Project Management Specialist (Global Health Security), FSN-11 Equivalent

Description

• The Project Management Specialist-Global Health Security (GHS) (the “Specialist”) leads efforts to improve and expand Global Health Security and pandemic preparedness, prevention and response in Mozambique. The GHS Specialist is a technical expert in the area of emerging infectious diseases in the country, with extensive experience working with national stakeholders including government, professional associations, and the private sector. The Specialist facilitates communication and ensures collaborative working relationships with high-level decision makers, as well as technical staff, in multiple government agencies, USAID Missions, USAID/ Washington counterparts, with other United States Government (USG) partners including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of State, and other USG agencies, as well as other key stakeholders, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). The jobholder provides strategic and technical leadership in the design and implementation of USAID GHS activities. As a senior health advisor for USAID, the Specialist represents USAID and the USG in national and international fora to advise on policies, strategies, and technical issues
• The Specialist will exercise programmatic oversight to manage and coordinate USAID’s GHS activities in support of the Government of Mozambique and their GHS roadmap and to prevent, detect, and respond to existing and emerging pandemic threats. The GHS Specialist will serve as an Agreement/Contracting Officer Representative (AOR/COR) and/or Activity Manager for USAID programs/projects/activities. As an AOR/COR, the Specialist monitors program performance and progress, identifies implementation achievements as well as problems in performance, and initiates appropriate actions in consultation with others, as appropriate
• The Specialist is a key member of the Health Office, Infectious Disease Team. The jobholder reports to the GHS Lead Advisor or the Health Office Director or their designee and has no formal supervisory responsibility
• SUBJECT: Solicitation for a Cooperating Country National Personal Service Contractor (CCNPSC- Local Compensation Plan) – Project Management Specialist (Global Health Security), 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.: 72065624R10006 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 (Step 1-12). 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 August 2024.
• Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise an additional option period for the dates estimated as follows:
• Base Period: August 2024 – August 2025
• Option Period 1: August 2025 – August 2029
• This is a local position and compensation will be in accordance with the Local Compensation Plan. CCNPSC Project Management Specialist (Global Health Security) SOL#72065624R00006 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 CCNPSC Project Management Specialist (Global Health Security) SOL#72065624R00006 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

Duties

Program/Project/Activity Management

• Lead the design of strategies, project mechanisms and activities for improved preparedness, prevention, detection and response for GHS and emerging infectious diseases. In addition, in close coordination with other Mission offices, support the design and procurement of bilateral mechanisms to support GHS implementation in the cooperating country
• Serve as an AOR/COR and/or Activity Manager for GHS programs for the Mission’s GHS and pandemic preparedness activities including: reviewing and approving implementing partners’ (IPs) work plans, facilitating IP relationships and coordinating with local stakeholders (other IPs, host government counterparts, other development partners/donors, etc.) maintaining a schedule for and conducting regular site visits to review program implementation and meeting with beneficiaries, and based on the information collected during such visits, adjusting or recommending adjustments to programs/projects/activities as appropriate; overseeing IP compliance with all relevant USAID regulations and procedures, communicating regularly with IPs regarding USAID rules and regulations as well as their obligations to USAID and, taking a lead role in the preparation of the strategic and operational planning processes such as the USAID Country Development Cooperation Strategy and USAID Operational Plan. Keep his/her supervisor regularly informed of program implementation progress, results, and issues/problems on a timely basis
• Ensure that sub-awards and sub-contracts are given appropriate monitoring and oversight
• Provide regular updates to GHS/Washington, Mission, and Health Office Leadership to maintain leadership level oversight and engagement on GHS program implementation in the cooperating country

Technical Guidance and Program Planning

• Provide technical guidance to the Mission, the National Government, and other development partners on infectious disease preparedness, prevention, detection, and response capacities in the cooperating country, including zoonotic diseases, One Health approaches, and GHS
• Provide technical guidance and direction on GHS and pandemic preparedness activities and ensure that activities are appropriately integrated with the Health Office and larger Mission activities. Support the integration of emerging disease and other activities that promote the advancement of GHS implementation in-country
• Lead high-level advocacy and technical dialogue with host government ministries to ensure effective USAID support to the implementation of GHS activities, including advocacy to promote a One Health approach to addressing pandemic threats
• Provide technical support/guidance to the host government during Joint External Evaluations; the outcomes of which will inform an effective roadmap to achieving Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) targets
• Keep abreast of new developments and emerging issues that affect USAID and GHS via literature review, conference/meeting attendance, as well as participation and facilitation at workshops, and training events. Advise accordingly on how these policies and strategies can most effectively be incorporated to enhance USAID’s approaches
• In collaboration with Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning colleagues, contribute to the development of innovative monitoring and evaluation approaches and tools to support measuring the impact and outcomes of GHS and pandemic preparedness activities
• Provide leadership in the preparation of key annual and mid-term planning and reporting documents including the Operational Plans, Congressional Budget Justifications, Progress Reports and other ad hoc requests for information

