USAID/Ukraine Solicitation for a Project Management Specialist (Infrastructure), FSN-10

Solicitations open to:               Ukrainian Nationals (Residency/Ukrainian Work Permit)

Solicitation No.:                         720-121-23-R-10038

Position Title:                             Project Management Specialist (Infrastructure) 

Issuance date:                            September 18, 2023 

Closing date and time:              October 2, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. Kyiv Time

Work hours:                                40 hours (Full time)

Position Grade:                          FSN-10

Market Value:                            Basic Annual Rate (in U.S. Dollars): $32,180 - $41,841 In accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of USAID/Ukraine. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

Place of Performance:             Kyiv, Ukraine

Period of Performance:           Five-Year Period of Performance with possibility extension

Security Level Required:         Facility Access

STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

This position serves as a Project Management Specialist - Infrastructure in USAID Ukraine’s Office of Economic Growth (OEG) as part of the Office of Critical Infrastructure (OCI). The specialist plays a lead role in developing USAID/Ukraine projects in designated infrastructure disciplines, including water, energy, roads and vertical structures, and monitors work progress and prepares reports and other key documents for the team lead of the OCI, program team leaders, and the Office Director. This is a mid-level professional position, playing an important technical role in the design, analysis, project development, project management and data collection for USAID/Ukraine designated infrastructure activities.

The specialist establishes professional contacts and develops and maintains cordial working relationships with mid- level officials in both the public and private sectors, including Government of Ukraine (GoU) officials, industry and business representatives, consultants, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other donor agencies. In this capacity the specialist has specific project development and management responsibilities. Working under direct supervision of the OCI office director or his/her designee, this position serves as a project manager for one or more key infrastructure activities. This is a professional project management specialist position that requires hands-on technical skills, well developed inter-personal and management abilities, sound judgment, and ability to develop credibility within USAID and with Ukrainian government counterparts.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

A. Project Management (35%)

In this role, the individual provides extensive technical support to design USAID/Ukraine’s infrastructure projects that meet Mission priorities, goals, and objectives. The project designs will be based on review of GoU policies, priorities and discussions with mid-level officials from the appropriate ministries, including Ministry of Infrastructure, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Communities and Territories Development, Ministry of Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories, Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and with representatives from within the Office of Economic Growth, other Agency technical offices, to include Program and Project Development Office.

The individual designs and directs the Office of Critical Infrastructure strategies in capacity building, technical assistance, and training initiatives to advance and facilitate designated sector initiatives based on previous experience, review of existing USAID/Ukraine programs and those of other donors, in consultation with GoU officials, other donors and organizations. The individual communicates infrastructure programs goals and acquires and delivers relevant narratives, data, and reports regarding the progress of activities and programs.

The individual manages projects to advance the Mission’s programs by coordinating efforts of stakeholders, preparing scopes of work for various activities, and managing schedule, labor, and financial resources. Gathers technical information and provides assistance in the preparation of document packages for requests for proposals (RFP), evaluation and selection of implementers for various sector projects.

The individual serves as the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR), or Activity Manager, or serves as alternate, for one or more infrastructure projects and/or project components in OCI’s portfolio. Responsibilities include directing the work of implementing partners; monitoring and reporting on work progress; monitoring budgets, reviewing, and approving invoicing, assessing performance, and overseeing project close-out and transfer to GoU. The individual prepares a variety of construction and project monitoring and planning reports for the OCI, as required, and plays an active role in the development, implementation, and evaluation of Office of Economic Growth’s growing and evolving infrastructure program.

The position entails management of one or more infrastructure projects, including detailed technical information gathering, project planning, design and implementation, project performance monitoring, reporting and close-out. The position requires initiative and the exercise of independent judgment in activity planning, problem identification, and required follow-up actions. The individual interacts with engineers and project managers from a wide variety of contractors, advisors, and identified host country counterparts. The individual also coordinates with project implementing offices to translate recommendations into effective action plans. The individual must properly keep track of documents for official files, information records and database management for projects. In this position the individual participates in meetings constituted for review and appraisal of projects and providing technical input on various issues with the assigned infrastructure projects; interact with key Ukrainian ministries, counterparts, and project implementation partners. Performing functions related to new project design/development to orient project focus in priority areas and areas of emerging needs. - Participates in a variety of technical analysis; developing cost estimates, design criteria, institutional capacity assessments, equipment requirement projections, and training needs; provides technical and financial review and analysis of assigned projects, assess achievement of physical and financial targets, provides appropriate performance remedial recommendations to Office of Economic Growth management.

Drafts and/or reviews Office of Economic Growth and Office of Critical Infrastructure documentation related to the assigned portfolio activities regarding planning, implementation, and monitoring; as well as drafting/reviewing reports for USAID/Washington related to the assigned projects.

Reviews contracts/agreements in consultation with the Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA) and provides guidance to and oversight of contractor actions concerning project procurement and the use of project funded assets.

B. Contract/Agreement Management (35%)

The individual is responsible for contract/agreement management and providing technical guidance, coordination and monitoring to implementing partner staff for assigned infrastructure activities. The individual facilitates project coordination with contracting and contracted engineering personnel to drive projects to completion. The individual reviews project reports, visiting sites, and engaging in written and oral communications with project participants, and contractors; monitor work, reports on the implementing partner’s work progress; monitors budget, reviews and approve invoices; assess implementing partner’s performance; and oversee project closeout and transfer to GoU, as appropriate.

B. Project Monitoring/Evaluation (15%)

The individual prepares scopes of work for projects and evaluation teams; interacting with and providing necessary assistance to visiting consultants; prepare evaluation documentation; participate in preparation of an annual performance report, which summarizes the achievements and results of the activity and its impacts in achieving Mission objectives. The individual further participates in portfolio reviews and providing Mission Senior Management and interagency partners with programmatic updates when required and provides project and activity status and achievement updates as necessary to serve to enhance outreach and communication on activities related to assigned sector.

C. Program Strategy and Records Management (15%)

The individual maintains an up-to-date understanding of Ukrainian Government priorities and objectives in mining, water, electrical power, roads, and buildings. With the assistance of colleagues, collects, and analyze data to determine those areas in which USAID assistance would have the greatest impact. In this regard the individual must be able advice on ways to reconcile sometimes conflicting United States Government (U.S.G) and Ukrainian Government objectives and cultural propensities. The individual also develops and supports the dissemination and discussion of information concerning the Mission’s infrastructure programs through participation in seminars, workshops, and conferences. The individual keeps track of documents for official files, information records and database management for assigned sector projects. The individual maintains electronic files and hardcopy as required by USAID regulations.

The contractor is eligible for temporary duty (TDY) travel to the U.S., or to other Missions abroad, to participate in the "Foreign Service National" Fellowship Program, in accordance with USAID policy.

Supervisory Relationship: Day to day technical guidance/supervision is provided by the team lead for the Office of Critical Infrastructure and/or his/her designee. Employees are expected to work independently after receiving general guidance, to exercise initiative in identifying tasks that need to be accomplished and to develop approaches and methodologies.

Supervisory Controls: No supervision of other staff is anticipated.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not involve undue physical demand.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR EFFECTIVE PERFORMANCE:

Education: Minimum of bachelor’s degree in engineering in any of the listed discipline: civil, mechanical, electrical, energy, industrial, hydropower, construction, or other related engineering fields is required.

Prior Work Experience: A minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in project/contract management in of any of the specified engineering sectors that is civil, mechanical, electrical, energy, industrial, hydropower, structural, construction or construction management is required.

Language Proficiency: Level IV (fluent) English ability for reading, speaking, and writing is required; native facility in Ukrainian (Level IV).

EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS: 

The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. The Contracting Officer 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 Contracting Officer 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 Contracting Officer 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. The FAR provisions referenced above are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

The technical evaluation committee may conduct reference checks, including references from individuals who have not been specifically identified by the offeror, and may do so before or after a candidate is interviewed.

Selection Process and Basis of Evaluation: Offerors who meet the minimum education and work experience qualification requirements will be further evaluated through review of the offeror’s submitted required documents (see points below) and ranked based on the evaluation and selection factors. A competitive range may be established of the highest-ranked offerors, who may be further evaluated through technical/language tests, interviews, and reference checks to determine the most qualified/highest-ranked offeror. Reference checks may be conducted with individuals not provided by the offeror, and without prior notification to 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 offeror at the conclusion of evaluations. 

40 points – Knowledge: The individual must be able to demonstrate knowledge of civil or electrical engineering, particularly in the Ukraine context, and a clear understanding of the policy, regulatory and organizational issues that are involved in various sectors related to infrastructure.

60 points – Skills and Abilities: Individual must have the ability to organize, analyze, interpret and evaluate information regarding infrastructure facilities and services including mining, hydrocarbons, power generation, transmission, and distribution, natural resources, vertical structures, and transportation. Ability to assume project management of engineering projects and to manage contractors to complete that work. The ability to communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing, with all levels of personnel, both within USAID and outside are needed. The ability to prepare meaningful written reports and presentations for various purposes and function as part of a team is needed. Individuals must have competency in using Microsoft Office Suite software including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Project and familiarity in using engineering trade software is required.

TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS: 100 points

HOW TO APPLY:

Eligible Offerors are requested to submit a complete application package which must include all the required documents in English electronically to kyivvacancies@usaid.gov with Subject line: Project Management Specialist (Infrastructure) (720-121-23-R-10038).

ANY/ALL application submissions received after the closing date will not be considered.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

1. Cover Letter: A memo or email that outlines how your qualifications and experience meet the selection criteria.

2. Application for Employment (DS-174): The form can be downloaded from this link https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds174.pdf.  

Offerors must thoroughly complete the DS-174 form in English and are advised to include all of their current and previous work experience related to this position. Offerors may use continuation pages to further explain their relevant work experience, if needed. AND;

3. Current Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV): The CV/resume must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the applications in accordance with the stated technical evaluation criteria, listed above.

IMPORTANT:

IN ORDER TO HAVE YOUR APPLICATION CONSIDERED, YOU MUST SUBMIT ALL THREE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS. IF YOU OMIT ANY OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, COVER PAGE, CV or DS-174 FORM, YOUR APPLICATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Note:

• This vacancy is open to Ukrainian Nationals (Residency/Ukrainian Work Permit Required).
• Applications with insufficient, incomplete and inconsistent information to make a determination will not be considered. 
• No in-person appointments or telephone calls will be entertained.
• Offerers who are applying for this position must fully meet the education requirement (graduated and degree and/or diploma already received) as specified.  At the time of applications, candidates must also meet in full the experience requirement. 
• Short-listed candidates will be requested to provide educational documents such as degrees, diplomas, certificates and other pertinent documents (passport, proof of residency or work permit) as needed. Failure to provide the required documentation will result in the rejection of their application from further consideration.
• The Agency retains the full right to cancel or amend the solicitation and associated actions at any time. 

BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES: 

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a CCN PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances in accordance to the Mission Policy:

BENEFITS

• Health and Life Insurance coverage: Provided under the Compensation Plan.
• Defined Contribution Plan: Upon separation, a lump sum benefit equal to 12% of the basic salary earned for the duration worked under the appointment.  

ALLOWANCES (as applicable)

• Meal Allowances: The annual amount is $853 for employees working on a full-time basis.  
• Family Allowances: The mission provides a child allowance. Grants amounts are subject to change as determined by the Ukrainian State Budget Law. 
• Unique Conditions of Work Allowances/ Benefits: 10% of Basic Rate Additional information may be provided to the selected offeror at the time of the salary offer.  

TAXES:

Taxes apply and are deductible as per the Ukrainian government regulations.

USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs:

USAID regulations and policies governing CCN and TCN PSC awards are available at these sources:

USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix J, “Direct USAID Contracts With a Cooperating Country National and with a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar  

Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms.  

Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract award as described below:

LINE ITEMS

Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs 

USAID Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives (AAPD-20-08): Leave and Holidays for CCNs and TCNs, available at https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs/aapd-20-08

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 

PSC Ombudsman:

The PSC Ombudsman serves as a resource for any Personal Services Contractor who has entered into a contract with the United States Agency for International Development and is available to provide clarity on their specific contract with the agency. Please visit our page for additional information: https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman.

FAR Provisions Incorporated by Reference

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO):

The U.S. Mission in Ukraine provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, or transgender status), national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, religion, marital or parental status, veteran status, membership in an employee organization, political affiliation, or involvement in protected equal employment opportunity (EEO) activity. USAID/Ukraine also strives to achieve equal employment opportunities in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs.

The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation. Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.