Mozambique, PEPFAR Coordinator, Personal Service Contract

The Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is seeking applications from qualified applicants for a PEPFAR Coordinator position located in Maputo, Mozambique. The resultant contract shall be a Personal Services Contract (PSC). See PL 109-149, Section 215(1), Reference 22U.S.C.2669(c). SOLICITATION NUMBER: 2008-N-10731A POSITION NUMBER: MZ-PSC-08 ISSUANCE DATE: August 28, 2008 CLOSING DATE/TIME: September 16, 2008, at 3:00PM Eastern Standard Time POSITION TITLE: PEPFAR Coordinator BASIC SALARY: $67,260 to $107,180 per year -- Final compensation will be based on individual salary history, work experience, and educational background. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One Base Year and Four Option Years PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Maputo, Mozambique SECURITY CLEARANCE: NACI (Non-sensitive) AREA OF CONSIDERATION: United States Citizens and residents and third country nationals. Citizens and permanent residents of the host country are not eligible for this position. Duties and Responsibilities: The designated PEPFAR/Mozambique Interagency Coordinator is subject to approval by the Chief of Mission (Ambassador) and incumbent reports to the Chief of Mission or his/her designee. Incumbent assumes responsibility for coordinating critical communications between and among various USG departments and agencies (USAID, CDC, State, DOD, etc.) involved in the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. The Ambassador heads the PEPFAR program and is the final decision-maker with input from the Executive Team, which is comprised of Agency Leads and Branch Chiefs. First-line supervision of this position is assigned to the Charg d'Affaires or Ambassador. As such, incumbent represents the Charg d'Affaires or Ambassador in sensitively and collaboratively managing the complex processes associated with planning for, implementing, and monitoring the results of the Emergency Plan across the participating USG implementing agencies. The employing agency, or its agent, manages administrative requirements (personnel files, payroll, etc.). The country coordinator supervises the non-direct hire staff in the Coordinator's office. Background The PEPFAR initiative is the largest commitment given by a nation toward an international health initiative for a single disease. It is a five-year, $15 billion, multifaceted approach to combating the HIV/AIDS in more than 100 countries around the world. The strategy places an intensified approach on 15 focus countries in Africa, the Caribbean and Asia that represent approximately half the world's infections. The goal of PEPFAR is to treat two million HIV-infected individuals, prevent seven million new infections, and provide care and support for 10 million HIV-infected and affected adults and children. In Mozambique, PEPFAR is implemented primarily by the following U.S. Government agencies: the Agency for International Development (USAID), the Department of Health and Human Services/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with contributions from the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of State (DOS) and the Peace Corps. The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief is providing unprecedented resources to help Mozambique implement its national HIV/AIDS plan and save thousands of lives. The estimated 2004 adult HIV prevalence rate of 16% is below rates in some nearby countries, but unlike for other countries in the region continues to increase in particular in the Southern part of the country. Increasing development and mobility are likely to fuel the spread of the disease. Post's funding has grown dramatically, from a small U.S. program in FY 2003 to a proposed $228 million in FY 2008. This dramatic increase in funding has required a requisite increase in personnel to expand the number of people treated and the care provided for those affected as well as post's expanding efforts to build health care capacity and prevent new infections. Working with the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC), the mission has set ambitious targets and made considerable progress to-date. Post anticipates that, going forward, funding for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) will remain at approximately the FY 2008 level. To reach Emergency Plan targets in Mozambique requires dynamic coordination and strong leadership skills. Working under the direction of the Chief of Mission (COM)/Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM), the PEPFAR Coordinator ("the Coordinator") oversees and coordinates the activities of the USG PEPFAR Country Team in planning and implementing the PEPFAR program. The Coordinator works closely with and under the direction of the COM/DCM in these efforts. In addition, s/he is expected to be responsive and accountable to the PEPFAR Mozambique Principals. The Principals Group is comprised of agency leads and branch chiefs whose role is to provide broad policy and strategic direction for implementation of the Emergency Plan, including compliance with guidance and earmarks from the OGAC, as well as maximum congruence with priorities of the host govt. Major Duties of this position include: General Principles - Incumbent is the primary point of contact with