Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Closing date: 04 May 2016
SOLICITATION FOR U.S. PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACTOR, GLOBAL FUND LIAISON
USAID/DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO (DRC)
SOLICITATION NUMBER: SOL-660-15-000008
ISSUANCE DATE: April 5, 2016
CLOSING DATE: May 4 2016, 17:00 hrs. Kinshasa time
POSITION TITLE: GLOBAL FUND LIAISON
MARKET VALUE: GS-14 ($87,263 - $113,444 per annum). Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based upon the candidate’s past salary, work history and educational background
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The Global Fund Liaison will serve for a period of two years with the option to extend up to five years (based on performance) depending on USAID’s continued need for service, demonstrated performance, and availability of funding.
PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
STATEMENT OF WORK:
8.1 BACKGROUND
The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (GDRC) and its partners are working closely to strengthen the DRC health system. Although the country budget allocated to health remains below the international target of 15 percent, the GDRC has slowly increased its allocation each year (7.8 percent in 2015). Additionally, the GDRC, for the first time recently contributed five percent (counterpart funding) to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (GFATM) budget for DRC. In order to optimize the effort of the GDRC and its partners to improve the DRC health system, effective coordination and communication among all donors is critical. Recruitment of a Global Fund Liaison (GFL) is key to ensuring coordination and optimal communication between U.S. Government (USG) programs and GFATM as well as other stakeholders. This will ensure that all stakeholders capitalize on opportunities to leverage collaboration and identify critical technical assistance needs.
HIV/AIDS, Malaria and TB Profile
The USG activities in each of the disease areas are aligned with the National Health Development Plan. The National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) reports that malaria accounts for 19 percent of child under-five mortality contributing to approximately 21,601 deaths a year. The DRC is the 10th largest contributor to the world’s tuberculosis (TB) burden and has an estimated incidence rate of 392 cases per 100,000 people. HIV/TB co-infection rates are estimated at 16 percent and multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB cases represent two percent of the TB infected population. The DRC’s HIV epidemic is generalized, with a prevalence of 1 percent to1.2 percent (ages 15-49) based on 2012 UNAIDS estimates.
President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)
The U.S. Government (USG) through PEPFAR is one of two primary donors addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the DRC, the other being the GFATM. The GDRC began receiving PEPFAR funding in 2004 at $3 million per year. Funding has increased over time to $62 million in fiscal year (FY) 2015. The success of the PEPFAR program and the ultimate management and control of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the DRC is linked to the successful implementation of GFATM programming. In the DRC, PEPFAR is implemented by the U.S. Department of State (DOS), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Department of Health and Human Services (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - CDC), and the Department of Defense (DOD).
According to UNAIDS, only 24 percent of pregnant women in need of services to prevent the transmission of HIV to their babies have access to these services. As of December 2012, only 64,219 out of 439,137 People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) in need of treatment had access to it.
The President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI)
Malaria prevention and control are major foreign assistance objectives of the USG. The President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) was launched in June 2005 to rapidly scale up malaria prevention and treatment interventions and reduce malaria-related mortality by 50 percent in 15 high-burden countries in sub-Saharan Africa. On Nov. 16, 2010, the DRC became the 16th PMI country and funding has more than tripled in five years from $18 million to $50 million in the current fiscal year. PMI continues to focus on targeted technical assistance to the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) and field implementation of activities in over 181 health zones in five focus provinces and Kinshasa covering approximately 25 million people.
With a high likelihood of a funding increase, it's anticipated that PMI will expand into additional health zones to reach almost 35 percent of country coverage in the future.
USG Tuberculosis Program in DRC
The DRC is a high burden TB country. According to the latest WHO reports, TB accounted for 36,000 deaths in the DRC in 2012, with 112,000 notified TB cases in the country. While the WHO estimates there are over 2,000 Multi-drug Resistant (MDR) TB patients in the country, only 412 are currently on treatment.
TB support in the DRC aligns with the USG TB Strategy (2014-2019) and the WHO End TB Strategy. USAID/DRC support to the GDRC for TB prevention, diagnosis and treatment is at the national, provincial and health zone levels with a portfolio of more than $13 million, including for TB/HIV activities. Activities include DOTS expansion (including community-based DOTS and pediatric TB treatment), TB drugs management, TB/HIV infection detection and treatment, MDR TB management and new diagnostic tools introduction. A threat to the progress made in TB activities has been the development of MDR-TB and HIV/TB co-infection, both of which are priorities for the GDRC.
Global Fundto Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM)
The GFATM is an international financing institution that funds countries to implement programs aimed at reducing the morbidity and mortality related to these three infectious diseases: AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. It was created in 2002 to dramatically increase resources for the fight against the three pandemics. GFATM does not manage or implement programs on the ground; it relies instead on local implementing partners (Principal Recipients (PRs) with expertise in program management and/or the three diseases. GFATM works with partners to ensure that funding serves the men, women and children affected by these diseases in the most effective way. The USG is the largest contributor to the GFATM’s annual budget (30%), hence there is a large responsibility on in-country USG teams to ensure the success of GFATM programming.
In the DRC, the government, civil society, the private sector, and affected communities partner to implement programs and work in close collaboration with other bilateral and multilateral organizations to supplement existing efforts dealing with the three diseases.
As of 2003, GFATM has approved over $1.2 billion in grant funding across three areas of which only about $600 million has been disbursed. In 2014, the DRC was approved for $257 million (HIV and TB), and $341.5 million (malaria) over a period of three years.
Health donors in the DRC, including WHO, UNAIDS, UNICEF and the European Union, are keenly interested in the success of the GFATM. The Global Fund Liaison plays a critical role in ensuring that GFATM programs are implemented effectively to provide the Congolese population with the needed drugs and services financed through the GFATM.
The DRC Country Coordination Mechanism (CCM) is undergoing reform and is being integrated into the National Steering Committee for the Health Sector (*Comité National de Pilotage – Secteur Santé*). Under the new reform, the USG (USAID Mission Director) represents the bilateral donors on the CCM, the alternate member is the French Government.
9. BASIC FUNCTION
The GFL is the USG focal point on GFATM activities, working under the direction of the USAID/DRC Mission Director for CCM-related matters, and under the direction of the PEPFAR Coordinator and the USAID Health Office Director for daily matters concerning HIV, TB, and malaria. The GFL will be directly supervised by the Health Office Director or his/her designee. In addition, s/he will consult regularly with other key membership of the USG interagency health team, including the USAID/DRC HIV Team Lead, CDC Country Director, DoD Public Health Lead, PMI Advisors, and TB/Infectious disease advisor on strategic, technical, and programmatic matters.
The GFL will assume responsibility for coordinating critical communications between the USG and several stakeholders, including the PRs for GFATM activities in the DRC; the GFATM Local Fund Agents (LFA); and the USG CCM alternate (i.e. French Government representative). S/he will also ensure coordination among USG-funded technical support for the CCM or GFATM implementation efforts, including support from USG staff and implementing partners.
The GFL will assume responsibilities for: (1) coordinating ongoing and critical communications among the USG PEPFAR Country Team, the CCM, the Global Fund Secretariat, the GDRC, and other strategic partners regarding the management and implementation of the GFATM program; (2) coordinating and ensuring complementarity between GFATM and USG supported programs; and (3) identifying PRs and CCM technical assistance needs, making the necessary recommendations to address those needs, and ensuring follow-up on implementation of the technical recommendations. The GFL will ensure that there is no duplication in requested support from bilateral and multilateral entities.
The Liaison is expected to have a strong technical background in at least two of the three Global Fund focal areas.
9.1 MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The USG interagency team recognizes the importance of strong coordination between the GFATM and USG resources, specifically PEPFAR and USAID’s TB and malaria programs, to ensure optimal efficiency and effectiveness of these resources. The GFL will be an integral member of the interagency team.
Specific responsibilities for the Global Fund Liaison include:
Advisor and Coordinator of USG Linkages with GFATM activities, including CCM General Assembly and Bureau, Technical Area Committees, and PRs for HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria – 50%
- Inform and advise USG participation in the CCM General, Bureau and Committee meetings, particularly advising the USG representative on the CCM, USG technical staff representatives on the CCM committees, and the PEPFAR Executive Team.
· Work closely with government, donors, and private and civil society counterparts to ensure effective coordination and timely implementation of GFATM programs.
· Facilitate joint meetings between HIV, TB, and malaria principal recipients (PR), national disease control programs, and the GDRC MOH Technical and Financial Support Office (in French, Cellule d’Appui à la Gestion). This includes assisting in developing a coordination forum to discuss and monitor tasks that are critical to program implementation.
· Strengthen communication between the USG, CCM, Global Fund Secretariat, PRs, other donors, and implementing partners.
· Maintain ongoing communication with CCM representatives, the Global Fund Secretariat, the Global Fund Portfolio Management Team (Geneva), and other stakeholders to ensure that all parties are well-informed on the status of GFATM and USG activities.
