SOLICITATION NO: 391-09-041
ISSUANCE DATE: September 4, 2009
CLOSING DATE: September 19, 2009; 5.00 PM Islamabad time
SUBJECT: USAID/ Pakistan -- Solicitation for United States or Third Country National
Personal Services Contractor, Budget Analyst, GS-14, Islamabad, Pakistan
Ladies/Gentlemen:
The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications from qualified individuals interested in providing US/TCN PSC services as described in the attached solicitation.
Submissions shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified and must include signed and completed federal employment form SF-171 or OF-612 and a written statement that responds to the requirements of the position (Education/ Experience required for the position).
Any questions regarding this solicitation may be directed to Leila Alikadic, Human Resources Manager, Pakistan phone – 92-51-208-2841, fax – 92-51-287-0310, E-mail: .
The selected applicant must be able to obtain security and medical clearances. The US Citizens should get USG Secret Level of clearance and Third Country Nationals should be able to obtain employment authorization. For medical clearances, the US Citizens should obtain Department of State Class I Medical Clearance; Third Country Nationals should obtain a Post Medical Clearance issued by the U.S. Embassy Pakistan Health Unit.
Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications.
USAID IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: In selecting personnel there will be no discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, politics, marital status, physical handicap, age or membership or non-membership in an employee organization.
Sincerely,
Michael Stewart
Supervisory Executive Officer
USAID Pakistan
8100 Islamabad Place
Dulles, VA 20189-8100
U.S. Agency for International DevelopmentEmbassy of United States of America,
Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad / Tel: [+92] 51 208 0000
Fax: [+92] 51 287 0310
www.usaid.gov/pk
ATTACHMENT TO SOLICITATION NUMBER: 391-09-041
SOLICITATION NUMBER: 391-09-041
ISSUING DATE: September 4, 2009
CLOSING DATE: September 19, 2009 (5pm local time)
POSITION TITLE: Budget Analyst
MARKET VALUE: $83,445 – $108,483 (GS-14). Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based upon the candidate’s past salary, work history and educational background
ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION POSITION: Islamabad, Pakistan
DIRECT SUPERVISOR: Supervisory Program Officer, USAID/Pakistan
SUPERVISORY CONTROL: Minimum. Incumbent is expected to act independently with little direction
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The US/TCN PSC contract will be for one year, with possibility of annual extension
SECURITY ACCESS U.S. Citizens: Secret Level
Employment Authorization for US residents and Third Country Nationals
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: US Citizens, US residents, and Third Country Nationals
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
BUDGET ANALYST
A. OVERVIEW AND BACKGROUND:
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) assistance programs in Pakistan are one of the Agency’s largest, with an anticipated funding level for FY 2010 of over $1 billion. The program focuses on six key areas: education, health, economic growth, democracy and governance, earthquake reconstruction, and development of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
The program is undergoing a major expansion and reorientation to focus activities on key geographic areas, provide quick impact assistance, and build government capacity to deliver essential services, as well as longer-term development activities. Recent legislation not only provides a significant expansion in resources to the US Mission in Pakistan, but also requires significant and extensive reporting on plans, activities, results, and impact.
The USAID/Pakistan Program Office (PRM) is responsible for coordinating the overall Mission program, providing leadership in strategy development and budget planning, supporting technical offices in program and budget operations, monitoring and evaluation and reporting of results, and directing outreach efforts.
B. BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITION:
The Mission requires the services of a senior Budget Analyst with extensive experience, senior-level expertise, and a practical knowledge of the Federal Budget process and budget planning, management, and reporting systems. The successful candidate will provide support to PRM in the development and management of budget planning, analysis, and reporting systems to meet the demands of a growing and highly visible portfolio. The Budget Analyst will coordinate the budget with senior Mission staff, provide direction on budget management to Mission technical teams, and coordinate budget details with senior Embassy and Washington officials. The Budget Analyst will train PRM staff, particularly the FSN staff, in effective budget planning, management, and reporting.
C. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Budget Analyst will be responsible for performing a broad range of budget planning and management functions including:
· Strengthening PRM budgeting systems and operations.
· Reviewing existing Mission budget systems and processes, and recommending and implementing approved modifications to better manage the growing USAID/Pakistan portfolio. PRM is particularly desirous of implementing processes and systems to ensure budget planning, analysis, and reporting are more efficient and effective, and more accurately track the different types of funding the Mission receives, including earmarks and presidential initiatives/directives and Objective Teams budgets, and including support tables and tracking mechanisms, and funding of activities by geographic area.
· Training of PRM staff, both new and existing, on effective budget planning, analysis, and management.
· Preparing and maintaining Mission program budget requests, allowances, reports, and other documents, as required to support Mission objectives.
· Liaising and coordinating with Embassy officials on planning, management, and reporting of foreign assistance program budgets.
· Providing support and guidance to Mission Teams, in order to ensure compliance with USAID budget policies and guidelines.
· Working closely with Office of Financial Management (OFM), the Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA), and Mission technical Teams to manage and control Mission obligations and sub-obligations.
· Liaising with the OFM, OAA, and technical Teams to identify financial management issues for portfolio reviews.
· Supporting Mission technical Teams, PRM, and OFM in preparing pipeline analysis, reviews, incremental funding, and other implementation follow-up actions.
· Serves as an external contact, and responds to requests for USAID/Pakistan budget information from USAID/Washington, State/DFA, the Embassy, auditors, and the Congress.
· Perform other duties as assigned or required.
D. POSITION INFORMATION:
1. Reporting Responsibilities
The Budget Analyst receives supervision, policy direction, and guidance from the Supervisory Program Officer and/or his/her designee but will support other Mission Offices, as directed, and will have extensive interaction with Mission Management.
2. Physical Demands
The Budget Analyst will need to spend considerable time in the USAID office located in Islamabad. Travel outside of Islamabad will be closely coordinated between USAID and the concerned U.S. Embassy entities to ensure security.
E. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EVALUATION CRITERIA:
To be considered for this position, applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications. For those who do, further consideration and selection will be based on panel assessment of the Selection Criteria, also listed below. Applicants are required to address each of the Selection Criteria on a separate sheet, describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education, and/or awards or recognition they have received relevant to each criteria described below, and any related considerations. Be sure to include your name and the announcement number at the top of each additional page.
Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the following selection criteria (maximum of 100 points):
a. Education: (15 points)
A University degree in Finance, Business Administration, or other relevant discipline is required.
b. Work Experience/Knowledge and Skills: (50 points)
At least ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in the development
and planning of program budgets is required. Work experience within an international donor organization is preferred. As a Budget Analyst, the successful candidate will use his or her extensive budget knowledge, skills, and experience to develop and manage an effective budget planning, management, and tracking system. The Budget Analyst must be able to work with minimum supervision. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience in budgeting and financial management, and an extensive knowledge of the Federal Budget system. S/he will have extensive and proven working knowledge in formulating and analyzing budgets. It is essential that the Budget Analyst have excellent management, interpersonal, and team building skills. The incumbent must have extensive knowledge of planning and managing budgets in a US or international development/donor organization. Familiarity with the Foreign Assistance Framework is highly desirable.
c. Communication/computer Skills: (15 points)
English language writing and speaking proficiency, good organizational skills and attention to detail, excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft PowerPoint, and the ability to use internet search engines to facilitate information gathering and research is required.
d. Past Experience: (20 points)
Applicants must list at least three references, and provide current contact information, preferably both E-mail addresses and a telephone number. The Selection Committee will conduct reference checks on all applicants who meet the required minimum qualifications, by contacting references listed in the application, as well as other individuals who are found to be familiar with the applicant’s work.
F. TERM OF PERFORMANCE:
The term of the contract will be for one (1) year from on/about December 2009 to on/about December 2010. Based upon contractor performance, continued Mission requirements and the continued availability of funds, the contract may be extended annually to a maximum of four (4) more years. Within 2 weeks after written notice from the Contracting Officer that all clearances have been received, or unless another date is specified by the Contracting Officer in writing, the incumbent shall proceed to Islamabad, Pakistan to perform the above services, which may be extended upon mutual agreement and subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds. This position has been classified as equivalent to a GS-14 position in the USG Civil Service. The actual salary of the successful candidate will be negotiated depending on qualifications and previous salary history.
In addition, Islamabad has a 20% Post Differential allowance and 35% Danger Pay, housing, and other benefits per USAID regulations. Basic household furnishings will be available in quarters to be provided by USAID. FICA and federal income tax will be withheld by USAID. Pakistan is a no-dependent post.
G. MEDICAL AND SECURITY CLEARANCE:
The selected applicant must be able to obtain security and medical clearances. The US Citizens should get USG Secret Level of clearance and Third Country Nationals should be able to obtain an employment authorization. For medical clearances, the US Citizens should obtain Department of State Class I Medical Clearance and Third Country Nationals should obtain Post Medical Clearance, issued by US Embassy Pakistan Health Unit.
H. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES:
As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the benefits and allowances listed in this section. [NOTE:A contractor meeting the definition of a U.S. Resident Hire PSC, shall be subject to U.S. Federal Income Tax (including differentials and allowances), but shall not be eligible for any fringe benefitsexcept contributions for FICA, health insurance, and life insurance].
1. BENEFITS:
o Employer’s FICA and Medicare Contribution*
o Contribution toward Health & life insurance
o Pay Comparability Adjustment
o Eligibility for Worker's Compensation
o Annual & Sick Leave
o Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service as per post policy
*Note: If a US citizen or US resident (Green Card holder), the Contractor’s salary will be subject to employee’s FICA and Medicare contribution.
2. ALLOWANCES (If Applicable)*:
(1) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120)
(2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)
(3) Post Allowance (Section 220)
(4) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230)
(5) Post Differential (Chapter 500)
(6) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) and
(7) Danger Pay (Section 650)
(8) Education Allowance (Section 270)
(9) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)
(10)Education Travel (Section 280)
* Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas).
3. FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are required to pay Federal Income Taxes, FICA, and Medicare.
I. CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) or ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) PERTAINING TO PSCs:
AAPDs and CIBs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contract. Those documents can be found at this website:
http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/cib/subject.html#psc
J. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs:
Forms outlined below can found at
http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/psc_solicitations.html
1. Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612.
2. Medical History and Examination for Foreign Service Form (DS-1843) **
3. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86) **
4. Finger Print Card (FD-258). **
** Forms 2 through 4 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job.
K. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Qualified individuals are requested to submit:
A U.S government SF-171 or OF-612 which is available at the USAID website:
http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/forms.asp, or at Federal Offices. Applicant’s CVs may also be included as an attachment.
All applications should be submitted electronically to:
Attention: Leila Alikadic
Human Resources Manager
USAID/Pakistan
C/o U.S. Embassy
Diplomatic Enclave
Islamabad, Pakistan
To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application and on the subject line of cover letter. The highest ranking applications may be selected for an interview. Applicants may submit an application against this solicitation at any time but prior to September 19, 2009, unless revised.
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