Representation and Coordination

• Represent USG and USAID to high level USG diplomats, Senior Government Officials, and other external partners in the cooperating country as appropriate on technical matters regarding emerging infectious diseases - this includes both speaking and written communications
• Develop and maintain relationships with ministries (Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Wildlife and others) to ensure that assets can be coordinated and work with stakeholder governments to address gaps in National Action plans
• Establish and maintain a coordination network among GHS partners in the country. Such partners include: bi-lateral donors, international organizations, national governments and their relevant ministries, private sector, international and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), etc. and use the coordination network to facilitate USAID GHS implementing partners in successful completion of work plan activities
• During disease outbreak situations, ensure the Mission’s GHS Team, and GHS implementing partners are closely coordinated with the GHS interagency response in supporting the host government

Position elements

• Supervision Received: The Specialist position is within the Mission’s Health Office. Working under the supervision of the GHS Lead Advisor or the Health Office Director or their designee, the Specialist collaborates with other members in the cooperating country, spanning technical areas such as health systems strengthening, strategic information, monitoring and evaluation, and quality improvement. In carrying out work-related duties and responsibilities, the jobholder is expected to function effectively with minimal supervision. Completion of tasks and assignments are reviewed regularly through required written documents and oral progress reports
• Supervision Exercised: Continuing supervision of other Health Office and/or Mission staff is not anticipated
• Available Guidelines: The jobholder will be expected to acquire an understanding of and apply USAID policies and procedures that govern project activity management, in addition to relevant Department of State administrative operating procedures, policies and formats. Oral guidance from the immediate supervisor and specific detailed instructions will be given (when necessary) for carrying out unique assignments. The jobholder must be proactive in keeping up-to-date on policies, laws, strategies, and standards, in addition to international best practices and GHSA guidance and technical considerations related to programming for emerging infectious diseases threats
• Authority to Make Commitments: The jobholder exercises the authority given to COR/AORs and may make administrative arrangements consistent with USAID Automated Directive System (ADS) guidance and Mission Policy. The jobholder takes action and establishes priorities based on available guidelines and professional judgment. The jobholder may negotiate ad referendum for the immediate supervisor
• Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: The Specialist occupies a high profile and important position in the Mission. They represent USAID in engagements with high levels of a variety of host government officials at national and sub-national levels, donors, private and non-governmental organizations. The incumbent provides policy recommendations as well as strategic and programmatic advice to senior USAID and USGt officials, other donors, and implementing partners. The incumbent must also have an extensive range of contacts with the health and social development sectors including senior government technical and managerial staff, Heads of Agencies, development partners, senior officials from the civil society and the private sector. The purpose of the contacts is related to project implementation and to obtain and interpret information relevant to program activities, to develop and/or clarify strategy or activity designs and to identify problems requiring resolution among USAID, technical assistance and training providers, counterparts, and other donors
• Time Expected to Reach Full Performance Level: One year
• Support Items: The incumbent will be provided with office space, equipment, and supplies
• Post Entry Training: The jobholder is expected to possess the necessary technical training and skills required to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position within one year. Ongoing professional development focusing on updates in GHS best practices, tools and evaluation strategies will be provided via in country, regional, and/or on-line training. Specifically, technical training on GHS-related policy issues may be required to reach full proficiency. Agency-specific training in approaches to program management, reporting, and evaluation may also be required. The jobholder will obtain AOR/COR certification. The jobholder will initially serve as an activity manager. As bilateral mechanisms are established at post, the jobholder will serve as an AOR/COR and/or activity manager

Requisites

• Education: A Master’s degree is required in public health, infectious disease, epidemiology, ecology, veterinary medicine or a related field
• Prior Work Experience: At least five (5) years of public health and/or animal health and/or related experience in developing countries including at least two (2) years of experience working with USG, international public health and/or animal health organizations, such as the WHO, FAO, and OIE is required
• Language Proficiency Level IV (advanced professional proficiency) English and local language proficiency (if appropriate), both oral and written, is required
• Job Knowledge: Strong technical understanding required of the nature of infectious diseases, including emerging infectious diseases threats. Strong knowledge required of the measures put in place to prevent, detect and rapidly respond to infectious disease threats. Excellent technical knowledge of internationally accepted guidelines, such as WHO International Health Regulations and One Health will be considered an asset. Knowledge of USAID policies, procedures, and reporting requirements is desirable
• Skills and Abilities: The jobholder must have excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills in a diverse, multi-cultural environment involving multiple government agencies, implementing partners and other stakeholders whose productive collaboration is essential for program success. This position requires the demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team environment and to effectively communicate highly technical information related to human health, animal health, and the environment to a variety of technical and non-technical audiences. The jobholder must demonstrate the ability to understand the strategic purpose and goals of stakeholders involved in epidemic prevention and control; ability to identify and solve problems, and coordinate and support activities that lead to mutual success across the different sectors. S/he should have experience with USAID approved monitoring and evaluation methodologies including frameworks, data quality assurance, analysis reporting and best practices in data dissemination in international/resource poor settings. S/he must also have a high degree of judgment, maturity, ingenuity, and originality to interpret strategy and to analyze, develop, and present work results. S/he must possess strong communication skills both verbal and written and must have good computer skills in use of Microsoft Office software (i.e. Excel, Word, Power Point) for data analysis and reporting

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: 30 points
• Job Knowledge 30 points
• Skills and Abilities: 25 points
• Language Proficiency: 5 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