Team_Leader_-Health_-SOL-_680-16-000002-_FINAL.pdf

Solicitation No.: SOL- 680-16-000004 Issuance Date: January 8, 2016 Closing Date: January 28, 2016

Closing Time: 15:00 PM Local Benin Time

SUBJECT: Solicitation for USPSC - GS 14, Senior Health Manager/Health Team Leader, Office of Health, USAID/Benin

Dear Prospective Applicants:

USAID/BENIN is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply.

Persons with disabilities will be assisted and receive reasonable accommodation.

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Benin is seeking applications from qualified U.S. Citizens to provide Personal Services Contract as a Senior Health Manager/Team Leader under a U.S. Personal Service Contract (USPSC) as described in the attached solicitation.

Applications must be submitted in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified.

Interested applicants must submit:

(i) A written statement that addresses the Evaluation Factors (EFs) in this solicitation, and demonstrate how their experience and skills meet or exceed the Evaluation factors (please refer EFs. at section V). Please state language proficiency level as well.

(ii) The CV/resume must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the application in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria. Broad general statements that are vague or lacking specificity will not be considered as effectively addressing particular evaluation criteria.

(iii) Signed form AID 302-3; the forms can be obtained from the following websites:

http://auslnxapvweb01.usaid.gov/forms/formsnumeric.html.

(iv) Three (3) references, who are not family members or relatives, with telephone Numbers and email contacts.

Application must be in accordance with Attachment I (Section I through XV) of this solicitation.

Incomplete, unsigned application and/or late application will not be considered. Applicants should retain copies of all application materials for their records.

The application must be submitted via email only. All application packages are to be submitted by email to: Lucrece Boko at lboko@usaid.gov . Please quote the solicitation number and position title of the position as the subject line and in the cover letter. Please make sure you do not send any attachment in Zip format.

http://auslnxapvweb01.usaid.gov/forms/formsnumeric.html mailto:lboko@usaid.gov mailto:lboko@usaid.gov

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Attachment 1

I. SOLICITATION INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: SOL- 680-16-000002

2. ISSUANCE DATE: January 8, 2016

3. CLOSING DATE: January 28, 2016, 15:00 PM Local

Benin Time

4. POSITION TITLE: Sr. Health Manager/Health Team Leader

5. MARKET VALUE: GS-14 (US $87,263-to US $113,444)

Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based upon 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.

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year plus one option year subject to position needs and funds availability.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Cotonou, Republic of Benin.

8. SUPERVISION: Country Representative, USAID/Benin.

9. MEDICAL AND SECURITY ACCESS: The contractor shall obtain necessary

Medical and Facility Security Clearance before a contract is executed.

10. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens, II. STATEMENT OF DUTIES: SR. HEALTH MANAGER

a) BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION

Benin is a low income country with a population of 10 millions, most of which (60%) is below the age of 45.

According to the last Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS 2014)), the country is making slow progress towards reducing child and maternal mortality. With 66.5 deaths for 1,000 births among children under five of age and 351 maternal deaths for 100,000 live births, the country is still among those with the highest child and maternal mortality rates. In addition with the low Contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) of 12.4 percent for modern methods, this makes Benin a country that is facing important challenges in meeting national health and development goals.

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USAID/Benin Mission supports the Government of Benin in providing quality health care to the people of Benin. During the past ten years, the Mission has consistently provided support to the Ministry of Health to improve the health conditions of the population and create better conditions for improved and sustainable social and economic development. Under the US Government goal of “Investing in People,” USAID/Benin has provided consistent long-term support to the national family planning program, maternal and child health, malaria, and HIV/AIDS programs.

USAID's program aims to make significant contributions to reducing maternal and child mortality through revitalizing family planning, malaria control, HIV/AIDS prevention, and child survival. In addition, the program focuses on health system strengthening, policy development, and strengthening the capacity of the private sector to deliver quality health services.

In December 2006, Benin was selected as one of fifteen countries to benefit from the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI). PMI complements other malaria prevention activities implemented in collaboration with the National Malaria Control Program with the support of donors such as the World Bank, The Global Fund for AIDs, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM), UNICEF and WHO. PMI is one of the largest components of the program budget and is implemented through several mechanisms, some of which are Washington-based.

The Mission’s health program is currently managed by the Office of Health Team (OHT) comprising of ten members.

b). BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITION

The objective of the contract is to obtain the services of a Senior Health Manager - Office of Health Team Leader, who will provide leadership and advisory services on the full range of family planning/reproductive health, and maternal and child health activities, including strategic planning, implemented within the integrated health strategy. As a USAID contract employee, the incumbent has the responsibility of understanding and incorporating the Agency’s five core values in all aspects of his/her work. These core values are:

(1) Customer focus: Identifies and communicates with USAID customers regularly (ideally, in their preferred language); surveys their interests, needs and recommendations; follows up on communications and information received from and about the customers. Ensures that customers' needs and thinking are included in all activities undertaken and that, where possible, customers are involved in key decisions. Surveys customer satisfaction periodically and serves as a knowledgeable advocate for customer service with other USAID employees and partners.

(2) Managing for results: Reviews baseline information against which to plan actions and identify targets and milestones. Defines specific operational and program results needed for his area of responsibility. Puts strategic plan in place and uses it as a framework for decisions. Reviews progress against targets and milestones regularly; takes needed action to modify plans when necessary and to maintain actions to accomplish the desired results within the time frame planned when possible. Serves as a knowledgeable advocate for the results orientation with other USAID employees and partners.

(3) Empowerment and accountability: Emphasizes results rather than oversight, and service outreach rather than internal control, in carrying out his responsibilities. Is clear about his own performance standards. Participates in defining objectives, reviewing performance, and upholding accountability for the accomplishment of the objectives.

(4) Teamwork and participation: Contributes to strategic planning, performance monitoring, and major program decisions of the SO and RP Teams. Demonstrates ownership of the teams' plans, performance, and decisions. Proactively participates in team processes and activities. Includes other team members, customers and partners and assists in their understanding and participation in teamwork and the team's goals, performance, and decisions. Assumes responsibility for specific results assigned by the team.

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(5) Valuing diversity: Understands and respects the various work groups and team members without stereotyping. Understands and respects the role of customers and partners. Realizes the synergy and benefits of differing backgrounds and skills to accomplish our strategic goals. Uses the synergy of core and extended teams to plan and works together to achieve results while accepting accountability for his own actions.

The incumbent will work at a senior level in the framework of USG foreign assistance program that requires knowledge, experience, maturity, and an ability to function independently under a complex, highly demanding, frequently changing policy environment. The position is located in the USAID/Benin’s Office of Health Team (OHT). The Team Leader/Senior Health Manager will work for the USAID/Benin mission’s health program, based in USAID/Benin. The incumbent will be responsible for the implementation of the Office of Health portfolio and will be expected to work independently, take initiative, and manage a multi-cultural team. S/he will advise USAID/Benin on all aspects of public health.

The Office of Health Team Leader will be the main senior health technical advisor in the American mission and s/he will provide high level and first hand analysis on host government health policy and strategies and guidance for Country Representative and possibly the US Ambassador for decision making. S/he will report to the Country Representative and provide overall operational oversight and supervision on the Mission health program.

The Office of Health Team Leader will provide managerial oversight and technical advice to support the implementation of the USAID/Benin’s health program through a combination of bilateral agreements and buy-ins to USAID/Washington cooperating agencies. These activities range from integrated reproductive health and maternal and child health (MCH) service delivery, to national level technical assistance. As the Country Representative’s designee, s/he will oversee the implementation of PMI and supervise the CDC Advisor and the PMI Advisor in the implementation of the Malaria Operational Plan (MOP). The total budget of the health Mission program for FY 2015 is approximately $27 million.

The incumbent will also engage in policy reform (including systems strengthening, health sector reform, and technical assistance), malaria, and HIV/AIDS (including policy, prevention, treatment, and care and support activities). Because of the integrated nature of the program and despite the importance of malaria and maternal, child and newborn health, the Office of Health Team Leader shall ensure synergy and complementarity between family planning, HIV/AIDS, nutrition, hygiene and sanitation activities.

c). MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

As the Office of Health Team Leader: the incumbent will:

(1) Serve as the principal health advisor to USAID/Benin. S/he will keep abreast of current and new health issues, interpret and advise the Mission on technical and policy implications and implementation options.

(2) Represent USAID/Benin at meetings with implementing partners, donors, government, USG agencies, and international and local partners.

(3) Carry out a full range of consultative, advisory, strategic, and planning responsibilities.

(4) Provide advice to Mission management and the Office of Health Team on developments in the health sector and provide recommendations on options on shaping USAID health program. More specifically, the incumbent will perform the following tasks:

A. Technical leadership and oversight (50%): The incumbent will supervise all USAID/Benin health projects to ensure the successful achievement of the Mission's objectives. S/he will oversee administrative and staff development responsibilities, including supervision. The incumbent will serve as technical advisor to

6 | P a g e the health team and have specific technical oversight responsibilities. Given the nature of the health sector in Benin, the incumbent is expected to exercise strong leadership through open communication and diplomacy in carrying out its day-to-day work. Also, the incumbent shall participate in health donors’ coordination and advise the Country Representative on how the Mission will best contribute to donors’ group to maximize the impact of its program.

The incumbent will assure that the following activities are designed, implemented, evaluated, and documented in an appropriate manner:

(1) Integrated family health/maternal health and child survival service delivery, emphasizing the development of quality services in targeted geographic areas, and provision of national level technical assistance in policy development, training and supervision.

(2) Integrated project to support Office of Health and prevent HIV: ensure contraceptive security, including working with implementing partners, the Ministry of Health, the private sector and other key development partners supporting assistance to commodity logistics of family planning methods.

(3) Expanded social marketing of reproductive health and child survival services, including behavior change communication, availability and development of new products (Oral rehydration salt, water treatment product, etc), and expansion of condom sales for HIV/AIDS control;

(4) President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI): In collaboration with the CDC Advisor, the PMI Advisor and other appropriate staff members, make sure all activities planned in the MOP are implemented as planned.

B. Project Development, Implementation and Management (40%): The incumbent will have overall responsibility for all USAID-funded reproductive health (RH), MCH, malaria and HIV/AIDs prevention activities in Benin, including but not limited to:

(1) Strategic planning and program design: Develop strategies and detailed implementation plans for an expanded program of health activities under USAID/Benin's Operational Plan.

(2) Technical: Maintain a working knowledge of RH epidemiology (including HIV/AIDS) and MCH including nutrition, immunization, hygiene, sanitation and following-up on RH and MCH trends and needs.

(3) Monitoring, implementation and evaluation: Assure the Mission’s Office of Health activities are monitored as appropriate. This includes updating the Mission’s Performance Management Plan (PMP). Ensure that activities are implemented in a timely and quality manner; and ensure the development of evaluation plans and utilization of evaluation findings; and coordinate the preparation of the health section of the Mission's annual report.

(4) Meet regularly with the Country Representative and other key officials to coordinate, consult and identify major issues including those which have arisen in implementing the strategy. When appropriate, develop decision papers on these for the Country Representative, the Office of Health Team and others;

(5) Coordinate with other donors who are funding health projects in the country. The incumbent shall work to ensure that efforts complement each other than duplicate each other. S/he shall participate in donors’ group meetings as well as meeting them individually to discuss and develop strategy on matters of common and mutual interest:

(6) Reporting: Have primary responsibility for the Office of Health program on reporting requirements, including supervising the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or the Assistance Officer’s Representative (AOR) in making sure that quarterly and annual reports are submitted on a timely manner as mandated by various implementing mechanisms.

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(7) The incumbent shall be responsible for producing necessary documents as required, including working documents, position papers, concept papers, etc.

C. Policy development and policy dialogue (10%): Coordinate activities to assist the GoB and Benin’s private sector to develop adequate health policies, norms and standards of services and ensure they meet international requirements. Assess current and future health and socio-economic impact of policies and facilitate the use of information on the impact to shape policy and influence resource allocation decisions.

III. POSITION ELEMENTS

A. Supervision Received: The Country Representative is the immediate supervisor.

Assignments are in broad terms, primarily on overall objectives to achieved and suggested approaches to consider. Performance is evaluated primarily in terms of results achieved and compliance with policy.

B. Supervision Exercised: The incumbent shall exercise a full range of normal supervision over ten staff, providing overall policy guidance and coordinating the work of these employees to achieve program objectives.

C. Exercise of Judgment: A high degree of judgment will be required to provide guidance and assistance to a wide variety of high-level professionals in the Benin Mission. As a recognized expert and highly qualified professional, substantial reliance will be placed on the incumbent to independently plan, prioritize, and carry out the specific activities entailed in fulfilling major duties and responsibilities. The incumbent will be expected to resolve problems that arise by determining the approaches to be taken and methodologies to be used; making independent judgments that can be defended as necessary.

D. Authority to Make Commitments: Because the position will be procured through a personal services contract, the incumbent cannot make financial commitments on behalf of the U.S.

Government (USG). However, because of the incumbent’s expertise and standing as a highly qualified professional in his/her field, weight will be given to his/her conclusions and recommendations when commitments are made by those with the authority to do so.

E. Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: The incumbent will maintain contacts and work with USAID staff in USAID/Benin, with considerable interaction with USAID/Washington Global Health and Africa Bureau staff, to provide policy and procedural guidance and to obtain information relative to programs and activities. Official contacts will be the USAID Country Representative, USAID/Washington staff and other high-ranking USG representatives.

IV. MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• A Master’s degree in public health, And

• Minimum of ten years of significant responsible professional experience working in

International development organization, at least five of which were spent in a developing country context supporting development programs and in a leadership position.

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• Experience with successfully leading large international health programs and working closely with senior-level officials. Applicants’ management skills will be given particular weight.

• Fluency in English and French (FSI S-4/R-4 or higher) is required. The incumbent must possess a high degree of professional proficiency in both written and spoken English and French. Please provide a written statement in the cover letter the level of language fluency.

Selective Factors:

• A complete application is submitted on a timely bases with signature and date;.

• A written statement that addresses the Evaluation Factors;

• References submitted

• U.S. Citizenship ;

• Ability to obtain a Facility Level Security clearance

V. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS:

The applicants must address each Evaluation Factors listed below separately to demonstrate how s/he meets each. Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the following evaluation criteria.

When addressing to the Evaluation Factor below, demonstrate how your experience relates to the duties and responsibilities listed.

1. Technical Knowledge: 20 points

• Level of demonstrated knowledge and understanding of reproductive health/family planning, MCH, HIV/AIDS and child survival (10 points).

• Level of demonstrated knowledge and understanding of public health service delivery programs and systems in developing countries (Africa-specific preferred, but not required) (5 points).

• Level of demonstrated knowledge and understanding of malaria control, malaria program and interventions including demonstrated understanding of the President’s Malaria Initiative (5 points).

2. Work Experience (40 points)

• Level of demonstrated experience working with international donors and other programs in developing countries which support reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health and related programs. Extensive familiarity with USG policies would be preferred, but not required (15 points).

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• (Level of demonstrated experience working with developing country program managers, policy-makers and a broad array of health service providers and community leaders (15 points).

• Level of demonstrated effective leadership supervising or leading teams of professionals (10 points).

3. Interpersonal and Communication Skills (20 points):

• Level of demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to work in a diverse, multi-cultural teams setting (10 points).

• Level of demonstrated ability to produce written communication in a clear, concise manner (5 points).

• Level of demonstrated experience leading and facilitating groups (5 points).

VI. BASIS OF RATING/Evaluation Criteria:

First all applicants will be evaluated on the basis of documentations submitted per Section III above.

Applicants who meet the Education and Experience requirements will be further evaluated based on the scoring of the Evaluation Factors (Section IV) responses. Those applicants determined to be competitively ranked may also be evaluated on interview performance and satisfactory professional reference checks. USAID reserves the right to conduct in-person or telephonic interviews with the most highly ranked applicants and make the interview a deciding factor in selection and/or to obtain from previous employers relevant information concerning the applicant’s past performance and may consider such information in its evaluation

Note: No response will be sent to unsuccessful applicants.

Rating system:

• Master’s degree from an accrediated college or university in public health – Pass/Fail

• Minimum of ten years of significant responsible professional experience working in International development organization, at least five of which were spent in a developing country context supporting development programs and in a leadership position. – Pass/Fail

• Level of proficiency in written and spoken English and French (FSI S-4/R-4). – Pass/Fail

• Evaluation Factors have been assigned the following points:

• EF # 1 – Technical Knowledge – 20 points

• EF # 2 –Work Experience – 40 points

• EF # 3 – Inter-personnel and Communication skills – 20 points

• Interview Performance (only applicable if invited for interview) – 20 points

• Satisfactory Professional Reference checks – Pass/Fail

Total possible points = 100 points

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VII. LOGISTIC SUPPORT:

The logistic support provided by USAID/Benin includes office space and equipment, transportation in country for official meetings, work related travel arrangements/tickets and secretarial and translation services.

VIII. TERMS OF PERFORMANCE:

The Personal Services Contract will be for one year plus one option year. Exercising the option to extend the contract will be at the sole discretion of USAID/Benin and would depend on continuing need of services and availability of funds.

IX. INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS

Applicants must submit the following US government Form AID-302-3 available at the following website:

http://auslnxapvweb01.usaid.gov/forms/formsnumeric.html to demonstrate how their previous experience and skills are suited for the position.

In addition to the above, qualified individuals are required to submit the following:

1. Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your application, your resume must include:

(a) Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. Dates (month/year) and locations for all field experience must also be detailed. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.

(b) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments.

(c ) Country of citizenship

2. List of References:

a) Applicants must submit three (3) professional references from employment within the last 5 years. The provided references must not be from family members or relatives. Submitted references MUST include the following information:

1. Name of reference

2. Applicant’s relationship to reference

3. Title of reference at current job

4. Reference’s current telephone number (work or personal)

5. Reference’s email address (work or personal)

At least two (2) references must be from direct supervisors (current or prior) who can provide information regarding the applicant’s relevant experience. Applicants are advised to ensure the information provided is current for all references.

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3. A written statement that addresses the Evaluation/Selection Criteria in this solicitation, and demonstrate how their experience and skills meet or exceed the Evaluation factors (please refer EFs. at section IV)

4. Application Form AID 302-3 ; the forms can be obtained from the following websites:

Applicants are required to complete and sign the form.

X. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRES:

Once the CO informs the successful applicant about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Applicant instructions about how to complete and submit the followings forms:

1. Medical History and Examination Form

2. Questionnaire for sensitive positions for National Security (SF-86), or

3. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)

4. Finger Print card (FD-258)

XI. SECURITY AND MEDICAL CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS

1. Security Clearance: If a U.S. citizen, the apparently successful applicant shall be required to obtain a Facility Access level security clearance as a pre-condition for employment.

2. The applicant selected to fill the position must receive medical clearance to work in

USAID/Benin, Cotonou. Details of how to obtain such clearance will be provided after selection and acceptance of the job offer.

XII. COMPENSATION

The position has been classified at a GS-14 level for U.S citizens only. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value of GS-14 for U.S. citizens and Off-shore hire TCNs. Salaries over and above the market value will not be entertained or negotiated. In addition to salary post has 25% of post differential.

XIII. NOTICE REGARDING GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIN FOR THIS SOLICITATION

This solicitation is no way obligates USAID to award a US PSC contract, not does it commit USAID to pay any cost construed in the preparation and submission of application.

XIV. NOTE REGARDING COUNTER TRAFFICKING IN PERSON CODE OF CONDUCT

USAID employee in the Civil Services and Foreign Service, as well as individuals employed through PSC Contract must adhere to Counter Trafficking in Persons Code of Conduct. For information on the effort to counter all forms of human trafficking, including the procurement of commercial sex acts and the use of forced labor, visit http://www.state.gov/g/tip. For more information about USAID, visit http://www .usaid.gov

AS A MATTER OF POLICY, AND AS APPROPRIATE, A PSC IS NORMALLY AUTHORIZED

THE FOLLOWING:

http://www.state.gov/g/tip

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Benefits:

1. Employee's FICA contribution*

2. Contribution toward Health and Life Insurance

- 72% of Health insurance Annual premium (not to exceed $20,339.00) and $7,266.00 for employees without dependents)

- 50% of Life Insurance Annual Premium (not to exceed $500)

3. Pay Comparability Adjustment

4. Annual Salary Increase (if applicable)

5. Annual and Sick Leave

6. Eligibility for Worker’s Compensation

7. Medevac insurance: 100% Medical Evacuation.

8. Access to Embassy medical facilities, and pouch mail service for USPSC (Department of State approval required)

9. Federal Taxes: USPSC are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes.

Allowances: (If applicable, as found in the Standardized Regulations Government Civilian Foreign Areas) Sections cited below)

1. Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120)

2. Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

3. Post Allowance (Section 220)

4. Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230)

5. Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

6. Education Travel (Section 270)

7. Post Differential (Chapter 500)

8. Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600)

9. Danger Pay (Section 650)

XV. CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) OR ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) PERTAINING TO PSCs.

AAPDs/CIBs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to this website http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/cib/subject.html to determine which AAPDs/CIBs apply to this contract.

http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solici/