Project Management Specialist (Safe Motherhood & Reproductive Health) (m/f)

Description

• The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Project Management Specialist (SMRHPMS) is a member of the Maternal, Child Health, and Family Planning (MCH/FP) team, of the Preventing Children and Mother’s Deaths (PCMD) Division, within the Integrated Health Office (IHO) of USAID/Mozambique. The SMRHPMS is supervised by the MCH/FP Team Leader
• The SMRHPMS is responsible for programs/projects/activities that support the Ministry of Health (MOH) to improve maternal, neonatal health and reproductive health in general. Those interventions include strengthening quality antenatal care, clean and safe delivery, postnatal care, access to essential and emergency obstetric care for high-risk pregnancies, and complications, post abortion care including the Model Maternity Initiative in both public and private sectors. The SMRHPMS is also responsible for monitoring and updating specific aspects of FP, which will be defined with the MCH/FP Team Leader and the Family Planning Program Management Specialist
• The work includes responsibility for the management of Safe Motherhood, and Reproductive Health projects, including defined FP activities, funded by USAID in Mozambique, a key role in providing technical assistance to Implementing Partners, and to the MOH in policy development, strategic planning and design, project monitoring and evaluation, reflecting best practices in improving maternal, newborns and reproductive health in both public and private sectors. The job holder is required to perform work-related travel
• Solicitation Number: 72065622R00010
• Issuance Date: June 2, 2022
• Closing Date and Time: June 17, 2022, 5:30 p.m. Maputo Time, Mozambique
• Subject: Solicitation for a Cooperating Country National Personal Service
• Contractor (CCNPSC- Local Compensation Plan) – USAID Project Management Specialist, FSN-11 Equivalent
• Market Value: USD59,111 - USD82,761 per annum, equivalent to FSN11 (Step1-11). 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 2022. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise an additional option period for the dates estimated as follows:
• Base Period: August 2022 - August 2023
• Option Period 1: August 2023 - August, 2026
• 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)

Duties

Program/Project Management: 40%

• The USAID Safe Motherhood, Reproductive Health Program Management Specialist (SMRHPMS) coordinates all areas of the Integrated Health Office (IHO) related to safe motherhood, and reproductive health, including defined family planning interventions, in support of the overall USAID and Unites States Government (USG) objectives
• The Safe Motherhood, and Reproductive Health Program Management Specialist (SMRHPMS) serves as COR/AOR and/or Activity Manager, on assigned projects, and is responsible for the management, monitoring and evaluation of substantive portions of the IHO, PCMD Division and MNCH/FP portfolio, personally and through Implementing Partners (IPs). The Specialist fosters and strengthens linkages between programs, and works to leverage support for improving all aspects of maternal, neonatal, and reproductive health including defined FP activities, at the central, provincial, district, and community levels, and in both public and private sectors The Specialist provides effective management and oversight of USAID/Mozambique funded projects, and activities related to safe motherhood, neonatal and reproductive health, including family planning. The Specialist is instrumental in the achievement of IHO, USAID, and USG Development Objectives, and remains current on economic, political, and social trends of safe motherhood, neonatal, reproductive health, and family planning programs. The Specialist contribute to plans, designs, and advocates for effective strategies and human resource capacity building for both public and private sectors. The SMRHPMS works with the Government of the Republique of Mozambique (GRM) and other donors to ensure a well-coordinated approach to Safe Motherhood, and Reproductive Health, as well as defined FP activities in the country. At the national level, the SMRHPMS manages USAID and USG supports to strengthen Ministry of Health (MOH)’s capacity to manage Safe Motherhood and reproductive Health programs including defined FP activities and at provincial levels, supports continued training for health providers, reinforce models for supportive supervision, and program monitoring at the district and local levels. The incumbent will also manage USAID’s efforts to engage the private sector on Safe Motherhood, and Reproductive Health, as well as defined FP interventions The Specialist coordinates with other USG agencies to ensure the delivery of systematic and consistent technical assistance to the GRM, to NGO partners and to USAID IPs in the areas of Safe Motherhood, and Reproductive health, including defined aspects of FP. The job holder is required to perform work related travel

