SOL-72061720R00016.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: SOL-72061720R00016

ISSUANCE DATE: August 24, 2020

CLOSING DATE/TIME: September 23, 2020, 16:45 PM Kampala Time

Subject: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC)

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 offer.

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

Sincerely, Admir Serifovic Acting Supvy. Executive Officer

Solicitation 72061720R00016

ATTACHMENT 1

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: SOL-72061720R00016

2. ISSUANCE DATE: August 24, 2020

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: September 23, 2020, 4:45 PM Kampala Time

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Ms. Grace Nakaddu, gnakaddu@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Senior HIV/AIDS/TB Advisor

6. MARKET VALUE: $92,977 - $120,868, equivalent to GS-14 Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years. Estimated to start on or about January 2021.

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

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: In order to be considered for this position, the offeror must be a United States (U.S.) Citizen or Resident Alien – offshore or resident in Uganda.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: The successful Offeror must obtain a U.S. Government

Employment Authorization.

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

General Statement of the Purpose of the Contract

USAID/Uganda is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Personal Services Contractor (PSC) - Senior HIV/AIDS/TB Advisor.

The contractor is a key point person at USAID responsible for negotiating and working with the USG interagency team on PEFAR initiatives in general and as a lead on the following technical areas in particular:

HIV/AIDS care and treatment, tuberculosis, and laboratory services. The contractor is the point person representing USAID on these key technical areas in USAID meetings with the MOH’s AIDS Control Program, the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Program, and the Uganda AIDS Commission’s senior leadership.

Background: USAID/Uganda’s activities are of exceptionally broad scope and complexity. USAID/Uganda is one of the Africa Bureau's largest missions, with a multi-year portfolio valued at $1.5 billion. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 the Mission's program budget stood at $425 million including Food for Peace development and emergency assistance. USAID/Uganda implements a programmatically integrated Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) with the goal of accelerating Uganda’s systems to ensure inclusive education, health, and economic development. The CDCS calls on staff to build relationships and partnerships that leverage resources and advance Uganda’s journey to self-reliance. Uganda is a priority country across all global health initiatives, as well as for Feed the Future and Power Africa. After more than 15 years of donor investment, mailto:gnakaddu@usaid.gov

Uganda is one of the 13 countries that PEPFAR has identified to be on the path to achieving HIV epidemic control by 2020. It is also among the priority countries for rolling out the Administrator’s Tuberculosis (TB) Accelerator Initiative which feeds into the United Nations General Assembly Goal of eliminating TB by 2030.

USAID also implements programs to boost agricultural productivity and sales; increase access to electricity;

support financial inclusion; protect biodiversity and wildlife and bolster educational outcomes and democratic governance. The Mission is also working with the Government of Uganda to improve tax collection and oil revenue management, to enable it to increase funding for public services in health and education. Finally, USAID is engaged at all levels to address shrinking civic space and rising corruption, highlighting to Uganda’s leaders that these issues threaten Uganda’s long-term stability.

The position is located in Health and HIV Office (OHH). OHH is the largest Mission office in USAID/Uganda, with close to 50 staff and an annual budget of US$250M. OHH is divided into five sub-units – HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis (TB), Health Systems Strengthening, Family Health, Malaria and Strategic Information. This position is on the HIV/AIDS and TB sub-unit but has cross cutting roles across other units of the office. This position serves as a Senior Advisor on key cross-cutting program, technical, and management issues across OHH and as a USAID representative on PEPFAR interagency technical working groups responsible for making policy, strategic, and technical decisions. The contractor advises US Mission leadership on emerging issues in the implementation of HIV/AIDS and TB programs in Uganda. OHH manages a wide array of programs, many of which are cross-cutting and integrated in design. Each element of the portfolio seeks country-led health approaches that focus on integration of services, leveraging host country and other donor investments, strengthening health systems, a focus on women and girls, and improved application of collaborating, learning and adapting to ensure that interventions remain responsive to client needs and in currency with emerging evidence and international best practices. USAID/Uganda seeks to support health programs in the public, private not-for-profit and private for-profit sectors. Key elements of the health portfolio include:

● Recognizing the global HIV/AIDS pandemic as one of the greatest health challenges of our time, the US Government (USG) announced PEPFAR in 2003. Uganda received approximately US$410M in FY 2019 to support comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment programs, including support for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), systems strengthening, and overall improvements in service delivery. USAID/Uganda accounts for approximately half of the $410M interagency USG response.

● Uganda has one of the highest rates of TB in the world. To respond to the findings of Uganda’s first-ever TB prevalence survey, conducted in 2015, USAID is supporting the Ugandan National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Program to increase TB case notification, case detection and treatment outcomes. USAID also provided technical support in the expansion of multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB treatment.

● In 2005, PMI launched an initiative to rapidly scale-up malaria prevention and treatment interventions in high-burden countries of sub-Saharan Africa in order to reduce malaria-related mortality. This will be achieved by reaching 85% coverage of the most vulnerable groups (children under five years of age, pregnant women, and people living with HIV/AIDS), with proven preventive and therapeutic interventions. USAID/Uganda manages a $33M malaria portfolio in close collaboration with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

● USAID helps coordinate and contributes to USG epidemic preparedness activities for emerging pandemic threats and supports the control or elimination of several “neglected” tropical diseases still endemic in Uganda.

● Reproductive Health/Family Planning Programs include activities to promote improved reproductive health through couple’s communication, health education, prevention of gender-based violence, fistula repair, improved family planning services, and by providing a supply of contraceptives to both the public and the private sector.

● Maternal, Newborn and Child Health activities support improved maternal and childhood nutrition, safer pregnancy and delivery, newborn care, vaccination coverage, improved well and sick-child capacity at health facilities, Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) and zinc, safe water, and an improved logistics and supply chain for essential drugs.

● Nutrition activities include micronutrient fortification and supplementation, technical assistance to the

Ministry of Health (MOH) for improved nutrition policies and guidelines, prevention and treatment of under-nutrition in pregnant women and young children, therapeutic feeding for people living with HIV/AIDS and supplemental feeding for and Vulnerable Children (VC). Through FTF, the USG supports investments in agricultural productivity, reduced trade and transportation barriers, market-based agriculture, increased participation of the very-poor in rural growth, climate change adaptation, improved nutrition, and increased effectiveness of humanitarian assistance.

● Water and Sanitation: USAID is leveraging the private sector for improving sanitation services through market-based sanitation.

● Health Systems Strengthening: USAID is addressing key bottlenecks in the health system, working closely with the Government of Uganda (GOU) and other development partners. USAID is focusing on improving performance at all levels of the health system, including health financing, human resources for health, quality improvement, commodity and supply chain management, governance and health information systems. USAID has supported the Ugandan government to put in place systems to improve accountability and transparency of health commodities. With a view towards sustainability, efforts are also focused on increasing government and other financial resources dedicated to the health sector.

The contractor will be responsible for ensuring that PEPFAR-funded, USAID-supported HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis activities are in line with all the Presidential Initiative’s guidelines and enhance USAID’s Journey to Self-Reliance through bolstering country ownership, building the capacity of local and indigenous partners, and supporting the implementation of highly effective, proven, innovative and cost effective programs that lead to long term sustainability. The contractor will provide the necessary technical and strategic leadership to ensure that effective and high impact interventions are implemented in USAID HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis programs.

The contractor will also provide technical leadership and guidance to ensure that USAID supported HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis activities are aligned with the CDCS.

Statement of Duties to be Performed

The contractor is an essential and indispensable senior leader of OHH and PEPFAR efforts, providing strategic, technical and program expertise to OHH and technical guidance in the U.S. Mission’s interagency health efforts.

The basic functions of the contractor include:

--Providing leadership, guidance, and overall direction on the development and execution of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis activities supported by PEPFAR and USAID. The contractor specifically advises all USG agency heads in HIV/AIDS care and treatment, tuberculosis, and laboratory services, and provides USG interface with senior officials in the MOH on critical issues affecting the sustainable long-term impact of these services. This position liaises with backstops for tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDSGlobal Health programs in USAID/Washington;

counterparts in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Uganda and Atlanta, the Department of Defense, Walter Reed, the National Institutes of Health, and Peace Corps; key contacts in the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC); senior USG leadership in the Uganda Mission including the USAID Mission Director and Deputy Director, the U.S. Ambassador, and Deputy Chief of Mission; Chiefs of Party and other technical staff of implementing partners (IPs); other Health Development Partners (HDPs); and civil society. Responsibilities also include regular contact and collaboration with the counterparts and senior leadership in Uganda’s National TB and Leprosy Program, National AIDS Control Programme, the Uganda

AIDS Commission, as well as senior leadership with MOH, including the Permanent Secretary and Director of General of Health Services.

--Building technical and managerial capacity of local Ugandan organizations to manage and implement successful large-scale HIV/AIDS/TB programs while demonstrating fiscal responsibility. Expertise in working with host country community structures will be key in supporting USAID/Uganda to roll out the OGAC mandated Differentiated Service Delivery Models, an initiative that seeks to decentralize care, treatment and prevention of HIV/TB to communities.

--Exercising independent judgment in planning and carrying out tasks, in representing USG in critical technical and policy forums, in resolving problems and conflicts, and in taking steps necessary to meet deadlines. The contractor shall help formulate the USG position on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and laboratory services as a key representative of USAID/Uganda Mission.

--Demonstrating hands-on experience in data analysis and interpretation with the ability to quickly discern trends and formulate hypotheses for real time performance monitoring, program improvement and adaptation. In addition, s/he shall possess highly skilled analytical ability to interpret public policies and assist in the development of revised policies as required for improving the policy environment related to HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis care and treatment in Uganda.

--Representing USAID in national-level technical, programmatic, and policy meetings, and in consultations with other donors, government officials, and implementing partners. S/he also will participate in USG interagency coordination meetings and technical working groups including the care and treatment, tuberculosis and laboratory technical working groups which interface with equivalent working groups at the national level. The contractor represents USAID/Uganda in key technical and strategic discussions including the revision of the national tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS care and treatment and laboratory services guidelines as well as strategy and policy documents. The contractor will also work with other USAID C/AORs, implementing partner Chiefs of Parties and senior technical representatives to ensure that new key national and USG priorities are implemented and that their approaches and interventions are evidence based and of high impact while also ensuring that USAID programs achieve long term and sustainable impact.

--Ensuring that unit members are up to date on USG senior management decisions on all matters relevant to their programs and operations. The contractor will present issues of concern from staff and technical working groups to the USAID senior management, the PEPFAR Interagency group and Interagency Health Team and solicit USG positions on the issues.

--Ensuring that issues of high importance and of an urgent and political nature including those involving planning visits of senior USG delegation are adequately communicated to her/his subunits and ensure that the necessary preparations are made in a timely manner.

--Supervising a minimum of three members of USAID/Uganda unit. The contractor is responsible for ensuring that existing and new unit members have the necessary technical, programmatic and management skills through ongoing mentoring and technical guidance, ensuring that the unit members have access to up-to-date evidence and best practices on their respective technical areas, and ensuring that unit members receive internal and external trainings on key technical issues relevant to their duties and responsibilities. The contractor will train a Cooperating Country National (CCN) designated by USAID to assume the role and responsibilities of the position, including managing established external relationships.

The position requires:

--highly specialized skills, expert subject matter knowledge and significant experience related to key technical areas including prevention, care and treatment of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis in highly endemic and resource-constrained environments.

--extensive hands-on experience in technical oversight and management of clinical and laboratory services, which are major components of the USAID/Uganda’s HIV/AIDS/TB portfolio. This includes practical knowledge in management of decentralized laboratory services including establishment and oversight of innovative laboratory network systems to extend high quality services to rural and hard to reach areas.

--demonstrated knowledge and experience on how vertical disease-oriented initiatives can be integrated within the broader health strategy for maximized impact in the provision of high-quality services to Ugandans.

--extensive technical knowledge and practical experience in the management of integrated TB and HIV/AIDS care and treatment programs including MDR TB control.

--intensive collaboration and coordination with health teams at district level as well as civil society networks to ensure that USAID supported HIV/AIDS/TB services are aligned with district and national priorities and address beneficiary needs.

--demonstrated knowledge and experience in working with host country local organizations and community systems are essential elements of this position, necessary to support USAID/Uganda’s transition to local partners.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

STRATEGIC AND TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP/GUIDANCE (40%)

The contractor serves as principal advisor for all matters related to HIV/AIDS care and treatment, tuberculosis, and laboratory services, providing strategic leadership in identifying and applying innovative approaches and best practices to achieve USAID, USG, and GOU priorities in these technical areas and broader health systems goals. Specific duties include:

1. Providing leadership and technical direction and advice to USAID, the US Embassy, and other USG agencies involved in PEPFAR and other health programs on comprehensive HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis care and treatment services, including adult and pediatric care and treatment services, TB, TB/HIV, and laboratory services.

