ISSUANCE DATE: November 16, 2015 CLOSING DATE: December 06, 2015 SUBJECT: Solicitation No. SOL-517-15-000010-02 US Personal Services Contract - USAID/Dominican Republic- PEPFAR Country Coordinator Salary range US$86,399.00 to US$112,319.00 (GS-14) 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 to provide personal services as described in the attached solicitation. The length of this position is estimated to be two (2) years, subject to funds availability. 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 Diaz USAID/Dominican Republic Telephone Number 809-368-7449 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 person by December 06, 2015, 4:30 pm Eastern Time: Ana Diaz USAID/Dominican Republic Telephone Number 809-368-7449 E-mail address:
[email protected] Sincerely, Ken Seifert Regional Executive Officer USAID/Dominican Republic 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: No. SOL-517-15-000010 2. ISSUANCE DATE: November 16, 2015 3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME: December 06, 2015/ 4:30 PM EST 4. POSITION TITLE: USPSC PEPFAR Country Coordinator 5. MARKET VALUE OF POSITION: The USPSC position is the equivalent of a GS-14, ranging from $86,399.00 to $112,319.00 per annum. Final compensation will be based on the individual's salary and work history, experience and educational background. 6. EVALUATION FACTORS: Evaluation of qualifications and experience required of candidates will be conducted on a 100-point Scale and weighted as follows: Relevant Work Experience (40%); Technical Knowledge and Abilities (30%); Communication/Interpersonal Skills (30%). 7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE One Two (2) years, with the possibility of extensions subject to funds availability, not to exceed a total of five (5) years. 8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 9. SECURITY ACCESS TBD- Pending classification for Facility HSPD-12 or Secret Clearance (per SF58P MBI) 10. AREA OF CONSIDERATION U. S. Citizens 11. STATEMENT OF WORK/POSITION DESCRIPTION: I. SCOPE OF WORK Background: The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) - the U.S. Government initiative to help save the lives of those impacted by HIV/AIDS around the world - is the largest commitment by any nation in history to combat a single disease internationally. PEPFAR investments also help alleviate suffering from other diseases across the global health spectrum. PEPFAR is driven by a shared responsibility among donor and partner nations and others to make smart investments to save lives. Thanks in large part to U.S. leadership, tremendous progress has been made in the fight against global AIDS. PEPFAR has supported life-saving antiretroviral treatment for more than 6.7 million men, women and children worldwide as of September 30, 2013. Now in its third phase, PEPFAR is continuing to focus on the transition from an emergency response to building sustainable programs. These programs are country-owned and country-driven and address HIV/AIDS within a broader context of health and development. PEPFAR's program builds on past strengths and increases efficiencies by scaling up effective interventions and ensuring value. GOAL STATEMENT PEPFAR in the Dominican Republic's (DR) overarching goal is to collaborate with the national response (NR) to achieve epidemic control (90-90-90) by helping to increase testing availability, linking and retaining key populations (KP)/partners of HIV-positive people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) into care and treatment, reaching viral suppression and reducing new infections. The overarching strategies are to: 1) reduce the number of new infections by supporting the identification of new cases (testing), linkage and retention into care and treatment services for men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender persons (TG), female sex workers (FSW), and migrant populations (Haitians or Dominicans of Haitian descent); 2) support services which provide the underpinnings of prevention, care and treatment to KPs: improving clinical and care services, lab strengthening, TB/HIV co-infection, reducing stigma and discrimination, strategic information, condom social marketing, supply chain management and technical assistance (TA) to ensure the proper deployment of service personnel. PEPFAR-DR will also work with the Government of the Dominican Republic (GODR), civil society, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) and other cooperating agencies on sustainability and implementation issues. The overall goals are to implement the PEPFAR Blueprint and: l. Transition from an emergency response to promotion of sustainable country programs. ll. Strengthen partner government capacity to lead the response to this epidemic and other health demands. lll. Expand prevention, care, and treatment based on the country's epidemic profile. IV. Integrate and coordinate HIV/AIDS programs with broader global health and development programs to maximize impact on health systems, relevant to the country context. V. Invest in innovation and operations research to evaluate impact, improve service delivery and maximize outcomes. Within the Department of State, the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator (S/GAC) is responsible for coordinating the implementation of PEPFAR. Additional information about S/GAC and PEPFAR is available at www.pepfar.gov. Duties and Responsibilities: Program Management and Implementation Leads the USG PEPFAR inter-agency team in the Dominican Republic in the conception, formulation, and recommendation, of initiatives in response to the epidemic profile in the Dominican Republic, and to the program operational realm, including: ● Ensures that the PEPFAR program fits within the regulations of the partner country government and aligns with international policies and recommendations; ● Communicates USG policy and technical direction to implementing agency leadership; ● Coordinates and facilitates the interagency approach to PEPFAR within the USG; ● Coordinates and facilitates with PEPFAR implementing agencies the restructuring, reorienting and recasting immediate and long range goals, objectives, plans and schedules to meet substantial changes in policy, legislation, program authority and/or funding; ● Facilitates