72044018R00005_USPSC_Senior_HIV_AIDS_Technical_Advisor.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72044018R00005

ISSUANCE DATE: June 13, 2018

CLOSING DATE/TIME: July 30, 2018

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) - Senior HIV/AIDS

Technical Advisor

To All Interested Applicants:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International

Development (USAID), is seeking applications from qualified persons to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation.

Submissions must be in accordance with Attachment 1, Sections I through V of this solicitation. Incomplete or unsigned applications will not be considered. Applicants should retain copies of all offer materials for their records.

This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit

USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the application.

Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in the attached information.

Sincerely, /s/

Michael Capobianco

Contracting Officer

USAID/Vietnam

ATTACHMENT 1 72044018R00005

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72044018R00005

2. ISSUANCE DATE: June 13, 2018

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: July 30, 2018 at

1600 Hanoi time

4. POSITION TITLE: Senior HIV/AIDS Technical Advisor

5. MARKET VALUE: Position is classified at GS-15 with annual salary range of

$105,123 - $136,659 per annum.

Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: two (2) years with three (3) one-year option periods.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Hanoi, Vietnam

The contractor will work from USAID offices in Hanoi, and will be provided with the support services, equipment, and supplies necessary to perform the work.

Quarterly trips within country of 3-5 days are expected.

8. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facility Access

9. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

A. Position Title: Senior HIV/AIDS Technical Advisor

B. Organizational unit within the Agency: USAID/ Vietnam/ Office of Health

C. Supervision:

The position is directly supervised by the Office of Health Deputy Director at

USAID/Vietnam and works under the general direction of the Director of the Office of

Health. The Senior HIV/AIDS Technical Advisor is expected to show strong independent initiative and work with minimal supervision.

The position will provide technical direction and mentorship to four Foreign

Service Nationals (FSNs) HIV Team Leads in Hanoi. Mentorship responsibilities will include supporting professional development, including technical expertise and leadership development, among FSN staff.

D. Background:

As Vietnam reached lower middle income status in 2011, the focus of the US

President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in Vietnam began transitioning from direct service delivery of comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment services to a greater emphasis on strengthening the health system and enhancing country ownership through increased direct technical assistance.

PEPFAR Vietnam’s most recent Country Operational Plan (COP18) pivots the program to a strategy of sustainable epidemic control in two focus regions while building on successes in social health insurance as the backbone of a sustainably financed national

HIV/AIDS program. PEPFAR/Vietnam’s bold strategy requires leadership from a seasoned HIV/AIDS Technical Advisor who possesses technical expertise in HIV programming in a concentrated epidemic; strong team management skills; excellent command of evolving PEPFAR guidance, technical considerations, and implementation approaches (index/recency testing); and diplomatic tact to collaborate and negotiate with national and sub-national government counterparts, other donors, and civil society groups to operationalize HIV/AIDS activities.

E. Major Roles and Responsibilities:

The Senior HIV/AIDS Technical Advisor (Senior Advisor) position is located in the

USAID/Vietnam Office of Health (OH) in Hanoi. The Senior Advisor serves as the

Mission’s HIV/AIDS Subject Matter Expert for program planning (both strategy and budget), policy, partnership/coordination, research, and monitoring and evaluation for

HIV/AIDS activities. S/he is a senior professional and expert in his/her field who leads donor and partner coordination related to HIV/AIDS cross-cutting and multi-sectoral approaches; provides evidence-based technical advice to the Mission; and designs and manages projects and programs related to HIV in Vietnam. Given the concentrated nature of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Vietnam, the successful candidate must have significant experience in and knowledge of the interventions required to address the drivers of the HIV epidemic in Vietnam. S/he serves as the activity manager or

Agreement/Contract Officer’s Representative (A/COR) for select OH activities and is actively involved in the planning, design, monitoring, implementation and evaluation of those activities. S/he is responsible for keeping the OH Director and Deputy Director regularly informed of program implementation progress, results, and issues/problems on a timely basis.

The incumbent will represent USAID within multiple internal USG and multi-stakeholder Government of Vietnam led technical working groups, and play a lead role in program coordination, analysis of progress and activity design for inclusion in the annual Country Operational Plan (COP). S/he facilitates communication and maintains h i g h l y collaborative working relationships with mid to senior level government officials in the GVN, other donors and USG agencies and non-governmental organizations.

Finally, the incumbent spends a significant amount of his/her time ensuring skills transfer and mentoring USAID and GVN staff and community groups on effective methodologies and strengthening Vietnam’s overall HIV/AIDS system.

F. Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

Specific activities of the Senior Advisor will include but are not limited to the following:

The Senior Advisor provides expert technical advice in the design and implementation of USG PEPFAR HIV/AIDS activities in Vietnam. S/he monitors program progress and identifies achievements as well as problems in performance and initiates appropriate action in consultation with the OH Director and Deputy. S/he is responsible for the mentorship and development of key leaders with the OH, with a focus on bringing in international technical expertise and adapting it to the Vietnamese context. S/he provides technical leadership and guidance to the USG interagency and GVN colleagues.

Technical Leadership and Expertise (60%)

Provide technical leadership on HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment issues to the USAID Mission and the broader USG PEPFAR community.

Mentor FSN staff to support professional development, including technical expertise and leadership skills.

Play a leadership role in the interagency TWGs, developing multi-sectoral programming and providing technical guidance and direction.

Provide technical and program assistance (including drafting briefing papers, cables and memos for information and action) on HIV/AIDS.

Coordinate dissemination of lessons learned among all HIV/AIDS stakeholders, including the USG, other development partners and the GVN at national and sub-national levels.

Develop documents related to the assigned area of responsibility.

Develop and/or maintain linkages among USAID’s activities with other USG-funded activities, with a focus on strengthening multi-sectoral programming.

Provide technical assistance to strengthen the capacity of indigenous organizations

(CSOs/CBOs) to respond to the human resource shortage in Vietnam and ensure the sustainability of USG and other donor efforts.

Strengthen collaboration with other donors, particularly the Global Fund to Fight

AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM), to reduce funding overlaps, strengthen technical collaboration, provide technical assistance and enhance the long-term sustainability of program activities.

Provide technical assistance to ensure program investments are consistent with international norms and standards and are synergistic with other investments made by the USG and partnering agencies.

Provide technical support on the development and implementation of guidelines, interventions and programs.

Monitor current public health literature, reports, international guidelines and standards and best practices.

Provide recommendations in developing innovative approaches to designing, implementing and evaluating HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment programs in

Vietnam.

Program Management (30%)

Provide technical leadership on annual work plans and design for HIV/AIDS implementing partners. Conduct regular site visits to review program implementation and meet with beneficiaries. Based on the information collected during field visits, communicate findings and recommendations to the USG

PEPFAR team and, as appropriate, implementing partners and GVN counterparts.

Ensure that implementing partners are in compliance with relevant regulations and procedures, including but not limited to, applicable USG laws and legislative directives as well as regulations, particularly regarding the allowable use of

HIV/AIDS funds in the spectrum of HIV programming. Based on personal observations, assessment reports, performance statistics and other available data, make programmatic recommendations to the PEPFAR Team.

Provide strategic technical advice for, and prepare portions of, key USG planning and budget documents, such as the PEPFAR Country Operational Plan, semi-annual and annual progress reports, Congressional Notifications and the Operational Plan.

As requested, serve as OH Director or Deputy Director when needed.

Representation/Coordination (10%)

Work with the HIV/AIDS team leads to strengthen coordination within the PEPFAR interagency team, and with the GVN, other donors, development partners, UN agencies and NGOs involved in the HIV/AIDS response.

Provide leadership to bring in international best practices and technical advances while coordinating and collaborating with the GVN, other donors, UN agencies and other key stakeholders on planning, implementation and policy issues related to HIV prevention, care and treatment.

Work closely with the GVN, bilateral and multilateral agencies and other key stakeholders to strengthen collaboration of HIV/AIDS activities at the national and sub-national levels to ensure greater country ownership and technical capacity.

Represent USAID, and the USG as appropriate, on relevant GVN and donor working groups and in technical discussions on issues related to HIV/AIDS programming.

Lead collaboration and coordination efforts with the GVN, donors, and other relevant partners on HIV/AIDS activities to ensure technical and programmatic synergy.

As requested, serve as the USAID Health Office representative at meetings when needed. This may include USAID Senior Staff meetings, Embassy Health Cluster, special limited country teams for Congressional Delegations, Development Partner meetings and others.

Provide routine briefings, Power Point presentations and other presentations representing the USAID HIV portfolio for diverse audiences including government of Vietnam, US government, development partners, civil society and other stakeholders.

G. Available Guidelines:

The successful candidate will be expected to be aware of Mission, PEPFAR and

Agency-specific policies, guidelines and procedures, OH established administrative operating procedures, policies and formats. Oral guidance from the immediate supervisor and specific detailed instructions will be given (when necessary) for carrying out unique assignments. S/he will stay abreast of guidance issued by the Office of the

Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC) and Vietnam’s PEPFAR Coordinator. S/he will be required to be proactive in keeping abreast of evolving guidelines and policies which affect all USAID activities, including but not limited to the Automated Directives

System (ADS), Mission Orders, Mission Notices, USG Procurement regulations, and

USAID Program Strategy and Policy Documents.

H. Exercise of Judgment:

The successful candidate will be required to exercise independent judgment and ingenuity to interpret and develop applications and guidelines in devising innovative approaches to resolving technical, administrative, managerial and/or policy problems.

Excellent (balanced) judgment must be exercised in setting priorities. The use of initiative, discretion and patience will be expected from the successful candidate in dealing with USAID/Vietnam office and Regional Development Mission Asia office personnel as well as representatives from other donor organizations to resolve problems that arise during the course of work for which there is often no clear or immediate solution. In addition, considerable judgment is required in working effectively with officials of the GVN and the private sector, in overseeing contractor activities and coordinating multi-sectoral efforts in support of USAID/Vietnam development objectives, and in collecting, analyzing and reporting on progress of activities and recommending project actions. S/he will also be required to follow and adhere to

USAID's Code of Ethics and Conduct.

I. Authority to Make Commitments:

The successful candidate will have no independent authority to commit U.S.

Government (USAID/Vietnam) funds on behalf of the U.S. Government.

J. Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts:

As a lead USAID representative on HIV/AIDS, the successful candidate will be in frequent contact with multiple ministries within the Government of Vietnam, other donors, UN agencies, NGOs and other key stakeholders. S/he will represent the USG on relevant GVN and various ministry working groups and technical discussions on issues related to HIV/AIDS activities. The Senior HIV/AIDS Technical Advisor will lead collaboration and coordination efforts with the GVN, other donors, UN agencies and other relevant partners on HIV/AIDS to ensure technical and programmatic synergy.

The candidate will be required to maintain effective working relationships with USAID colleagues and senior members of other US government agencies. In addition, the

Senior HIV/AIDS Technical Advisor will dialogue and collaborate with mid to high level members of the host government, multi- and bi-lateral organizations, private sector entities, representatives of non-governmental organization, and other local and international groups.

10. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: United States Citizens

11. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

12. POINT OF CONTACT: Michael Capobianco at mcapobianco@usaid.gov and Huyen

Dang at hdang@usaid.gov.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

A. Requirements

1. US citizenship;

2. In possession of, or able to obtain, facility access authorization in order to perform under the contract.

3. In possession of, or able to obtain, a medical clearance. The successful applicant must receive medical clearance for serving in Hanoi, Vietnam. Details of how to obtain US

Department of State Medical Unit medical clearance will be provided once a job offer is made and accepted.

B. Qualifications

1. Education

Minimum Education Required: Possession of an advanced degree (Masters level or above) in public health, social or behavioral sciences or other related field is required.

Preferred Qualifications: Additional courses/certificates/training related to the subject areas is highly desired.

2. Relevant Experience

Minimum Experience Required: ten years of progressively responsible experience in HIV/AIDS strategy development, program development and implementation is required.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience in HIV programming for key populations and continuity of care related to reaching 90-90-90 goals and experience working in a concentrated epidemic is preferred. Experience in the Asia Region is highly desirable.

Experience working in a PEPFAR environment, donor coordination processes such mailto:mcapobianco@usaid.gov mailto:hdang@usaid.gov as the Global Fund, and familiarity of current PEPFAR guidelines and approaches are highly desirable.

3. Technical Knowledge

Demonstrated, comprehensive knowledge and experience in HIV/AIDS programming in both facility and community settings is required. Specialized knowledge and experience working with key populations in a concentrated epidemic is preferred.

Strong technical and analytical skills in providing technical support and capacity building for host-country governments (national and sub-national level) and civil society on HIV is required. This includes demonstrated experience in technical skills transfer or mentoring.

Understanding and knowledge of US Government regulations, procedures and systems to include knowledge and experience working with PEPFAR and USAID are highly desired.

Strong financial and performance management skills to track the performance of implementing partners.

4. Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Excellent interpersonal skills, tact and diplomacy are required to establish and maintain a wide range of senior-level and working-level contacts with health programs in governmental, non-governmental, and private-sector circles.

Demonstrated ability to collaborate in a multi-agency setting, often under pressure of short deadlines and multiple demands in a cross-cultural environment.

Demonstrated mastery of writing and speaking/presentation skills, and in preparing analytic briefings for key USG and other leaders/decision makers are required.

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

1. Selection Process

After the closing date for receipt of applications, a committee will be convened to review applications and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation factors. Applications from candidates which do not meet the minimum requirements will not be scored. As part of the selection process, finalist candidates may be interviewed either in person or by telephone at USAID’s discretion. Reference checks will be made only for applicants considered as finalists.

If an applicant does not wish USAID to contact a current employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the applicant’s cover letter, and USAID will delay such reference check pending communication with the applicant. Only finalists will be contacted by

USAID with respect to their applications. The final selected candidate must obtain security and medical clearance within a reasonable period of time (USAID will provide details to the selected candidate). A substantial delay in obtaining either security or medical clearance will make the applicant ineligible for selection.

2. Evaluation Factors

Those applicants who meet the minimum education and experience qualifications will be evaluated based on the content of their application as well as the applicant’s writing, presentation, and communication skills. To be considered for this position, as part of their applications, applicants are required to submit supplemental documentation, addressing each of the Evaluation Factors on a separate sheet, describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards or recognition they have received relevant to each factor described below. Responses are limited to 300 words per factor.

Applicants will be evaluated against the following criteria, listed in order of descending importance:

1. Relevant Experience

2. Technical Knowledge

3. Communication and Interpersonal Skills

4. Education

The factors will be the basis for scoring the applications and creating an initial ranking of candidates. Only the highest-ranked applicants (finalists) will be interviewed. Those finalists will also be evaluated on their interview performance, and, finally, satisfactory professional reference checks. In summary, the steps in the applicant rating system are as follows:

1. Meet education/experience requirements: pass/fail

2. Evaluation Factors (Relevant Experience, Technical Knowledge, Communication and Interpersonal Skills, and Education) – combined, are of equal importance to Interview Performance

3. Interview Performance – of equal importance to Evaluation Factors

4. Reference Checks: Pass/Fail

IV. APPLYING

1. Applications should include the following, with the applicant’s name clearly marked on every page:

i. Cover letter (no more than one page);

ii. Most current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume (no more than 2 pages);

iii. Supplemental information addressing each of the Evaluation Factors (a separate sheet for each), limited to 300 words per factor, as described in Section III above;

iv. Salary history for the prior three years captured in a Contractor Employee

Biographical Data Sheet (AID 1420-17 form available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-1420-17);

v. Contact information (telephone numbers and email addresses) for at least three references with knowledge of the applicant's prior work skills; and,

vi. Eligible applicants are required to complete and submit the offer form AID 302-https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-1420-17

3, “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts,” available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms.

2. Applications must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item

3, and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section I, item 12. Late, incomplete or unsigned applications will NOT be considered.

3. To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, Applicants must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the application submission.

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRES

Once the CO informs the successful Applicant about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Applicant instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms:

1. Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms)

2. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-86), or

3. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)

4. Finger Print Card (FD-258)

VI. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES

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

1. 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

2. ALLOWANCES:

Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations

(Government Civilians Foreign Areas)

(a) Temporary Quarter Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)

(b) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

(c) Cost-of-Living Allowance (Chapter 210)

(d) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(e) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

(f) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(g) Education Travel (Section 280) http://www.usaid.gov/forms http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92 http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92 http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92

(h) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

(i) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600), and

(j) Danger Pay Allowance (Section 650)

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 .

___End of Solicitation___ https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/forms http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations