Senior Science Advisor, Nairobi, Kenya

The Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is seeking applications from qualified applicants for a Senior Science Advisor position located in Nairobi, Kenya. 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- 10718 POSITION NUMBER: KE-PSC-02 ISSUANCE DATE: August 14, 2008 CLOSING DATE/TIME: September 03, 2008 at 3:00PM Eastern Standard Time POSITION TITLE: Senior Science Advisor VALUE: $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: Nairobi, Kenya 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: This position is located in NCHHSTP/GAP with a duty station in Nairobi, Kenya. Incumbent reports directly to the CD GAP Country Director and serves as a Senior Science Advisor to provide scientific consultation and oversight for all PEPFAR and CDC GAP-Kenya scientific programs, evaluations and research; provide technical expertise to improve HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care programs by assuring that operational research projects, program evaluations, and other public health projects with human subjects are conducted in accordance with the federal and institutional regulations, policies and procedures for the protection of human subjects; advise the CDC GAP Country Director and other senior staff and investigators in the matters of ethics and science of HIV/AIDS prevention, enhancing scientific quality of PEPFAR activities; provide consultation to CDC GAP Kenya staff, and acts as liaison with CDC HQ in matters of human subject protections; monitor progress of CDC GAP Kenya clearance requests throughout the CDC approval process; train local staff on the ethical principles of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment activities, and participate as a member of the PEPFAR Management Team, with responsibility for providing scientific leadership and policy formulation for science related to PEPFAR activities and programs. Major Duties of this position include: - Serves as the lead technical advisor on science issues for the PEPFAR Kenya team. As a member of the Management Team, incumbent provides scientific and ethical consultation and oversight for all CDC GAP-Kenya programs, evaluations, research and reporting. Participates in all decisions related to the commitment of resources, including the allocation of staff and funds, for projects related to laboratory technical assistance, as well as procurement, logistics and personnel management for laboratory services. - Coordinates and approves CDC GAP Kenya activities related to the protection of human subjects under the general direction of the Country Director. Maintains broad expertise in public health medical ethics and in the ethics of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment, and maintains specific expertise in the federal regulations for the protection of human subjects and in CDC IRB policies and procedures. Serves as CDCGAP Kenya contact point with CDC GAP HG ADS to assure efficient follow up on scientific and ethical clearance of protocols, requests for non determination, manuscripts, reports etc. Maintains an electronic database to assure accurate tracking of all CDC GAP-Kenya research protocols and non-research determinations. - Coordinates, collaborates and consults on scientific and technical issues with high-ranking officials within the Ministry of Health, local and international public health agencies and non-governmental organizations on the development, implementation and conduct of scientific and technical PHE and other research projects. Provides technical advice and support, compiles and analyzes data for key PHE activities such as the AIDS Indicator Survey. - Analyses need for and provides training to PEPFAR Kenya, MOH, KEMRI and implementing partner staff on issues related to protocol development, scientific methods and writing, ethical principles of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment activities, institutional review board procedures, and CDC science and ethics procedures and regulations. - Consults on scientific training and education programs, and coordinates the development and delivery of public health-related training programs. Provides consultation to public, private, professional, and academic partners (which may include universities, public and private foundations, international health leaders, Ministries of Health in other countries, and local and international organizations) in substantive matters related to public health evaluation, human subject issues and other operational research. This includes scientific and technical assistance in methodology and project and data management. Provides guidance, as needed, to the Ministry of Health and CDC-Kenya colleagues regarding epidemiology, scientific methods and writing, and HIV and other infectious diseases. - Builds capacity within PEPFAR Kenya partners in translation of scientific evidence gained through operational research into policy and programmatic guidelines. - Participate in the implementation of scientific analysis and writing workshops for GAP-Kenya and partners. Responsibilities: As a member of the GAP Management Team, takes an active role in the long-range planning of GAP activities and staffing required to carry out those activities. Shares responsibility with the CDC Director for all major decisions regarding long term strategic planning related to scientific activities for PEPFAR and CDC in Kenya, including: Support for scientific research, analysis and writing, statistical capacity, database access and capacity building, collection of strategic information and feedback to partners, monitoring and evaluation. Incumbent provides advice on strategic planning and goal setting for MOH and other implementing partners to the Director, CDC GAP. Assists high ranking MOH officials in developing strategic planning approaches, human resource needs and documentation for operational research and program evaluations. The position does not currently supervise staff, but eventually will supervise as many as 3 to 5 support staff, e.g., administrative support, clerical and/or scientific staff. Routinely supervises as many as 5 TDY staff at one time as part of the Kenya AIDS Indicator Survey. Incumbent manages the $4 Million (USD) Kenya AIDS Indicator