discussion with the interagency team regarding determinations of projects to be initiated, dropped or curtailed; ● Develops annual country operational plans (COPs), reports, and responds to information needs from the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (S/GAC), the Chief of Mission, and others; ● Ability to use a wide variety of data bases for analysis, data presentation, financial management, and reporting (e.g., FACTS-Info); ● Oversees changes in organizational structure; and, ● Engages with the inter-agency process in-country in long range planning in connection with prospective changes in USG funding, policies, and programs. Establishes appropriate controls to ensure the integrity of financial, technical, and operational-of all HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care programs implemented pursuant to PEPFAR. The Country Coordinator decides, in coordination with the U.S. Embassy leadership and PEPFAR implementing agencies, how best to direct the funds allocated to the country for successful program impact. To properly manage the country budget, the Country Coordinator must understand the current levels of expenditure and pipeline, develop budgets, and ensure continued flow of funds necessary to implement the program. Ensures the use of data collection and knowledge-based program management in regard to all aspects (implementation, technology, costing) of treatment, prevention and care strategies. Provides leadership, advice, and counsel to USG interagency leaders in-country in the implementation and monitoring of the PEPFAR program portfolio. Facilitates inter-agency decision-making to ensure program sustainability in a post-Emergency response with greater country ownership in the political ownership/stewardship, institutional ownership, capabilities, and mutual accountability. Analyzes the unique operational context of the PEPFAR program in the designated country. Coordinates the interagency process to establish a vision and strategy for responding to this context within the guidelines of S/GAC policy and U.S. diplomatic priorities. For the PEPFAR program in Dominican Republic this includes: strengthening capacity and harmonization efforts to foster the development of strategies which build on the expertise and strengths of all USG agencies; ensuring accountability; and promoting human rights approaches. Collaboration Among Major Non-USG Stakeholders Ensures coordination and linkage of USG bilateral assistance with other bilateral donors, non-governmental organizations, and international multilateral organizations engaged in the fight against the global HIV/AIDS pandemic, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Fund. Collaborates and shares information with multilateral partners, other donors, and S/GAC relevant to the success of broad efforts to mitigate the impact of the HIV epidemic in country. Liaises with these development partners, and in particular, with the Country Coordination Mechanism of the Global Fund, to ensure complementarities between the USG investments and other donors. May act as the USG representative member on the local Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM). Along with other USG PEPFAR implementing agency leadership, establishes appropriate protocol for collaboration with the partner government, including providing oversight and developing the vision of USG interaction with the partner government on all aspects of HIV/AIDS, including the various executive branch bodies from the health sector to social welfare systems to finance. Promotes alignment with and understanding of the partner government priorities and policies among USG staff implementing the PEPFAR program. Evaluates the relative need, local conditions and capability of the designated country to develop or improve their infrastructure and programs necessary to provide or strengthen the quality, availability and sustainability of HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention and care services. Leads discussions, as appropriate, about the timing and planning for transition from USG resources toward other types of funding for sustainable HIV responses. Counsels and advises S/GAC decision-makers regarding the optimal mix of funding support for the designated country. Ensures outreach to and engagement of private-sector partners, including advocacy groups, faith- and community-based organizations, and businesses in the HIV/AIDS response. Encourages the engagement of these groups by all USG agencies responding to the epidemic in-country. Program Representation Assists in assuring the accountability of PEPFAR and other HIV/AIDS programs supported by the USG to Administration officials, members of Congress, and the general public through the development and communication of appropriate statements, reports, and representation. In collaboration with various PEPFAR implementing agencies, serves as the representative of the USG, and the Ambassador's office in particular, in country-level and, when appropriate, international-level fora such as working groups, country coordinating mechanisms, steering committees, etc., with a focus on responding to the HIV epidemic and to integration of HIV services into broader health efforts in the designated country. Counsels and advises the S/GAC and U.S. Embassy staff on relevant HIV/AIDS policies and issues that emerge in various settings with stakeholders. As requested by S/GAC and the U.S. Embassy, speaks on behalf of the USG about specific country HIV/AIDS epidemic needs based on a comprehensive knowledge of the overall country, regional, and global context, in-country HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care programs, and the current status of implementation of PEPFAR. Supported by a Country Support Team Lead (CSTL) at S/GAC, communicate field-based and headquarters priorities upstream and downstream. With the CSTL, facilitate inter-agency dialogue between the field and headquarters inter-agency teams, facilitating timely responses on emerging issues in the country. In collaboration with PEPFAR leadership from other USG agencies, serves as the representative of the USG at international meetings, conferences, etc., whose sponsors or attendees may include donors and others with significant equities and other contributors in the fight against the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. Recommends and promotes positions and views for the USG on strategies, initiatives and current programs that aim to improve the prevention, treatment and care of HIV/AIDS. In coordination with PEPFAR leadership from other USG agencies, plans and directs the identification, development, implementation and monitoring of outreach and/or liaison activities and initiatives with USG representatives, including Congressional staff, the partner government, international organizations, non-governmental organizations and regional donors to foster greater leadership, commitment and resources on their part in the global fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Supervisory Controls The Country Coordinator will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Chief of Mission, or his/her designee. The Country Coordinator informs and engages the Chief of Mission, the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, USG representatives in-country administering HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care programs, non-governmental organizations, and partner government officials and their medical professionals on PEPFAR program achievements, concerns and needs to reinforce initiatives to accomplish the goals of PEPFAR through bilateral and multilateral diplomatic efforts. Other Duties as Assigned The Country Coordinator devises and maintains appropriate management and internal control systems to ensure all resources are safeguarded against waste, fraud, unauthorized use or misappropriation; obligations incurred comply with applicable laws and regulations; and revenues and expenditures are promptly recorded and accounted for in accordance with Department of State procedures. Proactively identifies program areas where potential for waste, fraud, unauthorized use or misappropriation exist and pursues systematic resolution. II. QUALIFICATIONS: Education: An advanced degree (master's or higher) in a relevant professional discipline, such as Public Policy, Public Health, Business Administration or related subject, is required. Work Experience: At least 5 years of progressively senior level experience managing HIV/AIDS, health or other development programs, preferably in a developing country context, with at least 3 years of experience in managing and implementing HIV/AIDS programs. At least 5 years of proven experience working with large, complex international or domestic programs. Demonstrated experience operating in his/her non-native cultural environment. Demonstrated strong knowledge and understanding of PEPFAR policies and programming parameters. Extensive knowledge of the technical issues related to HIV/AIDS, including knowledge of the principles of monitoring and evaluation. Demonstrated strong ability to manage complex programs with cooperation among multiple parties with sometimes competing priorities and demands. Skills and Abilities: • Strong interpersonal, teamwork, facilitation, advocacy and negotiation skills. • Strong oral and written communication skills, including high-level presentations in both English and Spanish. • Ability to mediate inter-agency conflicts and facilitate decisions on complex technical, programmatic, strategic and financial issues. • Strong analytical skills, including database management. • Strong capacity to multi -task, including managing, prioritizing and fulfilling competing demands in real time, under short and rapidly changing deadlines. • Ability to keep track of a large amount of data and manage complex inter-agency planning and reporting processes. • Ability to empower PEPFAR team members to apply available resources and expertise to address the local epidemic. • Ability to engage and strategize with local stakeholders (e.g., GODR entities and civil society) to apply local resources and expertise in addressing the epidemic. • Cross-cultural sensitivity and awareness. • Strong managerial and leadership skills within a fast-paced work environment. • Able to obtain U.S. Government medical and Secret security clearances. • Available and willing to work outside the regular 40-hour workweek when required/necessary. • Willing to travel to work sites and other offices as/when requested. • Demonstrated ability to use MS Office software packages: Excel, Power Point, Word. Language Ability: The incumbent must possess excellent communication skills. English fluency (Level IV) coupled with excellent written and spoken English language skills are critical for job success. A high level of Spanish proficiency/fluency, both written and spoken, is equally critical as stakeholder discussions and engagement with inter-agency colleagues will predominately take place in the Spanish language. III. 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: 1. Relevant Work Experience (40%) 2. Technical Knowledge and Ability (30%) 3. Communication/Interpersonal Skills (30%) 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 and asked to complete a work-oriented task, but an interview is not always necessary. 12. INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS: A) APPLYING Applications must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in the cover letter. Qualified individuals are required to adhere to the following guidelines. i. Marking Applications: To ensure consideration of applicants for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application, and as the subject line in any cover letter, as well as using the address/delivery point specified in this solicitation. ii. Resumé: 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 particular 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. iii. Form AID 302-3: The submitted form must be signed and completed. Form AID 302-3 can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ iv. References: Three (3) to five (5) 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. Reference checks will be done on selected applicants only. If an applicant does not wish for the current employer to be contacted as a reference, this should be stated in the applicant's cover letter. The interviewing committee will delay such reference check pending communication with the applicant. v. Required Forms for United States Personal Services Contractors (USPSCs): Specific