SOL-521-15-000007_HIV-AIDS_Technical_Advisor.doc

SOL-521-15-000007

ISSUANCE DATE: 12-12-2014

CLOSING DATE: 12-26-2014

Ladies/Gentlemen:

SUBJECT: SOL-521-15-000007 (Revised) HIV/AIDS Technical Advisor The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications of qualified individuals from U.S. Citizens/TCN interested in providing Personal Services Contract (PSC) services as described in the attached solicitation.

Submittals shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified.

Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to:

Elénita Lahens

USAID/HAITI

Blvd. 15 Octobre

Tabarre 41

Port-au-Prince, Haiti

TELEPHONE NUMBER: 011-509-2 229-8000

FAX NUMBER: 011-509-2 229- 8066

E-MAIL ADDRESS: elahens@usaid.gov Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. All application and the required documents should be submitted to:

elahens@usaid.gov or sneptune@usaid.gov Sincerely, Diane Moore Executive Officer

SOLICITATION NUMBER: SOL-521-15-000007

ISSUANCE DATE: 12/12/2014

CLOSING DATE/TIME : 12/26/2014

POSITION TITTLE: HIV/AIDS Technical Advisor

MARKET VALUE: GS 13

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: ONE YEAR RENEWABLE

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI

SECURITY ACCESS: EMPLOYEMENT AUTHORIZATION

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens/TCN HIV/AIDS Technical Advisor

Position Description

Introduction The USG program in Haiti is a “whole of government” effort led by the Department of State with strong participation by USAID, HHS/CDC, the Departments of Defense, Energy, Education and other agencies with a particular focus on three key regions of the country. The USG is the major partner in health, and programs are being implemented by both USAID and CDC. The USAID portfolio comprises a comprehensive program which ensures access to primary health care services for more than 45% of the population. The portfolio includes a strong emphasis on HIV/AIDS, Health Systems Strengthening and Disabilities. By the end of FY13 PEPFAR was providing ARVs to more than 52,000 patients, representing 82% of all eligible patients in Haiti.

The USAID/Haiti PEFPAR health program works through its implementing partners, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, and leverages funding and technical assistance from other donors and initiatives such as the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria.

Role and Responsibility of The HIV/AIDS Technical Advisor

USAID/Haiti is seeking the assistance of a Senior HIV/AIDS Technical Advisor for a range of technical, management, coordination and analytical responsibilities in the design and implementation of activities to support programs and services for HIV/AIDS. Working with a team of health professionals, the Senior HIV/AIDS Technical Advisor is expected to provide technical direction, under the supervision of the team leader, in the design and implementation of USAID’s activities, in collaboration with other donors, and specifically provide management oversight to grantees implementing USAID funded HIV/AIDS activities.

This is a highly visible position and requires that the incumbent maintain professional contacts among high-level regional institutions, donors, the private sector, and USG agencies. The incumbent is expected to have the initiative, knowledge of Agency regulations and procedures, experience and maturity to exercise professional judgment for conducting negotiations with relevant counterparts to further the Agency’s interests.

Roles and Functions:

Maintain a high degree of knowledge of the current epidemiology of HIV and AIDS in Haiti and the political, social, and cultural context within which USAID’s strategy needs to be implemented.

Keep abreast of analyses and developments in the fields of HIV/AIDS planning, management, and training within the region and in the United States and elsewhere globally, drawing applicable lessons for application to effective implementation of USAID/Haiti activities.

Ensure that USAID’s program operates within the USG guidelines for use of earmarked HIV funding and that the strategy is fulfilling both USAID and USG annual reporting requirements, including adequate and technically sound results monitoring and evaluation.

Provide USAID/Haiti team knowledge of and access to HIV/AIDS-related programs, policies, personnel and organizations in the U.S.G. and elsewhere in the United States that could enrich our programming in the region.

Serve as a contact for USAID/Haiti with U.S.G. agencies implementing HIV/AIDS programs in the region, such as the Centers for Disease Control, a critical regional partner for USAID, and support a coordinated, multi-agency approach across cooperating agencies.

Relates USAID’s priorities and capabilities to those of other donors in assessing overall requirements in the sector. Stimulates contacts and collaborative arrangements among donor agencies and host country organizations best suited to assist with particular development needs. Provides assistance, particularly to non-presence and basic countries in obtaining funding from other sources, especially the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM).

Work with other USAID bilateral missions in the region to share lessons learned and strategic approaches, contributing to maximum effectiveness of USAID funds across the region.

Serve as the Cognizant Technical Officer for selected implementation mechanisms of USAID/Haiti’s HIV/AIDS program.

Supports the development of and influences regional policies as they relate to HIV and AIDS by working in close partnership with Haitian and donor counterparts.

Keeps abreast of analyses and developments in the fields of HIV/AIDS planning, management and training within the region and with similar research in the United States and other countries.

Supervises, guides, and assists with the preparation of required program and project documentation

Supervises, guides, and assists with routine program implementation matters, including fiscal management and program planning.

Works with Expenditure Analaysis, DATIM, SIMS, and other data driven activities prioritzed by OGAC Supervises ongoing evaluation of projects, including the performance of project personnel, project appraisals and contractor performance reports. Evaluates audit report findings, recommends and participates in corrective action.

Knowledge required by the position:

Knowledge and demonstrated senior-level management experience in leading technical teams and overseeing office operations.

Expert knowledge and in-depth understanding of international relations and economic and political issues affecting less-developed countries, as well as an exceptional ability to utilize this knowledge. Sound judgment on technical and institutional issues, resulting in the ability to develop authoritative policy recommendations.

In-depth understanding of issues affecting foreign assistance programs, both bilateral and multilateral, as well as recognized internal decision-making structures, and the formulation of USG policies toward the EU, World Bank and other bilaterals.

Ability to serve in the capacity of a professional coach and mentor, sharing technical and management skills with others.

Ability to quickly spot new trends or problems concerning multilateral and bilateral foreign assistance, define their parameters, develop innovative conceptual approaches to consider them and make the necessary policy recommendations to deal with them.

Excellent conceptual abilities and capability to define USAID priorities in the most complex environment. Outstanding leadership, managerial and organization skills are required which are sufficient to direct, manage and advance multifaceted, comprehensive policy issues, including institutional and organizational issues.

Excellent communications skills, both oral and written, and the ability to create effective inter-personal and inter-institutional relationships is a vital attribute. Demonstrated ability to communicate and persuade across cultures on complex policy issues and technical matters is essential.

Complexity Policy questions and operational issues to be considered by the incumbent are diverse, complex and multifaceted. For the incumbent to succeed, s/he will need to be effective in operating in an environment that is extremely complex, uncertain, politically charged, and in flux. Often the incumbent will serve under extreme time constraints and pressure. Only a highly experienced, senior professional will have the ability to thrive in such an environment.

Period of Performance

This will be a one year assignment (renewable).

Personal Contacts

The incumbent will interact routinely with officials in USAID, as well as other USG officials (such as CDC), Ministerial-level officials, and donor representatives. Many of the incumbent’s contacts with senior officials outside of USAID will be for the purpose of advancing Agency and U.S. policy positions. Interactions with senior officials of other donor organizations and counterpart institutions, including ministers, will be required during strategy development and donor coordination exercise. The incumbent is expected to defend the Agency’s views with such officials in both private conversations and meetings. The incumbent is also expected to possess strong negotiating skills and powers of persuasion, as well as the ability to facilitate agreement among parties and promote the resolution of issues prohibiting achievement of USAID’s objectives for Haiti.

Qualifications

In summary, extensive program management experience with USAID or similar senior management experience is required. Experience in strategy development and organizing strategic planning exercises is also required. Experience in Haiti is highly desirable. Excellent interpersonal, communication and analytical skills are required. Familiarity with USAID rules, regulations and systems is required.

Specifically:

1. A graduate degree in social science or public health and demonstrated broad technical knowledge and experience in health analysis and planning, and in the planning and management of programs in developing countries.

2. A minimum of six (6) years of working experience with USAID bilateral and centrally-funded health programs. Prior work experience in the management of HIV/AIDS programs

3. Demonstrated leadership, analytical and managerial skills within the context of developing countries.

4. Working knowledge of USAID programming, process, documentation and business practices.

5. Experience and knowledge of other donor programs and donor coordination processes in HIV/AIDS, such as the Global Fund process.

6. Extensive technical knowledge of current theory and practice of at least one of the following areas related to HIV/AIDS is required: (1) behavior change communications, (2) clinical care and treatment, and (3) monitoring and evaluation.

7. Demonstrated effective ability to analyze health policy, epidemiological trends and health service statistics and apply those findings to the strategic oversight of the current USAID HIV/AIDS strategy and in the design and implementation of new policies and programs.

8. Excellent experience in managing teams and people.

9. Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, flexibility, patience, and conflict / problem solving skills required.

10. Demonstrated success in managing complex office operations as well as demonstrated experience in being able to manage at a macro-level other technical areas outside of their normal assigned duties.

11. Fluency in French and English Evaluation Criteria

The following are the evaluation criteria that will be used to evaluate candidates.

1. Education and Other Academic Training (10 pts) - a graduate degree in social science or public health and demonstrated broad technical knowledge and experience in health analysis and planning, and in the planning and management of programs in developing countries.

2. Professional Experience (30 pts)

- minimum of six (6) years of working experience with USAID bilateral and centrally-funded health programs; prior work experience in the management of HIV/AIDS programs and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDS) is preferred;

- demonstrated leadership, analytical and managerial skills within the context of developing countries;

- working knowledge of USAID programming, process, documentation and business practices;

- experience and knowledge of other donor programs and donor coordination processes in HIV/AIDS, such as the Global Fund process;

3. Technical Skills (20 pts)

- technical knowledge of current theory and practice of at least one of the following areas related to HIV/AIDS is required: (1) behavior change communications, (2) clinical care and treatment, and (3) monitoring and evaluation;

- demonstrated effective ability to analyze health policy, epidemiological trends and health service statistics and apply those findings to the strategic oversight of the current USAID/Haiti HIV/AIDS situation and in the design and implementation of new policies and programs.

4. Interpersonal, Team Management and Communication Skills (40 pts)

- Excellent experience in managing teams and people;

- outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, flexibility, patience, and conflict / problem solving skills required;

· demonstrated success in managing complex office operations as well as demonstrated experience in being able to manage at a macro-level other technical areas outside of their normal assigned duties.

-Fluency in French and English

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Qualified individuals are requested to submit:

For USPSC’s, a U.S. Government Optional 612 (available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms or internet http://fillform.gsa.gov, or at Federal offices);

For CCNs and TCNs , a resume and/or Mission specified forms.

Applications must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in the cover letter.

To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application, and as the subject line in any cover letter. The highest ranking applicants may be selected for an interview.

LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCS

Forms outlined below can found at http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurements/pcs_solicit/

1. Optional Form 612.

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

3. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security)

(SF-86), or**

4. Questionnaire for non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85).**

5. Finger Print Card (FD-258).**

* Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas).

** Forms 2 through 5 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job.

CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBS) PERTAINING TO PSCS

CIBs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to the website http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/ to determine which CIBS apply to this contract.

BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES:

As a matter of policy and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: (NOTE: An individual defined as a Resident Hire Employee may only be eligible for those benefits listed under item A below.)

BENEFITS:

Employee’s FICA Contribution

Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

Pay Comparability Adjustment

Eligibility for Worker’s Compensation

Annual & Sick Leave

Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service

ALLOWANCES (If Applicable):Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120)

(1) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

(2) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(3) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230)

(4) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

(5) Payments during Evacuation Authorized Departure (Section 600) and

(6) Danger Pay (Section 650)

(7) Educational Allowance (Section 270)

(8) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

(9) Educational Travel (Section 280)

*Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas).

FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes.

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