SOL 72067321R00001 - Namibia PEPFAR Coordinator.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72067321R00001

ISSUANCE DATE: June 28, 2021

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: July 27, 2021 – 17:00 –

Local Time, Pretoria, South Africa

SUBJECT: Solicitation for US 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, Shelby Hunt

Contracting Officer

ATTACHMENT 1 72067321R00001

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72067321R00001

2. ISSUANCE DATE: June 28, 2021

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: July 27, 2021

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Alicia Veldman

5. POSITION TITLE: PEPFAR Country Coordinator

6. MARKET VALUE: $ 93,907- $ 122,077 equivalent to GS- 14

Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Five years estimated to start in October 2021.

“The base period will be two years, estimated to start in October 2021. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise (an) additional option period(s) for three years for the date(s) estimated as follows:”

Base Period: October 2021 to October 2023

Option Period 1: October 2023 to October 2025

Option Period 2: October 2025 to October 2026

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

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: United States (U.S.) Citizens.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Employment Authorization – Secret Clearance Level.

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

A. Overview

The PEPFAR Country Coordinator (“the Coordinator”) in Namibia is responsible for the leadership and facilitation of the interagency country team, to manage and coordinate the strategy and implementation planning, and for communication among the U.S. Government (USG) departments and agencies (State

Department, CDC, USAID, and Peace Corps) involved in the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief

(PEPFAR) in Namibia. The Coordinator receives policy direction from the U.S. Ambassador to Namibia and decision-making authority from the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator. Daily supervision and annual evaluation of the Coordinator is assigned to the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM).

B. Background

The Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator (S/GAC) is responsible for implementing the U.S.

President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) - the USG initiative to help save the lives of those suffering from HIV/AIDS around the world. This historic commitment is the largest by any nation to combat a single disease internationally, and PEPFAR investments also help alleviate suffering from other diseases across the global health spectrum.

PEPFAR is driven by a shared responsibility among donor and partner nations and others to make smart investments to save lives. Thanks in large part to U.S. leadership, tremendous progress has been made in the fight against global HIV and AIDS. PEPFAR has directly supported life-saving antiretroviral treatment (ART) for more than 17.2 million men, women and children worldwide as of 2020. PEPFAR has directly supported 56.7 million people with testing and counseling, including care and support for nearly 7 million orphans and vulnerable children.

PEPFAR is heading into what may be its most challenging, but exciting, phase yet - Phase III, focusing on

Sustainable Control of the Epidemic. The purpose of this phase is to reach the Joint United Nations

Program on HIV/AIDS’ (UNAIDS) ambitious 95-95-95 global goals: 95 percent of people with HIV diagnosed, 95 percent of them on ART and 95 percent of them virally suppressed by 2020. This strategic goal is consistent with the approach of the Government of the Republic of Namibia (GRN) as outlined in its National Acceleration Plan for HIV/AIDS. The Coordinator and PEPFAR program will be focused on achieving demonstrable results towards these shared goals.

C. Position Objectives and Principal Role

The incumbent serves as the Coordinator within U.S. Embassy Windhoek and coordinates with and receives guidance from the Department of State’s Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (S/GAC). The incumbent represents the PEPFAR program and policies of the Global AIDS Coordinator in Namibia. The

Ambassador provides overall direction and maintains overall responsibility for the USG’s PEPFAR efforts in Namibia. The DCM provides the incumbent on-site line management and country-level policy direction. The Coordinator also maintains an official reporting relationship to the Global AIDS

Coordinator’s designee based in Washington, DC.

Globally, S/GAC is responsible for overseeing the substantial investments of PEPFAR, ensuring that these investments are wisely and effectively deployed to have the greatest impact on the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

The Coordinator’s main area of oversight is the facilitation, planning, implementation, and reporting of program performance of the interagency program in Namibia. As the S/GAC representative in Namibia, the Coordinator ensures that the funds deployed under PEPFAR are wisely and effectively used to address

Namibia’s HIV/AIDS epidemic. Specifically, the Coordinator ensures that funds are allocated strategically across agency and technical areas, are coordinated with inputs from the GRN and other donors, are consistent with USG laws and policies (especially legislation pertaining specifically to PEPFAR), and support the national goals and plans of the GRN. With guidance from S/GAC’s Management and Budget division, the Coordinator shall establish fiscal controls and reporting systems to track funds accurately and control disbursements effectively toward targeted areas.

