Loren Data's SAM Daily™

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF AUGUST 11, 2004 FBO #0989
SOLICITATION NOTICE

R -- PSC Vietnam-- Economic Development Program Manager

Notice Date

8/9/2004
 

Notice Type

Solicitation Notice
 

NAICS

541990 — All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
 

Contracting Office

Agency for International Development, Overseas Missions, Thailand USAID-Bangkok, American Embassy/Bangkok USAID Box 47, APO, AP, 96546
 

ZIP Code

96546
 

Solicitation Number

486-04-012
 

Response Due

8/26/2004
 

Archive Date

11/30/2004
 

Point of Contact

Praveena Virasingh, Acquisition Specialist, Phone 6622637454, Fax 6622637498, - Karittha Jenchiewchan, Acquisition Specialist, Phone 6622637455, Fax 6622637498,
 

E-Mail Address

pvirasingh@usaid.gov, kjenchiewchan@usaid.gov
 

Description

RFP No. 486-04-012 ISSUANCE DATE: August 9,, 2004 CLOSING DATE: August 26, 2004, 4:00 p.m. Bangkok Time SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (PSC); Economic Development Program Manager (Hanoi, Vietnam). The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking proposals (Standard Form 171's or 612??s) from U.S. citizens interested in providing the PSC services described in the attached. Email submissions shall be sent to: pvirasingh@usaid.gov. Applications, which shall include salary history for the prior three years and the names and contact points (telephone/fax numbers) for at least two references with knowledge of the applicant's prior work skills) may be faxed, mailed, emailed, or hand-carried to the undersigned. To ensure delivery by the due date it is recommended that applications be sent in as email attachments or by fax if possible. If an applicant does not have ready access to a Form 171 or 612, the same information may be initially submitted in resume form so long as the items stated earlier in this paragraph are covered. Late applications may be considered in USAID's sole discretion. The award of a contract hereunder is subject to the availability of funds. Any questions regarding this position should be directed to the above email address. Sincerely, Carey N. Gordon Regional Contracting Officer USAID, RDM/A, Bangkok Mailing Address: USAID Box 47 APO AP 96546, USA or USAID Diethelm Tower, 93/1 Wireless Road, 3rd Floor Bangkok 10330, Thailand ATTACHMENT 1 TO SOLICITATION NO. 486-04-012 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 486-04-012 2. ISSUANCE DATE: August 9, 2004 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: August 26, 2004, 4:00 p.m. local Bangkok time. 4. POSITION TITLE: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM MANAGER - Hanoi, Vietnam 5. MARKET VALUE OF POSITION (Base Pay): GS-14 ($74,335 - $96,637). Salary to be paid within this grade will depend on experience, qualifications, and salary history. The standard compensation package also includes a contribution for life and health insurance and a contribution to FICA. If the selected candidate qualifies as an off-shore hire under USAID regulations, the employee will additionally receive post differential approved for Vietnam (currently set at the rate 25% of base pay), international travel and shipment benefits. 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: To start o/a October 1, 2004 for a period of two years with the possibility of extensions. Extensions will depend on the need for continuation of such services, availability of funds, better than satisfactory performance, and the needs of the USAID/Vietnam Country Program Office. 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Hanoi, Vietnam, with travel within Vietnam and the region as required. 8. JOB DESCRIPTION: A. Position Title: Economic Development Program Manager. B. Organizational location of the position: Hanoi, Vietnam. C. Position Title of Direct Supervisor: USAID/Vietnam Country Program Manager. D. Supervisory Controls: The position will be supervised by the Vietnam Country Program Manager, USAID/Vietnam who advises on general responsibilities to meet USAID/Vietnam strategic objectives and goals, provides policy guidance and reviews work in terms of overall accomplishment of desired results. The Economic Development Program Manager serves as the principal advisor to the Country Program Manager in all facets of trade, investment, and economic development with minimal supervision. E. Introduction and Background: USAID officially opened an office in Hanoi in November 2000. This office is co-located with the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam. In functions under the overall direction of the USAID Regional Development Mission/ Asia, headquartered in Bangkok. USAID has selected Enhanced Environment for Trade and Investment as one of three strategic goals for its programs in Vietnam. This strategic goal is of high priority to the Vietnamese Government. Projects in the trade and investment area have been implemented in large cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. F. Basic Function of the Position: Overview of the Vietnam Trade and Investment Program Portfolio: Enhanced Environment for Trade and Investment: USAID technical assistance in this sector focuses on trade and investment, financial sector reform and economic governance. G. Major Duties and Responsibilities: The specific duties of the Economic Development Program Manager will include but are not limited to the following: The USPSC Economic Development Program Manager will specifically monitor and manage USAID-funded activities under the Program Objective "Enhanced Environment for Trade and Investment". This Program Objective (PO-1) will be implemented over the three-year timeframe and focus on promoting legal, trade, and investment reforms. It will specifically focus on helping advance the US-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement and Vietnam??s accession to the World Trade Organization, as well as the development of Vietnam??s indigenous private sector. The US-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) not only involves trade in goods and services but also covers investment and intellectual property