Survey, a project involving approximately 20 staff from various agencies such as CDC, MOH, USAID and other PEPFAR implementing partners. Manages project to develop and improve program indicators for performance assessment, including data collection and feedback systems for USG partners and MOH. This project involves 10 staff and costs approximately $200,000 annually. Incumbent analyses need for and provides training to PEPFAR Kenya, MOH, KEMRI and implementing partner staff on issues related to protocol development, scientific methods and writing, ethical principles of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment activities, institutional review board procedures, and CDC science and ethics procedures and regulations. Courses are ad hoc, but occur at least annually for up to 50 staff. Incumbent also is responsible for conducting 4 to 6 scientific analysis and writing workshops to approximately 10 -12 staff each annually. Incumbent provides daily work allocation for staff conducting the Kenya AIDS Indicator Survey. As part of the GAP Management Team, incumbent routinely allocates work across the various sections of GAP-Kenya related to developing and improving the scientific work environment at CDC-Kenya. The position has personal use of cell and desk phones, as well as desk-top and lap-top computers collectively valued at US$ 5,000. Normal expendable supplies will be provided by the CDC/GAP office on a regular and ongoing basis. ($100/month). Incumbent monitors and projects technical service supply needs for the AIDS Indicator Survey and for training workshops and conferences. The annual estimated cost of lab equipment and other expendable supplies is $500,000 (USD). Incumbent is responsible for participating in budgetary planning and review as part of the GAP Management Team by providing the technical support necessary to develop budgets for program evaluations and other operational studies conducted by the PEPFAR team or its partners. For FY 2008, the science and evaluation portion of the PEPFAR budget is $23 million. Duties require management, tracking, and financial analysis of 46 USG implementing partner budgets for these activities. Has final responsibility to ensure that scientific data is accurate, correctly analyzed and managed, and secure. Collects data from 46 prime and 70 sub-partners to support program evaluation projects funded by PEPFAR cooperative agreements and grants. Much of this information is sensitive and must follow appropriate CDC or USAID protocols. Incumbent is responsible for establishing and maintaining a scientific reference database, scientific presentations database, and other scientific resource materials as needed for GAP-Kenya. Incumbent must negotiate with relevant MOH, NASCOP and other partners to obtain collaboration for shared activities and the development of new program evaluations. Incumbent provides scientific guidance on the development of updated guidelines in these projects to ensure that evaluations are carried out correctly and in a timely manner. Incumbent has responsibility for providing assistance in developing contracts with national and international consultants for program evaluation services, including the defining of requirements, development of deliverables, project monitoring and evaluation. The assignment of tasks, direction, and review of activities and progress will be provided by the CDC GAP Country Director. However, as an internationally recognized expert in human subjects research procedure , program evaluation and scientific writing, incumbent works independently to provide technical consultation on new and ongoing evaluation and other operational research program activities funded by PEPFAR. Incumbent has the discretion to plan and adjust not only own work, but also the work of others related to the delivery of quality program evaluation and scientific surveys in Kenya. Incumbent discusses development and integration of activities, including designing project progress indicators, interpreting results, and making recommendations for program improvement, with senior staff of MOH, NASCOP, and other cooperative agreement recipients throughout the country. Incumbent has freedom to independently take action and make decisions on work area and to work with implementing partners from national and local public health agencies. Incumbent is required to independently resolve technical and programmatic problems or situations that are encountered. To accomplish this, incumbent has the authority and discretion to resolve complex issues which arise on a daily basis related to scientific research. Examples include: - Complex challenges related to performing the first AIDS Indicator Survey in Kenya; - Human Subjects Research decisions within various PEPFAR-Kenya research projects, including analysis of critical ethical issues; - Scientific evidence and best practices advice for program evaluations and other operational research projects conducted by PEPFAR-Kenya and partners; - Ethical questions related to scientific research vis--vis cultural standards and taboos; - Comparing the effectiveness and costs of various methods of service delivery through scientific and statistical analysis. Incumbent has the responsibility to assure that documentation of research activity is accurately written and submitted in a timely manner. Activities include building the capacity to develop effective program evaluation protocols and work plans and to resolve routine and complex problems for the projects as they arise. These documents are highly technical and critical to the success of the overall evaluation or operational research study. Incumbent develops relevant technical guidance for use by projects implementing program evaluations and surveys. Projects supervised include: the $4 Million Kenya AIDS Indicator Survey, a project involving approximately 20 staff from multiple agencies including CDC, MOH, USAID and other PEPFAR implementing partners; and the$200,000 project to assess program performance for USG partners and MOH involving 10 staff. Incumbent is allowed flexibility in making operational decisions, including recommendations to resolve problems related to the delivery of quality peer evaluation projects, the IRB or research non-determination process, and