PEPFAR is a “whole of government” program, involving multiple USG agencies in a single, strategic response coordinated by the Department of State at the headquarters level and by the Coordinator in the field. An open, transparent and effective interagency process is essential for the success of PEPFAR’s efforts in HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment. The Coordinator’s role is to ensure that the country level program reflects this whole of government approach, working with S/GAC’s Programs division to communicate key policy and technical issues to the broad USG PEPFAR team in country. The

Coordinator is responsible for leading the development and monitoring of a cohesive interagency program by providing leadership and facilitation to the interagency PEPFAR team in Namibia for all aspects of

PEPFAR —policy, technical, managerial, and operational. The Coordinator collaborates with the USG inter-agency, Namibian government, and S/GAC to ensure achievement of PEPFAR’s primary HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care goals and PEPFAR’s public health sustainability and health diplomacy goals.

PEPFAR in Namibia

PEPFAR Namibia is dedicated to helping Namibia achieve an AIDS-free generation through shared responsibility and smart investments based on the best available evidence.

PEPFAR Namibia is guided by the PEPFAR Blueprint for Achieving an AIDS-free Generation and

National Strategic Framework. The PEPFAR Namibia transition goal is to position the GRN to assume full responsibility for the management of its HIV program. USG resources are focused on ensuring that

Namibia will have the body of country-specific data, technical capacity, human resources, and coordinating mechanisms required to direct and execute an HIV program that reflects the nation’s priorities, consistent with reduced donor funding. Namibia is building upon previous achievements, including a strong partnership with and commitment of the GRN to the success of the National HIV

Response. The high coverage of the ART, the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) program, and HIV Testing and Counseling (HTC) among women is a testament to this partnership.

In Namibia, PEPFAR programs are implemented by four USG agencies; the Department of State (DOS), the Department of Health and Human Services through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC) Peace Corps, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). These agencies support a coordinated interagency management model which leverages and builds upon agency-specific strengths, expertise, and historical relationships to achieve shared PEPFAR goals.

The GRN is committed to fighting HIV/AIDS and takes a leadership role in HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment care for all its citizens. PEPFAR has supported the national capacity to plan, lead, manage, and deliver quality health services across Namibia. The United States is the largest HIV/AIDS bilateral donor in Namibia, with total support of over $1.2 billion since the program inception. Other major donors and development partners supporting the HIV/AIDS response in Namibia include: the Global Fund to

Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (Global Fund), and the United Nations agencies (UNDP, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNAIDS, UNIFEM, and the World Health Organization). The GRN contributes roughly two-thirds of the resources spent on the HIV/AIDS response in Namibia.

As a result of these efforts, PEPFAR has seen great success in Namibia and Namibia is a global leader in reaching epidemic control.

Position Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Management and Oversight/Coordination among USG Implementing Agencies (55%)

• Leads the USG interagency team in Namibia in the conception, formulation, recommendation, and implementation of initiatives in response to the epidemic profile in the designated country, and to the program operational realm, including to:

- Ensure that the PEPFAR program fits within the regulations of the GRN and aligns with international policies and recommendations;

- Implement USG policy and technical direction;

- Facilitate the interagency approach to PEPFAR within the USG, including positioning each implementing agency, as per its comparative advantage;

- Restructure, reorient, and recast immediate and long range goals, objectives, plans and schedules to meet substantial changes in policy, legislation, program authority and/or funding;

- Lead discussions on determinations of projects to be initiated, dropped, or curtailed;

- Coordinate the development of annual country operational plans (COPs);

- Coordinate interagency reporting to facilitate meeting deadlines as an operational unit;

- Oversee changes in organizational structure; and,

- Engage in long range planning in connection with prospective changes in USG funding, policies, and programs.

• Establishes appropriate controls to ensure the integrity—financial, technical, and operational—of all HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care programs implemented pursuant to PEPFAR.

• Serves as the budget holder for the PEPFAR program in the country context. In consultation with the U.S. Embassy front office and the interagency PEFPAR leadership, management and technical teams, the Coordinator exercises budget authority of those funds directly managed by Department of State to decide how best to apply the funds for successful program impact.

• Provides oversight of the country annual COP funding (the Coordinator must understand the current interagency levels of expenditure and pipeline, development of budgets, and ensure agencies are receiving the flow of funds necessary to implement the program).

• Ensures the use of data collection and knowledge-based program management in regard to all aspects (implementation, technology, costing) of treatment, prevention and care strategies.

• Provides leadership, advice, and counsel to USG interagency team in country in the implementation and monitoring of the PEPFAR program portfolio, including interagency reporting to satisfy PEPFAR Oversight and Accountability Response Team (POART) requirements.

• Facilitates decision-making to ensure program sustainability and mutual accountability in a post-emergency response.

• Analyzes the unique operational context of the PEPFAR program in Namibia. Establishes a vision and strategy in coordination with the interagency team for responding to this context within the guidelines of S/GAC policies and U.S. diplomatic priorities.

Collaboration among Major Non-USG Stakeholders (20%)

• Ensures coordination and linkage of USG bilateral assistance with other bilateral donors, non-governmental organizations, and international multilateral organizations engaged in the fight against the global HIV/AIDS pandemic, including the UN bodies and the Global Fund.

• Collaborates and shares information with multilateral partners, other donors, and S/GAC relevant to the success of broad efforts to mitigate the impact of the HIV epidemic in country.

• Liaises with development partners, and, in particular, the Country Coordination Mechanism

(CCM) of the Global Fund, to ensure complementarities between the USG investments and other donors. Acts as the USG representative member on the local Global Fund CCM.

• Provides oversight and develops the vision of USG interaction in collaboration with the interagency team and the Embassy leadership with the GRN on all aspects of HIV/AIDS, including the various executive branch bodies (for example, the health sector, the social welfare system, and the finance divisions).

• Establishes, along with other USG agency leadership implementing the PEPFAR program, appropriate protocols for collaboration with the GRN.

• Promotes alignment with and understanding of GRN priorities and policies among USG staff.

• Evaluates the relative need, local conditions and capability of the GRN to develop or improve their infrastructure and programs necessary to provide or strengthen the quality, availability and sustainability of HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention and care services.

• Leads discussions about the timing and implementation plans for transition from USG resources toward other types of funding for sustainable HIV responses.

• Counsels and advises S/GAC decision-makers regarding the optimal mix of funding support for the designated country.

• Ensures outreach to and engagement of private sector partners, including advocacy groups, faith-and community-based organizations, and businesses in the HIV/AIDS response. Encourages the engagement of these groups by all USG agencies responding to the epidemic in-country.

Program Representation (15%)

• Promotes the accountability of PEPFAR and other HIV/AIDS programs supported by the USG to

Administration officials, Members of Congress, and the general public through the development and communication of appropriate statements, reports, and representation.

• In collaboration with various PEPFAR implementing agencies, represents the USG, and the

Ambassador’s office, in country-level and, international-level fora such as working groups, CCMs, steering committees, etc., with a focus on responding to the HIV epidemic and to integration of

HIV services into broader health efforts in the designated country.

• Counsels and advises the S/GAC and U.S. Embassy staff on relevant HIV/AIDS policies and issues that emerge in various settings with stakeholders. As requested by S/GAC and the U.S.

Embassy, speaks on behalf of the USG about specific country HIV/AIDS epidemic needs based on a comprehensive knowledge of the overall country, regional, and global context, in-country

HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care programs, and the current status of implementation of

PEPFAR.

• Supported by a Country Support Team Lead (CSTL) at S/GAC, communicates field-based and headquarters priorities upstream and downstream. With the CSTL, facilitate interagency dialogue between the field and headquarters interagency teams.

• Serves as the representative of the USG at international meetings, conferences, etc., whose sponsors or attendees may include donors and others with significant equities and other contributors in the fight against the global HIV/AIDS pandemic.

• Recommends and promotes positions and views for the USG on strategies, initiatives and current programs that aim to improve the prevention, treatment and care of HIV/AIDS.

• Plans and directs the identification, development, implementation and monitoring of outreach and/or liaison activities and initiatives with USG representatives, including Congressional staff, the

GRN, international organizations, non-governmental organizations and regional donors to foster greater leadership, commitment, and resources on their part in the global fight against the

HIV/AIDS pandemic.

• Informs and engages the Chief of Mission, the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, USG representatives in-country administering HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care programs, non-governmental organizations, and GRN officials and their medical professionals on PEPFAR program achievements, concerns and needs to reinforce initiatives to accomplish the goals of

PEPFAR through bilateral and multilateral diplomatic efforts.

Other Duties (10%)

• The Coordinator devises and maintains appropriate management and internal control systems to ensure that all resources are safeguarded against waste, fraud, unauthorized use or misappropriation; obligations incurred comply with applicable laws and regulations; and revenues and expenditures are promptly recorded and accounted for in accordance with USG procedures.

• Proactively identifies program areas where potential for waste, fraud, unauthorized use or misappropriation exist and pursues systematic resolution.

Common Duties incorporated in the above areas of responsibility:

Contacts

The purpose of contacts is to influence, motivate, and persuade key officials of foreign governments and senior representatives of international, multilateral organizations and non-governmental organizations, including those who may be cautious in working with the USG, to implement HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care programs; restructure and improve the quality and capacity of health care systems generally; and properly and thoroughly measure the progress of PEPFAR in the global fight against the

HIV/AIDS pandemic given the multi-billion dollars in financial resources authorized and appropriated by the Administration and the U.S. Congress.

Reporting Requirements

The work consists of broad program management of the multi-faceted PEPFAR function to develop, implement, and monitor in-country HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care plans; to serve as the key facilitator of the USG interagency team implementing PEPFAR activities in the areas of HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care, and health systems strengthening; and to address issues, concerns, etc.

associated with services for orphans and vulnerable children, palliative care, training and volunteer work, and health care worker human capacity development. The Coordinator assists with planning, developing, directing, and controlling key functions of a major program with international scope.

The Coordinator’s portfolio involves the full range of roles and responsibilities associated with broad program management and leadership to include accountability for the success of the aforementioned functions; the monitoring and oversight of operations to deliver, measure and evaluate accomplishments and/or progress to date, to highlight successes, and to identify reasons for shortfalls; to adjust, should such action be necessary, to achieve program goals; the development and maintenance of internal control systems to ensure that human, financial, technological and material resources are safeguarded against waste, fraud, unauthorized use, and/or misappropriation. These roles and responsibilities may be complicated by the need to consider and evaluate the impact of a range of factors such as: the need to recommend variance in Country Operational Plans (COPs) based on stages of the designated country’s response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the anticipated trajectory of the USG investment in that response; the lack of appropriate HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care protocols which can lead to ineffective, inconsistent and uneven program implementation; limited technical capacity which is a barrier to increasing and strengthening HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care interventions and to ensuring compliance with established, recognized protocols; avoiding the duplication of program efforts and an uncoordinated response, especially in the most afflicted nations where so many institutions and organizations have initiated well-meaning programs; and Administration and Congressional interest and oversight in light of the unprecedented resources that the Administration and Congress have authorized and appropriated in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic through PEPFAR.

Management Responsibilities

• Supervises a section which is comprised of locally employed staff members, who together complete functional responsibilities, small grants management, communications work, and perform reporting and analytical work and/or provide administrative support. There may be separate organizational units established for those activities.

• Provides assistance in crisis management planning and contributes to the preparation and execution of emergency action plans.

• Manages human, physical, and financial resources.

Level of Authority

The Coordinator is viewed as a Section Head within the Namibia Mission Country Team and is an expert authority on the host country HIV/AIDS epidemic and USG policies and practices, through

PEPFAR, to provide HIV/AIDS services, particularly prevention, treatment and care. The Coordinator has a specialized and demonstrated knowledge of the principles, practices, methods, and techniques of management of public health or other programs, especially in resource-poor settings; knowledge and demonstrated capability in coordination of organizations or agencies with varied organizational culture and core competencies towards the achievement of common goals; demonstrated competency in facilitation and negotiation between various stakeholders resulting in measurable, positive outcomes;

knowledge of the culture, socio-cultural norms, and the public health capacities in countries where the

USG is implementing and administering HIV/AIDS programs; substantial knowledge of facilitation and management that can be applied to a diverse group of USG implementing agencies working to mitigate

HIV/AIDS and to deliver services pertaining to its treatment, prevention and care; knowledge of the operations and capacities of other donor governments, international multilateral organizations, and non-governmental organizations involved in the fight against the global HIV/AIDS pandemic; an ability to establish and maintain working relationships at all levels throughout the management, medical, scientific, public, and private sectors of the broad Emergency Plan community to gather and exchange information and negotiate proposals and initiatives; ability to provide timely expert advice and consultation to executive and senior level management officials regarding the appropriate investment of

U.S. resources in the prevention, treatment and care of HIV/AIDS; and skill in verbal and written communication to review and present analyses, provide guidance, solicit information, defend proposals, and negotiate agreements.

Supervision Received

The Coordinator reports to the DCM, who provides on-site line management and country-level policy direction; the Coordinator also maintains an official reporting relationship to both the Ambassador and the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator. The supervisor provides administrative direction with regular and recurring assignments. Specific tasks frequently originate out of the public health, program management, or policy activities of the work; the Coordinator is responsible for planning, coordinating and carrying out assignments, apprising the supervisor of progress as appropriate.

Physical Demands and Logistical Arrangements

The work is generally sedentary and does not pose undue physical demands. The position provides for

USG provision of office space, telephone, fax, and e-mail as well as travel, lodging, and transportation reimbursement when undertaken for official purposes.

Work Environment and Travel

Work is primarily performed in an office setting within USG offices in Windhoek, Namibia. Temporary duty travel to the United States or elsewhere may be required as part of the duties of this position. The

Coordinator is expected to travel within Namibia as required to meet the responsibilities of the position inclusive of travel:

• as required in preparation for and to accompany, the Ambassador, DCM, USG officials, or other visitors as required;

• for PEPFAR field visits; and,

• to participate in meetings or appropriate workshops, including an annual PEPFAR Coordinators' meeting and the annual PEPFAR meeting.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

In order to be considered for this position, a candidate must meet the Required Minimum Qualifications and Experience listed below. Consideration and selection will be based on panel evaluation of Required

Minimum Qualifications, Desired Qualifications, and Evaluation Factors. Additionally, interviews and writing samples may be requested. Applicants are encouraged to write a brief appendix to a resume, and submit form A302-3 to demonstrate how prior experience and/or training addresses the Minimum

Qualifications and Evaluation Factors listed below:

Required Minimum Qualifications and Experience:

This position requires a highly qualified and experienced individual with exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, the ability to foster team work, the capacity for strategic thinking, and an understanding of the technical and policy requirements to achieve the PEPFAR goals in Namibia. The incumbent must be familiar with and be able to work well in an overseas environment and with a wide range of governmental and non-governmental counterparts. The Coordinator must have the following minimum qualifications:

Education: An advanced degree (master's or higher) in a relevant professional discipline, such as Public

Policy, Public Heath, Business Administration or related subject, is required.

Prior Work Experience: At least seven (7) years of progressively senior level experience managing

HIV/AIDS, health or other development programs, preferably in a developing country context, with at least 5 years of experience in managing and implementing HIV/AIDS programs. At least five (5) years of proven experience working with large, complex international or domestic programs. Demonstrated experience operating in his/her non-native cultural environment. Demonstrated strong knowledge and understanding of PEPFAR policies and programming parameters, as well as actual experience managing

PEPFAR funds or implementing PEPFAR activities. Extensive knowledge of the technical issues related to HIV/AIDS, including knowledge of the principles of monitoring and evaluation. Demonstrated strong ability to manage complex programs with cooperation among multiple USG agencies, with sometimes competing priorities and demands.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal, teamwork, facilitation and negotiation skills;

• Strong oral and written communication skills;

• Ability to mediate interagency conflicts and facilitate decisions on complex technical, programmatic, strategic and financial issues;

• Strong analytical skills;

• Strong capacity to multi-task, including managing, prioritizing and fulfilling competing demands in real time;

• Ability to keep track of a large amount of data and manage complex interagency planning and reporting processes;

• Ability to empower PEPFAR team members to apply available resources and expertise to addressing the local epidemic;

• Cross-cultural sensitivity and awareness; and,

• Strong managerial skills.

Language Ability: Level IV English ability (fluent) is required. The incumbent must possess a high degree of proficiency in both written and spoken English.

Exercise of Judgment: The incumbent is required to exercise independent judgment and ingenuity to interpret and develop applications and guidelines to devise innovative approaches to resolve technical, administrative, managerial, and policy problems. Excellent, balanced judgment must be exercised in setting priorities. In addition, considerable judgment is required to work effectively with host-government officials; coordinate multi-sectoral efforts in support of objectives; and collect, analyze, and report the progress of activities and recommend project actions.

Administrative Requirements:

• U.S. Citizen (offshore or resident) or Permanent Resident Alien of the U.S.;

• Able to obtain USG medical and Secret-level security clearances;

• Available and willing to work outside the regular 40-hour workweek when required or necessary;

and

• Willing to travel to work sites and other offices as/when requested.

• An advanced degree (master's or higher) in a relevant professional discipline, such as Public

Policy, Public Health, Business Administration or related subject, is required.

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.

The following factors will be the basis for the evaluation of applications meeting the required minimum https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far qualifications listed above and are listed in no particular order. All applications will be evaluated based on the documentation submitted with the application. USAID reserves the right to contact your previous employers for relevant information concerning your performance and may consider such information in its evaluation. In most cases, only the highest-ranking applicant(s) will be selected for an interview.

1. Relevant Work Experience (40%)

2. Technical Knowledge and Ability (30%)

3. Communications and Interpersonal Skills (30%)

A. Relevant Work Experience (40 points):

• Recognized professional with a proven track-record in international health, specializing in organizational and human capacity development, human resources for health, and healthcare finance, especially within Health and HIV/AIDS settings.

• In-depth experience working in Health and/or HIV/AIDS programs.

B. Technical Knowledge and Ability (30 points):

• Demonstrated knowledge working with USG procedures and policies including procurement, financial and programmatic management, performance monitoring and evaluation of impact.

• Demonstrated knowledge of the critical technical and substantive issues related to systems strengthening and capacity development, program/project development and public health, especially within HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment settings.

• Demonstrated ability to interpret regulatory directives and related guidance, based on familiarity with USG and PEPFAR programs, policies, and regulations.

C. Communications and Interpersonal Skills (30 points):

• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain a wide range of senior-level and working-level contacts with Health and HIV/AIDS programs in host country government, non-governmental, and private-sector circles.

• Demonstrated fluency in English, with outstanding public speaking, negotiating, writing, and communication skills for various audiences (technical and non-technical).

• Demonstrated ability to present complex material, including data, clearly concisely and persuasively in presentations, technical reports, and other mediums, at times within short timeframes.

• Ability to draft speeches, press releases and success stories for the Ambassador and other high-ranking officials and for OGAC, Congress, and other stakeholders.

• Proven ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and to proactively build consensus.

• Ability to interact effectively and persuasively with a broad range of internal and external partners, especially high-ranking officials of the host country government, national NGOs and international organizations.

• Ability to function productively as a member of a multidisciplinary team and demonstrate experience and skills in managing human and financial resources.

• Demonstrated strong management and analytical skills to strategize, develop and implement effective HIV programs.

• Proficiency with computer word processing, e-mail, worldwide web applications, Microsoft

PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel and spreadsheet programs, and related logistics software for management, forecasting, etc.

• Demonstrated strong financial management and administrative skills to track the performance of implementing partners.

• Demonstrated supervisory experience.

USAID policy specifies that U.S. citizens or resident aliens (USNs) are preferred over third country nationals (TCNs). Therefore, USN and TCN offers will not be evaluated together. USAID will evaluate

USN offers first and if the CO determines that there are no qualified USNs, only then will USAID evaluate TCN offers

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

• Eligible offerors are required to complete and submit the offer form AID 309-2, “Offeror

Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals,” available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms.

• An up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV) or resume: Your CV/resume must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the application in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria.

Broad general statements that are vague or lacking specificity will not be considered as effectively addressing selection criteria. Applicants are encouraged to write a brief appendix to demonstrate how prior experience and/or training addresses the minimum qualifications and evaluation criteria set forth in the solicitation.

• References: Three (3) references, who are not family members or relatives, with working telephone and e-mail contacts. The references must be able to provide substantive information about your past performance and abilities. USAID reserves the right to contact your previous employers for relevant information concerning your performance and may consider such information in its evaluation of the application.

• Security Clearance: Prior to signing a contract, the selected individual will be required to obtain an

“employment authorization” if a US Citizen or US Green Card Holder. This temporary security clearance will be requested while a personal background investigation is conducted. Instructions for obtaining the security clearance will be forwarded to the selected individual once negotiations have been concluded.

• Submissions shall be in accordance with the above information at the place and time specified. In order to be considered for the position a candidate must meet the minimum qualifications listed in the solicitation. Consideration and selection will be based on a panel evaluation of the applications vis-a-vis the required qualifications. Applicants should note that the salary history for the purposes of the AID309-2 is the base salary paid, excluding benefits and allowances such as housing, travel, educational support, vehicle use, etc. Applicants are reminded and required to sign the certification at the end of the AID309-2.

• Offers 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.

• To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently reference the

Solicitation number in the offer submission

Methods of application submissions:

For applicants to be considered for this position the following guidelines will be adhered to and forms completed, signed and submitted to jobapplications@usaid.gov, to allow the evaluation committee to thoroughly and objectively review your application vis-a-vis the requirements of the position http://www.usaid.gov/forms mailto:jobapplications@usaid.gov

If sent via email:

Alicia Veldman

Human Resource Contracts Assistant

Telephone: +27 12 452 2088

E-mail address: jobapplications@usaid.gov

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit the forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award. Forms outlined below can be found at http://www.usaid.gov/forms:

• AID 309-2

• Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62). **

• Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85). **

• Finger Print Card (FD-258). **

** Forms 2 through 4 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job.

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) 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), available at https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101

(a) Temporary Quarter Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)

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

(c) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(d) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

(e) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(f) Education Travel (Section 280)

(g) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

(h) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600), 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 https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101

If a TCN is selected for this position the benefits will be adjusted as per Mission policy.

VII. TAXES

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

TCN will be eligible to pay taxes as specified by their respective country

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. Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract award as described below:

LINE ITEMS

ITEM NO

(A)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION)

(B)

QUANTITY

(C)

UNIT

(D)

UNIT

PRICE

(E)

AMOUNT (F)

0001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info:

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_

1001 Option Period 1 – Compensation, Fringe

Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info:

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_

2001 Option Period 2 – Compensation, Fringe

Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info:

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_ https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf 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***

http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations