USAID Project Management Assistant (Malaria/Infectious Disease)

Description

• The PMI team is part of the Preventing Child and Maternal Deaths (PCMD) Division, within the Integrated Health Office (IHO). The Project Management Assistant (PMA) for the PMI team will provide significant support to PMI as well as other PCMD Division activities. The incumbent provides program, project, and budget analysis across activities; performance monitoring; administrative support; and serves as a COR and as an Activity Manager in the PMI team. This includes managing, implementing, and directing any of the activities within the PCMD Division. The PMA is a full member of IHO. Work includes a variety of complex research, reporting, contact, monitoring, and analytical duties and coordinating work with the CORs, IHO members, the IHO Chief, other Mission technical officers, and host-country and NGO counterpart
• The job holder will be expected to perform work-related travel
• SUBJECT: Solicitation for a Cooperating Country National Personal Service Contractor (CCNPSC) – USAID Project Management Assistant (Malaria/Infectious Disease), FSN-9 Equivalent
• Dear Prospective Offerors:
• The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Mozambique is seeking applications from qualified persons to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation
• This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the offers
• Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in the attached information Eyole Luma, Supervisory Contracting Office
• Solicitation No. 72065620R100033 opened to all Mission current employees and external candidates who meet the stated qualifications
• Point of Contact: Mission-Maputo-HR@usaid.gov
• Market Value: USD38,923– USD54,488 per annum, equivalent to FSN-9 (Step1-12)
• In accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of USAID/Mozambique). Final compensation will be negotiated within the market value
• Period of Performance: The base period will be one year, estimated to start on or about October 2020. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise additional option periods for the dates estimated as follows:
• Base Period: October 2020 – October 2021
• Option Period 1: +October 2021-November 15, 2022
• Eligible Offerors: To meet basic eligibility requirements, the applicant must be a cooperating country citizen or a non-cooperating country citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the cooperating country
• Security Level Required: Employment Certification (RSO Certification)
• Benefits and Allowances:
• This is a local position and compensation will be in accordance with the Local Compensation Plan
• USAID Regulations, Policies and Contract Clauses pertaining to PSCs:
• USAID regulations and policies governing CCN/TCN PSC awards are available at these sources:
• USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix J, “Direct USAID Contracts With a Cooperating Country National and with a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf
• Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms. Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract award as described below:
• Item No
• (A) SERVICES (DESCRIPTION)
• (B) QUANTITY
• (C) UNIT
• (D) UNIT PRICE
• (E) AMOUNT
• (F) 0001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)
• Award Type: PSC
• Product Service Code: R497
• Accounting Info: 1 LOT $ _TBD__ $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_1001 Option Period 1 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)
• Award Type: PSC
• Product Service Code: R497
• Accounting Info: 1 LOT $ _TBD__ $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs
• Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch,” available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations

Statement of Duties

• Background: The goal of the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) is to reduce malaria-related mortality by fifty percent (50%) across a number of high-burden countries in sub-Saharan Africa, and elsewhere, through rapid scale-up of proven and highly effective malaria prevention and treatment measures, including: Insecticide-Treated Mosquito Nets (ITNs); Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS); accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment with Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs); and Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Pregnant women (IPTP). Malaria prevention and control remain major US foreign assistance objectives, and the PMI Strategy fully aligns with the USG vision of ending preventable child and maternal deaths and ending extreme poverty. Under the PMI Strategy, the USG goal is to work with PMI-supported countries and partners to further reduce malaria deaths, and substantially decrease malaria morbidity, towards the long-term goal of elimination. Mozambique was selected as a PMI focus country in Fiscal Year 2007. The country receives an annual budget of $29 million US. The implementation of PMI activities is carried out in close collaboration and coordination with the National Malaria Control Program, the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and other stakeholders

Duties

Program/Project Management - 70%

• The principal responsibility of the PMA is to provide support to the administration and oversight of all PMI activities and projects, to identify problems that may be encountered in the implementation process of the activities under the Health Team, to provide written activity status reports to the PMI team and to the IHO Chief, and to recommend corrective actions. The PMA will also serve as COR and as an Activity Manager. In addition, the PMA drafts documents related to program planning, implementation, and management, including memoranda, letters, activity checklists, performance reports, trip reports, analyses, among others
• The PMA also prepares all documents related to the Global Acquisition and Assistance System (GLAAS) actions and manages electronic and hard-copy filing systems for the PCMD Division. Translates relevant Portuguese documents into English and English documents into Portuguese. Provides technical input in coordinating the administrative aspects of strategy development within the health portfolio, specifically provides support related to program monitoring and the establishment and tracking of indicators
• Assists the PMI and other PCMD staff to prepare routine and extraordinary reports, including all PCMD section specific contributions to health team reporting, the Operational Plan and the Semi-Annual and Annual Reports, budget and program analyses, quarterly accruals reports, briefings, presentations, and other reporting requirements. Takes minutes at meetings and conferences and assures that obligations and commitments are upheld and that deadlines are met. Prepares oral and written briefings for the PCMD Division Chief on request. Maintains activity records and status reports, including quarterly technical and financial reports, accruals, and budget tracking tables; preparing and updating activity documentation; and, tracking contractors’ expenditure and budgets. Prepares oral and written briefings for other staff members. Works with other team members to organize field trips, conferences, and seminars and to ensure maximum participation of target audiences by providing translation as needed.

Data Collection and Analysis - 15%

• The PMA plays a role in monitoring and reporting on developments in the Health sector. Prepares written reports that reflect an understanding of assigned areas of responsibility, and that clearly document that a wide variety of sources and points of view have been consulted in undertaking analyses and in drawing conclusions
• The PMA monitors, analyzes, prepares written analyses, evaluates pertinent issues, and provides information to Mission staff outside the Health portfolio. In addition, collects, analyzes, and interprets information from other sources (implementing partners, donors, GoM Ministries, etc.) as needed to identify opportunities to strengthen Team programs projects

Performance Monitoring – 15%

• The PMA supports CORs in ensuring that performance-monitoring systems are in place and that measures and indicators of portfolio impact are established. Contacts Implementing Partners (IPs) to collect and monitor performance data and prepares status reports and program/project reporting for use within the Teams. Provides information on progress in achieving outputs and results for Health activities, as needed. Participates in the development of evaluation plans and assessments, and actively participates in their implementation. Provides support to CORs (and steps into backstop CORs as required) in management, monitoring, and evaluation of program/project implementation, and manages sector-specific data in the OP database
• Supervisory Relationship: Works under the general supervision of the PMI Malaria Team Leader. Assignments are made orally and in writing, with a discussion of any elements of the assignment that may be new or to determine priority. Once the office workflow is established, most assignments will occur in the normal course of the work, but the incumbent must be aware of situations that must be coordinated with superiors. The Malaria Team Leader provides a review of the assignment, the goals, and objectives to be achieved, and the results expected. The incumbent must seek advice and assistance as required. Work is reviewed in terms of results achieved
• Supervisory Exercised: None
• Available Guidelines: Available guidelines include USG PMI guidance, rules, and requirements; USAID Mission Orders, Mission strategy, and other relevant reports; the Automated Directives System (ADS); and, USAID Mandatory and Standard Provisions, the FAR and AIDAR, and other published and unpublished guidelines. Many guidelines are general in nature and not specific to the situation at hand; in situation where, considerable interpretation is required the incumbent will coordinate with appropriate superiors
• Exercise of Judgment: Good judgment is required to analyze, interpret, and adapt prior experience, particularly as guidelines are updated and new activities developed. Within a range determined by the incumbent and superiors, the incumbent exercises independent judgment in planning and follows-up of program actions and other assignments. The work involves many different, complex, and interrelated processes. The very nature of malaria and other infectious disease programming requires sensitivity and discretion in developing interventions and working with diverse partner organizations. This position supports the assigned PCMD Division, the full Integrated Health Office, other relevant USAID and other USG agency staff, and the support staff of cooperating partners (MOH, other donors, NGOs, and the private sector). Exercises significant judgment in resolving operational problems encountered during, as well as in determining the need for consultation with superiors when required
• Authority to Make Commitments: The incumbent has limited authority, but within the limits of training and experience- during times of backstopping CORs - the incumbent exercises the authority given to all USAID activity managers and CORs, and may make administrative arrangements consistent with ADS guidance and Mission policy. The incumbent takes action and establishes priorities based on available guidelines and practical judgment, but guidance must be sought when needed. Within the scope of the authority delegated, the incumbent may indicate to counterpart and IP officials that they will make a recommendation to USAlD on a specific activity issue or problem
• Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: The incumbent has a wide range of contacts within the mission and maintains contact with counterparts and peers in contractor and grantee organizations implementing USAID-funded programs/projects in the sector. Host-government, local, and other contacts vary widely with the type of activity being implemented but are usually at the counterpart level. When traveling with or in lieu of a CORs the incumbent has frequent and substantive personal contacts with lPs, local officials, and with the private sector, and may be called upon to explain and defend PMI and USAID policies, objectives, and procedures, and to transmit and interpret local-official and private-sector attitudes and concerns to superiors upon return
• Post Entry Training: Familiarization training in USAID-specific procedures, regulations, and methods. Orientation to working from a donor-Agency perspective, etc., will be provided. On-the-job training regarding USAID and PMI policies, procedures, and regulations, including the Automated Directives Systems (ADS), Mission Orders, and PMI planning and reporting databases. Formal COR certification courses (necessary because of the substantive backstopping role and the fact that CORs in the Malaria and PCMD Division travel up to 20% of the time as well as activity management role) and other appropriate training will be provided as courses become available, subject to availability of funds CCN PSCs may participate in temporary duty (TDY) travel to USAID/Washington and other Missions in order to participate in the Foreign Service National Fellowship Program described in ADS 495maa
• Time Expected to Reach Full Performance Level: One year

Requisites

• Minimum Qualifications Required for this Position:
• Education: A University Degree in business, business administration, economics, finance, or similar field is required
• Prior Work Experience: Five years of substantive responsible experience in development assistance or related work, work with an international or donor organization, or equivalent work with a private or host-government entity is required. Experience should have included collection, analysis, evaluation, and presentation of information
• Language Proficiency: Level IV English and Portuguese (fluency proficiency), both oral and written is required.(This will be tested)
• Job Knowledge: Must have a sound knowledge of development principles, concepts, and practices, especially as they relate to malaria control and elimination as well as the Mozambican development environment and priorities at the national, provincial, district and community level. Detailed, broad and clear understanding of Mozambican culture and politics is also required. Strong knowledge of office management and administration procedures, including financial management is also required. This includes knowledge related to financial tracking, budgeting, and planning. The Assistant must also have knowledge of monitoring, evaluation and learning procedures, techniques and practices of development program management and results reporting
• Skills and Abilities: Must be able to develop and maintain a range of working-level and management- level contacts on malaria and other infectious disease-related topics, in government, nongovernmental, and private-sector circles. Must be able to work effectively in a team environment and coordinate well with others. Good office management skills and experience arc required in order to support the assigned Section and the overall Health Team in developing and implementing effective USAID-supported programs/projects, including financial and administrative skills sufficient to track the performance of IPs and program/project activities
• The work requires skill in the following areas: office management, administration, and financial tracking; budgeting and planning; data management computer programs, including Word, Excel, database software, and PowerPoint software; the ability to present information and analyses in writing and orally; and, the ability to translate relevant Portuguese documents into English and English documents into Portuguese. Good verbal and writing skills. tact, and diplomacy are also required, to establish and maintain effective working relationships within USAID and with the public and private sectors

Evaluation and Selection Factors

• The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c). In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers. The FAR provisions referenced above are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far

The following evaluation factors are established

• Education - 10 points
• Prior Work Experience - 20 points
• Language Proficiency - 10 points
• Job Knowledge - 30 points
• Skills and Abilities - 30 points
• Maximum Points: 100 points

Notes

• Submit a cover letter in English with CV/Applicant Resume in English
• Names, contact numbers, and e-mail addresses of three professional references from individuals who are not family members or relatives. Reference checks will be conducted for the final selected candidate for the Contracting Officer to make a responsibility determination
• To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission
• Only candidates selected for interviews will be informed in writing of the Selection Committee’s final decision
• Any application received in Portuguese will not be considered. Only English applications will be considered
• Only applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements for the position will be considered
• Per this scoring, Job Knowledge and Skills and Abilities are the most important factors, followed by Prior Work Experience, Language Proficiency and Education. Applications will initially be screened for conformity with minimum requirements. Only applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements for the position will be considered
• Candidates will be evaluated based on relevant education, prior work experience, knowledge, language proficiency, skills and abilities demonstrated in their application packages. A Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) will be convened to review applications and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation criteria
• Applications from candidates who do not meet the required selection criteria will not be scored. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted and will be invited for an oral interview. Candidates successfully passing the oral interview, will be invited for a language exam and may also be required to pass a written test. No response will be sent to unsuccessful applicants
• Professional references will be conducted for the top ranked candidate and will be utilized to supplement the TEC’s recommendation to the Contracting Officer to offer the position to the top ranked candidate. USAID/Mozambique reserves the right to solicit references from other sources as deemed appropriate
• Final selection will be based on the application package, language abilities, oral interview, reference checks and written test. This is a local position and compensation will be in accordance with the Local Compensation Plan
• Please note that USAID and the U.S. Government NEVER require payment of any money in connection with a job application