rights issues. Furthermore, it requires Vietnam to make a broad range of reforms that when implemented will fundamentally change how Vietnam conducts business. USAID will provide technical assistance to introduce necessary changes in laws, regulations, and new enforcement mechanisms, which are compatible with international trade and investment norms, are beneficial to economic development, and support for Vietnam's accession to the WTO. The Economic Development Program Manager will perform functions at two levels: 1. Will be the main resource person within the USAID/Vietnam Country Program Office on matters related to economic growth and trade and investment. The incumbent will be knowledgeable of the Government of Vietnam (GOVN) position, USG priorities, other-donor programs and international best-practices on a variety of structural issues (e.g., tax/fiscal management, privatization, intellectual property rights, labor relations, business climate, trade promotion, government procurement, customs operations World Trade Organization obligations, money laundering, investment policy, etc). The Economic Development Program Manager will regularly inform the USAID/Vietnam Country Program Manager on such matters, and establish and promote the USG??s related policy agenda with Vietnamese entities. He/She will report to the Senior Program Advisor and will work independently with a minimum of supervision and guidance. 2. Will be a key member of the overall USAID/Vietnam Country Program Office team managing assistance mechanisms designed to enhance trade and increase investment in various sectors throughout Vietnam. The incumbent will design, guide and monitor assistance, to include oversight of institutional contractor and NGO personnel, and related liaison with other donors, USG agencies and the Government of Vietnam as well as the Vietnam private sector and media. He/She will be called upon to represent USAID at the highest levels in interactions within the Vietnamese government and will develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate work plans related to business promotions, trade and investment activities of the economic growth program objective. Specific Duties will include but not be limited to: ?X Serve as USAID's primary daily contact and technical expert on all matters related to economic policies and related regulatory and institutional reforms designed to bolster the confidence of domestic private enterprise and foreign investors in Vietnam; ensuring that legitimate private enterprise can be the engine of economic development and political stability. ?X He/She will be the lead advocate within the USAID/Hanoi Country Program Office as well as with Vietnamese counterparts, for further liberalization of the economy and increased access of the private sector to international markets. ?X Serve as the primary point of contact for Host Country Counterparts, U.S. Embassy staff, other donors, and the private sector in Vietnam in the areas of economic growth, financial sector reform, and trade. ?X Conduct analysis of current economic trends and key policy and operational constrains that Vietnam needs to overcome to achieve broad-based economic growth, in order to inform Mission management and influence the Government of Vietnam on appropriate goals for public policy and private business development in Vietnam, particularly in sectors that offer the greatest employment generation and economic returns to investment opportunities. ?X Identify and develop new initiatives to maximize Vietnam's benefits from the Support for Trade Acceleration (STAR) Program. ?X Establish and maintain relationships with appropriate USG agencies (e.g. Embassy Economics Section, USDA, and Commerce) other local and international donors and the private sector to identify priorities, coordinate efforts and leverage resources, and represent the USAID/Vietnam Country Program Office in meetings and negotiations with Vietnamese national and regional governmental authorities. ?X Develop, monitor, and evaluate reporting mechanisms in compliance with USAID guidance on indicators and reporting in order to better inform Mission decision makers on trade and investment activities in Vietnam. ?X In consultation with the U.S. Embassy, meet with Vietnamese officials to discuss USAID supported policy reform efforts and any issues affecting program implementation, particularly those in the area of trade and investment. ??X Work with the PO-1 team to develop a Performance Monitoring Plan that meets Agency standards and enables tracking program activities and results against program objective. ?X Prepare Trade and Investment Program documents/briefing materials. For example: annual performance report, draft country program description, revisions to the Country Planning Framework, and contribute information on USAID programs to the Mission Performance Plan. ?X Ensure that all USAID operational policies and regulations are clearly communicated and adhered to by all USAID-funded resident contractors and grantees. ?X Represent USAID at meetings with donors on economic development issues, and maintain a wide range of professional contacts with counterparts in donor and government organizations, NGO community, and the private sector of Vietnam on economic trade and policy reform assistance development issues. Meet regularly with donor and private sector programs, to coordinate assistance efforts and strengthen program collaboration. Participate in relevant donor working groups, and seek opportunities to leverage other donor assistance in support of USAID objectives. ?X Work closely with the U.S. Ambassador in Hanoi and other appropriate members of the U.S. Embassy country team, and participate in discussions and decisions regarding USG-funded Trade and Investment assistance program in Vietnam. ?X Report regularly to USAID/Vietnam Country Program Manager and the Mission Director of the USAID regional office in Cambodia on USAID funded activities, program progress, impact and implementation problems. H. Required Qualifications: This is a senior-level position that requires a unique combination of high-level technical, analytical, and managerial skills and ability. It is also crucial that the incumbent possess an excellent ability to work cohesively with other local International organizations and contractors, and the ability to: promote and preserve staff morale and performance under rapidly changing conditions; and be a good listener, a team builder, and an articulate advocate of the Mission??s Economic Development Portfolio. 