Issuance Date: 07/30/2003Closing Date: 08/27/2003 Gentleman/Ladies: Subject: Solicitation for Personal Service Contractor (PSC), HIV/AIDS Program Specialist, Harare, Zimbabwe The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications (SF 171 or OF 612) from U.S. citizens, green card holders or third country nationals interested in providing the PSC services described in the attached solicitation. Third Country Nationals may apply but preference will be given to US Citizen or green card holders. Submittals shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Any questions on this solicitation can be directed to the Human Resources Specialist. See below for details. Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. All applications and the required documents should be submitted to: Ashleigh Appel, Human Resources Specialist USAID/Harare, Zimbabwe Email:
[email protected] Ph: 263-4-252420 Ext 235 Fax: 263-4-252478 USAID 2180 Harare Place Washington DC 20521-2180 Email submissions are preferred, as mail is very slow. Please note that funding for this position is subject to funds availability. This solicitation may be cancelled at any time based on funds availability. Finalizing an employment contract shall also be contingent on funding, and USAID/Zimbabwe shall not be liable for any application expenses incurred by third parties in the event the action cannot go forward. Applications forms: USG Standard Form 171 and Optional Form 612 can be located at the USAID website: http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms Sincerely, Michael Foster Acting Director SOLICITATION NUMBER: 613-03-002 ISSUANCE DATE: 07/30/03 CLOSING DATE/TIME: 08/27/03 AT COB, 5:00 p.m, Harare time POSITION TITLE: HIV/AIDS Program Specialist MARKET VALUE: GS-13 equivalent - $61,251-$79,629 per annum Final compensation will be based on the market value of the position, the individual's salary and work history, experience and educational background. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 2 years (with option to extend) PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Harare, Zimbabwe SECURITY ACCESS: Secret Clearance AREA OF CONSIDERATION: HIV/AIDS and reproductive health programs Due to the nature of the job, it is important to fill this position as soon as possible, but there is no specific date by when the position needs to be filled. The position is currently vacant and is a replacement position for a previous incumbent who moved into another position. A. POSITION: HIV/AIDS Program Specialist B. BACKGROUND TO USAID HIV/AIDS OFFICE The HIV/AIDS Office in USAID/Zimbabwe is comprised of a small team of dedicated people working closely and collaboratively under a common set of guiding principles to help Zimbabweans combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic in their country. While the epidemiological data in Zimbabwe are shocking, the team has a positive outlook, saying, ¡§We focus on remembering that even though an estimated 34% of the sexually active population are HIV positive, over 66% are not. Our challenge is to help them stay that way and to provide care and support for the 34% that are positive.¡¨ To meet this challenge in the rapidly deteriorating Zimbabwe environment, the team believes that it is imperative to implement a strategic and focused program that builds on USAID's comparative advantages and utilizes opportunities to complement and build synergies with other national and donor-supported HIV/AIDS programs. To this end, the team has adopted a strategy that is closely coordinated with other donor programs and fits into and forms an integral part of the Government of Zimbabwe¡¦s (GOZ¡¦s) national approach to HIV/AIDS. The USAID/Zimbabwe HIV/AIDS team believes that Zimbabwe¡¦s HIV/AIDS crisis cannot be viewed as only a health issue, but instead is a long-term development issue that is inexorably linked to the current food and economic crisis. Program implementation, therefore, requires a multi-sectoral approach carried out in close coordination with both USAID and other strategic partner programs in other sectors. The team foresees that the need for an integrated, concerted attack on HIV/AIDS will last through at least the next two generations. The short-term strategy presented in this document will, in coordination with other donor and national efforts, assist Zimbabwe in meeting the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS (UNGASS) goals. Continued, significant investments in HIV/AIDS will be required, however, before the epidemic will be under control. To have an impact on the HIV/AIDS crisis, the USAID/Zimbabwe team is committed to using best practices, such as the ABC approach to safe sex. At the same time, USAID/Zimbabwe will learn and try new approaches. To this end, the team believes that operations research, in conjunction with program implementation, monitoring and evaluation, is essential. The team will use lessons learned to improve its programs, will adopt innovations when there are clear indications that new approaches are needed, and will continue to be creative and take risks. To address the HIV/AIDS crisis, the US Government has decided to implement a program focused on achieving the HIV/AIDS strategy as illustrated in the results framework below. USAID/Zimbabwe will achieve its ¡§HIV/AIDS crisis mitigated¡¨ strategic objective through three interrelated intermediate results (IRs). The first IR focuses on behavior change to reduce the rate of new HIV infections. The second IR supports the development of a supportive policy environment, including the collection and distribution of high quality data and information, which strengthens the national response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The third IR responds to the need to reach those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, particularly orphans and vulnerable children, with appropriate care, treatment and support. IR1: Reduced high-risk sexual behaviors Preventing the transmission of HIV is key to achieving USAID/Zimbabwe's strategic objective of ¡§mitigating,¡¨ or making less severe, Zimbabwe¡¦s HIV/AIDS crisis under this IR, USAID will (1) support behavior change communication and community activities that reinforce behavior change and (2) encourage the use of critical preventive and supportive health care services. IR2: Enhanced capacity to formulate, advocate and implement improved HIV policies Policy frameworks at national, regional, district, and local levels are some of the most powerful determinants of the social environment for the AIDS crisis. Good policies guide, facilitate, and empower people to respond to the crises they face. To encourage policy change, USAID is building advocacy capacity within a broad array of public, private, civil society and faith-based organizations and supporting improvements in the availability and quality of information and data for advocacy and policy development. Five themes will continue to serve as the focal areas for USAID¡¦s advocacy support: Women¡¦s empowerment, Speaking out and reducing stigma, Reproductive health, Youth and Children Infected and Affected by AIDS. Changes related to these themes are expected to have a significant impact on the HIV/AIDS crisis. CDC has been working with the MOH to re-establish the sentinel surveillance system. This system has now begun to provide information critical to determining the way forward. Surveillance, operations research and data gathering efforts are expected to result in improved knowledge of HIV and the impact of HIV interventions, which will lead to improved planning and program implementation. IR3: Increased care and support of orphans, vulnerable children and individuals infected with HIV Care and support of those affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic is essential for achieving USAID/Zimbabwe's strategic objective. To this end, USAID developed an expanded response to the global pandemic and began working with other donors and host country partners to help local institutions provide basic care and psychosocial support services to at least 25% of HIV-infected persons and to provide community support services to at least 25% of children affected by AIDS in high prevalence countries by the year 2007. HIV/AIDS Team Composition: The SO team comprises PHN staff, including a Direct Hire Team Leader, USPSC Contractor who serves as the HIV/AIDS Advisor, two FSN HIV/AIDS Program Specialists, one HIV/AIDS Program Specialist and two FSN Project Management Assistants, along with representatives of other mission offices (the Controller's and Program offices). C. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this Contract is to obtain the services of a qualified individual to ensure the continued and smooth implementation of both the HIV/AIDS and the reproductive health programs. D. DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS The incumbent will serve as a HIV/AIDS Program Specialist on USAID¡¦s HIV/AIDS Crisis Mitigation Team, which is responsible for the implementation of the HIV/AIDS Crisis Mitigation Strategic Objective (SO). The incumbent's primary tasks include managing key elements of the design and implementation of HIV/AIDS SO. The incumbent will also assist as needed in the design and management of other health program activities such as Family Planning and Reproductive Health, and contraceptive logistics/supply. The HIV/AIDS Program Specialist reports to and is supervised by the HIV/AIDS Team Leader. Travel: In fulfilling position monitoring requirements, the incumbent conducts field visits as needed to rural, peri-urban, and urban sites throughout Zimbabwe to assess the status of ongoing program implementation and/or general country trends within the several sectors of Office focus. This will be conducted on an as needed basis and is estimated to take about 10 percent of the incumbent¡¦s time. The incumbent may be required to attend regional or international conferences as needed. DESIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND OTHER QUALIFICATIONS A. Education: A minimum of a Master¡¦s Degree in public health, management, public administration or other related social sciences is required. B. Prior Work Experience: The position calls for a highly experienced, senior health or development specialist. A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible management experience in international development is required. Experience related to the design, management, monitoring and evaluation of health programs, especially HIV/AIDS, STIs, and/or infectious diseases, is desirable. Prior work with international, bilateral or local private voluntary, non-Governmental and/or donor organizations will be given preference. Work with USAID will be given preference. C. Post-Entry Training: The incumbent will be required to participate in extensive on-the-job and formal coursework training to master USAID organization, policies, rules and procedures, and operations. Depending on the incumbent's background and experience, additional training opportunities will be sought in the several areas of technical focus of this position noted above. D. Language Proficiency: Fluent level oral and written proficiency in the English language is required. E. Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of HIV/AIDS, STIs, and/or infectious diseases and related disciplines, from a clinical, public health, or programmatic perspective, is desired. General knowledge of health issues and practices in Zimbabwe is desirable. Ability to acquire knowledge of laws, customs and constraints in Zimbabwean society is required. Demonstrated knowledge of donor-funded project design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation is required. Familiarity with USAID-specific legislation, strategic priorities, and program management, administrative and procurement requirements is highly desirable. F. Skills and Abilities: Strong oral and written English language communication skills are essential for this position. Demonstrated proficiency with computer word processing and financial and/or data analysis software applications is also essential. Proficiency in Microsoft computer applications is highly desirable. Strong interpersonal skills are required, including the ability to work in a team setting and to maintain effective relationships with a wide variety of Governmental and non-Governmental professional at all levels of Zimbabwean society. This position requires a high level of socio-cultural sensitivity in dealing effectively with HIV/AIDS as it affects all segments of Zimbabwean society. POSITION ELEMENTS A. Supervision Received: The Health Team Leader (TL) supervises the incumbent. While this is the primary direct reporting relationship for this position, the incumbent will interact and coordinate his/her activities with and receive various types of guidance and supervisory input from mission management and a variety of other mission staff (i.e., other TLs, Controller, EXO, etc.) as well, through his/her work on different Mission/program teams and in the cross-cutting environmental compliance and disaster areas. Within the limitations imposed by USG policy (see above Note on IGFs), the incumbent will have appropriate latitude to represent USG and USAID interests and to make judgments, decisions and conduct counterpart negotiations regarding program planning, resource management and results achievement as described further in section III. above. B. Available Guidelines: Reference sources available to provide guidance in fulfilling the responsibilities for this mission position are available through USAID's Automated Directive System (ADS), USAID's Financial Management Handbook, Mission-specific Orders, and a variety of available training/guidance literature (e.g., course books, etc.) on various aspects of the position work requirements. C. Exercise of Judgment: In the course of fulfilling his/her duties, the incumbent exercises considerable judgment, both internally, in representing program- and office-specific interests with mission management and other mission teams/offices, and externally, in representing USAID interests (including potentially sensitive elements in the HIV/AIDS portfolio) at program-specific management meetings, as well as in program-related or sector-specific regional and country-specific meetings, workshops, conferences and other venues with a variety of senior and/or technical level, Government, non-Governmental and other donor partners and stakeholders. D. Authority to Make Commitments: The incumbent's authority to make commitments is limited by the statutory limitations imposed by USG policy, salient USG and USAID ethics and procurement regulations on this subject, and the mission-specific agreements included within the various Team Charters which apply to the incumbent's scope of work. Within these limitations, the incumbent has authority to recommend the commitment of USAID program funds and otherwise represent USG and USAID interests, as required, to further the achievement of program objectives within his/her areas of operations. E. Nature, Level and Purposes of Contacts: As indicated in sections I. and III. above, in the performance of his/her normal duties within the program and sector areas described above, the incumbent interacts with a wide variety of Governmental, non-Governmental and donor partners, stakeholders and customers, from all levels of conventional and traditional Zimbabwean society, as well as religious leaders, on both program- and sector-specific affairs. The incumbent's contacts and interactions will be designated by USAID and are likely to include: „X National government officials up to and including the ministerial level, and technical staff, „X Representatives and technical staff of various government departments, agencies and other governmental/parastatal structures (e.g., Councils, Authorities, Commissions/Committees, Task Forces, etc.) at the central, provincial, district and local governmental levels, „X Representatives and technical staff of various international, regional and domestic Private Voluntary Organizations, NGOs, Associations and Private Sector Firms, as needed, „X Representatives and technical staff of international/multilateral, regional, and bilateral missions and/or donor organizations, „X Representatives and technical staff of other USG agencies resident in or visiting Zimbabwe, or the Southern Africa Region (i.e., the Country Team, Centers for Disease Control (CDC), TDY visitors), Southern Africa Regional AIDS Initiative, REDSO, RCSA, etc., „X Participation in periodic visits by U.S. Congressional representatives and staffers and senior-level representatives of other USG agencies (as required), „X In the traditional and spiritual arenas, contacts may include a wide variety of Chiefs and other traditional community leaders, as well as religious leaders, throughout Zimbabwe. Within the above limitations, the incumbent works with these various individuals and groups to represent USG and USAID interests related to his/her areas of technical expertise and/or program responsibility noted above. F. Supervision Exercised: As directed, the incumbent may supervise contractors, cooperating agencies, grantees and consultants involved in implementing program activities within his/her scope of work (see section I. above). G. Time Required to Perform Full Range of Duties: The incumbent will be expected to perform the full range of HIV/AIDS Program Specialist duties within a minimum of a few months of his/her entry into the position, depending on the incumbent's pre-existing job-related knowledge and skills and the mutual availability of required USAID training opportunities during that initial year of services. H. The length of the contract will be 2 years with a possibility of an option to renew, subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory performance. I. Allowances in Zimbabwe: Housing, utilities, education allowance, travel and transportation of family members to include repatriation costs, transportation of effects and health and life insurance cover provided on the same basis as other USPSCs at post and hardship differential and consumables. J. The position will be comparable to a GS-13 with allowances and differentials as appropriate. APPLYING: Qualified individuals are requested to submit: For PSCs, Optional Form 612 (available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms or internet http://fillform.gsa.gov or at Federal offices). Applications must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in the cover letter. To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application, and in the subject line in any cover letter. The highest ranking applicants may be selected for an interview. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCS Forms outlined below can found at http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/ 1. Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612 or Resume/CV. 2. Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62). ** 3. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or ** Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85). ** 5. Finger Print Card (FD-258). ** * Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians in Foreign Areas). ** 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. ACQUISITION & ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs)/CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBS) PERTAINING TO PSCS AAPDs/CIBs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to this website: http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/, to determine which AAPDs/CIBS apply to this contract. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES: As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: BENEFITS: Employee's FICA and Medicare Contributions Contribution toward Health, Life and Medevac Insurance Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual & Sick Leave Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service Airfreight allowance of 250lbs ALLOWANCES (If Applicable): (1) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) (2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) (3) Post Allowance (Section 220) (4) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) (5) Post Differential (Chapter 500) (6) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) (7) Danger Pay (Section 650) (8) Educational Allowance (Section 270) (9) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) (10) Educational Travel (Section 280) (11) Consumables Allowance * Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians in Foreign Areas). FEDERAL TAXES: PSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes.