USAID Development Assistance Specialist (Data Science)

Description

• The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is at the forefront of the U.S. Government (USG) response in the fight against HIV/AIDS. USAID is a key partner in the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and works closely with other USG agencies on this multi-billion-dollar initiative in developing countries around the world. In Mozambique, the mission implements a large $300 million PEPFAR portfolio. Robust monitoring of results is required to ensure both partner management and optimized return on investment. The Development Assistance Specialist (Data Science) is one of the key team members supporting monitoring and evaluation efforts in the Operations Division. S/he will report to Strategic Information Team Lead in the Operations Division of the Integrated Health Office (IHO). The Specialist utilizes advanced technical and data analytical skills to support the IHO Operations and AIDS Free Generation (AFG) Divisions in evidenced-based program design and results-based management of USAID implementing partners
• S/he employs data science and data visualization skills to manage diverse data streams and promote decision-making among USAID program managers and technical staff. The incumbent liaises closely with USAID Washington Office of HIV/AIDS on Health Informatics, Evaluation, Expenditure Analysis, and Strategic Information (SI) in tracking and reporting mission PEPFAR results
• The Specialist also coordinates, plans, and conducts health and HIV monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activities (e.g., Data Quality Assessments) as assigned and/or determined necessary. The incumbent plays a key consultative and capacity building role for IHO technical staff, consultants and implementing partners (Ips) involved in health and HIV M&E and Government of Mozambique (GORM) counterparts. This includes technical staff working in the areas of HIV Care and Treatment, Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT), Tuberculosis, and Supply Chain Management. The incumbent reports to the SI Team Lead and supervises one FSN 10 site monitoring specialist. The Specialist will be required up to 20% of the time for program monitoring and site visits
• 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.: 72065624R10003 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 June 2024
• Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise an additional option period for the dates estimated as follows:
• Base Period: June 2024 – June 2025
• Option Period 1: June 2025 – June 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
• This is a local position and compensation will be in accordance with the Local Compensation Plan. 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
• 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

Duties

Data Collection and Analysis (40%)

• The Data Science Specialist utilizes Data Science tools to manage, transform, and analyze large programmatic datasets, particularly those related to HIV Care & Treatment, PMTCT and TB/HIV. This includes monthly data streams submitted in standardized Excel templates as well quarterly MER results submitted via Datim. The incumbent Specialist will develop and utilize scripts programmed in R and/or Python to process datasets and to generate output files used in downstream analytic tools (e.g., Tableau, Excel, etc.). S/he will also work to establish new data streams deemed essential by USAID and GORM program staff, by designing, piloting, and deploying new data collection forms as well as processes and tools for data compilation and storage. S/he will lead the review of monthly and quarterly indicator results for HIV Care & Treatment, PMTCT and TB/HIV analyzing IP progress towards targets/performance benchmarks and identifying site-level performance outliers. The incumbent will collaborate with USAID, Center for Disease Control (CDC) and GORM program, strategic information and health information systems specialists to design and maintain Electronic Patient Tracking System (EPTS) queries for official/non-official electronic indicator reporting. This includes development of query requirements and templates for routine submission of results by IPs. Finally, the Specialist will contribute to scientific investigation by coordinating with USAID and GORM program experts to conduct analyses using national (e.g., GORM, National Institute of Health, etc.) data repositories

SI/MEL Technical Leadership and Program Management (30%)

