Solicitation No.: 72011319R00001 for an Off-Shore Hire U.S. Personal Services Contractor (USPSC), Private Sector Engagement Specialist, GS-14, USAID/Belarus
SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72011319R00001
ISSUANCE DATE: August 01, 2019
CLOSING DATE/TIME: September 02, 2019 (11:59 p.m. EST)
SUBJECT: Solicitation No.: 72011319R00001 for an Off-Shore Hire U.S. Personal Services Contractor (USPSC), Private Sector Engagement Specialist, GS-14, USAID/Belarus
Dear Prospective Offerors:
The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking offers from qualified persons to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation.
Offers must be in accordance with Attachment 1, Sections I through VIII of this solicitation. Incomplete or unsigned offers will not be considered. Offerors should retain copies of all offer materials for their records.
This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the offers.
Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in the attached information.
Sincerely,
/s/
Nathan Drury
Contracting Officer
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72011319R00001
2. ISSUANCE DATE: August 01, 2019
3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: September 02, 2019 (11:59 p.m. EST)
4. POSITION TITLE: Private Sector Engagement Specialist
5. MARKET VALUE: $90,621 - $117,810 per annum, equivalent to GS-14
Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value
6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: one (1) year, with four (4) option years. Options may be exercised based upon satisfactory contractor performance, mutual agreement between the Contractor and USG, continued Mission requirements and the continued availability of funds
7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Minsk, Belarus - with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties
8. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret
9. STATEMENT OF DUTIES
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND:
The Belarus Country Office (USAID/Belarus) of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Regional Mission to Ukraine and Belarus partners with local organizations, local leaders, academia, the private sector, civil society and development partners to help Belarus realize its national development goals. USAID partners with Belarus to assist in its transition to a more democratic and free market-oriented society. In this regard, USAID assistance targets civil society and private sector development and entrepreneurship, as well as empowerment and advocacy support for vulnerable groups.
USAID civil society development activities foster informed civic participation in community-based initiatives and public advocacy across the social and economic spectrum in Belarus. USAID empowers citizens to participate in social and economic decision-making by encouraging cooperation between civil society, local governments, and the private sector, helping to create sustainable solutions to local development challenges. USAID provides training, expert advice, and small grants to support CSOs and communities, independent business associations and legal assistance providers. Exchange programs introduce Belarusians to the best American professional practices and offer opportunities to experience American culture, traditions and values.
USAID assists disadvantaged groups such as vulnerable children, Persons with Disabilities (PWD), people at risk of trafficking, and trafficking victims. We do this through developing community-based services, strengthening the capacities of organizations providing support to these populations, and enhancing advocacy efforts to promote their rights and increase public awareness.
The private sector share of Belarus's GDP is among the lowest in the region, with micro-small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) making up most of it. Low MSME participation in the national economy hampers job creation and development of modern products and services. Even though the Government of Belarus (GOB) is expanding the private sector's role in the economy, and has made progress to improve the business environment, the private sector and MSMEs still face major challenges to operate and grow. A stronger private sector in Belarus will lead to sustainable job growth and increased incomes for the people of Belarus.
USAID works to strengthen and expand the private sector in Belarus by improving the business enabling environment, increasing the capacity and commitment of private sector actors, and expanding access to finance. USAID's support for the private sector focuses on entrepreneurs and MSMEs. We do this by improving access to modern business technologies, developing innovative entrepreneurship, and providing financial literacy training and access to capital. USAID also supports business advocacy efforts and business support organizations.
USAID is reorienting the way it does business to focus on supporting our partner countries on the Journey to Self-Reliance -- or, to put it another way, their ability to solve their own development challenges. This approach to development -- which prioritizes fostering stable, resilient, prosperous, inclusive, and self-reliant countries -- is good for our partners around the world, our nation's security, and the American taxpayer. Private Sector Engagement (PSE), a key tool for helping countries achieve self-reliance, is now a principal focus of USAID's approach to development as embodied in the official core messaging: 1) The future of development requires a fundamental shift in practice; 2) The future of development relies upon collaboration with the private sector; 3) The future of development is enterprise driven.
