Project Management Specialist (HIV/AIDS Treatment)

Description

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. Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in the Attachment 1

General Information

• Solicitation No.: 72065623R10004 opened to all Mission current employees and external candidates who meet the stated qualifications.
• Issuance Date: January 03, 2023
• Closing Date/Time For Receipt Of Offers: January 30, 2023, – 5:30 PM Maputo Time, Mozambique
• Point Of Contact: Human Resources Section, email at Mission-Maputo-HR@usaid.gov
• Position Title: Project Management Specialist (HIV/AIDS Treatment)
• Market Value: USD48,098 – USD67,337 per annum, equivalent to FSN-10 (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 March 2023. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise an additional option period for the dates estimated as follows:
• Base Period: March 2023 - March 2024 Option Period 1: March 2024 - March 2028
• Place Of Performance: Maputo, Mozambique,
• 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. Applicants must submit a complete application as outlined in Section IV
• Security Level Required: Employment Certification (Rso Certification)
• Statement Of Duties

Basic Function Of The Position

• The USAID Project Management Specialist (HIV/AIDS Treatment), located in HIV/AIDS, TB and GHSA Division/Integrated Health Office (IHO), provides strategic technical direction and analysis to enable the Mission to plan, implement, monitor and coordinate HIV/AIDS treatment activities for adult populations. The primary focus of the Specialist is ensuring that USG treatment goals are implemented in accordance with WHO and President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) guidelines. In support of HIV/AIDS clinical treatment activities for adult populations in Mozambique, the Specialist carries out a range of responsibilities related to the design, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of a broad range of USAID-funded activities, with a focus on the delivery of and demand for HIV treatment services. The Specialist is involved in service delivery quality improvement efforts, HIV stigma reduction, and behavior change activities as they relate to adult HIV treatment services
• The job holder may be expected to perform work-related travel

Duties

Technical Leadership And Direction: 60%

• The Specialist provides technical direction and analysis for adult HIV treatment services to CORs/AORs, PEPFAR Interagency colleagues, and PEPFAR IPs. Tasks may include:
• Contributions to development of annual in-country guidance (informed by latest PEPFAR global guidance) for preparation of the Country Operational Plan (COP) and to the development of semi-annual reports and annual report guidance for adult HIV treatment investments Review, analysis, and synthetization of planning and budget documents submitted by USG partners for technical quality, and help to prepare adult HIV clinical treatment area narratives and summaries
• Makes recommendations to partners to strengthen performance, as well as to enhance linkages between community prevention, community retention, and facility-based service delivery activities based on DOPs and USG partner reporting data
• Provides sound technical direction to the Office, particularly the HIV/AIDS, TB and GHSA Division on adults HIV treatment, clinical service delivery, quality improvement, and effective portfolio investments across Divisions and programs/projects/activities
• Helps ensure USG resources are effectively coordinated and optimally used to achieve strategic PEPFAR Mozambique goals and objectives through participation in the Interagency Technical Working Groups (both in-country and US-based)
• Provides strategic technical direction and contributions to preparation of the USG and GoRM strategy updates, program area analysis, presentations, and briefing materials focused on adult HIV clinical treatment in Mozambique
• Stays abreast of technical updates, and global guidelines related to adult HIV treatment and high-impact interventions, in order to inform PEPFAR program/project/activity managers, and help to guide in-country investments
• Provides technical guidance to other members of IHO Divisions to strengthen care and treatment efforts, identify synergies to integrate HIV treatment activities across the IHO, when appropriate, including quality improvement, demand creation, and behavioral change communication activities
• Engages with Divisions across the IHO Office to ensure adult HIV clinical treatment aspects are covered and addressed appropriately; with specific focus quality of care (quality assurance/quality improvement); adult, pediatric, and adolescent HIV treatment; integration of health services to enhance treatment outcomes; inclusion of diverse service delivery channels, including TB and MCH services across all settings; synergies with broader USG health sector investments; as well as ensuring the quality of facility-based prevention services
• Serves as technical advisor on strategic projects within the Division and may serve as COR/AOR and/or Activity Manager or alternate

Technical Liaison with Government, Donors, and HIV/AIDS Implementing Partners (IPs) 25%

• The Specialist serves as the liaison and a leader on adult HIV clinical care and treatment, with GoRM and external counterparts; enhances coordination and alignment of the USG HIV treatment, care, and retention activities with the GoRM, through active engagement with key Ministry of Health (MOH) technical points, ensures the USG participation in appropriate technical working groups, establishes strong working partnerships at the national and sub-national levels with technical cooperating partners, IPs, and other donors investing in adult HIV treatment in Mozambique
• Participates and informs the development of national and subnational clinical HIV treatment strategies, guidelines, plans, and technical priorities with the GoRM and other external partners, including donors, foundations, universities, and IPs in order to scale up treatment access, retention, and to bolster treatment outcomes
• Provides technical and policy-level guidance to the USG PEPFAR Interagency Team, based on engagement with the GoRM, technical expertise, and knowledge of the country context, in order to enhance the effectiveness of USG programming for adults
• Guides Division and interagency USG PEPFAR investments to employ evidence-based adult HIV treatment approaches, informing service delivery approaches, sub-national plans, quality of care in facility and community-based settings, clinical training guidelines, and treatment modalities for adults for various USAID-supported programs/projects/activities implementing such activities across the IHO portfolio

Monitoring and Evaluation of HIV/AIDS Care and Treatment Activities 15%

• The Specialist provides direction and analysis, working closely with the Strategic Information Team and the Project Management Team in the monitoring and evaluation of adult HIV treatment activities, ensuring that the monitoring and evaluation of activity outputs and impact are analyzed regularly, and the data is used to support CORs/AORs and Activity Managers in guiding IPs performance
• Analyzes programs/projects/activities results against targets, and provides recommendations for corrective action, if required, assesses potential barriers to achievement of results; and recommends program modifications to address problems
• Conducts regular field visits to monitor activities of IPs within her/his portfolio, and assesses progress, identifies implementation problems, and works with CORs/AORs/Activity Managers to guide IPs to make the most effective use of available program resources, and to adhere to the best practices in adult HIV treatment programming
• Analyzes, synthesizes, and disseminates “lessons learned and best practices” from partner activities; applies evaluation and research findings to future program/project/activity design and strategy, informs project management teams, and prepares reports documenting findings, ensures reports are effectively communicated and disseminated, including dissemination through peer-reviewed journals or technical conference abstracts

Position Elements

• Supervision Received: The USAID Project Management Specialist (HIV/AIDS Treatment) works under the very general supervision of the HIV/AIDS, TB and GHSA Division Chief and/or his/her designee, and the closer but general supervision of the Infectious Disease Team Leader, and the day-to-day guidance of the Senior HIV/AIDS Treatment Specialist. Assignments are made orally and in writing. Most assignments occur in the normal course of the work, but the Job Holder is required to determine those that must be coordinated with the supervisor. The supervisor provides a review of the assignment, the goals and objectives to be achieved, and the results expected. The Job Holder will seek advice and assistance as required. Work is reviewed in terms of results achieved
• Supervision Exercised: The jobholder may serve as COR/AOR, Activity Manager and GATR for the assigned activities. Continuing supervision of other IHO and/or Mission staff is not contemplated
• Available Guidelines: Available administrative guidelines establish a broad pattern of operations and are often general in nature and not specific to the situation at hand, that requires a frequent need to exercise judgment and interpretation and provides an opportunity for initiative and innovation. Relevant guidelines include the Automated Directives System (ADS); USG PEPFAR guidelines, Country Operational Plans, Mission Orders, Mission strategy, PEPFAR Blueprint, and other directives, such as those from USAID/Washington and the office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC) on priority USG approaches in support of the future HIV/AIDS Division; relevant reports; and, USAID Mandatory and Standard Provisions, the FAR and AIDAR, and other published and unpublished guidelines
• Exercise of Judgment: The incumbent exercises substantial independent judgment in planning, managing, monitoring, and evaluating program activities, in reporting results, and in other important aspects of the position. The work involves many different, complex, and inter-related processes. The political environment requires a high degree of sensitivity and diplomacy in establishing dialogue and developing interventions to encourage improve programs. The position requires managing for results, in collaboration with a wide range of Mozambican government organizations, training, institutions, NGOs, FBOs, CBOs, international PVOs, and other local and international organizations
• Authority to Make Commitments: When serving as COR/AOR/Activity Manager (or alternate) the Job Holder exercises the authority given to activity manages, and may make administrative arrangements consistent with ADS guidance and Mission policy. The Job Holder takes action and establishes priorities based on available guidelines and professional judgment. Guidance is sought when needed, and the supervisor informed of the status of assignments. Within the scope of the authority delegated, the incumbent may indicate to ranking counterpart and IP officials that they will make a recommendation to USAID on a specific activity issue or problem. The Job Holder may negotiate ad referendum for the immediate supervisor, but has no independent authority to commit the USG to the expenditure of funds
• Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: The Job Holder has a full range of contacts within the Mission, at all levels, and maintains contact with contractors and grantees implementing USAID-funded activities or projects in the sector. Within the Embassy, contacts are with counterpart staffs, and with senior staff as needed. Host-government, provincial, local, and other contacts vary widely with the type of activity being implemented. Frequent contact is maintained with private sector, NGO, University and research institutions, and with other USG Agencies and other donor representatives
• Time Expected to Reach Full Performance Level: One year
• Support Items: The incumbent will be provided with office space, equipment, and supplies
• Physical Demands: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands

Requisites

• Education: A US-equivalent University Degree in medicine, nursing, public health, or a closely related field involving HIV treatment is required
• Prior Work Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible, professional-level experience in HIV programming (design, implementation, and management), of which at least three (3) years have been in a developing country context. Experience working in Mozambique and/or other parts of sub-Saharan Africa, particularly on clinical HIV treatment, care and retention as well as experience and/or familiarity with donor-funded health and HIV programs
• Post Entry Training: Familiarization training in USAID-specific procedures, regulations, and methods, and orientation to working from a donor-Agency perspective, etc., will be provided. While the Job Holder will not serve a COR/AOR, completion of formal COR/AOR certification courses is required for success in the position, and will be provided; training in USAID project and financial management systems, application of USAID and PEPFAR regulations, monitoring and evaluation, and periodic state-of-art training to maintain professional competency, subject to need, course offerings, and the availability of funds
• Language Proficiency: Level IV (fluent) proficiency English and Portuguese languages, speaking and writing, is required. (Language proficiency will be tested)
• Job Knowledge: The incumbent must have well-developed knowledge of adult HIV Care and treatment issues, best practice, and innovations; a good knowledge of the Mozambican public health, social, cultural, economic, and political contexts, the economic development problems, resources, resource constraints, and development prospects and priorities of Mozambique and the region; as well as in-depth knowledge of the health system in Mozambique; good knowledge and understanding of the organization and respective rules of the different departments in the GoRM, in order to enhance effective communication and to develop consensus on program/project strategy and implementation; and a knowledge of the GoRM systems of adult HIV care and treatment services delivery. The Specialist must have specialized knowledge and demonstrated expertise in the areas of adult HIV/AIDS treatment and care, including: clinical knowledge of adult HIV treatment and care, including high-impact clinical treatment approaches, quality of treatment, and approached to promote adherence to treatment in a variety of setting and service delivery outlets; knowledge of adult HIV clinical service delivery in variety of setting , including facility , rural health clinics, hospitals, and community-based setting; knowledge and understanding of the impact of human resources for health, considerations for working in a clinical context, training of health care workers, task shifting and treatment protocols in low-resource settings; understanding of commodities associated with adult HIV treatment, and familiarity with the fundamentals of supply chain management; understanding of programmatic considerations for adult HIV treatment services. The Specialist must have a good knowledge, or the potential to quickly acquire a good knowledge, of USG legislation, policy, and practice relating to development assistance; USAID programming policies, regulations, procedures, and documentation; and, of the objectives, methodology, and status of assigned activities
• Skills and Abilities: The ability to plan, organize, manage, and evaluate program activities is required. Verbal communication skills, tact, and diplomacy are required to establish and develop sustainable working relations and a high level of trust with senior- and middle-level GoRM officials, and with public and private organizations, such as primary USAID technical contacts in the development area. Verbal communication skills are also used to explain and interpret host-country attitudes, priorities, and concerns to USAID officials, and to negotiate plans and resolve issues with appropriate host-country organizations, technical advisors, IPs, counterparts, and peers. Writing skills are required in order to prepare regular and ad hoc reports, project documentation, and briefing papers. Analytical ability is required to interpret public policies, and to assist in the development of revised policies, as required; and, to develop and monitor the performance of budgets, and the development of periodic work plans. The ability to work effectively in a team environment, and to achieve consensus on policy, project, and administrative matters is required. Excellent computer skills, particularly with Microsoft Office applications, including MS Word, Excel, spreadsheet and data base software are required to manage activity goals and achievements, both technical and financial
• Evaluation And Selection Factors xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
• 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: 25 points
• Job Knowledge: 30 pointsSkills and Abilities: 30 points
• Language Proficiency: 5 points
• Maximum Points: 100 points
• Per this scoring Job Knowledge and Skills and Abilities are the most important factors, followed by Prior Work Experience, Education and Language Proficiency. 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

Benefits

• This is a local position and compensation will be in accordance with the Local Compensation Plan

Notes

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted

Submitting an Offer

• Eligible Offerors are required to submit electronically to the following email address a cover letter in English with CV/Applicant Resume in English as well as academic transcripts/diplomas: www.emprego.co.mz
• Offers must be received by the closing date specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the following email address www.emprego.co.mz
• Offeror submissions must clearly prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission
• 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
• Only interviewed candidates will be informed in writing of the Selection Committee’s final decision

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
• Ensuring Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors - Please be advised that, upon award, the contractor will be required to follow the Mission policies and/or directives from the U.S. Department of State regarding COVID-19 requirements

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
• 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:
• 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
• PSC Ombudsman
• The PSC Ombudsman serves as a resource for any Personal Services Contractor who has entered into a contract with the United States Agency for International Development and is available to provide clarity on their specific contract with the Agency. Please visit our page for additional information: https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman.
• The PSC Ombudsman may be contacted via: pSCOmbudsman@usaid.gov
• Please note that USAID and the U.S. Government NEVER require payment of any money in connection with a job application
• EEO/AA: THE U.S. MISSION is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of hiv/aids status