Malaria Advisor Solicitation.pdf

2 Lorraine Drive, Bluffhill Tel: (+263) 8677011000 USAID (DOS)

P.O. Box 6988 Internet: Zimbabwe.usaid.gov 2180 Harare Place

Harare, Zimbabwe Washington D.C. 20521-2180

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72061322R00005

ISSUANCE DATE: May 10, 2022

CLOSING DATE/TIME: June 9, 2022 @ 1700hrs CAT

SUBJECT: Solicitation for a United States (US)/Third Country National (TCN) Personal Service

Contractor (PSC) Malaria Advisor for the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), (GS-14 equivalent), USAID Zimbabwe

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking offers from qualified persons to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation.

Offers must be in accordance with Attachment 1 of this solicitation. Incomplete or unsigned offers will not be considered. Offerors 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 offers.

Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in the Attached 1.

Sincerely, Priscilla Sampil

Contracting Officer

ATTACHMENT 1 Solicitation # 72061322R00005

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72061322R00005

2. ISSUANCE DATE: May 10, 2022

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME

FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: June 9, 2022 @ 1700hrs CAT

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Zandile Goromonzi e-mail at HarareHR@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Malaria Advisor for the President’s Malaria Initiative

(PMI), GS-14

6. MARKET VALUE: $95,973 - $124,764 equivalent to GS-14.

Final Compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 5 years, estimated to start on or about August 2022

“The base period will be 2 years, estimated to start on/about August 2022. Based on Agency need, the

Contracting Officer may exercise (an) additional option periods for 3 periods for the date(s) estimated as follows:”

Base Period: 08/14/2022 to 08/13/2024

Option Period 1: 08/14/2024 to 08/13/2025

Option Period 2: 08/14/2025 to 08/13/2026

Option Period 3: 08/14/2026 to 08/13/2027

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Harare, Zimbabwe, with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens and Third Country Nationals

10. SECURITY CERTIFICATION: The final selected candidate must obtain both the appropriate security (Facility Access authorization) and medical clearances within a reasonable period

(USAID will provide details regarding these clearances to the selected candidate). If such clearance is not obtained within a reasonable time or negative suitability issues are involved, any offer made will be rescinded.

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

i. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

The Malaria Advisor, in collaboration with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) PMI Resident

Advisor, provides leadership, guidance and overall direction on the development and execution of

PMI programming in Zimbabwe. The Malaria Advisor also advises and provides technical support to Zimbabwe’s National Malaria Control Program (NMCP)

Statement of Duties to be Performed

ii. Specific Responsibilities and Level of Effort:

mailto:HarareHR@usaid.gov

Technical Leadership (40%)

1. Lead the planning process for the annual Malaria Operational Plan, ensuring collaboration across the U.S. Interagency and host-country partners.

2. Participate in the development of new activities, including designing development hypotheses and results frameworks for new programs, contributing technical narrative for scopes of work or program descriptions; and participating in the review of technical proposals.

3. Ensure that all PMI-supported activities are consistent with global malaria policy and technical guidance and internationally accepted best practices; relevant to the specific malaria epidemiology of Zimbabwe; and in-line with overall Government of Zimbabwe strategic plans for malaria and the health sector.

4. Build technical and management capacity within the NMCP at the national, district and lower levels.

5. Contribute technical advice and content to the host government in the development of national malaria policy and strategic plans.

6. Ensure that malaria activities are integrated into the overall USAID-funded health program and are well-coordinated with Government of Zimbabwe interventions to avoid duplication of effort and programming gaps.

7. In collaboration with the Development Outreach and Communications team, develop talking points, program briefs, and other materials to effectively communicate PMI program success, challenges, lessons-learned, and priorities.

Performance Management (30%)

1. Liaise with USAID/Washington and CDC/Atlanta PMI staff about the design, implementation and monitoring of the PMI program portfolio in Zimbabwe.

2. Serve as USAID Contract/Agreement Officer's Representative or Activity Manager for PMI-funded awards, which requires providing technical guidance, administrative and financial oversight, and planning direction to implementing partners.

