SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- Senior Cummunity Health Advisor - Cummunity Health Advisor
- Notice Date
- 4/25/2012
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Agency for International Development, Overseas Missions, Liberia USAID-Monrovia, USAID/Monrovia, Department of State, Washington, District of Columbia, 20521
- ZIP Code
- 20521
- Solicitation Number
- SOL-669-12-000011
- Point of Contact
- Sylvester s. Browne, Phone: 23177766402, Joseph Bundor, Phone: 23177845523
- E-Mail Address
-
sbrowne@usaid.gov, jbundor@usaid.gov
(sbrowne@usaid.gov, jbundor@usaid.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Senior Community Health Advisor for Behavior Change Communication (BCC) Activities BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITION The Senior Community Services Advisor will provide technical support to the USAID/Liberia Health Office for the implementation of Behavior Change Communication (BCC)/Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities. The Senior Community Services Advisor for BCC Activities will also provide technical direction and guidance to USAID-financed activities within the health portfolio around health promotion, communications, and behavior change across all of USAID's health sectors, including family planning, maternal and child health, malaria, WASH, nutrition, and HIV/AIDS. As a technical member of USAID/Liberia's Health Office, the incumbent will be expected to work closely with various sub-sectoral teams in the Mission to plan and implement a range of activities related to community health services -- with a focus on BCC/IEC best practices. The Senior Community Services Advisor will also provide guidance for best practices and successful interventions in community services that can be integrated into USAID's health portfolio. Additionally, the Senior Community Services Advisor will have primary responsibility for the Health Office's HIV and Nutrition-related activities, including planning and managing USAID-financed activities. These tasks will include collaborating on strategic planning and activity design, development of program descriptions, oversight of work plan development and activity implementation, periodic review of financial performance, and monitoring and evaluation of activities. The Senior Community Services Advisor will have recognized authority in activity planning, design, management, monitoring and evaluation of the Mission projects that promote healthy practices and create demand for priority services in family planning; maternal and child health; malaria; HIV; water, sanitation, and hygiene; nutrition; as well as gender equity. The incumbent will also assist with key programmatic activities such as literature reviews and stakeholder analysis, developing and drafting an integrated health education and community engagement microplan. Special emphasis will be on the Health Office's HIV/AIDS and Nutrition activities. Under the supervision of the Health Office Director or his designee, the Senior Community Services Advisor shall fulfill the following duties: Major Roles and Responsibilities 1. Expert programmatic and technical leadership, policy advice, guidance and support for BCC/IEC activities (30%) • Provide technical leadership and programmatic guidance to the health education, demand creation, and enabling environment components of USAID's health portfolio. Serve as the expert in the areas such as (but not limited to): o HIV/AIDS prevention, stigma reduction, and testing and counseling promotion o Demand creation for birth spacing o Promotion of antenatal care, assisted deliveries, post-natal care, well baby visits, and immunization o Promotion of Essential Nutrition Actions (ENA) and growth monitoring o Household hygiene promotion and Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) o Gender equity and changing social norms to create an enabling environment for these health practices and behaviors. • Provide strategic technical advice and assistance in preparing portions of key planning and budget documents, such as the Operational Plan (OP), the Malaria Operational Plan (MOP), semi-annual and annual progress reports, and Congressional Notification • Participate in the relevant interagency technical working groups in Liberia • Serve as the primary USAID technical advisor to USAID contractors designing country programs and work plans working on IEC/BCC activities to achieve GHI, PEPFAR, FtF, and PMI goals and objectives • Work collaboratively with the Liberian government, other USG, implementing partners and key stakeholders to develop appropriate policies for improving IEC/BCC 2. Program Coordination, Management, and Networking with an emphasis on HIV and Nutrition (25%) • Coordinate the IEC/BCC component of all health-related activities, especially as they interrelate with community-based activities implemented by NGOs and Government of Liberia. • Lead program planning, design and implementation, policy development, and monitoring and evaluation of HIV and Nutrition-related interventions. • Collaborate and manage joint activities implemented under PEPFAR, PMI, FFP and GHI. This includes but is not limited to promotion of exclusive breastfeeding and lactational amenorrhea method, addressing anemia in women and children, WASH/Nutrition, or using the MCH platform to promote use of insecticide treated nets. • Work with partners to ensure best practices and technical interventions support multi-sectorial programming, including community-based linkages to income generating activity and education. • Coordinate, adapt and disseminate lessons learned on facility and community programs and projects activities to further strengthen and expand interventions to achieve USG and GOL goals. 3. Monitoring & Evaluation, Analysis and Reporting (20%) • Assists in developing a monitoring and evaluation plans in line with the USG targets, as well as ensure that implementing partners develop project monitoring plans and report in a timely manner on their activities • Provide expert advice and practical experience in helping the MOHSW and other partners to monitor inputs, outcomes, and progress towards USG and GOL goals. • Monitor and evaluate activities, by ensuring that performance monitoring systems are in place, and that periodic, reliable measures of impact indicators are established. • Review and approve annual work plans and quarterly reports 4. Local Staff Mentoring (15%) • Provide supervision and mentoring to the Community Services Specialist, who is to be a locally-employed Liberia staff member, including o Routine coordination meetings o Formal and informal job performance feedback o Joint field visits o Planned gradual skills transfer - delegating increasing responsibility over time 5. Other duties as assigned (10%) Other tasks or responsibilities may be assigned based on (a) organizational and programming need and/or (b) the incumbent's own interests. Minimum Qualifications The incumbent should meet the following requirements in education, work experience, knowledge, and skills and abilities to be able to carry out the aforementioned duties and responsibilities 1. Education A Masters' Degree in public health, social or behavioral science, public policy/administration with a concentration in public health, communication, international development, or other related field of study. 2. Work Experience • A minimum of 5 years progressively responsible management experience in public health programming, of which at least 2 years are in a developing country context supporting health and development programs. • Extensive experience with health communications/community mobilization activities • Current knowledge of policy, technical and operational aspects of public health, including BCC/IEC. • Familiarity with US government initiatives and legislation relating to development assistance, USAID programming policies, regulations, procedures, and documentation requirements for strategy and project design, implementation, management, and evaluation. • Experience working with high level host country counterparts, in-country program managers, policy makers and a broad array of international health service providers and community leaders. 3. Communication Skills • Proven ability to work as a member of a team and to foster teamwork is required, as is the ability to develop and maintain productive working relationships at all levels, including with USAID/USG staff and colleagues, ministerial-level officials in the Government of Liberia, the heads of other donor agencies, and leaders of the NGO and corporate community. • Demonstrated ability to lead policy and/or program negotiations and dialogue with host country officials. • Excellent English language communications skills (native speaker level), both written and oral, including public speaking skills (as the incumbent may be called upon to deliver presentations before large and varied audiences) are essential. • Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through oral presentations and briefings, written reporting and analysis, and information technology tools. 4. Post Entry Training The incumbent will be expected to possess the necessary technical training and skills required to perform the duties/responsibilities required of the position. Post entry training will be focused primarily on the Agency's established policies, procedures and regulations that govern: 1) USAID specific Contracting/Agreement Officer's Technical Representative responsibilities/duties; 2) USAID specific activity management and procurement systems; and 3) USAID-¬sponsored training in Project Design and Activity Management. In addition, the incumbent will be required to work within the existing USAID team management office structure. Organized/formal training (both internal & external) may be provided from time to time depending on the availability of Program funds and determined to be in direct support of USAID/Liberia activities. 5. Physical Condition USAID prohibits discrimination in hiring and employment on the basis of physical or mental impairment. USAID promotes, with reasonable accommodation, the full realization of equal employment opportunities for the disabled in recruitment, promotion, assignment, and training. Supervision Received The Senior Community Services Advisor will work under the general supervision of the USAID/Liberia Health Office Director or his designee. The Office Director or his designee will assist the Advisor to: 1) establish a 1-year work plan with appropriate objectives and performance measures; 2) review work outputs and deliverables to ensure compliance with Agency policies, and implementation of best practices; and 3) assess the incumbent's performance seeking input from appropriate USAID/Liberia team members and external stakeholders. As the incumbent is expected to work with a high degree of independence, s/he must be able to establish priorities, adhere to and meet deadlines, and perform responsibilities and duties with minimal guidance. Available Guidelines The Senior Community Services Advisor is required to understand Mission and Agency specific policies and procedures which govern program activity management in addition to the USAID/Liberia established administrative operating procedures, policies and formats. 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 activities of the Health Office, including but not limited to the Automated Directives System (ADS), Mission Orders, Mission Notices, USG Procurement regulations, and USAID Program Strategy and Policy Documents. In addition, the Mission Director, USAID/Liberia Health Office team members, support teams such as Financial Management, Executive Office, Procurement Office and Regional Legal Advisor and counterparts in USAID/Washington are available as resources to provide advice and guidance. Authority to Make Commitments: The Senior Community Services Advisor will have no independent authority to commit U.S. Government (USG) funds on behalf of the U.S. Government or the USAID/Liberia. Exercise of Judgment: In instances not clearly covered by written guidelines, the incumbent will use her/his own personal, well informed judgment and ingenuity to interpret the intent of guides 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 USAID personnel as well as representatives from other USG agencies and 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 of the Ministries and the private sector from Liberia, coordinating efforts in support of USAID/Liberia health project design objectives, and in collecting, analyzing and reporting on progress of activities and recommending project design actions. The incumbent will also be required to follow and adhere to the Agency's Code of Ethics and Conduct. Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts The Senior Community Services Advisor will be required to maintain solid working relationships with various USAID and USG Offices, relevant GOL Ministries, and other donors. Specifically, the Coordinator will be required to work closely with: 1) USAID Program Office; 2) USAID Office of Assistance and Acquisition; 3) where necessary USAID's Education, Democracy & Governance, and Economic Growth Technical Offices. The Advisor will be expected to develop and maintain various relationships throughout all relevant Ministry of Health and Social Welfare Offices, Divisions, and Programs (e.g. National AIDS Control Program, Family Health Division, Program Management Unit, External Aid Unit, etc), and the National AIDS Commission. When and where necessary, the Coordinator must also be able to engage with the Ministries of Agriculture, Gender, Public Works, and Youth. Additionally, the Advisor must develop working relationships with other donors and the NGO and Civil Society communities. The purpose of contact will be to: 1) collect, obtain, and verify factual information pertaining to the health sector; 2) maintain open lines of communication in support of Foreign Assistance issues as related to USAID's Health Office; and 3) develop and/or facilitate synergistic programmatic linkages; and 4) influence policy creation as related to community health and WASH, demand creation, and/or IEC/BCC. Consultations between the incumbent and partners will be held for explaining and assisting with strategizing USG and USAID/Liberia Health Office- related documents and objectives, securing cooperation, resolving problems, obtaining or furnishing information, defending or negotiating controversial issues among stakeholders with diverse opinions, and persuading USAID staff and counterparts to take actions and accept recommendations. Supervisory Controls: The incumbent will supervise FSN Health Office staff as needed. Time Required to Satisfactorily Perform Full Range of Duties after Entry into the Position 1 year Selection Criteria Applicants meeting the required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application and obtained through reference checks. Following is the evaluation criteria for this position: 1. Education, 20 points: • Minimum of a Master's Degree in public health, social or behavioral science, or public policy/administration with a concentration in public health, international health, or communications, or other related field of study. 2. Knowledge / Experience, 40 points : • Relevant professional experience in program design and management in developing countries, including experience in relevant public health or communication programs. Preference given to experience with HIV and Nutrition-related projects. • Demonstrated knowledge of policy, technical and operational aspects of public health IEC/BCC, knowledge of basic issues, best practices and innovations in community and facility-based activities. Preference given to an understanding of these issues in the Liberian context or comparable setting. • Direct work experience with an international organization and/or donor agency; a thorough working knowledge of USG operations, regulations, policies, procedures and programs desirable. • Demonstrated experience working with high level host country counterparts, in-country program managers, policy makers and a broad array of international health service providers and community leaders. • Experience in dealing effectively and diplomatically with multiple U.S. and host country government agencies, non-governmental organizations, faith-based and community-based organizations, and the private sector. • Prior budgeting and/or financial management experience highly desirable. 3. Skills/Abilities, 30 points: • Excellent writing, statistical, computer, and interpersonal skills • Strong interpersonal and communication skills including ability to collaborate with host-country officials in program implementation and interact with partners, contractors and other stakeholders at senior levels. • Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment and communicate highly technical health information to both health and non-health audiences, and achieve consensus on policy, project, research, and administrative matters. • Demonstrated ability and experience in the conceptualization, design, management, and performance monitoring of complex development programs • Ability to readily understand, analyze and discuss issues around public health IEC/BCC, HIV and Nutrition. Ability to facilitate meetings and make oral presentations logically and persuasively to senior officials and partners in a multi-cultural context. • Demonstrated organizational, managerial and decision making abilities. Ability to adapt to programming and technological changes and establish new concepts or programs accordingly. • Ability to exercise independent judgment regarding transparent communications processes across multiple stakeholders from government, civil society, development partners, and private sector. ATTACHMENT 2: PSC Contractor Benefits (As allowable under applicable regulations) AS A MATTER OF POLICY, AND AS APPROPRIATE, AN INDIVIDUAL MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF OFFSHORE HIRE USPSC IS NORMALLY AUTHORIZED THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS: 1. Benefits a. Employee's FICA Contribution b. Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance i. --72% of Health Insurance Annual Premium (not to exceed $20,339.00 for a family and $7,266.00 for employees without dependents) ii. --50% of Life Insurance Annual Premium (not to exceed $500) c. Vacation & Sick Leave 2. Allowances* (If Applicable): As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, an offshore/ USPSC is normally authorized the following allowances: a. Post Differential (Section 500) b. Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) c. Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) d. Post Allowance (COLA)(Section 220) e. Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) f. Payments During Evacuation (Section 600) g. Education Allowance (Section 270) h. Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) i. Danger Pay (Section 650) j. Educational Travel (Section 280) * Dept. of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). 3. Federal Taxes: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes. 4. List of REQUIRED Forms for USPSCs a. Optional Form 612. (U.S. Government Optional Form 612 is available at the USAID web site, http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms or internet http://fillform.gsa.gov, or at USG offices.) Forms (b) through (e) shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the position. b. Medical History and Examination (DS-1843). c. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or d. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85). e. Finger Print Card (FD-258). (NOTE: Form is available from the requirements office.) 5. Contract Information Bulletins (CIBs.) and Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives (AAPDs) Pertaining to PSCs CIBs and AAPDs 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/psc_solicitations.html to determine which CIBS and AAPDs apply to this contract.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/AID/OM/LIB/SOL-669-12-000011/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: USAID/LIBERIA, Monrovia, Liberia
- Record
- SN02731639-W 20120427/120426000553-7b64f0c7ef2fc9264e32daeba9dc9346 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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