic benefit from natural resources while simultaneously protecting these resources, and improving capacity to adopt and implement climate-resilient development strategies.

The U.S. Government recently announced a major new Presidential initiative focused on energy, known as Power Africa. While Rwanda is not considered an initial focus country of the initiative, the initiative could potentially expand to include it. The GOR is committed to increasing its installed electricity capacity roughly five-fold over the next five years and increasing access from 11% of households in 2010/11 to 100% through expansion of both on-grid (48% of households) and off-grid (52% of households) – solar and micro-hydro – solutions. USAID/Rwanda is currently considering how it can best capitalize on the GOR’s strong commitment to developing the energy sector and lay a foundation for potential future Power Africa investments in Rwanda.

The Senior EG Advisor will be required to have the academic background and work experience necessary to master an extensive range of EG-related issues. He/she must possess expert-level technical knowledge and have demonstrated expertise in project design and implementation, including methodologies and philosophies that guide development program design and that draw from experiences in other countries analogous to Rwanda. The Senior EG Advisor will be expected to serve as a mentor for USAID’s Rwandan staff and American Junior Officers and to actively work to build their capacity and technical knowledge.

The Senior EG Advisor will report to the EG Office Director, but he/she will be expected to operate with great independence in dealing with complex programs and high-level government and donor counterparts in guiding the design and management of a comprehensive set of technical assistance programs. The Senior EG Advisor will have considerable latitude in the exercise of her/his duties for program design, management, and evaluation, and for the identification and resolution of issues affecting program performance both within and outside of the Mission.

He/she will have the following specific duties.

Provide leadership on the development and implementation of USAID/Rwanda EG programs in a manner designed to promote their consistency with other economic development objectives of the Government of Rwanda (GOR) and USG. The Senior EG Advisor will assist in coordinating their planning and execution with senior GOR, donor, and relevant USG officials, as well as in coordination with other

Embassy programs. Responsibilities may include serving as contracting officer’s (or agreement officer’s) technical representative (COR or AOR) for one or more projects.

Provide authoritative policy and operational guidance to the Mission Director and

EG Office for program design, development and implementation. This includes guidance to staff to conceptualize, implement, and report on new and ongoing activities in the EG portfolio. Work collaboratively with other USAID/Rwanda offices on areas of common interest (example: Education and workforce development).

Guide the development of the EG project/program-funded budget; working with technical advisors and senior management to determine funding needs and uses.

Provide close supervision of project mortgages, pipelines, and funding requirements.

Analyze economic, political, and other trends affecting economic development.

Identify ways to further meet both USG foreign policy and GOR reform policy objectives in Rwanda. Provide authoritative input in the formulation of USAID’s strategy, annual report, program reviews, and other activities and events as requested by Mission management.

Liaise with top level government officials including at the Permanent Secretary and

Minister levels, as well as with local government officials. This includes working to build consensus on topics where there may be disagreement between Rwandan government officials; between the USG and Rwandan government officials; and/or between private sector actors and Rwandan government officials. The Senior EG Advisor will guide and play a leading role in the development and maintenance of active dialogue on the development of key policy initiatives and institutional reforms.

Liaise with representatives of other USG agencies in Rwanda, national and local representatives of Rwandan government agencies, international and local private sector organizations, and other donors related to design and implementation of economic growth activities. Play an active role in donor coordination, including attending and participating in sector-appropriate meetings to support the development of economic policy with officials of other Embassies, international organizations, volunteer organizations, bilateral and multi-lateral donors.

Represent USAID on economic related Working Groups, coordinating USAID activities with other USG efforts related to economic development.

The Senior EG Advisor will draw on his/her experience to help develop staff and support collaboration with other Mission offices. This includes mentoring EG staff in technical, programmatic, budgetary, managerial and staff supervisory areas, and assist in the hiring and training of FSN staff to ensure that adequate support is provided for efficient and effective office operations.

Perform other tasks, as requested by Mission management, and which are consistent with the advisory, managerial, and reporting requirements of the position of Senior EG Advisor for USAID/Rwanda.

Current EG programs are described on USAID/Rwanda’s web site at:

http://www.usaid.gov/where-we-work/africa/rwanda

III. Qualifications

Education/Experience Required for the Position:

This is a senior-level position in a high-profile USG foreign assistance program that requires extensive knowledge, experience, maturity, and an ability to function in a complex, highly demanding, and often uncertain environment. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in varied aspects of Economic Growth activities but will be especially strong in the area of Private Sector Development. Minimum qualifications include a graduate degree in a field relevant to EG programs and ten years of relevant experience, including at least five spent in a developing country context.

Specific characteristics of the ideal candidate include:

A Master’s degree in business administration, agricultural economics, or other relevant field is required.

Mastery of EG program strategy, development and implementation.

Experience communicating and negotiating with high-level government officials and private sector actors. Demonstrated successes in achieving consensus on difficult and/or contentious issues.

Demonstrated experience in leading coordination efforts with other bilateral and multilateral agencies and private sector actors.

Experience working with minimal oversight to accomplish complex and demanding tasks that require both technical and managerial expertise. This includes complex project design; negotiation of new approaches to development with high-level government officials and representatives from the private sector; ability to independently conduct research, analysis and reports that both inform and guide not only USAID program direction but top-level USG policy as well.

Mastery of current EG development programming philosophies, theories, and best practices and demonstrated ability to use this knowledge to develop new and innovate approaches to EG development activities.

Demonstrated skills in successfully leading and managing multi-sectoral and complex projects, and supervising contractors in developing country and post-conflict situations.

This includes the ability to effectively identify and respond to rapidly changing priorities and evolving needs.

Demonstrated skills in developing and maintaining counterpart contacts and relationships at both the senior management and technical implementation levels.

This includes the ability to represent USAID to visiting members of Congress, leading representatives of foreign governments, representatives of nongovernmental organizations, the news media, and at important and high-level conferences and meetings.

Prior experience in developing and administering program monitoring and evaluation activities.

Ability to resolve potential problems in a team context, while maintaining an aggressive work pace in order to produce results under scrutiny and visibility.

Strong communications, interpersonal, teamwork, mentoring and leadership skills.

Ability to prepare reports and technical and policy briefs, sometimes with short deadlines. Experience with the management and leadership of teams. Ability to interact and work effectively with organizational management and support offices.

Experience and comfort with management information systems.

Knowledge of program management procedures, and experience with financed projects in line with those described in this position description.

SELECTION CRITERIA (beyond minimum qualifications)

The candidate should be available to begin employment under this contract within 2 months of an offer of employment.

Education (10%): A Master’s degree in business administration, agricultural economics, or other relevant field is required.

Experience (40%): At least ten years of experience, at least five of which was in a developing country context, in various aspects of EG development promotion activities, including project development, monitoring and evaluation; successfully leading and managing multi-sectoral and complex projects; and supervising contractors and grant recipients. Experience in private sector development, either in the agriculture or energy sectors, is required. Demonstrated ability to work under difficult situations requiring an aggressive work pace and under scrutiny and visibility.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (40%): Demonstrated ability in developing and maintaining counterpart contacts and relationships at both the senior policy and technical implementation levels. This includes contacts with host government counterparts, other donors, and USG agencies. The position requires strong communications, mentoring, interpersonal, teamwork, and leadership skills, as well as the ability to prepare reports and technical and policy briefs sometimes with short deadlines. Ability to interact and work effectively with organizational management and support offices. Previous experience in or knowledge of the Great Lakes Region of Africa and/or knowledge of institutional structures is highly desirable.

Staff Development (10%): Demonstrated ability to train, coach and mentor other employees.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS: USAID reserves the right to conduct in-person or telephonic interviews with the highly ranked applicants and/or obtain from previous employers relevant information concerning the applicants’ past performance to inform a final decision.

START DATE: As soon as all required clearances have been received.

I. Other Relevant Information

A. Benefits and Allowances

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a US/TCN PSC is normally authorized to receive benefits and allowances in accordance with the AIDAR Appendix D. [A contractor meeting the definition a U.S. Resident Hire PSC, shall be subject to U.S.

Federal Income Tax, but shall not be eligible for any fringe benefits (except contributions for FICA, health insurance, and life insurance), including differentials and allowances].

