Democratic Republic of the Congo: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (USPSC/TCN) Senior Budget Advisor, USAID/DRC

1.SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72066018B00003

2.ISSUANCE DATE: May 11^nd, 2018

3.CLOSING DATE: June 1^st, 2018

4.POSITION TITLE: Senior Budget Advisor

5.MARKET VALUE: GS-13 ($75,628 – $98,317 per annum). The final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based on the successful candidate's salary history, work experience and educational background. Salaries over and above the top of the GS 13 pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.

6.PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Up to six months, subject to satisfactory

performance, requirements of the program, and

availability of funds.

7.PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kinshasa 8.SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Ability to obtain a Facilities Access clearance or higher

I.STATEMENT OF DUTIES

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

1. Background:

USAID/DRC is seeking support from a US citizen Personal Services Contractor (PSC) or Third Country National (TCN) to provide budget support and advice during a six-month period of performance. The Senior Budget Advisor will work with the USAID/DRC Program Office to provide robust budget support to the three operating units managed by USAID/DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central Africa Regional, and Central African Republic), which together implement a total humanitarian and development budget of over $500 million a year, and advise on best ways to improve Program Office budget practices and systems.

The Mission is currently supported by a single FSN Senior Budget Specialist and hiring for a Junior Budget Specialist. The current staffing shortage has strained the Program Office’s ability to provide timely support and capacity building to technical teams. Additionally, the DRC Mission has grown rapidly in the past five years and has many new staff who require capacity building. As a result, there is a need to think strategically about how to improve the Mission’s budget management systems and best provide support to technical teams. USAID/DRC therefore seeks an experienced Senior Budget Advisor who can (i) assist with routine budget tasks until the new junior budget specialist is at full capacity; (ii) help train a new junior budget specialist; and (iii) also apply his/her experience in other Missions to help the Program Office improve and execute its budgeting tools, procedures, and outreach to teams.

1. Objectives

The Senior Budget Advisor will work with the USAID/DRC Program Office to achieve the following objectives:

1. Advises the Program Office Director, the Senior Budget Specialist and Mission management on a wide range of issues related to the planning, design and execution of the Mission’s development resources which are over $300 million per annum.
2. Serves as the principal advisor to the Program Office Director, Senior Budget Specialist and Mission senior management on all issues related the planning, design and execution of the most cost-effective approaches to development assistance that maximize sustainable impact.
3. Advise and assist with all program-budgeting planning, requesting, tracking and reporting processes, including all major related exercises such as the Mission Resource Request, the Congressional Budget Justification, the Performance Plan and Report, and the Operational Plan. S/he coordinates with all technical teams to identify funding needs and ensure timely utilization of funds; analyze and determine obligating approaches; develop strategies for managing earmarks and directives; participate in and provide budget data for all portfolio and financial reviews.
4. Ensure that funding requests are accurate and take into account programmatic needs, pipeline analysis, congressional notification, and availability of funding.
5. Coordinate closely with the Office of Financial Management to undertake pipeline analysis and project out-year funding scenarios and needs.
6. In coordination with the DRC FSN Senior Budget Specialist, mentor and train the new Junior Budget Specialist in USAID budgeting policies and procedures. Guide the Junior Budget Specialist to build positive relationships with technical teams and provide targeted, proactive support.

7. Assess Program Office budget management, identify areas of weakness, and provide suggestions for improvement. The Senior Budget Advisor will assess the Program Office’s current budget management practices and suggest methods for improvement. In particular, s/he will assist the office in determining whether to use the OPSMaster tool or move to a different system for tracking planned spending. Additionally, the Advisor will provide suggestions for how to improve the capacity of technical teams to understand and manage their budgets.

8. Methodology

The Senior Budget Advisor will be based full-time at the USAID Mission in Kinshasa, DRC.

Position Elements:

1. Supervisory Relationship and Controls: None

2. Guidelines: Automated Directive System (ADS), Mission guidance documents and Federal Acquisitions Regulations

3. Authority to make Commitments: None

4. Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts: The incumbent will interact with senior and mid-level officials inside the Mission that include the Front Office, Office Directors and Team Leaders as well as team members.

5. Exercise of Judgment: Serves as the principal advisor to the Program Office Director, the Senior Budget Specialist and Mission management on a wide range of issues related to the planning, design and execution of the Mission’s development resources which are over $300 million per annum.

Area of Consideration: Open to U.S. Citizens and Third Country Nationals

Physical Demands: The work is generally sedentary and does not pose undue physical demands.

II.MIINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

The education and experience factors below determine basic eligibility for the position. Applicants who do not meet all of education and experience factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.

1. Education:

University graduate degree or equivalent in relevant field (e.g. international development, budget, finance).

2. Prior Work Experience:

Minimum 10 years of relevant prior work experience. Demonstrated experience in training USAID staff on budgeting and professional development is required.

· Other qualifications

o U.S Citizenship or Third Country National

o Ability to obtain and maintain a Facility access as provided by USAID

o Ability to obtain a Department of State medical clearance

o Demonstrated full professional fluency in spoken and written English (Level IV)

III.EVALUATION CRITERIA:

i. Knowledge and Abilities (40 points): Expert knowledge of the USAID program cycle, budget tools, processes, and practices. Superb excel skills, including the use of pivot tables. Demonstrable critical thinking and analytical skills, and capacity to train USAID personnel at all levels - entry-level personnel, budget specialists, project managers, senior managers - in USAID budgeting and financial analysis.

ii. Prior Work Experience (20 points): Minimum 10 years of relevant prior work experience in budget and program management with international development, professional accounting, auditing, or other financial management organizations. Demonstrated experience in training USAID staff on budgeting and professional development is required.

iii. Communication (30 points): Must be fluent in speaking, reading and writing English. Excellent communication skills in both French and English languages, including ability to analyze budgets and figures, and to summarize findings to managers and non-budget specialists. Strong communication skills and ability to work in a multicultural environment is essential.

iv. Education (10 points): University graduate degree or equivalent in relevant field (e.g. international development, budget, finance).

IV HOW TO APPLY:

Eligible offerors are required to complete and submit the following:

1) A USAID form AID 302-3 (Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts - available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/forms/), with hand-written signature. Form AID 302-3 must be signed and those submitted unsigned will be rejected;

2) A resume must be attached to the AID 302-3. Resumes must contain sufficient information to make a valid determination of meeting experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information should be clearly identified in the resume. Failure to provide information sufficient to determine qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration.

A. Three professional references, who are not blood-related, with telephone and e-mail contacts;

B. Brief appendix of no more than one letter-size page to demonstrate how prior experience and/or training have prepared them to meet the specific challenges of the duties and responsibilities described in the solicitation.

3) Applications must be received by the closing date and time specified above and submitted electronically to: usaidhrkinshasa@usaid.gov

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRES

Once the CO informs the successful Applicant about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Applicant instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms.

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

1) USAID form AID 302-3 (To be submitted with application).

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 applicant is the successful candidate for the job.

VI. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a Personal Service Contracting (PSC) employee is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

A.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

B.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) Cost-of-Living Allowance (Chapter 210)

(d) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(e) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

(f) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(g) Education Travel (Section 280)

(h) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

(i) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600), and

(j) Danger Pay Allowance (Section 650)

VII. TAXES

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

VIII. ACQUISITION & ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDS) AND CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBS) PERTAINING TO PSCs

AAPDs and CIBs contain changes to USAID policy and the PSC General Provisions in accordance with USAID regulations and contracts. See http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs.

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 302-4 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. AAPDs and CIBs contain changes to USAID policy and the PSC General Provisions in accordance with USAID regulations and contracts.

