SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- Central America Regional Interagency President’s Emergency Program for HIV/AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Coordinator
- Notice Date
- 8/7/2009
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 812990
— All Other Personal Services
- Contracting Office
- Agency for International Development, Overseas Missions, Guatemala USAID-Guatemala City, Amer Emb/Guatemala, Unit #3323, APO, 34024
- ZIP Code
- 34024
- Solicitation Number
- 520-09-PSC-01
- Archive Date
- 9/12/2009
- Point of Contact
- Sofia de Hernandez, Phone: 502-24224103
- E-Mail Address
-
shernandez@usaid.gov
(shernandez@usaid.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Background: The United States Government (USG), in full partnership with the seven countries of the region (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and Belize), will design and implement a Technical Assistance Partnership Framework that builds on and complements progress to date to reduce HIV/AIDS and mitigate its impact. These new activities, under the PF will be designed and implemented in accordance with guidance from the Office of the US Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC) which reports directly to the Secretary of State and oversees and directs all USG international HIV/AIDS activities in all departments and all agencies of the Federal Government. The Regional Central America HIV/AIDS program has designed and implemented activities in the region for almost 15 years. In addition, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Honduras have received bilateral funding for activities specific to their respective country epidemics. These bilateral programs will continue to work separately and in close collaboration with the regional program to ensure synergies and maximum impact of USG resources allocated for HIV/AIDS activities. In addition to USAID, the Department of State (DOS), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Peace Corps (PC), and the Department of Defense (DOD) implement USG-funded activities in the region. The USG has established important partnerships with the Ministries of Health in each country, regional organizations such as COMISCA (Central American Commission of Ministries of Health) UNAIDS, PAHO, the Global Fund and local and international NGOs. HIV prevalence data indicate that the epidemic in Central American can be classified as “concentrated” with certain subgroups of the population particularly affected. Based on 2008 UNAIDS data, adult HIV prevalence appears to be highest in Belize (2.1%) followed by Panama (1.0%), El Salvador (.8%), Guatemala (.8%), Honduras (.7%), Costa Rica (.4%) and Nicaragua (.2%) However, these country-wide data mask high rates of HIV among specific sub-groups of the population, particularly men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSW) and their clients, certain ethnic groups (e.g. Garifuna), mobile populations (e.g. truckers, migrant workers, uniformed personnel), and other vulnerable groups. In the area of HIV prevention, USG activities have focused on social marketing of condoms, reducing stigma and discrimination, expanding voluntary testing and counseling (VCT), and community-based behavior change communications (BCC). In the area of human resource capacity, USG, host governments, and other donors have been working on regional approaches to second generation HIV surveillance, including national and regional best practices trainings, monitoring and evaluation, and laboratory systems. At this stage in the epidemic policies and program gaps still pose significant barriers to reducing HIV and mitigating its impact on households, health systems, and overall social and economic development. Basic Functions : Reaching the Partnership Framework targets and goals of USG HIV/AIDS activities in Central America requires strong leadership skills and dynamic coordination. The incumbent is designated by the Chief of Mission (Ambassador) or his/her designate, to serve as principal point of contact and coordinator of activities related to the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (the Emergency Plan / PEPFAR) in Central America and as a representative of Regional USG supported HIV/AIDS activities. The U.S. Ambassador or his designee heads the in-country PEPFAR program and is the final decision-maker under PEPFAR Guidance for all program plans and activities submitted to the US Global AIDS Coordinator for approval. Working under the direction of the Ambassador or (Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM), the Coordinator plays a critical role in the planning, implementation, and reporting of program performance of inter-agency programs. 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 Regional Operational Plan (ROP) and other performance review information. The Coordinator is a facilitator, a communicator, and at times, a negotiator. S/he works closely with all USG agencies involved in HIV/AIDS programming in Guatemala and in countries in Central America participating in the Partnership Framework and/or receiving regional HIV/AIDS resources. The Coordinator contributes to the region’s National HIV/AIDS strategy, facilitating a coordinated USG HIV/AIDS response in collaboration with other donor groups and implementing partners in the region. When delegated the authority by the Ambassador, the Coordinator may represent PEPFAR with external partners including government, press, and others. The Coordinator may also represent the agencies at official meetings if so delegated by the Ambassador/DCM and/or Agencies. When the Coordinator meets with host country government counterparts, s/he should include Agency leads or, if not possible, to consult with Agency leads. The Coordinator leads the development, preparation, and submission of the regional operational plan (ROP), semi-annual performance review (SAPR), and annual performance review (APR). The Coordinator is responsible for coordinating responses to regular and ad hoc requests from the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC); for ensuring that reports are submitted to OGAC on time; for organizing the logistical arrangements for inter-agency work; and for keeping all USG agencies on task. A critical and particularly challenging aspect of the Coordinator’s management of the Regional Partnership Framework will be working with and through several separate U.S. Missions and their constituent USG agencies and Central America counterparts. As currently envisioned, the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala will serve as the focal point for the administration of the Regional Partnership Framework with the U.S. Ambassador to Guatemala being the designated executive of the Regional Partnership Framework. As the U.S. Embassies in the seven countries in the region as well as USAID bilateral missions in Guatemala, El Salvador Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama will be members of the Regional Partnership Framework, the Coordinator will need to work in an open, transparent, collegial way to build and maintain a consensus approach with all USG Missions in the region in regard to the design, implementation, and monitoring of this regional endeavor. Although the USG has enjoyed noted success in the coordination of regional HIV/AIDS activities over the past several years, the Regional Partnership Framework presents an additional challenge requiring the deft handling of interaction with several U.S. Missions and multiple Central American regional entities and host-country government stakeholders, while under the direct supervision of a single US Embassy Mission. Responsibilities and Duties : The HIV/AIDS PEPFAR Coordinator’s role will include the following: •Principal advisor to the Ambassador’s and/or the Deputy Chief of Mission on HIV/AIDS and developments in the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief; •Program Coordinator for USG HIV/AIDS activities in the region, interacting with multilateral agencies, the Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanisms (CCM), NGOs and other key stakeholders involved in HIV/AIDS programming to ensure optimal integration of USG efforts. At the technical level, the PEPFAR Coordinator will defer to Agency leads, particularly in countries where there are bilateral USG programs; •Facilitator for USG interagency collaboration and cooperation; •Liaison with named representatives of the USG PEPFAR implementing agencies, (i.e. the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Peace Corps and the Department of Defense) to ensure critical communication between and among agencies, including action requests, and policy guidance from OGAC; •As appropriate, liaison, at a broad level, with Ministries of Health and National AIDS Directors through COMISCA and its technical arm, the Regional Coordinating Mechanism (RCM), to promote maximum collaboration between the host governments’ HIV/AIDS programs and those being planned and implemented by USG agencies and their partners; Agency technical and management staff will continue to maintain a lead role for day-to-day interaction at the national and regional level. Specific tasks of the Coordinator may include, but are not limited to, the following: •Support representational activities by the following illustrative examples: oWith agency input, preparing speeches for delivery by the Ambassador/DCM and requested background materials for public as well as sensitive diplomatic events; oWith agency input, preparing written materials in collaboration with the Public Affairs Office (PAO), including press releases and Op-Ed materials for local and international media; oWith agency input, supporting Congressional visits, PEPFAR/Washington visits, and visits by international dignitaries; and oRepresent the Agencies at official meetings if so delegated by the Ambassador/DCM and/or Agencies. •Facilitate the development and the implementation of a unified PEPFAR regional program, which includes the planning and production of the annual ROP. The ROP must capitalize on the comparative advantages and competencies of participating USG agencies, achieves maximum results related to the PEPFAR/ Regional Central America HIV/AIDS programs, and is in line with and supports COMISCA’s strategic framework. •Ensure that the ROP focuses on the priority needs of Central America in the context of other donors, host governments, and civil society efforts to respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. •Coordinate and facilitate all reporting, including SAPR and APR development. Minimum Qualifications : •Must be a U.S. Citizen An advanced degree(s) (masters or higher) in a relevant discipline such as Public Health, Public