USAID Project Management Specialist (HIV/AIDS)

Description

• The USAID Project Management Specialist (HIV/AIDS) is one of three positions within the HIV/AIDS Division essential to assuring robust impactful program management of the HIV/AIDS Division's portfolio. These efforts promote and support USAID's objectives of efficient project management of the HIV/AIDS Division activities. The Specialist works closely with Technical Advisors across IHO and the Mission to ensure that Division activities are aligned to USAID, PEPFAR, and GoRM health-sector priorities and strategies
• The Specialist provides advanced project and budget analysis across the HIV/AIDS Division portfolio. The Specialist oversees intense activity performance monitoring, and directs administrative support for activities he/she manages. The Specialist conducts a variety of reporting, communication, coordination, monitoring, and analytical duties. The required degree of coordination needed between Divisions, the Interagency, other Mission technical Officers, and host-country and NGO counterparts is substantial
• Under the supervision of the Project Management Team Leader and the authority of the Supervisory Contract Officer and HIV/AIDS Division Chief, the Specialist serves Activity Manager for HIV/AIDS Division centrally funded projects managed from USAID/VVashington. The Specialist engages with the Project Management Team, HIV/AIDS Division technical advisors, and support offices, at all levels, and establishes strong relationships to allow for effective project planning, design and management
• The job holder will be expected to perform work-related travel
• SUBJECT: Solicitation for a Cooperating Country National Personal Service Contractor (CCNPSC) – USAID Project Management Specialist (HIV/AIDS), FSN-10 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. 72065620R10010 opened to all Mission current employees and external candidates who meet the stated qualifications
• Point of Contact: Mission-Maputo-HR@usaid.gov
• Market Value: USD 44,385.00 – USD 62,139.00 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 market value
• Period of Performance: The base period will be one year, estimated to start on or about June 2020. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise one additional option period for the dates estimated as follows:
• Base Period: June 2020
• Option Period 1: +June 2021-November 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.
• Applicants must submit a complete application as outlined in Section IV
• Security Level Required: Employment Certification (RSO Certification)
• 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-656-19-0002 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-656-19-0002 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

Activity Management (60%)

• The HIV/AIDS program is the largest single component of the USAID/Mozambique portfolio, and is a critical component of the overall USAID Mission Country Strategy. The Specialist is instrumental in the achievement of the Mission's overall objectives. The work requires the Specialist to work hand in hand with IHO's technical advisors to ensure that ongoing activities are responsive to the country context, and aligned to GoRM priorities and PEPFAR program guidance and strategies
• Establish and maintain regular communication and working relationships with Mission offices and teams in order to stay current with their programs with respect to HIV prevention, treatment, care, treatment adherence and retention, viral load suppression, and local capacity development, to ensure quality control and application of Agency and PEPFAR best practices
• Serve as an Activity Manager for Mission HIV/AIDS care and treatment service delivery activities, and is responsible for leading the design, management, implementation, evaluation, and monitoring of assigned aspects of the IHO portfolio, including leading office-wide technical and management teams to ensure quality of implementation, and alignment with national and USG guidelines for the activities they oversee
• Support activity implementation, lead monitoring, reviews, and other analysis to strengthen capabilities, accountability, and performance of implementing partners (IPs). Participate and organize technical teams to conduct routine site visits to monitor the performance of recipients, and assure that work plans and overarching national guidelines procedures are being applied
• Ensure that appropriate corrective measures are recommended in a timely manner if activities are not achieving intended results. Prepare and elicit input across IHO to draft field trip reports to detail findings and recommendations. Share findings across offices to maximize program sharing, learning, and corrective action
• Coordinate with technical advisors to ensure that activities are aligned with national and PEPFAR technical priorities with HIV prevention, retention, and treatment. Lead follow-up on implementation of recommendations, including organizing periodic trainings of IPs by the HIV/AIDS Division, if and when necessary to ensure implementation of PEPFAR best practices in the field
• Work with technical teams to ensure proper and timely assistance to IPs, the Ministry of Health, CNCS, Ministry of Gender Children and Social Action, at all levels of Government, in support of their national action plans, policies, and priorities, or otherwise based on USAID/Washington or PEPFAR evidence-based guidance. Ensure that activity results are shared with inter-agency, government, and external counterparts to foster greater country alignment, and to share key lessons learned for future implementation efforts
• Assess progress in achieving outputs and results for IHO activities, and designs evaluations and research activities as needed. Continually strives to enhance the achievement of results by periodically reviewing the development context, current results indicators, and activity implementation progress, identifying problem areas and suggesting solutions in collaboration with office leadership and IHO technical specialists
• Coordinate management of activities, including, but not limited to, the following tasks: lead relevant design processes; prepare procurement packages (e.g., modifications, new SOWs, incremental funding actions) and budgets in collaboration with technical teams; monitor implementation of activities; ensure adequate performance and recommend improvements in services; work across IHO to garner technical feedback, and provide guidance to IPs to inform activity performance, provide day-to-day oversight and communications with the IPs; reviews vouchers and financial reports on behalf of the COR in Washington; process accruals; and, review and provide guidance on quarterly and annual reports
• Prepare oral and written briefings for the Mission Director, Embassy staff, and other external partners, on request

Project Development (20%)

• Under supervision of the Project Management Team Leader, the Specialist develops and implements timelines and master planning schedules for new activities, assessments, evaluations, research projects and project planning processes, in order to assure there are no gaps in HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, or retention activities
• Support the process of preparing Annual Performance Plans and Reports. Work closely with technical teams to ensure information is in accordance with guidance received from USAIDANashington and PEPFAR. Participate in drafting report narratives for Congressional Budget Justifications, and conduct performance analyses
• Support USAID/Mozambique's technical teams with advice and guidance on activity design, procurements, and implementation. Ensure that GoRM, USAID/Washington, and PEPFAR technical standards are utilized by IPs
• Advocate for inclusion of gender, youth, and social impact analysis and for gender integration in design, implementation, and reporting in activities across the Mission portfolio. Participate actively in gender-specific training, reporting, and communication as point person for gender

Project Monitoring and Evaluation (20%)

• Ensure the development of strong performance management plans, with input from Division technical advisors and the Strategic Information team to ensure that relevant PEPFAR and Global Health indicators are incorporated into performance management plans
• Monitor progress towards achieving key targets and benchmarks, and provide timely technical and/or programmatic guidance on project technical and programmatic progress
• Design assessments, mid-term and final evaluations, and learning activities to inform current activity implementation and potentially inform future activity designs. Share findings with relevant national and external counterparts
• Support the conceptualization of potential research, as appropriate
• Work with IPs to report accurate data for national, USAID, and PEPFAR semi-annual and annual progress reporting
• Guide projects to support national-level data collection efforts to ensure USG contributions are being captured by the national health information system
• Supervisory Relationship: The USAID Project Management Specialist (HIV/AIDS) works under the very general supervision of the IHO Chief, and/or his/her designee, and the Controlling the HIV/AIDS Epidemic Division Chief, and the closer but general supervision of the Project Management 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
• Supervisory Exercised: Continuing supervision of other Team, Division, Office, or Mission staff is not contemplated
• 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 USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Automated Directives System (ADS), Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives (AAPDs), Foreign Affairs Manuals (FAM), Mission Orders, Management Notices, Foreign Assistance Act, GRM policies and guidance, PEPFAR Guidance and policies and other relevant guidance, regulations and US statues
• Exercise of Judgment: The Specialist exercises substantial independent judgment in planning, managing, monitoring and evaluating program activities, in reporting results, and in other important aspects of the position. The Specialist must exhibit an ability to prioritize various overlapping tasks and activities assigned, within the PEPFAR environment, that frequently require drastic and last-minute changes in priorities, processes, and data requests. The political environment requires a high degree of sensitivity and diplomacy in establishing dialogue and developing interventions to encourage improved programs. The position requires managing for results, in collaboration with a wide range of Mozambican government organizations, training institutions, NGOs, FBOs, CBOs, international PVOs, and other local and international organizations
• Authority to Make Commitments: The job holder exercises the authority given to activity managers, and may make administrative arrangements consistent with ADS guidance and Mission policy. The Specialist 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 IP 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 Specialist has a full range of contacts within the Mission, at all levels, and maintains contact with contractors and grantees implementing USAID-funded 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 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
• Physical Demands: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands

Requisites

• Education: A US-equivalent University Degree in Public Health, Health Policy, Public Administration, or Social Work is required
• Prior Work Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible, professional-level experience in international development assistance and or project management is required. At least three years of this experience in development work, or related fields, for US Government, other donor agencies, host-country organizations, or non-government organizations or private-sector institutions. Experience in public health programming especially HIV/AIDS is highly desirable
• Post Entry Training: On-the-job training as well as AOR/COR certification; Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation; Project Design; Advanced AOR/COR Training; USAID specific project and financial management IT systems (GLAAS, Phoenix, etc.), the application of USAID and PEPFAR regulations, monitoring and evaluation, and periodic state-of-the-art training to maintain professional competency
• Language Proficiency: Level IV (fluent) oral and writing ability in English and Portuguese is required. (This will be tested)
• Job Knowledge: Must have a good understanding of program design, implementation, financial management, monitoring and evaluation, social impact, and gender issues in the international assistance arena. Strong interpersonal and team-work skills are required. Ability to coordinate a team with diverse skill sets and experience; ability to effectively communicate with team members to achieve results is required. Knowledge of USG and USAID operations, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, as set forth in the FAR, AIDAR, PEPFAR guidance and ADS. Good knowledge of general development principles and approaches, the Mozambican development environment, and Government of the Republic of Mozambique development priorities is required. Good knowledge of the programmatic technical issues related to HIV/AIDS; AIDS prevention, care and treatment activities both at the community and clinical level
• Skills and Abilities: Must be able to develop and maintain a range of working-level and management-level contacts on HIV/AIDS-related topics, in government, nongovernmental, and private-sector circles. Must be able to work effectively in a team environment and coordinate well with others. Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills and ability to recommend solutions in complicated situations, taking into consideration different factors and variables such as organizational capacity gaps. Ability to evaluate, and interpret policy directives and regulations to effectively communicate to internal and external stakeholders and produce technical documents is required
• Good office management skills and experience are required in order to support the HIV/AIDS Division in developing and implementing effective USAID-supported HIV/AIDS programs/projects, including financial and administrative skills sufficient to track the performance of IPs and program/project activities. The work requires skills in the following areas: office management, administration, and financial tracking; budgeting and planning; computers, including Word, Excel, database software, and PowerPoint software; the ability to present information and analyses in writing and orally; and, the ability to translate relevant Portuguese documents into English and English documents into Portuguese. Tact and diplomacy are also required, in order to establish and maintain effective working relationships within USAID and with the public and private sectors

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

Notes

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted
• 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 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
• 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