deciding on ways to make operational research activities more efficient and effective. Incumbent exercises a significant degree of judgment in deciding the best means to implement PEPFAR, OGAC and USG agency policies. Examples of areas in which the incumbent has operational decision-making authority include: the Kenya AIDS Indicator Survey; participating in GAP-Kenya management decisions as part of the GAP-Kenya Management Team; providing ethical and scientific clearance for protocols, abstracts and manuscripts; decisions on how to best perform research, collect and analyze data, and achieve best scientific results; and decisions related to database management for scientific research, reporting, and writing for GAP-Kenya. Based on background experience and training, incumbent provides technical guidance and strategic advice and influences policy development within GAP-Kenya, MOH and other Government of Kenya agencies and partners, including but not limited to, questions related to all scientific research and human subjects research, scientific evidence, and preparation of scientific documents and publications on research and human subject related goals and project plans. Incumbent also reviews and clears scientific publications, reports and presentations for ethical and scientific content. Assists in formulation of annual and strategic plans for overall program direction. The incumbent interacts regularly with the GAP Management Team to provide technical guidance, assistance and support on issues related to conduct of effective operational research activities. This support has an extensive, definitive level of impact on PEPFAR research activities in Kenya. For example, incumbent has a major impact on decision making related to the relative importance of public health evaluations and the priority in which they should be implemented; on the implementation of other operational research projects; in the development of scientific research capacity within PEPFAR Kenya; in the determination of research team composition; and in the utilization of research results in the application of programmatic interventions. The work of incumbent has a high, definitive impact on external partners. Through incumbent's efforts, officials of MOH and external implementing partners benefit from an improved understanding of the specific evaluation research issues related to HIV/AIDS. Decisions of incumbent will strengthen external partners' awareness and capacity for public health evaluations, performance monitoring, and human subject issues. For example, strengthening monitoring and evaluation requires that incumbent assign personnel time, assist in indicator development, assure accurate electronic data collection and management and standardized reporting. Responses will be verbal, written, or electronic to communicate diplomatically, accurately and in a timely fashion. Delivery of such responses will frequently require an individual with strong persuasive skills who is recognized and respected for his/her scientific integrity and research expertise. Knowledge: Essential Scientific and technical knowledge in public health, epidemiology and infectious diseases relevant to the international and African setting is required. Specific knowledge of public health medical ethics and in the ethics of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment, and specific expertise in the federal regulations for the protection of human subjects and in CDC IRB policies and procedures is required. Experience working with the highest levels of USG and African governments and other agencies such as UN, NGOs, etc., is required. Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks under tight deadlines. Ability to establish effective diplomatic working relationships with individuals and official representatives of public health organizations, particularly those representing host nation ministries and other international organizations. Skills necessary to write clear and concise documents, reports, program and policy guidelines, directives, articles for peer review; skill and ability to clearly deliver oral presentations on programmatic matters. Doctoral degree in Public Health, Medicine, or other field related to the health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position, is required. Incumbent is expected to possess the necessary technical training and skills required to perform the duties and responsibilities required of the position. Post entry training will be focused primarily on PEPFAR and USG agency policies, procedures and regulations that govern specific activity management, including monitoring and program assessment/evaluation and procurement systems. Necessary post entry training will be provided on-site or at regional or Atlanta HQ-based facilities. Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience conducting international public health research or evaluations, with 3 years of this experience directly relating to HIV/AIDS, is required. Specific experience in medical ethics or in working with USG federal regulations for the protection of human subjects and in CDC IRB policies and procedures is required. Experience in the implementation of scientific analysis and writing workshops. Experience in developing electronic tracking database(s) for research protocols and non- research determinations. Experience providing training to staff in issues related to protocol development, institutional review board procedures, and CDC policies and regulations. Experience providing guidance to MOH, implementing partners and PEPFAR colleagues regarding public health, epidemiology, scientific methods and writing, and HIV and other infectious diseases. English, Level 4 is required (reading/speaking/writing). Computer software proficiency in a relevant database management program is required, e.g., EpiInfo, SAS. Experience providing training regarding scientific database management is required. Desired A thorough technical familiarity with the public health research programs in Kenya is desired. Knowledge of and experience with the principles, theories, and practices of USG (USAID, HHS, DOS) cooperative agreement regulations and procedures management which enable incumbent better to serve as an authority and consultant to funded partners, is desired. Masters in Public Health is desirable for candidates whose doctorate is not in Public Health. Minimum of 3 years epidemiological experience with CDC or similar public health institution is desirable. Programming experience in relevant computer software is desirable. Intellectual Skills: As an expert in HIV/AIDS research and evaluation, incumbent is required to operate in a highly complex informational environment. Incumbent is expected to have a mastery and specialty expertise in public health research, specifically in design, implementation, and measurement of program evaluations and other operational research projects. Incumbent must use information to develop, disseminate and evaluate highly complex evaluation and other national and international research based on applicable policies, regulations and precedents to assure that research programs are accurate and cost beneficial. These policies, procedures, precedents, etc., come in the form of manuals, technical guidance and informal and formal training. Incumbent also must use information to identify and propose solutions which are characterized by their breadth, importance, and severity; and/or implement complex program policies and strategies to meet new conditions and improve or overcome deficiencies. Incumbent must be sensitive to local and national social and political issues that might affect the successful implementation of evaluations and other research programs. The work is highly complex, and involves the ongoing analysis of many different and unrelated processes and methods, often requiring the consideration of specific complications, physical settings and other limitations particular to the country, agency or program, to achieve the desired result. Conclusions and determinations made by the incumbent often result in official positions being taken and/or the obligation of substantial program resources, and may be scrutinized by various governmental agencies, partners, stakeholders and the general public. The work involves analysis of highly complex ethical and scientific issues; negotiation between CDC-Kenya and the various national and international agencies, programs and/or partners, and the highest levels of the Kenyan government, regarding needs and resources; coordination with the Associate Director for Science (CDC-Atlanta). Problems encountered are complex and vary considerably. Iincumbent solves complex problems on a daily basis related to scientific research which frequently requires incumbent to exercise exceptional judgment when dealing with PEPFAR implementing partners, including Ministry officials and leaders of other international organizations and donors, to project a professional and collaborative atmosphere. Examples of most common problems encountered include: Human Subjects Research decisions within various GAP-Kenya research projects, including analysis of critical ethical issues; e.g., if evaluations are determined as research in Kenya and as non-research at CDC/Atlanta, or vice-versa; and strengthening performance evaluations with differences in resources, capacity, awareness and priority setting across agencies and the government. Examples of most difficult problems include: Challenges related to performing the first AIDS Indicator Survey in Kenya including logistics, identifying and eliminating barriers; and issues related to scientific research vis--vis cultural standards and taboos, e.g., cultural issues related to male circumcision and their impact on HIV prevention. Strategic planning for setting overall direction and goals for national program management is conducted annually with a vision for 3-5 years in the future. Overall work in terms of major research and evaluation projects to be accomplished is planned one year in advance. Day-to-day work is planned one week in advance, but the technical nature of this position requires the ability to adjust priorities frequently to enable response to unanticipated requests requiring short turn-around. Because of the complex nature of the duties, incumbent is required to be highly innovative in designing plans and operational guidelines for developing and carrying out effective program evaluations and other operational research studies. Incumbent must be creative and innovative, for example, designing new and more effective approaches to scientific research and capacity building to achieve the goals of GAP-Kenya, and creating and improving a scientific work environment. Communications: Incumbent communicates with a wide variety of people at many different levels (professional and political), both inside and outside of PEPFAR and CDC (e.g., MOH, international organizations, universities). Incumbent must provide consistent and credible representation of PEPFAR to USG colleagues, donors, and other partners and coordination bodies for program evaluation, survey development, human subjects, and other operational research issues. Frequent contacts will occur with both mid level and high ranking government officials and other partners to define and/or reorient research and evaluation strategies and translate results of these evaluations into program action. Represents PEPFAR to multi-lateral donor coordination bodies in discussion of conducting ethical research and on research theory and techniques. Internal: Contacts within the organization are typically with the Management team of PEPFAR-Kenya, chiefs of programs and administrative heads of CDC-Kenya, their staff, peers, and other agency contact persons and liaisons to discuss the IRB process, influence the allocation of funds for program evaluation studies, and to teach the application of ethical processes for conducting HIV/AIDS operational research. External: Contacts outside of the organization are typically with Ministry of Health and Government of Kenya officials and key decision makers of other partners at the highest levels to influence the adoption and delivery of high quality HIV/AIDS operational research and evaluation projects. External contacts are also with managers of HIV related programs, scientists, researchers, strategic information managers of other agencies, deliverers of HIV-related services, and conference attendees, to provide day-to-day technical advice and consultation needed to assure that peer evaluations are conducted optimally, to teach scientific writing, and to assure smooth processing of requests for human subject's clearance. An expert level of verbal communication in English utilizing incumbent's research and evaluation knowledge and skills and displaying a positive attitude and approach is required. Oral communication may be provided one-on-one, in groups, or by telephone with different levels of personnel and groups. Incumbent must have advanced presentation skills for local, national and international meetings to deliver results of research and evaluations to policy makers and service delivery professionals. Incumbent frequently must explain the goals and results of these studies in an appropriate manner to staff and other interested parties of varying degrees of technical expertise, while maintaining sensitivity for the subject matter. This requires tact and diplomacy and persuasive skills to convince key decision makers to strengthen peer evaluation activities. Routine transmission of information: with colleagues, partners and contract staff to collect and verify information pertaining to the delivery of effective program evaluation research or the process for assuring rapid approval of human subject's requests. Tact and diplomacy: in frequent contact with senior and mid-level officials of MOH, and collaborating institutions, such as program managers, physicians, scientists, researchers, strategic information management staff of local, central and international agencies, and NGOs; with counterparts at the national level, to ensure good collaboration and understanding between PEPFAR and collaborating partners to implement research and evaluation activities smoothly and efficiently. Complex explanations: to communicate complex procedures in the development, implementation, monitoring and reporting of research and evaluation activities. Formal training/teaching: acts as a trainer and/or faciliator in training courses on protocol development, scientific methods and writing, ethical principles of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment activities, institutional review board procedures, and CDC science and ethics procedures and regulations. Influencing/persuading: when working with senior level decision makers from implementing partners to develop an understanding of the key research issues and the implications of the research results for application to program interventions. Complex written reports authored and/or reviewed by the incumbent are used as the basis for key management decisions and long-range planning of GAP-Kenya activities. Incumbent also writes and/or reviews scientific manuscripts, scientific presentations, and manages the scientific reference database for CDC-Kenya and GAP-Kenya, which require the highest levels of scientific expertise and experience. Working Environment: Basic office environment (75% of time) and field clinical settings (25% of time) as incumbent oversees the work of others. There are no unusual hazards. The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of such places as conference rooms or office spaces. The scope of work under this contract shall not include patient care or treatment, and shall not involve direct contact with blood, bodily fluids or any patient samples. Incumbent routinely has multiple projects underway simultaneously with competing project deadlines. This situation may lead to stress. The work involves the management and/or coordination of various projects with multiple priorities. Work will be performed under time pressures and deadlines. Incumbent will have a demanding meeting schedule. Irregular and/or long hours may be required. Benefits/Allowances: Overseas allowances and differentials similar to those available to U.S. Government employees assigned abroad may be payable under this PSC, subject to eligibility. Actual benefits may vary from one candidate to the next and/or from one country of assignment to the next. A summary of the overseas allowances and differentials available to U.S. Government employees assigned abroad may be found at the following Internet URL: http://aoprals.state.gov/ Specific benefit, allowance, and differential information will be provided in the "Offer of PSC Employment" letter sent to the successful applicant. Additionally, country specific information useful for U.S. Government employees assigned abroad may be obtained from Department of State available at the following Internet URL: http://www.state.gov/m/fsi/tc/c10391.htm and Travel Warnings concerning certain countries, in many of which CDC conducts its international program activities, may be obtained at the following Internet URL: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html. Federal Taxes: Personal Service Contractors who are either United States citizens or Permanent Resident Aliens (i.e., "green card" holders) of the United States are not exempt from payment of Federal Income and, in some cases State, income taxes on salaries earned abroad while working for the U.S. Government. CONTRACTOR-MISSION RELATIONSHIPS (a) The contractor acknowledges that this contract is an important part of the U.S. Foreign Assistance Program and agrees that his/her duties will be carried out in such a manner as to be fully commensurate with the responsibilities that this entails. (b) While in the Cooperating Country, the contractor is expected to show respect for the conventions, customs, and institutions of the Cooperating Country and not interfere in its political affairs. (c) If the contractor's conduct is not in accordance with paragraph (b) of this provision, the contract may be unilaterally terminated by the Contracting Officer. The Contractor recognizes the right of the U.S. Ambassador to direct his/her immediate removal from any country when, in the discretion of the Ambassador, the interests of the United States so require. (d) The Country Director is the chief representative of CDC in the Cooperating Country. In this capacity, he/she is responsible for the total CDC Program in the Cooperating Country including certain administrative responsibilities set forth in this contract and for advising CDC regarding the performance of the work under the contract and its effect on the U.S. Foreign Assistance Pr...