Deputy Controller
ATTACHMENT 1
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72038819R00012
2. ISSUANCE DATE: July 10, 2019
3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: July 31, 2019 at 04:30PM local time in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
4. POINT OF CONTACT: Kafia Khan, kafkhan@usaid.gov. Please DO NOT send applications to this email address. For mailbox to send application, see section IV of this solicitation.
5. POSITION TITLE: Deputy Controller
6. MARKET VALUE: GS-14 equivalent ($90,621 - $117,810 per annum)
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 pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.
7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The period of performance is one year, with the possibility of multiple one year extensions contingent on contractor performance, the needs of the Mission and availability of funding. The contract and extensions cannot exceed 5 years.
8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Dhaka, Bangladesh.
9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: This USPSC position is open to all U.S. Citizens and lawful permanent U.S. residents.
10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: The successful candidate will be required to obtain a Facility Access clearance.
11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES
GENERAL STATEMENT OF PURPOSE OF THE CONTRACT:
Country Context
Bangladesh, the world's third largest Muslim-majority country, is a key strategic partner for the U.S. in South and Southeast Asia. Bangladesh has made dramatic progress in many sectors and won fame as a development laboratory, despite a population of over 165 million people in an area the size of Iowa. Bangladesh is one of the most climate vulnerable countries in the world, though progress has been made in spite of the economic drag natural hazards, such as cyclones and floods, have had on the economy. Recently, however, the consolidation of political power into the hands of one party and regressive legislative initiatives have restricted the space for civil society, increased corruption, and reduced respect for human rights. Bangladesh's secular democracy and economic trajectory are further jeopardized by virulent groups like ISIS and al Qaeda as well as creeping authoritarianism. Within this context, Bangladesh continues to struggle with the extraordinary humanitarian and development needs of over one million Rohingya refugees and the Bangladeshi host and impacted communities living in and around the refugee camps. The USAID Mission is co-located with the Embassy, and enjoys close working relationships across all sectors with interagency counterparts. USAID leads or participates in several interagency working groups, and Mission leadership is called upon to serve in acting roles in the Embassy front office. USAID is a leader in the donor community, and plays a key role in donor-Government relations. Overall, the relationship with the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) remains strong and robust, across all development sectors.
USAID Program Priorities
In this context, USAID/Bangladesh implements the Asia Bureau's largest portfolio, promoting a prosperous, stable, tolerant and secular Bangladesh. Building on past achievements and a deep, far-reaching partnership with the people of Bangladesh, USAID supports the Indo-Pacific Strategy and is at the center of American foreign policy efforts in Bangladesh. The Mission implements some of the world's largest Food Security, Food for Peace and non-HIV health portfolios, along with strategically-important democracy and governance, basic education, and environment programs. In addition, significant Mission resources and staff time are dedicated to responding to the influx of the Rohingya refugees and their humanitarian needs, as well as mitigating the impact of this influx on the host and impacted Bangladeshi communities.
Resources and Functions
The Mission has 174 staff, including 37 US Direct Hire employees, 15 US Personal Services Contractors and 122 Foreign Service National (FSN) employees. The post remains partially accompanied, with no minor children permitted. The Mission is headed by a Mission Director, supported by a Deputy Mission Director, and has nine offices: Front Office; Democracy, Human Rights and Governance Office; Economic Growth Office; Office of Population, Health, Nutrition and Education; Food, Disaster and Humanitarian Assistance Office; Executive Office; Financial Management Office; Office of Acquisition and Assistance; and Program Office. USAID/Bangladesh managed a FY 2018 development budget of $218 million along with a portfolio of Rohingya response programs that exceeds $190 million, with an annual Operating Expense budget of $7 million.
STATEMENT OF DUTIES TO BE PERFORMED:
The Deputy Controller provides leadership and oversight of the Mission's day to day financial operations in order to ensure continuous high quality financial management operational support to the Mission's programs. He/she serves as the focal point for all financial management functions including budgeting, funds control, accounts receivable, accounting, payments, OE and program-funded budget preparation, E2 travel authorization certifications, and financial advisory services to the Mission Controller and staff. He/she is also the principal Certifying Officer. Additionally, the incumbent is responsible for mentoring, coaching, and guiding OFM staff to perform at their highest levels.
Specifically, the Deputy Controller is expected to perform duties in the following areas:
A. Financial Operations:
The Deputy Controller will be overseeing the Accounting and Payment Sections, and be responsible for the financial operations of USAID/Bangladesh. In this role, he/she:
• Serves with the Controller as a member of the Mission's management team, and provides the Mission with uniform guidance and expert technical advice on practices, procedures, reporting requirements, and status of activities relating to the Mission's financial management and all funds available to the Mission.
• Assists the OFM in implementing the office strategy, to include OFM's efforts to improve service quality and customer satisfaction.
• Serves as principal manager for, and exercises technical supervision and quality control over, fiscal and accounting operations and related systems, practices, procedures, and applicable problems.
