USAID Development Assistance Specialist

Description

• The USAID/Mozambique Integrated Health Office (IHO) invests over $90 million annually in commodities procurement and supply chain in support of HIV, malaria, maternal and child health, and family planning objectives. Key to the success of this large investment is a well-functioning Central Medical Stores - Central de Medicamentos e Artigos Médicos (CMAM) that manages procurement, warehousing, distribution, planning and supply chain management
• USAID/Mozambique seeks a Commodity and Supply Chain Advisor based at CMAM’s Maputo headquarters to support HIV/AIDS commodity planning technical support and the implementation of a Fixed Amount Reimbursement Agreement (FARA). With major advancements in the increased availability of commodity data and rapidly increasing complexity in commodity forecasting with new drug technologies, various dispensing guidance, and demanding goals to achieve HIV epidemic control commodity planning is a multifaceted, intense, continuous activity. The advisor will support that process while building CMAM capacity. USAID/Mozambique has established a FARA to leverage gains in CMAM’s capacity and activities and further institutionalize the progress and move toward a more sustainable development approach. The advisor will facilitate the FARA implementation and pave the way for successful government-to-government funding
• The job holder may be expected to perform work-related travel
• SUBJECT: Solicitation for a Cooperating Country National Personal Service Contractor (CCNPSC) – USAID Development Assistance Specialist, FSN-11 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. 72065620R100021 opened to all Mission current employees and external candidates who meet the stated qualifications
• Point of Contact: Mission-Maputo-HR@usaid.gov
• Market Value: USD54,568– USD76,403 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 market value
• Period of Performance: The base period will be one year, estimated to start on or about July 2020. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise additional option periods for the dates estimated as follows:
• Base Period: July 2020 – July 2021
• Option Period 1: +July 2021-November 15, 2022
• 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
• Security Level Required: Employment Certification (RSO Certification)
• Benefits and Allowances:
• 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- 0002-08 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-656-20-0002-08 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

• Major Duties and Responsibilities: USAID/Mozambique seeks a Commodity and Supply Chain Advisor embedded in CMAM to support the FARA implementation and serve as a technical resource to the HIV/AIDS planning team. Reporting to the Senior Health Commodities Advisor at USAID, the Advisor will be a member of USAID/Mozambique’s IHO and HSS team while also taking guidance from CMAM management. The specialist will actively participate and provide technical content for MoH HIV technical working groups to plan HIV/AIDS commodity supply

HIV/AIDS Commodity Planning Technical Support (75%)

• The Commodity and Supply Chain Advisor will assist the CMAM planning team to ensure a successful HIV/AIDS commodity supply chain. In this role, the Advisor will support HIV/AIDS data gathering and analysis, serve on the HIV quantification team, contribute to HIV supply planning, and contribute to analysis to ensure the successful planning and implementation of alternative distribution models to improve treatment coverage and retention. The Advisor will identify constraints and challenges in the HIV/AIDs supply chain that limit the availability of HIV/AIDs commodities and provide recommendations to address them and improve HIV/AIDs performance. The Advisor may serve as the key focal HIV focal point for CMAM pending CMAM agreement

FARA Implementation Support (25%)

• The Commodity and Supply Chain Advisor will assist CMAM’s planning department to track FARA activities, deadlines, and implementation status. In supporting the management of FARA implementation, the Advisor will facilitate CMAM’s successful and timely completion of the activities. The Advisor will routinely report updates to CMAM management and USAID and will identify and communicate issues preventing the successful and timely completion of FARA activities. The Advisor will not implement FARA activities but will provide support to CMAM to gather and submit the relevant verification materials and documents

Supervisory Relationship

• Works under the general supervision of the Senior Health Commodities Advisor, but also takes direction from CMAM leadership. 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 that may exceed the program description. The supervisor provides a review of the assignment, the goals and objectives to be achieved, and the results expected in coordination with CMAM leadership. The incumbent will seek advice and assistance as required. Work is reviewed in terms of results achieved and in coordination with CMAM management
• 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 taking on, 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 Government Agreement Technical Representative (GATR), 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 MoH and 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
• Post Entry Training: Familiarization training in USAID and PEPFAR-specific procedures, regulations, and methods. Orientation to working from a donor-agency perspective will be provided. Training to maintain professional capability in the field and other courses offered for professional USAID staff, as appropriate, and courses, seminars, conferences, and other activities in fields related to the function and needed to maintain and update professional qualifications as they become available, subject to availability of funds
• CCN PSCs may participate in temporary duty (TDY) travel to USAID/Washington and other Missions in order to participate in the Foreign Service National Fellowship Program described in ADS 495maa
• Physical Demands: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands

Requisites

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy, business, or operations with specific training in quantification and forecasting of health commodities
• Prior Work Experience: At least 5 years of professional-level experience in pharmaceutical commodity forecasting, supply planning, and data analysis. At least 3 years’ experience required in coordination with the MoH. Experience working with PEPFAR is required
• Language Proficiency: English language proficiency, speaking and writing, as well as written and spoken Portuguese proficiency, Level IV, is required
• Job Knowledge: Knowledge of supply chain and commodity forecasting, quantification, and supply planning, and commodities data analysis is required. Should know methods for medicines use and distribution to best support achievement of clinical and programmatic goals. Must have knowledge and experience in HIV program and CMAM coordination. In-depth knowledge of logistics management information systems and commodities data available in Mozambique is required. Must have 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 is required in order to enhance effective communication, and to develop consensus on program strategy and technical collaboration. Knowledge of PEPFAR policy directions, objectives, and priorities is required
• Skills and Abilities: Must have 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. Robust computer skills in data analysis, including Microsoft Excel are required. Must have project management skills to track activities, timelines, responsibilities, and steps. Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work while maintaining flexibility in a demanding environment is required. Must have verbal communication and diplomacy skills to manage the challenges of being a donor employee based in a host-country institution. Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment and to contribute technical analysis and recommendations on policy, planning, and program manners, is required

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

Notes

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted
• 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
• 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
• Per this scoring, job knowledge and skills and abilities are the most important factors, followed by prior work experience and 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