the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator and is the coordinator of activities related to the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (the Emergency Plan/PEPFAR) in the Country. This position plays a critical role in the planning, implementation, and reporting of program performance of inter-agency programs. The role of the Coordinator is essential as the size and complexity of the program grows. - The Ambassador heads the in-country PEPFAR program and is the final decision maker under PEPFAR Guidance for all program plans and activities submitted to the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator for approval. - The Coordinator is a facilitator, a communicator, and at times, a negotiator. The Coordinator is, in general, not a technical director, although the Coordinator may be expected on occasion to ensure follow-up on implementation of technical recommendations based on the Country Operational Plan (COP) and other performance review information. When delegated this authority by the Ambassador, the Coordinator may represent PEPFAR with external partners including government, press, and others. Agency leads may also be expected to play a role in public diplomacy based on authority delegated by the Ambassador. - The Mozambique PEPFAR team has established an Interagency Principals Group as well as an Interagency Task Force, comprised of senior technical and management staff from all USG agencies. Incumbent is a member of the Mozambique Principals Group as well as the in-country PEPFAR Task Force. The Coordinator facilitates communications between these two levels as well as helps setting up the agenda, prepares relevant documents and hand-outs for meetings, produces and disseminates minutes of meetings. The Coordinator is accountable to ensure these two groups meet regularly and work towards achieving their objectives. - Agency leads should be copied on communications between the Coordinator and technical teams or staff as well as on substantive communications between the Coordinator and the core team lead in headquarters. This procedure is essential to retain trust and respect between agency leads and the Coordinator. In addition, it is critical that the Coordinator be copied on internal agency communication related to matters of PEPFAR program strategy, implementation, and management and staffing. - Incumbent may represent the agencies at official meetings. When incumbent meets with host Government counterparts, s/he should include agency leads or, if not possible, consult with agency leads. - The Coordinator, in collaboration with the Mozambique Interagency Reporting Specialist, serves as the lead in development of the COP, Semi-Annual Performance Review (SAPR), and Annual Performance Review (APR). The final SAPR, APR and COP will be submitted only after approval of the Mozambique Principals and final approval by the Ambassador/Charg d'Affaires. - The Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that reports are submitted to Washington in a timely fashion, for organizing the logistical arrangements for inter-agency work, and for keeping agencies on task for inter-agency efforts. Supervision: First-line supervision of this position is assigned to the DCM or Ambassador. As such, the incumbent represents the DCM or Ambassador in sensitively and collaboratively managing the complex processes associated with planning for, implementing, and monitoring the results of the Emergency Plan across the participating USG implementing agencies. CDC, as the employing agency, will manage administrative requirements (personnel files, formal evaluation procedures, payroll, security clearance, etc.) In addition to the personnel evaluation procedures of the employing agency, CDC, and its agent, the DCM will obtain a "360 degree" evaluation seeking the perspectives of: at least one representative of each USG implementing agency, directly supervised staff involved in coordinating the Emergency Plan in the host country, and key host government interlocutors at least annually. The results of the "360 degree" evaluation will be shared with both the Country Coordinator and the Ambassador and will serve as the basis for determining whether to exercise incumbent's employment contract option. Principal responsibilities for this position include: - Liaison with the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC) through the respective country Core Team lead and members named by OGAC. - Liaison with interested/affected units at the Embassy to ensure that the Chief of Mission (COM)/DCM and others are well apprised of key PEPFAR accomplishments, challenges, and timelines. - Liaison with named representatives of the USG PEPFAR implementing agencies (i.e., CDC, USAID, DOD, Peace Corps and others present at post), to ensure critical communication between and among agencies, including action requests, and policy guidance from OGAC. - Together with implementing agencies, liaise with specific and agreed-upon host Government ministries / offices to promote maximum collaboration between host Government HIV/AIDS programs and those being planned and implemented by USG agencies and their partners. - Liaison with development partners active in HIV/AIDS, and specifically with the Country Coordination Mechanism and administrative agents of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria ("Global Fund"), so as to ensure optimal integration of USG efforts with those of others, including other multilateral partners, such as the World Bank. - Supporting representational activities by the following illustrative examples: - With agency input, preparing speeches for delivery by the COM/DCM and requested background materials for public as well as sensitive diplomatic events; - With agency input, preparing written materials in collaboration with the Public Affairs Office (PAO), including press releases and Op-Ed materials for local and international media; - With agency input, supporting Congressional visits, PEPFAR Deputy Principal visits, and visits by international dignitaries. - Facilitating the development and implementation of a unified PEPFAR program, which includes the planning and production of the annual COP, that capitalizes on the comparative advantages and competencies of participating USG agencies, so as to achieve maximum results related to the PEPFAR "2-7-10" targets and the host government's National Strategic Plan on HIV/AIDS, and is optimally responsive to the needs of the host country's citizens infected and/or affected by HIV; - Coordinating and facilitating all planning and reporting, including COP, SAPR and APR development, supervising the PEPFAR Interagency Reporting Specialist and collaborating with the Strategic Information (SI) team in-country. Position duties include: - Convening and chairing, as well as disseminating and retaining records of, regular meetings of the PEPFAR Executive Team. - Managing operational and strategic planning processes to ensure development of a balanced PEPFAR program in the respective host country, and mediating inter-agency conflicts that may occur in the planning process. Interpersonal conflicts should first be mediated at the agency level. - Facilitating and ensuring timely financial and programmatic reporting by all participating USG agencies and their implementing partners. - Working closely with the PEPFAR Strategic Information team to coordinate and report program results as well as conduct strategic exercises to evaluate program progress and success, and maintaining a calendar of important benchmarks to ensure the program is on schedule. - Coordinating interagency and Washington clearance for TDYs, and promoting interagency benefit from TDY visitors, whenever possible and appropriate. - Supporting efforts by USG implementing agencies to recruit, qualify, and successfully engage new, especially indigenous, partners in PEPFAR activities. - Preparing and disseminating periodic internal and external updates/status reports on PEPFAR in the host country. Internal audiences shall be limited to USG participants, including PEPFAR agency HQ. External audiences shall include host country government partners and stakeholders, non-governmental implementing partners, multilateral partners and, less frequently, the host country's media and general public. - Supervising non-FTE staff deemed essential to effective coordination of the PEPFAR program in the Coordination Office. Job holder is deeply involved with strategic planning of resources (including human resources needs) for Emergency Plan in Mozambique. Provide strategic input and directly involved with planning process of technical and senior management staff - Country Operational Planning; reviewing and providing input to work plans developed by implementing partners (addressing areas of duplication, coordination, etc.). Job holder works with other members of Country Team to determine long-term needs of USG supported staff as well as implementing partners human resource needs. Job holder actively works with technical staff to address workforce issues and advocate for these needs at the highest levels (Ambassador, S/GAC Country team). Incumbent provides strategic advice to the Mozambique USG agency teams (Embassy, USAID, CDC, DOD and Peace Corps). Provides strategic input and directly involved with planning process of Country Operational Planning; reviewing and providing input to work plans developed by implementing partners (addressing areas of duplication, coordination, etc). These decisions are made by the agency heads in collaboration with the PEPFAR Coordinator through the "staffing for results" process, involving perhaps 130 positions per year on average. Additionally, the staffing levels or ceilings are vetted through the Ambassador via the NSDD-38 process and the PEPFAR Coordinator advises the Ambassador on these matters as they relate to PEPFAR. The PEPFAR Coordinator supervises the PEPFAR Interagency Reporting Specialist as well as the PEPFAR Administrative Support Officer. Job holder is responsible for the coordination of PEPFAR USG agency activities (currently five agencies). Providing program management to selected projects as part of a joint USG senior project management team, including technical/ administrative oversight of implementing partners, the regular monitoring of activities in the field to ensure the maintenance of reasonable reserves of funds (pipelines), and preparing internal USG documents and procedures needed to provide partners with required funds in a timely manner each year. Job holder is responsible for moving projects forward in a timely fashion with diplomacy and tact. There are 50 partner staff with whom incumbent deals directly; project