SOL-624-17-000015_Snr._HIVAIDS_Advisor.pdf

SOL-624-17-000015

TCN PSC SENIOR HIV/AIDS ADVISOR

ISSUANCE DATE: June 7, 2017

CLOSING DATE & TIME: July 7, 2017

17:00 Hours Accra Local Time

SUBJECT: SOLICITATION NUMBER SOL-624-17-000015, THIRD COUNTRY NATIONAL

PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACTOR FOR SENIOR HIV/AIDS ADVISOR

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International

Development (USAID), is seeking applications from qualified Third Country Nationals interested in providing Personal Services Contractor (PSC) services as described in this solicitation.

In order to be considered for the position, a candidate must meet the requirements listed in the solicitation at the time of submission and must submit all required documentations. The Senior HIV/AIDS Advisor position is located in Accra, Ghana.

Interested candidates meeting the requirements of the solicitation must submit all the following required materials for consideration (see details on page 29):

Cover Letter;

Curriculum Vitae or resume;

Signed Form AID 302-3 (available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms/);

Supplemental document addressing the evaluation factors;

List of three to five professional references; and

Writing Sample

All application packages are to be submitted via email to: accrapsc@usaid.gov http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ mailto:accrapsc@usaid.gov

SOLICITATION NUMBER: SOL-624-17-000015

ISSUANCE DATE: June 7, 2017

CLOSING DATE and TIME: July 7, 2017 at 17:00 Hours Local Accra Time

POSITION TITLE: TCN Senior HIV/AIDS Advisor – West Africa

MARKET VALUE OF POSITION: GS-14 ($88,136 - $114,578) Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based upon the candidate’s past salary.

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Open to Third Country Nationals

Third Country National means an individual (i) who is neither a citizen nor a permanent legal resident alien of the United States nor of the country to which assigned for duty;

and (ii) is eligible for return to his/her home country or country of recruitment at U.S.

government expense.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two (2) years with three (3) one-year option periods.

Exercise of the option(s) will be contingent on satisfactory performance, continued need for the services, and availability of funds.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/West Africa Regional Health Office, located in

Accra, Ghana.

SECURITY LEVEL: Selected applicant must obtain facility access and medical clearance within a reasonable period of time. USAID will provide details regarding these clearances to the selected candidate. If such clearances are not obtained within a reasonable time or negative suitability issues are involved, any offer made may be rescinded.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION YEAR 1

I. BACKGROUND

USAID/West Africa is an independent Operating Unit of the United States Agency for

International Development (USAID), responsible for managing development programs that cover 21 countries1, seven of which have bilateral USAID missions. The Strategic

Plan of USAID/West Africa envisions “Social and economic wellbeing advanced by West

Africans.” The Mission is committed to achieve this goal through programs in the following areas: peace and governance, health, agriculture and food security, environment and natural resources management and trade and investment.

USAID/West Africa coordinates and enhances other USAID programs in the region and builds and sustains partnerships with West African governments and regional institutions to focus on four foreign policy objectives:

▪ Peace & Security

▪ Governing Justly & Democratically

▪ Investing in People (health and education)

▪ Economic Growth (Agriculture, Trade and Investment and Natural Resource

Management)

With more than 350 million inhabitants, the West Africa region ranks as the poorest with the lowest level of human capital development, and the highest in population growth, and maternal and child mortality. While HIV prevalence in the general population in West Africa is relatively low compared to Southern Africa (ranging from

0.5% in Niger to 4.5% in Cameroon), the prevalence is high within key populations. The

HIV epidemic in West Africa is classified as concentrated and is mostly driven by the high prevalence of HIV in female sex workers (FSW) and men who have sex with men (MSM).

A 2014 review showed the estimated HIV prevalence among FSW ranging from 15.9% in

USAID/WA’s regional health program served the following 21 nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. Eighteen of the 21 USAID/WA countries have a US Embassy presence (Equatorial

Guinea is supported by Cameroon, Guinea Bissau by Senegal, and São Tomé and Príncipe by Gabon). The USAID/WA health program also includes activities in all 15 member countries of ECOWAS.

The Gambia to 54% in Togo, and ranging from 9.8% in The Gambia to 34.9% in Nigeria for MSM3.

UNAIDS estimates that fewer than 25% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in West Africa know their HIV status; 21% of PLHIV are on ART; and only about 16% of PLHIV are known to have a suppressed viral load, far short of the UNAIDS 90-90-90 goals. ART coverage among PLHIV on antiretroviral treatment (ART) varies widely in West Africa, from 14% in Mauritania to 43% in Burkina Faso11. The proportion of KP living with HIV linked to ART is likely lower, and greater than 90% of KP living with HIV have insufficient

ART options3,12.

Key populations face real and perceived stigma and discrimination in society at large as well as at health facilities, limiting access to care. Economic burden, such as fees for service and transportation, and prevalent violence also create obstacles to care3,12.

National policies criminalizing sex work and homosexuality impede health care providers’ abilities to provide HIV and other health services to KP, civil society organizations’ means to advocate for access to services, and key populations members’ capacity to seek and find care3.