Working alongside a team of seven professional Foreign Service National staff within the U.S. Embassy in Minsk, USAID/Belarus requires the services of an entrepreneurial and forward-looking Private Sector Engagement (PSE) specialist to help the Mission develop new, innovative ideas to carry out its commitment to assist the country on its journey to self-reliance, and mobilize the ideas, efforts and resources of the private sector to engage in this journey by forging partnerships to stimulate economic growth, develop business and workforce, address civil society development issues, expand access to education and technology, and support vulnerable populations.
BASIC FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION:
Develop a strategy to design and implement interventions that will engage the private sector across the key program areas of the Mission and seek private sector solutions to development challenges. The PSC will advise senior level leadership in USAID, the U.S. Embassy and host country officials on concepts for development and will engage with the private sector to build consensus on areas where there is opportunity and commonality of interests. The individual will be a thought leader and capable of working with a team of local FSNs to implement activities that will achieve tangible results. Must lead PSE activities through all phases of the Program Lifecycle, provide technical guidance on PSE to internal and external audiences, and identify opportunities to leverage resources and engage broadly with the private sector in Belarus.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strategy Development
● Develop a 2020-2025 PSE strategy for USAID/Belarus within the first 6 months in the position, and an annual USAID/Belarus PSE Action Plan.
● Conduct analysis and research to identify areas for PSE across the USAID/Belarus portfolio and its Development Objective areas (Democracy and Governance, Economic Growth).
● Coordinate with USAID/Belarus management and technical staff to identify project specific needs and/or opportunities where private sector engagement could be leveraged to address development problems in the country on its Journey to Self-Reliance (J2SR) . Ensure that a wide range of private sector perspectives, resources and capabilities are integrated in priorities, strategies, and designs at USAID/Belarus.
● Identify and map primary private sector entities interested in partnering with USAID/Belarus and facilitate information sharing and partnership development with potential partners.
Relationship Building and Management
● As part of the USAID PSE strategy, identify potential, and maintain or expand ongoing, partnerships and developing relationships with private businesses, corporations, foundations, incubators and technology drivers, and other non-traditional development organizations through formal and informal outreach, personal contacts, and networking. This includes other types of collaboration as well.
● Develop and sustain close, collaborative, professional relationships with private sector CEOs, heads of regional and international NGOs, industry associations, leaders in civil society, and local/regional businesses in the context of community development. This position may also require regular discussions with mid to senior level GOB officials.
● Identify financial resources and investments and how they can be leveraged to address USAID goals and objectives, including "off-budget" resources at USAID or with other Institutions. This can include co-funding or resource leveraging to support MSME development. This can also include outreach to commercial banks, venture capital/angel investment/startup funds to increase access to finance for start-ups and MSMEs, and Identification of ways to improve financial intermediation.
Program Design and Implementation/Management
● Oversee implementation of the Action Plan and an FSN staff and other partners in meeting milestones for delivery.
● Substantially contribute to the design of activities as part of the USAID/Belarus portfolio, which should align with the Agency's PSE policy and may include co-creation mechanisms.
● In-line with Agency-wide policies, USAID/Belarus aims to incorporate approaches that support innovation, co-creation, and co-design where feasible. Work closely with USAID's legal, contracting, and other relevant offices at the earliest stages of the activity/activities design to ensure accurate implementation of procurement policies while selecting the most efficient procurement mechanisms for PSE.
● Assume Agreement Officer's Representative (AOR) and/or Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) role (or Alternate roles: A/AOR, A/COR) as needed on awards or contracts.
● Manage the technical aspects of PSE by developing and/or applying appropriate risk assessment instruments to ensure that risk is shared appropriately; conduct due diligence research; and work with the USAID Mission's Contracting Office to facilitate the formal agreement process.
● Ensure that activities are appropriately documented and required reports and regular
updates are completed and given to USAID stakeholders and external development partners, including for the preparation of the annual portfolio reviews, Operational Plan, Performance Plan and Report, annual budget, presentations, briefings, and talking points.
