Solicitation
Senior HIV/AIDS Family and Community Services Health Officer
USAID/Ethiopia
1. SOLICITATION No : 663-S-09-001
2. ISSUANCE DATE : October 1, 2008
3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: October 31, 2008
4. POSITION TITLE : Senior HIV/AIDS Family and Community services health Officer
5. MARKET VALUE : GS-14 ($81,093-$105,420)
6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE : 2 Years
7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE : USAID/Ethiopia, Addis
8. AREA OF CONSIDERATION : U.S. Citizens, US Resident Aliens, Permanent Residents, or Third Country Nationals.
9. SECURITY CLEARANCE : Employment Authorization
10. POSITION DESCRIPTION : See below
POSITION DESCRIPTION: SENIOR HIV/AIDS FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES . HEALTH OFFICER
A. BACKGROUND
Ethiopia is the second most populous country in sub-Saharan Africa, with a 2005 population estimated at 78 million people from 83 ethnic groups and languages, in an area almost twice the size of Texas. There are nine ethnically based regions and two special administrative areas, one of which is the capital, Addis Ababa. Approximately 4% of the population lives in Addis Ababa and another 11% in scores of much smaller urban areas throughout the country. Approximately 85% of the population lives in rural areas. Religion plays a major role in the lives of most Ethiopians: approximately 40%-45% of the population adheres to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church; approximately 45% of the population is Muslim; and Evangelical and Pentecostal Protestantism constitute more than 10% of the population. To date there is remarkable religious tolerance and harmony.
The national adult HIV sero-prevalence for 2005 is estimated at 2.1%, with a 7.7% urban rate and a 0.9% rural rate. HIV in Ethiopia continues to be primarily urban, with wide variation in rural areas.
The HIV/AIDS Family and Community Service Health Advisor serves as Family and Community Service Cluster Coordinator (FCS) and has technical and supervisory responsibilities. The FCS Cluster is part of the HIV/AIDS Team in the Health, AIDS, Population and Nutrition (HAPN) Office at USAID/Ethiopia. The Cluster focuses on designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating care and support programs, with emphasis on community level and family-focused responses to service delivery. The Advisor will address family-centered approaches that link comprehensive and accessible health services for the HIV-infected family (PMTCT, palliative care, treatment OVC services, etc.). The HIV/AIDS portfolio also includes home-based and palliative care, community-based counseling and testing, OVC, linkages and referrals to health facilities, home services delivery, adherence council, and food/nutritional support at the community level. The Advisor plays a critical role on the HIV/AIDS Team including providing comprehensive care and support services to orphans and vulnerable children. In addition, the Advisor will work to strengthen PMTCT and child survival programming including strengthening GOE community-based initiatives such as support to Health Extension Workers (HEWs). The incumbent will manage and supervisor a staff of five.
The incumbent fulfills a critical technical and managerial role as a cluster coordinator and participant on the two PEPFAR Interagency Working Groups. The incumbent will be delegated all authorities and responsibilities commensurate with a Cognizant Technical Officer (CTO) and will be responsible for several assigned programs involving family and community services activities with international and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that support the achievement of PEPFAR targets.
B. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Senior Family and Community Service Health Officer has recognized authority in program planning, design, management, monitoring and evaluation of the Mission program that provides critical services related to family and community including orphans and vulnerable children and community-based palliative care to people with HIV/AIDS. The Cluster Coordinator provides overall program guidance to the incumbent in terms of broadly defined functions;
- Provides technical leadership and programmatic guidance to the family and community services cluster. Serves as the expert for the HIV/AIDS Team in the areas of family-based and community-mobilization services as it relates to orphans and vulnerable children, PMTCT, food/nutritional support, psycho-social support at the community-level.
- Coordinates the care component of PEPFAR Ethiopia, especially as they interrelate with community-based activities implemented by NGOs. For OVC and HBC, s/he is responsible for program planning, design and implementation, policy development, and monitoring and evaluation of program interventions.
· Collaborates and manages joint activities implemented under PEPFAR and family and community services support. This includes but is not limited to HIV/Food/Nutrition, HIV/AIDS care and support and treatment interventions in Ethiopia that support children, adolescents and adults infected with and affected by HIV.
· Provides strategic technical advice for, and prepares portions of key PEPFAR planning and budget documents, such as the County Operational Plan (COP), semi-annual and annual progress reports, and Congressional Notification; and participates in the Inter-agency technical working groups in Ethiopia.
· Serve as the primary USAID technical advisor to USAID contractors designing country programs and work plans working on family and community services to achieve PEPFAR goals and objectives.
· Works with partners to assure best “practices” and technical interventions support multi-sectorial programming, including community-based linkages to income generating activity and education. Conducts field visits in order to identify and assess the range of potential partner organizations active in Ethiopia.
· Coordinates, adapts and disseminates lessons learned on psychosocial support programs and projects activities to further strengthen and expand interventions to achieve PEPFAR and GOE goals.
· Coordinate with other Clusters on the HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Health Teams, Other USAID Offices and USG Agencies.
· Works with relevant Mission personnel (especially the Acquisition and Assistance Office) to develop and implement an appropriate procurement plan so that timely awards are made and other procurement actions are taken to ensure effective program implementation and performance.
· The incumbent is the designated CTO/project manager for HIV/AIDS Care and Support activities (OVC, PMTCT, food/nutrition, home-base care, etc.) and other relevant projects. Conducts day-to-day management of the HIV/AIDS care and support programs, including OVC and community-based activities that address comprehensive care packages
· Works collaboratively with the Ethiopia government, other USG, implementing partners and key stakeholders to develop appropriate policies for improving and expanding family and community services.
· Assists in developing a monitoring and evaluation plan in line with the PEPFAR targets, as well as ensure that PEPFAR partners develop project monitoring plans and report in a timely manner on their activities
· Provide expert advice and practical experience in helping the MOH, HAPCO and other partners to monitor inputs and outcomes and progress PEPFAR goals.
· Monitor and evaluate selected HIV/AIDS activities, by ensuring that performance monitoring systems are in place, and that periodic, reliable measures of impact indicators are established. Reviews and approves annual work plans and quarterly
· Monitors activities undertaken by implementing HIV/AIDS programs/projects/activities, tracks progress against program descriptions, implementation plans, and work plans, assesses progress and barriers to achievement, recommends action for improvement or modifications to address problems, and documents and highlights results.
· Responsible for cluster financial management of assigned activities which includes ensuring that obligations, expenditures, and budget pipelines conform to action plans. Ensure appropriate and timely incremental funding of activities.
· Ensures that cluster activities are in compliance with USAID financial regulations. Report any financial discrepancies to the HIV/AIDS Cluster Coordinator and Financial Analyst. Keeps the Mission Controller and Financial Analyst informed on the liquidation of advances. Review and provide administrative approval for assigned activities.
· Ensure compliance with Non-Federal Audits (NFAS) and closure of open recommendations. Maintain a monthly project financial management tracking system.
Supervises FSN Program Managers who have day-to-day management responsibilities for selected activities within the package of OVC, PMTCT, pediatric case detection and HBC programs. Through periodic discussions and review, the Advisor monitors employee’s work and provides both positive feedback and suggested improvements in performance as needed to help ensure that each manager achieves her/his work objectives and accomplishes her/his annual workplan. The incumbent ensures that each manager’s workplan incorporates training and skills development, both to improve job performance and to prepare the manager for professional advancement. In accordance with Mission guidelines and procedures, the incumbent carries out formal personnel evaluations annually for each Program Manager
The Advisor will develop, and obtain the Team Leader’s agreement with, an annual performance-based work plan that incorporates specific work objectives. While the incumbent will work with maximum independence in completing agreed-upon work objectives and in carrying out his/her responsibilities, s/he will inform his/her supervisor promptly of any problems and/or issues that arise that may affect the successful implementation of the Mission’s HIV/AIDS programs. In accordance with Mission guidelines and procedures, the incumbent’s responsibilities and performance will be formally reviewed by the HIV/AIDS Team Leader annually, and informal progress discussions will be held periodically.
C. EVALUATION CRITERIA:
I. Education (10 Points):
A Masters degree in international development, social sciences, public health or other relevant field is required.
II. Prior Work Experience (50 Points):
· A minimum of ten years of relevant professional experience in program design and management in developing countries, including experience in relevant public health or HIV/AIDS programs.
· Proven ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
· Demonstrated ability and experience in the conceptualization, design, management, and performance monitoring of complex development programs.
· Experience in dealing effectively and diplomatically with multiple U.S. and host country government agencies, non-governmental organizations, faith-based and community-based organizations, and the private sector.
· Excellent writing, statistical, computer, and interpersonal skills.
Fluency in English speaking, reading and writing.
The following additional qualifications are highly desirable:
· A thorough working knowledge of U.S. Government operations, regulations, policies, procedures and programs; and previous relevant working experience with the USG.
· A doctoral degree or further graduate work in a relevant field.
· Portuguese language capability; in the absence of Portuguese, proficiency in Spanish or other Romance language(s).
Knowledge of the HIV/AIDS situation in Mozambique.
· Prior budgeting and/or financial management experience.
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III. Knowledge and Skills – all required (40 Points):
Understanding of public health supply chain management challenges in the Ethiopian context or comparable setting.
Demonstrated knowledge of policy, technical and operational aspects of supply chain management; knowledge of basic issues, best practices and innovations in supply chain services.
Ability to readily understand, analyze and discuss issues around supply chain management.
Demonstrated ability to identify priority actions, generate and complete work plans within short time frames.
Demonstrated excellent representation, liaison, and coordination abilities with all levels of counterparts.
Demonstrated organizational, managerial and decision making abilities.
Excellent written and spoken English, with the ability to clearly communicate program and technical concepts, including the ability to make concise and effective oral and written presentations (required). Amharic language skill is useful.
Excellent computer skills, particularly with Microsoft Office software (word processing and spreadsheets), and databases (ACCESS or web-based – preferred); ability to produce concise well-written reports in English.
Ability to work effectively in a team situation, and to negotiate difficult issues and build consensus to achieve results with a wide range of program partners.
Ability to work independently with little supervision.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with a wide range of partners in a complex cultural and bureaucratic environment.
D. TERMS OF PERFORMANCE, COMPENSATION AND LIVING CONDITIONS:
The term of the contract will be for two years from on/about November 5, 2008 (earlier if clearances can be completed) to on/about November 14, 2010 (unless otherwise agreed). Within 2 weeks after written notice from the Contracting Officer that all clearances have been received or, unless another date is specified by the Contracting Officer in writing, the incumbent shall proceed to Addis Ababa to perform the above services which may be extended upon mutual agreement and subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds. The salary range for this position has been established in the GS-14 range. The actual salary of the successful candidate will be negotiated depending on qualifications and previous salary history, but will not exceed the top of the range. In addition, the Mission has a 25% Post Differential allowance. FICA and federal income tax will be withheld by USAID.
E. Position Elements
a) Supervision Received: The Senior HIV/AIDS Family and Community services health Officer will work under the direction of the HIV/AIDS Team Leader. S/he will develop a personal annual performance plan, in coordination with his/her supervisor, and will be evaluated annually on the basis of the performance plan. The Advisor independently plans and carries out the work, selecting technical and managerial approaches and techniques to be used, and informs the supervisor of progress and significant challenges and remedies. Regular consultation with other members of USAID’s HAPN Team, as well as USG PEPFAR and PMI Teams is expected.
b) Available Guidelines: Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM), Foreign Affairs Handbook (FAR), Automated Directives System (ADS), Mission Orders and Mission Notices.
c) Exercise of Judgment: Excellent judgment is critical to successful performance by the incumbent and to successful implementation of USAID/Ethiopia’s HIV/AIDS Family and Community services health s program. S/he must be able to negotiate sensitive issues with GOE officials and other partners and to analyze and solve difficult problems related to program formulation and implementation. The Advisor must be able to provide rapid independent analysis of problems, issues, and opportunities as they arise, and make recommendations to senior management. S/he must be able to review and appraise the quality of reports, evaluations and other technical services procured by USAID. Considerable reliance is placed by USAID on the judgment of the Advisor to make critical program decisions.
d) Authority to Make Commitments: The incumbent has no independent authority to make resource commitments on behalf of the U.S. Government.
e) Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: The Incumbent must provide consistent, credible and diplomatic representation of USAID to high level GOE, donor, and other partner contacts for technical, policy and program management issues related to commodity security and logistics management. S/he will have frequent contacts with high level officials of the MOH, donors, and other partners to facilitate smooth functioning of systems for USG financed commodities. S/he will negotiate with MOH and other partners at State (Deputy) Minister, National Program Director and program manager level on the implementation and monitoring of USAID- or PEPFAR-funded commodity procurement and distribution activities, and will advocate to ensure that commodity-related issues are taken into account in MOH budget and strategic plans. S/he will negotiate and coordinate with GFATM, GAVI, GAIN and others as needed for HIV- and health-related procurements. The Advisor will represent USAID/Ethiopia with multi-lateral donor coordination bodies and in defining donor technical, policy and program support to the MOH and other Ministries.
f) COMPLEXITY: The technical scope and management responsibilities of the position are complex, requiring the services of a highly qualified person with strong technical skills in logistics management. The ability to work collaboratively within teams is essential for success in this position, as is the ability to work proactively and independently. The Advisor must be able to function effectively and efficiently with limited supervision in a highly complex, fast-paced environment. The needs of multiple stakeholders in Ethiopia and the U.S. must be considered, while balancing performance and resource priorities. The Advisor will be responsible for managing the contracts/grants, addressing the commodity and service requirements of PEPFAR and USAID/Ethiopia’s HIV/AIDS programs, and coordinating with multiple public and private agencies and organizations. The need for decisive leadership in managerially complex and often sensitive, high pressure situations requires that the incumbent exercise good judgment and tact, and operate with substantial responsibility and authority.
- Medical and Security Clearance: If a USPSC is selected, s/he must be able to obtain a USG secret level security clearance and a Department of State medical clearance. TCN candidates must be able to obtain a Security certification for employment and a medical clearance.
- Benefits: AS A MATTER OF POLICY, AND AS APPROPRIATE, AN INDIVIDUAL MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF AN OFFSHORE HIRE USPSC IS NORMALLY AUTHORIZED THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS. [TCNPSCs WILL BE AUTHORIZED THE USUAL TCNPSC BENEFITS AS STIPULATED IN APPENDIX J OF THE AIDAR UNLESS ADDITIONAL ALLOWANCES ARE AUTHORIZED BY THE MISSION DIRECTOR]:
1. Benefits
(1) Employee’s FICA Contribution
(2) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance –50% of Health Insurance Annual Premium (not to exceed $7,750 for a family and $3,410 for employees without dependents) –50% of Life Insurance Annual Premium (not to exceed $500)
(3) Pay Comparability Adjustment–Annual across the board salary increase for USG employees and USPSCs
(4) Eligibility for Worker’s Compensation
(5) Vacation & Sick Leave
2. Allowances* (If Applicable): As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, an offshore USPSC is normally authorized the following allowances:
(1) Post Differential (Section 500)
(2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)
(3) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120)
(4) Post Allowance (COLA)(Section 220)
(5) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230)
(6) Payments During Evacuation (Section 600)
(7) Education Allowance (Section 270)
(8) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)
(9) Danger Pay (Section 650)
(10) Educational Travel (Section 280)
* Dept. of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) (Government Civilians Foreign Areas).
3. Other Benefits: Additional benefits are available for individuals hired from outside Ethiopia in accord with the AIDAR, Federal Travel Regulations and Standardized Regulations, e.g., international airfare from place of residence, R&R, international shipment of personal effects, unaccompanied baggage allowance, consumables allowance, POV Shipment, Repatriation Travel, furnished housing and educational allowances for dependent children.
H. FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes under the foreign earned income exclusion.
I. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs:
For initial consideration:
1. OF-612 or SF-171
Upon advice by the Contracting Officer that the applicant is the successful candidate:
2. Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet (AID 1420-17)
3. Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62).
4. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86)
5. Finger Print Card (FD-258). **(Available from the law enforcement offices or in USAID/Washington).
The list of required PSC forms above can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/forms/
J. APPLICATION PROCESS:
Qualified individuals are requested to submit a U.S government OF-612 which is available at the USAID website http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/forms.asp , or at Federal Offices. Alternatively, the old SF-171 may be submitted in lieu of the OF-612. All application forms must be signed and dated prior to transmittal.
Applicant’s detailed CV and a cover letter of application should also be included.
All applications should be submitted electronically to Wbekele@usaid.gov
To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application and as the subject line of cover letter. The highest ranking applications may be selected for interview. Applications must be received before the closing time and date in item number three of this solicitation. Applications received after that date and/or time may not be considered.
ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) PERTAINING TO PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACT (PSC): AAPDs contain information or changes pertaining to USAID policy, regulation and procedures concerning acquisition and assistance. A number of AAPDs pertain to Personal Service Contracts. Please refer to the USAID website http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/ to locate relevant AAPDs. Additionally, AIDAR Appendix D or J also applies to PSCs and can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf
K. Points of Contact
1. Robert Appiah, Deputy Executive Officer, USAID/Ethiopia, E-MAIL: RAppiah@usaid.gov
2. Wondwossen Bekele, HR Specialist: wbekele@usaid.gov