HIV/AIDS is generally under-funded in West Africa, with increasing downturn in programming in current times. The Global Fund provides the vast majority of HIV commodities. ECOWAS is also developing local (regional) production. Building cost-effective programming and effective partnerships is key to addressing the challenge posed by HIV in West Africa.

The USAID/West Africa Regional Health Office (RHO), under the Mission’s “Investing in

People” objective, works to increase utilization of quality health services through West

Africa partners. The Mission of the Office is “Leading and Catalyzing for Sustainable

Health Impact.” The office aims to leverage existing resources and bring in new ones, be a leader in the donor community, implement high-impact catalytic programs, and support local organizations to build sustainability.

II. BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

The Senior HIV/AIDS Advisor is an integral member of the West Africa Regional Health

Office. He/She is a senior professional and expert in his/her field who leads donor and partner coordination related to HIV/AIDS; provides evidence-based technical advice to the Mission; develops strategic approaches to learning and leveraging HIV AIDS programs throughout the portfolio, within the Mission, and in collaboration with bilateral PEPFAR programs as applicable; and designs and manages projects and programs related to HIV in West Africa. Currently the Mission works under a regional strategy and a health project design called “Scaling up Health Results” ( SHeR).

Implementing partners under this program for HIV/AIDS include one multi-country, innovative bilateral procurement and several cross-sectoral field support activities to complement this work (on related policy and commodity security). The portfolio for

West Africa is largely focused on “Key Populations.” Key areas of programming include:

leveraging donor, bilateral and private sector support to accelerate progress and learning on HIV/AIDS in West Africa; technical expertise related to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in West

Africa, its drivers, solutions and strategic direction; establishing high level service delivery and civil society support; policy and advocacy; and logistics and supply chain management at regional and national levels. An expert in his/her field, the incumbent will provide strategic and technical input to international donors (UNAIDS/JURTA; Global

Fund for AIDS, Malaria and TB), their recipients as appropriate, regional officials (e.g., ECOWAS and ALCO), national Ministries of Health and Country Coordinating

Mechanisms (CCMs), implementing partners, and USAID management at all levels.

Representing these issues, often political and sensitive, requires diplomatic and negotiating skills. The incumbent will represent the USAID/WA Mission on these issues to government officials throughout the region - both Anglophone and Francophone -partners and potential partners. S/he will represent these issues to USAID senior management with offices throughout the Mission, and with USAID/Washington. S/he will seek to leverage USAID’s influence in these areas. The incumbent will be designated as a Contracting/Agreement Officer’s Representative (COR/AOR) or Activity Manager for two or more activities. S/he may supervise up to one FSN.

III. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior HIV/AIDS Technical Advisor serves as the Mission’s HIV/AIDS Subject Matter

Expert for program planning (both strategy and budget), policy, partnership/coordination, research, and monitoring and evaluation for HIV/AIDS activities. The incumbent has superior knowledge and understanding of the Global

Health Agenda, including an AIDS-free generation, the UNAIDS 90/90/90, and its targets of Ending HIV by 2030. The incumbent demonstrates excellent knowledge of evolving

President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) guidance, technical considerations, and implementation approaches (Test and Start/Treat), host country requirements, and host government priorities, as well as situational assessment and interpretation skills, timely decision-making ability, extensive judgment in planning and carrying out tasks, and strong diplomacy and communication skills. S/he demonstrates excellent understanding of GFATM, World Bank, and other regional initiatives, funding opportunities, and requirements for potential leveraging with USAID. The incumbent is responsible for keeping the Health Office Director and Deputy Director regularly informed of program implementation progress, results, and issues/problems on a timely basis.

IV. SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (and Level of Effort):

A. Representation and Coordination (LOE 30%)

1. Leads and manages relevant knowledge exchange platforms including the Regional

KP meeting in West and Central Africa and related south-south experience sharing

2. Represents the USAID/WA HIV/AIDS program to US Embassies, other USAID

Missions/Offices, host country governments, other donors, high level stakeholders, and the private sector

3. Using Diplomacy and technical acumen, coordinates with and influences donor agencies and regional partners (such as DFID, GFATM, the World Bank, UNICEF, WHO, UNAIDS, JURTA, WAHO, ALCO, etc.) on implementation, partnership, and policy issues related to HIV/AIDS activities, seeking technical collaboration, and financial leveraging wherever possible

4. Establishes strategic working relationships and influence with other donors’

HIV/AIDS focal points that advance technical collaboration and leveraging between USAID and other donors in addressing regional priorities

5. Meets with MOH counterparts as necessary to coordinate assistance efforts and strengthen program collaboration and seeks opportunities to leverage other donor assistance in support of USAID objectives

6. Supports National CCMs in their work with the Global Fund as needed/required to further harmonize and leverage KP-related and HIV management approaches across the region

7. Supports, as needed/feasible, the creation and function of a Regional Coordination

Mechanism (RCM) within WAHO

8. Organizes and participates substantively in meetings of other USAID bilateral programs, especially PEPFAR countries to advance synergies between USG/PEPFAR program in West Africa

9. Participates and represents USAID in JURTA (Joint UN Regional Team on AIDS) meetings, as well as other relevant regional forums

10. Provides regular briefings to, and maintains productive working relationships with

USAID/OHA Regional Advisor, KP TWG, Research & Evaluation division, Supply Chain, and others as necessary

11. Establishes and maintains contacts with counterparts in host country governments in the region and their various HIV/AIDS-related programs, UN Agencies, other bilateral donor partners, NGO partners, and private sector stakeholders working in

HIV/AIDS

B. Technical and Programmatic Oversight of HIV/AIDS Implementing Partners (LOE 30%)

1. Serves as the lead manager for all USAID/WA Mission activities related to HIV/AIDS, including all duties and responsibilities as designated of an AOR/COR, approval of workplans, and including the ability to delegate or coordinate certain activities or tasks, ensuring that all necessary documentation and USAID processes are followed

2. Collaborates with Activity Managers and A/CORs for select USAID-supported cooperative agreements and contracts in West Africa related to HIV/AIDS or which are cross-cutting (e.g., health systems strengthening, regional organizational capacity building, health financing, learning, and research)

3. Provides management, technical guidance and leadership to all implementing partners who carry out activities within the Mission's HIV/AIDS portfolio

4. Leads the technical outreach with grantee and contractor partners regarding required and requested program monitoring and reporting; collecting, managing, and analyzing data; data quality assurance, and information related to USAID supported programs

5. Ensures that implementing partners work harmoniously together to achieve the

Mission’s overall goals in its HIV/AIDS program

6. Tracks performance data from partners implementing USAID-financed activities, as well as from governments and other donor agencies, on a routine basis to provide updated information to the health team and other USAID Mission senior staff as needed

7. Documents activities of USAID-supported implementing partners, i.e., establish routine communications, conduct site visits and inspections, maintain up-to-date information and files on the status of partner activities, resources, and work plans

8. Monitors activities undertaken by implementing partners, tracks progress against program descriptions, implementation plans and work plans, assesses progress and barriers to achievement, recommends action for improvement or modifications to address problems, and documents and highlights results

9. Uses knowledge management skills to ensure continuous learning, adapting, and adoption of new or improved approaches and learning to continuously improve and evolve the USAID/WA knowledge base and implementation of practices related to

HIV/AIDS

C. HIV/AIDS Portfolio Management, M&E and Research (LOE 25%)

1. Provides technical guidance and leadership to the Mission in collaborating with the

USAID Office of HIV/AIDS (OHA) relevant established technical working groups, and the office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC) to ensure that Mission programs are aligned with Agency and PEPFAR requirements

2. Leads USAID/WA's HIV/AIDS submissions in preparation of key planning and budget documents with a particular focus on annual budget planning, portfolio implementation review (PIR), development of annual operational plans, semi annual and annual progress reports, and the Congressional Notification

3. Coordinates with relevant staff in the oversight of automated systems for tracking the principal budgetary processes including OYB levels, allowances, obligations, Congressional Notifications, earmarks/directives, and mortgages and modifies those systems throughout the year to track budgetary information

4. Provides leadership for research, monitoring, and evaluating of HIV/AIDS activities by ensuring that a research agenda and performance monitoring systems are in place and aligned with USAID/WA’s Strategy, the Regional Health Office Project Design (PAD), PEPFAR, and UNAIDS 90/90/90 goals and guidance

5. Advance the RHO learning agenda through leading regional efforts for data collection, dissemination, and use for strategic programing

6. Lead, review, and approve technical documents including but not limited to implementation toolkits, communication materials, SOPs, training manuals, and other deliverables of implementing partners

7. Oversees and coordinates the visits of short-term advisors, evaluators, or other in-country visitors associated with assigned HIV/AIDS activities and ensures that goals and outcomes of the visits are consistent with PEPFAR, RDCS, and RHO PAD activities and requirements

D. Other Duties (15%)

1. Serves as point person for one or more countries represented in the Regional Health

Office Portfolio

2. Supports other Offices or Missions within the region (including travel) as an HIV/AIDS technical expert as needed or required by the Mission or Agency

3. Organizes site visits and prepares orientation materials for delegations from the

OGAC, Congress, White House, State Department, and other agencies

4. Represents the HIV/AIDS portfolio and/or the RHO program to the Mission when appropriate for Mission-wide strategy development (every 5 years)

5. Seeks opportunities to explore new Mission-supported options such as the development of public/private partnerships

6. Prepares correspondence, briefers, fact sheets, and cables related to implementation, management and evaluation of assigned HIV/AIDS activities

7. May supervise up to two staff of the West Africa Mission working on HIV/AIDS (in

Accra or other locations)

8. As requested by the Mission Director or the Director of the Health Office, serves as the USAID representative at meetings outside of the health field, including serving occasionally as Office Director when needed

9. Supports and participates in Regional Health Office processes and events (e.g., meetings, retreats, etc.)

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION YEAR 2 AND BEYOND

I. BACKGROUND

USAID/West Africa is an independent Operating Unit of the United States Agency for

International Development (USAID), responsible for managing development programs that cover 21 countries2, seven of which have bilateral USAID missions. The Strategic

Plan of USAID/West Africa envisions “Social and economic wellbeing advanced by West

Africans.” The Mission is committed to achieve this goal through programs in the following areas: peace and governance, health, agriculture and food security, environment and natural resources management and trade and investment.