MEDICAL EXPENSE PAYMENT RESPONSIBILITY (OCTOBER 2006)

a) Definitions. Terms used in this General Provision are defined in 16 FAM 116 (available at http://www.foia.state.gov/REGS/fams.asp?level=2&id=59&fam=0). Note: personal services contractors are not eligible to participate in the Federal Employees Health Programs.

b) The regulations in the Foreign Affairs Manual, Volume 16, Chapter 520 (16 FAM 520), Responsibility for Payment of Medical Expenses, apply to this contract, except as stated below. The contractor and each eligible family member are strongly encouraged to obtain health insurance that covers this assignment. Nothing in this provision supersedes or contradicts any other term or provision in this contract that pertains to insurance or medical costs, except that section (e) supplements General Provision 25. “MEDICAL EVACUATION (MEDEVAC) SERVICES.”

c) When the contractor or eligible family member is covered by health insurance, that insurance is the primary payer for medical services provided to that contractor or eligible family member(s) both in the United States and abroad. The primary insurer’s liability is determined by the terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions of the insurance policy. When the contractor or eligible family member is not covered by health insurance, the contractor is the primary payer for the total amount of medical costs incurred and the U.S. Government has no payment obligation (see paragraph (f) of this provision).

d) USAID serves as a secondary payer for medical expenses of the contractor and eligible family members who are covered by health insurance, where the following conditions are met:

(1) The illness, injury, or medical condition giving rise to the expense is incurred, caused, or materially aggravated while the eligible individual is stationed or assigned abroad;

(2) The illness, injury, or medical condition giving rise to the expense required or requires hospitalization and the expense is directly related to the treatment of such illness, injury, or medical condition, including obstetrical care; and

(3) The Office of Medical Services (M/MED) or a Foreign Service medical provider (FSMP) determines that the treatment is appropriate for, and directly related to, the illness, injury, or medical condition.

e) The Mission Director may, on the advice of M/MED or an FSMP at post, authorize medical travel for the contractor or an eligible family member in accordance with the General Provision 10, Travel and Transportation AAPD 06-10 PSC Medical Expense Payment Responsibility 6 Expenses (July 1993), section (i) entitled “Emergency and Irregular Travel and Transportation.” In the event of a medical emergency, when time does not permit consultation, the Mission Director may issue a Travel Authorization Form or Medical Services Authorization Form DS-3067, provided that the FSMP or Post Medical Advisor (PMA) is notified as soon as possible following such an issuance. The contractor must promptly file a claim with his or her medevac insurance provider and repay to USAID any amount the medevac insurer pays for medical travel, up to the amount USAID paid under this section. The contractor must repay USAID for medical costs paid by the medevac insurer in accordance with sections (f) and (g) below. In order for medical travel to be an allowable cost under the corresponding General Provision, the contractor must provide USAID written evidence that medevac insurance does not cover these medical travel costs.

f) If the contractor or eligible family member is not covered by primary health insurance, the contractor is the primary payer for the total amount of medical costs incurred. In the event of a medical emergency, the Medical and Health Program may authorize issuance of Form DS-3067, Authorization for Medical Services for Employees and/or Dependents, to secure admission to a hospital located abroad for the uninsured contractor or eligible family member. In that case, the contractor will be required to reimburse USAID in full for funds advanced by USAID pursuant to the issuance of the authorization. The contractor may reimburse USAID directly or USAID may offset the cost from the contractor’s invoice payments under this contract, any other contract the individual has with the U.S. Government, or through any other available debt collection mechanism.

