Scope_of_work.docx

BACKGROUND:

The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has been operating in Ethiopia for the past 15 years and has invested nearly US$3 billion in support of the Government of Ethiopia’s efforts to control the HIV epidemic in the country. With PEPFAR support, USAID programs enable local communities to provide care and support for people living with HIV and to help identify new cases of HIV infection and ensure effective treatment; ensure that targeted orphans and vulnerable children and key populations (female sex workers, hard to reach men) are receiving both HIV treatment and prevention services; and provide support for the national public health supply chain. PEFAR has recently mandated that an increased proportion of PEPFAR funds be directed toward local organizations as part of a “Local Partner Initiative.” This will result in a total of as many as 10 grants to local organizations to support Ethiopia’s efforts to achieve epidemic control.

SCOPE OF WORK:

USAID intends to award up to four contracts to individuals to provide management and technical oversight as Activity Managers for local organizations which have or will receive direct funding from USAID under the Local Partner Initiative (LPI).

The Activity Manager (AM) will work with the selected local partner(s) to:

1. Ensure that programming is following established PEPFAR guidelines and that required targets are being met;

2. Monitor data collection and reporting and overall data quality;

3. Liaise with other AMs and International Partners to monitor and ensure programming consistency among local partners;

4. Assist local partners with outreach to Government of Ethiopia personnel and facilities to coordinate collaborative efforts;

5. Work with the selected local partners to ensure effective coordination and utilization of technical assistance begin provided under USAID/PEPFAR auspices;

6. Provide regular reports to USAID AORs on the progress being made and challenges being encountered by the selected local partners;

7. Provide technical leadership for the selected local partners in all aspects of HIV prevention, care and treatment; and

8. Ensure that the selected local partners are fulfilling their obligations under the terms and conditions of the grants they receive from USAID in a timely manner.

In addition to the above, the AM will participate in the development of the country operation plan (COP) as assigned by her/his Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and will contribute to the preparation of quarterly and annual narratives tracking progress against targets. S/he should be able to obtain and rapidly analyze information, evaluate data, and prepare reports and related documents. S/he should have the ability to establish and maintain contacts with a wide range of senior government officials, implementing partners, and site-level providers engaged in HIV/AIDS services.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years beginning o/a January 1, 2020.

QUALIFICATIONS:

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES: The AM must be able to demonstrate knowledge of HIV/AIDS programming across the continuum of care. Understanding of community and facility-based HIV services, socio economic and political context, challenges in the developing countries especially in Ethiopia context is required. Demonstrated knowledge of policy, technical and operational aspects of HIV/AIDS program management; knowledge of HIV/AIDS issues, best practices and innovations is required. The AM should have knowledge on program management including grants management to manage investment that focus on HIV. The AM must have the ability to keep abreast of developments in grant/program activities and progress in order to advise and recommend strategies to increase investment performances and results.

The AM should be able to obtain and rapidly analyze information, evaluate data, and prepare reports and related documents. S/he should have the ability to establish and maintain contacts with a wide range of senior government officials, implementing partners, and site-level providers engaged in HIV/AIDS services.

The AM must have excellent oral and written communication skills in both English and Amharic (at least Level IV). Knowledge of and fluency in additional Ethiopian languages may be an advantage.

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION: Interested Offerors shall submit the following documents, which will constitute the proposal package:

1. A detailed curriculum vitae describing, at minimum, education, previous professional work experience, and publications;

2. A completed cost proposal using the form provided;

3. An English writing sample of at least two pages in length (printed, not hand written) which demonstrates both language fluency and a thorough understanding of HIV programming;

4. A cover letter describing how the offeror meets the education, qualification and knowledge/skills/abilities requirements for this contract and explaining any time gaps in excess of two months shown on the detailed curriculum vitae.

The complete proposal package should be submitted to:

Incomplete proposal packages will not be considered.

EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS:

Proposals will be evaluated and scored as follows: