ISSUANCE DATE: April 22, 2015 CLOSING DATE: May 8, 2015 SUBJECT: Solicitation No. SOL-517-15-000006 Personal Services Contract - USAID/Dominican Republic- US Health Office Chief 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 one (1) year. 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: 809-368-7449 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 persons by May 8, 2015, 4:30pm Eastern Time: Ana Díaz/ Soraya Morillo USAID/Dominican Republic Telephone Number: 809-368-7449/ 809-368-7101 E-mail:
[email protected] E-mail:
[email protected] Sincerely, Ken Seifert Regional Executive Officer •A. Recommended Position Title: Health Office Chief, GS-14 •B. Organizational Location of Position: USAID/Dominican Republic •C. Position Title/Grade of Direct Supervisor: Deputy Mission Director INTRODUCTION : The USAID Mission for the Dominican Republic (DR) is seeking to fill the position of Health Office Chief. The incumbent serves as the Health Office Chief for USAID/DR and is responsible for promoting the Mission's development objective of advancing an AIDS-free generation. With an estimated FY 14-18 budget of $45 million, the health program seeks to improve the quality of the DR's HIV response, focusing on prevention, care and treatment services for key populations. The program also seeks to strengthen health care systems that support delivery of HIV services. The Health Office Chief will ensure close coordination with other U.S. government agencies participating in the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). He/she reports to the Deputy Mission Director and manages a staff of one US/TCN PSC and 5 FSNs. The contract for the Health Office Chief position will be for a period of one year with an option to renew contingent on need and funding availability. The position will be based in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. POSITION DESCRIPTION The contractor is required to possess an extremely high degree of technical competence, professional maturity, and well-rounded experience in performing a variety of program and project management functions. This position requires extensive and demonstrated skills in planning, problem analysis, supervision, coordination and negotiation. The contractor is required to possess broad technical knowledge and program management experience in planning, implementing and evaluating HIV/AIDS programs. Proven capacity to work effectively in an interagency context is critical. Superior oral and written communication skills are fundamental requirements. This position reports to the Deputy Mission Director of USAID/DR and can draw technical support and assistance from the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC), USAID's Office of HIV/AIDS (OHA), USAID's Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Bureau, contractor groups, professional organizations and other institutions and agencies. Private sector partnerships need to figure more prominently in the Mission's health sector strategy and the contractor will be expected to develop such linkages. The contractor will lead USAID/DR's engagement on health issues with the Government of the Dominican Republic, maintaining close and effective working relationships with high level officials in the Ministry of Health and the National HIV/AIDS Council. The contractor will also lead USAID/DR's collaboration with the other US Government agencies jointly implementing the PEPFAR program in the DR (Department of State, CDC, Peace Corps and the Department of Defense). In addition, the Health Office Chief will provide active program coordination with other counterparts and implementing agencies; NGOs, including those receiving USAID funds and others; international organizations; and USAID/Washington cognizant staff. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Functional Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to: •1. Works with government officials, representatives of the United Nations, the donor, and private sector institutions and voluntary agencies to analyze existing issues and problems regarding HIV/AIDS, and to a lesser extent other aspects of the health sector. Based on these analyses, assists cooperating country governments and non-governmental organizations to determine the need for USAID assistance and provide advice and guidance on the extent and nature of USAID's role in supporting proposed programs. •2. Responsible for providing oversight and direction, and managing and assisting in various capacities in the successful implementation of the USAID HIV/AIDS portfolio, in the broader context of the PEPFAR program. The incumbent's primary responsibilities for these activities include and are not limited to: (1) providing technical input into ongoing planning and implementation; (2) ensuring effective program financial management and administration; (3) monitoring, evaluating and documenting best practices and achievements; and (4) maintaining effective communication and oversight of the program's governmental, NGO, private sector, donor partner, and stakeholder collaboration. •3. Participates with host government and other officials in establishing sector priorities with reference to HIV/AIDS goals and collaborates in the detailed analysis of HIV/AIDS programming issues and priorities. Participates in the planning, design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of HIV/AIDS programs and projects under the mission's auspices. •4. Ensures smooth administration of the unit and that staff development needs are met. Represents the USG in Government-Donor-NGO forums as required, maintains effective working relations with designated program partners, as well as key stakeholders involved in HIV/AIDS and other health sector activities. In addition, monitors all reports and the work product of team members and partners on the status of HIV/AIDS and other health sector activities at the national and regional level, including field visits and attending/representing USG/USAID interests at workshops and conferences. •5. Provides lead responsibility in effectively participating in and representing USAID's broad development interests within the interagency dynamic specific to the Dominican Republic PEPFAR Program and any other relevant interagency initiatives that may arise. This includes providing senior-level representation of USAID at regular interagency PEPFAR meetings, annual country operational plan reviews, and other key regional and global PEPFAR meetings and trainings. •6. Promotes collaboration and coordination between national, regional and international partners including the Ministries of Health, National AIDS Programs, Health Sector Development Units, UN agencies, the Global Fund, bilateral agencies, NGOs, community-based organizations and foundations. •7. Works closely with Ministry of Health and the National HIV/AIDS Council, leading program and project design development for implementation; providing leadership and management of USAID/DR's development partners as well as oversight and facilitation of the final design for effective implementation of the portfolio and final selection of contractors and grantees, and other program partners. •8. Evaluates the effect and status of established and on-going programs and the level of assistance provided by other donors to insure against duplication of effort, establishing and monitoring funding levels for health sector programs. •9. Coordinates and provides overall supervision of the Mission's Health Office. Keeps Mission Management fully advised on program considerations which affect their areas of responsibilities. •10. Maintains continuing contact with host officials, other donors, and NGOs, educational and private institutions and cooperating country contractors to ensure compliance with commitments, resolve problems and determine resource requirements. •11. Travels frequently to monitor program implementation, in part to meet requirements of the PEPFAR site improvement monitoring system (SIMS), and provides management and technical guidance to advise and negotiate with local officials and to evaluate the program impact on the development assistance objective. Advises Mission Management on the status of programs and potential problem areas. •12. Directs and provides assistance to implementing partner managers and technical advisory staff assigned to ongoing assistance programs to insure timely and proficient implementation and recommends action to resolve problems impeding progress or to restructure or terminate failing programs; and participates with host government officials as appropriate to modify programs. •13. Represents the Mission at meetings with national and international health officials in order to seek the resolution of problems of mutual concern, and identify and assess alternative approaches. Keeps the host government and USAID officials advised of the latest worldwide advances in care, prevention, education and ancillary program assistance. The contactor will perform other appropriate duties, as assigned by the Deputy Mission Director, (or designee) that are consistent with the duties and responsibilities described herein. The Health Office Chief directly supervises five FSNs and one US/TCN PSC. Responsibility for Decision Making: The incumbent performs under broad administrative direction, with wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment, work of significant difficulty and responsibility. Performs work such as planning and directing/executing specialized programs of marked difficulty, responsibility, and of major foreign policy significance, along professional, technical, administrative, and fiscal lines, requiring extended training and experience which has demonstrated leadership and exceptional attainments. Level of Complexity: Duties are significantly varied and require many different unrelated processes and methods that are applied to a broad range of problems/situations that require a substantial depth of analysis. Decisions involve largely undefined areas and issues and require extensive probing and analysis to determine the scope of the problem. There are continuing changes in program, technological developments, unknown phenomena, or conflicting requirements. The work requires originating new techniques, establishing criteria, or developing new information. Assignments are of considerable breadth and intensity and require the participation and support of others. The work requires a continuing effort to establish concepts, theories, or programs or to resolve unyielding problems. Knowledge Level Required: Requires mastery of a very broad professional or administrative field of expertise to apply experimental theories and new developments to problems not susceptible to accepted methods, and make decisions or recommendations that significantly change important public policies or scientific programs. Knowledge level is characteristically acquired through education equivalent to the graduate or higher degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field of public health, as distinguished from general education, or five years of progressive responsible experience equivalent to this level in the professional or technical field. Generates and develops new hypotheses and theories. In-depth understanding of management principles and an ability to supervise staff and engage closely with USAID staff throughout the region. Supervisory Controls: The Health Office Chief will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Deputy Mission Director. Supervisor provides administrative and policy direction in terms of broadly defined missions or functions. Exercises recognized authority; the incumbent has complete responsibility and authority to independently plan, design, and carry out projects and programs. The incumbent has discretion and judgment in determining whether to broaden or narrow the scope of tasks. Results of the work are considered technically authoritative. Judgment and extensive experience is required to translate policy direction into program documentation that adheres to Agency policy and represents the Mission's activities comprehensively and accurately. Guidelines: Guidelines consist of broadly stated and non-specific public policy statements, Congressional statutes and decisions, etc., that require extensive interpretation. The incumbent uses judgment and ingenuity in determining the intent, and in interpreting and revising existing policy and regulatory guidance. Complexity of Work Environment: Duties are significantly varied and require many different unrelated processes and methods that are applied to a broad range of problems/situations that require a substantial depth of analysis. Decisions involve largely undefined areas and issues and require extensive probing and analysis to determine the scope of the problem. There are continuing changes in program, unknown phenomena, or conflicting requirements. The work requires originating new techniques, establishing criteria, or developing new information. Assignments are of considerable breadth and intensity and require the participation and support of others. The work requires a continuing effort to establish concepts, theories, or programs, or to resolve unyielding problems. Scope and Effect of Work Performed: The work involves isolating and defining unknown conditions, and resolving critical problems. The incumbent is recognized as a known expert to the experts in the field of public health. The incumbent resolves disputes that arise when leading experts disagree. The work directly affects the development of major aspects of professional programs of the DR Mission. The work involves planning, developing, and carrying out vital programs which are essential to the mission of USAID, or affect substantial numbers of people. Key responsibility of the work is to lead, direct (directly/indirectly), and otherwise affect a substantial number of other professional or technical staff. Level and Purpose of Contacts: Contacts include those with high ranking office at the national and international levels from outside USAID. Various parties may be unclear as to the role and authority of the other parties. Contacts are conducted under differing ground rules. Contacts typically include counterpart State Department Offices and Bureaus, Embassy counterparts, Congressional staff and legislators, leading representatives of foreign governments, and officials or representatives of large national and international firms and organizations, representatives of the news media, union representative, and public officials. The purpose of contacts is to justify, defend, negotiate, and settle matters involving significant or controversial issues among decision makers. The work usually involves active participation in conferences, meetings, hearings, or presentations involving problems or issues of considerable consequence or importance. The people contacted typically have diverse viewpoints, goals, or objectives and therefore the employee is required to achieve a common understanding among the various parties and a satisfactory solution that addresses their various objectives and concerns. QUALIFICATIONS •A. General The Health Office Chief must be a U.S. citizen capable of securing a U.S. government "secret" security clearance. Must be willing and able to travel internationally and throughout the Dominican Republic, as required by the program. The work is primarily sedentary, although some physical effort may be required and there may be occasional exposure to moderate risks during program/project visits. The successful candidate must be sufficiently experienced to understand the needs of LAC/CAR, the USAID/DR Mission, the U.S. Embassies in relevant countries, the USAID Office of HIV/AIDS, the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator, and the foreign assistance policy objectives of the U.S. Government in the Dominican Republic. S/he will also demonstrate in-depth understanding of the theory and practice of HIV/AIDS PEPFAR programming. •B. Education and Knowledge Required by the Position: The technical scope of the program is complex and requires the services of a senior program manager with knowledge of health development assistance. Required professional qualifications and skills include: An advanced degree in a relevant field such as social science or public health is required. Ten years of experience managing public health programs in developing programs is required, including experience working on HIV/AIDS. Knowledge Skills and Abilities: A thorough knowledge of USG and/or International Organizations policies, procedures, reporting and systems is required. The contractor should have demonstrated professional ability though assuming senior management and leadership roles. S/he should be resourceful, exercise sound judgment, and have the ability to work well with all levels of personnel. The contractor must have strong management, interpersonal, teamwork, conceptual, analytical, negotiating, problem-solving, supervision and communication (written and verbal) skills. User-level ability to work with computers and common software programs is also required. SELECTION CRITERIA: Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the following selection criteria; Education (10 Points): An advanced degree in a relevant field such as public health or social science. Experience (40 points): Relevant experience in international development. Required experience managing health and HIV/AIDS programs. Knowledge Skills and Abilities (45 points): Knowledge of USG policies, procedures, reporting and systems. Demonstrated professional ability, including relevant senior management leadership. Experience supervising subordinates is required. Language (5 points): Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal), English proficiency at the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) 5 level and Spanish proficiency at the 3 level are required. OTHER REQUIREMENTS : 1. Applicant must have U.S. citizenship; 2. Must be in possession of, or able to obtain a security clearance. The successful applicant must be able to receive USAID security clearance that involves applicant's comprehensive background investigation performed by a US Government Agency. 3. In possession of, or able to obtain, a medical clearance. Details of how to obtain US Department of State Medical Unit medical clearance will be provided once a job offer is made and accepted. 4. Accompanying eligible family members, must also obtain medical and security clearances, if applicable. 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. -Resume -Cover letter 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. 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.