SUBJECT: Solicitation No. SOL-517-13-000001 Personal Services Contract – USAID/Dominican Republic– US-TCNPSC Health Team Leader Salary range US$71,674.00 to US$93,175.00 (GS-13) (Pending NSDD-38 approval) Ladies and Gentlemen: The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications from qualified U.S. citizens and Third Country Nationals (TCNs) to provide personal services as described in the attached solicitation. The length of this position is estimated to be two (2) years, from on/about June 2013 through o/a June 2015, with option to extend up to three years. Submittals shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to: Ana Díaz USAID/Dominican Republic Telephone Number: 809-731-7044 E-mail address:
[email protected] Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosure which accompany their applications. All applications and the required documents should be submitted to the following persons by April 01, 2013, 4:00pm Easter Time: Soraya Morillo/Ana Díaz USAID/Dominican Republic Telephone Number: 809-731-7042/ 809-731-7044 Fax Number: 809-221-0023 E-mail:
[email protected] E-mail:
[email protected] Sincerely, Molly Steinbauer Regional Executive Officer USAID DR Health Team Leader STATEMENT OF WORK I. Introduction USAID/Dominican Republic (DR) is seeking a Health Team Leader to provide technical and supervisory leadership to the health team comprised of 1 US Direct Hire and 4 FSNs managing an annual portfolio of over $7 million in PEPFAR HIV/AIDS funding. The Team Leader will be the focal point on Health issues for the Mission and will report to and support the USAID General Development Officer, a U.S. direct hire who will provide general supervision and oversight of the Social Sector Program portfolio which includes Health and Education. The Health Team Leader will contribute to the establishment of overall program priorities and work assignments, development of strategies, program and project designs, and scopes of work, as well as provide technical guidance and support to CORs and AORs in project implementation. S/he will have wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment and will have formal decision-making authority in broad program areas consistent with USAID policies, goals, and strategies. S/he will interact with the highest level of government and represent USAID and the US Government in official settings. II. Background The Dominican Republic has transitioned to upper middle income country status which presents a variety of challenges in light of the paradigm shift from the traditional conceptualization of development support. The Mission strategy is focused on helping the Dominican Republic to Improve Citizen Security and prevention and management of HIV/AIDS infection is a key component of the strategy. The Health Team is in process of revising traditional development approaches to better respond and support the shift in needs of a new upper middle income country which is facing the challenges of key vulnerable populations existing in fragile states of poverty and outside of the safety net. Additionally as the conditions in the DR continue to improve, responsibility for management and sustainability of activities is shifting to the government and NGO counterparts. Within this context USAID is also challenged with accomplishing its goals with declining budget support. Country Overview : The HIV prevalence in the Dominican Republic appears to have stabilized between 0.8-1.1 percent in the general population. In 2010, there were an estimated 48,550 people living with HIV/AIDS in the Dominican Republic. The HIV epidemic in the Dominican Republic disproportionately affects specific key populations including Men that Have Sex with Men (MSM) with an HIV prevalence of 6.1%, Female Sex Workers (FSW) 4.8%, residents of bateyes (sugar plantations) and typically characterized by extreme poverty, of Haitian descent 3.2%, and women with less than four years of education, 2.3%. Approximately 70% of new infections occur among young women. In addition to vulnerability to HIV disease, these groups are also disproportionately affected by stigma, discrimination and gender-based violence. The 2008 Stigma Index indicates that people with HIV living in the Dominican Republic continue to be affected by high rates of stigma and discrimination. For example, nearly a quarter of respondents reported having their human rights violated while 10% reported having been refused a job as a result of their HIV status. According to the 2007 DHS, only 15.2% of men and 23.5% of women expressed accepting attitudes towards people living with HIV. Furthermore, HIV+ FSW, MSM, or other vulnerable populations are victim to multiple forms of stigma and discrimination. High rates of stigma and discrimination are an important social barrier preventing people from accessing testing and counseling services. Addressing these vulnerabilities is critical to a successful and comprehensive HIV response. According to the 2007 DHS, 9.7% of women aged 15 – 49 experienced physical violence and 10.1% experienced sexual violence. Of those who had experienced sexual violence, 38.5% had their first experience before the age of 20, with 6.5% of respondents stating they were younger than 10 years old when they first experienced sexual violence. In addition, these marginalized groups are at greater risk of homophobia and sex trafficking. Recent trends indicate that both the rate and intensity of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) are increasing. Since the beginning of the HIV epidemic, USAID has supported the Government of the Dominican Republic and local organizations to strengthen the HIV response. Historically, most of this support has been funneled through international institutions with a focus on service delivery rather than sustainability. The Dominican Republic has been able to scale-up HIV care and treatment services and slow the spread of HIV by rigorously implementing evidence-based prevention strategies like the 100% Condom Campaign targeting commercial sex workers. Meanwhile, many organizations have strengthened their institutional capacity; maturing from support groups to service delivery organizations and from civil society groups quoting the evidence to institutions creating the evidence. Leveraging this emerging local capacity reflects commitment to investing in local organizations in order to strengthen the comprehensive response to HIV and ensure sustainability. Haiti : The complex relationship between the Dominican Republic and Haiti is reflective of a history of highly uneven development. There are an estimated 1,000,000 Haitians, including documented and undocumented immigrants, many living in extreme poverty, throughout the Dominican Republic. Numerous Haitians migrate to the DR seeking jobs, health care and a better life. For example, a significant number of women travel from Haiti to give birth in public hospitals in the Dominican Republic, returning to Haiti after delivery. It has been estimated in hospitals supported by USAID that between 20-35% of the patients delivering are Haitian and at the border areas this number rises to upwards of 70%. Additionally HIV prevalence Haiti is estimated to be twice as high as the DR. There is also considerable movement between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, which is especially exacerbated by the porous border. The January 12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti and the temporary movement of a large number of Haitians into the Dominican Republic further demonstrated the strong connectivity of issues across the island and a need for partnership. The Health Team Leader will be the focal point on Health issues for the Mission and will report to and support the USAID General Development Officer, a U.S. direct hire who will provide general supervision and oversight to the Health and Education teams. The Health Team Leader will contribute to the establishment of overall program priorities and work assignments, development of strategies, program and project designs, and scopes of work, as well as provide technical guidance and support to COTRs and AOTRs in project implementation. S/he will have wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment and will have formal decision-making authority in broad program areas consistent with USAID policies, goals, and strategies. S/he will interact with the highest level of government and represent USAID and the US Government in official settings. S/he must be able to think and operate strategically and programmatically, analyzing complex situations in order to assist in the development of USAID strategic plans and programs, and assessing the impact of host country policies and practices on USAID programs. S/he will work in collaboration with members of the Health Team to achieve programmatic objectives. The incumbent will advise, collaborate and work with the health team in the planning, formulating, implementing, and monitoring and evaluating of health activities and strategies. III. Major Duties and Responsibilities: The Team Leader will have the following major duties and responsibilities: A. Management: Senior Management Team Duties § Take the lead role in formulating the USAID/DR PEPFAR annual budget request. This includes ensuring that the budget tracking system for USAID/DR PEPFAR activities is accurate, complete, and up-to-date. Oversee obligations and sub-obligations for all USAID/DR PEPFAR activities. This includes ensuring that obligations tracking systems are accurate, effective, and utilized. § Represent USAID in meetings with USG and host country government officials at all levels. § Lead the USAID/DR PEPFAR Office reporting processes. Contribute to and oversee, for USAID, the PEPFAR Country Operational Plan (COP) and semi-annual and annual PEPFAR DR reports; USAID DR PPR; ad hoc technical reports as needs arise (i.e. report on funding gaps; analysis and interpretation of project data from USAID implementing partners; identification of program gaps, implementation problems; propose strategies, actions to address problems). § Supervise, coach and mentor USAID PEPFAR staff working on the budget, reporting and monitoring processes. Assist, coach and mentor USAID PEPFAR program management staff and technical advisors in start-up and implementation requirements of newly awarded USAID grants/contracts. § Design and oversee actions to address audit recommendations to ensure that recommendations are closed in a timely manner. B. Technical § Provide strategic direction for USAID HIV/AIDS activities; identify appropriate technical assistance and contractual mechanisms to address HIV/AIDS needs in the DR. § Participate in various GODR Technical Working Groups (TWGs) for HIV/AIDS-related areas including the Global Fund Country Coordination Meetings; collaborate closely with GODR Ministry of Health, CONAVIHSIDA and with other GODR government partners as appropriate. § Collaborate closely with other USG entities, particularly CDC, DOD and Peace Corps and other donors, PEPFAR implementing partners and civil society, in the design and implementation of the DR PEPFAR program. Must be conversant with and able to explain USAID and PEPFAR guidelines to host country counterparts. C. Agency Specific Routine Duties § Contribute to select sections of the COP, PEPFAR semi-annual and annual reports, and other PEPFAR documents. § Keep abreast on the USAID award mechanisms and requirements, technical area policies, objectives and strategies. § Mentor and assist USAID staff in carrying out their duties. § Prepare briefing papers, materials, speeches, and informational and/or analytical reports as required by the US Embassy, USAID/Washington or other stakeholders. § Represent USAID at internal USG meetings, and in meetings with GODR, other donors, civil society, and PEPFAR implementing partners. SUPERVISION/OVERSIGHT OVER OTHERS: § Has supervisory responsibility for USAID DR Health staff, including FSN Senior Program Manager (FSN10), Program Manager Assistant (FSN 8) and Administrative Assistant (FSN7) REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION (WEIGHTING IN % FOR RATING): EDUCATION (10%) § An advanced degree (minimum master’s level) in public health, i.e. health management, health policy, health education, epidemiology, or development studies or another field with links to the health sector. TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE (30%) Must have demonstrable knowledge of public health and socio-economic development issues, and good familiarity with HIV/AIDS issues and challenges in developing countries similar to the DR, including state-of-the-art strategies, activities and programs for addressing the AIDS epidemic. Good familiarity with international development theory, programming policies and practices, including multi-sector linkages and synergies; WORK EXPERIENCE (30%) Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience as a program manager for complex HIV and health development assistance programs, including direct experience managing PEPFAR activities with a minimum 2 years experience in senior-level program management/leadership position based in a developing country, preferably in the Caribbean Region. Appropriate experience working in international health and/or other social sectors with links to health, including work in multi-year programs and projects (includes experience with project design and implementation; project trouble-shooting; data analysis and evaluation; report-writing; interacting with and advising a multitude of host country counterparts and implementing partners, etc.) Prior project management work within an international development organization, foreign assistance programs, or large implementing agencies (from private or nonprofit sector, or multilateral or other large donor agency). Prior staff supervisory and mentoring experience. Familiarity with GODR HIV/AIDS, health and social sector programs, priorities and policies is desirable. COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGE SKILLS (30%) Must have strong project management and supervisory (“people”) skills; able to work within a large bi-agency and bi-cultural team, and collaborate with a large number of senior level GODR officials, PEPFAR/DR partners, local leaders, and representatives of civil society. Must have excellent writing skills. Must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. FSI Level S4/R4 in English and S3+/R3+ in Spanish. OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTS: GUIDELINES Incumbent will follow and apply Agency guidelines, policies, rules and regulations, using good judgment and ingenuity to interpret their intent and apply them within the context of PEPFAR DR. COMPLEXITY Incumbent carries out a wide range of responsibilities that require an equally wide range of skills and analytical processes. Decision-making requires the capacity to quickly analyze, understand, synthesize and formulate appropriate and effective responses within a context of very short deadlines, multiple stakeholders with constant and ever-changing requirements, and continuous changes in technical program standards. The job requires a self-starter with initiative to stay abreast of developments in technical area and inventiveness to devise ways to apply new techniques and methodologies to the local environment to achieve maximum benefits. Requires the ability to lead and act as an effective supervisor/mentor within a multi-cultural team environment. SCOPE AND EFFECT Incumbent is considered to be an expert in the management of HIV/AIDS, public health or similar social sector programs, imminently qualified to advise and guide USG colleagues, host country government counterparts, U.S. cooperating agencies and local implementing partners on all matters related to USAID awards, policies, global goals and objectives. The incumbent’s work directly informs the development and major aspects of both administrative and professional employees’ own work, both within the PEPFAR DR team and with the PEPFAR DR external partners. Incumbent’s work involves formal responsibility for leading technical and program management activities, and guiding and coordinating the work of the USAID PEPFAR DR technical and administrative staff. PERSONAL CONTACTS Incumbent will have contacts with counterpart officials at all levels, from high-ranking Government leaders and Ministers and to the heads of technical directorates and units, to project directors and focal points. S/he will also have contacts with high-level officials and technical advisors from other donors and international organizations. Contacts take place in both structured and unstructured settings. LEVEL AND PURPOSE OF CONTACTS Incumbent is expected to influence, motivate, and direct people or groups and s/he must be resourceful in identifying the appropriate approach for negotiating and persuading others, and in establishing rapport in order to gain and relay information, including decision makers within the host government and on the USG colleagues in Washington DC, who might have different agendas and priorities than the USG PEPFAR team. PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT The USAID PEPFAR DR Office is located in USAID in Santo Domingo. On a regular periodic basis, incumbent must be able to travel within the DR to visit and assess progress at USAID PEPFAR DR implementing partners’ activity sites. 4. BASIS OF RATING APPLICATIONS Selection Factors: Applicants must possess the minimum qualifications for the position (see criteria above: Education, Technical Knowledge, Work Experience, Communication and Other Skills). Additional factors to be taken into consideration include: § Applicant is a U.S. Citizen or Third Country National. § Completed and hand-signed federal form OF-612 and OF-612 continuation sheets is submitted by application deadline. (Note: All applicants must submit complete dates [months/years] and hours per week for all positions listed on the OF-612 to allow for adequate evaluation of your related and direct experience. Experience that cannot be quantified will not count towards meeting the experience requirements.). § Cover letter and supporting documentation specifically addressing the minimum requirements for the position. Applicants must explain in their cover letter how they meet the requirements of the position. If excellent writing skills are required, applicants should submit a writing sample of a work document or publication, written by the applicant, covering a technical area relevant for the position applied for (include writing sample as an attachment to cover letter). § All applications will be evaluated and scored based on the required qualifications and documentation submitted with the application. Those applicants who are short-listed (determined to be competitively ranked) may also be evaluated on interview performance and satisfactory professional reference checks. Failure to address the selection criteria may result in your not receiving credit for all of your pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards. USAID may contact the applicant’s professional references and verify academic credentials. Applicants may also be evaluated based on the performance in an interview. Applicants who do not meet all of the selection criteria or do not provide the required documentation are considered NOT qualified for the position. Language and Communication Skills: Must be fluent in English and Spanish and have proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly, and concisely, both orally and in writing, including technical reports. Must have demonstrated ability to produce quality analytical pieces. Teamwork/Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional teamwork and interpersonal skills are critical. In addition, the incumbent must be able and desire to interact effectively with Mission staff outside of the Health Team, other USG Agencies, and implementing partners. S/he must be able to function collaboratively and productively as a member of a multidisciplinary and multifunctional team and must have the ability to work effectively in a team environment to achieve consensus on policies, activities and administrative matters. 4. Knowledge and Other Skills: Thorough knowledge of public health development principles, program and project development, budgeting (preferred), and analytical skills required. Knowledge of USAID policies, procedures and directives related to strategic development, programming, project development, implementation, results review, performance monitoring, and evaluation desired. Strong spreadsheet, word processing, and internet skills are needed. IV. Salary Range The salary range for the position is equivalent to a GS-13 ( US$71,674.00 to US$93,175.00). V. Selection Criteria Applicants will be evaluated on the extent and quality of their education, knowledge, experience, language and other skills, as they relate to this position against the following criteria: Education: 10 points Technical Knowledge 30 points Relevant Work Experience: 30 points Relevant International Work Experience (10 points) Familiarity/Experience with USAID systems (10 points) Project Management Experience (10 points) Communication and Interpersonal Skills: 30 points Total: 100 points VI. Length of Contract It is estimated that a base contract will be issued for an initial two (2) year period, with options to extend it for three (3) more years depending on availability of funds. VII . Period of Service: The approximate start date for this position is June 2013. Within 15 days 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 Contractor shall proceed to the Dominican Republic to perform the above services. VIII. Applying: Applications must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in the cover letter. Qualified individuals are required to submit: - A complete U.S. Government Optional Form 612 with hand-written signature (downloadable forms are available on the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms . 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 application. List of Required Forms for PSCs Forms outlined below can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ 1. Optional Form 612 2. Medical History and Examination Form (DS-1843) ** 3. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (SF-86) ** or 4. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)** 5. Finger Print Card (FD-258)** ** Forms 2 through 5 shall be completed ONLY upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job. IX. Benefits and Allowances: As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: BENEFITS: Employer’s FICA Contribution Contribution toward Health and Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation) Eligibility for Worker’s Compensation Annual and Sick Leave ALLOWANCES (if Applicable): * (A) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) (B) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) (C) Post Allowance (Section 220) (D) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) (E) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) (F) Education Allowance (Section 270) (G) Education Travel (Section 280) (H) Post Differential (Chapter 500) (I) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) and (J) Danger Pay (Section 650) * Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas) FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are required to pay Federal Income Taxes, FICA and Medicare. ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED REGARDLESS OF AGE, RACE, COLOR, SEX, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, LAWFUL POLITICAL AFFILIATION, NON-DISQUALIFYING HANDICAP, MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AND AFFILIATION WITH AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION OR OTHER NON-MERIT FACTOR.