2. Ensuring that all activities under the USAID HIV/AIDS care and treatment, tuberculosis, and laboratory support activities are technically excellent and consistent with internationally accepted best practices and relevant to the specific HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis epidemiology of Uganda.

3. Providing scientific and technical support to implementing partners of USAID supported USAID HIV/AIDS/TB care and treatment, and laboratory services during the designing and implementation phases of the projects to ensure the quality of interventions supported and that programmatic targets are met.

4. Providing managerial oversight to ensure full accountability and value for money of funds provided by USAID Global Health Bureau and OGAC.

5. Serving as principal advisor to OHH leadership, Mission Director and Deputy Mission Director on all issues related to HIV/AIDS care and treatment, tuberculosis, and laboratory services supported by USAID.

6. Representing USAID/Uganda in interfacing with the GOU as it relates to HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and laboratory services and programs. This includes representing USAID in technical, planning, strategic and coordination meetings as well as reviews with the GOU, other donors and non-government and private sector organizations.

7. Providing senior/high level technical advice to the MOH and other GOU and USAID/USG implementing partners of HIV/AIDS care and treatment, tuberculosis and laboratory programs. Regular partners include:

USAID implementing partners, the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Program, the National AIDS Control Program, the Uganda AIDS Commission, and the Central Public Health Laboratories, and others as applicable.

The contractor will advise expanded USG technical working groups on care and treatment, tuberculosis, and laboratory services. S/he will also ensure that these technical working groups broaden their scope and shift their approaches from vertical disease-oriented programming towards integrated and system approaches.

8. Representing USG in multilateral coordination efforts for global alliances like the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM), including providing technical and strategic advice, and input to GFATM proposal, planning, implementation, audit and review processes.

9. Ensuring that all USAID supported activities are consistent with internationally accepted best practices and relevant to the specific HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis epidemiology in Uganda.

10. Providing technical and management contributions to USG thematic groups, program designs, budget allocations, strategic planning documents, and reporting mechanisms. Program design work includes technical review committees for new and/or follow-on OHH awards. Budget allocations and strategic planning documents include Mission Strategies, strategic planning and budgeting under PEPFAR, as well as coordinated planning documents among the GOU and development partners. Reporting mechanisms include U.S. Congressional, GOU or donor group requests; technical briefings; trip reports; site visit briefing documents; speeches; portfolio reviews; semi-annual and annual reports; quarterly financial reports; quality assessments; site monitoring reports; etc.

11. Keeping informed of national and international initiatives and policies and state-of-the-art developments related to HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis prevention, care and treatment and laboratory services and application to poor resource settings and share information as appropriate with various counterparts.

12. Participating in USAID's multidisciplinary team, actively seeking to improve results through linkages and integration within the wider USAID and USG Mission. Actively providing input into design, planning, and management and evaluation of programs.

13. Providing technical, managerial and institutional support to host country local organizations to assist them evolve as strong institutions capable of delivering high quality HIV/AIDS/TB activities.

14. Drafting talking points, assist with high level visits (e.g., congressional, political appointees, senior representatives from USG), developing/updating briefing materials as they relate to HIV/AIDS care and treatment, tuberculosis and laboratory services and the rest of the health team activities.

15. Training a Cooperating Country National (CCN), Project Management Specialist, designated by USAID to take over the work after the completion of the two-year contract. This training will be between 10 – 15 hours per week. The Supervisor will establish a training plan with benchmarks to measure the incumbent’s progress toward achieving the clear training deliverable.

PROGRAM AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, MONITORING AND SUPERVISION ROLES (30%)

1. Serve as C/AOR or activity manager responsible for managerial and technical oversight of selected comprehensive HIV/AIDS grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts. As C/AOR, or activity manager, s/he will have substantial involvement which includes reviews and approval of work plans, budgets, sub grants, quarterly and annual reports, performance monitoring plans, monitoring and supervision field visits; review financial reports, audits, liquidations, advances, accruals and pipelines, and ensure timely incremental funding.

Initiate project modification and/or budget realignment when the situation on the ground changes to the extent that the original objectives, results and deliverables warrant revision.

2. Monitor the ~$170M annual HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis budget; work in collaboration with the OHH Financial Analyst to ensure that budgets are up-to-date; reprogramming is completed; budgetary changes are approved by OHH’s Office Director and Deputies; ensure Technical Working Group members are informed of minimum and maximum budget expectations for PEPFAR Country Operational Plan planning, and coordination with other units for projects with multiple funding sources.

3. Provide strategic direction and technical oversight to key USAID governmental, non-governmental, and private sector partners to ensure that they develop strategies, work plans, and targets that are aligned with USAID goals and objectives.

4. Ensure technical and programmatic synergy within USAID/Uganda supported HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and laboratory activities and between those of government and other development partners by facilitating exchange of technical information and identifying and fostering opportunities for partnership on technical and programmatic activities, particularly those related to care and treatment.

5. Provide substantial input and technical leadership in the interagency annual portfolio review of all USG supported HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis programs.

6. Work with OHH Strategic Information Senior advisors to develop and execute scientifically and operationally robust monitoring and evaluation plans and external performance and impact evaluations for USAID HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis prevention, care and treatment programs.

7. Work with C/AORs, OHH Unit Leaders and technical advisors to ensure timely initiation and completion of new project designs. Fully participate or take the lead on each stage of project design for new activities including drafting and obtaining getting approvals for concept papers, writing scopes of work, evaluating applications/proposals and starting -up new projects.

8. Engage technical and working groups to make critical technical decisions based on evidence so that USG health and HIV/AIDS funding is invested in high impact, evidence based and critical programs while systematically phasing out projects which are vertical and high cost in nature.

9. Supervise three members of USAID/Uganda OHH unit. In this role the contractor is responsible for ensuring that existing and new unit members have the necessary technical, programmatic, and management skills through ongoing mentoring and technical guidance, ensuring that the unit members have access to up-to-date evidence and best practices on their respective technical areas, and ensuring that unit members receive internal and external trainings on key technical issues relevant to their duties and responsibilities. Moreover, the contractor will ensure that unit members are up to date on USG senior management decisions on all matters relevant to their programs and operations. Likewise, the contractor will present issues of concern from staff and technical working groups to the USAID senior management, the PEPFAR Points of Contact group and Interagency Health Team and solicit USG position on the issues.

MULTI-AGENCY COORDINATION AND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS (30%)

1. Serve as USAID focal point for coordination with various entities of the GOU, other donors, the private sector, and civil society on matters relating to HIV/AIDS care and treatment, tuberculosis control and expansion of laboratory infrastructure.

2. Collaborate with all USG agencies supporting the implementation of PEPFAR and facilitate coordination for HIV/AIDS care and treatment, tuberculosis and laboratory services within the USAID team. Provide substantial input, based on technical and managerial experience, into the planning, design and oversight of USAID

HIV/AIDS, TB and laboratory activities at national, district and sub-district levels. Planning and reporting processes include but are not limited to PEPFAR Country Operational Plans and Mission Plans.

3. Represent USAID with the GOU on national committees and collaborate closely with key development partners (such as World Health Organization (WHO), MOH, AIDS Control Program, the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Program, the GFATM, and implementing partners to promote coordination and adoption of sound technical approaches for the effective delivery and sustainability of HIV/AIDS care and treatment, tuberculosis, and laboratory services.

4. Engage in health sector strategic planning and review meetings with the MOH, other donors and partners, committees, and planning, monitoring, and supervisory visits such as the annual Joint Review Mission.

5. Organize coordination meetings involving USG implementing partners and relevant MOH program managers to ensure standardization of practices, sharing best practices, minimize duplication, and ensure maximum impact and value for money. These include coordination meetings on tuberculosis control, laboratory services and infrastructure and HIV/AIDS care and treatment.

6. Present new concepts, designs, and newly awarded projects to the senior MOH management.

7. Work with the MOH, the private sector, civil society and other stakeholders including coordination with multilateral and bilateral donors on joint planning and coordination of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and laboratory services.

8. Perform other duties and Mission priorities that may be assigned by the HIV/AIDS and TB Unit Leader and the OHH Office Director and Deputies.

POSITION ELEMENTS

Post Entry Training: On-the-job training will be provided relating to USAID-specific procedures, regulations, including the ADS, Mission Orders, and all planning and reporting databases. Formal C/AOR certification courses will be provided, and program/project management and design, financial management, supervision and other appropriate training courses will be offered, subject to course offerings and the availability of funds. The contractor shall annually complete Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 450 form). The contractor shall attend mandatory annual Ethics training conducted at USAID/Uganda by the Regional Legal Advisor.

