Health Information Technology (IT) Systems Advisor.

1.Title: Health Information Technology (IT) Systems Advisor. 2. Market Value: GS-14 - $90,621 - $117,810. Final compensation will be based upon the candidate past salary and work history, experience, and educational background of the successful candidate. Salaries over and above the top of the GS14 pay range will not be entertained or negotiated. Post differential is currently at 30 percent. 3. Place of Performance: Kampala, Uganda 4. Period of Performance: Two year contract. 5. USAID/Uganda seeks to employ a U.S. (U.S. and Resident Aliens) offshore or resident in Uganda Personal Services Contractor to serve as Health Information Technology (IT) Systems Advisor to ensure the timely, well-managed, cost effective and quality-controlled delivery of IT/ERP contracts. The Advisor will act in the best interest of USAID/Uganda, while being responsive to the needs and interests of government and other key stakeholders. The contractor will use strong communication skills and proven methodologies for project management to accomplish key objectives. 6. Education: BS degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business or another closely-related field required. Project Management Professional (PMP), SCRUM, or similar certification(s) required. 7. Prior Work Experience: A Minimum 7-10 years of increasingly responsible experience of managing complex IT projects in a highly technical environment. 5 years of experience and proficiency with managing complex ERP systems, enterprise IT systems and software applications. Experience working with international donor organizations, NGOs, and/or implementing partners in a developing country or resource poor context. 8. Technical Skills and Abilities: Proven ability to apply principles, practices and theories in project management discipline (phases, techniques and tools). Ability to manage, develop and deploy health systems including strong understanding of both hardware and software contract management. Demonstrated skills in health data analysis including familiarity with statistical and data visualization tools. Ability to apply strategic and analytical skills to develop, review, manage/or implement project designs, work plans, program budgets, and technical reports. Ability to analyze complex health IT issues and delivering appropriate solutions. Skill in conceptualizing programs, policies, and plans and developing strategies for their management and implementation. 9. Team Work and Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrated ability working collaboratively with senior managerial and technical host-country counterparts, donors, and other stakeholders. Ability to mentor, train, or build local capacity related to strategic information, monitoring and evaluation. Ability to work effectively with a broad range of USG personnel and partners, and coordinate and collaborate with donors, IPs, GoU and other external stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to provide strategic leadership and consensus building among large and diverse teams for complex projects. Ability to work both independently and as part of a multi-cultural team environment to achieve overall goals and objectives. Ability to work effectively in a team environment as a team member, leader, or supervisor. Demonstrated ability to navigate and manage politically and culturally sensitive issues in a diplomatic manager and bring divergent viewpoints on policy, project, research, and administrative matters. Work creatively and analytically in a problem-solving environment demonstrating teamwork, innovation and excellence. 10. Language, communications and computer skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills: Must be fluent in English (FSI Level 4) and have proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly and concisely both orally and in writing. Ability to facilitate meetings and make logical and persuasive oral presentations to senior officials and partners in a multi-cultural context. Demonstrated ability to communicate ideas concisely and persuasively. Demonstrated ability to effectively draft technical papers, reports, strategic program designs or other written documents. Ability to communicate technical information to technical and nontechnical audiences. Excellent computer and software skills. 11. The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c). In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers. FAR provisions of this solicitation are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far. Offers will be initially screened for compliance with application instructions and eligibility in accordance with the qualification criteria above. Incomplete, unsigned applications that are not in compliance with the instructions will not be evaluated or considered for award. Offerors must address each criterion in their application in order to meet the minimum qualifications for this position. Evaluation Criteria: Quality Ranking Factors (QRF) - Candidates must address and will be scored and ranked based on the following selection criteria: 1. TECHNICAL SKILLS AND ABILITIES (35 points in total): Proven ability to apply principles, practices and theories in project management discipline (phases, techniques and tools). Ability to manage, develop and deploy health systems including strong understanding of both hardware and software contract management. Demonstrated skills in health data analysis including familiarity with statistical and data visualization tools. Ability to apply strategic and analytical skills to develop, review, manage/or implement project designs, work plans, program budgets, and technical reports. Ability to analyze complex health IT issues and delivering appropriate solutions. Skill in conceptualizing programs, policies, and plans and developing strategies for their management and implementation. 