Project Management Specialist (Logistics)

Description

• The Project Management Specialist (Logistics) also known as Senior Commodities Supply and Information Specialist leads the Agency’s commodity forecasting, supply planning, and commodities data analysis. The Specialist is a member of USAID/Mozambique’s Integrated Health Office (IHO) and Health Systems and Security (HSS) team and serves as a technical expert to ensure alignment of commodity supply and program needs across all areas of health supported by the United States Government (USG) including HIV/AIDS, malaria, maternal and child health, reproductive health, and tuberculosis. The Specialist’s primary responsibilities focus on providing technical and program support, specifically related to health commodity forecasting, quantification, supply planning, and data analysis. The Specialist works closely with USAID clinical and strategic information colleagues, other USG agencies, MoH and CMAM colleagues, USG implementing partners, and other donors including the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis. The Specialist actively participates and provides technical content for MoH technical working groups to merge health program needs and commodity supply
• Under the supervision of the Supply Chain Team Lead and authority of the Supervisory Contracting Officer and Systems and Commodities Security Division chief, the incumbent directly serves as Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) and Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for the Systems and Commodities Security Division awards, as well as serves as an activity manager for centrally funded projects managed from USAID/Washington. The incumbent engages with members of other Divisions such as the HIV/AIDS Division technical advisors, support offices at all levels and establishes a strong relationship to allow for effective project planning, design and management
• The Job Holder is expected to perform work-related travel
• SUBJECT: Solicitation for a Cooperating Country National Personal Service Contractor (CCNPSC) – USAID Project Management Specialist (Logistics), FSN-12 Equivalent
• Dear Prospective Offerors:
• The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Mozambique is seeking applications from qualified persons to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation
• Offers must be in accordance with Attachment 1, Sections I through V of this solicitation. 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 attached information
• Solicitation No. 72065620R100012 opened to all Mission current employees and external candidates who meet the stated qualifications
• Point of Contact: Mission-Maputo-HR@usaid.gov
• Market Value: USD71,700– USD100,366 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 market value
• Period of Performance: The base period will be one year, estimated to start on or about June 2020. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise additional option periods for the dates estimated as follows:
• 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)
• 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
• This is a local position and compensation will be in accordance with the Local Compensation Plan
• USAID Regulations, Policies and Contract Clauses pertaining to PSCs:
• USAID regulations and policies governing CCN/TCN PSC awards are available at these sources:
• USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix J, “Direct USAID Contracts With a Cooperating Country National and with a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf
• Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms. Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract award as described below:
• Item No (A) Services (Description)
• (B) Quantity
• (C) Unit
• (D) Unit price
• (E) Amount
• (F) 0001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs) - Award Type: PSC - Product Service Code: R497 - Accounting Info:656-MOD-656-20-0002-09 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: 656-MOD-656-20-0002-09 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

Health Commodity Forecasting, Quantification, and Supply Planning (40%)

• The Senior Commodities Supply and Information Specialist is responsible for leading USAID/Mozambique’s planning of commodity needs. Commodity planning includes the timing and amount of funding required, and shipment supply planning, and coordinating with other commodity donors and commodity procurement agents to ensure a harmonized effort for commodity supply. In this role, the Specialist actively participates in MoH technical working groups with a specific focus on understanding programmatic pharmaceutical needs and translating that into commodity supply plans matching available resources and applying pharmaceutical knowledge of drug combinations and effects in supply planning. The Specialist develops commodity scenarios for decision making, proposal development, and planning to accommodate changing disease treatment regimens, evolving commodity distribution models, commodity funding availability, and procurement timelines. In addition to working closely with CMAM staff on all aspect of this responsibility, the Specialist works closely with procurement agents to plan commodity shipments and tracks commodity arrivals. Prepares oral and written briefings for the Mission Director, Embassy staff, and others external partners, on request

Program Management (30%)

• The Senior Commodities Supply and Information Specialist serves as COR/AOR for the USG Mission’s commodities and supply chain activities, and is responsible for leading the design, management, implementation, evaluation, and monitoring of assigned aspects of the IHO portfolio, including leading an office-wide technical and management team to ensure quality of implementation and alignment with national and USG guidelines for local solutions and organizational capacity building. The Project Management Specialist is responsible for advising the HSS Division Chief and Supply Chain Team Lead on project new management procedures, innovations and challenges, and for providing management and oversight of Implementing Partner managed programs. Coordinates and manages award(s), including, but not limited to, the following tasks: lead relevant project/activity design processes; prepare procurement packages (e.g. modifications; new SOWs; incremental funding actions) and budgets in collaboration with technical teams; monitors implementation of activities; ensures adequate performance and recommends improvements in services; works across IHO to garner technical feedback and provide guidance to the implementing partners to inform project performance, provide day-to-day oversight and communications with the implementing partner(s); review vouchers and financial reports; process accruals; and reviews and provides guidance on quarterly and annual reports. Participates and organizes technical teams to conduct routine site visits to monitor the performance of recipients and assures that work plans and overarching national guidelines procedures are being applied. Ensures that appropriate corrective measures are taken in a timely manner if projects are not achieving intended results. Prepares and elicits input across IHO to draft field trip reports to detail findings and recommendations

Health Commodity Data Analysis (30%)

• The Senior Commodities Supply and Information specialist is responsible for leading USAID/Mozambique’s commodity data analysis and decision making. In this role, the Specialist must understand the different commodity data sources and their relationships to clinical data, and use commodities data to troubleshoot procurement, improve stock management, and maximize program performance. Through data triangulation of commodities and service delivery and patient-focused data, the Specialist identifies challenges and blockages in aligning supply chain to programmatic needs and provide recommendations to improve program performance, including suggestions for more patient-centric approaches to supply chain. The Specialist is also responsible for the design and overseeing commodities data quality audits. The Specialist shares with multiple stakeholders the findings and high-level outcomes from these activities and incorporate the findings in the forecasting, quantification, and supply planning activities as well as USAID and USG health programming planning. The Specialist specifically works closely with USAID and other USG agency strategic information colleagues to plan and share analysis. While the Specialist is required to clean and prepare data for analysis, additional support will be available for this activity. The Specialist is expected to prepare geo-spatial analysis, create data analysis visualizations, and document data preparation and analysis methods for reproducible and repeatable processes. Finally, the Specialist responds to ad hoc commodities data analysis requests from USAID, PEPFAR, the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), and the government of Mozambique
• The Job Holder is expected to perform work-related travel
• Supervisory Relationship: The Project Management Specialist (Senior Commodities Supply and Information Specialist) works under the general supervision of the Supply Chain Team Lead. Assignments are made orally and in writing. Most assignments occur in the normal course of the work, but the Specialist is required to determine those that must be coordinated with the supervisor, especially as the Specialist position is likely subject to many demands from other USG and GRM colleagues. The supervisor provides a review of the assignment, the goals and objectives to be achieved, and the results expected. The incumbent will seek advice and assistance as required. Work is reviewed in terms of results achieved
• Supervisory Exercised: None
• Available Guidelines: Available guidelines include USG, PEPFAR, and PMI guidance, rules, and requirements; USAID Mission Orders, Mission strategy, and other relevant reports; the Automated Directives System (ADS); and USAID Mandatory and Standard Provisions, the FAR and AIDAR, and other published and other unpublished guidelines. Guidelines are often general in nature and not specific to the situation at hand, requiring considerable interpretation
• Exercise of Judgment: Independent judgment is required for developing, implementing, and managing work, for reporting, and for other assignments. Judgment is required to make decisions, based on careful analysis of facts and variables, possible alternatives, and potential political and development implications and impact; exercises good judgment, and completes work independently; and, monitors implementation of activities and maintains accountability for results achieved
• Authority to Make Commitments: The incumbent exercises the authority given to activity managers and COR/AORs, and may make administrative arrangements consistent with ADS guidance and Mission policy. The incumbent takes action and establishes priorities based on available guidelines and professional judgment. Guidance is sought when needed, and the supervisor informed of activity and project status. Within the scope of the authority delegated, the incumbent may indicate to ranking counterpart and partner officials that they will make a recommendation to USAID on a specific activity issue or problem. The incumbent may negotiate ad referendum for the immediate supervisor
• Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: The incumbent 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, local, and other contacts vary widely with the type of activity being implemented, and may be at any level - including Ministerial, Deputy Minister, etc. Frequent and substantive personal contacts with senior-level officials of the Host Government, and with the private sector, are for the purpose of explaining and defending PEPFAR and USAID policies, objectives, and procedures, and 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

Requisites

• Education: Minimum of University Degree in pharmacy with specific training in quantification of health commodities
• Prior Work Experience: A minimum of five to seven years of professional-level experience in pharmaceutical commodity forecasting, supply planning, and data analysis. At least four years’ experience required in donor and procurement agent coordination
• Language Proficiency: Level IV fluency in speaking, reading and writing is required. (Language proficiency will be tested)
• Job Knowledge: In-depth professional level knowledge of supply chain and commodity forecasting, quantification, and supply planning, and commodities data analysis as it links to programmatic goals and commodity procurement. Strong understanding of the methods for medicines use and distribution to best support achievement of clinical and programmatic goals. Pharmaceutical knowledge as it relates to medicine planning, specifically acceptable drug formulations and dispensing requirements. In-depth knowledge of logistics management information systems and commodities data available in Mozambique and its link to patient service level data as well as in-depth Knowledge and understanding of the economic, political, social, and cultural characteristics of Mozambique and the economic development challenges, resources, and resource constraints. Knowledge of the organization and respective roles of the different branches of the Government of the Republic of Mozambique (GRM), policy directions, objectives, and priorities in order to enhance effective communication, and to develop consensus on program strategy and technical collaboration. Potential to quickly acquire a good knowledge, of PEPFAR and PMI policy directions, objectives, and priorities as well as USG operations, rules, regulations, policies, procedures. Knowledge of the pharmaceutical sector for medicines including advancements in new technologies and manufacturing issues is also required
• Skills and Abilities: Strong commodities quantification, demand planning, and commodities funding and gap analysis skills, including relevant software programs such as Pipeline or other supply planning software systems. Substantial data and statistical analysis skills including using geo-spatial analysis and data visualizations. Robust computer skills in data analysis and presentation programs, including Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint. Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work while maintaining flexibility in a demanding environment. Verbal communication and diplomacy skills to explain technical issues to a variety of stakeholders and maintain sustainable working relationships and a high level of trust with USG and GRM colleagues. Ability to work effectively in a team environment and to contribute to technical analysis and recommendations on policy, planning, and program manners

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 - 5 points
• Prior Work Experience - 10 points
• Job Knowledge - 40 points
• Language Proficiency - 5 points
• Skills and Abilities - 40 points
• Maximum Points: 100 points

Notes

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted
• 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
• 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 in English
• Names, contact numbers, and e-mail addresses of three professional references from individuals who are not family members or relatives. Reference checks will be conducted for the final selected candidate for the Contracting Officer to make a responsibility determination. USAID/Mozambique reserves the right to solicit references from other sources as deemed appropriate
• To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission
• Only interviewed candidates will be informed in writing of the Selection Committee’s final decision