Policy, Administration, Nursing, Medicine and a minimum of 7 years experience in international public health programming and/or implementation. •Excellent written and oral English communication skills. •Strong Spanish speaking, reading, and writing ability; minimum FSI level 3/3 (S/R). •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. •Demonstrated experience in operating effectively in cross-cultural environments and working within interagency settings; •Demonstrated teamwork and leadership skills; •Demonstrated ability to communicate technical information clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical colleagues; •Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with multiple partners; •Familiarity with USAID and/or USG systems and implementation mechanisms; •Demonstrated high degree of sound judgment, maturity, ingenuity and originality to interpret technical and political opportunities and constraints; and •Strong conceptual, analytical, and reasoning skills. Other Considerations : Significant experience working directly for one or more of the United States government agencies responsible for implementing PEPFAR is preferable. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities The minimum qualification listed above determines basic eligibility for the position. Applicants are required to address each KSA below describing specifically and actually what experience, education and training received that relevant to each factor. 1.Provide examples that demonstrate your experience in operating effectively in cross-cultural environments and working within interagency settings. Highlight particularly your leadership, management and teamwork skills. 2.Describe your knowledge of USAID and/or USG systems and implementation mechanism. Highlight your ability to develop and coordinate implementation of work plans/timeliness for major time-sensitive and complex projects. 3.Provide specific examples of your effective oral communication skills and ability to communicate clearly and effectively in writing. 4.Must be able to demonstrate ability to speak Spanish fluently and reading ability (FSI level 3/3) Work Environment and Travel: Work is primarily performed in an office setting within USG offices in Guatemala City, Guatemala; however, travel to the countries of the Central America Regional Partnership Framework will be necessary. Temporary duty travel to the United States or elsewhere may also be required as part of the duties of this position. The Contractor is expected to travel as required to meet the responsibilities of the position inclusive of: -travel as required in preparation for and to accompany, the Ambassador, DCM, USG officials, or other visitors as required; -travel to and participate in meetings or appropriate workshops. Period of Performance: Two years Market Value of Position: $83,445-$108,483 per year with 10% post differential (currently) Selection Criteria Abilities and Skills, 50% Work Experience, 30% Education, 10% Language, 10% Qualified individuals are requested to submit: A US Government Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612 (available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms or internet http://fillform.gsa.gov, or at Federal offices). Applicants are also required to forward a 1) resume or curriculum vitae, 2) a brief annex to the resume or curriculum vitae that demonstrates how prior education, experience and/or training addresses the minimum qualifications and evaluation factors by which applicants will be initially ranked, and 3) a brief writing sample, 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. Applicants are required to address each of the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) outlined in the Selection Criteria on a separate sheet describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education, and/or awards or recognition they have received relevant to the selection criteria described in the selection criteria section of this solicitation. 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 the USG may contact your current supervisor. 4. 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). 5. References: Applicants are required to provide three professional references with complete contact information including email address and telephone numbers. 6. Statement of Availability: A written statement certifying the date and length of time for which the candidate is available for the position. 7. Applications must be submitted by email, US Post, DHL, FedEx or other international courier by the closing time and date to: Sofia de Hernandez Administrative Specialist USAID/Guatemala E-mail: shernandez@usaid.gov Fax #: (502) 2422-4185 All applications should be received by the closing date and time previously specified. 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. The highest ranking applicants may be selected for an interview. IMPORTANT NOTE: The award of this PSC is subject to NSDD-38 approval and availability of funds.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/AID/OM/GUA/520-09-PSC-01/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: USAID/Guatemala, Km. 6.5 Final Blvd. Los Proceres, Santa Catarina Pinula, Guatemala, Guatemala
- Record
- SN01904122-W 20090809/090808001346-55f3716941e72c86a6ff44a79f7644bb (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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