• Directs the maintenance of a comprehensive accounting and payroll system and provides necessary financial and statistical data to the Mission management and staff.
• Develops, advises on, implements, and monitors an appropriate systems of internal controls pertaining processing, accounting, reporting, and safeguarding of all funds and assets available to USAID/Bangladesh.
• Responsible to the Controller on budgeting, accounting, and payments progress reporting.
• Oversees the preparation of program-funded operating expense and OE budgets and manages and monitors the budget; oversees the supervision of the voucher payment process, payroll, funds control, and cash management.
• Serves as liaison with USAID staff and the U.S. Embassy Budget and Fiscal Office on matters of mutual interest; represents USAID/OFM on the ICASS working group; and serves as liaison with banking institutions, including local banks and the USDO.
• Participates with USAID personnel on reviewing financial operations at the project level to ensure compliance with Agency guidelines on budgeting and implementation of projects.
• Supervises the analysis and reconciliation of all program and administrative accounts with State and USAID/W, including 1221 management and timely liquidation of program and travel advances.
• Reviews the payment and accounting processes to identify strengths and weaknesses, including bottlenecks, and to the extent required, modify processes to streamline workflow and maximize efficiency.
• Plans, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of FSN professional employees in OFM, including the Administrative Assistant, Voucher Examiners, Accountants, A/R clerk.
• Serves as Certifying Officer, ensuring compliance with provisions of the Prompt Payment Act, Foreign Service Travel Regulations, and other applicable payment guidance.
• Serves as Acting Mission Controller when Mission Controller is away from Post.
B. Staff Development:
The Deputy Controller will be responsible for developing the abilities of the OFM staff through mentoring, engaging in ongoing feedback, and coaching. (Note: Although responsible for the development off all OFM staff, a focus area of this development will be for the new FSN-12 Chief Accountant and a new FSN-10 Accountant). The Deputy Controller:
• Ensures that staff members have established individual work objectives and learning and training plans and secures time and resources to implement the work objectives and plans.
• Provides timely, actionable feedback to help staff develop their skills and knowledge.
• Serves as a resource for staff seeking to identify skill development areas and options for learning.
• Identifies and provides on-the-job and formal training/developmental opportunities to help OFM accounting staff build skills.
• Serves as a mentor for OFM staff
Supervisory Relationship
The Deputy Controller reports directly to the Controller.
Supervisory Controls
The Deputy Controller supervises 9 staff in OFM, including direct supervision of the Chief Accountant and the Supervisory Voucher Examiner.
12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.
II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
To be considered for the position, a candidate must meet the Minimum Qualifications listed below.
Education: A Bachelor's Degree (BA) in accounting or related area is required.
Prior Work Experience: Must possess a strong background and prior work experience in accounting and finance with international organizations; managing a financial operation; and overseeing financial activities, including payment, financial analysis, local and US payrolls, and cashiering operations. Prior experience in Financial Operation including serving as in a Deputy Controller or equivalent position for at least 7 years is required. Must be an authorized certifying officer or have the ability to become authorized/reauthorized prior to the assignment. Must have experience developing professional staff capacities.
Job Knowledge: Excellent knowledge of professional accounting principles, theories, practices, and terminology as well as US Government financial management policies, procedures, and regulations is required.
Skills and Abilities: A high level of analytical skill and demonstrated ability to exercise significant, independent professional judgment is required. Must have the ability to perform in a team and maintain cordial and professional relationships with USAID staff, Host Government, NGOs and Contractor personnel. Strong demonstrated management, supervision, and talent development skills. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to promote teamwork, proven ability to work well in complex institutional settings, and to develop networks of relationships that facilitate collaboration among colleagues. Proficient in governmental accounting and computer systems, including certifying payments in Phoenix or a similar sized-financial/accounting system.
Applicants not meeting minimum qualifications will not be evaluated further. Consideration and selection will be based on a panel evaluation of the Evaluation Factors (Section III). Please note that not all candidates will be interviewed or contacted.
III. EVALUATION & SELECTION FACTORS
The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c). In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers. FAR provisions of this solicitation are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.
Applicants who meet the Education/Experience requirements and Selection Factors will be further evaluated. Applications that do not meet the required minimum qualifications will not be scored. Candidates meeting the above required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application.
After meeting the minimum qualifications, consideration and selection will be based on a panel evaluation of the Evaluation Criteria. Additionally, USAID may request writing samples and an interview from the top-scoring candidates. Top-scoring candidates will also be asked to provide three professional references. Please note that not all applicants will be interviewed or contacted. USAID will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews unless the expenses are pre-authorized. Reference checks may be conducted on candidates selected for an interview.
Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the following selection criteria:
1. Job Knowledge (15 points)
Demonstrated advanced knowledge of professional accounting principles, theories, practices, and terminology as well as US Government financial management policies, procedures, and regulations is required.
