SOL-674-15-000019.doc

SOLICITATION NUMBER:

SOL-674-15-000019

ISSUANCE DATE:

March 23, 2015

CLOSING DATE AND TIME:

April 22, 2015, 17:00 Local Time, Pretoria, South Africa

POSITION TITLE:

Biomedical Prevention Specialist

MARKET VALUE OF POSITION:

The position is the equivalent of a GS-13, ranging from $73,115.00 to $95,048.00 per annum. Final compensation will be based on the individual’s salary and work history, experience and educational background.

EVALUATION FACTORS:

Evaluation of qualifications and experience required of candidates will be conducted on a 100-point Scale and weighted as follows: Education (10%); Work Experience (30%); Technical Knowledge and Abilities (35%); Communications/Interpersonal Skills (25%).

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

Two (2) years, with the possibility of extensions pending need, performance and funding, not to exceed a total of five (5) years.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:

Maseru, Lesotho.

SECURITY ACCESS:

Employment Authorization (USPSCs)

Background Check (TCNs)

AREA OF CONSIDERATION:

U.S. Citizens or Third Country Nationals

STATEMENT OF WORK/POSITION DESCRIPTION:

I. SCOPE OF WORK

Position Overview:

The Biomedical Prevention Specialist contributes to the team’s ability to achieve results by providing programmatic and technical expertise and guidance within the team for the biomedical HIV prevention components of the Lesotho program. In the PEPFAR Lesotho current context this includes strategies for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT), adult and early infant medical male circumcision (MMC), post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and other emerging high impact, evidence based biomedical interventions. The Biomedical Prevention Specialist provides strategic guidance to the interagency USG team and implementing partners for the implementation of the new PEPFAR Guidance for the Prevention of Sexually Transmitted HIV Infections. The incumbent also serves as a subject matter expert for PMTCT, MMC, and PEP. The Biomedical Prevention Specialist interacts with the US Government team as well as technical representatives of other USG agencies, Government counterparts, Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator, international donors, international and local NGOs and other key development partners. The incumbent serves as the Contracting/Award Officer’s Technical Representative (C/AOR) or Activity Manager for PEPFAR-funded awards and contracts issued by USAID Lesotho Program, as well as USAID/Washington-procured Field Support activities. The incumbent is supervised by the USAID Program Director or his/her designee.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1.

Technical Team Coordination (30%)

The Biomedical Prevention Specialist guides the technical development and oversight of the Lesotho PEPFAR biomedical prevention portfolio in collaboration with the Prevention Team Leader and other team members. This responsibility includes:

· Maintaining state-of-the-art familiarity with relevant biomedical research in the reduction of HIV transmission.

· Providing technical assistance for the design, implementation, and evaluation of HIV/AIDS biomedical prevention programs to Government of Lesotho (GoL) counterparts, USG staff, implementing partners and other institutions in Lesotho.

· Participating in and providing technical assistance to the Prevention Technical Working Groups (TWG), task teams, workshops and campaigns. Providing strategic leadership and advice to Global Fund for AIDS Tuberculosis and Malaria processes related to HIV/AIDS biomedical prevention when required.

· Identifying and documenting technically sound, cost-effective, and practical approaches to biomedical prevention programming consistent with USG, USAID, GoL and OGAC policies and priorities. This includes assisting in the preparation of design and other pre-obligation documentation; assisting in the preparation of the annual PEPFAR Country Operational Plan (COP); ensuring the integration of gender considerations into activity design; and reviewing and ranking proposals and recommending those worthy of funding to the PEPFAR Program Director.

· Collecting, managing, and analyzing data and information related to HIV/AIDS, PEPFAR, and USAID activities focused on program monitoring and improvement of performance in the biomedical prevention portfolio.

· Remaining informed and up-to-date on technical and management issues affecting the design, implementation, and evaluation of the biomedical prevention portfolio, including keeping counterparts current on USAID and OGAC policies and procedures.

· Supporting efforts to ensure that state-of-the-art gender and stigma reduction programming are effectively incorporated across biomedical prevention interventions and biomedical prevention interventions are linked with testing, care and treatment activities.

· Soliciting and utilizing the input of technical advisors, USG staff, and consultants, both local and international as needed.

· Ensuring that USG-supported biomedical prevention programs and efforts address the organizational, technical and human dimensions of sustainability and the human resource challenges in Lesotho.

2.

Project Management (35%)

· Serving as COR/AOR or official Activity Manager for designated activities awarded under the biomedical prevention portfolio. In this context, the incumbent is responsible for all aspects of project management for her/his assigned activities, including technical and financial oversight of the contractors, reviewing reports, documents, and scopes of work. Where appropriate, oversee other program activities to ensure their successful implementation.

· Reviewing and determining the appropriateness of proposed agreement modifications and submit recommendations to the RHAP or USAID/W COR for follow-up action.

· Negotiating directly with counterpart officials and with partners on all aspects of financial expenditures, and recommend action to the respective COR.

