GENERAL INFORMATION SOLICITATION NO.: 72061320R00010 ISSUANCE DATE: September 10, 2020 CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: October 9, 2020 POINT OF CONTACT: Mr. Jason Bennett (
[email protected]) POSITION TITLE: Supply Chain Specialist MARKET VALUE: US and TCNPSC (GS-14 equivalent) $92,977.00 - $120,868, Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years, with the possibility of extensions, not to exceed five (5) years PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Harare, Zimbabwe ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Open to all SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facilities Access STATEMENT OF DUTIES: The primary responsibility of the position is staff capacity building in terms of project management and technical guidance for USAID and USAID partners, the broader U.S. Mission in Zimbabwe, and to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MOHCC) on supply chain and health commodity issues. Health commodity supply and distribution are critical components of the Zimbabwean health system, and thus this position is critical to the success of U.S. Government health assistance to Zimbabwe. USAID/Zimbabwe requires the highly specialized technical services of a Supply Chain Specialist (SCS) for the Health Office to guide staff responsible for complex supply chain related activities, including commodity procurement and systems strengthening in Zimbabwe. Broadly, the aim of the program is the development of a data-driven and streamlined public sector procurement and distribution system that incorporates essential Family Planning (FP), TB, malaria, HIV and AIDS and other essential commodities. The SCS will oversee supply chain staff and activities for the U.S. Government’s (USG) President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program, President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), FP, Maternal and Child Health (MCH), and TB Programs. This may include technical assistance to non-USG support provided by other development partners to ensure availability of FP commodities. USAID’s health activities in Zimbabwe meet the needs of a large number of beneficiaries and have an extensive geographical coverage. USAID/Zimbabwe’s supply chain portfolio is estimated at approximately US$45 million per year. The SCS will ensure that sound policy, strategic and technical analysis occurs in support of these objectives; monitoring and evaluation systems, meet management and reporting requirements; coordination with USG and other partners that serve supply chain needs; and that reinforcing Zimbabwe’s sustainable capacity in these functions is proactively pursued. The SCS will serve both USAID and the USG PEPFAR and PMI teams as a principal source of guidance on health commodities supply chain challenges and issues, opportunities and progress. Besides serving both USAID, PEPFAR, and PMI, the SCS will also liaise with other major supply chain efforts, including those implemented through the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria, other donors, and key stakeholders. The incumbent will build capacity in other supply chain advisors and assistants who contribute to the supply chain portfolio in Zimbabwe. If a Third Country National (TCN) is selected for award, during the period of this contract, the TCN personal services contractor must provide at least 10 (ten) hours of training per week to a Cooperating Country National (CCN) designated by USAID. The PSC Supervisor will establish a training plan with benchmarks to measure the TCNPSC's progress toward achieving this training deliverable. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Oversee supply chain portfolio of activities estimated at approximately USD $45 million per year, ensuring that programs are implemented in compliance with relevant USAID, PMI, and Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator guidelines, policies, regulations and procedures. The Supply Chain Unit’s results in support the USG strategic plan to the pharmaceutical sector include: A more effective public sector medical/supply and public sector health procurement and commodity security system. Improved public sector warehousing and distribution at all levels. Improved use of medicines and more effective pharmaceutical services. Strengthened MOHCC/Pharmacy Directorate strategic planning and management capacity. The SCS will develop policy, technical and management expertise in those responsible for the USG’s supply chain services support to Zimbabwe. As an interim Activity Manager for the centrally-funded supply chain contract, the incumbent will carry technical and managerial oversight responsibilities for the supply chain program. The incumbent will ensure the unit strengthens and expands existing partnerships for supply chain improvement. S/he will concentrate attention to policy, institutional and other barriers to effective commodity supply, and identify and advocate innovations, best practices, reforms and training to remedy problems. Specific duties and approximate time allocations follow by area of responsibility: Technical Capacity Building in Supply Chain Management (60%) Interpret USG supply chain management policy and furnish related analysis and advisory assistance. Illustrative policy areas include drug protocols; supply chain integrity (drug quality assurance, commodity security); integrated supply chain services for all health program components; sustainable supply chain financing. Identifying and coach application of innovative approaches and best practices to achieve supply chain management goals. Assist staff to work with the central MOHCC’s Directorate of Pharmacy Services (DPS), AIDS and TB Unit, National AIDS Council (NAC), NatPharm, District Health Management Teams, and individual facility managers to strengthen forecasting of medicine and other commodity requirements, and management of their procurement, storage, and distribution in Zimbabwe. Assist staff to liaison between USG supply chain implementing partners and the GOZ (MOHCC - including DPS, the Directorate of Laboratory Services (DLS), NatPharm, the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) and appropriate regional and local public sector and non-governmental entities) to develop supply chain services work plans that ensure reliable procurement and distribution of, and access to, essential health and commodities. These include but are not limited to: antiretrovirals, HIV test kits and laboratory supplies, malaria, family planning and other essential medicines and related consumables. Represent the USAID Health Office and the USG PEPFAR and PMI teams in supply chain technical and coordinating meetings with the GOZ, other donors, and