2. Past Working Experience (30 points)
A strong background and prior work experience in accounting and finance with international organizations; managing a financial operation; and overseeing financial activities, including payment, financial analysis, local and US payrolls, and cashiering operations. Prior experience in a USAID Financial Operation including serving as in a USAID Deputy Controller or equivalent position. Must be an authorized certifying officer or have the ability to become authorized/reauthorized prior to the assignment.
3. Abilities and Skills (30 points)
• A high level of analytical skill and demonstrated ability to exercise significant, independent professional judgment is required.
• Must have the ability to perform in a team and maintain cordial and professional relationships with USAID staff, Host Government, NGOs and Contractor personnel.
• Strong demonstrated management and supervision skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to promote teamwork, proven ability to work well in complex institutional settings, and to develop networks of relationships that facilitate collaboration among colleagues.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to promote teamwork, proven ability to work well in complex institutional settings, and to develop networks of relationships that facilitate collaboration among colleagues.
4. Staff Development Abilities and Skills (15 points)
A strong background and prior work experience in staff development. Demonstrated ability to mentor, coach, and provide actionable feedback to financial professionals.
5. Language Proficiency (10 points)
Demonstrated capacity for excellent English writing and speaking. Demonstrated capacity to communicate complex policy, strategy, and financial issues orally and in writing in a clear, concise, and well-organized manner. Ability to write high-quality reports, action memorandums, or other documentation.
SECURITY AND MEDICAL CLEARANCE
The USPSC will be required to complete a full physical examination (including relevant immunizations) from his/her own physician and then obtain a medical clearance from State M/MED prior to service overseas. Also, USAID/Bangladesh must initiate a security clearance prior to the Contractor's travel to post of duty. Until a temporary or final adjudication of a security clearance is received, the contract shall not be signed.
If candidate fails to obtain a medical clearance and a security clearance (temporary or full) within six months, the offer may be retracted.
Candidate must not appear as an excluded party in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).
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," available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-309-2. Applicants are required to complete sections A through I. This form MUST be physically signed and scanned. Electronic signatures will NOT be accepted.
2. A cover letter of no more than one (1) page that demonstrates how the candidates' qualifications meet the work requirements and a statement certifying the date and length of time for which the candidate is available for the position.
3. A curriculum vitae (CV) which describes education and career experiences and achievements. In order to fully evaluate your application, your CV must include:
a. Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. Dates (month/year) and locations for all field experience must also be detailed. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.
b. Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work.
c. Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments.
4. Names, contact numbers, and e-mail addresses of three professional references from individuals who are not family members or relatives.
Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the email address listed in Section IV.
By submitting your application materials, you certify that all of the information on and attached to the application is true, correct, complete, and made in good faith. You agree to allow all information on and attached to the application to be investigated. False or fraudulent information on or attached to your application may result in you being eliminated from consideration for this position, or being terminated after award, and may be punishable by fine or imprisonment.
To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, candidates must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission.
SUBMIT APPLICATION PACKET ELECTRONICALLY:
Interested candidates should send above electronically to dhakajobs@usaid.gov, 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 solicitation.
Attention: Supervisory Executive Officer
USAID HR Section/Executive Office
USAID/Bangladesh
Only qualified and shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Additionally, only candidates that are interviewed will be notified if the position is filled.
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:
1. Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms)
2. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-86), or
3. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)
4. Finger Print Card (FD-258)
Forms 1 through 4 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that a candidate is the successful candidate for the job. Do not submit forms 1 through 4 with your application.
VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES
As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC 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
(g) Sunday pay
(h)* Shipment and storage of household effects
(i)* Shipment of POV (Private Own Vehicle)
(j)* Access to Embassy medical facilities, and pouch mail service
(k)* Transportation to Post
(l)* Housing
2. ALLOWANCES*
USPSCS will be eligible for allowances listed in the Standardized Regulations Government Civilian Foreign Areas Sections cited below - if applicable. Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas):
(a)* Post Allowance (COLA) (Section 220)
(b)* Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)
(c)* Education Allowance (Section 270)
(d)* Education Travel (Section 280)
(e)* Post Differential (Chapter 500)
(f)* Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600)
* Note: Resident Hire USPSCs are not eligible to receive these benefits and allowances.
Resident Hire means a U.S. citizen who, at the time of hire as a PSC, resides in the cooperating country as a spouse or dependent of a U.S. citizen employed by a U.S. government agency or under any U.S. government-financed contract or agreement, or for reasons other than for employment with a U.S. government agency or under any U.S. government-financed contract or agreement.
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," includes 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. CIBs and AAPDs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to the following link to determine which CIBs and AAPDs apply to this contract: http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs
5. ADS 309 - Personal Services Contracts can be found at: https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/309.pdf
6. 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.
USAID IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: All qualified candidates 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. Management may consider the following when determining successful candidacy: nepotism, conflicts of interest, budget, and residency status.
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Kafia Khan, Phone +880 2-55662572, Email kafkhan@usaid.gov - Ismat Zerin, Hr Specialist, Phone 880255662501, Email izerin@usaid.gov