USAID/West Africa coordinates and enhances other USAID programs in the region and builds and sustains partnerships with West African governments and regional institutions to focus on four foreign policy objectives:

▪ Peace & Security

▪ Governing Justly & Democratically

▪ Investing in People (health and education)

▪ Economic Growth (Agriculture, Trade and Investment and Natural Resource

Management)

With more than 350 million inhabitants, the West Africa region ranks as the poorest with the lowest level of human capital development, and the highest in population growth, and maternal and child mortality. While HIV prevalence in the general population in West Africa is relatively low compared to Southern Africa (ranging from

0.5% in Niger to 4.5% in Cameroon), the prevalence is high within key populations. The

HIV epidemic in West Africa is classified as concentrated and is mostly driven by the high prevalence of HIV in female sex workers (FSW) and men who have sex with men (MSM).

A 2014 review showed the estimated HIV prevalence among FSW ranging from 15.9% in

The Gambia to 54% in Togo, and ranging from 9.8% in The Gambia to 34.9% in Nigeria for MSM3.

USAID/WA’s regional health program served the following 21 nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. Eighteen of the 21 USAID/WA countries have a US Embassy presence (Equatorial

Guinea is supported by Cameroon, Guinea Bissau by Senegal, and São Tomé and Príncipe by Gabon). The USAID/WA health program also includes activities in all 15 member countries of ECOWAS.

UNAIDS estimates that fewer than 25% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in West Africa know their HIV status; 21% of PLHIV are on ART; and only about 16% of PLHIV are known to have a suppressed viral load, far short of the UNAIDS 90-90-90 goals. ART coverage among PLHIV on antiretroviral treatment (ART) varies widely in West Africa, from 14% in Mauritania to 43% in Burkina Faso11. The proportion of KP living with HIV linked to ART is likely lower, and greater than 90% of KP living with HIV have insufficient

ART options3,12.

Key populations face real and perceived stigma and discrimination in society at large as well as at health facilities, limiting access to care. Economic burden, such as fees for service and transportation, and prevalent violence also create obstacles to care3,12.

National policies criminalizing sex work and homosexuality impede health care providers’ abilities to provide HIV and other health services to KP, civil society organizations’ means to advocate for access to services, and key populations members’ capacity to seek and find care3.

HIV/AIDS is generally under-funded in West Africa, with increasing downturn in programming in current times. The Global Fund provides the vast majority of HIV commodities. ECOWAS is also developing local (regional) production. Building cost-effective programming and effective partnerships is key to addressing the challenge posed by HIV in West Africa.

The USAID/West Africa Regional Health Office (RHO), under the Mission’s “Investing in

People” objective, works to increase utilization of quality health services through West

Africa partners. The Mission of the Office is to be “a center of learning and leveraging that partners to improve the health status of vulnerable populations in West Africa through sustainable, evidence-based solutions.”

II. BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

The Senior HIV/AIDS Advisor is an integral member of the West Africa Regional Health

Office. He/She is a senior professional and expert in his/her field who leads donor and partner coordination related to HIV/AIDS; provides evidence-based technical advice to the Mission; develops strategic approaches to learning and leveraging HIV AIDS programs throughout the portfolio, within the Mission, and in collaboration with bilateral PEPFAR programs as applicable; and designs and manages projects and programs related to HIV in West Africa. Currently the Mission works under a regional strategy and a health project design called “Scaling up Health Results” ( SHeR).

Implementing partners under this program for HIV/AIDS include one multi-country, innovative bilateral procurement and several cross-sectoral field support activities to complement this work (on related policy and commodity security). The portfolio for

West Africa is largely focused on “Key Populations.” Key areas of programming include:

leveraging donor, bilateral and private sector support to accelerate progress and learning on HIV/AIDS in West Africa; technical expertise related to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in West

Africa, its drivers, solutions and strategic direction; establishing high level service delivery and civil society support; policy and advocacy; and logistics and supply chain management at regional and national levels. An expert in his/her field, the incumbent will provide strategic and technical input to international donors (UNAIDS/JURTA; Global

Fund for AIDS, Malaria and TB), their recipients as appropriate, regional officials (e.g., ECOWAS and ALCO), national Ministries of Health and Country Coordinating

Mechanisms (CCMs), implementing partners, and USAID management at all levels.

Representing these issues, often political and sensitive, requires diplomatic and negotiating skills. The incumbent will represent the USAID/WA Mission on these issues to government officials throughout the region - both Anglophone and Francophone -partners and potential partners. S/he will represent these issues to USAID senior management with offices throughout the Mission, and with USAID/Washington. S/he will seek to leverage USAID’s influence in these areas. The incumbent will be trained as a

Contracting/Agreement Officer’s Representative (COR/AOR) in order to best support or backstop AOR/CORs in PEPFAR focus countries. provide direct technical assistance as needed to implementing partners and regional civil society groups serving KP populations to prevent or treat HIV/AIDS. S/he may supervise up to one FSN.

III. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior HIV/AIDS Technical Advisor serves as the Mission’s HIV/AIDS Subject Matter

Expert for program planning (both strategy and budget), policy, partnership/coordination, research, and monitoring and evaluation for HIV/AIDS activities. The incumbent has superior knowledge and understanding of the Global

Health Agenda, including an AIDS-free generation, the UNAIDS 90/90/90, and its targets of Ending HIV by 2030. The incumbent demonstrates excellent knowledge of evolving

President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) guidance, technical considerations, and implementation approaches (Test and Start/Treat), host country requirements, and host government priorities, as well as situational assessment and interpretation skills, timely decision-making ability, extensive judgment in planning and carrying out tasks, and strong diplomacy and communication skills. S/he demonstrates excellent understanding of GFATM, World Bank, and other regional initiatives, funding opportunities, and requirements for potential leveraging with USAID. The incumbent is responsible for keeping the Health Office Director and Deputy Director regularly informed of program implementation progress, results, and issues/problems on a timely basis.

IV. SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (and Level of Effort):

A. Representation and Coordination (LOE 40%)

1. Leads and manages relevant knowledge exchange platforms including the Regional KP meeting in West and Central Africa and related south-south experience sharing

2. Represents the USAID/WA HIV/AIDS program to US Embassies, other USAID Missions/Offices, host country governments, other donors, high level stakeholders, and the private sector

3. Using Diplomacy and technical acumen, coordinates with and influences donor agencies and regional partners (such as DFID, GFATM, the World Bank, UNICEF, WHO, UNAIDS, JURTA, WAHO, ALCO, etc.) on implementation, partnership, and policy issues related to HIV/AIDS activities, seeking technical collaboration, and financial leveraging wherever possible

4. Establishes strategic working relationships and influence with other donors’ HIV/AIDS focal points that advance technical collaboration and leveraging between USAID and other donors in addressing regional priorities

5. Meets with MOH counterparts as necessary to coordinate assistance efforts and strengthen program collaboration, seek opportunities to leverage other donor assistance in support of USAID objectives, and implement The Dakar Declaration.

6. Supports National CCMs in their work with the Global Fund as needed/required to further harmonize and leverage KP-related and HIV management approaches across the region

7. Supports GFATM prime and sub-recipients, as appropriate to better apply their funds to achieve their targets, and to better target high-risk KP groups

8. Supports, as needed/feasible, the creation and function of a Regional Coordination Mechanism (RCM) within WAHO, with a specific focus on implementation and monitoring of The Dakar Declaration.

9. Supports, as needed, WAHO’s management of HIV/AIDS pharmaceutical strategies and programs (e.g., emergency stock, registration, quality assurance).

10. Organizes and participates substantively in meetings of other USAID bilateral programs, especially PEPFAR countries to advance synergies between USG/PEPFAR program in West Africa

11. Participates and represents USAID in JURTA (Joint UN Regional Team on AIDS) meetings, as well as other relevant regional forums

12. Provides regular briefings to, and maintains productive working relationships with USAID/OHA Regional Advisor, KP TWG, Research & Evaluation division, Supply Chain, and others as necessary

13. Establishes and maintains contacts with counterparts in host country governments in the region and their various HIV/AIDS-related programs, UN Agencies, other bilateral donor partners, NGO partners, and private sector stakeholders working in HIV/AIDS

B. Technical and Programmatic Oversight of HIV/AIDS Implementing Partners

(LOE 25%)

1. Serves as the lead manager for all USAID/WA Mission activities related to HIV/AIDS, including all duties and responsibilities as designated of an AOR/COR, approval of workplans, and including the ability to delegate or coordinate certain activities or tasks, ensuring that all necessary documentation and USAID processes are followed.

2. Collaborates with and supports as needed Activity Managers and A/CORs for select USAID-supported cooperative agreements and contracts in bilateral Missions throughout West Africa and Cameroon related to HIV/AIDS or which are cross-cutting (e.g., health systems strengthening, regional organizational capacity building, health financing, learning, and research) to promote learning and leveraging among them and support achievement of regional targets.

3. Provides management, technical guidance and leadership to any HIV/AIDS or systems strengthening USAID implementing partners, as requested.

Supports requests for program monitoring and evaluation for West African and Cameroon PEPFAR programs; this may also include data quality assurance and comparative analysis relative to the region.

4. Facilitates harmonious collaboration between USAID and other implementing partners to achieve 90-90-90 goals in West Africa and Cameroon through cross-communication, collaboration, and learning events.

5. Tracks performance data from partners implementing USAID-financed activities, as well as from governments and other donor agencies, as applicable, to provide updated information to the health team and other USAID Mission senior staff as needed

6. Uses knowledge management skills to ensure continuous learning, adapting, and adoption of new or improved approaches and learning to continuously improve and evolve the USAID/WA knowledge base and implementation of practices related to HIV/AIDS

C. HIV/AIDS Portfolio Management, M&E and Research (LOE 20%)

1. Provides technical guidance and leadership to the Mission in collaborating with the USAID Office of HIV/AIDS (OHA) relevant established technical working groups, and the office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC) to be a regional extension of their requirements, and ensuring that West African Mission programs are aligned with Agency and PEPFAR requirements.

2. Provides leadership for research, monitoring, and evaluating of HIV/AIDS activities by facilitating a research agenda for West Africa and Cameroon, aligned with USAID/WA’s Strategy, the Regional Health Office Project Design (PAD), PEPFAR, and UNAIDS 90/90/90 goals and guidance

3. Advances the RHO learning agenda through leading regional efforts for data collection, dissemination, and use for strategic programing

4. Lead, review, and approve technical documents including but not limited to implementation toolkits, communication materials, SOPs, training manuals, and other deliverables of implementing partners and contractors.

5. Oversees and coordinates the visits of short-term advisors, evaluators, or other in-country visitors associated with assigned HIV/AIDS activities and ensures that goals and outcomes of the visits are consistent with PEPFAR, RDCS, and RHO PAD activities and requirements

D. Other Duties (15%)

1. Supports other Offices or Missions within the region (including travel) as an HIV/AIDS technical expert as needed or required by the Mission or Agency.

2. Serves as point person for one or more countries represented in the Regional Health Office Portfolio.

3. Organizes site visits and prepares orientation materials for delegations from the OGAC, Congress, White House, State Department, and other agencies.

4. Represents the HIV/AIDS portfolio and/or the RHO program to the Mission when appropriate for Mission-wide strategy development (every 5 years).

5. Seeks and facilitates opportunities to accelerate progress through STIP approaches within the region.

6. Prepares correspondence, briefers, fact sheets, and cables related to implementation, management and evaluation of HIV/AIDS activities throughout West and Central Africa.

7. May supervise up to one FSN staff of the West Africa Mission working on HIV/AIDS (in Accra or other locations).

8. As requested by the Mission Director or the Director of the Health Office, serves as the USAID representative at meetings outside of the health field, including serving occasionally as Office Director when needed.

9. Supports and participates in Regional Health Office processes and events (e.g., meetings, retreats, etc.)

SUPERVISION/OVERSIGHT OVER OTHERS:

This position represents a growing portfolio and influence, and may supervise one to two people (project management specialists or admin specialists).

OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTORS:

A. GUIDELINES:

The incumbent must have the ability to understand and operate within USAID’s policies and regulations regarding foreign assistance programs, and in particular global health programs. The Senior HIV/AIDS Advisor is expected to quickly become familiar with USAID processes, procedures and regulations as presented in USAID’s Automated Directives System (ADS) and other relevant USG and policies, directives and programmatic guidelines. The incumbent is required to be proactive in keeping updated about relevant USG, regional and national policies and movements related to health systems. Guidance will be available from senior USAID staff in Accra, USAID/Washington Global Health and Africa

Bureau. The incumbent will have one year within which to fully acquire these skills and take required training.

B. EXERCISE OF JUDGEMENT:

The incumbent will exercise a high degree of independent judgment in representing USAID/WA and in providing guidance and assistance to a wide range of government and regional officials and implementing partners. As a recognized expert and highly qualified professional, substantial reliance will be placed on the incumbent to independently plan, prioritize and carry out the duties and responsibilities of the position. The incumbent will be expected to analyze and address problems by applying relevant guidance (for management/administrative issues) and evidence-based strategies (for technical issues). The use of initiative, discretion, cultural sensitivity, collaboration and teamwork is expected of the incumbent to resolve challenges for which there are no clear or immediate solutions. In the event that no formal guidance exists, the incumbent will propose solutions in consultation with his/her supervisor and/or other senior USAID colleagues.

C. COMPLEXITY: This is a position of substantial complexity. The incumbent must demonstrate leadership and exceptional initiative to address the region’s health system needs in the areas of commodity security, health information and health financing. The position requires the ability to assume a wide range of various strategic, programmatic and project management tasks and be able to independently identify the appropriate action needed within a sensitive, multi-cultural developing country environment. Clear guidance is not always available.

S/he must be able to devise solutions for situations that may involve conflict between stakeholders, political sensitivities, unclear or contradictory policies, weak institutions, and extreme poverty.

D. SCOPE AND EFFECT: The incumbent is the lead USG advisor for USAID/WA on all matters related to HIV/AIDS. S/he serves to guide the Regional Health Office in this subject area as well as high level USAID and U.S. Embassy officials. S/he is the point of contact for Ministers of Health across the region, and

ECOWAS/WAHO partners as well as implementing partners, private sector partners regarding USG-supported HIV/AIDS interventions and activities. The scope of the incumbent’s work will be very wide as s/he is likely to work on a wide range of activities and collaborate multi-sectorally.

E. PERSONAL CONTACTS: Incumbent will interact extensively both within and outside of the USG with officials at the highest levels of their organization. This includes contacts with the heads of ECOWAS and WAHO, Global leaders of the

Global Fund, CCM, UNAIDS, Ministers of Health, ALCO, implementing partners

(all levels) and other key stakeholders across the region. S/he must have the ability to represent USAID programs diplomatically and with a high level of technical knowledge, in both French and English. S/he must also be a good listener – to learn about regional initiatives and political directions. S/he must be able to manage and/or reconcile difference of opinion or conflicts regarding program priorities and strategies.

F. LEVEL AND PURPOSE OF CONTACTS: The incumbent occupies a high profile and important position in USG foreign assistance to the region of West Africa. S/he represents USG assistance to the highest levels of a variety of government, private and non-governmental organizations, and provides policy recommendations as well as strategic and programmatic advice to senior USAID and US Government officials, other donors, and implementing partners. S/he is required to establish and maintain professional contacts/relationships with senior officials and leaders of private and nongovernmental sector institutions that partner on HIV/AIDS activities and to seek to leverage funding. This may include work with the Global Fund and National or regional CCMs in several West

African countries. Meetings range from factual exchanges of information on HIV issues, strategies and programmatic guidance, etc. to subjects that could involve significant or controversial issues and differing viewpoints, goals or objectives.

G. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The Senior HIV/AIDS Advisor will be supervised by the Office Director or designee. Once general guidance is provided and assignments are set, the incumbent is required to exercise extensive judgment in planning and carrying out tasks, including the specific approach to be taken, the resolution of problems and conflicts, and meeting of deadlines. Completed work is reviewed for quality, appropriateness, and conformance. The incumbent is required to work collaboratively with other professional staff inside and outside

USAID/WA. The incumbent is expected to keep his/her supervisor apprised of progress in assigned activities.

A high degree of independent professional judgment is required, such as when consulting with UN and global donors, regional public and private sector entities, bilateral missions, other partners active in HIV/AIDS policy, implementation, and research, and in identifying opportunities for collaboration and coordination of interventions; the incumbent will provide leadership in HIV/AIDS technical, programmatic and policy dialogue. The incumbent will work with the global, regional other bilateral donors and senior national government representatives to ensure a harmonized and strategic technical approach to achieving global

90/90/90 targets and an AIDS-free generation by 2030 under guidance of the

USG President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The incumbent will represent the USAID/WA health portfolio to senior officials in policy, technical and private sector roles across many types of organizations. These include regional interstate bodies (ECOWAS), Private sector corporations, government representatives, NGOs/PVOs and USG agencies (US Embassies, DOS, CDC, DOD, etc) in order to implement USAID/West Africa’s Strategy. S/he will regularly advise and brief VIP visitors to the region, Senior USG officials including

Ambassadors, DCM, and Mission Directors, as well as senior officials from other global and regional institutions such as the Global Fund, UNAIDS, and the WEst

Africa Health Organization (WAHO) as well as Ministry-level officials from country governments.

POSITION ELEMENTS:

A. SUPERVISION RECEIVED: The Senior HIV/AIDS Advisor will be supervised by the

Supervisory Health Officer/Office Director or USDH designee. The incumbent will receive annual performance evaluations written by the Supervisory Health

Officer/Office Director or designee. The supervisor will also provide guidance on

USAID strategic, and management and administrative requirements. The incumbent will receive minimal oversight in carrying out his/her daily tasks and achieving longer-term work objectives.

A high degree of independent professional judgment and diplomacy is required, such as when consulting with bilateral missions, U.S Embassies, other donors, regional and international bodies and corporate representatives, and in identifying opportunities for collaboration and coordination of interventions.

The incumbent should be able to work with a great deal of autonomy and very little supervision and guidance.

B. SUPERVISION EXERCISED: The Senior HIV/AIDS Advisor leads the team on

HIV/AIDS issues, coordinating staff members’ expected deliverables with their respective agency supervisors. S/he will supervise up to two staff hired by the

Mission (either on site, or hired in a partner country), as well as supervise/oversee short and medium- term technical contractors and TDYers.

S/he will write annual performance evaluations for supervised staff and interim reviews for long term TDYers and contractors.

C. EXERCISE OF JUDGEMENT: Excellent judgment and diplomacy skills will be required to provide guidance and assistance to a wide variety of high level professionals and government officials throughout the various cultural and linguistic contexts of West Africa. Substantial reliance will be placed on the incumbent, a recognized expert and well-qualified professional, to independently plan, prioritize, and carry out his/her work to advance the

Mission’s objectives. The incumbent will be expected to resolve problems that arise by determining the approaches to be taken and methodologies to be used;

making independent judgments that can be defended as necessary, and seeking input when appropriate.

D. AUTHORITY TO MAKE COMMITMENTS/OBLIGATIONS: The incumbent cannot make financial commitments on behalf of the U.S. Government. However, because of the incumbent’s expertise and standing as a well-qualified professional in his/her field, weight will be given to his/her recommendations when commitments are made by those with the authority to do so.

E. PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: This is a low-to-moderate physically demanding position as it involves considerable international travel throughout West Africa. The incumbent will be expected to travel throughout

West Africa approximately 30-40% of his/her time. S/he will have some discretion in prioritizing travel. While in Accra, s/he will be assigned an office at the US Embassy building in a regular office environment.

F. TIME REQUIRED TO PERFORM FULL RANGE OF DUTIES: The incumbent must be able to perform the full range of technical and leadership duties upon arrival at post, and activity management duties within three months of arrival at post, after receiving USG-related training.

G. POST ENTRY TRAINING: Within the first year, the incumbent will receive post entry training on USG rules and regulations that govern grants, contracts and field support activities; FACT (as required), USG activity management and procurement systems; Other formal training, attendance at workshops, seminars and conferences (both internal and external) may be provided from time to time depending on the availability of funds and if determined to be in direct support of USAID/WA Mission objectives.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

A. EDUCATION (10 Points)

A Master’s Degree or higher from an accredited institution in public health or similar field is required. Additional courses/certificates/training related to the subject areas is highly desired (HIV/AIDS management, KP, public health diplomacy, logistics and supply chain management, local organization capacity building.

B. TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE (20 points)

The incumbent is a subject matter expert in HIV/AIDS management in West Africa, and has a broad knowledge of HIV/AIDS management as well as more in depth areas of expertise - specifically desired are in-depth of knowledge in programming for key populations and continuity of care related to reaching 90-90-90 goals.

The incumbent has good analytical skills, including an ability to comprehend quantitative and analytical information from development and peer-reviewed literature and to objectively evaluate programs. It is an advantage to have published related material in peer-reviewed publications.

S/he has knowledge of health systems challenges in West and Central Africa and the

(mostly discriminatory) political and social climate related to working on HIV/AIDS with

KP in the region. S/he has excellent knowledge of Francophone systems in West and

Central Africa, such as post-colonial government structures and political sensitivities.

The incumbent is familiar with PEPFAR 3.0 and “the pivot” as well as the approaches within this towards ending AIDS in a generation. S/he is familiar with USG reporting requirements (generally). The incumbent knows the roles of the Global Fund, UNAIDS in the region, and their technical and strategic priorities, including 90-90-90. Knowledge of other donors and partners is an advantage (e.g., ALCO, WAHO, World Bank).

C. PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE (40 points)

A minimum of twelve years of progressively responsible experience in public health programming in developing or middle-income countries, at least five of which on

HIV/AIDS-related work. At least three years (combined) experience working with or for a bilateral or multilateral donors/stakeholders such as USAID, the Global Fund, the UN agencies, national-level public sector, or regional institutions (e.g., ALCO, WAHO) is required.

Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, policy development or advocacy, and diplomatic negotiation.

Experience as the lead manager of a complex project (bilateral or regional) related to

HIV/AIDS (or integrated) whether public/government or private sector/NGO.

Significant experience with the Global Fund – either on or advising a CCM, or direct work experience is highly desired.

Management and organizational skills must be demonstrated, including: project design, monitoring and evaluation, budget and financial review; experience and success in a complex multi-tasking working environment.

Experience in speaking or representing at technical/policy forums – such as developing papers, posters, models, strategies, policies, or guidelines in health systems (particularly commodity and logistics management) must be demonstrated (technical and representational ability should be demonstrated).

The incumbent is expected to be able to operate major office software packages

(Microsoft, Google, etc.)

Supervisory experience is highly desirable.

D. COMMUNICATION and DIPLOMACY SKILLS (15 points)

The incumbent must have excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain professional and effective contacts with the regional government officials, other donors, implementing partners, private sector CEOs, Washington headquarters staff, and Mission staff.

S/he must be able to negotiate diplomatically and influence people from a variety of cultures and backgrounds.

S/he must be confident in presenting technical material to lay people or VIPs in a manner they understand. These same skills are required in both English and French.

E. LANGUAGE (15 points)

Excellent oral and written communication skills in both English and French required. The incumbent should able to draft and read complex technical documents in English as well as conduct technical discussions in both languages (S3/R3 or higher).

APPLYING & BASIS OF EVALUATION

Applicants should note the following application requirements below. Submission of a resume alone is not a complete application. This position requires the completion of additional forms and/or supplemental materials. Failure to provide the required information may result in the applicant not being considered for the position. Applicants must put the solicitation number prominently in the cover letter and email submission subject line.

1. Applicant is a third-country national.

2. Applicant provides a completed and signed form AID 302-3.

3. Applicant provides a cover letter and resume/CV specifically addressing the solicitation requirements. If the requirements are not met, the applicant will not be considered further.

4. Applicant provides supporting documentation, including resume/CV, list of three

(3) to five (5) references with contact information and relation to the applicant, and a writing sample in English not to exceed 10 pages.

5. Applicants will be evaluated according to the evaluation criteria, as set forth in

Section VIII. Those applicants that are short-listed (determined to be competitively ranked) may be also be evaluated based on interview performance and satisfactory professional reference checks. USAID may contact the applicant’s professional references and verify academic credentials.

LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS for PSC HIRES

Forms outlined below can be found at http://www.usaid.gov/forms/

1. Application for AID 302-3 (Offeror…