● Facilitate outreach and communication efforts which will support USAID/Belarus PSE efforts, both for external and internal audiences.
● Provide coverage for the USAID Belarus Country Director as needed, within the limitations set forth in ADS 103. This may include liaising and coordinating with multiple interlocutors, including USG interlocutors, Implementing Partners, media, host country counterparts, etc.
● As required, provide effective coaching, mentorship, and work guidance to local USAID Foreign Service National (FSN) staff and local implementing partners.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:
The incumbent will be required to make regular trips to the Regional Mission in Kyiv, approximately 6 trips per year, or every 2 months out of the year. The incumbent will also be required to make 1-2 trips to Vilnius, Lithuania each year for staff meetings. Other regional trips, infrequent in nature, may be required on an as-needed basis.
SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP:
The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Belarus Country Office Director of the USAID Regional Mission for Ukraine and Belarus in Kyiv, or her/his designee.
10. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens only (off-shore hire)
11. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands
12. POINT OF CONTACT: All questions and offers must be submitted by email to KyivVacancies@usaid.gov
II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
Education: A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as Business Management, Public Administration, International Marketing, International Development, International Trade and Finance or a related subject is required.
Prior Work Experience: Seven years of progressively responsible experience in business, corporate social responsibility, and/or international development is required. At least five years of experience must be in developing and/or managing international donor programs in support of private sector engagement; and/or in direct involvement in co-design; and/or in developing and/or managing PSE.
Only offerors clearly meeting the above minimum qualifications will be considered for further evaluation.
Security and Medical clearances: The ability to obtain the required security and medical clearances in a reasonable timeframe is considered a minimum qualification. See Section V.
III EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS
Selection Process and Basis of Evaluation: Offerors who clearly meet the aforementioned minimum education and work experience qualification requirements may be further evaluated through review of the offeror's submitted required documents (see section IV below) and ranked based on the below evaluation and selection factors. A competitive range may be established of the highest-ranked offerors, who may be further evaluated through technical tests, interviews, and reference checks to determine the most qualified/highest-ranked offerors. Reference checks may be conducted with the highest-ranked offerors. Reference checks may be conducted with individuals not provided by the offeror. Any offeror not receiving satisfactory reference checks will no longer be considered for the position. Negotiations may be conducted with the most qualified/ highest-ranked offerors at the conclusion of evaluations.
Education (10 points): A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as Business Management, Public Administration, International Marketing, International Development, International Trade and Finance or a related subject is required. A Master's degree in one of the above fields is desirable.
Experience (40 points): Seven years of progressively responsible experience in business, corporate social responsibility, and/or international development is required. Prior experience in Eastern Europe or the post-Soviet region is desirable.
At least five years of experience must be in developing and/or managing international donor programs in support of private sector engagement; and/or in direct involvement in co-design; and/or in developing and/or managing PSE.
Experience working with various contractual mechanisms and models of partnerships; and experience in facilitating co-creation workshops, industry days, and similar events as well as partner training to facilitate PSE efforts is desired. Direct experience in partnership building, including negotiating partnerships and maintaining productive relationships with business leaders, international NGOs, high-wealth individuals, and senior foreign government officials, is highly desired.
Job Knowledge (15 points): Applicant must have knowledge of supporting the private sector in a development context, including identifying the needs of MSMEs and advancing private sector growth. In addition, the applicant should possess expert knowledge of international donor programs in support of private sector engagement. This position also requires knowledge of various contractual mechanisms and models of partnerships, as well as knowledge of access to finance (including microfinance) and impact investing. The applicant should also be knowledgeable about issues and challenges regarding access to finance in developing country environments, preferably through past work in the financial sector. Familiarity with foreign assistance regulations and the policies and legal authorities governing the types of programming and investments the U.S. Government and other international development banks and institutions can make when partnering with for-profit firms is desirable.
Skills and Abilities (25 points):
● Applicant must possess strong interpersonal, networking, negotiation, leadership, managerial, and teamwork skills, in order to establish and maintain strong contacts with counterparts both inside and outside of USAID and in order to explain USAID objectives and procedures to government officials, private businesses, corporations, foundations, NGOs, and other non-traditional development organizations. The incumbent must also develop and maintain productive working relationships with Foreign Service National (FSN) staff, as the incumbent will be expected to mentor and empower them.
● Must have a proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
● The incumbent must also have a high degree of technical, analytical, and quantitative skills in analysis of development activities and policies. The candidate must be able to identify and define a value proposition, and communicate that effectively to private sector partners.
● The position will require a proactive, entrepreneurial, goal-oriented approach to assistance, and the ability to diplomatically and tactfully confront and resolve institutional bureaucratic problems in managing activities.
● Ability to successfully navigate a challenging and sensitive information environment is required.
● Demonstrated ability to be forward thinking and courageous in strategic vision-willing to experiment and be exceptionally agile.
Language (Communication) (10 points): The incumbent must be fluent in written and spoken English. Given the nature of the position, outstanding written and oral communications in English are absolutely critical to perform successfully in this position. The candidate must be able to explain complex ideas in both written and spoken English, and make clear, compelling, oral presentations. The incumbent must be able to communicate effectively with Mission employees; local government officials at the Senior Minister level; international and local organizations, donors and other embassies; and various Washington-based U.S. Government agencies. Proficiency in Russian or Belarusian, especially spoken, is desired.
Total Points: 100pts
IV. APPLYING
1. Eligible Offerors are required to complete and submit all the following documents and information in order to be considered for the position:
a. Completed and signed form AID 309-2,"Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts," available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-309-2. Only include base salary information in box 4 of sections B and C. Do not include bonuses, differentials, cost of living allowances, or other types of compensation. During negotiations, salary history may be verified through pay slips, earnings and leave statements, or other appropriate documentation.
b. A cover letter of no more than 2 pages that demonstrates how the Offeror's qualifications meet the evaluation and selection factors in section III of this solicitation;
c. A resume or curriculum vitae (CV) of not more than 3 pages which, at a minimum, describes education, experience and career achievements relevant to the evaluation and selection factors in section III of this solicitation;
d. Names of three professional references, including at least one current/former supervisor, that have knowledge of the offeror's ability to perform the duties set forth in the solicitation. This information may be included in the cover letter or resume/CV.
Late, incomplete, and/or un-signed offers will not be considered
2. Offers containing all required documents must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted electronically to the email Point of Contact in Section I, item 12.
3. To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors should prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission.
V. PRE-AWARD DOCUMENTATION / LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRES
Once the Contracting Officer (CO) informs the successful Offeror about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Offeror instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms, needed to obtain medical and security clearances.
1. Medical History and Examination Form/ Medical Clearance Update (DS-6561/DS-3057)
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)
Timely completion and submission of the required documents are needed to obtain the necessary Security and Medical Clearances. Failure of the selected offeror to accurately complete and submit required documents in a timely manner may be grounds for the CO to rescind any conditional pre-contract offer letter and begin negotiations with the next most qualified/highest ranked offeror. Selected offerors who are unable to obtain required Security and Medical Clearances in a reasonable timeframe are considered un-qualified for this position.
Within 2 weeks after written notice from the CO that all required clearances have been received, or unless another date is specified by the CO in writing, the selected offeror shall proceed to Kiev, Ukraine to perform the services specified in section I, item 9.
VI. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES
As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, the USPSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:
1. BENEFITS:
Employer's FICA Contribution
Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance
Pay Comparability Adjustment
Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation)
Eligibility for Worker's Compensation
Annual and Sick Leave
2. ALLOWANCES (If Applicable)*:
Temporary Quarters Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)
Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)
Post Allowance (Section 220)
Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)
Education Allowance (Section 270)
Educational Travel (Section 280)
Post Differential (Section 500)
Payments During Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600)
*Dept. of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) (Government Civilians Foreign Areas)
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, " 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 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms.
3. Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available are at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs .
4. 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
Nathan Drury, Contracting Officer, Email ndrury@usaid.gov
