Solicitation_Number_72027818R00002_Health_Technical_Advisor.pdf

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72027818R00002

2. OPEN TO: U.S. Citizens

3. ISSUANCE DATE: July 1, 2018

4. CLOSING DATE/TIME: July 21, 2018 by 17:00 DC Time

5. POSITION TITLE: Technical Health Advisor

Population and Family Health Office (PFH)

6. MARKET VALUE (SALARY): USD75,628 – USD98,317 equivalent to GS-13 per annum non- Locality pay. USAID\Jordan will not negotiate more than the maximum listed for GS-13 market value, and final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based upon the candidate’s past salary, work history, and educational background.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The US Personal Services Contract will one year, subject to possible extension (s), subject to 1) availability of funds 2) a continued need for the services, and 3) satisfactory performance.

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Amman, Jordan

9. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret Clearance Level

10. WORK SCHEDULE: 40 hours per week and the workweek is Sunday to Thursday

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

BACKGROUND

The USAID Mission to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has been working to improve the quality of life for the Jordanian people for more than 50 years. Since 1996, the U.S. Government has significantly increased the levels of Economic Support Funds that it provides to the Kingdom. USAID assistance is being provided in six main objective areas including: water resource development; energy; economic opportunities; health; education reform; and democratization/good governance. USAID/Jordan is one of the largest bilateral assistance programs in the region.

As a middle income country, Jordan’s health sector was previously on track to attain many of its international commitments for maternal and child health throughout the early 2000s. One area that still required support, however, was family planning – where progress had stagnated. A rapidly expanding population (fastest in the region) was straining scarce resources, such as water and energy and threatened to destabilize the nation. Against this backdrop, the Syrian Crisis came roaring onto the scene in 2013, and Jordan’s health sector designed to support a population of 6.5 million, suddenly had an extra 2 million users as a result of the refugee influx. This seemingly “overnight” addition strained the health system and caused it to weaken. Earlier promising health outcomes started to slip, and progress that Jordan made towards improving maternal and child health was – and still is – in danger of backsliding.

BASIC FUNCTION

Under the supervision of the PFH Office Deputy Director, the Technical Health Advisor will provide strategic technical support to the full range of PFH activities, including strategic planning and reporting, technical review and advisement, and project design. The incumbent will liaise with internal USAID counterparts and external USG teams and contacts. Some level of contact with host government officials, bilateral donors, UN organizations, NGOs, and other pertinent agencies and organizations may be required.

Responsibilities will include providing technical leadership related to the design, development, and implementation of USAID-funded health service delivery activities. The Population and Family Health Office is a team of nine. The Office Director and Deputy provide overall strategic direction and guidance to the Office, with four technical Foreign Service National (FSN) staff serving as technical Agreement Officer Representatives (AORs) for the projects. In addition, an administrative assistant supports the administrative functions of the office and an Eligible Family Member (EFM) who provides project support and communications as needed.

The position requires technical expertise in global public health across a variety of technical areas; strong project management experience, clear communication skills, excellent English writing skills, and experience collaborating with a wide variety of stakeholders including host ministries, implementing partners, and other donors. Exposure to USAID regulations and business practices is preferred.

The successful candidate will exhibit strong interpersonal skills, the ability and willingness to function in a collaborative and collegial environment, sensitivity to others, and balanced judgment. The successful candidate will have the ability to work in a fast-paced, fluid environment; re-prioritizing actions and displaying flexibility to help the Office meet its needs.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP AND STRATEGIC ADVISOR (60%)

1. Serve as a technical expert and strategic advisor in public health. Specific expertise in one or more of the following areas is required: social and behavior change communication, public health research, family planning, nutrition, community health, health systems strengthening, vaccines or other priority fields.

2. Provide expert analysis and public health advice to PFH Office Leadership as needed.

3. Ensure that global and regional technical best practice in public health is applied across the portfolio.

4. Develop and oversee technical research related to the field of expertise above.

5. Provide technical mentoring to USAID locally-engaged staff. Deepen staff’s understanding of public health concepts and application through focused, interactive discussions, in-house trainings, and other means.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT AND OVERSIGHT TO USAID/JORDAN’s HEALTH

PROGRAM (40%)

1. Serve as Agreement Officer's Representative, Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), Government Agreement Technical Representative (GATR) or Alternate AOR/GATR as required.

2. Provide expert analysis and advice to the AORs and Activity Managers across the PFH portfolio.

3. Technically review project work plans, attend technical meetings with project AORs, and otherwise engage with the portfolio to ensure implementation of technical best practice. Work with and advise USAID implementing partners to identify opportunities for synergy and ensure technical best practice in global public health is applied across the USAID health portfolio.

4. Provide expert advice to the host government on technical components of any direct support USAID provides via partner government systems, as needed.

5. Support design of new activities in the health sector.

6. Diagnose implementation challenges or technical weaknesses, and develop alternative solutions to address them.

7. Ensure timely responses by PFH to requests for information from Embassy counterparts and

USAID/Washington. Preparing background documents, briefing papers, talking points, information memos, and other relevant documents as necessary.

8. Serve as the primary point of contact for VIP site visits to USAID PFH health sites, as assigned.

Coordinate all briefing documents and liaise between the control officer, technical staff, and Washington teams.

12. AREA OF CONSIDERATION:

To meet basic eligibility requirements, the applicant must be an American Citizen and must submit a complete application as outlined in the section titled APPLYING. The contractor shall obtain necessary medical clearance (as defined by the Department of State Medical Unit), and must be able to receive USG SECRET clearance prior to travel to post. The final selected candidates must obtain security and medical clearances within a reasonable period. USAID will provide details regarding these clearances to the selected candidate). If such clearances are not obtained within a reasonable time or negative suitability issues are involved, any offer made may be rescinded.

13. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

14. POINT OF CONTACT:

Questions and applications must be forwarded to: ammanresumesusaid@usaid.gov

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

To be considered for the 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:

Education: Master degree in a health-related discipline, such as Public Health, Nutrition, Health Economics, Research, Anthropology, Public Policy, International Development, or equivalent is required.

Work Experience: A minimum of 5 years of experience in providing technical assistance, implementing, managing, analyzing and/or evaluating health programs of which at least 2 years are in a developing country context supporting health and development programs. At least two years managing and overseeing public health programs. Experience working with USG health agencies and/or USAID implementing partners is preferred but not required.

Job Knowledge:

● Specific expertise in one or more of the following areas is preferred: family planning, nutrition, public health, public health research, community health, health systems strengthening, vaccines or other priority fields.

● Knowledge of health care quality improvement approaches in low- and middle-income country settings.

● Expertise in working in cross-cultural environments and with diverse teams

● Expertise in USAID business processes and regulations is preferred.

Skills and Abilities:

● Excellent writing, editing and presentation skills. Demonstrated skills at writing clearly and succinctly.

● Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills.

● Excellent skills in oral communications. Experience with cross-cultural communication.

● Flexibility and ability to handle multiple tasks and work collaboratively

● Capable of producing high quality work under time pressure and in complex situations with little direction.

● Willingness and ability to travel domestically.

● Arabic language skills are not required.

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

Applications will be initially screened for eligibility in accordance with the qualification criteria above.

Applicants must address each criterion in their application in order to meet the minimum qualifications for this position. These qualifications, which serve as the selection criteria, will be evaluated based on the following points below.

1. Work Experience 25 points

2. Job Knowledge 30 Points

3. Technical Skills and Ability 20 points

4. Writing and Analytical Skills 25 points

Maximum Points 100 Points

USAID\Jordan Human Resources Office will conduct reference checks on top-ranked applicants.

USAID\Jordan may use reference information obtained from other than the sources identified by the applicant and solicit additional information from references provided if and when the Contracting Officer finds the existing information to be insufficient for evaluating an applicant’s performance

IV. APPLYING

To ensure consideration of application for the intended position, applicants must prominently reference the Solicitation Number in the application submission. Eligible applicants are required to complete and submit the following as a complete application package:

1. Completed and signed USAID form AID 309-2 (Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals) which is available at the following website:

https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-309-2

2. Cover letter and current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume containing sufficient relevant information that respond to the requirements of the position (education/experience) in order to evaluate the application in accordance with the evaluation criteria; provide periods of performance where possible

3. Copies of educational certification for eligibility purposes,*

*Failure to submit copies of certification will mark your package incomplete and will eliminate your application from the recruitment process even if you were qualified.

USAID will screen for nepotism/conflict of interest in determining successful candidacy. Applications must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 4, and submitted to the:

ammanresumesusaid@usaid.gov

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRES

Once the CO informs the successful Offeror about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Offeror instructions about how to complete and submit all needed forms.

VI. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

A. BENEFITS:

(a) Employer's FICA Contribution

(b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

(c) Pay Comparability Adjustment

(d) Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation)

(e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

(f) Annual and Sick Leave

B. ALLOWANCES:

The following differential and allowances will be granted to the contractor and his/her authorized dependents to the same extent and on the same basis as they are granted to U.S. citizen direct-hire employees at the Mission by the Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians, Foreign Areas), as from time to time amended, except as noted to the contrary below:

Applicable Reference to Standardized Regulations:

(1) Post Differential Chapter 500 and Tables in Chapter 900.

(2) Living Quarters Allowance Section 130.

(3) Temporary Lodging Allowance Section 120.

(4) Post Allowance Section 220.

(5) Supplemental Post Allowance Section 230.

(6) Payments during Evacuation Section 600.

(7) Education Allowance Section 270.

(8) Separate Maintenance Allowance Section 260.

(9) Danger Pay Allowance Section 650.

(10) Education Travel Section 280.

VII. TAXES

USPSCs are required to pay Federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable State Income taxes.

VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs

USAID regulations and policies governing USPSC awards are available at these sources:

1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix D, “Direct USAID Contracts with a U.S.

Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf

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

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

4. 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

Solicitation Number 72027818R00002 Health Technical Advisor