· Evaluate need and coordinate technical assistance requests to GFATM implementation and management, including the improvement of CCM governance and oversight. This may involve coordinating with U.S. bilateral and headquarters-based technical assistance as well as local entities such as UNAIDS, WHO and other multi- and bilateral agencies.
Program Management and Coordination Functions – 30%
· Ensure that GFATM and USG resources are effectively used for increased program impact. This includes coordinating the joint engagement of USG implementing partners and PRs in the implementation of USG- and GFATM-supported interventions in the three focal areas.
· Participate in technical committee meetings, site visits (for both GFATM and USG), and GFATM grant monitoring activities as appropriate to strengthen program implementation, ensure accurate reporting, and identify technical assistance needs.
· Provide technical and programmatic support to grants, committees or CCM, both directly and through coordination with other USG expertise, USG mechanisms or donors.
· Ensure coordination on commodity quantification, procurement, distribution, and reporting between the USG and GFATM programs.
· Facilitate regular communication and transparency between PRs and USG to ensure donor systems are aligned and minimum package of services is maintained across donors.
· Strengthen the capacity of the CCM and PRs to coordinate, manage, and implement programs by identifying technical assistance needs and facilitating access to the appropriate support.
· Liaison with USG-funded technical assistance partners (currently the Leadership, Management, and Governance Project) to ensure coordination with the GFATM. Manage USG resources for technical assistance to the CCM and PRs, including coordinating technical support from the USG at country and headquarter levels.
· Work with host government ministries/offices and other donors supporting HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria programs to promote collaboration with USG agencies and their partners.
· Identify and implement innovative approaches that improve the collaboration with host country, other donors, and implementing partners in support of HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria programs in order to achieve Agency goals.
· Review USG implementing mechanisms for HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria to understand overall program implementation and ensure complementarity with GFATM programming.
· Coordinate and provide input to GFATM concept note and review.
Monitoring and Reporting – 10%
· Provide regular updates to the USAID Health Office and the PEPFAR Executive Team, USG technical staff, and USAID Health Office to ensure coordination between USG and the GFATM and apprise relevant parties of key GFATM accomplishments, challenges, and timelines.
· Ensure that partner reporting information is appropriately shared between the GFATM (PRs, Secretariat, CCM, LFA) and the USG.
· Participate in the preparation and writing of key USG planning and budgeting documents that relate to GFATM activities, such as the multilateral sections of the PEPFAR Country Operational Plan (COP), PEPFAR Semi-Annual Progress and Annual Progress reports, Malaria Operational Plan, Annual USAID Health Operational Plan and Performance Report, and cables and parallel review processes.
· Help coordinate and monitor the development and implementation of GDRC Ministry of Health-led rationalization of HIV and malaria support, particularly the transition between the GFATM and PEPFAR.
Other Duties and Responsibilities (10%)
· Participate in PEPFAR Country Team meetings and PEPFAR Executive Team meetings.
· Participate in National Malaria Program weekly coordinating meetings if GFATM issues are discussed.
· Participate in USAID Health Office and USAID mission-wide meetings.
· Assist participating USG agencies to prepare ad hoc communication materials (speeches, press releases, talking points, etc.) on the progress of GFATM program implementation and the USG involvement as its largest contributor.
· Provide or assist with training of USG staff regarding GFATM processes and policies, including changes as appropriate.
· Serve as secretariat for USG on meetings related to GFATM.
· Organize, disseminate, and retain records of meetings, regular communications with the CCM, GFATM Secretariat with relevant USG staff.
· Work with the USG Communication Specialists, including the Office of Public Affairs and the Development Outreach and Communication Officer, and USG technical staff to prepare and disseminate periodic internal and external reports on the collaboration of USG and GFATM for effective program implementation.
· Upon request, support efforts by USG implementing agencies to recruit, qualify, and successfully engage new partners in GFATM activities.
· Perform other duties as assigned by the USAID Health Office Director and/or in consultation with the USAID Mission Director and PEPFAR Coordinator, or their designee.
10. POSITION ELEMENTS
10.1 SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Incumbent will work under the general policy and technical guidance of the USAID Health Office Director or his/her designee. S/he will develop a personal annual performance plan, in coordination with his/her supervisor and will be evaluated annually on the basis of the performance plan.
The GFL should be able to work independently, selecting the appropriate technical and managerial approaches to be used depending on the context. However, s/he should inform the supervisor of progress and significant challenges and remedies.
10.2 SUPERVISION EXERCISED
No direct supervision exercised. In terms of general work guidance, s/he will function as the “go-to” person for all matters related to GFATM in the DRC. S/he will provide technical input which will guide the work of the PMI, PEPFAR, and TB programs in the USAID Health Office portfolio as it relates to the GFATM. In this role, the job holder will have the authority to designate members of the USG, in conjunction with the individual’s supervisors, to undertake tasks or provide documentation and justification required for the preparation of strategy and work plan development and performance reporting. The incumbent will be supported by USG technical staff involved in TB, HIV, and Malaria activities.
10.3 AVAILABILITY OF GUIDELINES
Guiding documents will include the USAID Automated Directives System (ADS), respective national strategic plans for TB, HIV/AIDS, and malaria, implementing mechanism narratives, the MOH Road Map for TB/HIV Prevention, Care and Treatment, Global Fund grant documentation, USAID program documentation, and different operational documents available at the mission, including mission orders, mission notices, sector/programmatic operational plans, and periodic reports.
10.4 EXERCISE OF JUGEMENT
In instances not clearly covered by written guidelines, s/he will use her/his own professional judgment in devising innovative approaches to resolving technical, administrative, managerial, and/or policy challenges.
Excellent (balanced) judgment must be exercised in setting priorities. Personal initiative, discretion, and patience is expected in dealing with Mission and host country personnel, as well as representatives from other donor organizations, to resolve problems that arise during the course of work for which there is often no clear or immediate solution. In addition, considerable judgment is required in working effectively with officials in the government and the private sector; coordinating multi‑sector efforts in support of USAID/DRC development objectives; collecting, analyzing, and reporting on progress of activities; and recommending project actions. He/she will also be required to follow and adhere to the Agency's Code of Ethics and Conduct.
10.5 AUTHORITY TO MAKE COMMITMENTS
The incumbent has no independent authority to make resource commitments on behalf of the U.S. Government.
10.6 NATURE, LEVEL AND PURPOSE OF CONTACTS
S/he will be required to establish and maintain solid working relationships with all categories of Mission personnel to function effectively. S/he will be required to work closely, coordinating with: organization personnel, technical staff of USG agencies, host government officials, non‑governmental private sector representatives, and other foreign donor institutions. The purpose of contact will be to maintain open lines of communication: 1) in support of GFATM program implementation; 2) regarding the timely management of activities; 3) to collect, obtain, and verify factual information pertaining to program/project planning and implementation; 4) to monitor and evaluate existing activities on a regular basis; and 5) to gather information needed for reporting. The purpose of contacts will range from simple information gathering to assisting in the development of complex programs and documents with various partners.
10.7 POST ENTRY TRAINING
N/A
10.8 COMPLEXITY
The multiplicity of actors with sometimes divergent priorities and interests make reaching consensus agreement difficult. The incumbent will have to be an experienced negotiator. This position requires that the person be able to work independently and effectively with minimal supervision in a highly complex, fast-paced work environment. The job holder is frequently faced with work that is psychologically demanding.
As the “go-to” person coordinating the USG collaboration with a growing GFATM presence in three distinct funding areas, the volume of routine work (emails, phone calls, meetings) will require a high degree of motivation and personal organization to prioritize actions and to meet deadlines. As the USG “face” of technical assistance to the GFATM/DRC CCM, s/he will be confronted with sometimes unrealistic demands from the host country and partners and will have to manage expectations of USG assistance. This person should be skilled in diplomacy, negotiation, and group decision-making, working to improve collaboration and program coordination in an environment where agreement among stakeholders can be difficult to achieve.
11. EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
11.1. Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Medical Doctor’s or Masters’ degree in Public Health (MPH) or equivalent in public health is required.
11.2 Prior Work Experience: More than 10 years of progressive and responsible experience in public health, including experience in strategic planning, activity design, program planning and budgeting, and monitoring and evaluation. Experience managing and implementing two of the three following programs, Malaria, TB and HIV/AIDS programs in DRC or in developing country contexts.
11.3 Job Knowledge: Knowledge of PEPFAR and PMI strategies, rules, requirements, and procedures; Understanding of USG Program Implementing Agencies (USAID, CDC) procedures and policies; Knowledge of Global Fund program development, management, implementation and monitoring; and knowledge of GF Country Coordinating Mechanism procedures.
11.4 Skills and Abilities: Demonstrate ability to initiate, establish and maintain relationships with the major multilateral and bilateral stakeholders to facilitate coordination and collaboration; Demonstrated ability to understand complex financial and program management; Familiarity with USG administrative, management, and reporting procedures and systems; Demonstrated ability to mediate and facilitate consensus decisions on complex and time sensitive technical, programmatic, strategic, and financial issues; and ability to interpret regulatory directives and related guidance.
11.5. Language Proficiency:
Requires Level IV English; level III French.
11.6. Evaluation Criteria/Selection Criteria
A. Education and Experience: 30 Points
Experience working with disaffected populations including people living with HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis, countries with weak governance, communities in conflict and/or recovery from conflict, and coordination with multiple actors in a fast-paced and dynamic environment is necessary for this position. Strong strategy development experience is desired. Demonstrated skills dealing with high level government officials desired.
B. Knowledge: 30 points
Knowledge of humanitarian and development principles and US strategic interests are necessary to be successful in this position.
C. Skills: 40 points
Organizational skills, financial management, strategy development, and interaction with other agencies, organizations, and governments are necessary to perform at the desired level.
12. Medical and Security Clearance
The selected applicant must be able to obtain a Facility access/Work authorization within a reasonable time-not to exceed three months; and a Department of State Class I Medical Clearance. The selected applicant must obtain these clearances prior to receiving a contract. All accompanying dependents must also obtain Medical Clearances prior to departure for post. If the contractor fails to receive the necessary clearances, the applicant will not receive a contract.
13. Terms of Appointment
This position will be for a period of two years with the option to extend up to three additional years (based on performance) depending on USAID’s continued need for service, demonstrated performance, and availability of funding.
14. Compensation
This position has been classified at a market value equivalent to the GS-14 level. The actual salary of the successful candidate will be negotiated within that range depending on the qualifications and previous earnings history.
USAID/DRC is a post with a 30% Post differential and currently has a class 50% COLA.
15. Logistical Support
USAID/DRC shall provide office space, and telephone/fax/e-mail (for communication with USAID officials and others in support of program objectives) as well as travel, lodging, and transportation for official purposes.
16. FEDERAL TAXES
USPSCs are not exempt from payment of any Federal Income taxes under the foreign earned income exclusion. USPSCs are required to pay Federal Income Taxes, FICA, and Medicare.
17. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES
As a matter of policy however, and as appropriate, a PSC recruited off-shore is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:
BENEFITS
(1) Employer's FICA and Medicare Contribution*
(2) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance
(3) Pay Comparability Adjustment
(4) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation
(5) Annual & Sick Leave
(6) Shipment and storage of household effects
(7) Access to Embassy medical facilities, and pouch mail service
* Note: The Contractor’s salary will be subject to employee’s FICA and Medicare contribution.
ALLOWANCES [if applicable, as found in the Standardized Regulations (Government Civilian Foreign Areas) Sections cited below]
(1) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120)
(2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)
(3) Post Allowance (Section 220)
(4) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230)
(5) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)
(6) Educational Allowance (Section 270)
(7) Educational Travel (Section 280)
(8) Post Differential (Chapter 500)
(9) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600)
(10) Danger Pay (Section 650)
18.LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs
Offeror Information For Personal Services Contracts AID-302-3
Contractor Physical Examination (DS-1843 and DS-1622) **
Questionnaire for National Security Positions (SF-86) **, or
Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85) **
Finger Print Card (FD-258) (available from the requirement office) **
Note:
** Forms 2 through 5 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the position.
How to apply:
Qualified individuals are requested to submit a cover letter and resume with form AID-302-3 and a resume containing the following information:
1) Personal Information: Full name, mailing address (with zip code), email address, day and evening phone numbers, social security number, country of citizenship, highest federal civilian grade held (also give job series and dates held);
2) Education: colleges and universities, name, city and state, majors, type and year of any degrees received (if no degree, show total credits earned and indicate whether semester or quarter hours);
3) Work Experience: provide the following information for your paid and non paid work experience related to the job for which you are applying (do not send job descriptions); job title (include series and grade if federal job), duties, and accomplishments, employer’s name and address, supervisor’s name and phone number, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours per week, salary. Indicate if we may contact your current supervisor;
4) Other Qualifications: Other pertinent information related to the qualifications required for the position, as noted above including job-related training courses (title & year), job-related skills; for example, other languages, computer software/hardware, job-related certificates and licenses (current only), job-related honors, awards, and special accomplishments, for example, publications, memberships in professional or honor societies, leadership, activities, public speaking and performance awards (give dates but do not send documents unless requested).
5) Applicants are required to provide three references with complete contact information including email address and telephone numbers.
Interested candidates should send above via email to: usaidhrkinshasa@usaid.gov with a copy to Sandra Kiyanga (skiyanga@usaid.gov) and Michael Sampson (msampson@usaid.gov). To ensure that the application is considered for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number and title of position on your application and as the subject line in any cover letter. Applications must be received by the closing date and time specified in the cover letter.