1) Benefits

Employee's FICA Contribution Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Annual Increase Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual and Sick Leave Medevac Insurance Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service Cost of Travel to/from Post Shipment of Unaccompanied Baggage Shipment and Storage of Household Effects Shipment of POV (Privately Owned Vehicle)

2) Allowances (if applicable, as found in the Standardize Regulations (DSSR) - sections cited below):

Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) Post Allowance (Section 220) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) Educational Allowance (Section 270) Educational Travel (Section 280) Post Differential (Chapter 500) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) and

Danger Pay (Section 650)

B. Compensation

This position is classified at GS-14 scale. The actual salary of the successful candidate will be negotiated within that pay range depending on qualifications, work experience and previous earning history.

C. Applicable Policy Directives and Regulations Pertaining to PSCs

(1) Acquisition and Assistant Policy Directives (AAPDs) or Contract Information

Bulletins (CIBs) contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Those documents can be found at this websites:

http://transition.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/cib/subject.html#psc

(2) USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR) applicable to award and administration of USPSC and TCNPSC resident hires is contained in AIDAR Appendix D and can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf. The link comprises of prescribed Contract Schedule, General Provisions as appropriate, as well as the FAR Clauses to be incorporated in full text and by reference.

(3) Standard of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch can be accessed at: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2007-title5-vol3/pdf/CFR-2007-title5-vol3-part 2635.pdf or http://www.oge.gov/Laws-and-Regulations/Employee- Standards-of -Conduct/Employee-Standard-of-Conduct/

D. List of Required Forms for PSCs Forms outlined below can found at http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/psc_solicitations.html

Optional Form 612.

Upon advice by the Contracting Officer that the applicant is the successful candidate:

Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet (AID 1420-17) Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62) Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), Finger Print Card (FD-258). ** (Available from the law enforcement offices or in USAID/Washington

E. Instructions to Applicants

1. Interested applicants are requested to submit the following information:

a) A recent CV or resume. The CV/resume must include sufficient relevant information to evaluate the application in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria and must contain the following information:

(i) Personal Information: Full name, mailing address (with zip code), email address, day and evening phone numbers, social security number, country of citizenship, highest federal civilian grade held (also give job series and dates held)

(ii) Education: High school, name, city and state, date of diploma or GED;

colleges and universities, name, city and state, majors, type and year of any degrees received.

(iii) Work Experience: provide the following information for your paid and non-paid work experience related to the job for which you are applying (do not send job descriptions); job title (include series and grade if federal job), duties, and accomplishments, employer’s name and address, supervisor’s name and phone number, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours per week, salary. Indicate if we may contact your current supervisor;

(iv) Other Qualifications: other pertinent information related to the qualifications required for the position, as noted above including job-related training courses (title and year), job-related skills; for example, other languages, computer software/hardware, tolls, machinery, typing speed, job-related certificates and licenses (current only), job-related honors, awards, and special accomplishments, for example, publications, memberships in professional or honor societies, leadership, activities, public speaking and performance as awards (give dates but do not send documents unless requested.

b) Applicants are strongly encouraged to address each of the evaluation criteria above on a separate sheet describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education, and/or awards they have received that are relevant to the criterion. Failure to address minimum selection and/or quality factors may result in your not receiving credit for all your pertinent experience, education, training, and awards. Broad general statements that are vague or lacking specificity will not be considered as effectively addressing particular selection criteria.

c) Applicants are required to provide three (3) to five (5) references with complete contact information including email address and telephone numbers. The Applicant’s references must be able to provide substantive information about the applicant’s past performance and abilities. USAID/Rwanda reserves the right to obtain from previous employers relevant information concerning the applicant’s pas performance and may consider such information in its evaluation.

d) Written cover letter of not more than one page.

e) Form OF-612 must be signed and those submitted unsigned will be rejected.

2. Applications should retain for their record copies of all enclosures that accompany their submissions.

3. The number of this solicitation must be referenced on the application.

4. Any attachments provided via email must be in or compatible with Microsoft Word

Version 2020 or Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF) and not “Zipped”.

5. Highly ranked applicants may be interviewed in person or by phone.

[END OF SOLICITATION]