Solicitation for US/TCN Personal Services Contractor (PSC) for Malaria Advisor
Added: Apr 06, 2016 4:08 am Solicitation No.: SOL-695-16-000005Issuance Date: April 06, 2016Closing Date/Time: May 06, 2016 at 5:30 pm (Kigali Time)SUBJECT: Solicitation for US/TCN Personal Services Contractor (PSC) for Malaria AdvisorLadies/Gentlemen:The United States Government, represented by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications from qualified U.S. Citizens, U.S Resident Aliens or Third Country Nationals to provide personal services as described in this solicitation. USAID/Rwanda anticipates awarding one contract as a result of this solicitation, subject to availability of funds.Submissions shall be in accordance with the instructions provided in this solicitation, at the place and time specified. Interested applicants must submit all the materials required by the solicitation such as (but not limited to):(i) A signed U.S. government AID 302-3 which is available at the USAID website http://www.usaid.gov/rwanda/partnership-opportunities(ii) The applicant's detailed CV and a cover letter of application; and(iii) Tee (3) references, who are not family members or relatives, with telephone and email contacts.A full solicitation can be found at http://www.usaid.gov/rwanda/partnership-opportunities.Electronic submission is authorized and the most preferred method of submission. Electronic application packages should be submitted by email to: KIGALIHR@USAID.GOV. Please quote the solicitation number and position title of this solicitation on the subject line of your email application. Be sure to include the solicitation number at the top of each of the additional pages.POINT OF CONTACTHuman Resources Office, Tel: 0252 596 400; Ext. 2605To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application and as the subject line of the cover letter. Highly ranked applications may be selected for an interview.Applications must be received no later than the date and time specified on this cover letter. Please note that USAID/Rwanda does not accept responsibility for delays in transmission or receipt of applications. Applications received after that date and/or time specified may not be considered.USAID/Rwanda reserves the right to award, or not award a contract as a result of this solicitation. This solicitation does not represent a commitment on behalf of USAID. Additionally, the US Government is not obligated to pay any costs associated with the preparation of an application in response to this solicitation.Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted; no response will be sent to unsuccessful Applicants. Attachment to Solicitation No. SOL-695-16-0000051. SOLICITATION NO.: SOL-696-15-0000052. ISSUANCE DATE: April 06, 20163. CLOSING DATE/TIME: May 06, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. (Kigali Time)4. POSITION TITLE: Malaria Advisor5. MARKET VALUE: Position is classified at GS-13 with annual salary range of $73,846 to $96,004. The actual salary will be negotiated based on qualifications, work experience and previous salary history of the successful candidate.6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two Years. Level of effort is full time (40 hours per week)7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Bujumbura, Burundi8. SUPERVISION: Contractor will report to the USAID Representative9. SECURITY ACCESS: US Citizen - Secret Level; Third Country Nationals - Employment Authorization10. MEDICAL CLEARANCE: The apparently successful applicant shall be required to obtain a Department of State Medical clearance to Live and/or work in Burundi as a pre-condition for employment and/or residence in Burundi.11. WHO MAY APPLY: U.S. Citizens and Third Country Nationals (TCNs)Please note that currently only adult dependents employed at the Embassy are authorized at post.INTRODUCTIONThe Republic of Burundi is a land-locked country located in the Great Lakes region of Central Africa. With an estimated 2015 population of 11.1 million, and a life expectancy of just 51 years, it remains one of the ten poorest countries in the world. 90% of households are agricultural with average land plots of 0.2 hectares per family. Conic malnutrition remains prevalent and many rural households are food insecure. Malaria is considered a major public health problem in Burundi and places a heavy burden on the health system. According to Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) statistics, malaria is responsible for up to 60% of all outpatient visits and up to 50% of deaths in health facilities among children under five years of age. Almost the entire population of Burundi lives in areas at risk of malaria.The most up-to-date information on the status of malaria prevention and control interventions in Burundi comes from the 2010 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), and the 2012 Malaria Indicator Survey (MIS). These surveys showed that only 14% of children under five with a fever in the two weeks preceding the survey received an artemisinin-based combination therapy within 24 hours.At the same time, the use of preventive measures is increasing and the Government of Burundi has a goal to achieve and maintain universal net coverage with one ITN per two people. Burundi has made progress on key indicators with dramatic increases in the number of children who slept under Long Lasting Impregnated nets (LLINs) from 8% in 2005 (MICS) to 59% in 2010 (DHS) and to 63% in 2012 (MIS). The use of these nets for pregnant women increased in the same proportion as well. Burundi is actively looking for strategies to promote preventative treatment for pregnant women and other at-risk segments of the population.USAID's programs in country work to support Burundi's third national malaria strategy promulgated in November 2013 (Plan Strategic National de Lutte Contre le Paludisme). USAID and the Global Fund together provide 90% of malaria control funding in Burundi.Burundi is currently designated as a post authorizing only adult dependents employed at the Embassy.BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITIONThe Malaria Program Advisor shall provide leadership, guidance and overall direction on the development management and execution of the Malaria Control program in Burundi. The Advisor shall liaise with backstops for the program in USAID Washington and USAID personnel working within and overseeing the Mission's activities related to malaria control. These responsibilities include regular contact and collaboration with counterparts in Burundi's National Malaria Control Program and other government ministries and agencies, as well as in a wide range of civil society and private organizations, other donor and international organizations, and other United States Government (USG) entities working in malaria prevention and control. The Malaria Program Advisor shall exercise extensive independent judgment in planning and carrying out tasks, in representing the USG in critical technical and policy forums, in resolving problems and conflicts, and in taking steps necessary to meet deadlines. The Malaria Program Advisor will also perform inherently governmental functions such as officially representing USAID at functions and on various national and international technical and policy forums; approving policy documents; managing contracts and grants; budgeting; and developing planning documents and work plans.The Malaria Advisor will be a key member of the USAID/Burundi health team and collaborate with USAID personnel managing the overall health portfolio in an integrated fashion, and provide technical and administrative guidance as needed. The incumbent shall exercise substantial judgment.The Malaria Advisor responsibilities include: A. Management of Activity Implementation (40%)The incumbent will be responsible for the overseeing the management of ongoing malaria control projects currently being implemented by USAID tough provision of technical guidance, management support, the development of annual work plans and routine project monitoring. This includes but is not limited to malaria prevention and control activities such as behavior change and communication activities, bed net purchase and distribution tough the existing health services and at the community level, antimalarial drug purchase and distribution tough the existing health services, IPT coverage and the diagnosis and treatment of malaria in health facilities and at the community and facility levels, and the entomology monitoring conducted under the program. The Malaria Program Advisor shall manage and oversee services and deliverables provided by contractors and grantees, in accordance with USAID program management regulations and procedures, and practices. The Malaria Advisor will serve as the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) or Agreement Officer's Representative (AOR) for malaria activities in Burundi and will, with the Malaria Specialist, be responsible for monitoring and reporting the results of activities. He/she will be responsible for ensuring that malaria control activities and other USAID/Burundi-funded health activities are integrated and mutually reinforcing. He/she may serve as an Alternate COR/AOR for those activities in order to facilitate this level of integration. B. Program Planning, Design and Reporting (20%)The incumbent, working in collaboration with the Global Fund, other donors, the NMCP and USAID staff in the U.S., will also be responsible for developing annual Malaria Operational Plans in line with USAID malaria control objectives and goals. The incumbent will monitor obligations, commitments, expenditures and results against targets. The incumbent will also be responsible for monitoring and reporting the results of all USAID malaria control activities in line with USAID targets, as well as ensure that USAID partners develop project monitoring plans and report in a timely manner on their activities. C. Partner Relationships and Coordination (20%)Successful performance in this position depends upon establishing and maintaining productive collaborative relationships with a wide range of partners and stakeholders, the MOH, provincial governments, World Bank, Global Fund, WHO, UNICEF, other Donors, and NGOs dealing with issues focusing on malaria. The Advisor shall, under the guidance and direction of the USAID Country Representative and the Health Team Leader develop and maintain relationships with these partners and stakeholders in order to effectively assure that all of USAID's activities are complementary and enhance all other malaria activities being implemented in Burundi. The incumbent will participate in meetings hosted by the NMCP on malaria. D. Coordination with Other USAID/Health Personnel (20%)The incumbent will be required to communicate regularly and work jointly with other members of the USAID/Washington Global Health Bureau, USAID/Burundi Health team, and other USAID health officers focused on malaria. The incumbent is expected to work closely and collaboratively with the Program Specialist in Malaria to jointly manage the malaria portfolio.SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESThe incumbent must possess skills in successfully managing public health programs, a strong understanding of budgeting, management, and reporting, and possess an understanding of the social, economic and cultural determinants and implications of the epidemic in Burundi or other African countries. Specifically, the Advisor shall work with the Malaria Program Specialist to: 1. Ensure that financial and technical reports on the USAID malaria control program in Burundi are prepared and submitted as required.2. Ensure that all activities are consistent with internationally accepted best practices, follow USAID malaria control policies, and relevant to the specific malaria epidemiology of Burundi;3. Assist the USAID/Burundi Program Officer to ensure full accountability and value for money of funds provided by USAID;4. Collaborate with senior staff of the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) and other partners, such as the Global Fund (GF), WHO, UNICEF, World Bank (WB) and NGOs and FBOs to design, plan and implement malaria prevention and control activities consistent with the malaria control coverage needs identified by the strategy and plans of the NMCP and USAID.5. Coordinate with other partners and support efforts to address malaria control delivery gaps and help build technical and managerial capacity within the NMCP at the national, district and lower levels;6. Provide technical support to all partners and managerial support as needed during the designing and implementation phases of the project to ensure the quality of interventions supported and that programmatic targets are met;7. Ensure that malaria activities are integrated into overall USAID-supported health activities, particularly in addressing issues of maternal and child health and to coordinate these activities with the NMCP and MOH to avoid duplication of effort and programming gaps; 8. Work with the NMCP and other partners to develop and execute a monitoring and evaluation plan to be implemented tough existing MOH systems and existing USG supported mechanisms. Carry out monitoring and evaluation visits to implementation sites to ascertain all quantitative and qualitative data is collected properly and ensure programmatic quality and value for money are maintained.9. Perform other tasks as assigned and requested by the USAID/Burundi Senior Health Team Leader and the USAID/Burundi Country Representative.I. QUALIFICATION, EXPERIENCE AND EVALUATION CRITERIAThe following technical evaluation criteria will be used to evaluate the applications. These criteria will be assigned values from a total of 100 points set forth below.a) Education 10 pointsb) Work Experience 50 pointsc) Skills and Abilities 20 pointsd) Language 20 pointsTOTAL 100 pointsThe technical criteria will be evaluated and scored by the technical evaluation committee.Additional guidance regarding the technical evaluation criteria are set forth below.1) Education: (10 points) An advanced degree (masters or higher) in public health, nutrition, reproductive health, MCH, medicine, or other field that affords an understanding of public health initiatives is required.2) Work Experience: (50 points) At least seven years of progressively responsible experience managing and implementing public health programs, working with program managers, policymakers, and a broad array of health service providers and community leaders with at least tee years of experience in a supervisory role is required.The applicant must demonstrate a proven track record of living and working in developing countries. Applicant must exhibit the technical skills and knowledge in health to successfully perform the technical leadership duties described above under Major Responsibilities.Experience applying effective leadership and communication skills is essential. Regional experience in Africa is preferred but not required.3) Skills and abilities: (20 points) Demonstrated ability to facilitate meetings and make oral presentations logically and persuasively to senior officials and partners in a multi-cultural context. Able to use word processing, spreadsheet and database programs. Must have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to work constructively in a team setting, motivating team members and working to positive performance overall as a supervisor, supervisee, and team member.4) Language: (20 points) Applicant must demonstrate ability to communicate quickly, clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, in English and French. Fluent English speaking, reading and writing are required. French language professional proficiency based on the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) standards of level 3/3 (speaking/reading) is also required. Level 3 general professional proficiency is an ability to speak the language with sufficient structural accuracy and vocabulary to participate effectively in most formal and informal conversations and the ability to read within a normal range of speed and with almost complete comprehension.The successful candidate is expected to be able to express her/herself comfortably in meetings and other forums in both English and French.Professional Reference ChecksApplicants must provide at least tee references with current contact information, including preferably both e-mail addresses and a telephone numbers. The Personal Services Contract will be for (2) years, with possible extensions. Extensions will be contingent on the need for continued services, satisfactory performance and availability of funds.Required Summary StatementApplicants are required to address the above selection criteria in a summary statement attached to the application. This summary statement, must describe specifically and accurately what experience, training, education, and/or awards the applicant has received that are relevant to each selection factor above. The summary statement must include the name of the applicant and the announcement number at the top of each page. Failure to provide this summary statement may result in lower scores against the selection criteria above.II. CompensationThis position is classified at GS-13 scale. The actual salary of the successful candidate will be negotiated within that pay range depending on qualifications, work experience and previous earning history.A. Benefits and AllowancesAs a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a US/TCN PSC is normally authorized to receive benefits and allowances in accordance with the AIDAR Appendix D. [A contractor meeting the definition a U.S. Resident Hire PSC, shall be subject to U.S. Federal Income Tax, but shall not be eligible for any fringe benefits (except contributions for FICA, health insurance, and life insurance), including differentials and allowances].1. Benefits• Employee's FICA Contribution• Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance• Pay Comparability Adjustment• Annual Increase• Eligibility for Worker's Compensation• Annual and Sick Leave• Medevac Insurance• Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service• Cost of Travel to/from Post• Shipment of Unaccompanied Baggage• Shipment and Storage of Household Effects• Shipment of POV (Privately Owned Vehicle)2. Allowances (if applicable, as found in the Standardize Regulations (DSSR) - sections cited below):• Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120)• Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)• Post Allowance (Section 220)• Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230)• Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)• Educational Allowance (Section 270)• Educational Travel (Section 280)• Post Differential (Chapter 500)• Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) and• Danger Pay (Section 650)III. Applicable Policy Directives and Regulations Pertaining to PSCs(1) Acquisition and Assistant Policy Directives (AAPDs) or Contract Information Bulletins (CIBs) contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Those documents can be found at this websites: http://transition.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/cib/subject.html#psc(2) USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR) applicable to award and administration of USPSC resident hires is contained in AIDAR Appendix D and can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf. The link comprises of prescribed Contract Schedule, General Provisions as appropriate, as well as the FAR Clauses to be incorporated in full text and by reference.(3) Standard of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch can be accessed at: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2007-title5-vol3/pdf/CFR-2007-title5-vol3-part 2635.pdf or http://www.oge.gov/Laws-and-Regulations/Employee-Standards-of -Conduct/Employee-Standard-of-Conduct/B) List of Required Forms for PSCs• Forms outlined below can found at https://www.usaid.gov/rwanda/partnership-opportunities• Optional Form AID 302-3 Upon advice by the Contracting Officer that the applicant is the successful candidate:• Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet (AID 1420-17)• Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62)• Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86),• Finger Print Card (FD-258). ** (Available from the law enforcement offices or in USAID/WashingtonIV. Instructions to Applicants1. Interested applicants are requested to submit the following information:a) A recent CV or resume. The CV/resume must include sufficient relevant information to evaluate the application in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria and must contain the following information:(i) Personal Information: Full name, mailing address, email address, day and evening phone numbers, country of citizenship, highest federal civilian grade held (also give job series and dates held).(ii) Education: High school name, city and state, date of diploma or GED; colleges and universities name, city and state, majors, type and year of any degrees received.(iii) Work Experience: provide the following information for your paid and non-paid work experience related to the job for which you are applying (do not send job descriptions): job title (include series and grade if federal job), duties, and accomplishments, employer's name and address, supervisor's name and phone number, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours per week, salary. Indicate if we may contact your current supervisor.(iv) Other Qualifications: other pertinent information related to the qualifications required for the position, as noted above including job-related training courses (title and year), job-related skills; for example, other languages, computer software/hardware, tolls, machinery, typing speed, job-related certificates and licenses (current only), job-related honors, awards, and special accomplishments, for example, publications, memberships in professional or honor societies, leadership, activities, public speaking and performance as awards (give dates but do not send documents unless requested.b) Applicants are required to address the above selection criteria in a summary statement attached to the application. This summary statement, must describe specifically and accurately what experience, training, education, and/or awards the applicant has received that are relevant to each selection factor above. The summary statement must include the name of the applicant and the announcement number at the top of each page. Failure to address minimum selection and/or quality factors may result in your not receiving credit for all your pertinent experience, education, training, and awards. Broad general statements that are vague or lacking specificity will not be considered as effectively addressing particular selection criteria.c) Applicants are required to provide tee (3) references with complete contact information including email address and telephone numbers. The Applicant's references must be able to provide substantive information about the applicant's past performance and abilities. USAID/Rwanda reserves the right to obtain from previous employers relevant information concerning the applicant's pas performance and may consider such information in its evaluation.d) Applicants are required to submit a written cover letter of not more than one page.e) Applicants are required to submit Form AID 302-3 must be signed and those submitted unsigned will be rejected.2. Applicants should retain for their record copies of all enclosures that accompany their submissions.3. The solicitation number must be referenced on the application.4. Any attachments provided via email must be in or compatible with Microsoft Word Version 2010 or Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF) and not "Zipped."5. Highly ranked applicants may be interviewed in person or by phone or videoconference. Those applicants determined to be competitively ranked will also be evaluated on interview performance. A writing test and samples of past work may be required.[END OF SOLICITATION]
SOL-695-16-000005 US Agency for International Development Rwanda
4/6/16, 4:08 AM