Sol. 72061524R10046 - USAID Project Management Specialist (Tuberculosis)

Overview

GENERAL INFORMATION

USAID DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING) AND DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANT’S BANK ACCOUNTS.

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72061524R10046
2. ISSUANCE DATE: June 07, 2024
3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: June 23, 2024 (4:30 PM East Africa Time).
4. POINT OF CONTACT: USAID Kenya and East Africa Human Resources, e-mail at hr@usaid.gov
5. POSITION TITLE: USAID Project Management Specialist (Tuberculosis)
6. MARKET VALUE: 5,565,120.00 to Ksh. 9,460,674.00 KSH per year, equivalent to FSN-11 grade level in accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of USAID/Kenya and East Africa. The salary range provided is inclusive of all allowances and annual bonus. All applicable taxes will be deducted from the stated gross market rate. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.
7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Five (5) years estimated to start o/a December 2, 2024. The services provided under this contract are expected to be of a continuing nature that will be executed by USAID through a series of sequential contracts, subject to the availability of funds, the continued need for services and successful performance.
8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Nairobi, Kenya; with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.
9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Open to qualified Cooperating Country National (CCN) (an individual who is a cooperating country citizen or a non-cooperating country citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the cooperating country). Employees presently on probation are ineligible to apply.
10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Security certification issued by the US Embassy RSO.

STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

Background

The primary goal the USAID Global Accelerator to End Tuberculosis (TB) program is to support countries meet the global target of finding and treating 40 million TB patients, including 1.5 million drug resistant TB cases, and preventing tuberculosis in 30 million individuals by 2022. Considered the world’s most-lethal infectious disease and the ninth-leading killer, TB has infected nearly 1.8 billion people (a quarter of the global population) and caused almost two million deaths in one year. Additionally, it is estimated that over 500,000 TB cases develop multi-drug-resistant strains (MDR-TB), requiring more intensive and expensive care for diagnosis and treatment. It is estimated that TB patients and patient households lose approximately half of their annual income because of missed work, and the costs of seeking treatment; because of this, every US$1 invested in TB care and treatment results is valued at US$43 in terms of lives saved and productivity.

The USAID Global Accelerator to End TB program is designed to leverage investments/resources from host governments, the private sector, and local organizations to end the TB epidemic, while simultaneously building local capacity for self-reliance. USAID TB Accelerator initiatives contribute to the global goal of ending TB by: deploying deliberate and targeted technical expertise to increase the diagnosis and treatment of TB cases and its multi-drug resistant variant; embedding TB advisors in Ministries of Health; funding local organizations, including community and faith-based groups, to assist with case-finding, treatment, follow-up, and education about the disease; raising domestic resources (through statements of partnership and multisectoral engagement) to allow USAID to accelerate the transition of funding and management of TB programs to host governments and their partners, including local organizations; and improving coordination with programs for HIV and other health conditions.

General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

The USAID Project Management Specialist (Tuberculosis) provides technical expertise in the implementation of programs/projects/activities designed to increase the detection, prevention, and treatment of TB in line with overall USG TB strategy and host country TB National Strategic Plan. The work includes serving as a technical expert and activity manager for USAID supported programs, providing technical assistance to the appropriate host-country Ministry in the development of host country policies, and the design and management of in-country programs/projects/activities, reflecting best practices in TB prevention and treatment. The Specialist works with the host government and other technical partners to ensure a well-coordinated approach to the TB control program, and ensures information flows on best practices related to improving TB detection, prevention, and treatment in order to inform decision making by USAID and the USG.

The Specialist works in a complex and rapidly evolving country context. The position requires regular contact and collaboration with counterparts and technical members in the host government, the private sector, other donor organizations, and international organizations, and with other USG entities at all technical levels.

The Specialist exercises extensive judgment in planning and carrying out tasks to resolve problems and conflicts and implementing steps necessary to meet deadlines. The Specialist serves as an Activity Manager with responsibility for activity in the US$10-50M range.

Responsibilities

Statement of Duties to be Performed.

Program/Project/Activity Management (50%)

The USAID Project Management Specialist (TB) serves as a technical expert, with full responsibility for technically guiding the implementation, evaluation, and monitoring of assigned aspects of the TB detection, prevention, and treatment portfolio. The Specialist has activity manager responsibility for USAID-funded TB projects. The Specialist works closely with and liaises with other Health Office Specialists and Implementing Partners (IPs) conducting tuberculosis activities. The Specialist advises the supervisor, Office Chief, Mission Director, Deputy Mission Director, and others on local matters of importance to the TB Accelerator program. The Specialist provides critical inputs to the achievement of overall results and Mission/USG goals and objectives. This requires that the Specialist to remain current on the economic, political, and social trends of the host government, the host country, and the region, and analyzes trends in relation to their impact on the overall TB Accelerator program. The Specialist also collaborates with technical experts within other donor organizations to assure synergy and complementarity.

Provides Technical Assistance in Prevention and Treatment of Tuberculosis (20%)

The Specialist coordinates with other USG agencies to ensure the delivery of systematic and consistent technical assistance to the host government and to NGO partners and IPs in all areas of the TB program, and other health-related issues involving TB detection, prevention, and treatment. The Specialist works the host government to ensure that TB control activities are set up to reach country’s UNHLM and National Strategic Plan targets. In addition, the Specialist provides strategic input on all TB Accelerator programs or other tuberculosis-related components; identifies short-, mid-, and long-range achievable and sustainable strategies for improving tuberculosis detection, prevention, and treatment; and represents USAID, the USG, and the broader USAID health program at TB technical meetings, seminars, and conferences. The Specialist keeps informed of and collaborates with technical experts in other donor agencies on tuberculosis-related activities; works with the host government to develop technical strategies and approaches that result in improved TB detection, prevention, and treatment; works with other colleagues to harmonize Health Office, USAID, and USG TB Accelerator activities to ensure consistency with host government policy. The Specialist also ensures that programs/projects/ activities are consistent with internationally accepted best practices, and that they are relevant in the host-country context.

Data Collection and Analysis (15%)

To ensure the ongoing quality of implemented activities, the Specialist monitors and reports on developments in the TB Accelerator and other health sectors, especially as they relate to successful implementation of tuberculosis-related activities; and, monitors, analyzes, and reports on relevant aspects of host government policy, regulation, and programming, and on tuberculosis-related and other health and development issues, based on an in-depth understanding of USAID and USG policy and program objectives and priorities. The Specialist prepares technical analyses, evaluates sectoral issues, and provides input to Mission activities with respect to the TB Accelerator and related sectors; summarizes information and conclusions in written and oral form for presentation to senior USG and other decision makers, and for incorporating into other activity documents as appropriate; organizes field trips, conferences, and seminars to ensure maximum exposure to emerging trends and various points of view, and for monitoring assigned tuberculosis-related activities, providing translation as needed; and, prepares written reports that reflect a sound understanding of assigned areas of responsibility, and that clearly document that a wide variety of sources and points of view have been consulted in undertaking analyses to draw final conclusions. The Specialist prepares oral and written briefings for the supervisor, the Office Chief, the Mission Director and/or Deputy Mission Director, Embassy staff, and others, on request.

Performance Monitoring (15%)

The Specialist ensures that performance monitoring systems are in place, and that periodic, reliable measures and indicators of portfolio impact are established; and collects and monitors performance data on an ongoing basis and prepares reports of program/project/activity progress for use within the Office, the Mission, the USG at post, USAID/Washington and other partners/stakeholders. The Specialist assesses progress in achieving results for tuberculosis-related activities and evaluates and assesses activities as needed; and continually strives to enhance the achievement of results by periodically reviewing the development context, results indicators, and activity implementation progress, identifying problem areas and suggesting solutions.

The contractor is eligible for temporary duty (TDY) travel to the United States, or to other Missions abroad, to participate in the "Foreign Service National" Fellowship Program, in accordance with USAID policy.

Additional education

Education

A Master’s in Public Health (MPH), with a concentration in epidemiology or infectious diseases; or a Master’s in Nursing degree; or, a degree as a Public Health Physician in a field related to clinical and/or field work in education, prevention, and treatment related to tuberculosis.

Language Proficiency

Level IV (advanced professional proficiency) English and good working knowledge of Kiswahili both oral and written, is required.

Experience

Additional experience

Prior Work Experience

A minimum of five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in the field of public health, with a focus on clinical and/or field work in education, prevention, and treatment related to tuberculosis and/or infectious diseases is required. This experience must demonstrate that the Specialist has strong medical/clinical skills in the field. The Specialist must have demonstrated technical leadership in TB Accelerator-related education, prevention and treatment, program management, strategic planning, policy experience, and problem-solving skills while working on complex programs/projects/activities in a highly sensitive environment.

Skills

• Problem Solving
• Team Player
• communication skills
• Data Analysis and Interpretation
• program management
• strategic planning
• Decision making skills
• Planning

Additional skills

Supervision Received

The USAID Project Management Specialist (TB) works under the very general supervision of the Health Office Chief, and the closer but general supervision of a lower-level supervisor. The supervisor makes assignments in terms of overall objectives and resources available. Completed work is reviewed in terms of achievement of program/project/activity goals, effectiveness in meeting host-country and USAID objectives, and integration with other initiatives in the Office and Mission portfolio. Some technical direction may come from other professionals in the Office; in general, however, the Specialist will be expected to exercise considerable autonomy and best judgment in discharging the duties of the assignment.

Supervision Exercised

Continuous supervision of other Health Office and/or Mission staff is not contemplated.

Terms and conditions

EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c). In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may
limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers. The FAR provisions referenced above are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

• Job Knowledge (60 Points)

The Specialist must have in-depth professional-level knowledge of development principles, concepts, and practices, especially as they relate to tuberculosis-related education, prevention, and treatment activities in the host country and/or region, and the problems and policies in the host country from the business, political, civil society, and social perspectives. The Specialist must have knowledge and understanding of the economic, political, social, and cultural characteristics of the host country; development problems in the health sector in the host country and the region; an understanding of the resources, resource constraints, and overall development prospects and priorities of the host country and the region; and, knowledge of, or the potential to quickly acquire knowledge of, USG legislation, policy, and practice relating to tuberculosis prevention and treatment assistance, of USAID programming policies, regulations, procedures, and documentation, and of the objectives, methodology, and status of assigned activities. The Specialist must have knowledge and understanding of the organization and respective roles of the different levels of the host government, in order to enhance effective communication, and to develop consensus on program/project/activity strategy and implementation.

• Skills and abilities (40 Points)

The Specialist must have a good knowledge and demonstrated experience in the programming of tuberculosis -related education, prevention, and treatment programs/projects/activities; and, the role of tuberculosis prevention and treatment with other health areas such as health systems strengthening, maternal and child health, and family planning. The Specialist should be able to facilitate and link culturally appropriate assessments, counseling, treatment deficits, and related issues and facilitation of linkages to food security programs, including water, sanitation, and hygiene promotion; and, be able to use this data for decision making. The Specialist must be able to provide technical leadership in TB Accelerator-related planning; and, apply this knowledge to advanced programming in the host country and the region.

Total possible points: 100

SUBMITTING AN OFFER

Step 1: Register in MyJobsInKenya at www.myjobsinkenya.com

Step 2: Complete the job application at www.myjobsinkenya.com

Step 3: Internal Offerors/Current USG Employees: Attach an updated curriculum vitae/resume (no more than five pages), a copy of your most recent Performance Evaluation Report, and copies of all relevant certificates. Scan and attach all the documents and upload them to MyJobsInKenya.

Note to Applicants:

1. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted through myjobsinkenya.com.
2. Submissions will only be accepted through www.myjobsinkenya.com. Late and incomplete applications (those that do not contain the applicant’s most current and up to date detailed CV and relevant education certificates) will not be considered for the position.
3. All Applicants must provide at least three professional references, who are not family members or relatives, with working telephone and e-mail contacts. The references must be able to provide substantive information about your past performance and abilities. USAID reserves the right to contact your previous employers for relevant information concerning your performance and may consider such information in its evaluation of the application.

LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD
The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit any required forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award.

BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES
Benefits and allowances are offered in accordance with the Local Compensation Plan (LCP).

TAXES
The Contractor must observe Kenyan laws including those concerning income and related tax obligations.

USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs
USAID regulations and policies governing CCN and TCN PSC awards are available at these sources:

1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix J, “Direct USAID Contracts With a Cooperating Country National and with a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar
2. Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms. Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract award.
3. Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs.
4. Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch,” available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/resources_standards-of-conduct.
5. PSC Ombudsman: The PSC Ombudsman serves as a resource for any Personal Services Contractor who has entered into a contract with the United States Agency for International Development and is available to provide clarity on their specific contract with the agency. Please visit our page for additional information: https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman.

The PSC Ombudsman may be contacted via: PSCOmbudsman@usaid.gov.

6. FAR Provisions Incorporated by Reference
52.204-27, PROHIBITION ON A BYTEDANCE COVERED APPLICATION, JUN 2023