"Applicants who applied previously need not reapply."

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72066321R00005

1. ISSUANCED ATE: 01/05/2021

1. CLOSINGDATE/TIMEFORRECEIPTOF OFFERS: 02/04/2021 (5:00pm Ethiopia’s local time.)

1. POINT OF CONTACT: Annmarie McGillicuddy, Supervisory EXO and Fekadu Tamirate, HR Specialist, e-mail at [email protected].

1. POSITION TITLE: Country PEPFAR Coordinator

1. MARKET VALUE: $ $109,366 to $142,180 equivalent to GS-15. The final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based on the successful candidate’s salary history, work experience, and educational background.  Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.

1. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: For two years, with three renewable one-year option periods up to a maximum of five years. Estimated to start on 04/01/2021.

The base period will be 04/01/2021 – 04/01/2023, estimated to start on 04/01/2021. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise (an) additional option period(s) for a time period for three years for the date(s) estimated as follows:

Base Period:

04/01/2021 – 04/01/2023

Option Period 1:

04/01/2023 – 04/01/2024

Option Period 2:

04/01/2024 – 04/01/2025

Option Period 3:

04/01/2025 – 04/01/2026

1. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Work.
2. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens.

                      For USPSC:

• Be a U.S. citizen;
• Submit a complete application as outlined in the solicitation section IV. Submitting an offer;
• Be able to obtain secret level;
• Be able to obtain a Department of State medical clearance;
• Be willing to travel to work sites and other offices as/when requested;
• Employment is subject to funds availability and all the required approvals obtained.

1. ​​​​​​​SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret. The final selected candidates must obtain both the appropriate security and medical clearances within a reasonable period. If such clearances are not obtained within a reasonable time or negative suitability issues are involved, any offer made may be rescinded.

1. 1. STATEMENT OF DUTIES
      1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract:

The Coordinator is the primary point of contact and coordinator of activities related to the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in the country.  The Coordinator plays a critical role in the planning, implementation, and reporting of program performance of inter-agency programs. The role of the Coordinator is becoming more essential as the size and complexity of the program increases. The Deputy Chief of Mission heads the in-country PEPFAR program and is the final decision-maker under PEPFAR Guidance to all program plans and activities that are submitted to the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator for approval. The Coordinator is a facilitator, a communicator, and at times, a negotiator. The coordinator is, in general, not a technical director, although the coordinator may be expected on occasion to ensure follow-up on implementation of technical recommendations based on the Country Operational Plan (COP) and other performance review information. When delegated this authority by the Ambassador, the Coordinator may represent PEPFAR with external partners including government, press, and others. Agency leads may also be expected to play a role in public diplomacy based on authority delegated by the Ambassador. USG Ethiopia has established an interagency PEPFAR Senior Interagency Team (SIT), which the Coordinator chairs and convenes. The SIT has also established Technical Working Groups (TWGs) which provide technical recommendations to guide implementation of the PEPFAR program. The TWGs report to the SIT. The Coordinator, in collaboration with Agency leads, will be accountable to ensure these groups are established, have an agenda and are achieving objectives. Agency leads should be copied on communications between the Coordinator and Technical Working Groups (TWGs) or staff and on substantive communications between the Coordinator and the core team lead in headquarters. This procedure is essential to retain trust and respect between agency leads and the coordinator. In addition, it is critical that the Coordinator be copied on internal agency communication related to matters of PEPFAR program strategy, implementation and management and staffing. The Coordinator may represent the agencies at official meetings. When a Coordinator meets with Ethiopian government counterparts, s/he should include agency leads or, if not possible, consult with agency leads. The Coordinator is the lead for the development of all tasks related to the COP, Semi-Annual Program Results (SAPR), Annual Program Results (APR), and any other reporting requirements to the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (S/GAC).

The Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that reports are submitted to S/GAC Washington on time, for organizing the logistical arrangements for interagency work, and for keeping agencies on task for inter-agency efforts.

1. Statement of Duties to be Performed:

General responsibilities of the position will be to:

•      Direct the U.S. government PEPFAR country team (PCT) in the conception, formulation and recommendation of initiatives in response to the epidemic profile in Ethiopia, and to the program operational realm.

•      Lead the PEPFAR investment in Ethiopia within the U.S. mission in Addis Ababa as well as externally among national and international stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health, National AIDS Commission, HIV/AIDS Prevention & Control Organization (HAPCO) multilateral institutions, bilateral partners, faith-based organizations, regional and local authorities, private sector entities and civil society organizations.

•      Ensure that PEPFAR’s investment in Ethiopia’s National HIV response complies with congressional earmarks and is consistent with U.S. government laws and policies, especially legislation pertaining specifically to PEPFAR.

•      Coordinate closely with the implementing agencies to ensure resources are allocated to high performing implementing mechanisms that demonstrate impact through the use of efficient HIV case finding care and treatment modalities as well as those interventions that prevent onward transmission of the disease.

Specific major duties and responsibilities include:

a)     Manage the development of the annual country operational plans (COPs) and quarterly PEPFAR Oversight and Accountability Review Team (POART) through an on-going interagency process that is data-driven and informed by consistent review of site-level impact, expenditure and quality data for epidemic control.  Approximately 40% LOE.

i.      Coordinate closely with the interagency on bi-weekly monitoring of key indicators in high impact sites.

ii.     Develop systems for promising practices sharing across agencies, implementers and stakeholders.

iii.    Ensure data is shared externally for mutual accountability of programmatic success.

b)    Lead and facilitate external PEPFAR engagement with the Ministry of Health, including the appropriate Directorates and HAPCO.  Approximately 25% LOE.

Outward facing and regular interaction with other bilateral, multilateral, public and private organizations as well as civil society is also led by the Coordinator. Other external engagement responsibilities include:

i.      Engage regularly with the Global Fund, specifically the Fund Portfolio Manager. The programmatic split in Ethiopia between the programmatic inputs funded by PEPFAR and critical commodities from the Global Fund, is a fundamental element of the national HIV response and requires close engagement by the PEPFAR Coordinator.

ii.     Meet regularly with in-country stakeholders such as Civil Society Leadership, UNAIDS Country Director, WHO Representative and other private and non-profit entities.

iii.    Serve as an ad hoc member of the Health Donor Group (HDG) and HIV/AIDS Donor Group (HADG) on behalf of PEPFAR. 

c)     Serve as a member of the Ambassador’s Mission Leadership: Approximately 10% LOE.

a.     Participate in and contribute to weekly Country Team meetings.

i.      Act in leadership positions, including control officer for high level delegations, when delegated by the Ambassador or Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM).

ii.     Lead regular PEPFAR Senior Interagency Team (SIT) strategic meetings with all agency leadership as well as quarterly PEPFAR partner dialogue among the larger team in Ethiopia (including all implementing partners).

d)    Lead and Manage the PEPFAR Coordination Office (PCO):  Approximately 25% LOE.

i.      Supervise four (4) direct reports and manage office strategy and division of duties.

ii.     Serve as the control officer for most interagency visits.

1. The selected candidate will undergo orientation (either in-person or virtual) with S/GAC, USAID and CDC headquarters prior to travel to post.  The form of this orientation/consultation will be determined at the time of hiring based on the selected candidate’s level of current experience with PEPFAR operations.

Supervisory Relationship:

The Country PEPFAR Coordinator directly reports to the Deputy Chief of Mission.

 Supervisory Controls:

Supervise four (4) direct reports and manage office strategy and division of duties.

1. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

Note: No in-person appointments or telephone calls will be entertained unless you are required to have more information about this solicitation.

The hiring of this position is subject to the NSDD-38 approval

1. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Applications will be initially screened by the Human Resources Office to determine whether applicants have met the advertised minimum qualifications. A list of qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring office for further consideration and screening.

EDUCATION: An advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in a relevant professional discipline, such as public policy, public health, business administration, or related subject, is required.

WORK EXPERIENCE: At least 10 years of progressively senior level experience managing HIV/AIDS, health or other development programs, preferably in a developing country context, with at least 8 years of experience in managing and implementing HIV/AIDS programs and at least 5 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.  Experience managing PEPFAR programs is desirable.  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 with cooperation among multiple U.S. government agencies or International non-governmental organizations with sometimes competing priorities and demands.

1. 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. The TEC will conduct interviews with all offerors in the competitive range and provide the final rating and ranking of the offerors based on the interview. The CO will consider findings from the reference checks as part of the responsibility determination.

EDUCATION (15 points): An advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in a relevant professional discipline, such as public policy, public health, business administration, or related subject, is required.

EXPERIENCE (40 points): At least 10 years of progressively senior level experience managing HIV/AIDS, health or other development programs, preferably in a developing country context, with at least 8 years of experience in managing and implementing HIV/AIDS programs and at least 5 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.  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 with cooperation among multiple U.S. government agencies or international non-governmental organizations with sometimes competing priorities and demands.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABLITIES (45 points): The successful candidate will have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the following:

• • Strong effective interpersonal, teamwork, facilitation and negotiation skills.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills and writing skills.
  • Ability to mediate interagency conflicts and facilitate decisions on complex technical, programmatic, strategic and financial issues.
  • Ability to set clear standards and inspire staff.
  • Strong analytical skills.
  • Strong capacity to multi-task efficiently, including managing, prioritizing and fulfilling competing demands in real time.
  • Ability to monitor and track comprehensive and substantial data; and to manage complex interagency planning and reporting processes.
  • Ability to empower PEPFAR team members to apply available resources and expertise to address the local epidemic.
  • Cross-cultural sensitivity and awareness.
  • Strong managerial skills.
  • Available and willing to work outside the regular 40-hour workweek when required/necessary.
  • Willing to travel to work sites and other offices as/when requested.
  • Ability to exercise independent judgment and ingenuity to interpret and develop applications and guidelines to devise innovative approaches to resolve technical, administrative, managerial, and policy problems.
  • Considerable judgment is required to work effectively with host-government officials; coordinate multi-sectoral efforts in support of objectives.
  • Collect, analyze, and report the progress of activities and recommend project actions.
  • Excellent, balanced judgment in setting priorities.
  • Strong judgment to work effectively with host government officials, coordinate multi-sectoral efforts in support of objectives, and collect, analyze, and report the progress of activities and recommend project actions.
  •  Level IV English ability (fluent) in both written and spoken English.

1. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

For your application to be considered, the following documents must be submitted:

1. Eligible offerors are required to complete and submit the offer form AID 309-2,“Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals, “available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms.
2. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section I.
3. To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission.
4. Letter of Application and current resume.
5. Application must be submitted ONLY via [email protected] and the email subject must say –: 72066321R00005 PEPFAR Country Coordinator. Be sure to include your name and the solicitation number at the top of each page. "Applicants who applied previously need not reapply."
6. Please submit the application only once; and
7. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered; the application must be submitted before or on the closing date at local Ethiopia time 5 p.m. (Local Ethiopia, Addis Ababa Time (GMT+3).

1. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

Once the CO informs the successful Offeror about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Offeror instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms.

1. 1. Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms)
   2. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-86),or
   3. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)
   4. Finger Print Card (FD-258)

1. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

BENEFITS:

1. Employer's FICA Contribution
2. Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance
3. Pay Comparability Adjustment
4. Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation)
5. Eligibility for Worker's Compensation
6. Annual and Sick Leave

ALLOWANCES (if applicable):

Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas)

1. Temporary Quarter Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)
2. Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)
3. Cost-of-Living Allowance (Chapter 210)
4. Post Allowance (Section 220)
5. Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)
6. Education Allowance (Section 270)
7. Education Travel (Section 280)
8. Post Differential (Chapter 500)
9. Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600), and
10. Danger Pay Allowance (Section 650)

1. TAXES

USPSCs are required to pay federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable state income taxes.

1. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs

USAID regulations and policies governing USPSC a wards are available at these sources:

1. 1. USAID Acquisition Regulation(AIDAR),Appendix D, “Direct USAID Contracts with a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for Personal Services Abroad,” includingcontractclause“GeneralProvisions,”availableathttps://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf.

1. 1. Contract Cover Page form AID309-1availableathttps://www.usaid.gov/forms.

LINE ITEMS

ITEM NO

(A)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION)

(B)

QUANTITY

(C)

UNIT

(D)

UNIT PRICE

(E)

AMOUNT

(F)

0001

Base Period - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: [e.g. R497]

- Accounting Info: [insert one or more citation(s) from Phoenix/GLAAS]

1

LOT

$ _TBD__

$_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_

1001

Option Period 1 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: [e.g. R497]

- Accounting Info: [insert from Phoenix/GLAAS]

1

LOT

$ _TBD__

$_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_

2001

Option Period 2 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: [e.g. R497]

- Accounting Info: [insert from Phoenix/GLAAS]

1

LOT

$ _TBD__

$_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_

3001

Option Period 3 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: [e.g. R497]

- Accounting Info: [insert from Phoenix/GLAAS]

1

LOT

$ _TBD__

$_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_

1. Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins(AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs.​​​​​​​
2. 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 5CFR2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations.