Loren Data's SAM Daily™

FBO DAILY - FEDBIZOPPS ISSUE OF AUGUST 15, 2013 FBO #4282
SOLICITATION NOTICE

R -- USPSC Regional PEPFAR Coordinator, USAID/Central Asian Republics, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Notice Date

8/13/2013
 

Notice Type

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
 

NAICS

541990 — All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
 

Contracting Office

Agency for International Development, Overseas Missions, Kazakhstan USAID-Almaty, Dept. of State, Washington, District of Columbia, 20521-7030
 

ZIP Code

20521-7030
 

Solicitation Number

45-2013
 

Archive Date

9/14/2013
 

Point of Contact

Damira Sagyrbayeva, Phone: 77272507612
 

E-Mail Address

dsagyrbayeva@usaid.gov
(dsagyrbayeva@usaid.gov)
 

Small Business Set-Aside

N/A
 

Description

ISSUANCE DATE: 08/13/2013 CLOSING DATE: 08/30/2013 Gentlemen/Ladies: SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (PSC) No. 45-2013 USPSC Regional PEPFAR Coordinator, USAID/Central Asian Republics, Almaty, Kazakhstan The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking proposals (Optional Form 612) from persons interested in the PSC services described in the attached. Submissions shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Any questions may be directed to Samuel Matthews, Contracting Officer, and Tatiana Rossova, Personnel Specialist, who may be reached at FAX No. 7-727-250-76-34/35/36, or e-mail almaexo_hr@usaid.gov. Offerors should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their proposals. Sincerely, Samuel Matthews Contracting Officer ATTACHMENT TO SOLICITATION NO. 45-2013 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 45/2013 2. ISSUANCE DATE: 08/13/2013 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: 08/30/2013 (6 p.m. Almaty Time) 4. POSITION TITLE: USPSC Regional PEPFAR Coordinator 5. MARKET VALUE: $84,697-$110,104 per annum (GS-14 equivalent) with 25% Post Differential (currently) 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years (with possibility for extension) 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/CENTRAL ASIAN REPUBLICS, Almaty, Kazakhstan 8. JOB DESCRIPTION: A) Background The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is providing the largest amount of resources for a single disease in history and seeks to achieve the goal of an AIDS-free world through expanding HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care to millions of HIV-affected people worldwide. It employs a multi-faceted approach to combat HIV/AIDS in more than 100 countries around the world. The Central Asian Republics (CAR) President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program is a regional program implemented by USAID, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and Peace Corps (in Kyrgyzstan). CAR PEPFAR receives funding at a regional level to support regional and/or country-specific activities across the Central Asian Republics -- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. CAR PEPFAR submits an annual Regional Operational Plan outlining CAR activities and funding levels to the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator (S/GAC). Progress against regional program indicators and targets is reported to S/GAC. The HIV epidemic in the Central Asian Republics is concentrated within most-at-risk populations (MARPs) that include injecting drug users or people who inject drugs (PWID), sex workers (SW), men who have sex with men (MSM), and incarcerated populations. Reported HIV prevalence among the general population, according to the UNAIDS 2012 World AIDS Day Report, is estimated at 0.2% in KZ, 03% in TJ, 0.4% in KG and 0.5% in UZ. The region is also a key transit area in global heroin trafficking. Accordingly, the epidemic is predominantly driven by injecting drug use, concentrated in urban centers and along drug transport corridors from Afghanistan through Tajikistan (TJ), Uzbekistan (UZ), Kyrgyzstan (KG), and Kazakhstan (KZ). The United Nations Organization for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimates that up to 1% of adults are heroin users, and sentinel surveillance data indicate 70-80% of all drug users are IDU. HIV prevalence rates of PWID range from 4.2% in KZ to 17.6% in Tajikistan. Sentinel surveillance data of PWID found HIV prevalence as high as 34% in parts of UZ. While injection drug use remains a predominant driver of the epidemic, sexual transmission, largely between PWID and their sexual contacts, appears to be playing an increasingly important role in the growth of the epidemic, with 2008 data from Ministries of Health (MOH) attributing up to 29% of HIV infection to sexual transmission. However, closer scrutiny of country MOH data suggests that the role of sexual transmission is overestimated, although clearly increasing. Nonetheless, unsafe sex by PWID and their sexual contacts, including sex workers (SW), constitutes a key bridge to the general population. CAR countries are at varying points on the development continuum; however, all share the challenge of reforming inefficient and compartmentalized Soviet-era health care delivery systems into working health systems capable of meeting the needs of stigmatized and disenfranchised groups. Public health expenditures in all five countries are less than 3.3% of GDP, with TJ at 1%. Health systems inherited from Soviet times include vertical structures for HIV, tuberculosis (TB), STI, drug treatment, and blood transfusion services, with little or no coordination between them. Local governments have struggled with varying levels of success to build a truly cross-sectional response to the AIDS epidemic. Adding to this difficulty is the inherent distrust by CAR governments of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and the lack of government experience partnering with these new organizations. The stigma surrounding injecting drug use, punitive legislation, a broad range of policy constraints, and frequent rights violations of individuals within MARPs have delayed the adoption of appropriate interventions and continue to restrict access by MARPs to services. With HIV highly concentrated among a small high-risk group, there is still an opportunity to stem the growth of the epidemic to the general population. But partners and governments must act quickly and decisively with interventions focused on stopping transmission within and by MARPs. Accordingly, the overarching goal of the regional program is to prevent new HIV infections, particularly among MARPs, and to provide high quality services for affected populations through strengthened and sustainable health systems. To achieve this goal, regional program activities aim to: improve access by MARPs to quality services; strengthen the capacity of institutions, individuals and systems to plan, manage and monitor a national AIDS program that provides improved services for MARPs; and enhance the collection, analysis and utilization of data to inform planning and policymaking. However, the optimal mix of interventions across the region and in any country, particularly as regards prevention, will be highly dependent on country-specific policy constraints and program issues. The U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan, the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM), or Embassy designate, serves as the lead for the CAR regional PEPFAR program, coordinating with Ambassadors across other CAR countries to make final decisions on CAR PEPFAR Operational Plans and other programs submitted to the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator for approval. At the country level, the Ambassador, DCM or Embassy designate heads the in-country PEPFAR program and is the final decision-maker under PEPFAR Guidance on all program plans and activities that are submitted to the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator for approval. B) Basic Function of the Position 1) The PEPFAR Coordinator serves as the primary point of contact and coordinator of activities related to the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (the Emergency Plan/PEPFAR) in the region. S/he plays a critical role in the development and complementarity of the Mission's inter-agency HIV/AIDS program, and in coordinating planning, implementation, and reporting on program performance of inter-agency programs. 2) The coordinator serves as the Ambassador/DCM's primary point of contact on PEPFAR activities and advises them on all related developments and issues related to the PEPFAR program. S/he works closely with all USG agencies involved in HIV/AIDS programming in Central Asia and contributes to the five countries' national HIV/AIDS strategies, facilitating a coordinated USG response in collaboration with other donor groups and implementing partners in the region. The coordinator is, in general, not a technical director but, based on a comprehensive knowledge of proven technical approaches and concerns in addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic, is expected to provide technical leadership and contribute to technical recommendations on implementation based on the Country Operational Plan (COP) and other performance review information. 3) The Coordinator chairs the regional interagency team which is comprised of senior Agency representatives and regional and country HIV/AIDS staff. The role of the regional team is to establish program technical, policy and strategic direction for implementation of the Emergency Plan in Central Asia. This includes compliance with the guidelines and earmarks set by OGAC, collaboration and congruence with the programs of major donors, such as the Global Fund on AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM) and with the priorities of host governments. When delegated this authority by the Ambassador, the coordinator may represent PEPFAR with external partners including governments in the region, the press, and others. The Coordinator may also represent the implementing agencies at official meetings if so delegated by the Ambassador, DCM and/or agencies. 