Technical Assistance 40%

• The USAID Safe Motherhood Program Management Specialist advises the MCH/FP Team Lead, the PCMD Division Chief, the Integrated Health Office,Chief, the Mission Director on matters of importance to safe motherhood, newborn, reproductive health (RH), and family planning technical issues related to programing, implementation, and monitoring
• In addition, the Specialist provides technical leadership to the IHO and PCMD Division on all programs with Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health components, including family planning; serves as a key liaison to address strategic maternal, newborn and reproductive health issues; identifies short, mid, and long-range achievable and sustainable strategies for improving maternal, newborn, and reproductive health, within the Mozambique’s health sector, with a focus on decentralized areas
• The Specialist remains well-informed on the last technical updates, research, and global guidelines related to safe motherhood, and reproductive health, including FP, and high-impact interventions, in order to inform and develop implementation plans, guide in-country investments and collaborates with other donors on maternal, newborn and reproductive health activities; works with the GRM to develop policies that result in improved safe motherhood, and reproductive health; works to harmonize USAID, and USG, interventions to ensure consistency with national priorities; ensures that programs/projects/activities are consistent with internationally accepted best practices, including private sector engagement, and role on Safe Motherhood, Reproductive Health and Family Planning
• The Specialist analyzes, and reports on relevant aspects of GRM policy, law, regulation, related to safe motherhood, reproductive health, and family planning; evaluates sector-wide issues, and provides input to Mission activities outside of the health portfolio, but particularly on an in-depth understanding of USAID policy, program objectives, and priorities. The Specialist organizes field trips, conferences call, seminars, and other meetings related to safe motherhood, and reproductive health, to ensure maximum exposure to emerging trends, and various points of view for monitoring activities, providing translation as needed. The Specialist prepares written reports that reflect a sound understanding of assigned areas of responsibility, and that clearly document a wide variety of sources and points of view that have been consulted in undertaking analyses and in drawing conclusions. The Specialist represents USAID, the USG at high-level meetings, seminars, conferences and virtual calls related to safe motherhood, newborn, and reproductive health, including FP

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning 20%

• The Specialist works closely with the Strategic Information Team, and IPs to monitors and reports on managed programs/projects/activities, especially those that impact the ability to successfully implement effective safe motherhood, neonatal, reproductive health and FP activities
• As COR/AOR and Activity Manager, the SMRHPMS monitors, analyses, and reports on developments of maternal, newborn and reproductive health activities and also reports on relevant aspects of GRM policy, regulation, and programming. The SMRHPMS summarizes data and information, evaluates issues, draw conclusions, prepares technical analyses, in written and oral forms in order to provide update on Mission’s activities and make presentations to senior USG, and other decision makers with respect to maternal, newborn, and reproductive health
• The SMRHPMS prepares written reports that reflect a sound understanding of assigned areas of responsibility, and that clearly document that a wide variety of sources and points of view have been consulted in undertaking analyses, and in drawing conclusions. The Specialist prepares oral and written briefings for the IHO Chief, the PCMD Division Chief and Team Leaders, the Mission Director and/or Deputy Mission Director, Embassy staff, and others on request. S(h)e organizes field trips, conferences calls and other meetings, to ensure maximum exposure to USAID policy and program objectives and priorities, emerging trends related to maternal, newborn, and reproductive health and provides translation as needed
• The Specialist ensures that performance-monitoring systems are in place, and/or assist in establishing systems with reliable measures and indicators to monitor progress, and impact. S/he collects and monitors projects performance data on an ongoing basis, and prepares reports of program/project/activity progress for use within the PCMD Division, IHO, Mission, and for USAID/Washington. S/he collects and regularly reports data on wrap-around services that support overall IHO and USAID implementation and on leveraging funding
• The Specialist assesses progress in achieving outputs and results for managed programs/projects/activities, prepares evaluations and assessments as needed, and continually strives to enhance the achievement of results by periodically reviewing the development context, results indicators, and activity implementation progress, identifying problem areas and suggesting solutions

Requisites

• Education: A Master’s Degree in Public Health with strong clinical maternal, newborn, and reproductive health components in the training or experience is required. Additionally, for this position, a Medical Doctor degree (Master's equivalent), involving maternal, newborn, reproductive health and family planning, nursing, midwife or related field would be acceptable
• Prior Work Experience: The work requires the minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible, professional-level experience in maternal, neonatal, reproductive health, and family planning with a clinical or clinical oversight component, which provided the opportunity for project design, program planning, and/or implementation in maternal, neonatal, reproductive health, and family planning, or closely related health field is required. At least two years of experience working from a development perspective, or related perspective, for USAID, other donor agencies, host-country organizations, or private-sector institutions which included project design, performance monitoring, and/or the analysis and interpretation of large amounts of data
• Language Proficiency: Level IV English and Portuguese (fluent proficiency), both written and spoken. (Language proficiency will be tested)
• Job Knowledge: The Specialist must have in-depth professional-level knowledge of development principles, concepts, and practices, especially as they relate to managing maternal, neonatal, reproductive health, and family planning activities in Mozambique, and the region
• Must possess superior subject matter expert knowledge and understanding of maternal, newborn, and reproductive health, including family planning approaches and interventions
• Must have a sound knowledge of community and facility based health service delivery
• Must have practical knowledge of program design, implementation, and management
• Comprehensive in-depth knowledge of the local cultural environment, norms and behavioral practices in order to effectively and appropriately tailor USAID approaches to cooperating country needs and also support the program to remain sensitive to socio-cultural norms of the target communities
• High level of knowledge of local maternal newborn and reproductive health, including family planning context and priorities
• In depth understanding of the economic, political, social, and cultural characteristics, development problems in the health sector of the cooperating country and the region; an understanding of the resources, resource constraints, and overall development prospects and priorities of the cooperating country and the region; knowledge of, or the potential to quickly acquire knowledge of USG legislation, policy, and practice relating to safe motherhood, neonatal, reproductive health and family planning
• Comprehensive detailed knowledge of, USG legislation, policy, and practices relating to maternal, newborn and reproductive health including family planning assistance and services, of USAID programming policies, regulations, procedures, and documentation, and of the objectives, methodology, and status of assigned activities
• Thorough knowledge and detailed understanding of USAID and the US Government regulations, policies, strategic planning; program regulations and management requirements; understanding of USAID project development, management, performance monitoring and reporting, procurement policies and procedures and knowledge of USAID’s Automated Directives Systems that guide development and program activities Professional knowledge of USAID’s role and methods in providing public health development assistance
• Must have knowledge and understanding of the respective roles of the different levels of the GRM, in order to enhance effective communication, and to develop consensus on program/project/activity strategy and implementation
• The Specialist must have a good knowledge and demonstrated experience in the programming of maternal, neonatal, reproductive health and family planning programs/projects/activities; and, the link of maternal, neonatal, reproductive health, and family planning with other health areas such as malaria, nutrition, HIV/AIDS and health systems strengthening
• The Specialist should be able to facilitate and link culturally appropriate assessments and issues related to food security, water, sanitation and hygiene promotion programs; and, be able to use data for decision making
• The Specialist must be able to provide technical leadership on safe motherhood, newborn, reproductive health, and family planning, and apply this knowledge to advanced programming in Mozambique
• Skills and Abilities: The Specialist must have the ability to analyze, present information, and make recommendations in clear written and oral formats
• Work effectively in team and interagency environments
• Train, mentor, and coordinate well with others; have the ability to interpret regulatory directives and related guidance; have excellent computer and keyboard/data entry skills, including: advanced ability to use data platforms
• Advanced ability to quickly learn USAID-specific and industry applications including Abacus, GLAAS, Phoenix, ASIST, MyServices, Google Mail, and MyUSAID
• Proficiency using computer applications including Word, Excel for data analysis, familiarity with data visualization software such as Tableau, Access, PowerPoint and Google search
• Strong numerical skill to work with multimillion budgets
• Advanced quantitative and/or qualitative analysis skills in analyzing large quantities of data for primary and secondary data analysis related to the assigned activities
• Strong financial and administrative management skills sufficient to track the performance of IPs and project activities
• Ability to prepare comprehensive financial and activity reports using standard statistical analysis methodologies
• Monitoring skills used to track the performance of IPs, and have the ability to travel to provinces and within districts

Benefits

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

Notes

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted
• Solicitation no : 72065622R10010 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
• Popition Tittle: USAID Project Management Specialist (Safe Motherhood & Reproductive Health)
• Position Elements:
• Supervision Received: The Safe Motherhood, Reproductive Health Project Management Specialist (SMRHPMS) works under the general supervision of the MCH/FP Team Lead (FSN-4005-12)
• 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 PCMD, IHO 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: The incumbent serves as COR/AOR, Activity Manager and GATR for the assigned activities. leads the design, implementation, and performance management of a robust and dynamic portfolio
• Available Guidelines: Available Guidelines: Available guidelines include USG program/project/activity guidance, rules, and requirements; USAID Mission Orders, Mission strategy, and other relevant reports; the Automated Directives System (ADS)
• USAID Mandatory and Standard, Provisions, and the FAR and AIDAR; and, Emergency Plan guidelines, Country Operational Plans, the Mozambique Country Development
• Cooperating (CDCS) Five-Year Strategic Plan, and other published and unpublished guidelines. Guidelines are often general in nature and not specific to the situation at hand, requiring considerable interpretation
• Exercise of Judgment: Substantial judgment (discretion) is used daily in providing technical opinion and guidance to USG, USAID, and GRM colleagues, to IPs, and in representing USAID in stakeholder forums
• Management decisions over certain IPs are at the discretion of the Specialist. Independent judgment is required for developing, implementing, and managing assigned programs/projects/activities, for reporting, and for other assignments
• Substantial judgment is required in analyzing and determining whether or not to recommend approval of CCNPSC Project Management Specialist (SMRH) SOL#72065622R00010 proposed programs/projects/activities, in choosing among alternative proposals, and in evaluating data for reliability
• Authority to Make Commitments: The job holder has no authority to commit funds on behalf of the USG; s/he has the authority and responsibility to make technical recommendations to senior management
• The Specialist exercises the authority given to activity managers and CORs/AORs, and may make administrative arrangements consistent with ADS guidance and Mission and IHO policy. The Specialist takes action and establishes priorities based on available guidelines and professional judgment. Guidance is sought when needed, and superiors informed of activity and project status
• Within the scope of the authority delegated, the Specialist may indicate to ranking counterpart and IP officials that they will make a recommendation to USAID on a specific activity, issue, or problem
• Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: The Specialist has a full range of contacts within the Mission, at all levels, and maintains contact with IPs implementing USAID-funded programs/projects/activities 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 GRM, MOH, WHO and UNICEF, mid-level leadership, provincial directorates and with the private sector, are for the purpose of explaining and defending USAID policies, objectives, and procedures, and to transmit and interpret GRM and private-sector attitudes and concerns to senior USAID officials. In addition, the Specialist provides technical assistance and guidance on maternal, neonatal, reproductive health, and family planning best practices to USG staff, and GRM and NGO partners
• 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: On-the-job familiarization training in USAID specific procedures, regulations, and methods, and orientation to working from a donor Agency perspective will be provided
• Formal COR/AOR certification is required for successful performance and will be provided: Introduction to Program Cycle, Project Design, AOR/COR Certification, USAID project and financial management systems, GLAAS and other relevant training
• Subject to availability of funds, courses offered for professional USAID staff and other courses, and training to maintain and update professional capability: professional seminars focusing on maternal, newborn and reproductive health including family planning developments will be provided as appropriate
• Physical Demands: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands
• 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: 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
• Submitting an Offer
• Eligible Offerors are required to submit electronically to the following email address a cover letter in English with CV/Applicant Resume as well as academic transcripts/diplomas: www.emprego.co.mzwww.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 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-contractscooperating-country-national-and-third-country-national-personal-servicesabroad 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 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: 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
• 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