• The Specialist provides technical leadership to A/CORs in managing IPs in the design, implementation and monitoring of HIV Care & Treatment, Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) and TB/HIV programs. S/he provides technical assistance at the national and sub-national (Provincial) levels of the GORM. The incumbent analyzes national HIV epidemic models and to calculate annual IP targets and participates in USAID IP management meetings to present indicator results and progress towards targets. The Data Scientist Specialist works with the IHO Strategic Information team to review and disseminate updated guidance on HIV indicator reporting and to support IPs in adapting their systems to utilize data for program management. The Specialist will dedicate up to 20% of the work year to IP and GORM site visits focused on mentorship for partner and site-level staff, assessment of barriers to effective routine monitoring, and in conducting Data Quality Assessments (DQA). When assigned as an Activity Manager, the Specialist will be required to perform all management responsibilities including completion and tracking of work plans and results; preparation for IP portfolio reviews; stakeholder feed-back consultations, MEL, site visits, and review of required quarterly and semi-annual, and quarterly IP reports, and submission of USAID routine and ad hoc reports, as needed

Capacity Building in MEL and Data Management, and Coordination (30%)

• The Specialist will support capacity building initiatives. This includes work (e.g., workshops, individualized mentorship, tool development) to build MEL, analytic and data management capacity among USAID program staff as well as key IP and GORM M&E staff involved in HIV monitoring in Mozambique. The incumbent provides leadership in the developing and utilizing effective tools and approaches for institutional capacity building and maintains an inventory of successful strategies and approaches
• The Specialist develops substantive relationships with USAID IPs for routine monthly PEPFAR indicator reporting to inform results from analyses and to disseminate findings. S/he will collaborate with technical staff from USAID, CDC and GORM in developing and investigating questions using national data, present results to high-level GORM policy makers and technical staff from USAID and CDC and coordinate required inputs for reporting to USAID

Position Elements

• Supervision Received: The Development Assistance Specialist (Data Science) works under the supervision of the SI/ME Team Leader. 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. The supervisor provides a review of the assignment, the goals and objectives to be achieved, and the results expected. The Specialist will seek advice and assistance as required. Work is reviewed in terms of results achieved
• Supervision Exercised: The incumbent will supervise the FSN-4005-10 Development Assistance Specialist (Site Monitoring/ME)
• 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 Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR); AID Acquisitions Regulations (AIDAR); AID Automated Directives System (ADS Series); Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives (AAPDs) and Contract Information Bulletins (CIBs); Office of Procurement and Acquisition Memorandum (OPAMS); U.S. Department of State Standardized Regulations; Federal Travel Regulations; Foreign Assistance Act, Foreign Affairs Manuals (FAM), Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Circulars and Controller General Decisions, Global Health, PMI, PEPFAR Guidance and policies and other relevant guidance, regulations and US statue; USAID Mission Orders, Management Notices, Project Papers, Mission Strategy, and other documents available, USAID policies and procedures, Technical Documents and Policy Papers, cooperating country Five-Year Strategic Plans (or equivalent), GRM policies, and guidance and other published and unpublished guidelines
• Exercise of Judgment: The employee must exercise sophisticated judgment in working with colleagues within the PEPFAR interagency, host country counterparts, other donors and IPs. While s/he has broad leeway to make decisions on approaches to be taken in accomplishing his/her specific tasks, the Specialist must also ensure that HIV/AIDS programming guidelines and PEPFAR policies are adhered to. The incumbent is considered an expert within the range of above-prescribed major duties and responsibilities. For example, the M&E specialist has the authority to resolve unusual and difficult problems related to data collection and data quality in Mozambique's rapidly changing development environment. S/he must make independent judgment calls about what data issues need to be reported to USAID/W and OGAC through various annual and ad hoc reporting cycles. These judgment calls can determine whether USAID/Mozambique meets or fails to meet planned targets and objectives
• Authority to Make Commitments: The incumbent exercises the authority given to activity managers and C/AORs and may make administrative arrangements consistent with ADS guidance and Mission and Office 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 counterparts and IPs that they will make a recommendation to USAID on a specific activity, issue, or problem. The incumbent has no independent authority to make USG policy commitments or to commit the USG to the expenditure of funds but may negotiate ad referendum for the supervisor and to make recommendations that can lead to such commitments
• Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: The incumbent makes contacts with all levels of USAID Mission personnel, up to and including the Office Directors and the Mission Director. The Specialist is in regular communication with USAID/W, including OHA technical personnel to stay current on indicator reporting requirements and to request data management support as necessary. S/he transmits and receives information relevant to routine HIV monitoring from middle and high-level technical representatives from other USG agencies such as CDC and DOD as well as to USAID IPs. Contacts pertaining to HIV data management and monitoring are maintained in person, by phone, or by written communication with GORM officials, medical service providers, and other donor organizations. The Specialist has administrative contacts on routine functions and with technical staff on M&E regarding program/project/activity implementation issues and recommendations on corrective measures, as needed
• Time Expected to Reach Full Performance Level: 12 months
• Support Items: The incumbent will be provided with office space, equipment, and supplies