2. TEAMWORK AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS (30 points in total): Demonstrated ability working collaboratively with senior managerial and technical host-country counterparts, donors, and other stakeholders. Ability to mentor, train, or build local capacity related to strategic information, monitoring and evaluation. Ability to work effectively with a broad range of USG personnel and partners, and coordinate and collaborate with donors, IPs, GoU and other external stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to provide strategic leadership and consensus building among large and diverse teams for complex projects. Ability to work both independently and as part of a multi-cultural team environment to achieve overall goals and objectives. Ability to work effectively in a team environment as a team member, leader, or supervisor. Demonstrated ability to navigate and manage politically and culturally sensitive issues in a diplomatic manager and bring divergent viewpoints on policy, project, research, and administrative matters. Work creatively and analytically in a problem-solving environment demonstrating teamwork, innovation and excellence. 3. PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE (25 points in total): A Minimum 7-10 years of increasingly responsible experience of managing complex IT projects in a highly technical environment. 5 years of experience and proficiency with managing complex ERP systems, enterprise IT systems and software applications. Experience working with international donor organizations, NGOs, and/or implementing partners in a developing country or resource poor context. 4. LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION, AND COMPUTER SKILLS (10 points in total): Strong written and verbal communication skills: Must be fluent in English (FSI Level 4) and have proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly and concisely both orally and in writing. Ability to facilitate meetings and make logical and persuasive oral presentations to senior officials and partners in a multi-cultural context. Demonstrated ability to communicate ideas concisely and persuasively. Demonstrated ability to effectively draft technical papers, reports, strategic program designs or other written documents. Ability to communicate technical information to technical and nontechnical audiences. Excellent computer and software skills. 5. Education (Pass/Fail) Applicants without a relevant degree will not be considered for award or proceed forward in the evaluation process -- BS degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business or another closely-related field required. Project Management Professional (PMP), SCRUM, or similar certification(s) required. 12. Notice to Applicants: USAID will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews unless expenses are pre-authorized. Reference checks will be conducted on those Offerors selected for an interview. 1. Eligible offerors are required to complete and submit:A. A hand signed offer form AID 309-2, "Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals," available at: http://www.usaid.gov/forms; B. Cover letter clearly indicating the position for which you are applying; C. Curriculum vitae/resume specifically which MUST include: (i) 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 international field experience must also be detailed; -- Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), location, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements. (ii) Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work. (iii) Names and contact information (phone and email) of your current and/or previous supervisor(s). (iv) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments. D. Supplemental [separate] document specifically addressing each QRF as outlined in the solicitation. E. United States (U.S.) citizens and Resident Alien (currently resident in Uganda) must attach a copy of a valid work permit. 2. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted by email to gnakaddu@usaid.gov copy to cnatividad@usaid.gov. No other form of submission will be permitted (e.g. courier, fax or hand delivery). The US Government will not be responsible for incomplete/corrupted or missing information in electronic submissions and these applications may not be accepted. USAID will only confirm receipt and print out the electronic submission. USAID will not ensure quality or completeness of electronic files attached to the e-mails. The Offeror assumes all risk related to an electronic submission. Late offers or delayed electronic submissions will not be accepted. 3. Offeror submissions must clearly reference the number of this Solicitation to ensure the offer is for the position in this Solicitation. USAID reserves the right to obtain from previous employers relevant information concerning the Offeror's past performance, technical knowledge, required skills, including teamwork and team-building experience and may consider such information in its evaluation; USAID reserves the right to conduct telephonic interviews with the most highly ranked applicants and make the interview a deciding factor in selection. Introduction: USAID/Uganda is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Personal Services Contractor (PSC) - Health Information Technology (IT) Systems Advisor. USAID/Uganda recently awarded two separate contracts to support the National Medical Stores (NMS) in Uganda, with provision of ERP hardware and installation of an ERP software system. The Advisor will be responsible for providing oversight to the implementation of these awards. A large part of the Advisor's responsibilities will entail working with the various stakeholders to ensure proper buy-in and support for the work of the hardware and software contractors. The Advisor will oversee development of each contractor's inception plans, integrated project plans, hardware delivery and installation schedules, software functional specifications, and other project planning/monitoring requirements and will assume responsibility for managing, monitoring and receiving documentation from contractors according to work plans and contractual requirements. The Advisor will primarily be based within the National Medical Stores in order to facilitate the advisory role of this position. Within the USAID/Uganda hierarchy, the position is located in OHH's HSS Team, Supply Chain Unit. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The Office of Health & HIV (OHH) is the USAID/Uganda Mission's largest technical office, with over $350 million in program funding, and a staff that will soon grow to almost 65 professionals. And, at any one time, there are between 90 and 100 activities managed by the technical staff and teams of the Office. Accordingly, OHH is responsible for one of USAID's largest and most complex bilateral assistance health programs. Currently, there are five technical teams in the Office: (1: HSS) the Health System Strengthening Team, (2: PMI) the President's Malaria Initiative Team and its sub-units for Emerging Pandemic Threat and the Global Health Security Agenda, (3: HIV-TB) the HIV & TB Team and its PEPFAR sponsored activities, (4: FHT) the Family Health Team, and (5: SI) in support of the Office and other technical teams is the Strategic Information Team. In December, 2017 the US and Ugandan governments signed an Implementation Letter for USAID/Uganda to assist the Government of Uganda (GoU), and specifically the National Medical Stores (NMS), in improving policies, warehousing, distribution, quantification processes, and information systems that impact Uganda's health commodities supply chain through the implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and capacities. These contracts are intended to provide an ERP solution for the NMS to build supply chain management capacity in the public sector. The Health IT Systems Advisor (the "Advisor") will serve as the primary technical liaison between the NMS and USAID to ensure that the contractors meet the needs of the NMS consistent with a proposed NMS/USAID Governance Model. The Advisor will take responsibility for continuing the dialogue and overseeing implementation of agreements between USAID and NMS. SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (a) Program Management (Enterprise Resource Planning) - 60%--Serve as Contracting/Agreement Officer's Representative (C/AOR) for designated ERP hardware and software awards.--Manage, monitor and receive documentation from Implementing Partner (IP) contractors according to approved work plans and agreed contractual requirements/milestones.--Work with the various stakeholders in the IT arena to ensure proper buy-in and support for the work of the IP contractors.--Oversee implementation of each IP contractor's approved work plans, integrated project plans, hardware delivery and installation schedules, software functional specifications, and other project planning/monitoring requirements.--Manage and documenting the performance of the IP contractors using industry best practices and frameworks for project management. --Ensure that projects and programs are proceeding according to scope, schedule, budget and quality standards - report on project success criteria results, metrics, test and deployment management activities.--Provide status reporting regarding project resources, milestones, deliverables, deficiencies, risks and issues encountered during implementation. -Manage of issues, risks and project change request to ensure successful and on-time project delivery.--Manage and oversee subcontractors that support the technical aspects of new and ongoing IT systems across programs. --Conduct regular site visits to oversee project activities.(b) Technical and Advisory Support - 40% --Support the HSS team in developing and implementing standards, policies, and procedures for the specification, design, implementation, operation, support, and documentation of USAID funded information systems for Government of Uganda (GoU)/Ministry of Health (MoH).--Make recommendations to the Health team regarding the selection, evaluation, or implementation of information systems and technologies for use with health systems strengthening solutions in Uganda.--Contribute to the controlled introduction of new technologies and transition of services in live operations. --Perform engagement/project management responsibilities including performance reviews, task delegation, project scheduling, project financials, quality review and client management.--Participate and develop common strategies with other professionals/agencies, stakeholders in Uganda on all aspects related to IT health system policies, strategies and plans, in particular on integrated Electronic Health Systems (EHS). --Provide guidance/coordination on health systems/tools interface/interoperability, maintenance, development and implementation along with providing integration support across multiple HER systems. --Consult with internal and external stakeholders to gain an understanding of business needs and provide recommendations for improvements where possible. Translate requirements into systems specifications and technical requirements. --Support the fulfilment of reporting, administration and documentation requirements of USAID. Respond to inquiries from Washington, draft narratives and develop budgets for various funding plans, draft cables, and respond to information requests from the Ambassador, US Congress, USAID/Uganda Mission Director and others. --Participate in the planning and hosting of visits by delegations of high-level USG officials, including preparing briefing papers and presentations, and coordinating site preparations.--Provide subject matter expertise and assist with the proposal preparation for projects with IT components from the pre-proposal stage to full proposal submission. Prepare estimates and detailed project plan for all phases of the project with IT components. Supervision: The Advisor reports to the Senior Supply Chain Systems Advisor, and has supervisory responsibility over up to one Cooperating Country National (CCN) and several contractor staff. Detailed solicitation document is attached. Any question can be sent to: gnakaddu@usaid.gov.