3. Work with NMCP and commodities suppliers and relevant supply chain and logistics partners to continuously assess and mitigate gaps in the national malaria commodities and ensure that quality assured programmatic commodities are purchased in a timely and cost-effective manner.

4. Continuously monitor and evaluate programmatic progress and ensure the quality of performance data; arranges for and oversees the conduct of validity checks or verification reviews of data collection systems and information provided by partners.

5. Supervise two employees - one Malaria Specialist and one Malaria Data Management Specialist including drafting the employees’ annual performance review, setting work targets, and developing their individual development plans.

Sustaining Partner Relationships (30 %)

1. Collaborate with senior officials engaged in malaria control, such as officials at the NMCP; the

Ministry of Health and Child Care at central and local levels; the Global Fund; WHO; and the private sector and educational entities to design, plan and implement malaria prevention and control activities consistent with the country’s national strategy and PMI priorities.

2. Contribute to the proper and effective use of Global Fund grant funds by serving on the Malaria

Sub-committee of the Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism.

3. Communicate regularly and work jointly with PMI staff based in the U.S. supporting

PMI/Zimbabwe program and ensure that PMI activities in Zimbabwe are being implemented in coordination with, and complementary to, other USG health supported activities funded by USAID, as well as other USG agencies (e.g., CDC, etc.).

4. Represent USAID and PMI as needed at local, national, and international events.

iii. Supervisory Relationship

The Malaria Advisor reports directly to the Deputy Director of the USAID/Zimbabwe Health

Office and also receives programmatic guidance from the Malaria Division within the Bureau for

Global Health within USAID/Washington. The Malaria Advisor works with minimum supervision and, along with the CDC Resident Advisor, is responsible for monitoring and reporting the results of all PMI activities. The Malaria Advisor is required to exercise comprehensive judgment in planning and carrying out tasks, including the specific approach to be taken, the resolution of problems and conflicts, and the meeting of deadlines.

The Malaria Advisor supervises two employees - one Malaria Specialist and one Malaria Data

Management Specialist - including drafting the employees’ annual performance review, setting work targets, and developing their individual development plans.

If a third country national (TCN) is selected for award, during the period of this contract, the TCN personal services contractor must provide training to a cooperating country national (CCN) designated by USAID. The PSC Supervisor will establish a training plan with benchmarks to measure the TCNPSC’s progress towards achieving this training deliverable.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

i. Education: A minimum of a Master’s Degree in public health, tropical medicine, epidemiology, international health or other health science is required.

ii. Prior Work Experience: Ten years of progressively responsible experience in designing, implementing and managing malaria and other health programs in sub-Saharan Africa.

Experience in malaria prevention, control and/or treatment programming such as, case management of malaria in health facilities and at the community level; distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticidal

Nets (LLINs) through health facilities, large-scale campaigns, and the private sector; intermittent preventive treatment of pregnant women; seasonal chemoprophylaxis for children under five; and indoor residual spraying. At least five years' experience leading teams and cultivating successful partnerships with governments, donor partners, civil society and private enterprises to advance national public health priorities.

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c). In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers. The FAR provisions referenced above are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

Offerors who meet the basic qualifications will be rated and ranked according to the following job-related criteria. Top candidates will be invited for an oral interview.

Technical Knowledge and Development Program Management Experience (60 points)

i. Expertise of malaria or vector borne diseases, including but not limited to vector control, entomology, clinical case management of malaria, epidemic surveillance, commodity forecasting, and program monitoring and evaluation.

ii. Understanding of malaria programming including such as, case management of malaria in health facilities and at the community level; campaigns to distribute long-lasting insecticide nets; intermittent preventive treatment of pregnant women; seasonal chemoprophylaxis for children under five; indoor residual spraying.

iii. Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods for the development of evaluation/research agendas and related scopes of work.