Requisites

• Minimum qualifications required for this position:
• Education: A Minimum of Master’s degree (or host country equivalent from an accredited program) in Public Health, Statistics, Economics, Computer Science, Epidemiology, Health Informatics or other quantitative discipline is required
• Prior Work Experience: Minimum of five years of progressively responsible job-related professional-level experience in monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) and other surveillance systems, evaluation of program/project/activity implementation, in direct program/project/activity management, or in a closely related activity is required. At least two years of this experience in a development-oriented workplace, or a related field, for other donor agencies, cooperating country organizations, or private-sector institutions, and which included project design, performance monitoring, and/or the analysis and interpretation of large amounts of data, is required
• Post Entry Training: USAID Monitoring and Evaluation training and PEPFAR Strategic Information policies and business practices. Training to maintain professional capability in the M&E and Data Science field, and other courses offered for professional USAID staff, as appropriate; and courses, seminars, conferences, and other training related to program development, monitoring and evaluation will be provided. COR/AOR certification training among others as required and subject to the availability of funding
• Language Proficiency: Level IV (fluent) English and level IV Portuguese, both oral and written, is required
• Job Knowledge: The Specialist must have in-depth, professional-level knowledge of development approaches and methods for performance analysis, data visualization, and program design, monitoring, and evaluation. The Specialist must have excellent knowledge of MEL systems, public health programming, and international donor operations in the sector. The Specialist must have a broad knowledge and understanding of Mozambican economics, culture, politics, and development challenges related to health sector and HIV/AIDS in particular in Mozambique; an understanding of the resources, resource constraints, and overall development prospects and priorities of the cooperating country and the region. The Specialist must have extensive knowledge of the National Health System and of existing Health Information Systems used for routine program monitoring in the Mozambique health sector. A nuanced understanding of the challenges experienced by GORM in monitoring the HIV/AIDS response and how USAID can contribute to building increased monitoring capacity among GORM institutions and counterparts. Comprehensive knowledge of the language and tools of Data Science and how to effectively communicate the meaning of data through compelling data visualizations and articulate verbal narrations
• Skills and Abilities: Must possess excellent English reading comprehension and writing skills, have expertise in project monitoring and evaluation, and proficiency with reproducible Data Science/Analytic tools (e.g., R, Python, Github, Tableau, Power BI, Excel). S/he must be comfortable managing and manipulating large datasets as well as formulating and investigating analytic questions. The incumbent must employ best practices in data visualization and storytelling and be able to articulately communicate the design and results of analytic investigations. The incumbent must be extremely detail oriented and capable of establishing/performing statistical quality control procedures. S/he must have experience collaborating directly with GORM in the health sector and in delivering capacity-building technical assistance. S/he must be flexible in adapting to changing operations and working relationships and be able to manage multiple activities under tight deadlines. Ability to effectively work in a team environment is imperative, as most USAID work is conducted collaboratively with other stakeholders (GORM, CDC, UNAIDS). S/he must be proficient with desktop and cloud-based applications such as Microsoft Office (Excel, Work, PowerPoint) and Google Suite (Sheets, Docs, Slides)

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: 25 points
• Job Knowledge 30 points
• Skills and Abilities: 30 points
• Language Proficiency: 10 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