Project Management Specialist – DREAMS / FSN-10

Description

• Dear Prospective Offerors: The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking offers from qualified persons to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation
• Offers must be in accordance with this solicitation. Incomplete or unsigned offers will not be considered. Offerors should retain copies of all offer materials for their records
• USAID will evaluate all offerors based on the stated evaluation criteria. USAID encourages all individuals, including those from disadvantaged and under- represented groups, to respond to the 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 solicitation (Sincerely, Thomas Bayer Supervisory Executive Officer/Contracting Officer)
• Solicitation no.: 72065624R10017 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
• Position title: Project Management Specialist - DREAMS
• Market value: USD 49,082 – USD 68,717 per annum, equivalent to FSN-10 (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 January 2025. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise an option period for the dates estimated as follows:
• Base Period:January 2025 – January 2026 Option Period 1: January 2026 – January 2030
• Place of performance: Maputo, Mozambique, with possible travel
• 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)

Basic Function of the Position

• The US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) represents the US government response to the global HIV/AIDS epidemic and is the largest commitment by any nation to address a single disease in history. Thanks to American leadership and generosity, alongside the work of many partners, PEPFAR has saved millions of lives, averted millions of infections, and changed the course of the epidemic. One important component of PEPFAR is implementation of the Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-Free, Mentored, and Safe (DREAMS) program; with the aim to reduce the risk of HIV among Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW)
• The USAID Project Management Specialist – DREAMS (the “Specialist”) will serve as an Alternate Contract Officer’s Representative/Agreement Officer’s Representative (COR/AOR) or Activity Manager and provide programmatic and technical guidance to the planning, implementation, and monitoring of DREAMS-related programs. As a technical officer resource, the Specialist provides technical and programmatic guidance to the Health Office, other offices in the Mission, U.S. Government Agencies, the PEPFAR Coordinating Office, host country government, and other development partners in order to support a coordinated, strategic approach in HIV prevention for AGYW and DREAMS related programming
• The position is located in the USAID Office of Health. The jobholder reports to the Prevention Team Lead and has no supervisory responsibility

Duties

Technical Guidance and Leadership 60%

• Serves as a technical resource for the Health Office in the area of comprehensive HIV prevention for AGYW to ensure development of key systems that effectively integrate across the entire health portfolio
• Works collaboratively with the USAID Project Management Specialist (DREAMS) and the PEPFAR program technical leads across US agencies and with host country agencies to identify opportunities for collaboration and ensure complementarity among AGYW programming, including prevention of and response to gender-based violence
• Provides technical assistance and oversight to implementing partners to ensure that the DREAMS activities are carried out in alignment with approved work plans and PEPFAR DREAMS guidance and priorities
• Stays abreast of state-of-the-art knowledge on programming and coordinates exchanges and sharing of best practices among USAID, USG and other stakeholders to strengthen AGYW interventions
• Supports in guiding USAID and host country government on strategic decisions and policy formulation to strengthen interventions for AGYW

Program/Project/Activity Management 20%

• Serves as an Alternate Activity Manager for HIV prevention for AGYW programs/projects/activities awarded through the Health Office, providing financial and programmatic oversight to ensure contracts and grants achieve anticipated results, and are linked to and enhance attainment of the Health Office, Mission, and USG objectives
• Participates in activity design of new PEPFAR funded activities for AGYW, including developing program descriptions and other technical components for new procurements
• Conducts site visits as required in order to monitor progress, and to provide technical and programmatic recommendations to ensure effectiveness, efficiency and judicious use of U.S. Government (USG) funding

Representation and Reporting 20%

• Represents the Health Office, Mission, and USG at national and/or international technical and programmatic meetings, within various working groups, the interagency, senior host country officials and other social sector donors, government officials, and IPs
• Supports with data and trend analysis and provides technical recommendations to improve the performance of the DREAMS programs at both site and national levels
• Supports the development of ad hoc reports as required for the Mission, USAID/Washington, Office of Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC), donor coordination groups, and others Drafts talking points and/or speeches for the Office Chief, Mission Director, Ambassador and others, as required, and prepares briefing papers, presentations, and coordinates site preparations for VIP site visits
• Provides support to DREAMS-related inputs to the development of the annual PEPFAR Country Operational Plan (COP) and ensures strong monitoring and oversight of the DREAMS portfolio through the quarterly PEPFAR Oversight and Accountability Review (POART), Semi Annual Performance Report (SAPR), and Annual Performance Report (APR)
• Supports annual budget allocation for DREAMS programming, and maintains DREAMS activities financial tracking, including that obligations, expenditures, and budget pipelines conform to action plans
• Supports development of information sheets, presentations, and other documents about US government funded AGYW programs
• Draft briefing materials, progress reports, memoranda, and other Front Office communications materials as needed
• Identifies and submits success stories, best practices, and images to be highlighted by USAID media

Position Elements

• Supervision Received: Works under the general supervision of the designated USAID Project Management Specialist (DREAMS) and responds to the HIV Prevention Team Lead. 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 Health Office and Mission portfolio. Technical direction will be provided by the USAID Project Management Specialist (DREAMS) and 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: Continued supervision of other Mission staff is not contemplated
• Available Guidelines: Available guidelines include USG program/project/activity guidance, rules, and requirements; USAID Mission Orders, Mission strategy, and other relevant reports; the ADS; USAID Mandatory and Standard Provisions, and the FAR and AIDAR; and, PEPFAR operational plans, Country Operational Plans, host-government Five-Year Strategic Plans (or equivalent), 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: The Specialist exercises expert judgment is required for developing, coordinating, managing and reporting program and project activities. High level sound judgment is required to make decisions based on careful analysis of facts and variables, possible alternatives and potential political and development implications and impact. Highly Specialized judgment must be exercised to complete work independently, monitor implementation of activities and maintain accountability for results achieved
• Authority to Make Commitments: The Specialist exercises the authority given to activity managers and COR/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 from USAID Project Management Specialist (DREAMS) as appropriate, 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 Specialist has no independent authority to commit the USG to the expenditure of funds but may negotiate ad referendum for the supervisor
• Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: The job holder has a full range of contacts within the Mission at all levels and maintains contact implementing partners regarding program implementation. Within the Embassy, contacts are with counterparts and senior staff at USAID, CDC, DOD and State Department. Frequent and substantive personal contacts with mid- and high-level officials of the GON, other donors, and civil society, are for the purpose of explaining and defending PEPFAR and USAID policies, objectives, and procedures; to transmit and interpret host country government and private sector attitudes and concerns to senior USAID officials; and to directly influence the host country government, USG interagency and development partner investments and activities in the sector. In addition, the Specialist provides technical assistance and guidance on best practices to USG staff, and host-government and partners
• Time Expected to Reach Full Performance Level: One year
• Support Items: The incumbent will be provided with office space, equipment, and supplies
• Physical demands: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

Requisites

• Education: A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in public health, International Development, Health, Social or Behavioral Sciences, Organizational Development, Epidemiology, Biology, Infectious Disease, Political Science, or Business Administration or other closely related field is required
• Prior Work Experience: A minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible, professional-level experience in developing, implementing, and/or monitoring social welfare programs to provide a comprehensive HIV prevention package, or related health issues, for AGYW. Experience coordinating with host country government at the national, district, or local level on relevant public health challenges for AGYW, including HIV/AIDS, gender-based violence response and prevention, education, or other similar issues, is required
• Language Proficiency: Level IV (fluent proficiency) in English, and in the appropriate host-country business language, both written and spoken, is required. Language competence may be tested
• Job Knowledge: Senior-level knowledge related to planning, designing, implementing, and providing technical guidance on HIV prevention, adolescent, youth and/or community-based social welfare initiatives. Detailed knowledge of the health sector in the host country, including institutions, strategies, policies, objectives, development perspectives, political structure and environment
• Skills and Abilities: Basic Project management skills, including basic data and information management, administrative, and monitoring skills used to track the performance of implementing partners and activities. Excellent communication skills both orally and in writing, especially in being able to present information, analyses, and recommendations to individuals with nontechnical background. Ability to respond professionally and adjust in fluid situations in order to meet deadlines in the face of competing priorities and time pressures. Ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish and maintain relationships with a wide array of contacts. Diplomacy and tact negotiate difficult issues and build consensus to achieve results with a wide range of individuals. Excellent computer and software skills

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 technical evaluation committee may conduct reference checks, including references from individuals who have not been specifically identified by the offeror, and may do so before or after a candidate is interviewed
• The following evaluation factors are established:
• Education: 10 points
• Prior Work Experience: 30 points
• Job Knowledge 30 points
• Skills and Abilities: 25 points
• Language Proficiency: 5 points
• Maximum Points: 100 points
• Per this scoring Prior Work Experience and Job Knowledge are the most important factors, followed by and Skills and Abilities, Education and Language Proficiency

Notes

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted and will be invited for a language test
• Eligible Offerors are required to submit a cover letter in English with CV/Applicant, Resume in English as well as academic transcripts/diplomas
• Offeror submissions must clearly reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission
• Offerors are required to provide names, contact numbers, and e-mail addresses of three professional references from individuals who are not family members or relatives
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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/ads/policy/300/aidar
• 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)0001Base 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/resources_standards-of-conduct
• 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