forms shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the position. vi. Late Submissions: Qualified individuals should note that applications must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in the cover letter or they will not be considered eligible for evaluation or award, unless Contracting Officer determines that the documents were mishandled by the receiving agency. The closing time for the receipt of applications is 4:00 pm, local time, on the date specified on the covering letter to this solicitation. You are directed to Federal Acquisitions Regulation, Part 15.208 "Submission, modification, revision, and withdrawal of proposals" for further information. USAID/Dominican Republic reserves the right not to award any contract as a result of this solicitation. B) SECURITY AND MEDICAL CLEARANCES i). Medical Clearance: Prior to signing a contract, the selected individual and eligible dependents will be required to obtain a Department of State medical clearance or waiver for the country of performance specified. Instructions for obtaining the medical clearance will be forwarded to the selected individual once negotiations have been concluded. ii). Security Clearance: Prior to signing a contract, the selected individual will be required to obtain a Security Background Check. This temporary security clearance will be requested while a personal background investigation is conducted. Instructions for obtaining the security clearance will be forwarded to the selected individual once negotiations have been concluded. C) REGULATIONS/BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES/DEFINITIONS i). USAID Regulations: 1. Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives (AAPDs): AAPDs serve as official sources for the latest updates in acquisition and assistance (A&A) policy and requirements. AAPDs provide information of significance including, but not limited to, advance notification of changes or implementation of new requirements to A&A regulations and procedures. 2. AIDAR: The Agency for International Development Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR) Appendix D - Direct USAID Contracts with U.S. Citizens or U.S. Residents for Personal Services Abroad found at: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf is the primary regulation governing USPSCs for USAID. ii). Benefits, Allowances and U.S. Taxes: As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a USPSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances (however, as conditions at post change, benefits and allowances may also be changed): 1. Benefits: a) Employee's FICA Contribution b) Annual Contribution towards Health and Life Insurance c) Pay Comparability Adjustment - Annual across the board salary increase for USG employees and USPSCs d) Worker's Compensation e) Vacation and Sick Leave f) Annual increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation) 2. Allowances (If Applicable):* a) Post Differential (Section 500) b) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) c) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) d) Post Allowance (COLA)(Section 220) e) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) f) Payment During Evacuation (Section 600) g) Education Allowance (Section 270) h) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) i) Danger Pay (Section 650) j) Educational Travel (Section 280) * Department of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) (Government Civilians Foreign Areas) 3. In-Kind Allowances: The USG will provide the following in-kind allowances, on par with US Direct Hires at the same location, in lieu of some allowances in paragraph "2. Allowances* (If Applicable)" above: a) Housing b) Furniture c) Appliances d) Utilities 4. Federal and State Taxes: a. Federal Taxes: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes and will be withheld from compensation payments. b. State Taxes: USAID does not withhold state taxes from compensation payments. State taxes are solely between the employee and the employee's state of official residence. iii). Definitions: Eligible Family Member (EFM): An individual related to a USG employee in one of the following ways: ● Spouse or same sex domestic partner (as defined in 3 FAM 1610); ● Child, who is unmarried and under 21 years of age or regardless of age, is incapable of self-support. The term shall include, in addition to natural off-spring, step-children and adopted children and those under legal guardianship of the employee or the spouse when such children are expected to be under such legal guardianship until they reach 21 years of age and when dependent upon and normally residing with the guardian; ● Parent (including step-parents and legally adoptive parents) of the employee or of the spouse; when such parent is at least 51% dependent on the employee for support; ● Sister or brother (including step-sisters or step-brothers or adoptive sisters or brothers) of the employee, or of the spouse, when such sibling is at least 51% dependent on the employee for support, unmarried and under 21 years of age, or regardless of age, incapable of self-support. Member of Household (MOH): Members of household (MOHs) are those persons who have accompanied or joined an employee assigned abroad and who the employee has declared to the chief of mission to be part of his or her household, who will reside at post with the employee, and who are other than legitimate domestic staff. MOHs do not include those persons who are "family members" or "eligible family members." MOHs are by definition cohabitants. Therefore, employees who declare MOHs must ensure compliance with the provisions of 12 FAM 275, Reporting Cohabitation with and/or Intent to Marry a Foreign National. Resident-Hire: Resident-hire means a U.S. citizen who, at the time of hire as a USPSC, resides in the cooperating country as a spouse or dependent of a U.S. citizen employed by a U.S. government agency or under any U.S. government-financed contract or agreement, or for reasons other than for employment with a U.S. government agency or under any U.S. government-financed contract or agreement. A U.S. citizen for purposes of this definition also includes persons who at the time of contracting are lawfully admitted permanent residents of the United States. END OF SOLICITATION