g) When USAID pays medical expenses (e.g., pursuant to Form DS-3067, Authorization for Medical Services for Employees and/or Dependents), repayment must be made to USAID either by insurance payment or directly by the contractor, except for the amount of such expenses USAID is obligated to pay under this provision. The Contracting Officer will determine the repayment amount in accordance with the terms of this provision and the policies and procedures for employees contained in 16 FAM 521. When USAID pays the medical expenses, including medical travel costs (see section (e) above), of an individual (either the contractor or an eligible family member) who is covered by insurance, that individual promptly must claim his or her benefits under any applicable insurance policy or policies. As soon as the individual receives the insurance payment, the contractor must reimburse USAID for the full amount that USAID paid on the individual’s behalf or the repayment amount determined by the Contracting Officer in accordance with this paragraph, whichever is less. If an individual is not covered by insurance, the contractor must reimburse USAID for the entire amount of all medical expenses and any travel costs the contractor receives from his/her medevac provider.

h) In the event that the contractor or eligible family member fails to recover insurance payments or transfer the amount of such payments to USAID within 90 days, USAID will take appropriate action to collect the payments due, unless such failure is for reasons beyond the control of the USPSC/dependent.

i) Before departing post or terminating the contract, the contractor must settle all medical expense and medical travel costs. If the contractor is insured, he or she must provide proof to the Contracting Officer that those insurance claims have been submitted to the insurance carrier(s) and sign a repayment agreement to repay to USAID any amounts paid by the insurance carrier(s).

End of Provision

HOMELAND SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE-12 (HSPD-12) (SEPTEMBER 2006)

In response to the general threat of unauthorized access to federal facilities and information systems, the President issued Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12. HSPD-12 requires all Federal agencies to use a common Personal Identity Verification (PIV) standard when identifying and issuing access rights to users of Federally-controlled facilities and/or Federal Information Systems.

USAID will begin issuing HSPD-12 “smart card” IDs to applicable contracts, using a phased approach. Effective October 27, 2006, USAID will begin issuing new “smart card” IDs to new contractors (and new contractor employees) requiring routine access to USAID controlled facilities and/or access to USAID’s information systems. USAID will begin issuance of the new smart card IDs to existing contractors (and existing contractor employees) on October 27, 2007. (Exceptions would include those situations where an existing contractor (or contractor employee) loses or damages his/her existing ID and would need a replacement ID prior to Oct 27, 2007. In those situations, the existing contractor (or contractor employee) would need to follow the PIV processes described below, and be issued one of the new smart cards.)

Accordingly, before a contractor (including a PSC* or a contractor employee) may obtain a USAID ID (new or replacement) authorizing him/her routine access to USAID facilities, or logical access to USAID’s information systems, the individual must provide two forms of identity source documents in original form and a passport size photo. One identity source document must be a valid Federal or state government-issued picture ID. (Overseas foreign nationals must comply with the requirements of the Regional Security Office.) USAID/W contractors must contact the USAID Security Office to obtain the list of acceptable forms of documentation, and contractors working in overseas Missions must obtain the acceptable documentation list from the Regional Security Officer. Submission of these documents, and related background checks, are mandatory in order for the contractor to receive a building access ID, and before access will be granted to any of USAID’s information systems. All contractors must physically present these two source documents for identity proofing at their USAID/W or Mission Security Briefing. The contractor or his/her Facilities Security Officer must return any issued building access ID and remote authentication token to USAID custody upon termination of the individual’s employment with the contractor or completion of the contract, whichever occurs first.

The contractor must comply with all applicable HSPD-12 and PIV procedures, as described above, and any subsequent USAID or government-wide HSPD-12 and PIV procedures/policies, including any subsequent related USAID General Notices, Office of Security Directives and/or Automated Directives System (ADS) policy directives and required procedures. This includes HSPD-12 procedures established in USAID/Washington and those procedures established by the overseas Regional Security Office. In the event of inconsistencies between this clause and later issued Agency or government-wide HSPD-12 guidance, the most recent issued guidance should take precedence, unless otherwise instructed by the Contracting Officer.

The contractor is required to include this clause in any subcontracts that require the subcontractor or subcontractor employee to have routine physical access to USAID space or logical access to USAID’s information systems.

End of Provision

1. 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.