USAID Project Management Specialist (Nutrition and WASH) (m/f)

Description

• USAID/Mozambique implements a diverse portfolio of activities that aims to save lives, build resilience, and enhance the livelihoods of the most vulnerable people in Mozambique. USAID’s investments to reduce food insecurity and address the root causes of hunger, malnutrition, and poverty serve as the foundation for resilience programming and build upon national priorities. The Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) team within the USAID/Mozambique Mission ensures effective planning, oversight, implementation, and evaluation of emergency and resilience resources valued at approximately $USD 70 million annually and is active throughout the country in multiple provinces at any given time
• As a member of the USAID/BHA team, the Project Management Specialist (PMS) Nutrition and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Specialist provides technical oversight and guidance on USAID strategies, programs, and activities that advance nutrition and WASH goals and objectives, with a specific emphasis on building resilience to reduce vulnerability to shocks and stresses. Although the position is based in Maputo, the jobholder will be required to travel approximately 50 per cent of their time, primarily in the center-north of Mozambique, office to closely monitor and oversee BHA programming. The PMS reports to the BHA Team Leader in Maputo and will collaborate and coordinate closely with technical colleagues based in the Mission and in Washington and the USAID Provincial Advisors, as well as senior leadership of the Government of Mozambique (GOM), major donors and strategic forums related to nutrition, WASH and resilience
• In close coordination with BHA counterparts in Maputo and Washington, the PMS leads the planning, designing, monitoring and management of BHA activities in support of nutrition and WASH objectives. The PMS will serve as the Activity Manager of one Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA) to be awarded in FY 2022, and will be responsible for performance and results management, technical direction and coordination. They will play a significant role in informing USAID/Mozambique of the country nutrition context and implementation status, as well as overall quality control of implementation deliverables, reporting, and learning related to nutrition and WASH. In their performance of these duties, the PMS will work closely with BHA team members, staff from other USAID health, protection, environment, and governance technical units, and local government structures
• SUBJECT: Solicitation for a Cooperating Country National Personal Service Contractor (CCNPSC- Local Compensation Plan) – USAID Project Management Specialist (Nutrition and WASH); FSN-12 Equivalent
• Dear Prospective Offerors:
• The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Mozambique is seeking offers from qualified persons to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation
• Offers must be in accordance with Attachment 1. Incomplete offers will not be considered. Offerors should retain copies of all offer materials for their records
• 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
• Solicitation No. 72065622R10005 opened to all Mission current employees and external candidates who meet the stated qualifications
• Market Value: USD77,642- USD108,684 per annum, equivalent to FSN-12 (Step1-12). In accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of USAID/Mozambique. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value
• Period of Performance: The base period will be one year, estimated to start on or about April 2022. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise an additional option period for the dates estimated as follows:
• Base Period: April 2022 – April 2023
• Option Period 1: +April 2023-November 15, 2026
• 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)
• List of Required Forms Prior to Award:
• Once the Contracting Officer (CO) informs the successful Offeror about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Offeror instructions about how to complete and submit the required forms
• 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.acquisition.gov/aidar/aidar-appendix-j-direct-usaid-contracts-cooperating-country-national-and-third-country-national-personal-services-abroad and revised AIDAR Appendix J, General Provision contract clauses (GPs) titled “Leave and Holidays” (AAPD 20-08)
• 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

Duties

• The Project Management Specialist (Nutrition and WASH Specialist) will undertake the following duties:

Activity Management (55%)

• Lead the design, implementation, and performance management of a robust and dynamic portfolio of nutrition and WASH activities. Serve as Activity Manager for BHA RFSA activities in Mozambique. Work in close coordination with the BHA Humanitarian Assistance Officer in USAID/Washington to provide strategic management and oversight of all activities in his/her portfolio
• Monitor and report on implementation of ongoing nutrition and WASH activities. Conduct regular site visits to review activity implementation. Coordinate with other BHA Office program monitors to ensure effective oversight of activities. Based on the information collected during field visits, communicate findings and recommendations to BHA Office management, BHA/W, and, as appropriate, to partners and GOM counterparts. Recommend adjustments and improvements in USAID partner nutrition and WASH activities to promote efficiency, effectiveness, and cost savings
• Ensure that partners are in compliance with all relevant USAID regulations, policies, and procedures. Apply specific and in-depth knowledge of applicable USG laws, legislative directives, and regulations, particularly regarding the allowable use of BHA resources. Ensure commodities and cash resources are properly and effectively utilized as approved in program documents and that resources are distributed to the intended beneficiaries. Monitor resource utilization, pipelines, and dispatch and distribution status of activities. In coordination with Commodity Management Specialist, handle activity-specific commodity management issues
• Manage annual work planning and performance reporting processes. Arrange and participate in activity and program evaluations. Review performance reports to ensure that Implementing Partners are in compliance with the performance expectations outlined in their work plans and in their contract(s)/agreement(s) and host-government agreements
• Identify issues impacting BHA programs and work with USAID points of contact, U.S. Embassy, and/or other U.S. Government personnel, host government, PVOs, international organizations, donors, and others to address these issues
• Represent the BHA Office in interactions with BHA/Washington related to the determination of funding levels and call forwards of commodities and/or allocations of cash resources
• Prepare technical and program documentation, such as briefing papers, fact sheets, letters, cables, and memos for information and action
• Participate in activity and project design, including the preparation of Scopes of Work and Requests for Proposals, and serve on Technical Evaluation Committees. Write key portions of the above documents

Multi-Stakeholder Engagement and Representation (25%)

• Liaise regularly with GOM officials, major donors, and partners on issues impacting nutrition and WASH. Establish and maintain effective partnerships with senior Government of Mozambique counterparts in relevant ministries, donors, and other stakeholders to ensure coordination of activities, support best practices, and jointly achieve nutrition and WASH objectives
• Serve as a technical expert and member for relevant GOM and donor coordination fora. Represent USAID at these forums to provide technical insights and promote integration of nutrition and WASH with other programs and sectors
• Build and develop cross-office and cross-sector partnerships within the USAID Mission. Work with other parts of USAID and the U.S. government to promote integration of nutrition and WASH with other programs and priorities. Represent the BHA Office and its priorities in joint initiatives to support the achievement of nutrition and WASH objectives
• Prepare and deliver presentations to government officials and various stakeholders on USAID’s nutrition and WASH programs and activities at local, regional and international workshops and conferences Maintain close working relations with relevant USAID Offices in Washington

Strategic and Technical Leadership (20%)

• Serve as a technical advisor on strategies, activities, and approaches to help households, communities, systems, and institutions address the root causes of malnutrition. Guide strategic and technical decision making on best use of BHA resources, with a focus on chronically vulnerable populations
• Provide expert strategic guidance on best practices and approaches to: a) reduce chronic malnutrition among children under five and pregnant or lactating women; b) increase access to and utilization of culturally appropriate and quality WASH infrastructure; and c) build resilience and reduce vulnerability to shocks and stresses
• Support Mission-driven processes related to strategy, project, and activity design and implementation as they relate to nutrition and WASH
• Draft high-quality technical reports and analyses on nutrition and WASH. Stay abreast of GOM and donor priorities in these areas
• Organize and host training workshops, providing technical, implementation, and training support to BHA, USAID staff, and implementing partners to on best practices and innovations in nutrition and WASH with respect to program objectives
• Complete and maintain BHA trainings as necessary to participate in Response Management Teams (RMT) and Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DART) as assigned
• Supervisory Relationship: The jobholder will report directly to the USAID/Mozambique’s FSO BHA Team Lead, or a designee. The supervision is of general nature and the jobholder and is expected to independently oversee the portfolio and advise USAID/BHA/Mozambique and USAID/BHA/Washington
• Supervisory Exercised: The jobholder serves as Activity Manager for the assigned activities (BHA humanitarian, recovery and resilience activities in Mozambique), leads the design, implementation, and performance management of a robust and dynamic portfolio of LRRR activities. In close coordination with the BHA Humanitarian Assistance Officer in USAID/Washington provides strategic management and oversight of all activities in his/her portfolio
• Available Guidelines: Guidelines include Agency regulations and Bulletins, funding regulations, BHA Guidelines, among others. The jobholder provides guidance and ensures guidelines are enforced at all levels. The jobholder must be able to use excellent judgement and deal with ambiguity at all levels. The jobholder will have to rely on their knowledge and prior experience to enforce guidelines in carrying out duties
• Exercise of Judgment: Maintaining strict confidentiality on USAID/Mozambique matters, as appropriate, is required. The position requires a great deal of independence during travel and use of personal judgement, and at times will require the jobholder to represent USAID in unplanned situations. The MEAL Specialist must be able to work independently, accurately representing BHA M&E guidelines, requirements, and policies, and exercising judgement in interpersonal skills and relationships developed with various organizational contacts or government agencies
• Authority to Make Commitments: The jobholder serves under administrative discretion of the USAID/Mozambique’s BHA Team Lead or their designee but will directly and independently oversee nutrition- and WASH-related activities across Mozambique. As such, they will have wide latitude in decision-making on nutrition-related technical issues, and in providing recommendations to BHA/Washington for technical direction. The jobholder is not authorized to independently commit USG funds but is expected to exercise informed judgment in recommending actions related to the technical area of expertise. They will make recommendations for commitments to the AOR/COR, generally based in Washington, DC. The jobholder will serve as an activity manager for multiple awards
• Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: A successful PMS will collaborate and coordinate closely with technical colleagues based in BHA’s Technical Program Quality Division, in Washington, D.C, and program colleagues in BHA/Mozambique. To ensure sound nutrition and WASH operations for BHA activities, they must maintain high level contacts and communication with internal and external stakeholders including USAID, US Department of State, and other USG officials, host country government officials at all levels, leads of UN country programs, leads of NGO activities, senior government officials including heads of ministries and country governments. They will also represent USAID positions related to MEAL technical subjects in working group meetings, and meetings with mid- to high-level United Nations (UN) staff, engage with NGOs at a senior level including Chief of Parties and key NGO implementing personnel to discuss issues related to the effective targeting, direction of programming and distribution of humanitarian resources
• Post Entry Training: The jobholder is expected to possess the necessary technical skills/abilities required to perform the duties and responsibilities required of the position. Post entry training will, therefore, be focused primarily on the Agency-specific established policies, procedures, and regulations. Courses include:
• Introduction to the Program Cycle, Contract/Agreement Officer Representative (COR/AOR) and courses as required by USAID and BHA. 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

Requisites

• Education: Significant formal training providing a Master’s degree from an accredited university or institution in a pertinent field (including, but not limited to, nutrition, public health, maternal and child nutrition and international development, humanitarian programs, or technical field relevant to humanitarian or resilience activities) is required
• Prior Work Experience: Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience overseeing or implementing nutrition, WASH, food assistance, public health, behavior change, or other similar activities is required. Significant relevant experience coordinating or leading activities for vulnerable populations in low-resource environments, preferably in humanitarian or resilience settings, including but not limited to experiences with related private sector entities and/or research entities, international development organizations, other donor organizations, NGOs, and/or the Government of Mozambique is required. At least two years of the jobholder’s professional experience must be in a technical capacity within the field of nutrition or public health or maternal and child health and nutrition. Experience conducting evaluations or surveys for nutrition and/or WASH interventions. Experience in community water system facility development, water use services, or sanitation and hygiene programming or staff training. Experience with gender integration programming. Experience developing behavior change materials or activities. Demonstrated successful experience leading and working collaboratively with a diverse team. Demonstrated commitment to a Do No Harm approach, gender quality, and inclusion, and empowerment of vulnerable populations
• Language Proficiency:. Fluency in English (Level IV speaking/Level IV reading) and Portuguese (Level IV speaking/Level IV Reading). (Language proficiency will be tested)
• Job Knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge, understanding of community and clinical programming responses for undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, infant and young child feeding, nutrition sensitive and specific programs, UNICEF Nutrition Framework, essential nutrition actions, as well as nutrition indicators, underlying constraints and barriers and drivers of malnutrition at a country level for Mozambique. Strong Technical expertise in two or more of the following areas: Nutrition, WASH, diarrheal disease, and environmental enteric dysfunction, essential hygiene actions, sanitation and hygiene programming, gender integration, maternal and child nutrition, public health, community services. Program monitoring, evaluation, adaptation, and learning. Social behavior change, gender integration, and inclusion strategies
• Personal Initiative, responsibility, and accountability: The jobholder is expected to demonstrate a high level of personal initiative, have strong organizational and interpersonal skills, and be able to work well in a team as well as independently with limited direct supervision, especially on field visits. The jobholder will maintain regular contact with BHA colleagues and the BHA Regional Office and maintain standard organized files for documenting activities they are assigned in line with USAID policies and procedures. Proven management skills to manage field monitoring visits as well as assist and support the team with field logistics and meeting arrangements
• High-quality productivity: A successful candidate will be able to work calmly, tactfully, and effectively under pressure and will be adaptable to changing plans and circumstances. They will be able to work independently and productively in a fast-paced environment with quick-turnaround deadlines, and under remote team and management structures. In this environment, they will be expected to demonstrate strong critical thinking skills on independently assessing situations, recommending actions, and synthesizing information
• Interpersonal skills: The jobholder will have strong interpersonal teamwork skills, an ability to work effectively with a range of interlocutors, such as host government officials, U.S. Ambassadors and others, excellent ability to listen to, interact with, and communicate clearly with people from diverse nationalities and backgrounds, as well as with senior level internal and external stakeholders - all with a high degree of professionalism. The jobholder will actively participate in BHA and USAID meetings hosted from Washington or by other offices as requested. They will also consistently model behaviors that demonstrate a commitment to fostering a non-hostile work environment free of discrimination, bias, unfairness, exclusion, offensive behaviors and harassment of any kind. The jobholder will be able to work collaboratively with local staff and colleagues via telephone and e-mail
• Communication: The PMS will be able to share information and express views clearly and logically before groups and individuals verbally or in writing, be able to effectively communicate findings from field assessments verbally and through formal site visit reports, develop recommendations for addressing issues that arise from field visits, summarize disparate sources of information into succinct presentations, and recommend courses of possible action. Provide written and oral responses to requests for information on BHA’s activities in the area of responsibility for a wide range of USG and public audiences, which may take the form of briefing papers, memorandums, talking points, fact sheets, formal presentations, and informal briefings
• Analytical skills: The PMS should have demonstrated analytical skills and understanding of basic statistical and accounting principles, excellent computer, word processing, and spreadsheet software skills (including Microsoft Word and Excel), proficiency in using web-based interfaces and databases (including BHA’s internal tracking systems) and ability to manage and use web-based information systems with little or no supervision. Analyze partner reports, including analysis of trends and recommended follow-up actions. Prepare recommendations for award modifications, improvements and activity management needs

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 - 10 points
• Language Proficiency - 20 points
• Job Knowledge - 20 points
• Skills and Abilities - 40 points
• Maximum Points: 100 points

Notes

• A cover letter in English with CV/Applicant Resume as well as academic transcripts/diplomas
• 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. USAID/Mozambique reserves the right to solicit references from other sources as deemed appropriate
• Any application received in Portuguese will not be considered. Only English applications will be considered
• 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
• Per this scoring Skills and Abilities and Job Knowledge 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 a language test. Candidates successfully passing the language exam will be invited for an oral interview 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 and reference checks. 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
• Physical Demands: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands
• Point of Contact: Mission-Maputo-HR@usaid.gov