4) The Coordinator is the technical and program lead for the development of the Regional Operational Plan (ROP), the Semi-Annual Program Results (SAPR) report, Annual Program Results (APR) report, and other reports required by PEPFAR. The Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that reports are submitted to Washington in time, for organizing the logistical arrangements for inter-agency work, and for keeping Agencies on task for inter-agency efforts. The Coordinator is responsible for bringing any issues affecting interagency planning to the Ambassador/DCM and, if necessary, to OGAC. C) Major Duties and Responsibilities: Areas of responsibility for the PEPFAR Coordinator's position include but are not limited to: 1) Planning and Implementation (35%) - Based on experience and knowledge, provide technical and program guidance and contribute to USG strategic planning and consensus on overall technical strategy for annual plans; - Facilitate, guide and contribute to the development and implementation of a unified PEPFAR program, including the planning and production of an annual Regional Operational Plan (ROP) that capitalizes on the comparative advantages and competencies of participating USG agencies, achieves maximum results related to the PEPFAR "2-7-10" targets and the CAR country level National Strategic Plans or programs on HIV/AIDS, and is optimally responsive to the needs of the respective host country's citizens infected and/or affected by HIV; - Inform the DCM, Agency heads and the regional team on emerging or developing issues related to HIV/AIDS in Central Asia and recommend changes to action plan(s) accordingly if necessary. - Inform Agency heads and the regional team on OGAC policies, directives, and guidance that apply to the CAR regional PEPFAR program; - Convene and chair meetings with the PEPFAR interagency management team and disseminate and retain records of the meetings; - Coordinate, review and disseminate all reports required by OGAC, including SAPR and APR development; and manage, review and submit all ROP reprogramming requests to OGAC. 2) Communication and Cooperation (35%) - Liaison function: - Serve as the primary contact with the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC) through the respective country Core Team Lead and members named by OGAC; - Coordinate with interested/affected units at the U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan and, in consultation with the US Ambassador/DCM of Kazakhstan, communicate with the other CAR countries (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan), to ensure that the Chief of Mission (COM)/ DCM, PEPFAR Points of Contact and others are well apprised of key PEPFAR accomplishments, challenges, and timelines; - Coordinate with USG PEPFAR implementing agencies, (the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Peace Corps, and the US Agency for International Development (USAID)), to facilitate joint planning and reviews, and critical communication between and among these agencies. Ensure that they are informed of key developments, action requests, and policy guidance from OGAC; - Represent PEPFAR to specific and agreed-upon host Government ministries/offices to promote complementarity maximum collaboration between the host Government HIV/AIDS programs and those being planned and implemented by USG agencies and their partners. - Represent PEPFAR to development partners active in HIV/AIDS, and specifically with organizations and staff of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, to ensure optimal integration of USG efforts with those of others. - Cooperation and Negotiation function: - Act as a negotiator between USG agencies, including taking the lead to resolve interagency differences, and to determine when issues should be referred to the Ambassador/DCM for resolution; - Plan and direct the organization of in-country meetings and systems to further collaboration among the government, donors, NGOs and other partners to address HIV/AIDS; - Lead the preparation for and organize partner meetings to address inter-agency collaboration on technical and other program issues. - Communication function: - Prepare and disseminate as appropriate briefing and communications materials on the PEPFAR/CAR program. Support representational activities such as the following: - With agency input, prepare speeches for delivery by the COM/DCM, and requested background materials for public as well as sensitive diplomatic events: - With agency input, prepare written materials in collaboration with the Public Affairs Office (PAO), including press releases and Op-Ed materials for local and international media; - With agency input, support Congressional visits, PEPFAR Deputy Principal visits and visits by international dignitaries. 