Available Guidelines: Host-country laws, USAID Handbooks, and the Automated Directives System (ADS), on project implementation, procurement, contracting, and policy, and other regulations. Handbook guidance is supplemented by Mission Orders governing policy, procedure, and regulation, the mission organization chart, and position description.

Exercise of Judgment: Substantial judgment (discretion) is used daily in giving technical guidance to USG, USAID, and GOU high-level colleagues, to IPs, and in representing USAID in multiple stakeholder fora.

Management decisions are certain IPs are at the discretion of the Senior HIV AIDS/TB Advisor. Substantial judgment is required in analyzing and determining whether or not to recommend approval of proposed programs/projects, in choosing among alternative proposals, and in evaluating data for reliability.

Authority to Make Commitments: None. The contractor shall not make any unauthorized commitments for the USG. However, the contractor exercises the authority given to activity managers and C/AORs and may make administrative arrangements consistent with ADS guidance and Mission policy. The contractor will act and establish priorities based on available guidelines and professional judgment. Guidance is sought when needed, and the supervisor informed of activity and project status. Within the scope of the authority delegated, the contractor may indicate to ranking counterpart and implementing partner officials that they will make a recommendation to USAID on a specific activity issue or problem.

Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: Must be able to develop and maintain contacts with all levels of staff in the Mission, including senior leadership. The contractor shall provide consistent, credible and diplomatic representation of USAID to high level GOU officials including the Permanent Secretary and Director General;

donor, and other partner contacts for technical, policy and program management issues related to HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis care and treatment and laboratory services. Maintain an extensive range of mid-to senior-level contacts in government, donor, and private-sector circles for purposes of project implementation, obtaining and interpreting information relevant to program activities, providing guidance and procedures and discussing submitted proposals. Primary contacts are at the MOH, AIDS Control Program, Uganda AIDS Commission, the National TB and Leprosy Program, other development partners, civil society, and the private sector. Represent USAID in international and national technical fora, with multiple stakeholders.

Support Items: The contractor will be provided with the support services, equipment, and supplies necessary to perform the work.

Supervisory Relationship

Works under the general supervision of the HIV/AIDS and TB Unit Leader and collaboratively with the OHH Office Director and Deputies, Family Health Unit Leader, and other members of OHH as well as PEPFAR teams and working groups. Assignments are primarily in terms of program objectives and desired results.

Accomplishments are evaluated for conformance with policy and accomplishment of USAID/Uganda objectives and individual work objectives through periodic and annual evaluations.

Supervisory Controls

The contractor will supervise a minimum of three OHH Program Management Specialists.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands, though the contractor will also extensively travel to USAID focus districts in Uganda to provide the necessary technical and strategic support to USAID projects at the district level and participate in joint supportive supervision visits to public and private health facilities and community programs.

S/he will also participate in joint district coordination and planning meetings to ensure that USAID supported programs are synergistic, non-duplicative, and complementary and address district priorities that would lead to long term and sustainable impact.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

The offeror must meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

USAID/Uganda expects to award a personal services contract for an offshore or resident hire U.S. citizen, U.S.

Resident Alien for a two-year period.

The successful applicant must be capable of securing a U.S. Government Employment Authorization. S/he must be able to secure a medical clearance to serve in Uganda.

In order to be considered for the position, an offeror must meet the Minimum Qualifications listed below.

Consideration and selection will be based on a panel evaluation of the Evaluation Factors.

Offerors meeting the required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on the information/ documentation presented in the offer.

Additionally, interviews and writing samples may be requested only from the top scoring offerors. Please note that not all offerors will be interviewed or contacted.

USAID reserves the right to conduct telephonic interviews with the highest-ranked offerors and make the interview a deciding factor in selection.

USAID reserves the right to contact previous employers for relevant information concerning performance and may consider such information in its evaluation. Reference checks may be conducted on those offerors selected for an interview. The offeror’s references must be able to provide substantive information about his/her past performance and abilities.

USAID will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews unless expenses are pre-authorized.

A. EDUCATION

Medical degree from a recognized institution is required.

B. WORK EXPERIENCE

A minimum 15 years of progressively responsible experience in designing, implementing and managing health, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis programs in sub-Saharan Africa. Technical knowledge of comprehensive TB and HIV/AIDS care and treatment programs, with at least 10 years programming and implementing TB control and HIV/AIDS care and treatment programs in sub-Saharan Africa.

