Infectious Disease (ID) Advisor

Solicitation Infectious Disease (ID) Advisor USAID/Ethiopia - 1. SOLICITATION No : 663-S-10-005 2. ISSUANCE DATE : June 4 , 2010 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: July 3, 2010 4. POSITION TITLE : Infectious Disease (ID) Advisor 5. MARKET VALUE : GS-14 ($84,697- $110,104) 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE : 2 Years 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE : USAID/Ethiopia, Addis Ababa 8. AREA OF CONSIDERATION : U.S. Citizens, US Resident Aliens, Permanent Residents, or Third Country Nationals. 9. SECURITY CLEARANCE : Employment Authorization 10. POSITION DESCRIPTION : See below POSITION DESCRIPTION: Infectious Disease (ID) Advisor A. BACKGROUND: The USAID/Ethiopia Office of Health, AIDS, Population and Nutrition (HAPN) is responsible for the design, implementation and oversight of all USAID-financed health activities in support of the Ethiopian Health Sector Development Program (HSDP III). The HAPN Office is currently comprised of three teams: Health, Malaria and HIV/AIDS. The Health Team portfolio covers a range of program elements including, but not limited to: Family Planning and Reproductive Health (FP/RH), Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH), Water and Sanitation, Infectious Diseases, Emergency Preparedness and Response and Health Sector Reform. The Senior Infectious Disease (ID) Advisor, with a particular emphasis on Tuberculosis (TB), will be responsible for providing technical oversight and management of ID activities for the Health Team. B. BASIC FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION: The incumbent will work in collaboration with the Malaria and HIV/AIDS team and other USAID technical offices as relevant. The Senior ID Advisor will serve as a member of the Health, AIDS, Population and Nutrition (HAPN) Office at USAID/Ethiopia. The Advisor will serve as an ID subject matter expert, with particular emphasis on TB, in the HAPN Office assisting USAID/Ethiopia, TB partners and the Government of Ethiopia in the design and implementation of ID activities. The Advisor will participate in analyzing data, reports and other information about ID both domestically and internationally and review relevant policies so as to recommend appropriate USAID policy and programs. C. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The Senior ID Advisor will provide technical leadership to expand and strengthen the quality of ID services in Ethiopia, with a particular emphasis on TB. The Advisor's primary areas of responsibility include providing strategic and technical leadership and direction on ID issues to USAID/Ethiopia. The Advisor will also work closely with the USAID HIV/AIDS teams to ensure TB and TB/HIV programs are coordinated. The incumbent will have the following specific duties and responsibilities: Serve as the primary USAID technical advisor on ID issues, with a particular emphasis on TB, working closely with other USAID staff and partners. Review and/or help prepare strategies and program plans. Provide technical assistance to ensure program investments are consistent with international norms and standards and are synergistic with other investments made by the United States Government (USG) and partnering agencies. Meet regularly with USAID partners and other ID and TB stakeholders to discuss issues related to program vision, strategy, design, and development/implementation. Provide technical support on the program design and implementation of TB guidelines, interventions and community-based programs. Conduct program evaluations and/or prepare scopes of work for independent evaluations. Monitor and analyze trends and issues related to TB and TB/HIV including HIV testing of TB individuals, optimizing TB treatment for those dually infected, TB screening of HIV individuals, implementation of preventive therapy, and TB drug resistance levels among HIV-infected individuals. Provide technical advice to ensure that ID and TB programs are consistent with international standards and recommendations. Assist with the identification of potential technical partners and implementation mechanisms for future ID and TB programs. Contribute ID technical expertise, with an emphasis on TB, for reviews of Mission documents such as annual reports and operational plans. Provide technical input on tasks and other requests for information related to ID. Participate in meetings, workshops and task forces and act as a liaison to other organizations working on ID and TB. Work with other USAID staff to ensure linkages to other programs. Strengthen coordination with government, donors and NGOs involved in ID and TB. Monitor current medical and public health literature, reports, and international guidelines and standards in ID and provide recommendations in developing improved approaches to monitoring and evaluating TB and TB/HIV programs. Identifying required actions, making decisions and recommendations, and executing activities as they pertain to assigned areas of responsibility, and providing timely information, assistance, and recommendations to HAPN Office staff and USAID Mission Management. Continuously monitoring operations as well as the actions of outside forces that could potentially disrupt or desynchronize program efforts. This includes working to identify unforeseen obstacles and problems, implementing measures to reduce their effects whenever possible, and reporting problems and recommendations to HAPN staff when situations exceed the incumbent's ability to control or influence them. Continuously conduct risk management to identify hazards affecting plans and operations, and recommend control measures. Effectively manage time and resources within assigned areas of responsibility, to include the synchronization of program activities with those of the USAID FSN Construction Specialist, the USAID/Washington Office of Economic Growth, Agriculture and Trade/Infrastructure and Engineering (EGAT/I&E) unit, and other supported teams and agencies as appropriate. Obtaining, providing, and processing input and recommendations from staff members, and establish, monitor and control timelines, and identify critical operational events affecting operations. Provide daily input and advice to his/her Supervisor regarding all matters pertaining to proposed, planned, and ongoing contracted work and activities, and the completion of other activities as assigned by the Supervisor and/or the Contracting Officer. Develop relevant sections of the Operational Plan (OP) and other relevant program documents and reports as needed. Participate in job-related working groups and professional meetings. Prepare and submit occasional technical papers to professional journals and meetings. Provide technical assistance on issues related to other infectious disease issues, as needed. D. EVALUATION CRITERIA: 1. Education (10 Points): Advanced degree in public health, with emphasis on infectious diseases is required. Medical Doctor (MD) is preferred 2. Prior Work Experience (50 Points): Minimum of ten years' experience in public health programs with emphasis on infectious diseases, primarily TB, and at least three years' experience working on international health care delivery in international or resource poor setting is required. Experience in multiple countries in Sub Saharan Africa and Asia is preferred. 3. Knowledge Skills and Abilities (30 Points): Demonstrated ability to design and implement ID programs, with a particular emphasis on TB, in developing country settings. Knowledge of and familiarity with international ID and TB initiatives and organizations and the ability to interact successfully with representatives and high level government officials of international and domestic governmental and non-governmental agencies, multi-lateral and bilateral organizations, and host country governments. Ability to interpret strategy, to analyze, develop and present work results and to monitor and evaluate program implementation. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work cross-culturally with diverse teams. Excellent analytical written and oral communication skills. Willingness to travel throughout Ethiopia. 4. Language, Communication and Interpersonal Skills: (10 Points) Excellent English verbal communication skills, tact, and diplomacy, and the ability to establish and develop productive working relations with key stakeholders are required. E. TERMS OF PERFORMANCE, COMPENSATION AND LIVING CONDITIONS: The term of the contract will be for two years from on/about August 1, 2010 (earlier if clearances can be completed) to on/about July 31, 2012 (unless otherwise agreed). Within 2 weeks after written notice from the Contracting Officer that all clearances have been received or, unless another date is specified by the Contracting Officer in writing, the incumbent shall proceed to Addis Ababa to perform the above services which may be extended upon mutual agreement and subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds. The salary range for this position has been established in the GS-14 range. The actual salary of the successful candidate will be negotiated depending on qualifications and previous salary history, but will not exceed the top of the range. In addition, the Mission has a 25% Post Differential allowance. FICA and federal income tax will be withheld by USAID. F. POSITION ELEMENTS: 1. SUPERVISION RECEIVED: The Infectious Disease Advisor will work under the direction of the HIV/AIDS Team Leader or his/her designee. S/he will develop a personal annual performance plan, in coordination with his/her supervisor, and will be evaluated annually on the basis of the performance plan. The Infectious Disease Advisor independently plans and carries out the work, selecting technical and managerial approaches and techniques to be used, and informs the supervisor of progress and significant challenges and remedies. Regular consultation with other members of USAID's HAPN Team is expected. 2. AVAILABLE GUIDELINES: Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM), Foreign Affairs Handbook (FAR), Automated Directives System (ADS), Mission Orders and Mission Notices. 3. EXERCISE OF JUDGMENT: Excellent judgment is critical to successful performance by the incumbent and to successful implementation of USAID/Ethiopia's TB program. S/he must be able to negotiate sensitive issues with GOE officials and other partners and to analyze and solve difficult problems related to program formulation and implementation. The Infectious Disease Advisor must be able to provide rapid independent analysis of problems, issues, and opportunities as they arise, and make recommendations to senior management. S/he must be able to review and appraise the quality of reports, evaluations and other technical services procured by USAID. Considerable reliance is placed by USAID on the judgment of the Advisor to make critical program decisions. 4. AUTHORITY TO MAKE COMMITMENTS: The incumbent has no independent authority to make resource commitments on behalf of the U.S. Government. 5. NATURE, LEVEL, AND PURPOSE OF CONTACTS: The Incumbent must provide consistent, credible and diplomatic representation of USAID to high level GOE, donor, and other partner contacts for technical, policy and program management issues related to Construction. S/he will have frequent contacts with high level officials of the MOH, donors, and other partners to facilitate smooth functioning of systems for USG financed programs. S/he will negotiate with MOH and other partners at State (Deputy) Minister, National Program Director and program manager level on the implementation and monitoring of USAID funded TB or Infectious Disease activities, and will advocate ensuring that Infectious Disease issues are taken into account in MOH budget and strategic plans. 6. POST ENTRY TRAINING: Infectious Disease Advisor may receive on-the-job training regarding USAID and USG policies, procedures and regulations, including the Automated Directives Systems (ADS) and Mission Orders. S/he will also receive training in USAID project management and implementation, and auditing and financial management when available and as needed. S/he will receive mandatory training as a Cognizant Officer Technical Representative (COTR) and become certified for that function. 7. MEDICAL AND SECURITY CLEARANCE: The selected candidate must be able to obtain a USG employment authorization level security clearance and a Department of State medical clearance. 8. BENEFITS: AS A MATTER OF POLICY, AND AS APPROPRIATE, AN INDIVIDUAL MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF AN OFFSHORE HIRE USPSC IS NORMALLY AUTHORIZED THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS. (1) Employee's FICA Contribution (2) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance --72% of Health Insurance Annual Premium (not to exceed $20,339 for a family and $7,266 for employees without dependents) --50% of Life Insurance Annual Premium (not to exceed $500) (3) Pay Comparability Adjustment--Annual across the board salary increase for USG employees and USPSCs (4) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation (5) Vacation & Sick Leave i. Allowances* (If Applicable): As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, an offshore USPSC is normally authorized the following allowances: (1) Post Differential (Section 500) (2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) (3) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) (4) Post Allowance (COLA) (Section 220) (5) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) (6) Payments during Evacuation (Section 600) (7) Education Allowance (Section 270) (8) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) (9) Danger Pay (Section 650) (10) Educational Travel (Section 280) * Dept. of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). II. Other Benefits: Additional benefits are available for individuals hired from outside Ethiopia in accord with the AIDAR, Federal Travel Regulations and Standardized Regulations, e.g., international airfare from place of residence, R&R, international shipment of personal effects, unaccompanied baggage allowance, consumables allowance, POV Shipment, Repatriation Travel, furnished housing and educational allowances for dependent children. 9. FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes under the foreign earned income exclusion. 10. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs: For initial consideration: 1. OF-612 or SF-171 and CV Upon advice by the Contracting Officer that the applicant is the successful candidate: 2. Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet (AID 1420-17) 3. Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62). 4. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86) 5. Finger Print Card (FD-258). ** (Available from the law enforcement offices or in USAID/Washington). The list of required PSC forms above can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ G. APPLICATION PROCESS: Qualified individuals are requested to submit a U.S government OF-612 which is available at the USAID website http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/forms.asp , or at Federal Offices. Alternatively, the old SF-171 may be submitted in lieu of the OF-612. All application forms must be signed and dated prior to transmittal. Applicant's detailed CV and a cover letter of application should also be included. All applications should be submitted electronically to Wbekele@usaid.gov To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application and as the subject line of cover letter. The highest ranking applications may be selected for interview. Applications must be received before the closing time and date in item number three of this solicitation. Applications received after that date and/or time may not be considered. : AAPDs contain information or changes pertaining to USAID policy, regulation and procedures concerning acquisition and assistance. A number of AAPDs pertain to Personal Service Contracts. Please refer to the USAID website http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/ to locate relevant AAPDs. Additionally, AIDAR Appendix D or J also applies to PSCs and can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf H. Points of Contact 1. Robert Appiah, Executive Officer, USAID/Ethiopia, E-MAIL: RAppiah@usaid.gov 2. Wondwossen Bekele, HR Specialist: Wbekele@usaid.gov