staff totals around 5,000 individuals. Job holder leads and represents Mozambique country PEPFAR initiative. S/he is responsible for giving out work assignments and other tasks to move program/projects forward. Job holder is responsible for timely submissions of PEPFAR reporting requirements and other requests which require delegation of roles, responsibilities and careful oversight. Mainly responsible to providing assignments from OGAC and other requests to USG in-country staff. This is particularly important in the area of Country Operational Planning and Annual Reporting requirements. Manage projects (reporting requirements) to provide strategic advice to prime and sub-partners. Additionally, job holder is responsible for coordinating and facilitating the development of the country operational plan including identification and facilitation of technical assistance from the core team and other international staff, and liaising with the Strategic Information coordinator to facilitate completion of reports and other key PEPFAR documents. Managing the COP process requires the ability to multi-task, to deal with competing deadlines and to communicate with high-level staff with diplomacy and tact. On request of the COM/DCM, the job holder will be responsible for management of contractors on an as-needed basis for activities such as assessments, events, retreats, public diplomacy etc. Job holder operates own office equipment such as desktop and laptop computers, calculator, and desk and cellular telephones. Frequently uses shared office equipment such as printer, photocopier, and fax machines. Total personal or shared value is approx. $2,500. Job holder works with USAID and CDC focal points to regularly monitor activities in the field to ensure the maintenance of reasonable reserves of funds (pipelines). The annual budget for this program is over $200 million. Incumbent monitors the budgets and manages allocations in the budget through the reprogramming process. Job holder is responsible for allocations by program area and by agency -- an enormous task. While job holder is not part of the ground zero budget formulation process, job holder clearly is part of the overall formulation as it relates to agency and program earmarks. Job holder oversees access to and manages information resources resulting from project activities. The job holder is responsible to oversee and may be asked to participate in the upkeep of databases and be responsible for providing guidance and advice. Job holder plays an important role in determining who should be authorized access to databases affiliated with Country Operational Plan and Annual Budgets. Job holder acts independently to determine sequence and priority of overall work, both on a medium- and short-term basis. Job holder acts with a high degree of autonomy within the USG's regulations, policies, strategies, and rules to determine sequence and priority of his/her work and that of other contributing USG staff and implementing partner staff. Job holder facilitates and recommends actions and decisions, including on project funding, for USG agencies. Incumbent helps the USG team ensure compliance with OGAC guidelines and deadlines. Job holder acts independently to assure that project activities are implemented in accordance with approved technical protocols and agreements as well as with PEPFAR and partner organizations' rules and regulations, and are completed in accordance with sound management principles and with regard to human subject rights and protections. Elements involved include medical, ethical, logistical, and/or managerial issues and solutions. Supervision is received from the Ambassador or his designee, with input from USAID focal point and CDC Chief of Party. Job holder is responsible for problem resolution related to issues that arise related to interagency coordination and collaboration. Job holder usually consults with principals for coordination purposes, but is expected to resolve most issues independently. Incumbent must exercise good judgment to identify and reject or revise any activities that may jeopardize U.S. relations, conflict with accepted practices and violate U.S. policies. Job holder is responsible for timely submission of PEPFAR reporting requirements and responding to Ambassadorial and OGAC requests. S/he routinely interacts with high-level staff from multiple organizations, with major responsibility for problem resolution. Job holder provides strategic advice to Mozambique PEPFAR principals and task force as well as individual members of the PEPFAR team, on approaches to strengthening PEPFAR projects Job holder plays an important role in monitoring or tracking budgetary expenditures and reports of project impacts and outcomes, and in reporting the results to O/GAC, CDC HQ and to host government and project partners. Job holder plays a key role in all major operational decisions and in setting overall priorities of the PEPFAR Program, in conjunction with other senior officials from USAID and CDC and collaborative agencies, as well as senior agency staff. This includes determining appropriate staffing levels to carry out program objectives; recommending program staff for hire; and making broad decisions to help in establishing funding priorities. Job holder facilitates and coordinates various collaborating agencies on revisions or changes to systems to accomplish program goals within parameters of USG rules and regulations. Accordingly, job holder's actions may have a wide-ranging effect on staff or procedures of multiple organizations. Job holder advises and assists the Mozambique PEPFAR Principals Group and Task Force in establishing smooth working relationships with government and other partner organizations. Job holder is responsible for organizing, disseminating and retaining records of regular and ad hoc meetings of the Mozambique PEPFAR Principals Group meeting chaired by the Chief of Mission; and other regular and ad hoc meetings of the Mozambique PEPFAR senior technical staff, including the Task Force. Job holder is responsible for coordinating and facilitating the development of the country operational plan, including identification and facilitation of technical assistance from the core team and other international staff, and liaising with the Strategic Information Coordinator to facilitate completion of reports and other key PEPFAR documents. Additionally, job holder is responsible for working with the press attach/Public Affairs Office and technical staff to prepare and disseminate periodic internal and external updates/status reports on PEPFAR in Mozambique. Internal audiences shall be limited to USG participants, including HQ. External audiences shall include Government partners, non-governmental implementing partners, and Mozambican/International media and the general public. Job holder also provides program management to selected projects as part of a joint USG senior project management team, including technical/administrative oversight of implementing partners, the regular monitoring of activities in the field to ensure the maintenance of reasonable reserves of funds (pipelines), and preparing internal USG documents and procedures needed to provide partners with required funds in a timely manner each year. The job holder's responsibilities have a significant impact on the overall operation of a high-level USG initiative in Mozambique, inasmuch as job holder has an influence on the strategies of functional areas at the national level. Job holder establishes and maintains smooth relationships with high ranking government officials (Ambassador), Senior USG headquarters staff (HHS/CDC and USAID personnel, etc). Job holder serves as a principal liaison with OGAC Country Team for Mozambique. Job holder is responsible for supervising coordination of all PEPFAR projects and requests for Chief of Mission and Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC) in Mozambique approval. The overall impact of this position on all PEPFAR-funded programs is substantial and requires someone who is able to build consensus and understand PEPFAR goals etc. Job holder interacts regularly with all mid-level and senior USG staff to provide strategic advice and support on most aspects of ongoing PEPFAR programs, as well as to provide valuable information needed for improvement of program implementation. These activities clearly have a high level of impact on USG activities in Mozambique. The job holder will provide wide-ranging guidance in prioritizing of project management and staff responsibility. Often, job holder's decisions and requests to other PEPFAR staff will result in important revisions to operational, budgetary or human resource plans. Job holder establishes and maintains smooth relationships with implementing partners and high ranking government officials (Governmental Ministers etc). Job holder serves as principal liaison with PEPFAR programs, project staff, and other activities at the local and national levels. Both direct and indirect program support is provided in terms of technical assistance, technical training, organizing and chairing meetings on targeted issues, and presentations at national and international conferences. These activities are critical to providing feedback on program success, for improving progress of projects, and on tracking expenditures as a basis for additional staff and funding requests. The impact level is therefore very high on both local and national programs for PEPFAR activities throughout Mozambique. Knowledge: Essential Senior level experience managing HIV/AIDS, health or other development programs, preferably in a developing country context. An advanced degree (masters or higher) in a relevant professional discipline such as Public Policy, Public Health, Administration or related field required (e.g. international health, social work, medicine, nursing, or midwifery, international relations, public administration/policy or management with a concentration of public health or international health; or selected social/behavioural science). At least 3 years working in public health with focused experience in HIV/AIDS programs including knowledge of prevention, care and treatment services. Level 5 English written and spoken required. Desired Field experience in managing and coordinating PEPFAR programs in Africa would be a strong advantage. Seven years of progressively more senior experience managing HIV/AIDS, health or other development programs, preferably in a developing country context. Portuguese or Spanish language skills are desirable. Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, COP database. Intellectual Skills: Job holder interprets Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC) policies and strategies as well as Mozambique national policies and strategies in order to devise effective program formulation, development and implementation of the PEPFAR for Mozambique. Job holder is expected regularly to read, explain and apply the results of technical or administrative information (e.g., news to the field and other guidance) to initiate or revise program or project activities where warranted. This is a highly complex environment that requires specialty expertise in the areas of public health, policy analysis, diplomacy, and strategic planning, including program design. Roles vary depending on demands. Job holder must convey information in a variety of settings and formats to meet varied levels of understanding by different audiences (e.g., high ranking USG and Mozambique government officials, mid-level and senior government officials, medical professionals, community groups or other lay people). Job holder is expected to address inappropriate actions or inconsistencies in program activities. Problems encountered by the incumbent are likely to vary significantly across the range of planning and operating stages for numerous projects. Complex analysis using policy, public health and administrative experience and creative thinking are required to reach appropriate resolutions. Incumbent also must shift program priorities when necessary to assure ongoing strong collaborative relationships between senior-level Mozambican and U.S. government officials. Working with USAID and CDC focal points, job holder is responsible for strategic planning efforts (e.g., Country Operational Plan). Most funded projects are 5-year planned and national AIDS plans are 5-year duration, thus job holder must plan for at least 5 years for the long-term. The activities of programs are often planned in association with cooperative agreement funding cycles and thus done one year in advance. Job holder will contribute to planning process. Job holder must design or define the direction for improvement and strengthening of PEPFAR programs to meet local requirements. Because of the complex nature of the duties, job holder is required to be highly innovative in designing project plans with consideration of competing needs and requirements. Job holder is expected to work with many departments of Mozambique ministries and other partners to develop new approaches. Communications: Job holder is expected to deliver highly complex information in multiple settings, addressing the content and levels of detail to match the audience's knowledge and expertise - from fellow medical personnel to lay managers and government officials, to the general public. Incumbent is expected to relate to all levels of the USG/Mozambique organization, reporting on results, key events, and programmatic activities using appropriate technical or simplified language as necessary. Job holder would be expected frequently to brief high-level government (both U.S. and host government) officials on program and project activities and scientific issues relating to funded activities. Levels and nature of the communication are:- 1. Internal: a. Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission, USAID Mission Director, USAID Health and HIV/AIDS Team Lead CDC Chief of Party, CDC Deputy Director for Operations, Senior PEPFAR technical staff and other program coordinators and technical advisors on complex policy and operational issues for program development and implementation. 2. External: a. High- and mid-level Mozambican government ministry officials on policies, strategies, plans and programmatic development. b. High- and mid-level international agency and NGOs staff on technical assistance. c. Community members, including religious groups, on program interventions. Job holder must have advanced skills in giving presentations at local, national, or international meetings to policy-makers and service delivery professionals. Job holder frequently also must explain operational issues, and project implementation in an appropriate manner to staff and to other interested parties of varying degrees of technical expertise (e.g., medical professionals, government officials, community groups or other lay people), while maintaining sensitivity for the subject matter. Oral communications by job holder require tact and diplomacy in explaining public health programs, activities and policies to both U.S. and Mozambican senior-level health officials. Job holder would be involved in influencing and persuading situations to strengthen program interventions undertaken by USG. Job holder's oral presentations must aim to resolve misunderstanding, provide in-depth explanations of technical or policy issues and clearly demonstrate leadership. Skills required for such varied and sensitive situations are highly complex and require expert level communications skills and a thorough understanding and ability to use appropriate language, sometimes with media present. Job holder is required to conceptualize, develop and produce highly complex, highly technical written communications. These may include email communications and reports analyzing progress of USG funded projects and to interpret data and results for use by managers and other non-medically trained people regarding program implementation issues....