3) Monitoring and Evaluation and Reporting (30%) - Lead coordinated and timely financial and programmatic reporting by all participating USG agencies and their implementing partners; - Work closely with each agency, on a regional and country-specific level, to coordinate the collection of data and joint reporting jointly on program results. Lead inter-agency strategic planning to evaluate program progress and success; - Prepare and disseminate periodic internal and external updates/status reports on PEPFAR in the region for internal (USG participants) and external audiences (to include host country Government partners and stakeholders, non-governmental implementing partners, Central Asian media and the general public. D) POSITION ELEMENTS 1) Administrative and Supervisory Controls: The Central Asia Regional PEPFAR Coordinator will work under the leadership of the U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan, or his or her designate, as part of the USG PEPFAR Team in Central Asia. This position will be administratively hired and managed by the USAID Regional Office in Almaty, but will be formally seconded to the U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan in order to serve as an inter-agency Coordinator and manager of the PEPFAR program across the region. The Central Asia Regional PEPFAR Coordinator is a Personal Services Contract position. USAID/Central Asian Republics is the designated USG agency to administer this contract. In accordance with USAID rules and regulations governing programs and operations, USAID will administer most administrative and human resource requirements of the PEPFAR Coordinator including, but not limited to, payroll, personnel files, and any required formal approval of travel. 2) Supervision Received: First-line supervision of this position is assigned to the DCM or Ambassador in Kazakhstan. However, the incumbent is also accountable to the DCM or Ambassadors of all five Central Asian countries in sensitively and collaboratively managing the complex processes associated with planning for, implementing, and monitoring the results of the Emergency Plan across the participating USG implementing agencies and across the region. Under the leadership of the U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan or his/her designee, who serves as the primary USG representative in addressing PEPFAR issues for the CAR region, the Coordinator is expected to meet frequently with the Ambassador or DCM in each of the Central Asian countries to brief him/her on important program or management issues, and carry COM concerns back to the PEPFAR team. 3) Available Guidelines: The incumbent is required to understand major Agency specific policies and procedures of the participating PEPFAR agencies which are relevant to project activity planning and management. Oral guidance from the immediate Supervisor (the DCM or Ambassador in Kazakhstan) and specific detailed instructions will be given (when necessary) for carrying out unique assignments. The incumbent will be required to be proactive in keeping abreast of evolving guidelines and policies which affect the overall PEPFAR initiative and keeping abreast of evolving development on HIV/AIDS issues in Central Asia. 4) Exercise of Judgment: In instances not clearly covered by written guidelines, the incumbent should use her/his own personal, well informed judgment in devising innovative approaches to resolving technical, administrative, managerial and/or policy problems. Excellent (balanced) judgment must be exercised in setting priorities. The use of initiative, discretion and patience is expected from the incumbent in dealing with USG and representatives from donor organizations to resolve problems that arise during the course of work for which there is often no clear or immediate solution. 5) Authority to Make Commitments: The incumbent has no independent authority to commit U.S. Government (USG) funds on behalf of the U.S. Government. 6) Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts: The Incumbent is expected to meet occasionally with high-level officials from host governments in the region, including Ministers and Deputy Prime Ministers (the GFATM CCM chair in several countries). The incumbent is required to maintain a solid working relationship with the five U.S. Embassies, and all USG Agencies involved with PEPFAR to function effectively. The incumbent is required to work closely with OGAC, foundations, NGOs, other foreign donor institutions (i.e. WHO, WB, ADB, DFID, etc.) and other local and international groups. E) REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS 1) General: Must be a U.S. citizen, must be able to obtain a U.S. Government "SECRET" security clearance. Must be able to secure a medical clearance to serve in Central Asia. Must be willing to travel throughout the five Central Asian Republics regularly and routinely (approximately 30% of the time). 2) Prior Work Experience: At least 10 years of progressively senior experience managing HIV/AIDS, health or other development programs, preferably in a developing country context, with at least 5 years of experience in managing and implementing HIV/AIDS programs. At least 3 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. Actual experience managing PEPFAR programs. 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 program of cooperation among multiple USG agencies with sometimes competing priorities and demands. 3) Skills and Abilities: Skilled at conveying information to the COM, to agencies, local and international partners, and to OGAC. Demonstrated ability to mediate interagency conflicts and facilitate and contribute to consensus decisions on complex technical, programmatic, strategic, and financial issues. Demonstrated ability to develop and coordinate implementation of detailed work plans/timelines for major time-sensitive and complex work projects that are dependent on contributions from multiple US government agencies and dozens of individuals. Ability to empower PEPFAR team members to apply available resources and expertise to addressing the local epidemic. Strong capacity to multi-task including managing, prioritizing, and fulfilling competing demands in real time. Familiarity with USAID, CDC and/or other USG systems and implementation mechanisms. Leadership skills: Demonstrated excellent negotiating and diplomatic skills, and ability to resolve conflict and bring parties with differing opinions to consensus based on available evidence. Demonstrated ability to manage a diverse team to achieve shared results in a complex operating environment. Experience managing inter-agency government and/or non-government work groups highly desirable. 4) Language: Demonstrated excellent written and oral English communication skill (minimum level IV); ability to communicate complex technical, operational, and policy issues clearly and succinctly to a wide variety of audiences. Proficiency in Russian preferred but not required. 5) Education: An advanced degree (Masters or higher) in Public Policy, Public Heath, Administration or a related field. F) SELECTION CRITERIA Applicants will be evaluated against the following criteria: Education: 05 points Experience and Knowledge: 35 points Skills and Abilities: 35 points Interpersonal and Leadership Skills: 15 points Language Skills: 10 points Total: 100 points Notice to Applicants: The USAID reserves the right to obtain from previous employers relevant information concerning the applicant's past performance and may consider such information in its evaluation. 9. APPLYING Qualified individuals are requested to submit a Optional Application for Federal Employment OF-612 including experience, salary history, list of references, and recent sample of his/her written work (maximum 1-3 pages, i.e. policy memo) no later than COB (6 p.m. Almaty time) August 30, 2013. The form is available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ or http://transition.usaid.gov/forms/OF612.pdf. Applications, recent supervisor reference and three (3) personal references, and writing sample may be submitted by e-mail, fax, DHL or FedEx air courier by the closing date, above, to: Tatiana Rossova Personnel Specialist Personnel Office USAID/CAR Almaty 41 Kazibek Bi Street Almaty, Kazakhstan Email: almaexo_hr@usaid.gov Fax: 7 727 2507634/35/36 Email or faxed documentation is preferred as mail delivery may be untimely. To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application, and as the subject line in any cover letter. USAID/CAR expects to award a personal services contract for an off-shore US Citizen for two-year period commencing o/a September 30, 2013, subject to security and medical clearances and funds availability. The duty post for this contract is Almaty, Kazakhstan. 10. Benefits include post differential, housing, and other benefits per USAID regulations. Basic household furnishings will be available in quarters to be provided by USAID. 11. For more information about USAID/Central Asian Republics see Mission's website http://centralasia.usaid.gov/ Attachment 3 AS A MATTER OF POLICY, AND AS APPROPRIATE, A PSC IS NORMALLY AUTHORIZED THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS: 1. BENEFITS Employer's FICA Contribution Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Annual Increase Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual & Sick Leave Eligibility for 401(k) 2. 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). LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs 1. Optional Form 612. **2. Medical History and Examination (DS-1843) or Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62). **3. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or **4. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85). **5. Finger Print Card (FD-258). NOTE: Form 5 is available from the requirements office. * Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). ** The forms listed 2 through 5 shall only be completed upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job. 3. POLICY GUIDANCE PERTAINING TO PSCs a) ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) and CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to this website http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/cib/subject.html#psc to determine which AAPDs and CIBs apply to this contract. b) 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.
 

Web Link

FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/AID/OM/ALM/45-2013 /listing.html)
 

Place of Performance

Address: 41 Kazybek Bi., Park Palace, Almaty, Kazakstan
 

Record

SN03148043-W 20130815/130814000530-2545d4fbf3de11f442a09f3205523ec8 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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