USAID Development Assistance Specialist (Self Reliance)

Description

• The USAID/Mozambique Integrated Health Office is responsible for directing a $245 million per year health program in Mozambique to achieve the US and Mozambican Governments’ highest health objectives in country: to control the HIV epidemic (through the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or ‘PEPFAR’); and to prevent child and maternal death (or ‘PCMD’ in part through the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative, or ‘PMI’). The Integrated Health Office is one of largest and most complex overseas USAID'offices with four divisions (HIV/AIDS, Systems, PCMD, Operations) consisting of 62 total staff (7 USDHs, 10 PSCs, 45 FSNs), two Presidential health initiatives, and seven integrated health program areas (HIV/AIDS, malaria, maternal-child health, family planning, nutrition, tuberculosis, water/sanitation). The USAID health program constitutes approximately 85% of the overall Mission program, and, as such, is at the center of the Mission’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS), highlighted by the Administration’s priority to achieve and sustain self-reliance in the health sector through more independent and fully functioning public health institutions and private sector engagement
• The USAID Development Assistance Specialist (Self-Reliance) Specialist works closely with the Mission Integrated Health Office Chief and the Mission Director to provide consistent leadership in planning, managing, and overseeing the health components of the USAID CDCS, and the delivering of USAID products to Mozambican health authorities, representing USAID as its leading public health expert. The Specialist has full program responsibility for developing and managing: the technical strategy and high-level host government coordination to guide the top Agency priority for developing host-country self-reliance through CDCS implementation and related annual planning, along with other Government of the Republic of Mozambique (GoRM)/US Government (USG) priorities; the CDCS components that involve greater integrated synergy among health and non-health programs within the overall USAID program, and with other health-related USG agency programs; and, the analysis, consolidation, and evaluation of the Mission’s evidence-based and globally recognized health interventions, in order to achieve CDCS outcomes and Presidential health initiatives
• 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
• 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. 72065619R10012 opened to all Mission employees and external candidates who meet the stated qualifications
• Market Value: USD78,224 – USD109,508 per annum, equivalent to FSN-13 (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: One year. The contract will be renewed as long as there is a need for this position; funds are available, and subject to satisfactory performance
• Physical Demands: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands Point of Contact: Mission-Maputo-HR@usaid.gov

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
• 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

Technical Leadership, Mentoring, and Management Support (60%)

• The USAID Development Assistance Specialist (Self-Reliance) leads the strategic development, implementation, and related monitoring and evaluation of the CDCS that hinges on three focal areas: strategic planning and health sector policy development through USAID direct engagement and coordination with Implementing Partners (IPs); the CDCS components that involve greater integrated synergy among health and non-health programs within the overall USAID program and with other health-related USG agency programs; and, the consolidation and scale-up of evidence-based activities that best support GoRM and USG priorities
• The Specialist leads cross-cutting teams to manage a broad range of high-level activities, including the development of in-depth analyses of existing programs and potential opportunities, and makes policy recommendations to USG and GoRM senior leadership as necessary
• The Specialist maintains extensive contact with senior counterparts in the Mozambique National Directorate of Public Health, its disease specific programs for HIV/AIDS, malaria, TB, MCH, FP, and nutrition, the National HIV/AIDS Commission (CNCS), the National Institute of Health (INS), and other GoRM institutions, leading technical contributions on policy development and strategic planning, USAID participation in GoRM-led and interagency technical working groups (TWGs), and joint program evaluation with the Ministries. The Specialist acts as the USAID/USG representative and key advisor on health-related donor coordination activities in technical domains for sector-wide programs, including the Global Fund, the Global Finance Facility (GFF) and the Vaccine Alliance (GAVI). The Specialist liaises with other USAID technical Teams, USG agencies, donors, civil society, technical experts, and relevant stakeholders to ensure maximum effectiveness of USAID health activities, as part of the Office strategy focus on program integration
• The Specialist oversees the increased USAID focus on self-reliance and sustainability, and provides technical and strategic recommendations and direction for how best to coordinate investments for the complex task of maintaining maximum program impact, while transitioning areas of program responsibility to national stakeholders, driven in part by the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator, requiring PEPFAR operating units to target at least 70% of program resources to local/indigenous partners. The Specialist supports inter-Office sustainability efforts, with particular focus on the technical aspects of the transition for various projects within the program portfolio
• The Specialist leads Office strategy efforts to develop and use evidence to consolidate, scale-up, and evaluate proven activities (with technical contributions from the Operations Division/Strategic Information Team) that are well coordinated within USAID, the USG, and the health sector at large, demonstrating strong value for money, maximum leverage potential, and USAID’s comparative advantage. The work informs all technical staff of project improvements to undertake for operational planning (COP/MOP/OP), contractual/agreement amendments, work-plan development/adjustments (including annual joint work-plan development and performance review exercises with the GoRM and within USAID), and other project refining activities