Experience in program design, strategic planning, program management, implementation, and evaluation of health programs with demonstrated technical expertise in HIV/AIDS care and treatment, tuberculosis, and laboratory services, in sub-saharan Africa is required. Experience working collaboratively with senior, managerial, technical host-country counterparts, donors, and other stakeholders at national and decentralized levels.

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

C. TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE:

Highly specialized skills, expert subject matter knowledge and significant experience related to key technical areas including prevention, care and treatment of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis in highly endemic and resource-constrained environments required.

Extensive hands-on experience in technical oversight and management of clinical and laboratory services, which are major components of the USAID/Uganda’s HIV/AIDS/TB portfolio required. This includes practical knowledge in management of decentralized laboratory services including establishment and oversight of innovative laboratory network systems to extend high quality services to rural and hard to reach areas, required.

Demonstrated knowledge and experience on how vertical disease-oriented initiatives can be integrated within the broader health strategy for maximized impact in the provision of high-quality services to Ugandans required.

Extensive technical knowledge and practical experience in the management of integrated TB and HIV/AIDS care and treatment programs including MDR TB control required.

Demonstrated knowledge and experience in working with host country local organizations and community systems necessary to support USAID/Uganda’s transition to local partners required.

Expertise in working with host country community structures is also required as is hands-on experience in data analysis and interpretation with the ability to quickly discern trends and formulate hypotheses for real time performance monitoring, program improvement and adaptation required.

Working knowledge of the USG programming, process, documentation and business practices advantageous.

D. SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

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.

Highly skilled analytical ability to interpret public policies and assist in the development of revised policies as required for improving the policy environment related to HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis care and treatment in Uganda; Strong management and administrative skills required to develop and oversee implementation of effective HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and laboratory programs activities.

Demonstrated ability to work effectively in teams and collaborate in a multi-agency setting. Ability in dealing effectively and diplomatically with multiple U.S. and host-country government agencies, non-governmental organizations, faith-based organizations, and the private sector.

Ability to integrate short and long range objectives of the USAID HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis activities with critical needs of the government in order to fill gaps, improve quality and implement best practices; Knowledge and skills in quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods; experience in designing and evaluating HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis activities in Africa; Proven skills in capacity building and mentoring local staff in a developing country.

A high degree of judgment, maturity, ingenuity, and originality to interpret technical and political opportunities and constraints. Strong financial management and administrative skills are necessary to track the performance of G2G awards and/or implementing partner agreements.

Strong written and verbal communication skills: Must be fluent in English (FSI Level 4) and have proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly and concisely in both speech and writing. Excellent writing skills must include ability to produce and edit documents in a timely manner. Ability to communicate technical information to technical and nontechnical audiences.

Computer literacy, including ease and skill in using word processing programs, email, spreadsheet applications, and presentation software; and familiarity with the worldwide web.

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. FAR provisions of this solicitation are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

Offers will be initially screened for compliance with application instructions and eligibility in accordance with the qualification criteria above. Incomplete, unsigned applications that are not in compliance with the instructions will not be evaluated or considered for award.

Offerors must address each of the three criterions (Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs) in their offer in order to meet the minimum qualifications for this position. Top-ranked offerors who meet the minimum qualification will be invited for an interview and given a written evaluation.

Management may consider the following when determining successful candidacy: nepotism, conflicts of interest, budget, and residency status.

The three criterions (Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs) that must be addressed in a supplemental document – item IV (1) (D) are:

1. Work Experience (40 points in total):

A minimum 15 years of progressively responsible experience in designing, implementing and managing health, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis programs in sub-Saharan Africa. Technical knowledge of comprehensive TB and HIV/AIDS care and treatment programs, with at least 10 years programming and implementing TB control and HIV/AIDS care and treatment programs in sub-Saharan Africa, required.

Experience in program design, strategic planning, program management, implementation, and evaluation of health programs with demonstrated technical expertise in HIV/AIDS care and treatment, tuberculosis, and laboratory services, in sub-saharan Africa is required.

Experience working collaboratively with senior, managerial, technical host-country counterparts, donors, and other stakeholders at national and decentralized levels.

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

2. Technical Knowledge (30 points in total):

Highly specialized skills, expert subject matter knowledge and significant experience related to key technical areas including prevention, care and treatment of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis in highly endemic and resource-constrained environments required, required.

