Social Demographer

The Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is seeking applications from qualified applicants for a Social Demographer position located in Kisumu, 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-10733 POSITION NUMBER: KE-PSC-05 ISSUANCE DATE: September 4, 2008 CLOSING DATE/TIME: September 19, 2008 at 3:00PM Eastern Standard Time POSITION TITLE: Social Demographer 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: Kisumu, 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: Major Duties of this position include: This position is located in COGH/DGPCC with a duty station in Kisumu, Kenya. Incumbent reports directly to the COGH Kisumu Field Station Director and serves as a Senior Social Demographer to provide scientific consultation and oversight for CDC-Kenya evaluations and research involving the demographic surveillance system based in Kisumu, Kenya; to lead and facilitate demographic research and analyses; to train and mentor locally employed staff in demographical methods; to develop policies and procedures for the appropriate community survey methods; to provide technical advise to external organizations such as the Kenya Medical Research Institute or the Ministry of Health; and, to advise the Field Station Director and other senior staff or investigators on matters of social demography. - Coordinates, collaborates and consults on demographic scientific and technical issues with officials within the Ministry of Health or its parastatal the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), local and international public health agencies and non-governmental organizations on the development, implementation and conduct of demographic analyses and research projects. Provides technical advice and support, compiles and analyzes data for key demographic activities such as the Demographic Surveillance System (DSS) in Kisumu, Kenya. The DSS, with approximately 208,000 inhabitants, has been the base for a variety of studies, including an evaluation of insecticide-treated bed nets, diarrheal disease surveillance, evaluating treatment strategies for anemia in children, assessment of immunologic correlates of malaria infection, research on preventing mother to child transmission of HIV, evaluation of a rotavirus vaccine, and planned evaluation of candidate malaria and HIV vaccines. The Senior Social Demographer provides oversight and technical advice for all of these activities. - Serves as the lead technical advisor on demographical science issues for the CDC-Kenya team. As a member of the Management Team, incumbent provides scientific and ethical consultation and oversight for CDC-Kenya program activities involving demography and community surveys, evaluations, research and reporting. Participates in discussions leading to decisions related to the commitment of resources for community-based surveys and demographical database systems, including the allocation of staff and funds, as well as procurement, logistics and personnel management for survey services. - Coordinates CDC Kenya demographical activities related to the design of community surveys approved by and under the general direction of the Country Director. - Consults on scientific training and education programs, and coordinates the development and delivery of public health-related training programs for community surveys and demography. 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, demography, and other operational research. This includes scientific and technical assistance in social demographical methodology and project or data management. Provides guidance, as needed, to the Ministry of Health and CDC-Kenya colleagues regarding demography and survey design methods and writing involving infectious diseases. - Builds capacity within the Kenya Medical Research Institute and other Kenya partners in the integration of demographical scientific methods for improved research or program implementation policies. - Participates in the implementation of scientific analysis and writing workshops for CDC-Kenya and partners. As a member of the CDC-KEMRI Management Team, takes an active role in the long-range planning of data collection activities and staffing required to carry out those activities. Shares responsibility with the CDC Field Station Director and senior scientific staff for all major decisions regarding long-term strategic planning related to community data collection activities for CDC in Kenya, including: support for scientific research, analysis and writing, statistical capacity, database access and capacity building, collection of strategic information, feedback to partners, and monitoring and evaluation. Incumbent provides advice on strategic planning and goal setting for the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), a parastatal of the MOH, and other collaborative partners of CDC in Kenya. Assists KEMRI officials in developing strategic planning approaches, human resource needs and documentation for operational research and program evaluations. The position does supervise three (non-FTE) staff. Routinely supervises one to two TDY staff at any one time as part of DSS activities. Incumbent manages the $2.5 Million (USD) Kisumu Demographic Surveillance System a project involving multiple sections of the CDC Kisumu field station. Involves 440 KEMRI-employed data entry or collection staff. Manages multiple community data collection projects to support various CDC field station research projects involving malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, and enteric diseases. Incumbent provides assistance in developing contracts with national and international consultants for up to 20 contract staff providing program evaluation services, including the defining of requirements, development of deliverables, project monitoring and evaluation. Incumbent analyses need for, and provides training to MOH and KEMRI staff on issues related to demographic methods, protocol development, scientific methods and writing, Provides training 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, demography, and other operational research. This includes scientific and technical assistance in social demographical methodology and project or data management. Provides guidance, as needed, to the Ministry of Health and CDC-Kenya colleagues regarding demography and survey design methods and writing involving infectious diseases. Incumbent provides daily work allocation for staff conducting the Demographic Surveillance System and any staff conducting research or analyses using the DSS data. As part of the Field Station team incumbent routinely allocates work across the various program areas developing and improving the scientific work environment at CDC-Kenya, and specifically the CDC Field Research Station. Office computer, monitor and printer - user (value approx. $5,000 USD). Office furniture, including adequate shelving and secure file storage - user (value approx. $2,000 USD). Normal expendable supplies will be provided by the CDC Field Station on a regular and ongoing basis ($100/month). Incumbent monitors and projects technical service supply needs for the DSS and for training workshops and conferences. The annual estimated cost of equipment and other expendable supplies is $500,000. Incumbent is responsible for participating in budgetary planning and review as part of the Field Station Management Team by providing the technical support necessary to develop budgets for program implementation and operational studies conducted by the DSS team. For FY 2008, the DSS budget is $2.5 million USD. Duties require management, tracking, and financial analysis of the DSS budget. Has final responsibility to ensure that scientific data is accurate, correctly analyzed and managed, and secure. Much of this information is sensitive and must follow appropriate CDC protocols. Incumbent is responsible for establishing and maintaining the DSS database and conducting scientific presentations as needed for the KEMRI/CDC Field Station and the DSS. Incumbent provides scientific guidance on the development of DSS implementation activities and provides demographic support. Incumbent has responsibility for the defining of DSS and demographic studies requirements, development of deliverables, project monitoring and evaluation. The assignment of tasks, direction, and review of activities and progress will be provided by the KEMRI/CDC Field Station Director. However, as an internationally recognized expert in demographic methods, program implementation, and scientific writing, incumbent works independently to provide technical consultation on new and ongoing DSS evaluations and other operational research program activities in the DSS. Incumbent has the discretion to plan and adjust not only own work, but also the work of others related to the delivery of quality DSS data. Incumbent discusses development and integration of activities, including designing project progress indicators, interpreting results, and making recommendations for program improvement, with senior staff of KEMRI/CDC. Incumbent has freedom to independently take action and make decisions on work area. 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 PDA-based Demographic Survey System in Kenya; - Study designs decisions within various CDC-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 KEMRI/CDC; 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 $2.5 Million Kenya Demographic Survey System, a project involving approximately 200 staff from CDC and KEMRI; and the multiple community surveillance projects related to research programs at the KEMRI/CDC Field Research Station. Incumbent is allowed flexibility in making operational decisions, including recommendations to resolve problems related to the delivery of quality peer evaluation projects, the study design process, and deciding on ways to make implementation activities and operational research activities more efficient and effective. Incumbent exercises a significant degree of judgment in deciding the best means to implement CDC Kenya and agency policies. Examples of areas in which the incumbent has operational decision-making authority include: the Demographic Survey System; participating in CDC-Kenya management decisions as part of the CDC-Kenya Management Team; providing 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 CDC-Kenya. Based on background experience and training, incumbent provides technical guidance and strategic advice and influences policy development within CDC-Kenya, MOH and other Government of Kenya agencies and partners, including but not limited to, questions related to all scientific research involving social demography, scientific evidence, and preparation of scientific documents and publications on research and community related public health 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 CDC Kisumu and Nairobi Management Teams to provide technical guidance, assistance and support on issues related to conduct of effective operational research activities involving community surveillance and surveys. This support has an extensive, definitive level of impact on 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 the Kenya Medical Research Institute and CDC Kenya; in the design of community based surveillance activities; 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 the Kenya Medical Research Institute, the Ministry of Health and external implementing partners benefit from an improved understanding of the specific evaluation research issues related to infectious disease. Decisions of incumbent will strengthen external partners' awareness and capacity for public health evaluations, performance monitoring, and community-based surveillance designs. For example, surveillance study designs requires that incumbent assign personnel time, assist in questionnaire 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 in social demography. Knowledge: Essential Scientific and technical knowledge in social demography, surveillance systems, and infectious diseases relevant to the international and African setting is required. Experience working with the USG and African governments and other agencies such as the UN, NGOs, etc., is required. Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks under tight deadlines is required. 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 is required. 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 Sociology, Demography, or equivalent 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 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 working in developing world settings, is required. Specific experience in social demography is required. Experience in the implementation of scientific analysis and publishing the results is required. Experience in developing electronic tracking database(s) related to social demography. Experience providing training to staff/students in issues related to protocol development for community based surveys. Experience providing guidance to a developing world Ministry of Health or parastatal, implementing partners and colleagues regarding public health, demography, scientific methods and writing involving infectious diseases is required. English, Level 4 is required (reading/speaking/writing). Computer software proficiency in a relevant database management program is required. 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 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 or Epidemiology beyond doctoral degree in sociology is desirable. Minimum of 5 years as social demographer with CDC or similar public health institutions is desirable. Programming experience in relevant computer software is desirable. Intellectual Skills: As an expert in social demography, incumbent is required to operate in a highly complex informational environment. Incumbent is expected to have mastery and specialty expertise in public health research, specifically in demography, community-based study design, implementation, and measurement of program evaluations and other research projects. Incumbent must use information to develop, disseminate and evaluate 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 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 various levels of the Kenyan government, as well as the coordination of multiple CDC senior scientists in Kenya and Atlanta, regarding needs and resources. 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 CDC 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: community survey design decisions within various CDC-Kenya research projects, managing multiple projects within 1 study area, and strengthening performance evaluations among implementing staff. Examples of most difficult problems include: Challenges related to performing the first PDA Demographic Surveillance 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 interviews and their impact on study programs. 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 CDC-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 CDC (e.g., MoH, KEMRI, international organizations, universities). Incumbent must provide consistent and credible representation of CDC to USG colleagues, donors, and other partners and coordination bodies for program evaluation, survey development, human subjects, and other demographical 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. Participates in meetings on behalf of CDC with multi-lateral donor bodies in discussion of social demography research theory and techniques. Internal: Contacts within the organization are typically with the Management team of CDC-Kenya, chiefs of programs and administrative heads of CDC-Kenya, their staff, peers, and other agency contact persons and liaisons to discuss the study designs, influence the allocation of funds for community surveillance studies, and to teach the application of demography for conducting 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 community surveillance research and evaluation projects. External contacts are also with managers of related programs, scientists, researchers, strategic information managers of other agencies, deliverers of health 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 related to demography, 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 or Parastatals, CDC HQ Scientist, 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 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 social demography. Influencing/persuading: when working with senior level decision makers from implementing partners to develop an understanding of the correct application of social demography to health science 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 KEMRI/CDC Field Research Station activities. Incumbent also writes and/or reviews scientific manuscripts, scientific presentations, and manages the DSS database for the KEMRI/CDC Field Research Station, which require the highest levels of scientific expertise and experience. Working Environment: Basic office environment (60% of time) and field clinical settings or in rural communities (40% 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 Program. The contractor will be responsible for performing his/her duties in accordance with the statement of duties called for by the contract. However, he/she shall be under the general policy guidance of the Country Director, and shall keep the Country Director or his/her designated representative currently informed of the progress of the work under this contract. SOCIAL SECURITY, FEDERAL INCOME TAX AND FOREIGN EARNED INCOME (a) Since the contractor is an employee, F.I.C.A. contributions and U.S. Federal Income Tax withholding shall be deducted in accordance with regulations and rulings of the Social Security Administration and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, respectively. (b) As an employee, the contractor is not eligible for the 'foreign earned income' exclusion under the IRS Regulations (see 26 CFR 1.911- 3(c)(3)). INSURANCE (a) Worker's Compensation Benefits. The contractor shall be provided worker's compensation benefits in accordance with the Federal Employees' Compensation Act. (b) Health and Life Insurance. (1) The contractor shall be provided a maximum contribution of up to 50% against the actual costs of the contractor's annual health insurance costs, provided that such costs may not exceed the maximum U.S. Government contribution for direct-hire personnel as announced annually by the Office of Personnel Management. (2) The contractor shall be provided a contribution of up to 50% against the actual costs of annual life insurance not to exceed $500.00 per year. (3) Retired U.S. Government employees shall not be paid additional contributions for health or life insurance under their contracts. The...