Technical Coordination in the Health Sector (20%)

• The Specialist provides key leadership in managing GoRM and donor relationships in the technical programs of the health sector, leading joint task forces/commissions in technical domains, technical working group participation, and coordination (within USAID, the USG, and with the GoRM)
• The Specialist coordinates myriad activities that fall under grant/program development for other major projects in the sector, such as the Global Fund and the Global Finance Facility, applying substantial expertise and experience in the Mozambican health sector. The Specialist serves as an integral member of high-level GoRM technical steering committee meetings, chaired by the National Director of Public Health, the extended PEPFAR Agency Heads Team chaired by the Deputy Chief of Mission, and the senior leadership Team in the Office. The Specialist triangulates periodic updates from the GoRM, the Presidential Initiative health programs in WDC, and other USAID/Global Health updates to Team members, Mission senior staff, and the Ambassador, when called upon, keeping stakeholders informed on relevant activities and issues. The Specialist serves as a key host for senior delegation visits
• The Specialist prepares comprehensive written health-related concept papers for influential senior leadership, and related audiences, requiring exceptional background, and competency in and understanding of the Mozambican health sector, and an exceptional creative ability to convey important yet difficult ideas in a logical, persuasive, and coherent manner. Documents and papers allow decision-makers to provide direction for health programs, G2G recipients and IPs can receive input on the USG stance regarding certain issues, and senior policy makers in Washington may be made aware of progress, roadblocks, and other issues requiring higher level intervention
• The Specialist establishes and maintains contacts with high-level GoRM officials and influential persons, grantees, civil society leaders, and private sector leaders. The Specialist communicates effectively, orally and in writing and in English as well as in Portuguese, and analyzes and solves complex problems independently, while still working as a member of the Team

Project Development & Monitoring (20%)

• The Specialist oversees the development of USAID technical programming for the health sector and provide inputs to and reflections on GoRM socio-economic and health strategies, and the Embassy Integrated Country Strategy and the Country Development Cooperation Strategy, including reviewing and approving Concept Papers, Project Appraisal Documents, Action Memos, Project Authorizations, Results Frameworks, required analyses (gender, sustainability, etc.), required pre-obligation documents, and other design documentation, and facilitating the clearance process for design and/or reporting documents that often involve USAID/Washington staff and interagency Embassy colleagues
• The Specialist supports development of relevant portfolio reviews of Integrated Health Office programs and projects under the health office strategy, including performance reports, pipeline management reviews, program implementation reviews, and other USAID and USG reporting requirements
• The Specialist supports work with CORs/AORs/AMs, and project support staff, in order to strengthen technical content in periodic portfolio reviews, and analyses on the effectiveness of transition activities. The work of the Specialist includes arranging and/or facilitating USAID evaluations and assessments of program successes and challenges, and/or review and analysis of country and program data. The Specialist ensures documentation for new project designs, and modifications of existing projects, is fully compliant with Agency and Mission-specific rules, as well as with recommendations from the USAID Office of the Inspector General (OIG)
• The Specialist oversees site monitoring programs to gauge implementation progress, champions office-wide use of data analysis to generate periodic reports, and recommends changes in strategic and/or implementation approaches related to technical programs, as guided by observations on program effectiveness, and impact on the ground
• The Specialist participates in development of performance tracking tools, and provides guidance on Agency results reporting requirements, ensuring data quality meet appropriate standards
• Supervisory Relationship: The Supervisory USAID Development Assistance Specialist (Self-Reliance) works under the very general direct supervision of the Integrated Health Office Chief, and/or his/her designee. 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
• Supervisory Exercised: Supervision of other Integrated Health Office and Mission staff is not contemplated
• Area of Consideration: 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. This position is open to all Mission employees and external candidates who meet the stated qualifications

Requisites

• A US-equivalent Master’s Degree in public health, international health, social sciences or related fields, or equivalent clinical qualifications is required
• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible, professional–level experience in the implementation and/or management of health development activities/projects is required. Of the total years of experience, eight (8) years of this experience must be in a demonstrated area of international aid and development assistance work with donor organizations/institutions, government, public and private institutions, the World Bank, or other bilateral/multilateral and/or international agencies engaging in similar functions and capacity
• Level IV English and Portuguese, fluency in speaking and writing, is required. (Language proficiency will be tested)
• The Specialist must know and understand the international donor community and their respective strategic objectives, and have a comprehensive knowledge of the context of international health assistance to Mozambique, technical best practices in the health sector, the role of civil society, the constitution, laws and GoRM policies and their effect on health, and a detailed understanding of GoRM financial planning, formulation, and execution
• The Specialist must have expert knowledge of the context of international assistance and the implementation of the Mozambican Health Sector Strategy. In-depth knowledge of USAID programming, policies, regulations, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation, and methodologies is mandatory
• The work requires specialized knowledge of USG and GoRM programing, including policies, procedures, and documentation related to all areas of the program cycle
• The Specialist must know and understand the international donor community members, and their respective strategic objectives
• The Specialist must have skills in interagency/health sector diplomacy, policy and implementation, and knowledge of the other major sector-wide programs implemented by the Global Fund, the Global Vaccine Initiative, the World Bank Global Finance Facility program, the health sector basket fund Persuade, and the various programs implemented by other multilateral entities (the United Nations agencies, Gates and Clinton Foundations, etc.)
• The Specialist must possess excellent interpersonal, collaboration, facilitation, and teambuilding skills, oral and written communication skills, and the ability to maintain excellent working relationships with host-country counterparts and partners. In addition, the Specialist must have advanced financial knowledge, and the ability to use complex spreadsheet and pivot tables to understand sector and portfolio financial performance; must demonstrate the ability to work independently, take initiative, and negotiate complex relationships with numerous stakeholders; and, have the ability to analyze and prepare technical reports and devise fiscal year budgeting activities
• The Specialist is required to develop and maintain strategic program and project reports, in collaboration with the Controller, Contracting/Agreement Officer, RLO, and Program Officer. The Specialist must be adept in dealing with high-level government and senior management staff and officials, and public speaking, negotiation, influencing, persuasion, and tact skills
• The Specialist must possess advanced computer skills, and be familiar with Internet technology, with extensive working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite of software. Knowledge of statistical software for epidemiological research is a plus. Knowledge of USAID reporting tools for budgeting and monitoring and evaluation is required
• The Specialist must develop creative ways of dealing with sensitive matters vis-à-vis other donors, and must be highly innovative in order to plan and implement USAID/Mozambique health donor coordination plans, devising new strategies or removing ineffective programs. The Specialist maintains large amounts of data related to USAID’s G2G, and on-budget support to the GoRM, and controls sensitive information and data on USAID programs and other donor interventions in the host country. The Specialist maintains financial/activity reports on Mission cooperation and collaboration with the host government, as well as Integrated Health Office IPs, with regard to all technical components of the health strategy. The Specialist serves in the role of G2G technical lead

Evaluation and Selection Factors

• Education - 10 points
• Prior Work Experience - 30 points
• Job Knowledge - 30 points
• Language Proficiency - 10 points
• Skills and Abilities - 20 points
• Maximum Points: 100 points

Notes

• Any application received in Portuguese will not be considered. Only English applications will be considered
• 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. Only the short listed candidates will be invited for a language test. Candidates successfully passing the language exam will be invited for an oral interview
• Final selection will be based on the application package, language abilities, and oral interview. 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