SOL-674-16-000002.pdf

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: SOL-674-16-000002

2. ISSUANCE DATE: October 15, 2015

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME: November 5, 2015, 17:00 Local Time, Pretoria, South Africa

4. POSITION TITLE: USAID PEPFAR Program Deputy Director

5. MARKET VALUE OF POSITION: The position is the equivalent of a GS-14 ranging from $86,399.00 to $112,319.00 per annum. Final compensation will be based on individual’s salary and work history, experience and educational background, within the above salary range.

6. EVALUATION FACTORS: Evaluation will be based on a 100-point Scale:

Education (45 Points); Knowledge/Experience (45 Points), and Skills and Abilities (10 Points)

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two (2) years, with the possibility of extensions pending need, performance and funding, not to exceed a total contract period of five (5) years.

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Mbabane, Swaziland.

9. SECURITY ACCESS: Employment Authorization (USPSCs)

Background Check (TCNPSCs)

10. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens or Third Country Nationals

11. STATEMENT OF WORK/POSITION DESCRIPTION:

I. SCOPE OF WORK

A. Introduction:

Swaziland has the most severe national HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis crisis in the world, with an adult HIV prevalence rate of 26 percent (31.1 percent among females and 19.7 percent among males), while prevalence amongst pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) facilities stands at 41 percent. Women are disproportionately affected, comprising over 55 percent of all HIV-infected adults. Ninety percent of all new infections occur through heterosexual contact:

deeply entrenched social, cultural and gender norms create barriers to the uptake of and adherence to high impact services including testing, treatment and male circumcision. In addition, late treatment and high viral loads especially among men, low and inconsistent condom use, intergenerational sex, income inequality and high levels of sexual violence are some of the drivers of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This unprecedented crisis requires a sustained and coordinated response. Under the President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR), the United States Government (USG) employs strategies, principles and resources to assist Swaziland in containing, reversing, and mitigating the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

PEPFAR is in the third phase of its program; PEPFAR 3.0, will focus on Sustainable Control of the Epidemic to support UNAIDS ambitious 90-90-90 global goals. To achieve this ambitious goal, PEPFAR 3.0 calls for a new way of doing business – pivoting to a data-driven approach that strategically targets geographic areas and populations where PEPFAR can achieve the most impact for the investments. This means doing the right things, in the right places, with the right people, in the right way, at the right time. Five action agendas guide the new way of doing business, these are

The Impact Action Agenda, The efficiency Action Agenda

The Sustainability Action Agenda, The Partnership Action Agenda, The Human Rights Action Agenda

The Government of the Kingdom of Swaziland (GKoS) developed its extended National HIV Strategy (eNSF) (2012-2018) with an aim of reducing HIV transmission by 50%. The eNSF guides all HIV programs with a focus on priority populations with the right package of programming.

The eNSF identifies the following as its core programs:

HTC

Social and Behavior Change

Condom Promotion and Distribution

PMTCT

Male Circumcision

Customized Interventions for Key Populations

Treatment, Care and Support for PLHIV

Care and Support for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC)

Addressing Gender-Based Violence

The PEPFAR program covers all regions in Swaziland and contributes to the GKoS HIV response and the eNSF goals as well as the UNAIDS goal of achieving 90-90-90. The program is managed by an interagency office comprised of USAID, Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the U.S.

Departments of State, Defense, and Labor to implement a sustainable, evidence-based, results-oriented program, leveraging the particular technical expertise of each agency and their staff.

USAID provides technical and program management oversight through the USAID Swaziland staff and its Regional HIV/AIDS Program based in South Africa. USAID/Swaziland supports programs across the continuum of response including:

HIV prevention and community engagement to shift social, cultural, and gender norms to reduce stigma and discrimination; increase the up-take of testing and high impact services (ART, PMTCT, VMMC, PrEP) and condom use; reduce vulnerability; and increase resilience especially among adolescent girls and young women

HIV Testing and linkages to HIV prevention and care services

Comprehensive HIV Clinic services (through mobile, outreach and fixed public and private facilities) including PITCT, SRH, ART, TB/HIV, Care, PMTCT, and VMMC

Condom promotion and distribution

System strengthening (critical HIV heath systems for program support) including, human resources for health, supply chain management, health and information systems, and national level support to social behavior change, community engagement and a multi sector response;

Impact mitigation – support for orphans and vulnerable children and early childhood development

USAID also supports the key population program, providing outreach and clinical services to FSW and MSM in over 15 hotspots, and a public private partnership with Coca-Cola and the Town Council in the Swaziland’s industrial hub, Matsapha serving young vulnerable men and women.

USAID will manage over 80% of the DREAMS programming in Swaziland. DREAMS programs will focus in 19 of the 55 Tinkhundla with a comprehensive package of interventions aimed at adolescent girls 15-19, young women 20-24 and men 20-34.

B. Position Overview:

The PEPFAR Program Deputy Director fills a key program administration and management role on the Swaziland USG HIV/AIDS Team. This includes support for critical PEPFAR and USAID program design, procurement and management, budget and financial management, and PEPFAR reporting requirements. The incumbent will work closely with the budget and program analyst to support these functions. The USAID HIV/AIDS portfolio spans across the continuum of the HIV response as noted above. In addition to important program administration and management functions, the Deputy will work closely with the Country Director and technical leads to provide strategic direction to the overall portfolio, and will support to team members and technical leads as needed to achieve results. This may include providing backstopping and coverage for any given technical area as needed, assisting with technical area analysis and reporting, and representing USAID on internal and external technical meetings and task forces.

The incumbent serves as the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or Activity Manager for PEPFAR-funded awards and contracts issued by the Regional HIV/AIDS Program (RHAP), as well as USAID/W-procured Field Support activities. The incumbent is supervised by the USAID PEPFAR Program Director.

The incumbent serves as the Deputy USAID PEPFAR Program Director and will carry out functions in support of this office as described below.

1. Program Administration and Management (50%)

Assist the USAID PEPFAR Program Director as needed to oversee routine USAID functions.

Supervise select USAID staff.

Perform budget formulation duties for the USAID HIV 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; and ensuring that the budget system is used effectively as an evaluating tool in measuring program performance and effectiveness.

Support the USAID PEPFAR Program Director with budget formulation activities and monitoring of obligations, commitments and expenditures for USAID grants, contracts and cooperative agreements

Develop annual procurement plans, program design documents, select sections of the Country Operational Plan, and prepare annual reports and other necessary documents.

Ensure 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/RHAP, S/GAC and USAID/W; on ADS and other relevant guidance; and on the experience of previous audits, other USAID HIV/AIDS programs, and other PEPFAR programs.

Serve as a Control Officer and provide administrative back up for USAID and other visitors.

Develop communication materials to showcase USAID activities and to highlight successes of the overall PEPFAR Swaziland program.

2. Technical Team Support (30%) The Deputy assists in guiding the technical development and oversight of the USAID/Swaziland portfolio in collaboration with the other team members. This responsibility includes:

Maintaining state-of-the-art familiarity with relevant HIV research and remain well informed of scientific aspects of HIV programming.

Providing technical guidance and leadership in collaborating with PEPFAR Technical Working Groups (TWG) in USAID/W and S/GAC.

Providing assistance to technical leads for the design, implementation and evaluation of HIV programs, liaising with GKoS counterparts, USG staff, implementing partners and other institutions in Swaziland.

Participating in and providing technical assistance to national Technical Working Groups (TWG), task teams, workshops and campaigns. Providing strategic leadership and advice to Global Fund for AIDS Tuberculosis and Malaria processes as needed in USAID focus technical areas.

Identifying and documenting technically sound, cost-effective, and practical approaches to HIV programming consistent with GKOS and S/GAC 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.

Working closely with the SI advisor, assist in collecting, managing, and analyzing data and information related to USAID HIV programming in order to improve program performance, efficiencies and effectiveness.

Remaining informed and up-to-date on technical and management issues affecting the design, implementation and evaluation of the HIV portfolio, including keeping counterparts current on USAID and S/GAC policies and procedures.

Making recommendations to improve the overall alignment of the USAID HIV portfolio with the GKoS, USAID, and with OGAC’s priorities and policies.

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

3. Project Management (20%)

Serve as COR/AOR or official activity manager for designated activities awarded under the USAID HIV 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.

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

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

Carry 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.

Undertake 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.

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

II. QUALIFICATIONS:

In order to be considered for this position a candidate must meet the Required Minimum Qualifications listed below. Consideration and selection will be based on panel evaluation of Required Minimum Qualifications, Desired Qualifications and Evaluation Factors. Additionally, interviews and writing samples may be requested. Applicants are encouraged to write a brief appendix to a resume, OF-612 to demonstrate how prior experience and/or training addresses the Minimum Qualifications and Evaluation Factors listed below:

A. Required Minimum Qualifications:

The following are REQUIRED:

A master’s level degree in international public health, public administration, business administration, social or behavioral sciences, community health care, international development and/or related field;

A minimum of 7-10 years of relevant professional experience in program design and management, with a specific focus on HIV programming.

Knowledge and experience working with USAID procurement, management, performance monitoring, annual planning and budget management, and other systems.

Experience managing complex portfolios and navigating challenging political environments

Excellent 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.

Fluency in English.

The following additional qualifications are HIGHLY DESIRABLE:

A thorough working knowledge of PEPFAR and U.S. government operations, rules, regulations, procedures, policies, and programs.

Extensive technical knowledge of and experience in HIV programming in generalized, hyper endemic epidemics

Previous relevant working experience with USAID.

Prior budget or financial and program management experience.

Experience working in the southern Africa region.

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. 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.

A. Work Experience (45 points):

B. Abilities and Skills (10 points):

C. Education (45 points):

IV. INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS:

Interested applicants must submit:

(1) 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.

(2) Form OF-612: This 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; and,

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

Submissions shall be in accordance with the above information at the place and time specified.

In order to be considered for the position a candidate must meet the minimum qualifications listed in the solicitation. Consideration and selection will be based on a panel evaluation of the applications vis-a-vis the required qualifications. Applicants should note that the salary history for the purposes of the OF-612 is the base salary paid, excluding benefits and allowances such as housing, travel, educational support, vehicle use, etc. Applicants are reminded and required to sign the certification at the end of the OF-612.

Please note that the U.S. mail system is not as reliable as other methods of submitting applications. Preferred methods include: courier, overnight mail service, hand delivery, or emailing scanned copies to jobapplications@usaid.gov. Applications must be signed and dated. In addition, hard copies of certain documents may be requested. Applicants are responsible for submitting the OF-612, so as to reach the government office designated in the solicitation by the closing date and time specified in the solicitation whether submitted by courier, overnight mail services, hand delivery or e-mail. An application received after the closing date and time will be considered late, unless there is acceptable evidence to establish that it was received by the government installation prior to the time and date specified in the solicitation and in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.412.

USAID/Southern Africa reserves the right not to award any contract as a result of this solicitation.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Medical and Security 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 an “employment authorization” for USPSCs and a Background Check for TCNPSCs.

Temporary security clearances 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.

Regulations, Benefits and Allowances i). USAID Regulations:

1. Contract Information Bulletins (CIBs): CIBs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to this web site – http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/ to determine which CIBs apply to this contract.

mailto:jobapplications@usaid.gov http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/

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.

Definitions:

Resident Hire:

Resident Hire means a U.S. citizen who, at the time of hire as a PSC, resides in the cooperating country:

(i) as a spouse or dependent of a U.S. citizen employed:

a) by a U.S. government agency; or http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf

b) under any U.S. government-financed contract or agreement; or

c) under any other contract or agreement that provides for repatriation to the United States;

or

(ii) for reasons other than employment:

a) with a U.S. government agency; or

b) under any U.S. government financed contract or agreements; or under any other contract or employment arrangement that provides for repatriation to the United States; 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.

Methods of submission of an application:

1. Hand Deliver To:

USAID/Southern Africa Office of Human Resources 100 Totius Street Groenkloof Pretoria South Africa

2. Via U.S. Mail:

USAID/Southern Africa Office of Human Resources 9300 Pretoria Place Washington D.C. 20521 – 9300

3. If sent via Courier, International or Local (South African) Mail use:

USAID/Southern Africa Office of Human Resources 100 Totius Street PO Box 43 Groenkloof Pretoria South Africa

4. If sent via email:

Ms. Caroline Sello Human Resources Assistant Telephone: +27 12 452 2059 E-mail address: jobapplications@usaid.gov

Point of Contact:

Martin Steyn, Telephone: +27 12 452 2021

END OF SOLICITATION