· Carrying out routine monitoring and evaluation of project progress by reviewing technical documents and reports, completing site visits, and engaging in one-on-one reporting and meeting with key counterpart officials.

· Undertaking regular site visits of implementing partners and maintain regular communication with implementing partners to ensure that they have feasible, results-oriented, gender-sensitive work plans and sound management and financial plans in place; that activity implementation is proceeding in accordance with the approved COP; that planned inputs and outputs are clearly identified and produced on schedule; that funding advances are requested, provided, expended and liquidated in accordance with financial plans and relevant USG procedures; that pipelines are reviewed with grantees at least quarterly; that timely audits are carried out in accordance with the respective activity agreements and any audit recommendations are closed; that completed activities are promptly closed out; and that implementing partners comply with the terms and conditions of activity agreements.

· Assisting implementing partners to troubleshoot implementation problems, and bring any major management or politically sensitive issues to the attention of the USAID PEPFAR Program Director.

3. Program Planning and Reporting (20%)

· Leading project development process for the biomedical prevention portfolio, for yearly process such as the COP, semi and annual program reports and other necessary documents.

· Ensuring that all program documentation meets both USG requirements and audit inspection standards. This includes analyzing and providing guidance to the USG HIV/AIDS Team on what kinds of documentation are required based on regulations; on requests/guidance from USAID/Lesotho, OGAC and USAID/W; on ADS and other relevant guidance; and on the experience of previous audits, other USAID programs, and other PEPFAR programs.

· Ensuring that documentation of biomedical prevention activities is prepared with input from other USG Team members and implementing partners; and is submitted in a timely fashion for review and clearance.

4. Budget Tracking and Analysis (15%)

· Performing budget formulation duties for the biomedical prevention portfolio including preparing detailed analyses and estimates of annual funding needs for one or more future budget years of PEPFAR funding.

· Monitoring obligations, commitments, expenditures, and results against targets.

· Ensuring that the budget system is used effectively as an evaluating tool in measuring program performance and effectiveness.

5. Other duties as assigned and necessary under the Biomedical Prevention portfolio.

II. QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

An advanced degree in international public health, nursing, medicine, or other relevant discipline.

Work Experience:

· A minimum of 5-7 years of increasingly responsible experience in international public health programming and/or implementation.

· Experience working in technical oversight, design, and implementation of biomedical HIV prevention programs in Africa.

· Experience working with PEPFAR and U.S. government operations, rules, regulations, procedures, policies, and programs.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

· Strong knowledge of USAID procedures and experience with USAID missions.

· Excellent management, interpersonal, oral/written communication and computer skills.

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

· Ability in dealing effectively and diplomatically with multiple U.S. and host country government agencies, non-governmental organizations, faith-based organizations, and the private sector.

· Excellent English communication skills and diplomacy.

The following are highly desirable:

· Adept in quantitative and qualitative research methods.

· Previous relevant working experience with USAID.

· Prior budget or financial management experience.

· Previous experience working in South Africa and/or the southern Africa region.

· Knowledge and experience working with USAID procurement, management, performance monitoring, and other systems.

Language Ability:

Level IV (fluent) English writing and speaking ability is required.

III. EVALUATION FACTORS:

The following factors are listed in descending order of importance and will be the basis for the evaluation of applications meeting the required minimum qualifications:

Education (10%)

Relevant Work Experience (50%)

Skills and Abilities (40%)

All applications will be evaluated based on the documentation submitted with the application. USAID reserves the right to contact your previous employers for relevant information concerning your performance and may consider such information in its evaluation. The highest ranking applicants may be selected for an interview, but an interview is not always necessary.

12. INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS:

A) APPLYING

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

i). Marking Applications: To ensure consideration of applicants for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application, and as the subject line in any cover letter, as well as using the address/delivery point specified in this solicitation.

ii). CV: An up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV) or resume. Your CV/resume must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the application in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria. Broad general statements that are vague or lacking specificity will not be considered as effectively addressing particular selection criteria. Applicants are encouraged to write a brief appendix to demonstrate how prior experience and/or training addresses the minimum qualifications and evaluation criteria set forth in the solicitation.

iii). Form OF-612: The submitted form must be signed and completed as much as possible and may reference the CV/resume for a greater detailed explanation of work experience rather than repeat it in the OF-612. Form 612 is available at the USAID web site, http:/www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms or internet http://fillform.gsa.gov, or at USG offices.

iv). References: Three (3) to five (5) references, who are not family members or relatives, with working telephone and e-mail contacts. The references must be able to provide substantive information about your past performance and abilities. Reference checks will be done on selected applicants only. If an applicant does not wish for the current employer to be contacted as a reference, this should be stated in the applicant’s cover letter. The interviewing committee will delay such reference check pending communication with the applicant.

v). Required Forms for PSCs: Specific forms shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the position.

vi). Late Submissions: Qualified individuals should note that applications must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in the cover letter or they will not be considered eligible for evaluation or award, unless Contracting Officer determines that the documents were mishandled by the receiving agency. The closing time for the receipt of applications is 5:00 pm, local time, on the date specified on the covering letter to this solicitation. You are directed to Federal Acquisitions Regulation, Part 15.208 “Submission, modification, revision, and withdrawal of proposals” for further information. USAID/Southern Africa reserves the right not to award any contract as a result of this solicitation.

B) SECURITY AND MEDICAL CLEARANCES

i). Medical Clearance: Prior to signing a contract, the selected individual and eligible dependents will be required to obtain a medical clearance or waiver for the country of performance specified. Instructions for obtaining the medical clearance will be forwarded to the selected individual once negotiations have been concluded.

ii). Security Clearance: Prior to signing a contract, the selected individual will be required to obtain a Security Background Check. This temporary security clearance will be requested while a personal background investigation is conducted. Instructions for obtaining the security clearance will be forwarded to the selected individual once negotiations have been concluded.

C) REGULATIONS/BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES/DEFINITIONS

i). USAID Regulations:

1. Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives (AAPDs): AAPDs serve as official sources for the latest updates in acquisition and assistance (A&A) policy and requirements. AAPDs provide information of significance including, but not limited to, advance notification of changes or implementation of new requirements to A&A regulations and procedures. Please refer to this web site – http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs to determine which AAPDs apply to this contract.

2. AIDAR: The Agency for International Development Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR) Appendix D - Direct USAID Contracts With U.S. Citizens or U.S. Residents for Personal Services Abroad found at: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf is the primary regulation governing USPSCs for USAID.

ii). Benefits, Allowances and U.S. Taxes:

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances (however, as conditions at post change, benefits and allowances may also be changed):

1. Benefits:

a) Employee’s FICA Contribution (applicable to USPSCs only)

b) Annual Contribution towards Health and Life Insurance (applicable to US & TCNPSCs)

c) Pay Comparability Adjustment - - Annual across the board salary increase for USG employees and USPSCs (applicable to US & TCNPSCs)

d) Worker’s Compensation (applicable to US & TCNPSCs)

e) Vacation and Sick Leave (applicable to US & TCNPSCs)

f) Access to Health Unit if employee and/or dependents are medically cleared to serve at post of assignment

2. Allowances * (If Applicable):

a) Post Differential (Section 500)

b) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

c) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120)

d) Post Allowance (COLA)(Section 220)

e) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230)

f) Payment During Evacuation (Section 600)

g) Education Allowance (Section 270)

h) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

i) Danger Pay (Section 650)

j) Educational Travel (Section 280)

* Dept of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) (Government Civilians Foreign Areas)

3. In-Kind Allowances:

The USG will provide the following in-kind allowances, on par with US Direct Hires at the same location, in lieu of some allowances in paragraph “2. Allowances* (If Applicable)” above:

a) Housing

b) Furniture

c) Appliances

d) Furnishings (drapes/blinds, rugs, lights, etc.)

e) Utilities

f) Guard Services for Residence

4. Federal and State Taxes:

a. Federal Taxes: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes and will be withheld from compensation payments.

b. State Taxes: USAID does not withhold state taxes from compensation payments. State taxes are solely between the employee and the employee’s state of official residence.

iii). Definitions:

Eligible Family Member (EFM):

An individual related to a USG employee in one of the following ways:

· Spouse or same sex domestic partner (as defined in 3 FAM 1610);

· Child, who is unmarried and under 21 years of age or regardless of age, is incapable of self-support. The term shall include, in addition to natural off-spring, step-children and adopted children and those under legal guardianship of the employee or the spouse when such children are expected to be under such legal guardianship until they reach 21 years of age and when dependent upon and normally residing with the guardian;

· Parent (including step-parents and legally adoptive parents) of the employee or of the spouse; when such parent is at least 51% dependent on the employee for support;

· Sister or brother (including step-sisters or step-brothers or adoptive sisters or brothers) of the employee, or of the spouse, when such sibling is at least 51% dependent on the employee for support, unmarried and under 21 years of age, or regardless of age, incapable of self-support.

Third Country National (TCN):

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.

Member of Household (MOH):

Members of household (MOHs) are those persons who have accompanied or joined an employee assigned abroad and who the employee has declared to the chief of mission to be part of his or her household, who will reside at post with the employee, and who are other than legitimate domestic staff. MOHs do not include those persons who are “family members” or “eligible family members.” MOHs are by definition cohabitants. Therefore, employees who declare MOHs must ensure compliance with the provisions of 12 FAM 275, Reporting Cohabitation with and/or Intent to Marry a Foreign National.

Resident Hire:

Resident hire means a U.S. citizen who, at the time of hire as a PSC, resides in the cooperating country as a spouse or dependent of a U.S. citizen employed by a U.S. government agency or under any U.S. government-financed contract or agreement, or for reasons other than for employment with a U.S. government agency or under any U.S. government-financed contract or agreement. A U.S. citizen for purposes of this definition also includes persons who at the time of contracting are lawfully admitted permanent residents of the United States.

END OF SOLICITATION

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