USPSC Health Specialist (PEPFAR) (6-month)

ISSUANCE DATE: 12/15/2011 CLOSING DATE: 12/28/2011 Gentlemen/Ladies: SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (PSC) No. 54-2011 USPSC Health Specialist (PEPFAR), USAID/Central Asian Republics, Almaty, Kazakhstan The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking proposals (Optional Form 612) from persons interested in the PSC services described in the attached. Submissions shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Any questions may be directed to Markus Dausses, Contracting Officer, and Tatiana Rossova, Personnel Specialist, who may be reached at FAX No. 7-727-250-76-34/35/36, or e-mail per.almaty@usaid.gov Offerors should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their proposals. Sincerely, Markus Dausses Contracting Officer ATTACHMENT TO SOLICITATION NO. 54-2011 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 54/2011 2. ISSUANCE DATE: 12/15/2011 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: 12/28/2011 (6 p.m. Almaty Time) 4. POSITION TITLE: USPSC Health Specialist (PEPFAR) 5. MARKET VALUE: $50,287 - $65,371 per annum (GS-11 equivalent) with 25% Post Differential (currently) 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: six months (extension up to 9 months optional) 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Central Asian Republics, Almaty, Kazakhstan 8. JOB DESCRIPTION: A) BACKGROUND The USAID/CAR's Office of Health and Education (CAR/HE) provides funding in the areas of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, maternal and child health, family planning and reproductive health and other public health threats. CAR/HE provides technical assistance either directly or through implementing partners to strengthen regional institutions and networks, build the capacity of regional country governments, local opinion leaders, stakeholders and practitioners, and to foster increased political will and participation at all levels to achieve its assistance objective: that Central Asian Public Health Systems better meet the needs of Vulnerable Groups. This objective has four components: 1) a safer medical environment; 2) strengthened public health capacity; 3) improved quality of health services; and, 4) empowered civil society to better respond to health needs. CAR/HE staff work in close collaboration with U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other US Government (USG) agencies, National AIDS Programs, other donors (especially the Global Fund) and non-governmental organization (NGO) implementing partners to design, award, manage, monitor, evaluate and report on the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The Health and Education Office requires mid-level technical support to bridge gaps during a critical period of staff transition, PEPFAR activities and launch of a new portfolio of activities. This position is based in Almaty, Kazakhstan, with frequent travel to the other countries in the region. B) DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The contractor will be responsible for regular reporting and management activities such as President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and GHI planning and reporting, procurement and budget planning. Provides mentorship to FSN staff and assist with other HE Office activities management and reporting. The contractor works under the direct supervision of the USAID/CAR Health and Education Office Director based in Almaty. Duties and responsibilities will include but are not limited to the following: a) Assist with program oversight of the health and HIV portfolio - Assist in gathering and organizing/documenting the evidence basis for the CAR regional Global Health Initiative (GHI) Strategy and Operational Plan. - Assist in planning and developing the GHI Regional Strategy and Operational Plan, based on best practices from other countries - Assist in planning and developing Best Practices at Scale in the Home, Community and Facilities (BEST) action plan for CAR, following examples of other countries - Assist with coordination and joint monitoring reviews of USAID's major health implementers in TB, MCH and other areas. - Assist in planning concrete interventions and tracking progress for USAID/CAR to achieve QDDR-mandated benchmarks for GHI leadership - Mentor and guide health staff to prepare evolving PEPFAR and GHI-related guidance and requirements - Assist with selection, start-up and monitoring of Kazakhstan APS awards for Maternal and Child Health/Reproductive Health (depending on timing of procurement actions). - Assist with strengthening regular communication between Almaty and other-country based staff in CAR for HE Team operations - Assist with health office coverage in the absence of other HE staff - Assist with program monitoring and oversight - Assist with Family Planning Compliance reviews - Serve as the Acting Deputy Director for the Health and Education Office when the Deputy Director is away on travel b) Assist with HE office PEPFAR planning and reporting, procurement planning and budget projections. - Assist with organizing and follow-up on Round 2 of PEPFAR implementers' regular quarterly joint progress review (on/about September 2011 in 3 countries) - Assist with planning and process management for development of the PEPFAR Regional Operational Plan (ROP) 2012. This will be a full ROP exercise requiring considerable information gathering, writing and coordination of inter-agency work products and accompanying support documents. - Assist in gathering and organizing the evidence basis for the ROP 2012 planning & budgeting exercise, along with the USAID Strategic Information Advisor and other team members. c) Other duties as assigned: Other tasks or responsibilities may be assigned based on organizational and programming need. C) REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 1) Prior Work Experience: This is a position that requires a minimum of four years of experience in USAID public health development programs including HIV/AIDS and with demonstrated technical knowledge of PEPFAR requirements on program analysis, planning and reporting, as well as management of programs in developing countries. 2) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Demonstrated leadership and problem-solving skills working on complex projects in a highly-sensitive, fast-paced environment. Demonstrated flexibility and openness in responding to changing work priorities and environment. High degree of judgment to interpret strategy; to analyze, develop and present work; and to monitor and evaluate implementation of programs. Ability to manage and work with diverse teams and strong interpersonal communication and excellent oral communication and writing skills. Must be fluent in English and have demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills. In-depth understanding of USAID's health portfolio the intricate nature of PRPFAR and GHI, the complex interagency relationships. Strong familiarity with USAID and USG program management systems, business practices and policy on areas related the USAID Central Asia Regional programs. Ability to mentor local staff on USAID and USG policy regarding HIV and related topics. 3) Education: Bachelor's degree in public health, international health, international relations, social sciences, epidemiology, or related field, HIV concentration preferred. D) Selection Criteria: Applicants will be evaluated against the following criteria: Prior Work Experience: 30 points Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 30 points Knowledge of health sector development, HIV/AIDS issues: 30 points Education: 10 points Total: 100 points Notice to Applicants: The USAID reserves the right to obtain from previous employers relevant information concerning the applicant's past performance and may consider such information in its evaluation. F) OTHER REQUIREMENTS 1) Must be an U.S. Citizen and possess or be able to obtain a U.S. Government-issued security clearance at the level of SECRET. 2) Must be able to obtain a State/Med medical clearance to serve in Central Asia. 3) Must be available and willing to commit to the Contract Performance Period of 5 months; 4) Available and willing to work additional hours beyond the established 40-hour workweek and outside established Monday-Friday workweek, as may be required or necessary; and 5) Must be willing to reside in a developing country and to travel throughout the Central Asia Region. 9. APPLYING Qualified individuals are requested to submit an Optional Application for Federal Employment OF-612 including experience, salary history, list of references, and recent sample of his/her written work (maximum 1-3 pages, i.e. policy memo) no later than COB (6 p.m. Almaty time) December 28, 2011. The form is available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/forms/. Applications, recent supervisor reference and three (3) personal references, and writing sample may be submitted by e-mail, fax, DHL or FedEx air courier by the closing date, above, to: Tatiana Rossova Personnel Specialist Personnel Office USAID/CAR Almaty 41 Kazibek Bi Street Almaty, Kazakhstan Email: per.almaty@usaid.gov Fax: 7 727 2507634/35/36 Email or faxed documentation is preferred as mail delivery may be untimely. To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application, and as the subject line in any cover letter. USAID/CAR expects to award a personal services contract for an off-shore US Citizen for six-month period commencing as early as practically possible (preferably before January 30) subject to security and medical clearances and funds availability. The duty post for this contract is Almaty, Kazakhstan. 10. Benefits include post differential, housing, and other benefits per USAID regulations. Basic household furnishings will be available in quarters to be provided by USAID. 11. For more information about USAID/Central Asian Republics see Mission's website http://centralasia.usaid.gov/ Attachment 2 AS A MATTER OF POLICY, AND AS APPROPRIATE, A PSC IS NORMALLY AUTHORIZED THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS: 1. BENEFITS Employer's FICA Contribution Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Annual Increase Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual & Sick Leave Eligibility for 401(k) 2. ALLOWANCES (if Applicable). (A) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120). (B) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130). (C) Post Allowance (Section 220). (D) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230). (E) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260). (F) Education Allowance (Section 270). (G) Education Travel (Section 280). (H) Post Differential (Chapter 500). (I) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600), and (J) Danger Pay (Section 650). LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs 1. Optional Form 612. **2. Medical History and Examination (DS-1843) or Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62). **3. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or **4. Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions (SF-85P). **5. Finger Print Card (FD-258). NOTE: Form 5 is available from the requirements office. * Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). ** The forms listed 2 through 5 shall only be completed upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job. 3. POLICY GUIDANCE PERTAINING TO PSCs a) ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) and CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to this website http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/cib/subject.html#psc to determine which AAPDs and CIBs apply to this contract. b) AIDAR: The Agency for International Development Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR) Appendix D - Direct USAID Contracts With U.S. Citizens or U.S. Residents for Personal Services Abroad found at: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf is the primary regulation governing USPSCs for USAID.