SOL-675-14-000001.docx

ISSUANCE DATE: FEBRUARY 03, 2014

CLOSING DATE: FEBRUARY 21, 2014

SUBJECT: SOLICITATION #SOL-675-14-000001 FOR A US/TCN PSC MALARIA ADVISOR FOR USAID/GUINEA.

Ladies/Gentlemen:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications from qualified individuals interested in providing Personal Services Contract (PSC) services as described in the attached solicitation.

Submittals shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Interested applicants must submit all the materials required by the solicitation such as:

Completed and hand-signed federal form Application for Federal employment OF-612 (including OF-612 continuation sheets as needed) including other documentation/information in Instruction to Applicants. (Incomplete or unsigned applications will NOT be considered). Forms can be downloaded from www.usaid.gov/forms/.

Applicants are required to sign the certification at the end of the OF-612. Applications that are received without a signature will not be considered for the position.

To be considered for the position, a candidate must meet all of the eligibility requirements listed under Selection Factors in the solicitation. Complete application must be e-mailed to the submission address specified in the solicitation. Consideration and selection will be based on a panel evaluation of the applications in accordance with the Evaluation Criteria in the solicitation.

Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications.

All applications and the required documents should be submitted to:

Executive Office, U.S. Agency for International Development Dakar, Senegal

Via e-mail at: conakrypscjobs@usaid.gov

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

Any questions in response to this solicitation must be directed to:

Samuel Carter Jnr.

Supervisory Regional Executive Officer USAID/Senegal

TELEPHONE NUMBER: 00221-33-879-40-00

E-MAIL: sacarter@usaid.gov

This solicitation does not represent a commitment on behalf of USAID and it is subject to availability of funds. The U.S. Government is not obligated to make an award or to pay for any costs associated with the preparation and submission of an application in response to this solicitation.

USAID reserves the right to award or not the contract contemplated herein, subject to availability of funds.

Sincerely, Samuel Carter Jnr.

Supervisory Regional Executive Officer

SOLICITATION NUMBER: SOL-675-14-000001

ISSUANCE DATE: FEBRUARY 03, 2014

CLOSING DATE/TIME: FEBRUARY 21, 2014 at midnight local time

POSITION TITLE: MALARIA ADVISOR

MARKET VALUE: GS-14 ($85,544 – $111,203 per annum). The final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based on the successful candidate’s salary history, work experience and educational background. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Conakry, Guinea

SECURITY ACCESS: Employment Authorization must be obtained prior to the execution of the contract

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

SUPERVISORY CONTROL: The incumbent will be expected to work independently with little direction and guidance.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Malaria Advisor shall provide specialized, senior-level technical expertise in malaria, as well as leadership, guidance and overall direction on the development and execution of the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) in collaboration with the PMI Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Malaria Advisor. The Contractor shall liaise with backstops for the PMI in USAID Washington, CDC counterparts in country and Atlanta, and USAID personnel working within and overseeing the Mission’s activities related to malaria control. These responsibilities include providing expert malaria technical guidance and advice to national malaria control program and district level counterparts, and other malaria control partners, including other United States Government (USG) entities working in malaria prevention and control. The Malaria Advisor shall exercise extensive independent judgment in planning and carrying out tasks, in representing the USG in critical technical and policy forums, in resolving problems and conflicts, and in taking steps necessary to meet deadlines. The Malaria Advisor will also represent USAID at functions; approve policy documents; provide technical guidance and/or directly manage contracts and grants; budget; and develop planning documents and work plans.

The incumbent must possess specific technical expertise in the area in health and malaria treatment, prevention and control in particular, and possess an understanding of the social, economic and cultural determinants and implications of the epidemic in Guinea and neighboring countries, as well as have the experience and skills required to help formulate the USG position on malaria and make important policy decisions as a key representative of the USAID/Guinea Mission.

Specifically, the Advisor shall:

1. Ensure that all activities are consistent with internationally accepted technical best practices for malaria control and relevant to the specific epidemiology of Guinea and neighboring countries;

2. Collaborate with senior staff of the national malaria control program (NMCP) and other partners, such as the Global Fund, WHO, UNICEF, World Bank and non-governmental organizations (NGO) and faith based organizations (FBO) to design, plan and implement malaria prevention and control activities consistent with the malaria control coverage needs identified by the strategy and plans of the NMCP and PMI;

3. Coordinate with other partners and support efforts to address malaria control delivery gaps and help build technical and managerial capacity within the NMCP at the national, district and lower levels;

4. Provide technical support to all partners and managerial support as needed during design and implementation phases of the project to ensure effective implementation and quality of interventions, and that programmatic targets are met;

5. Work with suppliers and partners to ensure that quality commodities are purchased in a timely and cost effective manner. Also, ensure that pharmaceuticals and other commodities are delivered to health service delivery points to avoid stock-outs. Ensure that the absorptive capacity exists in implementation sites to receive, manage and distribute these items effectively.

6. Ensure that malaria activities are integrated into overall USAID-supported health activities and to coordinate these activities with the NMCP and Ministry of Health (MOH) to avoid duplication of effort and programming gaps;

7. Assist the PMI administrative manager to ensure full accountability and value for money of funds provided by the PMI;

8. Serve as the AOTR or Manager for the Malaria bilateral Project (Stop Palu) and ensure that financial and technical reports on the President’s Malaria Initiative in Benin are prepared and submitted as required

9. Assist the NMCP and MOH in ensuring effective communication and coordination between Roll Back Malaria and Global Fund partners, including donor agencies and other stakeholders working on malaria control in Guinea and neighboring countries;

10. Ensure effective coordination between MOH departments related to malaria prevention and control in Guinea these departments include MOH Senior Management, NMCP, Child Health, Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI), Reproductive Health, Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Health Education and Promotion, Planning, and others as appropriate;

11. Work with the NMCP and other partners to develop and execute a monitoring and evaluation plan to be implemented through existing MOH systems and existing USG supported mechanisms. Carry out monitoring and evaluation visits to implementation sites to ascertain all quantitative and qualitative data is collected properly and ensure programmatic quality and value for money are maintained.

12. Assist PMI administrative manager to ensure that financial and technical reports on the PMI in Guinea are prepared and submitted as required. More specifically, provide and coordinate inputs to PMI/Washington for the development and completion of the Annual Report (accurate data in the AR template, success stories, etc.)

I. OVERALL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Malaria Advisor, in collaboration with the PMI CDC Technical Advisor, shall oversee the technical design, planning, implementing, and monitoring of the PMI. S/he shall work in tandem with the PMI CDC Resident Advisor in liaising with backstops for the PMI in USAID Washington, counterparts at CDC Atlanta, USAID personnel working within and overseeing the Mission’s health activities and providing technical and managerial support to the NMCP Director and the staff and helping to build capacity within the NMCP. In addition, the Malaria Advisor shall represent USAID and the USG on various national and international technical and policy forums.

The Malaria Advisor is supervised by the USAID/Guinea Health Officer and in his/her absence by the director of the General Development Office with occasional oversight from the USAID/Washington PMI Director. The Malaria Advisor will supervise the FSN Malaria Specialist. Both the Malaria Advisor, the CDC Resident Advisor and the FSN Malaria Specialist will be fully integrated within the USAID/Guinea Mission and fully participate in Technical Office and Mission wide activities.

Specifically, the Malaria Advisor shall provide:

A. Technical Leadership (35%)

The incumbent, working in collaboration with the NMCP with support from Washington, will be responsible for developing and providing expert malaria technical guidance and advice to guide planning and implementation of malaria control interventions. The incumbent will be responsible for developing annual work plans in line with PMI objectives and goals. This will include but is not limited to case management of malaria in health facilities and at the community level, distribution of LLINs through health facilities, large-scale campaigns, and the private sector, intermittent preventive treatment of pregnant women, indoor residual spraying, and developing information, education and communications materials to promote the use of these interventions.

B. Management of Activity Implementation (25%)

The incumbent, in collaboration with the NMCP, will be responsible for project oversight and management. This includes but is not limited to malaria prevention and control activities such as behavior change and communication activities, bed net purchase and distribution through the existing health services and at the community level, antimalarial drug purchase and distribution through the existing health services, intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) coverage and the diagnosis and treatment of acute malaria, and the indoor residual spraying conducted under the “Antivector Fight” initiative. The incumbent, in collaboration with the PMI CDC Resident Advisor, will also be responsible for monitoring and reporting the results of all PMI activities. The Malaria Advisor shall manage and oversee services and deliverables provided by contractors and grantees, in accordance with USAID program management regulations and procedures, and practices. Provide in-depth review of work plans including strategies and approaches proposed by implementing partners to carry out activities. The incumbent is also expected to have a working knowledge of other health programmatic activities and actively seek to identify synergies and create linkages for greater efficiency in programming foreign assistance resources.

C. Partner Relationships (20%)

Successful performance in this position depends upon establishing and maintaining productive collaborative relationships with a wide range of partners and stakeholders, the MOH, provincial governments, World Bank, Global Fund, WHO, UNICEF, other Donors, and NGOs dealing with issues focusing on malaria. The Advisor shall, therefore, develop and maintain relationships with these partners and stakeholders in order to effectively assure that all of USG PMI’s activities are complementary and enhance all other malaria activities being implemented in the country. The incumbent will participate in meetings hosted by the NMCP on malaria and play a technical leadership role in the sector.

D. Team work (10%)

The incumbent is a member of the USAID health office and is required to work closely with the rest of the team under the leadership of the health officer to meet USAID health objectives in Guinea. The incumbent is also expected to have regular communication with USAID/Washington PMI and CDC/Atlanta PMI teams.

E. Monitoring and Evaluation (10%)

Monitoring and evaluation is a key component of the PMI. The Malaria Advisor shall be responsible for working with the PMI CDC Malaria Resident Advisor developing a monitoring and evaluation plan in line with the PMI targets, as well as ensure that PMI partners develop project monitoring plans and report in a timely manner on their activities. It is also expected that the Malaria Advisor shall provide expert advice and practical experience in helping the MOH, the NMCP and other partners to monitor inputs and outcomes, progress towards RBM goals, and how to execute it jointly.

C. SUPERVISION AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervision Received: The Malaria Advisor will report to the USAID/Guinea Health Officer.

Supervision Exercised: The Malaria Advisor will supervise one FSN Project Management Specialist in charge of Malaria.

Exercise of Judgment: The Malaria Advisor must exercise sound and independent judgment in the course of carrying out the assigned duties. Position requires a high level of ability with regard to understanding PMI-Malaria policies and regulations and the ability to analyze situations and accurately apply those regulations and make sound judgment.

Authority to make commitments: The Malaria Advisor does not have the authority to make legal determinations that have the effect of binding the U.S. Government.

Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts: The Malaria Advisor establishes and maintains solid working relationships with all levels of Mission personnel, contractors and Host country government officials.

Time required to perform full range of duties: The Malaria Advisor is expected to be an expert in the field of Managing health programs and malaria procedures.

Physical Demands/ Work Environment: The work is sedentary and performed in an office setting.

TERM OF PERFORMANCE/COMPENSATION:

The term of the contract will be for two years to start o/a May 04, 2014 renewable annually for up to a total of 5 (five) years, subject to availability of funds, HR/Washington’s approval and validity of security/medical clearances. Renewal of the contract is also based on the need for continued services and satisfactory job performance. The position must be re-advertised, and position description reviewed after the 5 year period based on the same terms and conditions mentioned above for renewals.

The position has been classified at a GS-14 level. The actual salary of the successful candidate will be negotiated within that pay band, depending on qualifications and previous salary history. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated. Currently, post differential for Guinea is 30%, and One Rest & Recuperation trip as per AIDAR Appendix D.

QUALIFICATION AND SELECTION CRITERIA

Applicants who meet the required qualifications for the Malaria Advisor position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application and obtained through reference checks. USAID reserves the right to conduct telephonic interviews with the most qualified and ranks candidates and make the interview a key deciding factor in selection.

Please note that only shortlisted/finalist applicants will be interviewed or contacted. USAID does not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews unless expenses are pre-authorized.

Education: (15 points) Minimum of a Master’s Degree in public health, international health, Tropical Medicine, or social sciences from a recognized institution and/or clinical qualifications. Specialized experience in malaria is required in areas including but not limited to vector control, entomology, clinical case management of malaria, and epidemic surveillance and forecasting.

Work Experience: (35 points) The incumbent will have at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in designing, implementing and managing malaria and other health programs in developing countries, with a preference given to candidates with African experience. Demonstrated technical leadership, program management, strategic planning, policy experience and problem solving skills working on complex projects in a highly sensitive environment are required. Preference will be given to those candidates with proven knowledge and experience with USAID programs, procedures and systems for program design, procurement, implementation, management and monitoring.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: (35 points)

(a) Analytical ability to interpret public policies and assist in the development of revised policies as required in order to strengthen the health policy environment with a particular focus on malaria in Guinea. Management skills required to develop and implement effective malaria prevention and treatment program activities involving financial and human resources. Administrative skills are required to assist in the oversight of cooperating agency technical advisors and institutional contractors.

(b) Skill in conceptualizing programs, policies, and plans and developing strategies for their management and implementation. The candidate must be able to integrate short and long range objectives of the USAID Health Team and the PMI with the cultural/organizational needs of the government.

(c) Knowledge and skills in quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods; experience in designing and evaluating malaria activities in Africa. The incumbent must have proven skills in capacity building and mentoring local staff in a developing country.

(d) Demonstrable skills are required in working effectively with health personnel of diverse cultural backgrounds, negotiating agreements on matters of program strategy and performance, writing, administration, and management. Ability to navigate and manage politically sensitive issues related to malaria control.

(e) Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills: Excellent leadership, communications and interpersonal skills are critical to this position.

(f) The incumbent must:

(i) Be able to work effectively with a broad range of USG personnel and partners, and have demonstrated skills in donor coordination and collaboration. Ability to work both independently and in a team environment to achieve consensus on policy, program and administrative matters is a must.

(ii) Have the ability to work effectively in a team environment and communicate highly technical health information to both health and non-health audiences, and achieve consensus on policy, project, research, and administrative matters.

Language Communication & Computer Skills: (15 points) The incumbent must have:

(a) Proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly and concisely – both orally and in writing in English and French. Demonstrate ability to make sensitive oral presentations logically and persuasively to senior USG and Government of Guinea officials and other donors.

(b) Have excellent verbal communication skills, tact and diplomacy are required to establish and develop sustainable working relationships at the highest level and a high level of trust with public/private organizations. Have superior verbal communication skills to negotiate activity plans and resolve activity implementation issues with counterparts, partners and team members Ability to communicate technical information to health and non-health audiences. Excellent written communication skills are required to prepare regular and ad hoc reports, activity documentation and briefing papers.

(c) Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook, Access, SPSS and other statistical and other relevant software) are required for effectively operating in this position. Good computer skills are required to implement, analyze, and monitor, and manage activity goals, inputs, outcomes, and achievements, both program and impact.

Total: 100 points

INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS:

ALL APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY TO THE BELOW E-MAIL ADDRESS:

conakrypscjobs@usaid.gov

Attention:

Mr. Samuel Carter Jnr.

Supervisory Regional Executive Officer USAID/Senegal

To ensure that your application is received for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number in the subject line of your e-mail as (SOL-675-14-000001 - USAID/Guinea Malaria Advisor) or your application may not be considered.

Interested individuals are requested to submit:

· Fully completed and hand-signed copy of an Application for Federal employment an Optional Application for Federal Employment Form (OF-612). Forms are (available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ or internet http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/formslibrary.do?formType=ALL or at Federal offices);

· Cover letter highlighting your qualifications, skills, attributes and past experience to demonstrate suitability for the position and how they meet the requirements of each of the evaluation criteria. The cover letter may be considered as writing sample and shall not exceed three (3) pages, with standard font (12) Times New Roman;

· Current resume/curriculum vité (CV) containing the following information which clearly demonstrates their education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities as they relate to the evaluation criteria.

1. Personal Information: full name, mailing address (with zip code), email address, day and evening phone numbers, social security number, country of citizenship, highest federal civilian grade held (also give job series and dates held);

1. Education: Colleges and universities, name, city and state, majors, type and year of any degrees received;

1. Work Experience: provide the following information for your paid and non-paid work experience related to the job for which you are applying (do not send job descriptions); job title (includes series and grade if federal job), duties and accomplishments, employer’s name and address, supervisor’s name and phone number, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours per week, basic salary. Indicate if we may contact your current supervisor; 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.

1. Other Qualifications: Other pertinent information related to the qualifications required for the position, as noted above including job-related training courses (title & year), job-related skills; for example, other languages, computer software/hardware, job related certificates and licenses (current only), job related honors, awards, and special accomplishments, for example, publications, memberships in professional or honor societies, leadership, activities, public speaking and performance awards (give dates but do not send documents unless requested).

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

1. Date of availability to begin assignment in Conakry, Guinea.

NOTE: This position requires the submission of complete forms and/or supplemental materials as described herein above. Failure to provide the required information and/or materials will result in your application not being considered for employment. Please note: late, incomplete or unsigned applications will NOT be considered. To ensure that the application is considered for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number and title of position on your application and as the subject line in any cover letter.

Interested candidates should send above via the internet, or international mail, to the attention of the addresses indicated below. E-mail must be received by the closing date and time specified in the cover letter.

VI. ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT:

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a US-PSC is normally authorized the benefits in Appendix D and TCN-PSC is normally authorized the benefits and allowances as per Mission Order and AIDAR Appendix J. AIDAR Appendix J can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf and Mission Order at http://agh2k3fpsaccr02:8080/accra_aid/intranet/notices/index/15

ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) contain information or changes pertaining to USAID policy, regulation and procedures concerning acquisition and assistance including Personal Service Contracts. Please refer to the USAID website http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/ to locate relevant AAPDs.

9. ALLOWANCES: PSCs are also eligible for allowances listed in the Standardized Regulations Government Civilian Foreign Areas Sections cited below – as applicable.

1. Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120)

1. Living quarters allowance (Section 130)

1. Post Allowance (Section 220)

1. Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230)

1. Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

1. Education allowance (Section 270)

1. Educational Travel (Section 280)

1. Post differential (Chapter 500)

1. Payments during Evacuation/authorized Departure (Section 600)

1. Danger Pay (Section 650)

1. Consumables Allowance

10. SECURITY AND MEDICAL CLEARANCE: 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 candidate). If such clearances are not obtained within a reasonable time, any offer made may be rescinded.