Skills and Abilities (20 points)

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

ii. Analytical ability to interpret public policy and apply it to programming.

iii. Performance management of programs and teams to produce quality results, including budget management; mentoring/coaching and staff development; and programmatic monitoring and evaluation.

iv. Program and policy development for national malaria prevention and control.

v. Interpersonal skills, tact and diplomacy to establish and sustain effective working relationships with senior officials; navigate and manage politically sensitive issues; broker consensus and negotiate win-win solutions to difficult situations; work effectively with a variety of people from various backgrounds; and promote a team environment.

vi. Oral and written communication in English to translate highly technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences; Ability to develop and deliver compelling and persuasive technical presentations to senior USG and host-government officials, as well as international audiences.

vii. Computer skills including ability to navigate the Internet, manage email applications, use

Microsoft suite of applications and use statistical or other types of analytical software (e.g.)

SPSS Statistics), as relevant.

Demonstrated Teamwork and Interdisciplinary Approach (20 points)

i. The ability to work in a team setting and to maintain effective relationships with a wide variety of governmental and non-governmental professionals at all levels of Zimbabwean society.

ii. A high level of socio-cultural sensitivity and judgment in dealing effectively with malaria as it affects all segments of Zimbabwean society.

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

1. The application package should be submitted via email to zimrecruit@usaid.gov to the attention of the

Human Resources Office and must include:

An application letter, detailing how the applicant meets the above minimum qualifications and selection criteria. Please type in the letter your response to each item, e.g. Education, and state how you meet the targeted minimum qualifications. Failure to do this will result in you not being shortlisted.

A current resume relevant to the position (no more than 2 pages). Any other documentation that addresses the qualification requirements of the position listed above.

Please note: Applications should not be more than 1mb in size.

2. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and questions submitted to the Point of Contact in Section I, item 4.

3. Offeror submissions must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents.

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

Once the Contracting Officer (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 the following forms.

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

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

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

d. Fingerprint Card (FD-258)

VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

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

1. BENEFITS:

(a) Employee’s FICA Contribution

(b) Contribution towards Health and 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

(a) Temporary Quarter Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)

(b) Cost of Living Allowance (Chapter 210)

(c) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(d) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

VII. TAXES

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

VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO

PSCs

USAID regulations and policies governing USPSC and TCN PSC 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. AAPD 21-04 Revision 3 - New award requirements to implement Executive Order (E.O.) 14042 on

Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/09/09/executive-order-on-ensuring-adequate-covid-safety-protocols-for-federal-contractors/ issued on September 9, 2021. The requirements in this E.O. are applicable to contracts (including personal services contracts) and contract-like awards, with the goals of maximizing the number of individuals vaccinated and decreasing the spread of COVID-19.

ENSURING ADEQUATE COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR FEDERAL CONTRACTORS

(OCT 2021) – Alternate 70 (OCT 2021) (M/OAA-DEVFAR-22-01c)

(a) Definition. As used in this clause –

United States or its outlying areas –

(1) The Fifty States

(2) The District of Columbia

(3) The commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands

(4) The territories of American Samoa, Guam and the United States Virgin

Islands; and,

(5) The minor outlying islands of Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands Navassa Island, Palmyra

Atoll, and Wake Atoll.

(b) Authority. This clause implements Executive Order 14042, Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety

Protocols for Federal Contractors, dates September 9, 2021 (published in the Federal Register on

September 14, 2021, 86FR 50985).

(c) Personal Services Contracts with individuals. As a matter of policy, the contractor must comply with the USAID’s guidance applicable to direct-hire federal employees.

(End of clause)

3. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix J, “Direct USAID Contracts With a

Cooperating Country National and with a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at

4. Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms. Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract award.

5. Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal

Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs

6. 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.

7. PSC Ombudsman

The PSC Ombudsman serves as a resource for any Personal Services Contractor who has entered into a contract with the United States Agency for International Development and is available to provide clarity on their specific contract with the agency. Please visit our page for additional information:

https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman.

The PSC Ombudsman may be contacted via: PSCOmbudsman@usaid.gov.

https://www.usaid.gov/forms http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman about:blank