Senior Private Health Sector Advisor

Solicitation for Senior Private Health Sector Advisor for USAID/Ethiopia Solicitation Number 663-S-09-007 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER : 663-S-09-007 2. ISSUANCE DATE : July 29, 2009 3. CLOSING DATE : August 28, 2009 4. POSITION TITLE : Senior Private Health Sector Advisor 5. MARKET VALUE : GS-14 ($83,445 -$108,483) 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE : 2 Years 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE : Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 8. AREA OF CONSIDERATION : U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents and Third- Country Nationals 9. SECURITY CLEARANCE : Employment Authorization 10. POSITION DESCRIPTION : See below POSITION DESCRIPTION: : SENIOR PRIVATE HEALTH SECTOR ADVISOR A. BASIC FUNCTION The Senior Private Health Sector Advisor will serve as the Contracting Officer Technical Representative for the HIV/AIDS private sector portfolio that cuts across all HIV/AIDS technical areas. S/he will be actively involved in the planning, design, implementation, management and evaluation of those activities. S/he will have oversight of all market analyses and oversee partner implementation of promotional and branding strategies that support social marketing and private sector development. S/he will be responsible for providing information, and facilitating coordination and communication between USAID, the PEPFAR/E Country Coordination Office and OGAC in the development and timely submission of the annual Country Operational Plan and other reporting documents. S/he will have additional acquisition and assistance administrative functions further USAID PEPFAR programming. In addition, The Senior Technical Advisor will oversee key data reporting actions required by Washington; integration of GIS mapping to ensure partner coordination and analysis; market research; sustainable human resource retention modalities; risk pooling, insurance and solidarity funds; and responses to ad hoc requests for information from headquarters. S/he will facilitate communication and maintain collaborative working relationships with mid- to senior-level government officials at Ministry of Health, the HIV/AIDS Planning and Control Office, the Ministries of Labour and Social Affairs, Trade and Revenue and other government and non-governmental agencies, particularly those within the commercial sector. Further, s/he will be responsible for coordinating private-public partnerships that address the long-term sustainable issues, including leveraging GDA and other donor support. B. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, COORDINATION AND ADVISORY FUNCTIONS (50%) The Senior Technical Advisor will provide technical advice for the implementation of USAID HIV/AIDS activities in Ethiopia. S/he will have oversight of all market analyses and oversee partner implementation of promotional and branding strategies that support social marketing and private health sector development. The senior technical advisor will work closely with private health sector providers to ensure capacity building and institutionalization of key activities that strengthen the private health sector. S/he will monitor program progress and identify implementation achievements, as well as problems in performance, and initiate appropriate actions in consultation with the HIV/AIDS Team Leader. Specific activities of the Senior Private Health Sector Advisor include the following: - Serve as the designated Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR, project manager) for a variety of activities necessary for the expansion of PEPFAR Ethiopia's private health sector portfolio to ensure sustainability, a requirement of the PEPFAR Initiative. - Conduct regular site visits to review program implementation and meet with beneficiaries. Based on the information collected during field visits, communicate findings and recommendations to the HIV/AIDS Team and, as appropriate, implementing partners and GFDRE counterparts. - Develop opportunities for PEPFAR to network and foster discussion of HIV care and treatment areas of interest (ART, VCT, PMTCT, TB, OI, prevention of positives) among private health care providers and between public and private health professionals. - Partner and collaborate with multi-lateral agencies (i.e. WHO, World Bank, etc.) that are currently providing support to public sector hospitals and selected private programs. - Further strengthen initiatives with private health sector partners, including pharmacies and health shops, small private practices, and lower level private clinics and individual practitioners, to identify individuals with a higher likelihood of HIV acquisition and encourage them to seek counseling, testing and/or treatment. - Review performance reports to ensure that partner(s) are in compliance with bilateral government agreements and with the performance expectations outlined in their work plan and in their agreement(s) with USAID. - Ensure that implementing partners are in compliance with all relevant USAID regulations and procedures. The Senior HIV/AIDS Advisor will communicate with partners regarding USAID rules and regulations, as well as their obligations to USAID. - Provide technical input on annual work plans for implementing partners. - Be responsible for the integration of GIS mapping to ensure partner coordination and analysis; market research; sustainable human resource retention modalities; and risk pooling, insurance and solidarity funds. - Coordinate lessons learned dissemination with private sector partners. - Serve as point person for USAID in ensuring that Ethiopia is fully responsive in submitting its annual Country Operational Plan, semi-annual and annual reports, and other reporting documentation, and in responding to ad hoc requests for information from headquarters and the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator. - Serve as point person for various acquisition and assistance instruments that will further HIV/AIDS portfolio 2. MISSION ADVISOR AND COORDINATOR OF A SPECIALIZED ACTIVITY AREA FOR WHICH THE INCUMBENT IS DESIGNATED (20%) - Provide technical leadership on private health sector issues to the USAID mission. - Identify project specific needs and/or opportunities where public-private alliances could be leveraged to address HIV/AIDS sustainability issues. This effort will require the advisor to have technical expertise in HIV/AIDS and other pertinent areas that are being implemented and designed across multiple sectors. - Provide information and facilitate coordination and communication between USAID, the PEPFAR Country Coordination Office and OGAC in the development and timely submission of the annual Country Operational Plan and other reporting documents. Experience in managing complex documentations, mapping software and databases will be required. - Identify potential alliance partners and develop relationships with private businesses, corporations, foundations, NGOs, and other non-traditional development organizations. Prior knowledge of the Ethiopian private health sector is desired. - Provide technical and program assistance (including drafting briefing papers, cables and memos for information and action) for private sector activities. - Liaise with middle/senior level officials of the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (GFDRE), NGOs, the commercial sector, and other implementing agencies in the specialised areas for which the incumbent is responsible. - Respond to special inquires from the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator and USAID/Washington. - Work with the USAID Offices of Financial Management; Management Services; Acquisition & Assistance Management; Basic Education Services; Democracy & Governance; Assets in Livelihood Transition; and Business, Environment, Agriculture and Trade to assure effective and efficient cross-sectoral technical interventions that leverage resources to benefit health programming. - Other duties as assigned. 3.SUPERVISION AND MONITORING (20%) - S/he may supervise four or more professional-level Foreign Service National employees and several contractors/grantees. - Work with the Strategic Information Advisor to track data requests from headquarters and the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator, and ensure responses are submitted in a timely manner. - Maintain a regular schedule of project site visits from headquarters and in-country staff. Make recommendations for adjustments to program activities as appropriate. - Assist the Program Office and the SI Advisor with preparing relevant sections and updating of Annual Reports, the Performance Monitoring Plan, Semi-Annual Reports (SARS), and other Mission-wide reports on a regular basis. Verify the quality, tracking and syntheses of performance indicators. - Work closely with USAID partners to ensure program achievements and lessons learned are disseminated to sector representatives. Maintain an up-to-date summary of all program technical and geographic areas. - Monitor the appropriate use of U.S. government funds. - Other duties as assigned. 4.PROJECT FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT (10%) - Oversee financial management of assigned activities, which includes ensuring that obligations, expenditures, and budget pipelines conform to action plans. Ensure appropriate and timely incremental funding of activities. - Ensure that program activities are in compliance with USAID financial regulations. Report any financial discrepancies to the HIV/AIDS Officer and Financial Analyst. Keep the Mission Controller and Financial Analyst informed on the liquidation of advances. Review and provide administrative approval for assigned activities. - Ensure compliance with Non-Federal Audits (NFAS) and closure of open recommendations. Maintain a monthly project financial management tracking system. C.EVALUATION CRITERIA: 1.Education (10 Points): Master's degree in a field related to health or the private sector such as Public Health, Business Administration, Economics, Information Technology, or Social Sciences is required. 2.Prior Work Experience (50 Points): Seven years of progressively responsible experience is required in at least one of the following areas: public health, business administration, private sector program management, or work place health programs. At least three years of this experience working internationally in the design, implementation and evaluation of HIV/AIDS programs is required. Experience working on HIV/AIDS in Africa and preferably in Ethiopia is a plus. 3.Knowledge and Skills (40 Points): The candidate must have thorough knowledge of HIV/AIDS program design, implementation and evaluation. The candidate must have thorough knowledge of business and industry operations and their potential application to public health programs. Familiarity with the principals and application of corporate social responsibility activities is desired. The successful candidate must be performance-oriented and have demonstrated experience working in stressful environments and under tight deadlines. Word processing skills are essential; spreadsheet development and graphics applications are highly useful. The candidate must have strong working knowledge of computer applications to carry out management and statistical analysis. GIS and website skills are strongly preferred. The position requires good organizational and management skills; strong analytical and research skills; good social and professional judgement; excellent interpersonal skills in cross-cultural and multi-level settings; ability to interact effectively with mid- and senior-level government officials, and with high-level members of the business community; and ability to maintain collaborative working relationships within a team structure. The selected candidate must be capable of producing high-quality work, often under time pressure and in complex situations. The candidate must also be able to communicate effectively in English, both written and oral. Also required is an ability to lead and participate in discussions and meetings effectively. The successful candidate must be able to rapidly analyze information, evaluate data, and prepare reports and related documents in English. The ability to perform at a senior policy level must be demonstrable with success in leading the development and implementation of successful HIV/AIDS policies and programs The successful candidate will have the ability to foster teamwork and direct the work of consultants; will possess strong HIV/AIDS technical skills; will have excellent written and oral communications skills; and will possess proven leadership skills. Outstanding professional performance as evidenced by awards, merit-based promotions and other recognitions in previous positions will be heavily weighted. Previous experience working under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief or other international initiatives will be heavily weighted. D.TERMS OF PERFORMANCE, COMPENSATION AND LIVING CONDITIONS: The term of the contract will be for two years from on/about September 1, 2009 (earlier if clearances can be completed) to on/about August 31, 2011 (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. E.POSITION ELEMENTS 1)Supervision Received: The employee will work under the direct supervision of the HIV/AIDS Team Leader and in his/her absence, the HAPN Office Chief. The Senior Private Health Sector Advisor should require little supervision in carrying out routine responsibilities, and only general guidance for most tasks. The scope and variety of duties will demand a great deal of initiative to identify and test innovative approaches and solutions to complex situations, as well as the ability to work independently. 2)Available Guidelines: General guidance for program initiatives can be found in the PEPFAR Ethiopia Country Operational Plan, Annual Report documents, and other USAID and Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator briefing papers. Additional information can be found in Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM), Foreign Affairs, Handbook (FAR), Automated Directives System (ADS), Mission Orders and Mission Notices. 3)Exercise of Judgment: The Senior Private Health Sector Advisor cannot make financial commitments on behalf of the U.S. government. S/he can however, make commitments to follow through or review a certain action. The Senior Technical Advisor should exercise this authority when timely feedback is important to the execution of a project or program initiative. There will be extensive contact with the business community, NGOs and other donors. Incumbent will work closely with mid to senior level officials of the Government and the private sector. Incumbent will work directly with technicians and directors of non-governmental organisations to determine program needs and priorities. Reporting within the Mission is done directly during general staff meetings and team meetings. Contact with projects will be on a regular basis and involve office visits as well as field visits. 4)Authority to Make Commitments: Senior level contacts with officials of the Government of Ethiopia, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the US Embassy, and other donor organizations in the health sector, USAID/Washington personnel, partners, implementers, and institutional contractors. 5)Medical and Security Clearance: The selected candidate must be able to obtain clearance for employment and a medical clearance. 6)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. [TCNPSCs WILL BE AUTHORIZED THE USUAL TCNPSC BENEFITS AS STIPULATED IN APPENDIX J OF THE AIDAR UNLESS ADDITIONAL ALLOWANCES ARE AUTHORIZED BY THE MISSION DIRECTOR]: a. Benefits (1) Employee's FICA Contribution (2) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance - 50% of Health Insurance Annual Premium (not to exceed $7,750 for a family and $3,410 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 b. 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). c. 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, fernhed housing and educational allowances for dependent children. F. FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes under the foreign earned income exclusion. G. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs: For initial consideration: 1. OF-612 or SF-171 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/ H. 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 contact@example.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. ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) PERTAINING TO PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACT (PSC): 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 also applies to PSCs and can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf I. POINTS OF CONTACT 1. Robert Appiah, Supervisory Executive Officer, USAID/Ethiopia, E-MAIL: contact@example.gov 2. Roger Heller, Supervisory Administrative Specialist, USAID/Ethiopia, E-MAIL: contact@example.gov 3. Wondwossen Bekele, HR Specialist: contact@example.gov