SOL-624-17-000020.pdf

U.S. Agency for International Development Tel: 233-302-741-200 No. 24 Fourth Circular Rd. www.usaid.gov/west-africa-regional P.O. Box 1630, Accra-Ghana

ISSUANCE DATE: July 7, 2017 CLOSING DATE: August 7, 2017 at 17:00 Hours, Accra Time

SUBJECT: SOLICITATION NUMBER SOL-624-17-000020 FOR A U.S.

CITIZEN OR A THIRD COUNTRY NATIONAL PERSONAL

SERVICE CONTRACTOR FOR A SENIOR HEALTH SYSTEMS

STRENGTHENING ADVISOR/USAID/WEST AFRICA BASED

IN ABIDJAN, COTE D’ IVOIRE

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications of qualified U.S Citizen or Third Country Nationals (TCN) interested in providing Personal Services Contract services as described in the attached solicitation.

In order to be considered for the position, a candidate must meet the minimum qualifications listed in the solicitation at the time of submission and must submit all required documentations. The Senior Health Systems Strengthening Advisor position will be located in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire.

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

• Cover Letter;

• Curriculum Vitae or resume;

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

• Supplemental document addressing the evaluation factors; and

• List of three to five professional references.

All application packages are to be submitted via email to: accrapsc@usaid.gov

Please cite the solicitation number and position title within the subject line of your email application. Any attachments provided via email must be in a format compatible with Microsoft Word 2003/2010 or PDF and not zipped. Note that attachments to email must not exceed 3 MB.

Any questions concerning this solicitation may be directed to Mildred Agbo at magbo@usaid.gov no later than July 14, 2017; no questions will be entertained after this date.

Application Form AID 302-3 must be signed. Incomplete and unsigned applications will not be considered.

Late applications will not be accepted and will be handled in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) 52.215.1.

http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ mailto:accrapsc@usaid.gov mailto:magbo@usaid.gov

POSITION TITLE: Senior Health Systems Strengthening Advisor

SOLICITATION NUMBER: SOL-624-17-000020

ISSUANCE DATE: July 7, 2017 CLOSING DATE and TIME: August 7, 2017 at 17:00 Hours, Accra Time MARKET VALUE OF POSITION: GS 14 ($88,136 - $114,578 per annum) Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based upon the candidate’s past salary, work history, and educational background.

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens and Third Country Nationals

Third Country Nationals 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) who 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 two one-year option year extensions, contingent on satisfactory performance, continued need for the services, and availability of funds.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:

USAID/US Embassy, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. (The U.S.

Embassy in Côte d'Ivoire is authorized to operate again as a fully accompanied post, meaning minor dependents of U.S.

government employees are now permitted to travel to or accompany family members to Abidjan).

SECURITY ACCESS and MEDICAL

CLEARANCE:

Selected applicant must obtain Secret Clearance (USPSC)/Facility Access (Permanent Resident)/ Employment Authorization (TCN) and necessary 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.

Senior Health Systems Strengthening Advisor (Senior HSS Advisor) – USAID Côte d’Ivoire

I. BACKGROUND

A. Country Health Sector Context

As Côte d’Ivoire transitions into an emerging economy after decades of economic and political instability, the country continues to face significant health challenges. HIV prevalence is 3.5 percent among the general population and much higher among key and priority populations. The total fertility rate is five children per woman. Current contraceptive prevalence is estimated at 16.7 percent and 36.2 percent of women have an unmet need for family planning services. Family planning demand satisfied decreased from 35.6 to 26.4 percent between 2015 and 2016. Several endemic neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) still cause pain and suffering throughout the country.

And, malaria is the first cause of mortality among children and continues to be the top reason for medical consultations and hospitalizations.

When the first cases of Ebola occurred in neighboring Guinea and Liberia in 2014, Ivorian officials acted swiftly with mass awareness campaigns and rigorous travel restrictions to prevent the spread of the disease into Côte d’Ivoire. While authorities were successful and there were no reported cases of Ebola in Côte d’Ivoire, the regional Ebola virus outbreak underscored the country’s lack of health infrastructure capacity and readiness plans to respond adequately in the event of an Ebola (or other pandemic disease) outbreak in the country.

Given this context, the USAID’s Côte d’Ivoire health sector portfolio has expanded in recent years from exclusively HIV/AIDS related activities to a broader health sector platform. A heightened emphasis has been placed on strengthening local capacities in leadership, governance, and sustainability of health programs, systems and services. Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) and NTD programs have recently been launched, and small-scale family planning/reproductive health activities have been undertaken with USAID regional funds. Côte d’Ivoire was recently added to the list of USG approved PMI (President’s Malaria Initiative) countries. A PMI Assessment Team visited Côte d’Ivoire in late 2016 and worked with GOCI’s Ministry of Health officials to identify activities to be supported by PMI, based on the country’s national malaria program needs.

B. USAID’s Current Health Portfolio

USAID/Côte d’Ivoire has provided support to the GOCI Ministry of Health HIV/AIDS program since 2004. This support covers a range of capacity-building and institution-strengthening activities that are essential for the health sector. These include:

• health cost financing;

• health sector leadership, management and governance;

• health sector policy;

• data collection and analysis;

• health services quality improvement and national policy development;

• health commodities supply chain;

• improved nutrition screening and services;

• user-friendly health services for key populations such as men who have sex with men

(MSMs) and female sex workers (FSWs);

• social services for orphans, vulnerable children and their families;

• health and wellness messaging for social and behavior change communication (SBCC) programs;

• use of telemedicine within workplace clinics and support for HIV services at private sector health facilities; and,

• condom social marketing.

USAID also provides a robust package of supply chain technical assistance and currently procures over 50 percent of all medicines and supplies for the country’s HIV service sites.

In light of the Ebola epidemic in neighboring West African countries in 2014, USAID provided technical assistance and supplies to assist the country to prepare and respond to an eventual outbreak in Côte d’Ivoire. Funds were used to strengthen and support: data collection and reporting;

leadership, management and governance of emergency programs; supply chain for commodities needed for emergency services; sentinel surveillance; and information, education and communication activities. Since 2015, under the USG Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), USAID continues systems strengthening initiatives and further reinforces local capacity to address potential pandemic threats.

USAID/Côte d’Ivoire also oversees assistance from the USAID/Washington Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) program called “END in Africa.” USAID carries out community education and treatment interventions to address five major NTDs in the country, including schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis, trachoma, lymphatic filariasis, and soil-transmitted helminthes. The Côte d’Ivoire also benefits from USAID/Washington centrally-funded initiatives and USAID/West Africa regional activities in water, sanitation and hygiene, human resources development for the health sector, maternal and child health, and reproductive health/family planning.

II. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

USAID-supported HSS activities in Côte d’Ivoire are designed to reform and/or reinforce fundamental systems, practices, and tools that are necessary for optimal institutional and sector performance, improved health outcomes, and sustainable programs. The incumbent functions as the Team Lead for USAID’s HSS activities in Côte d’Ivoire and collaborates with and complements the work done by USAID’s Community Health and Health Statistics and Evaluation Teams. The HSS Senior Advisor duties comprise the three major areas listed below: activity design and management; team leadership and staff supervision; and, HSS technical advisory services.

1. Activity Design and Management (40% Estimated Level of Effort [LOE]) The incumbent is expected to:

a) in collaboration with USAID staff, USG interagency colleagues and host country counterparts provide technical guidance, identify and develop health care financing initiatives, key health sector policy initiatives, and other health systems strengthening activities to be supported by USAID in Côte d’Ivoire;

b) ensure that USAID’s HSS activities are designed to support and strengthen GOCI’s national health programs and promote a sustainable approach to service delivery likely to result in better health outcomes;

c) identify HSS short-term technical assistance (STTA) needs, prepare scopes of work for STTA to address needs, and participate in recruitment of appropriate STTA;

d) monitor the implementation and progress of all USAID-supported health systems strengthening activities and prepare quarterly, semi-annual and annual reports as required by HSS programs;

e) carry out USAID Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) duties for select activities, as needed, upon successful completion of relevant USAID training;

f) oversee the development of USAID’s HSS implementing partners’ (IPs) scopes of work and budgets, monitor progress towards attaining objectives, and ensure that IPs’ activities, annual work plans, and budgets reflect USG and GOCI priorities, policies, and guidance

HSS Team Lead and Staff Supervision (30% LOE)

g) lead the USAID HSS team, mentor and supervise non-direct hire HSS personnel (up to four);

h) coordinate and collaborate with other USAID/CI technical teams (One Health/Infectious

Diseases, Community Health, Malaria, Health Statistics and Evaluation) and with other USG agencies that also work in these areas (e.g., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of State (DOS), Department of Defense (DOD), etc.);

i) facilitate frequent and active collaboration with implementing partners and host country stakeholders.

USAID Technical Advisor and Point of Contact (POC) for HSS Activities (30% LOE)

j) collaborate with host country counterparts and implementing partners, and provide timely recommendations for and information about HSS activities to USAID colleagues, USG interagency partners, the GOCI ministerial and other officials, and other interested stakeholders;

k) have a good understanding and be able to speak knowledgeably about current systems-related issues and challenges, and USAID policy and technical guidance for the following programs:

HIV/AIDS, pandemic threats and global health security, neglected tropical diseases, malaria, maternal and child health, and reproductive health/family planning;

l) promote and encourage host country engagement in HSS activities, informed decision making and sustainability in order to achieve better health outcomes;

m) promote and facilitate the application of best practices in health sector systems strengthening areas.

III. 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 selected candidate for the Senior HSS Advisor position 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 PEPFAR policies, directives and programmatic guidelines. The incumbent is required to be proactive in keeping abreast of all relevant USG guidelines and policies as well as host country policies and decrees related to the health sector in CI. Guidance will be available to the incumbent from senior USAID staff in Abidjan, USAID/West Africa, USAID/Washington Global Health and Africa Bureaus, and the Dept. of State Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC) for PEPFAR matters.

b) Exercise of Judgment:

The incumbent will exercise a high degree of independent judgment in providing guidance and assistance to a wide range of host country counterparts and USAID IPs in Côte d’Ivoire. 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 when working with USG colleagues, USG implementing partners, and host country counterparts to resolve challenges for which sometimes there are no clear or immediate solutions. In instances where 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 evolving country health system needs. The position requires the ability to plan, implement, follow-up, and work both independently and within a large multi-agency team setting. The incumbent is expected to be highly productive and meet tight deadlines.

Strong interpersonal and team-building skills are essential as is the ability to operate sensitively and effectively in a post-conflict developing country environment. S/he must be able to devise solutions for situations that may involve conflict and disagreement among stakeholders, competing priorities, differing political sensitivities, unclear or outdated policies, and/or weak institutions.

d) Scope and Effect:

The incumbent is the lead USAID advisor on all matters relating to HSS activities in Cote d’Ivoire. S/he serves to guide the USAID team in this subject area as well as the US Embassy officials at the highest levels. S/he will collaborate closely with other USG Cote d’Ivoire senior management staff to ensure that HSS efforts are coordinated appropriately with activities in other health sector technical areas. S/he also serves as a point of contact for external parties, including host country government officials and USAID implementing partners, regarding USG-supported health systems strategies, interventions and activities.

e) Personal Contacts:

Personal contacts include high-level USG officials at the US Embassy, collaborating technical officers and managers within other USG agencies, host country officials (both high-level management and technical) at all levels (national, regional, local), other donors, and USAID implementing partners and other concerned stakeholders. S/he must have the ability to communicate HSS strategies effectively in French and in English, using a great deal of tact, diplomacy, and technical knowledge. S/he must be a good listener, stay abreast of host country priorities, policies and practices, and be able to manage and/or reconcile differences of opinion or conflicts regarding HSS program priorities and strategies.

f) Level and Purpose of Contacts:

The incumbent occupies a high profile and important position in USG foreign assistance to Côte d’Ivoire. S/he provides policy recommendations as well as strategic and programmatic advice to senior USG program collaborators (including USAID, CDC, DOD, DOS) and US Embassy officials, host country government officials, and IPs. The incumbent will be called upon to represent the USAID CI health sector program at the highest levels in USG and GOCI technical meetings with USGIP, the donor community, and other interested parties. S/he is required to establish and maintain professional contacts/relationships with senior host country government officials and leaders of private and nongovernmental sector institutions that partner with the USG for the execution of USG-supported programs. Meetings range from factual exchanges of information on HSS issues, strategies and programmatic guidance, etc. to subjects that could involve significant or controversial issues and differing viewpoints, goals, or objectives.

IV. POSITION ELEMENTS

a) Supervision Received:

Work will be performed under the supervision of and in consultation with the USAID Health Office Director (or designee) who will approve incumbent’s annual work objectives and undertake incumbent’s annual performance evaluation. The supervisor will provide guidance on USAID strategic, technical, managerial, and administrative requirements. The incumbent is expected to take the initiative to remain abreast of USAID policies and directives, and to keep the Health Office Director and Deputy Director fully apprised of developments in HSS activities.

b) Supervision Exercised:

The Senior HSS Advisor will coordinate all USAID HSS staff members’ work assignments and expected deliverables. S/he will provide technical direction and guidance for the HSS team and will supervise USAID HSS personal services contractors (PSCs), local employed staff (LES), and short-term consultants.

c) Reporting:

The incumbent is responsible for all required USAID documentation for HSS activities, including terms of reference for consultants and USAID/W temporary duty staffers, strategy papers, activity budgets, trip reports for site visits, briefing papers for the USAID representative and high-level U.S. Embassy officials; correspondence with USAID/Washington and USAID Missions, with USAID implementing partners, GOCI officials and national stakeholders, and other donors and international organizations. Written assignments include preparation of the HSS sections for major USG program documents such as:

• The annual HIV President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Country

Operational Plan (COP);

• The President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) Malaria Operational Plan (MOP);

• USAID health sector concept papers;

• USAID/CI Health Portfolio Project Appraisal Document (PAD);

• US Embassy Integrated Country Strategy (ICS);

• USAID Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS).

d) Authority to Make Commitments/Obligations:

The incumbent is not authorized to make financial commitments on behalf of the USG.

However, because of the incumbent’s expertise and standing as a highly qualified professional in his/her field, his/her conclusions and recommendations will be taken into account by USAID direct hire colleagues who have decision-making authority regarding funding commitments and obligations.

e) Physical Demands/Work Environment:

This is a low-to-moderate physically demanding position. The incumbent will be physically located at the US Embassy in Abidjan and will be expected to attend meetings and events related to USG health activities on a frequent basis, both in Abidjan and in other cities in Côte d’Ivoire. S/he will also conduct site visits (an anticipated minimum 8 per year) to review progress of USAID-supported activities throughout the country many of which are located in rural or quasi-urban areas with limited amenities.

f) Time Required to Perform Full Range of Duties:

The incumbent must be able to perform the full range of technical and HSS leadership duties upon arrival at post. While the incumbent might not have a thorough working knowledge of USG activity management and administrative procedures (used in the implementation of USAID activities), it is expected that this knowledge will be acquired/or and reinforced within the first six (6) months on the job.

g) Post Entry Training:

Post entry training will focus on USG regulations that govern USAID grants, contracts, and field support activities; ii) USAID activity management and procurement systems; iii) Program-specific technical objectives, guidelines and procedures; and iv) USG technical guidance concerning HSS strategies and activities. 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/ CI’s activities.

V. REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, SELECTION CRITERIA

1. A Master’s degree in health economics, healthcare financing, health metrics and evaluation, applied economics, public health program management, public policy, public sector reform, international development, or related subject area.

2. Professional experience: A minimum of ten years’ progressively responsible work on national health sector reform, including health cost financing, development and operationalization of health sector strategic plans and policies.

3. Strong knowledge of challenges faced by national health ministries and programs in Sub Saharan Africa, including good understanding of the impact of a nation’s disease burden on economic and social sectors. Knowledge areas include the pros and cons of different strategies and options for health sector reform, health sector management and governance, institutional capacity building, decentralization and de-concentration of health services, and health cost financing (e.g., national health insurance and user fee schemes, innovations in provider payments, performance-based financing, decentralization and equitable resource allocation, etc.).

4. HSS project design and implementation experience working on large health programs, in Côte d’Ivoire or in countries with similar socioeconomic status.

5. Minimum three years in a team lead or supervisory program management position, with experience in mentoring staff, team building, and advising and liaising with high-level government officials, senior advisors, implementing partners, and donor agencies.

6. Skilled in commonly used computer software (Excel, Word, Powerpoint, database/statistics programs).

7. High-level fluency (written and spoken) in English and French. The position requires strong oral and written skills to clearly communicate programmatic and technical concepts, issues and solutions to technical and non-technical colleagues and counterparts.

VI. EVALUATION CRITERIA

Education: (10 points)

Technical Knowledge (20 points):

• Level of demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Health cost financing (10 points)

• Level of demonstrated knowledge and understanding of development and operationalization of health sector strategic plans and policies (10 points)

Professional Work Experience (45 points):

• Level of demonstrated experience working on challenges faced by national health ministries and programs in Sub Saharan Africa (15 points)

• Level of demonstrated experience working on HSS project design and implementation in large health programs in Côte d’Ivoire or in countries with similar socioeconomic status (15 points)

• Level of demonstrated experience in team lead or supervisory program management (15 points)

Abilities and Skills (25 Points):

• Level of demonstrated skills in commonly used computer software (Excel, Word, Powerpoint, database/statistics programs) (10 points)

• Level of demonstrated oral and written skills to clearly communicate programmatic and technical concepts, issues and solutions to technical and non-technical colleagues and counterparts (15 points)

VII. MEDICAL AND SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS

The applicant selected to fill this position must be able to obtain a security clearance/employment authorization which involves applicant's comprehensive background investigation performed by a U.S. Government Agency.

The applicant selected to fill the position must also receive medical clearance to work worldwide.

Details of how to obtain such clearance will be provided after selection and acceptance of the job offer.

The final selected candidates must obtain security and medical clearances within a reasonable period of time (USAID will provide details regarding these clearances to the selected candidates). A substantial delay in obtaining either required clearance will make the applicant ineligible for selection.

VIII. INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS

Submission of a resume alone IS NOT a complete application. This position requires the completion of additional forms and/or supplemental materials as described in this section. Failure to provide the required information and/or materials will result in your not being considered for employment.

Interested individuals meeting the Minimum Qualifications above are required to submit the following:

• Signed Form AID 302-3, Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts (available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms/)

All applicants must submit complete dates (months/years) and hours per week for all positions listed on the form AID 302-3 to allow for adequate evaluation of your related and direct experiences. Applicants should note that the salary history for the purposes of the AID 302-3 is the base salary paid, excluding benefits and allowances such as housing, travel, educational support, etc.

• Cover letter and a current resume/curriculum vita (CV). The 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 particular selection criteria. Complete dates (month/year) are also required on CV.

• Applicants must provide a minimum of three and a maximum of five references within the last five years from the applicant’s professional life namely individuals who are not family members or relatives. Three references must be from direct supervisors who can provide information regarding the applicant’s work knowledge and professional experience. Applicants must provide e-mail addresses and/or working telephone numbers for all references.

• Applicants also must address the above Section VI, in a summary statement to be included in the application. This summary statement, limited to two pages, must describe specifically and accurately what experience, training, education, and/or awards the applicant has received that are relevant to each selection factor above. The summary statement must include the name of the applicant and the announcement number at the top of each page.

IX. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs Forms outlined below can found at: http://www.usaid.gov/forms/

1. Application for Federal Employment (AID 302-3);

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). *

* 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 BULLETIN (CIBs) AND ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) PERTAINING TO PSCs

CIBs AND AAPDSs contain information or changes pertaining to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulation and procedures concerning acquisition and assistance including Personal Service Contracts and can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs.

AIDAR Appendix D and J apply to USPSC and TCNPSC respectively and can be found at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf.

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 USPSC employee may only be eligible for those benefits listed below.) TCNPSC MAY be eligible for benefits in accordance with AIDAR Appendix J, sec.

4(c)(2)(ii)(B).

BENEFITS:

Employee's FICA and Medicare Contribution (USPSCs only) 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 (USPSCs only)

*Note: If a US citizen, the Contractor’s salary will be subject to employee’s FICA and Medicare contribution.

ALLOWANCES (If Applicable):

(1) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120)*

(2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)*

(3) Post Allowance (Section 220)*

(4) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230)*

(5) Post Differential (Chapter 500)*

(6) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600)* and

(7) Danger Pay (Section 650)*

(8) Educational Allowance (Section 270)*

(9) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)*

(10) Educational Travel (Section 280)*

* Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas).

FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal and State Income Taxes http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf https://usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar https://usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar