USAID Project Management Specialist (Health Systems Strengthening)

Description

• The Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) Division manages over $100 million divided between two teams, Health Systems and Supply Chain, and is a critical component of the overall IHO programs. The work requires the Program Management Specialist (Health Systems Strengthening) to work closely with IHO’s technical advisors to ensure that ongoing activities are responsive to the country context and aligned to Government of the Republic of Mozambique (GoM) priorities, USAID/USG global health, Preventing Child and Maternal Deaths (PCMD) and PEPFAR program guidance and strategies
• The Health Systems Strengthening Program Management Specialist supports IHO’s HSS and Commodity Security efforts across all Global Health funding streams. The Specialist performs a wide range and variety of duties for HSS program formulation and management. Topics include health workforce, governance, infrastructure, information systems, medical supplies/commodities, financing and service delivery
• The Specialist reports to the Health Systems Team Leader and serves as A/COR for the last mile commodities transportation program (CHEGAR) valued at $24.8 million. The job holder exercises activity manager responsibilities to a major field support activity with a total annual budget of $20 million The specialist will additionally serve as an activity manager on the upcoming supply chain next generation award
• The basic functions of the position are a) Provide program management for HSS supply chain programs under the HSS division; b). Technical leadership in areas related to health systems strengthening and c) Partner coordination and monitoring, evaluation, and adaptive learning across the HSS and commodity security division portfolios
• The incumbent will travel 10% percent of the time
• 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
• 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 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:
• LINE - ITEMS
• 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
• 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
• SUBJECT: Solicitation for a Cooperating Country National Personal Service Contractor (CCNPSC- Local Compensation Plan) – USAID Project Management Specialist (Health Systems Strengthening), FSN-11 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
• 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.: 72065623R10023 opened to all Mission current employees and external candidates who meet the stated qualifications
• POINT OF CONTACT: Human Resources Section, email at Mission-Maputo-HR@usaid.gov
• MARKET VALUE: USD 59,111 – USD 82,761 per annum, equivalent to FSN-11 (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 2024
• Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise an additional option period for the dates estimated as follows:
• Base Period: March 2024 – March 2025
• Option Period 1: March 2025 – March 2029
• 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

Duties

Program Management (40%)

• Serves as A/COR/Activity Manager for selected projects/activities
• Performs A/COR duties for HSS programs including commodity logistics, transportation, supply chain management by managing, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on contractor performance
• Conducts periodic field visits to monitor HSS activities and prepares accurate assessments of progress towards program goals
• Reviews and provides inputs on performance of designated implementing partners, through the review and approval of monthly and quarterly reports
• Serves as HSS division Public Private Partnership (PPP) focal point, liaising with the office lead responsible for the private sector
• Supports the HSS Team Leader and technical team members on monitoring and evaluation of HSS programs
• Tracks contractor expenditures and budgets, estimates accruals, and reviews, maintains project records, updates project documentation, and approves monthly or quarterly vouchers
• Performs financial management duties, including tracking overall portfolio financial health across programs, contributing to routine expenditure analyses, preparing budget forecasts and resolves issues in program implementation
• Creates, manages, and maintains A/COR filing systems for work plans, budgets, action memos, routine correspondence, etc. for all assigned activities according to USAID guidelines

Technical Leadership (40%)

• Provides high quality advice to health office technical clusters (e.g. Malaria, HIV, TB, MCH) for ongoing and new program designs across HSS domains (Health Financing/PFM, HRH, service delivery, medicines and logistics, leadership and governance and HIS)
• Provides high level HSS inputs in key planning processes (PEPFAR, OP, MOP etc.)
• Performs routine and on demand analyses on sector specific issues to inform HSS division portfolio, plans and design of new activities
• Develops and implements timelines and master planning schedules for new HSS activity designs, assessments, evaluations, research projects and project planning processes
• Contributes to developing HSS strategies, programs or positions which respond to host country needs and aligns with USAID's comparative advantage and mandate
• Stays abreast of local and international developments in health systems and health sector reform, planning and management systems and logistics
• Identifies and manages short- and long-term technical assistance for the successful design and implementation of health systems activities

Partner Coordination, M&E, Adapting & Learning (20%)

• Collects and analyzes data from implementing partners, donors, and the Ministry of Health to contribute to the HSS division performance monitoring plan
• Represents IHO as an HSS technical resource on interagency and national technical working groups focused on M&E & HSS topics
• Assists in planning and organizing coordination meetings with IPs, GoM, and key stakeholder to review program performance
• Coordinates and liaises with interagency and external entities such as the CDC, DOD, State Department, Peace Corps, World Bank, UN organization, bilateral development partners, foundations, private sector firms, host country Government representatives, and national and international civil society organizations
• Coordinates M&E activities across selected projects and disseminates HSS best practices and reporting to USAID/W, as required
• Coordinates preparation for key mission monitoring sessions (portfolio reviews, semi-annual data reviews) for the HSS division
• Engages in IHO collaborating, learning and adapting efforts through regular review of activity performance data and HSS data
• Maintains and updates paper/electronic filing systems for Health System Strengthening M&E documentation for assigned projects

Requisites

• Education: A BA US-equivalent University Degree in public health, health policy, public administration, international development, human resources, accounting, law, business, finance, contracting, economics and/or organization or management is required
• Prior Work Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible, professional-level experience developing, implementing, and/or monitoring and evaluating health systems strengthening activities (such as: health leadership, governance and policy; human resource planning and management; health financing; pharmaceutical supply chain management; health information systems; quality improvement of primary health care; and/or another closely related area of health systems) is required. A minimum of two (2) years of experience collaborating with and/or working for the international organizations, donor agencies, host country government, private-sector institutions, or other organizations is required
• Language Proficiency: Level IV English and Portuguese, fluency in speaking, reading, and writing is required. (Language proficiency will be tested)
• Job Knowledge: The job holder must have strong knowledge of program design, management, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation. The incumbent has good knowledge HSS and Commodity programming, designs, implementation, and monitoring. S/he had detailed knowledge of widely accepted HSS operations and practices; lessons learned and best HSS and Commodity Security practices. S/he must have a robust understanding of USAID structure, goals and overall development objectives including Global Health and PEPFAR programs. The incumbent must have demonstrated technical knowledge in at least two areas of health systems strengthening (health financing/public financial management, human resources for health, health policy, leadership and governance, health information systems). Good office management, financial and administrative skills are required to support HSS activities/programs/projects and track the performance of program/project activities. S/he must have a thorough understanding of Mozambique's economy, legal, political structure, and institutions and of its development challenges and strategies and a good understanding of the external environment
• Strong knowledge of general development principles and approaches, the Mozambican legal, social, environment and challenges, and Government of the Republic of Mozambique development priorities is required
• Skills and Abilities: The incumbent must have strong interpersonal and teamwork skills and be able to work collaboratively with other professionals within and outside the mission. The job holder must be able to absorb, analyze, understand and perform complex tasks on a routine basis in managing assigned projects and activities. The job holder must be able to use detailed specialist information to plan, manage and execute private sector and HSS activities in a fast-paced environment within the context of Mozambique. S/he must be able to develop and maintain a range of working-level and management level contacts on health-related topics, across government, nongovernmental, and private-sector circles. S/he must be able to work effectively in a team environment and coordinate well with others. The job holder must have strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills and ability to recommend solutions in complicated situations. S/he. must be able to evaluate and interpret policy directives and regulations to effectively communicate to internal and external stakeholders and produce technical documents as required. The job holder must have strong computer skills in various software packages, including but not limited to; Word, Excel, PowerPoint, data analysis and visualization packages. The incumbent is required to work independently, produce high quality work, and perform duties with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment. S/he must have strong oral and written presentation skills. Tact, judgment, and diplomacy are also required to establish and maintain effective working relationships within USAID, the interagency, and with the public and private sectors

Position Elements

• Supervision Received: The HSS Specialist works under the supervision of the Health Systems Strengthening Team Lead. The Specialist is expected to work independently in carrying out responsibilities and expected to develop annual work objectives in consultation with their supervisor. The supervisor makes assignments in terms of overall objectives and resources available. Completed work is reviewed in terms of achievement of program/project/activity goals, effectiveness in meeting host-country and USAID objectives, and integration with other initiatives in the Office and Mission portfolio. Some technical direction may come from other professionals in the Office; in general, however, the Specialist will be expected to exercise considerable autonomy and best judgment in discharging the duties of the assignment
• Supervision Exercised: Supervision of Mission staff is not contemplated
• Available Guidelines: Available administrative guidelines establish a broad pattern of operation that requires a frequent need to exercise judgment and interpretation and provides an opportunity for initiative and innovation. Relevant guidelines include USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Automated Directives System (ADS), Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives (AAPDs), Foreign Affairs Manuals (FAM), Mission Orders, Management Notices, Foreign Assistance Act, GRM policies and guidance, Global Health HHS and Private sector, PMI, PEPFAR Guidance and policies and other relevant guidance, regulations, and USG statues
• Exercise of Judgment: The Specialist exercises substantial independent judgment in planning, managing, monitoring and evaluating program activities, in reporting results, and in other important aspects of the position. The Specialist must exhibit an ability to prioritize various overlapping tasks and activities assigned, within the USG and health office environment, that frequently require drastic and lastminute changes in priorities, processes, and data requests. The incumbent must exercise extensive judgment in planning, and carrying out tasks, including the specific approach to take, the resolution of problems, and the meeting of deadlines. The political environment requires a high degree of sensitivity and diplomacy in establishing dialogue and developing interventions to encourage improved programs. The position requires managing results, in collaboration with a wide range of Mozambican government organizations, training institutions, NGOs, FBOs, CBOs, international PVOs, the private sector and other local and international agencies
• Authority to Make Commitments: The job holder is not authorized to make commitments on behalf of USAID, except those delegated as an A/COR
• Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: The Specialist has a full range of contacts within the Mission, at all levels, and maintains contact with contractors and grantees implementing USAID-funded activities in the sector. Within the Embassy, contacts are with counterpart staff, and with senior staff as needed. S/he has contacts with mid-level Ministry of Health officials, partners (international and local NGO’s, private sector organizations) and other contacts for explaining and defending PEPFAR and USAID policies, objectives, and procedures. The incumbent also makes frequent contact to transmit and interpret host-government and private-sector attitudes and concerns to senior USAID officials
• Time Expected to Reach Full Performance Level: One year

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: 25 points
• Job Knowledge 30 points
• Skills and Abilities: 30 points
• Language Proficiency: 05 points
• Maximum Points: 100 points

Notes

• 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
• 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
• 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
• A cover letter in English with CV/Applicant Resume as well as academic transcripts/diplomas
• 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
• 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