SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- PEPFAR Regional Coordinator for Central Asia
- Notice Date
- 5/27/2010
- 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
- 25-2010
- Archive Date
- 7/3/2010
- Point of Contact
- Tatiana Rossova, Phone: 7 727 250 76 17, Natalya N. Zubkova, Phone: 7-727-2507612
- E-Mail Address
-
trossova@usaid.gov, nzubkova@usaid.gov
(trossova@usaid.gov, nzubkova@usaid.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- ISSUANCE DATE: 05/27/2010 CLOSING DATE: 06/18/2010 Gentlemen/Ladies: SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (PSC) No. 25-2010 USPSC PEPFAR Regional Coordinator for Central Asia, 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 Heather Armstrong, Contracting Officer, and Tatiana Rossova, Personnel Specialist, who may be reached at FAX No. 7-727-250-76-34/35/36, or e-mail per.almaty@usaid.gov Offerors should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their proposals. Sincerely, Heather Armstrong Contracting Officer ATTACHMENT TO SOLICITATION NO. 25-2010 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 25/2010 2. ISSUANCE DATE: 05/27/2010 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: 06/18/2010 (6 p.m. Almaty Time) 4. POSITION TITLE: USPSC PEPFAR Regional Coordinator for Central Asia 5. MARKET VALUE: $71,674-$93,175 per annum (GS-13 equivalent) or $84,697-$110,104 per annum (GS-14 equivalent) with 25% Post Differential (currently) (Final compensation will be based on consideration of individual ‘s qualifications, salary and work history, experience and educational background) 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years (extension optional) 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/CENTRAL ASIAN REPUBLICS, Almaty, Kazakhstan 8. JOB DESCRIPTION: A) BACKGROUND United States Government (USG) 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 expand prevention, treatment and care to millions of HIV-affected people worldwide. It employs a multifaceted approach combating HIV/AIDS in more than 100 countries around the world. The HIV epidemic in Eastern Europe and Central Asian Republics (CAR) is concentrated in a small group of most-at-risk populations (MARP), but is the fastest growing in the world within that sphere. Reported HIV prevalence among the general population is estimated at 0.1% across the region (0.3% in Tajikistan and virtually zero % in Turkmenistan). Of the total 61.3 million residents of the region, an estimated 70,500 individuals are infected with HIV and, to date, a cumulative total of 27,500 AIDS cases have been registered. The region is also a key transit area in global heroin trafficking. The epidemic is fueled mainly by injecting drug users (IDU) 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 IDU range from 4.2% in KZ to 17.6% in Tajikistan. Sentinel surveillance data of IDU found HIV prevalence as high as 34% in parts of UZ. As of 2008, the percentage of HIV infection due to injection drug use was approximately 75% in KZ/KG and approximately 60% in UZ/TJ. While IDU remains a predominate driver of the epidemic, sexual transmission is also playing an increasing role. Based on 2008 data from Ministries of Health (MoH), as much as 29% of HIV infection has been attributed to sexual transmission and this proportion appears to be increasing. Unsafe sex by IDU and their sexual contacts, including sex workers (SW), constitute a key bridge to the general population. 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 key most at risk populations (MARP). High rates of migration (particularly from TJ, UZ, and KG) to destinations within and outside the region complicate the epidemic. While migrants are considered to be a risk group in the region, few prevalence data are available. TJ, the only country in CAR that reported data in 2008 for migrants, reported 0.5% HIV prevalence for that year. More information is needed to further understand the burden of HIV among migrants. While the CAR countries are at varying points on the development continuum, all share the challenge of reforming inefficient Soviet-era health care delivery systems into working health systems. 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. Stigma surrounding injecting drug use, punitive legislation, and frequent rights violations of individuals within MARP have delayed the adoption of appropriate interventions and continue to restrict the ability of HIV programs to access people in need of services. The overriding objective of the USG program in Central Asia is to stop the spread of HIV from the highest-risk groups to the general population. To do this, the USG will focus aggressively on expanding service delivery for MARPS including medication assisted therapy (MAT). The program will also provide a package of comprehensive services to IDU, SW, and MSM as the major drivers of the epidemic. The program will partner with MoH and other donors to aggressively scale up evidence-based practices and provide comprehensive prevention services to MARP. The program will assist to improve approaches to recruitment and adherence through active outreach and other means, and improve quality of service delivery (treatment, care, etc) through targeted technical assistance (TA) and training of MoH and NGO staff. B) BASIC FUNCTION The incumbent is designated by the five Chiefs of Mission or their designates to serve as their representative and coordinator of activities related to PEPFAR in Central Asia. The Coordinator represents the Chief of Mission (COM) on the PEPFAR Team and carries issues and decisions to the team on his/her behalf. S/he may be called upon to inform decisions by the COM or advise him/her on necessary courses of action when the inter-agency Team is unable to reach consensus. PEPFAR is an inter-agency initiative and it is hoped that the participating agencies will be able to plan and manage the program by consensus. OGAC guidance allows for COM decision making when this is not possible. The Coordinator will meet regularly with the COM in each CAR country or his/her designate and keep him/her up to date in key issues which may require advice or final decision. 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 Central Asia and contributes to the five countries' national HIV/AIDS strategies, facilitating a coordinated USG HIV/AIDS response in collaboration with other donor groups and implementing partners in the region. The Coordinator chairs the regional interagency PEPFAR team which is comprised of senior Agency representatives. The role of the regional team is to provide broad policy and strategic direction-including compliance with the guidance and earmarks set by OGAC and assurance of maximal congruence with the priorities of host governments-for implementation of the Emergency Plan in Central Asia. The Coordinator leads the development, preparation, and submission of all operational plans related to PEPFAR, including performance reports. The Coordinator is responsible for coordinating responses to regular and ad hoc requests from OGAC; for ensuring that reports are submitted to OGAC on time; for organizing the logistical arrangements for inter-agency work; and for keeping agencies on task for inter-agency efforts. 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. C) DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Areas of responsibility for the PEPFAR Coordinator's position include but are not limited to: Communication and Cooperation (35%) - Liaise with OGAC through the respective Country Support Team lead and members named by OGAC; - Liaise with the Ambassador and/or their representative in each country to coordinate Partnership Framework negotiations (if required), and ensure that country USG staff are apprised of key PEPFAR accomplishments, challenges, and timelines; - Liaise with and facilitate communication between named representatives of the USG PEPFAR implementing agencies, (i.e., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); the US Agency for International Development (USAID); the Peace Corps; and the Department of Defense) to ensure critical communication between and among agencies, including action requests, and policy guidance from OGAC; - Convene, chair and facilitate meetings, as well as disseminate and retain records of meetings with CAR PEPFAR team, technical working groups and other USG PEPFAR partners; - Mediate interagency and inter-country conflicts that may occur in the planning process; - Oversee, supervise and coordinate with Regional Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM) Liaison to ensure USG efforts are integrated with GFATM activities and implementation; - Support representational activities by the following illustrative examples: - With agency input, preparing written materials in collaboration with Public Affairs Offices (PAO), including press releases and Op-Ed materials for local and international media; - With agency input, supporting Congressional visits, PEPFAR Deputy Principal visits, and visits by international dignitaries; and - Coordinate interagency and Washington clearance processes for technical assistance visits (TDY), and promote inter-agency dissemination of information whenever possible and appropriate; Planning and Implementation (35%) - Facilitate USG strategic planning and consensus on overall technical strategy for annual plans. - Facilitate the development and the implementation of a unified PEPFAR program, which includes the planning and production of the annual regional operational plan (ROP). The ROP must capitalize on the comparative advantages and competencies of participating USG agencies and achieve maximum results related to the PEPFAR 3-12-12 targets and the host governments' National AIDS Programs; - Coordinate and facilitate all reports required by OGAC including semi/annual performance reviews. - Facilitate the submission of all ROP re-programming requests to OGAC. - Facilitate the process of interagency collaboration to develop detailed implementation plans, including country-specific work planning, setting of expected deliverables and monitoring plan. - Support efforts by USG implementing agencies to recruit, qualify, and successfully engage new, especially indigenous, partners in PEPFAR activities. Monitoring and Evaluation and Reporting (30%) - Facilitate and ensure 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 and report program results as well as to conduct strategic exercises to evaluate program progress and success, and to maintain a calendar of important benchmarks to ensure the program is on schedule; - Prepare and disseminate periodic internal and external updates/status reports on PEPFAR in the region. Internal audiences shall be limited to USG participants, including PEPFAR agency HQ. External audiences shall include host country Government partners and stakeholders, non-governmental implementing partners, and 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 five U.S. Ambassadors to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, and under the day-to-day oversight 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 represents 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. S/he 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 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 7 years of progressively senior experience managing HIV/AIDS, health or other development programs, preferably in a developing country context. 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 highly desired. 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 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 required); must be able 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: Experience: 40 points Skills and Abilities: 40 points Language: 10 points Academic Qualifications: 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) June 18, 2010. The form is available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ or Internet http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/formslibrary.do?formType=OP, or at Federal offices. 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: per.almaty@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 as early as practically possible 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. Almaty is a beautiful city nestled against mountains, bursting with parks and fountains, with tree lined streets and flower gardens. The city has the excitement of Kazakh culture with its nomadic and warrior heritage as well as the benefits of the Russian culture ballet, museums, opera, choirs, and circus. It has the charm and challenges of colorful native markets, as well as the convenience of modern supermarkets. Located at an altitude of 650 meters, where steppe meets mountain, Almaty is backed by the snow capped Tien Shan to the South and faced by a vast plain which stretches to Siberia in the North. There are many places for skiing, skating, hiking, rafting, helicopter trips, camping, and other outdoor activities outside the city. The Almaty International School provides American curriculum for children in grades K 12. 12. 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
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FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/AID/OM/ALM/25-2010/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Park Palace, 41, Kazibek Bi Street, Almaty, Kazakstan
- Record
- SN02163205-W 20100529/100528000009-8045317fe82ca21372e3a553425e96e5 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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