Extensive hands-on experience in technical oversight and management of clinical and laboratory services, which are major components of the USAID/Uganda’s HIV/AIDS/TB portfolio required. This includes practical knowledge in management of decentralized laboratory services including establishment and oversight of innovative laboratory network systems to extend high quality services to rural and hard to reach areas, required.

Demonstrated knowledge and experience on how vertical disease-oriented initiatives can be integrated within the broader health strategy for maximized impact in the provision of high-quality services to Ugandans, required.

Extensive technical knowledge and practical experience in the management of integrated TB and HIV/AIDS care and treatment programs including MDR TB control, required.

Demonstrated knowledge and experience in working with host country local organizations and community systems necessary to support USAID/Uganda’s transition to local partners, required.

Expertise in working with host country community structures is also required as is hands-on experience in data analysis and interpretation with the ability to quickly discern trends and formulate hypotheses for real time performance monitoring, program improvement and adaptation, required.

Working knowledge of the USG programming, process, documentation and business practices, advantageous.

3. Skills and Abilities (30 points in total):

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.

Highly skilled analytical ability to interpret public policies and assist in the development of revised policies as required for improving the policy environment related to HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis care and treatment in Uganda; Strong management and administrative skills required to develop and oversee implementation of effective HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and laboratory programs activities.

Demonstrated ability to work effectively in teams and collaborate in a multi-agency setting. Ability in dealing effectively and diplomatically with multiple U.S. and host-country government agencies, non-governmental organizations, faith-based organizations, and the private sector.

Ability to integrate short and long range objectives of the USAID HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis activities with critical needs of the government in order to fill gaps, improve quality and implement best practices; Knowledge and skills in quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods; experience in designing and evaluating HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis activities in Africa; Proven skills in capacity building and mentoring local staff in a developing country.

A high degree of judgment, maturity, ingenuity, and originality to interpret technical and political opportunities and constraints. Strong financial management and administrative skills are necessary to track the performance of G2G awards and/or implementing partner agreements.

Strong written and verbal communication skills: Must be fluent in English (FSI Level 4) and have proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly and concisely in both speech and writing. Excellent writing skills must include ability to produce and edit documents in a timely manner. Ability to communicate technical information to technical and nontechnical audiences.

Computer literacy, including ease and skill in using word processing programs, email, spreadsheet applications, and presentation software; and familiarity with the worldwide web.

4. Education (Pass/Fail)

Applicants without a relevant degree will not be considered for award or proceed forward in the evaluation process. Medical degree from a recognized institution is required.

Total Possible Points: 100

Work Experience: 40 points Technical Knowledge: 30 points Skills and Abilities: 30 points

Education – Pass/Fail Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks – Pass/Fail

Total Possible Points: 100 Evaluation Factor Total – 100 points, and Pass for Education and Reference Check

Offerors invited to an interview and/or written test will be evaluated based upon the same criteria described above. In addition, offerors determined to be competitively ranked may also be evaluated on interview performance, written evaluations and/or satisfactory professional reference checks.

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

1. Eligible offerors are required to complete and submit:

A. A hand signed offer form AID 309-2, “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals,” available at: http://www.usaid.gov/forms;

B. Cover letter clearly indicating the position for which you are applying;

C. Curriculum vitae/resume specifically which MUST include:

(i) Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year) and hours worked per week for each position;

-- Dates (month/year) and locations for all international field experience must also be detailed;

-- Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), location, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.

(ii) Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work.

(iii) Names and contact information (phone and email) of your current and/or previous supervisor(s).

(iv) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments.

D. Supplemental [separate] document specifically addressing each QRF as outlined in the solicitation.

E. United States (U.S.) citizens and Resident Alien (currently resident in Uganda) must attach a copy of a valid work permit.

2. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted by email to gnakaddu@usaid.gov copy to cnatividad@usaid.gov.

No other form of submission will be permitted (e.g. courier, fax or hand delivery). The US Government will not be responsible for incomplete/corrupted or missing information in electronic submissions and these applications may not be accepted. USAID will only confirm receipt and print out the electronic submission. USAID will not ensure quality or completeness of electronic files attached to the e-mails. The Offeror assumes all risk related to an electronic submission. Late offers or delayed electronic submissions will not be accepted.

3. Offeror submissions must clearly reference the number of this Solicitation to ensure the offer is for the position in this Solicitation.

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

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 the following forms.

mailto:gnakaddu@usaid.gov mailto:cnatividad@usaid.gov

1. Medical Form (DS Form 6561)

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

3. EQIP Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions…