SOL-674-16-000009_-_amendment.doc

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER:

SOL-674-16-000009

2. ISSUANCE DATE:

January 21, 2016

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME:

February 4, 2016, 17:00 Local Time, Pretoria, South Africa

4. POSITION TITLE:

Senior Clinical Advisor

5. MARKET VALUE OF POSITION:

The position is the equivalent of a GS-14, ranging from $87,263.00 to $113,444 per annum. Final compensation will be based on individual’s salary and work history, experience and educational background.

6. EVALUATION FACTORS:

Evaluation will be based on a 100-point Scale:

Education (25 Points); Knowledge/Experience

(40 Points), and Skills and Abilities (35 Points)

7. 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.

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:

Mbabane, Swaziland.

9. SECURITY ACCESS:

Employment Authorization (USPSCs)

Background Check (TCNs)

10. AREA OF CONSIDERATION:

U.S. Citizens or Third Country Nationals

STATEMENT OF WORK/POSITION DESCRIPTION:

I. SCOPE OF WORK

A. Introduction and Background:

Swaziland has the most severe national HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis crisis in the world, with an adult HIV prevalence rate of 26% (31.1% among females and 19.7% 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 adherance to high impact HIV services including HIV testing, treatment, Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT), and male circumcision. In addition, late treatment and high viral loads especially among men, loss to follow-up of those on treatment including mother-baby pairs, 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 scientifically focused, 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 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 programmes:

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/Swaziland 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 has the largest portfolio among the interagency and one which spans 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 counseling (HTC), and bi directional linkages to HIV treatment, prevention and care services

· Adult and pediatric HIV care and treatment

· TB/HIV care

· 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

To improve program efficiencies and partner coordination of comprehensive clinical services at public sector health facilities, PEPFAR/Swaziland recently rationalized clinical HIV/AIDS/TB services. These services include provider initiated testing and counseling (PIHTC), client initiated testing and counseling (CIHTC), Sexual reproductive Health services (SRH), Adult and pediatric treatment, TB/HIV screening and care, HIV Care, PMTCT. Thus select USAID and CDC clinical partners now support a continuum of comprehensive clinical services in specific regions. USAID provides technical and program management oversight of comprehensive HIV clinical care services with the public sector in Hhohho and Shiselweni regions of Swaziland.

In addition to managing the comprehensive clinical services in the two regions noted above, USAID supports all community-based prevention and OVC programming across the four regions as well as the Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) program, which is delivered primarily through specific mobile and outreach services across the four regions. In addition USAID manages mobile HIV clinic services that reach specific populations across the four regions. These include:

· The Key Population program, providing outreach and the full range of clinical services to female sex workers and men who have sex with men (FSW and MSM) in over 17 hotspots across the four regions,

· A Public Private partnership with Coca-Cola and the Town Council in the Swaziland’s industrial hub, Matsapha, serving vulnerable young men and women with outreach and mobile clinical services.

· The Luke Commission, a mobile hospital that provides comprehensive health services including HIV and VMMC to remote poor rural populations

· DREAMS -- 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 including mobile clinical services aimed at adolescent girls 15-19, young women 20-24.

B. Basic Functions

The USAID Senior Clinical Advisor serves a critical management and technical advisory role on the Swaziland USG HIV/AIDS Team. This includes managing, directing and advising the PEPFAR programs, across agencies, on all aspects of the program including PMTCT, VMMC, PrEP, treatment as prevention (TaSP); and specific technical and managerial support for the USAID comprehensive clinical and mobile clinical programs across the entire continuum of care and including design, procurement and management, and technical direction. The Incumbent serves as the PEPFAR clinical team lead including PMTCT and VMMC, and the PEPFAR point of contact (POC) for family planning integration, and PrEP). The incumbent will work closely with PEPFAR interagency prevention, clinical, and community teams, as well as with the various Care and Treatment, TB/HIV, HTC, lab, Health systems, prevention, OVC, and SI team leads.

The USAID HIV/AIDS portfolio spans across the continuum of the HIV response as noted above. In addition to important specific program management functions, the Senior Clinical Advisor will work closely with the USAID Country Director and technical leads to provide strategic direction to the USAID portfolio in alignment with PEPFAR 3.0 and the achievement of 90-90-90. The Incumbent will provide support and mentorship to team members and technical leads as needed to achieve these results. This will include providing biomedical and clinical guidance and advice across USAID program areas – such as other prevention, OVC, Key Populations, DREAMS, health systems, and strategic information. In addition, the Senior Clinical Advisor provides technical and program management oversight of USAID-supported comprehensive clinical services in Swaziland’s Hhohho and Shiselweni regions (half of Swaziland), and the mobile clinical services across the four regions that include; provider-initiated counseling and testing (PIHTC), PMTCT, pediatric and adult HIV care and treatment, TB/HIV care services, family planning and sexual reproductive health; and post violence care The Incumbent will serve as the primary USAID/Swaziland’s subject matter expert focal point with senior level host government officials, OGAC, USAID HQ, other donors, and civil society for all aspects related to Biomedical Prevention and clinical HIV care (PMTCT, VMMC, PrEP, Tasp, ART, Pediatric Care, HIV/TB etc). The Incumbent will provide regular technical area analysis and reporting, and representing USAID on internal and external technical meetings, technical working groups 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.

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

C. Duties and Responsibilities of Assignee

1.

Technical Team Coordination (35%)

· The Senior Clinical Advisor guides the technical development and oversight of the Swaziland PEPFAR biomedical prevention and comprehensive HIV clinical care portfolio in collaboration with the USAID/Swaziland PEPFAR Program Director and other team members. The Incumbent serves as the PEPFAR team lead for biomedical HIV prevention (PMTCT, VMMC and other high impact biomedical prevention interventions including PrEP), and the PEPFAR Family Planning HIV integration and PrEP POC. In addition, the incumbent collaborates with the PEPFAR Senior Care & Treatment, TB/HIV, Lab, and other relevant Specialists in the development and oversight of the Swaziland HIV care and treatment and TB/HIV portfolios in support of high impact, efficient delivery of comprehensive HIV care services.

This responsibility includes:

· Maintaining state-of-the-art familiarity with relevant research in HIV biomedical prevention, pediatric and adult treatment, TB/HIV, viral load monitoring and other critical HIV clinical services and interventions.

· Providing technical assistance for the design, implementation and evaluation of HIV biomedical prevention, and comprehensive HIV clinical care programs to senior and technical level GKOS counterparts, USG staff, implementing partners and other institutions in Swaziland.

· Representing USAID/Swaziland as appropriate by participating in and providing technical assistance to HIV biomedical prevention and comprehensive HIV clinical care national, regional and international Technical Working Groups (TWG), task teams, workshops, meetings and campaigns.

· Providing strategic leadership and advice to Global Fund for AIDS Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) processes related to HIV biomedical prevention and comprehensive HIV clinical care activities.

· Identifying and documenting technically sound, cost-effective, and practical approaches to HIV biomedical prevention and comprehensive HIV clinical care programming consistent with GKOS, OGAC and USAID 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 and environmental mitigation into activity design; and reviewing and ranking proposals and recommending those worthy of funding to the PEPFAR Program Director.

· Collecting, analyzing, synthesizing, and managing data and information related to HIV, PEPFAR, and USAID activities focused on program monitoring, evaluation, and improvement of performance in HIV biomedical prevention, comprehensive HIV clinical care and mobile HIV service portfolios.

· Promote information exchange between partners, regional institutions and networks regarding effective biomedical prevention, comprehensive HIV clinical services and mobile HIV interventions as well as the interface with community programs.

· Remaining informed and up-to-date on the most recent relevant research, technical and management issues affecting the design, implementation and evaluation of HIV biomedical prevention, comprehensive HIV care and mobile HIV services, including keeping senior and technical 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, comprehensive HIV clinical care and mobile HIV services and interventions and to ensure robust linkages between the community and HIV care and prevention services.

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

· Ensuring that USG-supported biomedical prevention, comprehensive HIV care and mobile HIV services, interventions, programs and efforts address the organizational, technical and human dimensions of sustainability and the serious human resource crisis in Swaziland.

2.

Project Management (40%)

· Serving as COR/AOR and/or official Activity Manager for designated activities awarded under the biomedical prevention and comprehensive HIV clinical care portfolios. 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.

· Interfacing directly with senior and technical level counterpart officials and partners regarding technical and program performance and based on critical analysis of the evidence and data, make appropriate recommendations for program improvement

· Discuss with partners on all aspects of financial expenditures, and recommend action to the respective AOR/COR, Country Director, or most appropriate officer.

· 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.

· Coordinating and participating in the USAID/PEPFAR facility and community quality assurance/quality improvement (QA/QI) initiative – Site Improvement through Site Monitoring (SIMS) for biomedical prevention, comprehensive HIV clinical care and treatment and TB/HIV activities.

· 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 (15%)

· Lead in developing program design and reporting documents, such as annual biomedical prevention and comprehensive care (including adult and pediatric care and treatment and TB/HIV) portfolios under the Country Operational Plan, and prepare annual 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/RHAP, 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, and comprehensive HIV clinical care (including adult and pediatric treatment and care and TB/HIV activities are 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 (10%)

· Performing budget formulation duties for biomedical prevention and comprehensive HIV clinical care portfolios, 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.

Other duties as assigned.

D. Supervisory Controls:

The incumbent will monitor the work of contractors/vendors providing goods and services to the program area. The incumbent will also supervise the work of partners for which s/he is the Activity Manager or AOR/COR. The incumbent may supervise Locally Employed Staff (LES). The incumbent will report to the USAID PEPFAR Program Director. The incumbent shall exercise considerable independent judgment in carrying out assigned tasks and to be able to function effectively within a multicultural and interagency operating environment.

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 and Experience

Education:

i. A minimum of doctorate level degree (M.D.) is required and other Master’s degrees in HIV/AIDS management or a related field is desirable.

Work Experience:

i. A minimum of 10 years of increasingly responsible experience in HIV/AIDS biomedical and clinical programming and/or implementation.

ii. Experience working in technical oversight, design and implementation of HIV biomedical and clinical programs in Africa.

iii. 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 communication skills in English [Level IV written/verbal (fluent) required] and diplomacy.

B) Desired Qualifications and Experience

The following are highly desirable:

· HIV clinical experience

· Adept in epidemiology and quantitative research methods.

· Previous relevant working experience with USAID.

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

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

III. EVALUATION FACTORS:

The following factors 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.

Education (25 points):

iv. A minimum of doctorate level degree (M.D.) is required and other Master’s degrees in HIV/AIDS management or a related field is desirable.

Work Experience (40 points):

i. A minimum of 10 years of increasingly responsible experience in HIV/AIDS biomedical and clinical programming and/or implementation.

ii. Experience working in technical oversight, design and implementation of HIV biomedical and clinical programs in Africa.

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

iv. .

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

Skills and Abilities (35 points):

i. Demonstrated excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication and computer skills.

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

iii. 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.

iv. Excellent communication skills in English [Level IV written/verbal (fluent)] and diplomacy.

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 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 AID-302-3: 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 Form AID-302-3. Form AID-302-3 is available at the USAID web site, http://auslnxapvweb01.usaid.gov/forms/formsnumeric.html, 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 made only for applicants considered as finalists. If an applicant does not wish for the current employer to be contacted as a reference check, this should be stated in the applicant’s cover letter. The interviewing committee will delay such reference check pending communication with the applicant.

Submittals shall be in accordance with the attached 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 Evaluation Criteria. Applicants should note that the salary history for the purposes of the AID 302-3 form 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 AID 302-3 form.

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, fax (at the number below), 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 AID 302-3 form, 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, fax 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.

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:

jobapplications@usaid.gov or Ms. Misa Gill

Human Resources Assistant

Telephone: +27 12 452-2016

Fax: +27 12 424 0466

E-mail address: mgill@usaid.gov All questions in response to this solicitation must be directed to:

Ms. Caroline (Sapei) Sello

Human Resources Assistant

Telephone: +27 12 452 2059

Fax: +27 12 424 0466.

E-mail address: ssello@usaid.gov Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures accompanying their applications.

v). Required Forms for PSCs: The following forms and others shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the position. Additional forms may be required at the time the selection process is completed.

Medical History and Examination (DS 6561)

Questionnaire for the Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or

Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)

Fingerprint card 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 an “employment authorization” if a US Citizen or US Green Card Holder or a Security Background Check if a Third Country National. 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

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.

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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