USAID Presidents Malaria Initiative _PMI_ RESIDENT ADVISOR June 17 2008.pdf

USAID President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) RESIDENT ADVISOR

Office of Population, Health, and Nutrition (PHN) USAID/Zambia

SOLICITATION NO.: 08 - 06

ISSUANCE DATE: June 17, 2008 CLOSING DATE: July 18, 2008

Ladies/Gentlemen:

SUBJECT: Announcement of Solicitation for a PMI Resident Advisor, Office of Population, Health, and Nutrition (PHN), Lusaka, Zambia.

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications from qualified individuals interested in providing services as the USAID President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) Resident Advisor in Lusaka, Zambia.

Submittals shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified.

Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. All applications and the required documents should be submitted to:

Jeff Sharp, Executive Officer USAID/Zambia Plot No. 351 Independence Avenue P.O. Box 32481 Lusaka, Zambia

TELEPHONE NUMBER: (260)-211- 254303/6

FAX NUMBER: (260)-211-254532

E-MAIL ADDRESS: jsharp@usaid.gov (Jeff Sharp) with copies to mdeurwaarder@usaid.gov (Mwansa Deurwaarder)

Any questions on this solicitation may also be directed to: Jeff Sharp, Executive Officer at the above number or email.

Sincerely, Jeff Sharp Executive Officer

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 08 – 06

1. ISSUANCE DATE: June 17, 2008

2. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: July 18, 2008

3. POSITION TITLE: USAID President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) Resident

Advisor

4. MARKET VALUE:

The position is classified at the equivalent of a GS 14. The annual salary range is US$81,093.00 - $105,420.00. Final compensation will be based on individual’s salary and work history, experience and educational background.

5. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

Two years with an option to renew depending on the continuing need of the position and availability of funds

6. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Lusaka, Zambia

7. SECURITY ACCESS: Secret

8. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens or Third Country Nationals

USAID/Zambia seeks the services of a U.S. citizen or Third Country National to serve as the USAID PMI Resident Advisor located in Lusaka, Zambia for an initial period of twenty-four (24) months.

I. BACKGROUND

Malaria continues to be a major public health problem in Zambia, exacting its largest toll on children and pregnant women. It accounts for nearly 4.3 million clinical cases and an estimated 50,000 deaths per year and up to 20% of maternal mortality. Incidence rates have tripled over the past 30 years due to resistance to chloroquine, reduced mosquito control and decreased access to health care.

Zambia has made important progress is combating this disease over the past few years by changing to a more effective first-line treatment Artemisinin based Combination Therapy (ACT), revitalizing the indoor residual spraying (IRS) program, making preventive treatment available to pregnant women, and scaling up access to long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs).

USAID and USAID-funded partners assisted in drafting the National Malaria Strategic Plan and implementing key interventions to support this Plan including procuring and distributing Insecticide Treated Mosquito Nets targeted at pregnant women and children under five, strengthening diagnosis and treatment of malaria, reducing the risk of malaria during pregnancy through intermittent preventive therapy (IPT), and assisting the Ministry of Health (MOH) with its IRS strategy through insecticide procurement including protective equipment, training, and technical assistance.

The US Government, through USAID, is one of the largest donors in malaria in Zambia and has provided over $31 million in this area since 1999. Zambia was selected as a focus country under President Bush’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) in December 2006. From FY 2008, USAID/Zambia will have significantly more resources to scale up key malaria treatment, prevention, and control interventions.

USAID/ Zambia Organizational Structure

USAID/Zambia is one of the largest Mission programs in Africa and operates in close cooperation with the State Department and the Zambian Government (GRZ). The program budget for FY 2007 is over $152 million and covers a wide array of activities. Zambia’s daunting development agenda and rapidly changing environment requires advanced management and programming skills.

The PHN Office, comprised of eleven staff, manage a multifaceted program addressing maternal-child health, reproductive health/family planning, infectious diseases (HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria), health systems strengthening and human resources issues. Three approaches guide the overall program: “Zambians Taking Action for Health,” “Achievement and Maintenance of High Coverage for Key Health Interventions,” and ”Health Services Strengthened.”

The overall USAID/Zambia program is implemented by a staff of 101, including 14 U.S. direct hires (USDH), 8 personal service contractors (PSC) and other expatriate positions, and 79 Foreign Service National (FSN) employees.

Summary of Contractor’s Overall Responsibilities

The USAID PMI Resident Advisor is based in USAID/Zambia and shall provide leadership, guidance and overall direction on the development and execution of the PMI program in collaboration with the PMI CDC Resident Advisor. The USAID Advisor shall liaise with backstops for the PMI in USAID/Washington, counterparts in CDC/Atlanta, and USAID personnel working within and overseeing the Mission’s activities related to malaria control. These responsibilities include regular contact and collaboration with the counterparts at the MOH/National Malaria Control Center (NMCC) and other government ministries and agencies, as well as with a wide range of civil society and private organizations, and other donor and international organizations working in malaria prevention and control. The Advisor shall exercise independent judgment in planning and carrying out tasks, will represent the USG in technical and policy forums, and will take initiative in resolving problems and conflicts. The Advisor will also perform inherently governmental functions such as officially representing USAID at functions, approving policy documents, managing contracts and grants, budgeting, and developing and preparing planning documents and work plans.

The incumbent must possess public health program management experience, plus technical expertise in the area of malaria treatment, prevention and control. The incumbent must also have an understanding of the social, economic and cultural determinants and implications of the epidemic in Zambia and neighboring countries, as well as have the experience and skills required to help formulate the USG position on malaria and provide advice for important policy decisions as a key representative of the USAID/Zambia Mission.

The incumbent will report directly to the PHN Deputy Director.

II. SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The USAID PMI Resident Advisor provides professional leadership in malaria that is vital to the achievement of USAID/Z’s goal of improving the health status of Zambians. This involves the design, management and evaluation of PMI interventions that are critical elements in the overall development plans and of crucial importance to Zambia’s political and public health leaders. The Advisor is also responsible for conceptualizing country program health activities and developing appropriate results expected, milestones and action plans to effectively implement those activities related to malaria. Principal tasks include:

1. Collaborate with senior staff of the NMCC and other partners, such as the Global Fund (GF), WHO, UNICEF, World Bank (WB), Malaria Control & Evaluation Partnership in Africa (MACEPA), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), NGOs and Faith-Based Organizations (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 NMCC and PMI.

2. Ensure that all activities are consistent with internationally accepted best practices and relevant to the specific malaria epidemiology of Zambia. Works with all PHN team members to ensure that implementing partners and GRZ partners receive needed information on USAID regulations and policies, and are able to comprehend and comply with these regulations.

3. Coordinate with other partners and support efforts to address malaria control delivery gaps and help build technical and managerial capacity within the NMCC at the national, provincial, district, and community levels.

4. Provide programmatic direction and technical support as needed during the design and implementation phases of the project to ensure the quality of interventions supported and that program targets are met.

5. Work with contractors and partners to ensure that programmatic commodities are purchased in a timely and cost effective manner. Also, ensure that the absorptive capacity exists in implementation sites to receive, manage and distribute these items effectively.

6. Ensure that PMI activities are integrated into overall USAID-supported health activities and to coordinate these activities with the NMCC and MOH to avoid duplication of effort and programming gaps.

7. Assist the USAID Health team and USAID/Z’s Office of Financial Management to ensure full accountability and value for money of funds provided by the President’s Initiative on Malaria.

8. Assist the MOH and NMCC in ensuring effective communication and coordination between Roll Back Malaria and Global Fund partners, including donor agencies and other stakeholders working on malaria control.

9. Ensure effective coordination between MOH departments related to malaria prevention and control in Zambia. These departments include MOH Senior Management, NMCC, Maternal Newborn and Child Health, Reproductive Health, Nutrition, Clinical Care, HIV/AIDS, Health Management Information Systems, Health Education and Promotion, and others as appropriate.

10. Work with the NMCC and other partners to develop and execute a monitoring and evaluation plan to be implemented through 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.

11. Ensure that financial and technical reports especially the annual Malaria Operational Plan are prepared and submitted as required including contributing to the annual Operational Plans.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

The day-to-day management of the PMI activities is the responsibility of the USAID PMI Resident Advisor working with the CDC PMI Resident Advisor, the PHN staff, and the development partners responsible for implementing the PMI portfolio. The incumbent will be responsible for the following activities:

1. Activity Development and Design (25%)

The incumbent, working in collaboration with the NMCC and the USG PMI staff, will be responsible for providing strategic direction for activity development and design in line with PMI objectives and goals.

This will include but is not limited to case management of malaria in health facilities and at the community level, distribution of LLINs through health facilities, large-scale campaigns, intermittent preventive treatment of pregnant women, indoor residual spraying, and developing IEC materials to promote the use of these interventions.

2. Management of Activity Implementation (30%)

In collaboration with the NMCC, the Advisor shall manage and oversee services and deliverables provided by contractors and grantees, in accordance with USAID program management regulations, procedures, and practices. In collaboration with the USG PMI team, the incumbent will also be responsible for monitoring and reporting the results of all PMI activities. Activities include but are not limited to malaria prevention and control activities such as behavior change communication (BCC) activities, LLINs purchase and distribution through the existing health services and at the community level, antimalarial drug purchase and distribution through the existing health services, IPT coverage, the diagnosis and treatment of acute malaria, and the indoor residual spraying conducted under the initiative.

3. Partner Relationships (25%)

Successful performance in this position depends upon establishing and maintaining productive collaborative relationships with a wide range of partners and stakeholders, the MOH/NMCC, World Bank, Global Fund, WHO, UNICEF, other international donors, and NGOs dealing with issues focusing on malaria. The Advisor shall, therefore, develop and maintain relationships with these partners and stakeholders in order to effectively assure that all PMI activities are complementary and enhance all other malaria activities being implemented in Zambia. The incumbent will participate in meetings hosted by the

NMCC.

4. Coordination with Other PMI Personnel (10%)

The incumbent will be required to communicate regularly and work jointly with other members of the USAID/Washington Global Health Bureau, USAID/Z Health team, CDC/Zambia, and CDC Atlanta.

5. Monitoring and Evaluation (10%)

Monitoring and evaluation is a key component of the PMI. The Advisor shall be responsible for working with the USG PMI team in developing a monitoring and evaluation plan in line with the PMI targets, as well as ensuring that PMI partners develop project monitoring plans and submit reports in a timely manner.

It is also expected that the Advisor shall provide expert advice and practical experience in helping the MOH, the NMCC and other partners to monitor inputs and outcomes, progress towards RBM goals, and how to execute them jointly.

III. POSITION ELEMENTS

Knowledge:

• Knowledge and demonstrated senior-level strategic planning and management experience in leading malaria technical teams (especially prevention, treatment and control programs) and overseeing office operations.

• Expert knowledge and in-depth understanding of malaria issues affecting less-developed countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as an exceptional ability to translate knowledge into practice for resource limited settings.

• In-depth understanding of the issues affecting US Government malaria programs, both bilateral and multilateral, as well as recognized internal decision-making structures/processes.

• Ability to serve in the capacity of a professional coach and mentor, sharing technical and management skills with others.

• Ability to quickly identify new trends and challenges regarding malaria technical and programmatic issues, define their parameters, and develop innovative conceptual approaches to address the trends/challenges.

• Strong negotiation skills and ability to facilitate agreement among various partners to promote resolution of issues impeding successful implementation of a high-quality national malaria prevention, care, and treatment program.

• Exceptional conceptual abilities to define the PHN Office’s malaria priorities. Outstanding leadership, managerial, and organizational skills are required to direct, manage, and advance this multifaceted and comprehensive malaria program.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presentation skills.

Guidelines

The incumbent will exercise a high level of managerial and technical responsibility, judgment, and initiative, drawing upon written US Government malaria policies. In addition, the incumbent will also be routinely asked to utilize independent judgment to formulate policy and program recommendations for USAID and the overall USG Zambia PMI program.

COMPLEXITY

The position requires managing for results within USAID, in collaboration with MOH, PVOs, NGOs, and multi-national organizations. Decisions on management depend on a capability to identify and systematize otherwise diffuse issues and elements, including an understanding and assessment of complex economic, educational, cultural, and political constraints.

The work requires the continuing application of innovative and original thinking to the solution of a problem that resists resolution. To be effective, the incumbent must keep abreast of state-of-the-art developments in malaria and assess the applicability of new theories and techniques to current problems.

New information, new criteria, and new methods are developed by the incumbent as a result of his/her efforts to reduce the intensity of Zambia’s malaria problem.

RELATIONSHIPS

The USAID PMI Resident Advisor will serve as the lead for malaria within USAID/Zambia’s health team.

The Advisor, in collaboration with the PMI CDC Resident Advisor, shall oversee the planning, implementing, and monitoring of the PMI Initiative. S/he shall work with the PMI CDC Resident Advisor as a team in liaising with backstops for the USG PMI counterparts; USAID personnel working within and overseeing the Mission’s activities related to malaria control, and providing managerial and technical support to the National Malaria Control Centre (NMCC) Director and the staff and helping to build capacity within the NMCC.

In addition, the Advisor shall represent USAID and the USG on various national and international technical and policy forums. The incumbent will routinely interact with the senior management and technical advisors from the Ministry of Health, GFATM Principal Recipients, multilateral and bilateral donors (e.g., WHO, UNICEF, UNAIDS, UNFPA, JICA, DFID, CIDA, and SIDA), and foundations (e.g., Gates Foundation). Many of the incumbent’s contacts with senior officials outside of USAID will be to advance the quality and scope of key Malaria policy and technical initiatives. Interactions with donor senior officials and counterpart institutions will be required during strategy and work plan development/review and donor coordination processes. Incumbent is expected to maintain and expand good working relationships with these partners.

Qualifications

Advanced professional degree (MPH, MD, PhD/DrPH) required, with a specialization in at least one of the following areas: international public health, epidemiology, clinical medicine, or nursing. Specialized experience in malaria is required in areas including but not limited to vector control, clinical case management of malaria, and epidemic surveillance and forecasting.

The incumbent will have at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in designing, implementing and managing malaria and/or other health programs in developing countries, with a preference given to candidates with African experience.

Familiarity with details of the President’s Malaria Initiative and other USG supported Health programs.

Strong working knowledge of USAID operations, rules, regulations, procedures, and priorities required;

previous experience working directly for USAID is highly desirable.

Demonstrated technical leadership, program management, strategic planning, policy experience and problem solving skills working on complex projects in a highly sensitive environment are required.

Sound knowledge of the main technical and substantive issues related to malaria programs in Zambia and the region; and an understanding of Zambian social, cultural and political characteristics is desirable

Management skills required to develop and implement effective malaria prevention and treatment program activities involving financial and human resources. Administrative skills are required to assist in the oversight of cooperating agency technical advisors and institutional contractors.

Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with multiple partners, including host country government counterparts, NGO representatives, other collaborating partners/bilateral donors, the U.S. Embassy and other U.S. Government partners, and implementing partners.

Proven ability to work effectively as part of multisectoral and multidisciplinary teams.

Knowledge and skills in quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods; experience in designing and evaluating malaria activities in Africa. The incumbent must have proven skills in capacity building and mentoring local staff in a developing country.

Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook, Access, SPSS and other statistical software) are required for effectively operating in this position. Good computer skills are required to implement, analyze, and monitor, and manage activity goals, inputs, outcomes, and achievements, both program and impact.

English is the language spoken in Zambia; there are no other language requirements.

IV. EVALUATION CRITERIA

Applicants meeting the required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application, an interview process, reference checks. The evaluation criteria for this position are:

1. Education and Other Academic Training (10 pts)

A graduate degree in social science or public health and/or a medical degree with experience implementing malaria programs is required. Demonstrated broad technical knowledge and experience in malaria control program management and implementation in developing countries is required.

2. Professional Experience (35 pts)

A minimum of ten (10) years experience, with at least five (5) years residential experience in developing countries, managing public health and malaria programs.

Demonstrated technical leadership, strategic planning, analytical, and programmatic and fiscal managerial skills within the context of developing countries.

Strong working knowledge of USAID or other US Government Agency programming, processes, documentation, and business practices.

Vast experience and knowledge of other donor programs and donor coordination processes in malaria (e.g., GFATM, World Bank, Gates Foundation).

3. Technical Skills (35 pts)

Demonstrated technical knowledge of current theory and practice of at least one of the following areas related to malaria is required: (1) Malaria case management (2) Integrated Vector Management

(3) Malaria in pregnancy

Demonstrated effective ability to analyze malaria policies, epidemiological trends, and health service statistics and to apply those findings to the strategic planning, management, and implementation processes.

4. Interpersonal, Team Management, Communication and Computer Skills (20 pts)

Demonstrated experience in managing diverse teams and staff.

Demonstrated outstanding communication (verbal, written, presentation) and interpersonal skills (including conflict resolution skills).

Excellent computer skills: An applicant will not be considered if s/he is not fully functional in Windows, MS Outlook, word processing, and spreadsheet software. Full functionality in using the internet to solve problems and research information, such as USG and USAID regulatory guidance, best practices and latest trends relating to malaria and public health is required.

Demonstrated success in managing complex interagency operations/programs.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS: USAID reserves the right to obtain from previous employers relevant information concerning the applicant’s past performance and may consider such information in its evaluation.

V. TERMS OF APPOINTMENT

Subject to the availability of funds, this will be a two-year contract, with an option to extend, depending upon continuing need of the services.

The position has been classified at a US Government GS-14 level. The actual salary of the successful candidate will be negotiated within that range depending on qualifications and previous earnings history.

VI. LOGISTICAL ARRANGEMENTS

USAID/Zambia shall provide office space, and telephone/fax/e-mail (for communication with USAID officials and others in support of program objectives) as well as travel, lodging, and transportation for official purposes.

VII. SECURITY AND MEDICAL CLEARANCES

The position is open to U.S. Citizens. The selected applicant must be able to obtain a Secret Security Clearance and appropriate Medical Clearance from STATE/MED. The selected applicant must obtain these clearances prior to departure for post. All accompanying dependents must also obtain Medical Clearances prior to departure for post.

VIII. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR US PSCs

Forms outlined below can found at http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms/

1. Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612.

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). **

** Forms 2 through 5 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job.

Policy Guidance Pertaining to PSCs

Contract Information Bulletins (CIBs) and Acquisition and Assistance Policy Documents (AAPDs) contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to this website:

http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/ to determine which CIBs/AAPDs apply to this contract.

Additionally, Appendix D of the USAID Acquisition Regulations (AIDAR) also applies to PSCs.

Appendix D can be found at:

http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf

Benefits/Allowances:

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a USPSC recruited off-shore is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

1. BENEFITS:

Employee's FICA Contribution Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Annual Increase Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual & Sick Leave Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service Shipment and Storage of Household Effects Shipment of POV (Privately Owned Vehicle)

2. ALLOWANCES (if applicable, as found in the Standardized Regulations (Government Civilian Foreign Areas):

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)

FEDERAL TAXES:

USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes.

IX. APPLYING:

Qualified individuals are requested to submit a U.S. Government Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612 (available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms or internet http://fillform.gsa.gov, or at Federal offices) and a resume containing the following information:

1. Personal Information: Full name, mailing address (with zip code), email address, day and evening phone numbers, social security number, country of citizenship, highest federal civilian grade held (also give job series and dates held).

2. Education: Colleges and universities, name, city and state, majors, type and year of any degrees received (if no degree, show total credits earned and indicate whether semester or quarter hours).

3. 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.

4. References: Applicants are required to provide three professional references with complete contact information including email address and telephone numbers.

5. Statement of how applicant’s knowledge, skills, and abilities satisfy the evaluation criteria.

6. Statement of Availability: A written statement certifying the date and length of time for which the candidate is available for the position.

7. Applications may be submitted by e-mail, fax, DHL or FedEx air courier by the closing time and date to:

Jeff Sharp, Executive Officer USAID/Zambia Plot No. 351 Independence Avenue P.O. Box 32481 Lusaka, Zambia

TELEPHONE NUMBER: (260)-211- 254303/6

FAX NUMBER: (260-211-254532

E-MAIL ADDRESS: mailto: jsharp@usaid.gov (Jeff Sharp) with copies to mdeurwaarder@usaid.gov (Mwansa Deurwaarder)

8. To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application and as the subject line in any cover letter.

9. Applications received after the date and time shall be considered late and shall not be considered for award. We suggest you confirm with the Executive Office that all documents submitted were received prior to closing date and time of this notice. Equipment failures at USAID or by the applicant’s network are not acceptable reasons for late submission as applicants have the option of sending hard copy via courier.