Zimbabwean and international non-governmental and private sector organizations. Collaborate with the USAID Health Team to develop and support Zimbabwean and international partnerships which leverage resources for supply chain services on a steadily expanding, sustainable scale. Facilitate awareness and understanding of emerging best practices for logistics and supply chain management, including increased use of data driven systems and approaches to advance supply chain improvements. Contribute technical and management expertise and rigor to USG thematic groups - including the PEPFAR Technical Working Groups - and produce relevant portions of the Country Operational Plan. Program Management (30%) Serve as Activity Manager and COR/AOR, as needed, for supply chain, infrastructure and equipment maintenance projects and other activities that USAID may undertake. Programmatic and financial oversight; seeing that suitable management information and impact monitoring and reporting systems are in place; and ensuring that obligations, expenditures and pipelines conform to work plans, and that incremental funding, if needed, is appropriate and timely. Work plan review and negotiation, ensuring that technical advice is appropriate, timely and effective. Document and report program performance; conduct regular site visits to monitor availability and quality of commodities; review all written reports and furnish feedback to partners; verify asset use; assist with and conduct commodity demand forecasting; recommend and pursue measures to improve supply chain implementing partners performance. Outreach and Communications (10%) Work with the USAID’s Development Outreach Coordinator’s (DOC) office to promote and raise the visibility of the supply chain management portfolio through multiple communications channels. Supervisory Controls: Work will be performed under the general supervision of the Health Team Deputy Director. The SCS works with minimum direction and supervision, independently planning work, selecting technical and managerial approaches and techniques to be used, and informing the supervisor of progress and significant challenges and remedies. Regular consultation with other members of USAID’s Health Office staff and the USG PEPFAR and PMI Teams are expected. Evaluation of performance will be based, broadly, on the degree to which supply chain management objectives are achieved, and technical and policy guidance proves useful to USG supply chain implementing partners and associated partners and stakeholders. Supervisory Relationship: The incumbent will provide overall guidance and mentorship to two Cooperating Country National Personal Services Contractors. POSITION ELEMENTS: Exercise of Judgment: An exceedingly high degree of judgment based on technical expertise will be required to provide guidance and assistance to a wide variety of high-level professionals in the USG Zimbabwe Mission. As a recognized expert and highly qualified professional, substantial reliance will be placed on the incumbent to independently plan, prioritize, and carry out the specific activities entailed in fulfilling major duties and responsibilities to achieve sustainable programming. The incumbent will be expected to maintain a high level of diplomacy and tact, resolve problems that arise by determining the approaches to be taken and methodologies to be used, and make independent judgments. S/he will have to demonstrate considerable leadership as well as individual initiative and creativity and serve as a high-level decision maker to pull critical systems components in the right direction to support mission needs. Authority to Make Commitments: Because the position will be procured through a Personal Services Contract, the incumbent cannot make financial commitments on behalf of the U.S. Government. However, because of the incumbent’s expertise and standing as a highly qualified professional in his/her field, significant weight will be given to his/her conclusions and recommendations when commitments are made by those with the authority to do so. When required to serve as COR/AOR, the SCS will have authority and responsibility as delegated by the signed COR/AOR letter to carry out agency cooperative agreement support commitments. Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: The incumbent will maintain contacts and work with USAID staff in USAID/Zimbabwe, with considerable interaction with USAID/Washington Global Health, the Washington Office of HIV/AIDS, AFR Bureau staff, PEPFAR/Zimbabwe staff at the State Department, Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and PMI/Zimbabwe and PMI/Headquarters teams to provide policy and procedural guidance and to obtain information relative to programs and activities. The incumbent will be involved in establishing a common understanding among high level decision makers the various interested ministries to find satisfactory solutions that address their various objectives and concerns. In addition, the SCS will work closely with senior technical officers from other donors. Official contacts will be the USAID Mission Director, US Embassy/Zimbabwe, USAID/Washington staff, and other high-ranking USG representatives. Complexity: The SCS must be able to function effectively and efficiently with limited supervision in a highly complex, fast-paced environment. The needs of multiple stakeholders in Zimbabwe and the U.S. must be considered, while balancing performance and resource priorities. S/he will be expected to meet high-performance standards despite uncertainties. Year to year resource levels are unknown. Central offices have considerable influence. The scope of supply chain implementation is large and within varying degrees of control of the Activity Manager. The need for decisive leadership in managerially complex and often sensitive, high pressure situations requires that the incumbent exercise good judgment and tact. QUALIFICATIONS: In order to be considered for this position a candidate must meet the Required Minimum Qualifications listed below. Consideration and selection will be based on panel evaluation of Required Minimum Qualifications, Desired Qualifications and Evaluation Factors. Additionally, interviews and writing samples may be requested. Applicants are encouraged to write a brief appendix to a resume, OF-612 to demonstrate how prior experience and/or training addresses the Minimum Qualifications and Evaluation Factors listed below: Required Minimum Qualifications: A master’s degree in international public health logistics, systems or administration; health or facilities administration; industrial engineering; or comparable education. At least five years’ experience in pharmaceutical management, health commodity logistics, or supply chain capacity building and management in developing country contexts. Experience leading international health programs and systems strengthening actions. Experience working with high-level host government officials, the private sector and multilaterals. Level IV English ability (fluent) is required. The incumbent must possess a high degree of proficiency in both written and spoken English. EVALUATION FACTORS: The following factors are listed in descending order of importance and will be the basis for the evaluation of applications meeting the required minimum qualifications. All applications will be evaluated based on the documentation submitted with the application. USAID reserves the right to contact your previous employers for relevant information concerning your performance and may consider such information in its evaluation. The highest-ranking applicants may be selected for an interview, but an interview is not always necessary. Work Experience (50 points): Quality and length of experience in pharmaceutical management, health commodity logistics, or supply chain capacity building and management in developing country contexts, particularly related to HIV/AIDS and Malaria programs. Quality and length of experience leading large international health programs and systems strengthening actions, particularly related to HIV/AIDS and Malaria programs. Quality and length of experience in working with host country governments, Implementing Partners, PVOs and/or Faith Based Organizations, and other bilateral donors, internationally. Quality of knowledge of USAID procedures and experience with USAID programming. Quality and length of experience working with host country governments, health agencies and/or implementing partner organizations in developing countries. Abilities and Skills (50 points): Demonstrated ability to interpret program strategies, expenditure analysis, and other related data sources to monitor and evaluate program implementation and inform design. Excellent analytical, written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated ability in maintaining close counterpart relationships, both governmental and in the partner community. Strong collaborative skills and the ability to work in the inter-Agency environment effectively. Strong commitment to developing local capacity and transferring ownership to local partners and projects All applications will be evaluated based on the documentation submitted with the application. USAID reserves the right to contact your previous employers for relevant information concerning your performance and may consider such information in its evaluation. The highest-ranking applicants may be selected for an interview, but an interview is not always necessary. APPLYING Eligible offerors are required to complete and submit the offer form AID 309-2 , “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts,” available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms. An up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV) or resume: Your CV/resume must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the application in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria. Broad general statements that are vague or lacking specificity will not be considered as effectively addressing selection criteria. Applicants are encouraged to write a brief appendix to demonstrate how prior experience and/or training addresses the minimum qualifications and evaluation criteria set forth in the solicitation. References: Three (3) references, who are not family members or relatives, with working telephone and e-mail contacts. The references must be able to provide substantive information about your past performance and abilities. USAID reserves the right to contact your previous employers for relevant information concerning your performance and may consider such information in its evaluation of the application. Security Clearance : Prior to signing a contract, the selected individual will be required to obtain an “employment authorization”. Instructions for obtaining the security clearance will be forwarded to the selected individual once negotiations have been concluded. Submissions shall be in accordance with the above information at the place and time specified. In order to be considered for the position a candidate must meet the minimum qualifications listed in the solicitation. Consideration and selection will be based on a panel evaluation of the applications vis-a-vis the required qualifications. Applicants should note that the salary history for the purposes of the AID309-2 is the base salary paid, excluding benefits and allowances such as housing, travel, educational support, vehicle use, etc. Applicants are reminded and required to sign the certification at the end of the AID309-2. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section I, item 12 . To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission. Methods of application submissions: For applicants to be considered for this position the following guidelines will be adhered to and forms completed, signed and submitted to
[email protected], to allow the evaluation committee to thoroughly and objectively review your application vis-a-vis the requirements of the position. If sent via email: Mr. Jason Bennett Supervisory Executive Officer E-mail address:
[email protected] LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRES Once the 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 following forms. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a USPSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: BENEFITS: Employer's FICA Contribution Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual and Sick Leave ALLOWANCES: Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas) Temporary Quarter Subsistence Allowance (Section 120) Cost-of-Living Allowance (Chapter 210) Post Allowance (Section 220) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) Education Allowance (Section 270) Education Travel (Section 280) Post Differential (Chapter 500) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600), and TAXES USPSCs are required to pay Federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable State Income taxes. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs USAID regulations and policies governing USPSC awards are available at these sources: USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix D, “Direct USAID Contracts with a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/s ites/de fault/files/do c uments/1868/aidar_0.pdf . Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/form s Acquisition and 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 END OF SOLICITATION