1. EDUCATION: A Masters Degree in the field of International Economics, Business Management, Business Administration, Public Policy, International Marketing, International Development, International Trade and Finance, or a related subject is required with strong technical emphasis or specialization in the areas of trade, investment or banking. 2. PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE: The incumbent is required to have a minimum of ten years of economic development experience with increasingly responsible project management, project design, project/program development experience with at least three (5) or more years of this experience with a U.S. Government Agency or other international/local organization or donor. Prior supervisory and management experience in a position of similar complexity is required. Recent experience conducting a broad range of macroeconomic policy analyses (includes trade policy, fiscal and tax, privatizations and labor policy) as applied to economic growth and economic reform programs in emerging markets is required. Prior experience and/or technical knowledge in evaluating USAID-specific economic development activities is desirable. Experience in initiating and brokering policy dialogue around politically sensitive issues and bringing such dialogue with senior government officials, policy makers, NGOs and private sector representatives to closure is required. 3. POST ENTRY TRAINING: The incumbent is expected to possess the necessary technical training and management skills/abilities required to carry out/perform the duties/responsibilities required of the position. Post entry training will, therefore, be focused primarily on Agency-specific policies, procedures and regulations that govern USAID-specific Cognizant Technical Officer responsibilities/duties and USAID-specific activity management systems. In addition, incumbent will be required to work within the existing USAID/Vietnam team management office structure. Organized training (both internal & external) may be provided from time to time depending on the availability of program funds and determined to be in direct support of USAID Vietnam program activities. 4. LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: Native Speaker (Level V) in both written and spoken English is required and Level III Good Working Knowledge of Vietnamese would be an added advantage. Given the nature of the position, effective written and oral communications are absolutely critical to perform successfully in this position. 5. KNOWLEDGE: A comprehensive knowledge of the concepts, principles, and techniques to support development of banking and financial institutions and fiscal policy reform with a focus on Trade and Investment strategies is required. Knowledge and understanding of the Vietnamese economic, banking, marketing, and financial sectors are desirable to provide technical assistance to introduce necessary changes in laws, regulations, and new enforcement mechanisms, which are compatible with international trade and investment norms within the country and are therefore required. A sound experience-based knowledge in trade and investment, macro and micro-economic policy analysis and financial markets as well as the understanding of political, economic, and development realities of Vietnam would be a distinct advantage. A thorough understanding of major problems frequently faced by transition economies and hands-on experience and knowledge of USAID project development, management, and procurement policies, and procedures are preferred. 6. SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision or guidance is required. Strong interpersonal skills are required to establish and maintain strong contacts with counterparts both inside and outside of USAID and in order to explain USAID economic program policies, objectives and procedures as well as U.S. government legislation relating to economic growth, trade and investment development assistance is required. In the same vein, must be able to transmit and interpret host country government and non-governmental sector program-related concern to senior USAID officials and Mission management. The ability to provide commercial law and trade policy assistance to key Vietnamese institutions in both the public and private sectors. The ability to effectively familiarize key Vietnamese officials with the legal and economic concepts of the USAID-specific economic reform effort. The incumbent must also have a high degree of technical, analytical, and quantitative skills in analysis of markets and policies. The following skills and abilities are also sought: strong quantitative and analytical skills, operational and management skills, computer skills including ease and skill in using word processing programs, email, databases and spreadsheets; manage more than one activity at a time in the performance of project/activity management; and the ability to conceptualize ?V both strategically and programmatically. The ability to communicate technical information clearly and effectively to technical and non-technical colleagues. The Mission is seeking a self-starter to be responsive to client needs with the ability to work calmly, tactfully and effectively under pressure and adapt to the existing management team. In addition, the position will require an entrepreneurial, goal-oriented approach to assistance, and the ability to diplomatically and tactfully confront and resolve institutional bureaucratic problems in managing program activities. I. Period of Service: Initially, the period of performance will be for a period of two years with the option to extend for additional periods. The incumbent is expected to begin work in USAID/Hanoi, Vietnam on or about October 1, 2004. J. Supervision/Oversight over Others: This is a designated supervisory position. The incumbent will supervise one full-time Cooperating Country National Personal Services Contract (CCNPSC) employee, a Program Development Assistant for Trade and Investment. In the absence of the USAID/Vietnam Country Program Manager, he/she may be called upon to manage the overall USAID/Vietnam Country Program Office activities and program portfolios to include support staff, as well as attend weekly Embassy staff meetings. K. OTHER REQUIREMENTS: In addition, the incumbent must also be: 1) a U.S. Citizen; 2) Available and willing to commit to the Contract Performance Period of 24 months; 3) Able to obtain US Government medical and security clearances; 4) Available and willing to work outside the regular 40-hour workweek when required or necessary; and 5) Willing to travel to work sites and other offices as/when requested. L. Selection Criteria: Applicants will be evaluated on the extent and quality of their education, relevant experience, language and work skills, and professional presentation as they relate to this position against the following criteria: Management/Leadership Experience 20 points: -Project & Program Management including reporting on results measurement(s); -Project management familiarity with USAID regulations, Policies and Procedures; -Budget Management and Reporting. Relevant Southeast Asia Regional Work Experience: 15 points: -Country Specific; -Region Specific; -Experience in Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand or Laos; -Ability to Communicate in Vietnamese; -Experience in transitional development countries. Technical Knowledge/Experience: 30 points: -Program Analysis and Data Analysis; -Technical Assistance Capabilities; -Design and Implementation; -Computer Knowledge. Language/Communication/Interpersonal Skills: 20 points: -Excellent Interpersonal Skills, demonstrated ability to collaborate and work effectively in a team environment; -Ability to write clearly, quickly and succinctly; -Oral Communication Skills, the ability to make effective presentations. Education: 15 points: A Masters Degree in the field of International Economics, Business Management, Business Administration, Public Policy, International Marketing, International Development, International Trade and Finance, or related subject is required with strong technical emphasis or specialization in the areas of trade, investment or banking. Total Points: 100. M. SELECTION PROCESS: After the closing date for receipt of applications, a committee will be convened to review applications and evaluate them in accord with the evaluation criteria. Applications from candidates which do not meet the required selection criteria will not be scored. As part of the selection process, finalist candidates may be interviewed either in person or by telephone at USAID??s discretion. Reference checks will be made only for applicants considered as finalists and in USAID??s discretion. If an applicant does not wish USAID to contact a current employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the applicant??s cover letter, and USAID will delay such reference check pending communication with the applicant. Only finalists will be contacted by USAID with respect to their applications. The final selected candidates must obtain security and medical clearances within a reasonable period of time (USAID will provide details regarding these clearances to the selected candidates). A substantial delay in obtaining either required clearance will make the applicant ineligible for selection. RFP no. 486-04-012 ATTACHMENT 2: PSC Contractor Benefits (As allowable under applicable regulations): AS A MATTER OF POLICY, AND AS APPROPRIATE, A PSC IS NORMALLY AUTHORIZED THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS: 1. BENEFITS Employee's FICA Contribution; Contribution toward Health &. Life Insurance; Pay Comparability Adjustment; Annual Salary Increase (if applicable); Eligibility for Worker's Compensation; Annual & Sick Leave. Additional benefits are available for individuals hired from outside Vietnam: post differential, international airfare from place of residence, R&R, international shipment of personal effects, furnished housing and educational allowances for dependent children. 2. CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs.) PERTAINING TO PSCs: 01-10 Revision of Medical Clearance Process ?V Personal Services Contracts (??PSCs??) with U.S. Citizens. 00-05 PSC's Annual Health Insurance Costs. 00-03.1.1 01-03 2000 FICA & Medicare Tax Rates for Personal Services Contracts. 99-07 Contractual Coverage for Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) Services. 97-16 Class Justification for use of other Than Full & Open Competition for Personal Services Contracts with U.S. Citizens Contracted with Locally with CCNs and TCNs Subject to the Local Compensation Plan, and for Overseas Contracts of $250,000 or Less. 96-23 Unauthorized Provision in Personal Services Contract. 96 19 U. S. Personal Services Contract (USPSC) Leave . 98 11 Determining a Market Value for PSCs. 94 9 Sunday Pay for U.S. Personal Services Contractors (PSCs). 93 17 Financial Disclosure Requirements Under a Personal Services Contract (PSC). II. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs: 1. Standard Form 171. **2. Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420 62). **3. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF 86) , or **4. Questionnaire for Non Sensitive Positions (SF 85). **5. Finger Print Card (FD 258). NOTE: Form 5 is available from the requirements office. ______________________________ * Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). ** The forms listed 2 through 5 shall only be completed upon the advice of the Contracting officer that an applicant is the su
 

Place of Performance

Address: Hanoi

Country: Vietnam
 

Record

SN00639388-W 20040811/040809211538 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

---

| FSG Index  |  This Issue's Index  |  Today's FBO Daily Index Page |