I. GENERAL INFORMATION
1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72012125R00002
2. ISSUANCE DATE: January 07, 2025
3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: February 05, 2025 (11:59 p.m. EST)
4. POSITION TITLE: Infrastructure Advisor (Recovery & Reconstruction)
5. MARKET VALUE: $124,331-$182,584 per annum, equivalent to FS-02. 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: Kyiv, Ukraine
8. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret
9. STATEMENT OF DUTIES
BASIC FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION:
While Ukraineโs number one, immediate priority is - and must be - to win the war with Russia, Ukraine must also focus on building a plan for recovery and the means to reconstruct after the hostilities end. Since Ukraineโs independence, USAID has been one of its closest and most trusted development partners and has remained steadfast in its support for Ukraine when Russia launched its full-scale invasion. USAIDโs influence has increased as programs and budget have grown exponentially. Ukraine faces many significant challenges in re-establishing the infrastructure that has been destroyed by the war with Russia, and in developing infrastructure for economic growth and recovery. With this consideration, USAID/Ukraine is seeking a Reconstruction and Recovery Advisor to join the Office of Critical Infrastructure (OCI).
OCI has a dynamic portfolio including reconstruction and recovery policy and programming. OCIโs engineering and construction expertise has allowed it to play a prominent role within the US Government interagency as it considers the appropriate strategic policy and technical approach to advance and support Ukraineโs recovery and reconstruction. Individuals seeking to serve as an advisor must be subject matter on infrastructure development and public financing. The position requires an individual who demonstrates initiative and the ability to manage competing work priorities and the demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently and as a member of diverse teams. The position requires a professional with demonstrated leadership, team building and interpersonal skills. Ideally, the individual will have a broad knowledge of the U.S. Government experience at the technical and management level and excellent understanding of construction, quality control, and project management, as well as a strong familiarity with Federal Acquisition Regulations and respective assistance policies.
The individual must have the ability to provide formal and informal leadership within a team, working effectively within and across agencies and stakeholders, to build consensus; judgment in planning and carrying out key functions as well as ability to adapt to uncertainty; ability to work within short timeframes; and adapt approaches as necessary; superior written and verbal communication skills; and ability to work effectively and constructively in a multicultural team under significant performance pressures. The individual should have a balanced knowledge of infrastructure management and program financing. They should have high energy and feel comfortable coordinating projects with government and private sector partners. Political acumen and knowledge of construction and contracting methodology will be a plus. Though neither advisor will immediately assume supervisory responsibilities upon assuming the position, both may assume supervisory responsibilities depending on funding recovery needs.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The recovery and reconstruction advisor is a planning visionary. They understand Ukraineโs recovery challenges (estimated at $419 Billion USD) and can understand how USAID can leverage infrastructure engineering expertise to fast track economic and social recovery. This position will likely work across multiple sectors including - but not limited to - energy, transportation, health, education, housing, and municipal or other government infrastructure. A heavy emphasis will be placed on (1) strategic planning related to infrastructure priorities and barriers to infrastructure reconstruction, (2) attracting private investment and financing for infrastructure, (3) leveraging public investment from Ukrainian sources and international donors, and (4) coordinating planning and program implementation within the U.S. interagency, across Ukrainian government institutions, and with the international community. This will require the ability to work expertly across disciplines such planning, financing and investment, public and corporate governance, engineering and construction, and project management to advance infrastructure reconstruction from the project level up to the policy and enabling environments levels.
The advisor performs the below duties and responsibilities with limited guidance from the Engineering and Infrastructure Team Lead and/or the Office of Critical Infrastructure Director, or his/her designee for the assigned area of responsibility (described below). Additionally, as the individual will take on an high level of responsibility for management and coordination of infrastructure activities, planning, and representation in his/her area of responsibility, the incumbent will:
Portfolio Management and Coordination: 25%
With diverse teams, engage in the design of new activities, particularly for reconstruction programming; and participate in workshops, activity refinement, and technical evaluations; all which may require travel to the field or outside the country. Lead the monitoring of the effectiveness and appropriateness of recovery in changing economic and political contexts, including conducting in-person or virtual site visits to assess infrastructure quality, impact, and evidence of sustainability.Contribute to or oversee (and remain informed about) the development of new literature and ongoing research related to infrastructure and economic recovery.Provide administrative direction in terms of broadly defined missions or functions. Independently plans, designs and carries out projects, studies, and programs. Results of the work are considered technically authoritative. Reports effectively to the office director or other mission leadership.
Serving as an AOR/COR and Activity Manager 25%
Become certified and serve as an Agreement Officerโs Representative/Contracting Officerโs Representative (AOR/COR) as outlined in ADS Reference 302mar. AOR/CORs are responsible for all related requirements in the COR designation letter and the AOR designation letter.Confirm that all delivered works are up on agency and mission quality standards as well as engineering best industry practices. Provide expertise on delivering high standard products that reflect USAIDโs reputation as a good faith partner who makes high level impacts. Conduct site visits to confirm the potential of existing project deliverables or validate potential construction or infrastructure projects.
Policy and Guidance: 20%
USAID/Ukraine Technical Expert: 20%
Guide interventions within USAID/Ukraine activities and provide technical assistance and support to USAID and USG colleagues, and cooperating agencies on issues related to transportation, construction, and reconstruction policies. Understand the nexus of construction to Ukraineโs economic and social recovery, as well as U.S. foreign policy interests. Develop and deliver infrastructure development guidance materials such as training, reports, case studies, or other media as requested or identified.Maintain up-to-date, expert-level knowledge of the organizations engaged in recovery and reconstruction activities.
General: 10%
Consistently model behaviors with a commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive work environment free of discrimination, bias, unfairness, exclusion, offensive behaviors, and harassment of any kind. Contribute to a collaborative, respectful, and professional work environment by demonstrating partnership and teamwork to accomplish team, division, office, and Bureau objectives. Participate in workplace efforts to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, including those related to mission programs, partners, staffing, professional development, and other key areas. Work in rapidly changing, high-pressure situations that often exceed normal business hours.
SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP:
The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Director of the Office of Critical Infrastructure for USAID/Ukraine, or her/his designee.
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:
This individual will be responsible for supervising work of four local team members.
10. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens only
11. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested may involve physical demands such as accessing and movement in an active construction site.
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/Prior Work Experience:
Bachelorโs degree from a U.S. or internationally recognized institution in urban planning and development, business, finance, engineering (preference to civil, environmental, or mechanical), law and policy, management, or other related fields plus at least eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience related to infrastructure development, operations and management, engineering, and/or construction.
INCLUDING, a minimum of three (3) years of international experience.
OR
Masterโs degree from a U.S. or internationally recognized institution in urban planning and development, business, finance, engineering (preference to civil, environmental, or mechanical), law and policy, management, or other related fields plus at least six (6) years of progressively responsible experience related to infrastructure development, operations and management, engineering, and/or construction.
INCLUDING, a minimum of three (3) years of international experience.
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 offerorโs 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.