SOURCES SOUGHT
R -- USPSC-Senior HIV/AIDS Technical Advisor, USAID/Barbados, GS-14
- Notice Date
- 3/14/2007
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Agency for International Development, Overseas Missions, Dominican Republic USAID-Santo Domingo, Unit #5541, APO, AA, 34041-5541, UNITED STATES
- ZIP Code
- 00000
- Solicitation Number
- 538-07-001
- Response Due
- 4/5/2007
- Archive Date
- 7/15/2007
- Description
- Introduction The economic growth challenges facing the small island countries of the eastern Caribbean are daunting. Recently, the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled that European preferences for Caribbean bananas and sugar, as well as tourism (considered to be the backbone of the Caribbean region economy) are illegal and must be dismantled. This has sent economic shockwaves through the region, as demonstrated by the collapse of the banana industry in Dominica shortly after the WTO rulings, which resulted in a US$100 million annual loss in revenue. In addition, small island economies are increasingly more vulnerable to natural disasters, as demonstrated by the economic collapse of Grenada due to Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Hurricane Emily in 2005, which resulted in over US$900 million in damage. Lastly, the Caribbean region has the second fastest growing HIV epidemic outside of Africa, which if not addressed will further impact the economies on these small island countries. In response to these vulnerabilities, the region is attempting to better organize regional trade agreements through the formalization and implementation of a single market and economy, and the region also has a well organized HIV regional strategy to address HIV issues. However, political will and action is significantly lacking, particularly in the areas of HIV and risk reduction to natural disasters. The Office of the USAID Representative to Barbados (USAID/Barbados) represents a resumption of regional assistance after a hiatus from 1996 to 1999. The current strategy for the eastern Caribbean is a sustainable development strategy that focuses limited resources on the two most urgent challenges facing the region ? the challenge to compete in open markets and the challenge to control HIV/AIDS. The descriptive goal statement of the regional strategy is: Caribbean region is globally competitive in trade and in quality of life. In order to thrive over the long run, the region must not only compete economically in global markets, but also retain and attract the human talent that will enable it to remain competitive. USAID/Barbados is responsible for implementing both regional and bilateral development assistance. Regional assistance is in support of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) regional efforts as they relate to trade, HIV and disaster risk reduction. Direct support at the country ? level in these same three areas is provided to at least six eastern Caribbean countries where USAID has no mission presence. USAID?s regional strategy is comprised of two five-year development strategies. The first strategic objective, Region positioned to succeed in an open trade environment, is approximately US$8 million annual strategy that focuses on enhanced trade capacity including a component on disaster risk reduction. The second strategic objective, Enhanced Regional response to the Caribbean HIV/AIDS epidemic, is an approximately US$5 million annual strategy that focuses on addressing issues and barriers to successfully combating HIV/AIDS in the region and enhancing the Caribbean region?s capacity to effectively respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In addition, during fiscal years 2004 and 2005, USAID/Barbados also managed a rapid scale-up US$42 million hurricane recovery program in Grenada. Summary of HIV/AIDS Strategy Though it is one of the smallest HIV/AIDS global "hot spots" in terms of number of cases, the Caribbean is one of the highest profile regions in the global fight against HIV/AIDS. The region has the second highest HIV prevalence rate in the world after Africa and inadequate infrastructure is available to address the problem in many of these fragile, small island economies. The adult prevalence rate in the Caribbean region is 2.3% (UNAIDS Report 2005). Furthermore, several country-level studies indicate that there are concentrated epidemics of HIV that ranging from 15% to 40% for the most-at-risk populations in the region, such as Suriname and Trinidad. Some of the challenges in addressing HIV in the Caribbean are the inadequate level of HIV specialty-trained service providers to deliver HIV prevention and monitoring services, a high degree of stigma and discrimination against those living with HIV, and weak monitoring systems to adequately track and target the epidemic. This is exacerbated by migration and mobility, both within the region as well as outside, creating a high-risk environment for the further spread of HIV. The five-year strategy aims to enhance the Caribbean?s response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic by focusing assistance in three areas: 1) expanding access to HIV prevention and treatment services, 2) improving the availability and use of accurate and reliable information, and 3) expanding access to risk reduction behavior change interventions. This focus includes support at the regional level for the on-going efforts of Caribbean regional organizations, as well as focused technical assistance within nine Eastern Caribbean countries, which are viewed as some of the most vulnerable in the region Due to a relatively constrained budget, USAID is concentrating its efforts in building HIV/AIDS capacity in the region. Funding levels have varied since 2001 and average between US $4 million to US $6 million annually. Given this, to the extent possible, USAID aims to leverage other external resources and to mobilize existing resources (both public and commercial sector) in order to maintain all three focus areas under the current strategy. Assistance under this strategy is guided by the priority areas outlined in the Caribbean Community?s Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV/AIDS (CARICOM/PANCAP) Regional Strategic Framework. USAID?s strategy implementation has been in partnership with regional organizations as well as international, regional, and local NGOs. In addition to CARICOM/ PANCAP, other regional Caribbean partners include the Caribbean Epidemiology Center (CAREC), the Caribbean Coalition of National AIDS Program Coordinators (CCNAPC), the University of the West Indies (UWI) Caribbean HIV/AIDS Regional Training Initiative (CHART), and the Caribbean Regional Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (CRN+). USAID has established bilateral working relationships with host country officials, organizations, and informal networks in the nine countries in the Eastern Caribbean that are receiving assistance. Working with this complex network of regional and national institutional partners to build their capacity is a direct application of the principle of ?transformational diplomacy? as articulated by the U.S. Department of State, and makes implementing USAID/Barbados? HIV/AIDS program both challenging and uniquely rewarding. USAID collaborates with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and through this collaboration the two agencies play the lead role in implementing much of the regional US Government assistance in the Eastern Caribbean. Other US Government agencies involved include Peace Corps, the Department of Labor and the Department of Defense. Each of these US Government agencies is actively providing assistance in key areas addressing HIV issues in the Caribbean. Although USAID and CDC have been co-programming funds at the activity level, further effort needs to be undertaken to frame a regional U.S. Government strategy. USAID/Barbados The Office of the USAID Representative is based in Bridgetown, Barbados and is comprised of ten staff, with daily operations and program implementation supervised by the USAID Representative. The remaining Barbados staff includes a trade and competitiveness strategic objective team comprised of one Third Country National (TCN) and one Foreign Service National (FSN); an HIV/AIDS strategic objective team comprised of one U.S. technical advisor and one FSN. The technical staff is supported by one FSN program management specialist, two administrative FSNs and one USPSC administrative specialist. Additional support (administrative backstopping, contracting, legal and financial management) is provided by USAID Dominican Republic. USAID?s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) maintains office space in the Barbados office as a base for periodic temporary operations. Role and Responsibility of Senior HIV/AIDS Technical Advisor The incumbent will serve as part of USAID?s two-person HIV/AIDS strategic objective team, bringing his or her specialized training, skills, and experience to the successful implementation of the USG?s primary HIV/AIDS program in a varied geographic region, characterized by complex institutional arrangements. The technical advisor will provide USAID/Barbados with expert-level input for implementing its HIV/AIDS strategy. The incumbent will work under the overall administrative supervision of the USAID Representative, with the programmatic leadership of the HIV/AIDS team residing with the Foreign Service National health specialist. The incumbent ensures scientifically sound analysis of the epidemic and assists CARICOM priority countries to develop programs that are scientifically sound and incorporates US Government and specifically USAID policies and lessons learned. The incumbent serves in a senior policy and management level position in terms of liaising and linking USAID assistance to other USAID assistance in the region being implemented in Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Guyana; as well as with other US Government agencies including the Centers for Disease Control, which is a key USAID partner in the region, the Department of Defense and the Department of Labor. Working as part of the HIV/AIDS strategic objective team, the incumbent also guides and further develops regional activities to address the most important epidemiological needs, focusing on the most at-risk populations and cross-border activities. She/he is responsible for liaising with all partner organizations including other bilateral and multilateral donors including the Global Fund and coordinating USAID programs and approaches with those being pursued by other donors and regional bodies. He/she works with senior officials of health organizations in the region, assisting them in the identification of specific development objectives, resource requirements, and assists them in securing technical assistance when needed. A key function of this Personal Services Contractor will be to draw upon his/her expertise in HIV/AIDS matters and broad knowledge of the USG and other international initiatives, resources and institutions to help USAID/Barbados and its cooperating regional and national counterparts access the full range of technical advice and assistance. Roles and Functions: Maintain a high degree of knowledge of the current epidemiology of HIV and AIDS in the Caribbean and the political, social, and cultural context within which USAID?s strategy needs to be implemented. Keep abreast of analyses and developments in the fields of HIV/AIDS planning, management, and training within the region and in the United States and elsewhere globally, drawing applicable lessons for application to effective implementation of USAID/Barbados activities. Ensure that USAID?s program operates within the USG guidelines for use of earmarked HIV funding and that the strategy is fulfilling both USAID and USG annual reporting requirements, including adequate and technically sound results monitoring and evaluation. Provide USAID/Barbados team knowledge of and access to HIV/AIDS-related programs, policies, personnel and organizations in the U.S.G. and elsewhere in the United States that could enrich our programming in the region. Serve as a contact for USAID/Barbados with U.S.G. agencies implementing HIV/AIDS programs in the region, such as the Office of the Global AID Coordinator, Department of Defense, the Department of Labor, the Department of State, and most notably, the Centers for Disease Control, a critical regional partner for USAID, and support a coordinated, multi-agency approach across cooperating agencies. Relates USAID?s priorities and capabilities to those of other donors in assessing overall requirements in the sector. Stimulates contacts and collaborative arrangements among donor agencies and host country organizations best suited to assist with particular development needs. Provides assistance, particularly to non-presence and basic countries in obtaining funding from other sources, especially the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM). Work with other USAID bilateral missions in the region to share lessons learned and strategic approaches, contributing to maximum effectiveness of USAID funds across the region. Expand contact and linkages with key Caribbean regional organizations (e.g., CARICOM and the OECS) to ensure that USAID?s strategy directly supports the policies and programs of these counterparts. Serve as the Cognizant Technical Officer for selected implementation mechanisms of USAID/Barbados? HIV/AIDS program. Supports the development of and influences regional policies as they relate to HIV and AIDS by working in close partnership with Caribbean and donor counterparts. Keeps abreast of analyses and developments in the fields of HIV/AIDS planning, management and training within the region and with similar research in the United States and other countries. Supervises, guides, and assists with the preparation of required program and project documentation with regional governments and other institutions (such as the management of the Strategic Objective Agreement Grant with CARICOM). Supervises, guides, and assists with routine program implementation matters, including fiscal management and program planning. Supervises ongoing evaluation of projects, including the performance of project personnel, project appraisals and contractor performance reports. Evaluates audit report findings, recommends and participates in corrective action. Knowledge required by the position: Knowledge and demonstrated senior-level management experience in leading technical teams and overseeing office operations. Expert knowledge and in-depth understanding of international relations and economic and political issues affecting less-developed countries, as well as an exceptional ability to utilize this knowledge. Sound judgment on technical and institutional issues, resulting in the ability to develop authoritative policy recommendations. In-depth understanding of issues affecting foreign assistance programs, both bilateral and multilateral, as well as recognized internal decision-making structures, and the formulation of USG policies toward the EU, World Bank and other bilaterals. Ability to serve in the capacity of a professional coach and mentor, sharing technical and management skills with others. Ability to quickly spot new trends or problems concerning multilateral and bilateral foreign assistance, define their parameters, develop innovative conceptual approaches to consider them and make the necessary policy recommendations to deal with them. Excellent conceptual abilities and capability to define USAID priorities in the most complex environment. Outstanding leadership, managerial and organization skills are required which are sufficient to direct, manage and advance multifaceted, comprehensive policy issues, including institutional and organizational issues. Excellent communications skills, both oral and written, and the ability to create effective inter-personal and inter-institutional relationships is a vital attribute. Demonstrated ability to communicate and persuade across cultures on complex policy issues and technical matters is essential. Complexity Policy questions and operational issues to be considered by the incumbent are diverse, complex and multifaceted. For the incumbent to succeed, s/he will need to be effective in operating in an environment that is extremely complex, uncertain, politically charged, and in flux. Often the incumbent will serve under extreme time constraints and pressure. Only a highly experienced, senior professional will have the ability to thrive in such an environment. Period of Performance This will be a two year assignment (renewable), starting on or about July 2007. Personal Contacts The incumbent will interact routinely with officials in USAID, the Departments of State and Treasury, as will as other USG officials (such as the Departments of Defense and Labor, Peace Corps, CDC), Ministerial-level officials within eastern Caribbean countries, Caribbean regional representatives (such as the CARICOM, OECS) and donor representatives working in the Eastern Caribbean. Many of the incumbent?s contacts with senior officials outside of USAID will be for the purpose of advancing Agency and U.S. policy positions. Interactions with senior officials of other donor organizations and counterpart institutions, including ministers, will be required during strategy development and donor coordination exercise. The incumbent is expected to defend the Agency?s views with such officials in both private conversations and meetings. The incumbent is also expected to possess strong negotiating skills and powers of persuasion, as well as the ability to facilitate agreement among parties and promote the resolution of issues prohibiting achievement of USAID?s objectives for the Caribbean region. Qualifications In summary, extensive program management experience with USAID or similar senior management experience is required. Experience in strategy development and organizing strategic planning exercises is also required. Experience in the Latin America and Caribbean Region, is highly desirable. Excellent interpersonal, communication and analytical skills are required. Familiarity with USAID rules, regulations and systems is required. Specifically: 1. A graduate degree in social science or public health and demonstrated broad technical knowledge and experience in health analysis and planning, and in the planning and management of programs in developing countries. 2. A minimum of ten (10) years of working experience with USAID bilateral and centrally-funded health programs. Prior work experience in the management of HIV/AIDS programs and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDS) is preferred. 3. Demonstrated leadership, analytical and managerial skills within the context of developing countries. 4. Working knowledge of USAID programming, process, documentation and business practices. 5. Experience and knowledge of other donor programs and donor coordination processes in HIV/AIDS, such as the Global Fund process. 6. Extensive technical knowledge of current theory and practice of at least one of the following areas related to HIV/AIDS is required: (1) behavior change communications, (2) clinical care and treatment, and (3) monitoring and evaluation. 7. Demonstrated effective ability to analyze health policy, epidemiological trends and health service statistics and apply those findings to the strategic oversight of the current USAID/J-CAR CRP HIV/AIDS strategy and in the design and implementation of new policies and programs. 8. Excellent experience in managing teams and people. 9. Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, flexibility, patience, and conflict / problem solving skills required. 10. Demonstrated success in managing complex office operations as well as demonstrated experience in being able to manage at a macro-level other technical areas outside of their normal assigned duties. Evaluation Criteria The following are the evaluation criteria that will be used to evaluate candidates. 1. Education and Other Academic Training (10 pts) - a graduate degree in social science or public health and demonstrated broad technical knowledge and experience in health analysis and planning, and in the planning and management of programs in developing countries. 2. Professional Experience (30 pts) - minimum of ten (10) years of working experience with USAID bilateral and centrally-funded health programs; prior work experience in the management of HIV/AIDS programs and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDS) is preferred; - demonstrated leadership, analytical and managerial skills within the context of developing countries; - working knowledge of USAID programming, process, documentation and business practices; - experience and knowledge of other donor programs and donor coordination processes in HIV/AIDS, such as the Global Fund process; 3. Technical Skills (20 pts) - technical knowledge of current theory and practice of at least one of the following areas related to HIV/AIDS is required: (1) behavior change communications, (2) clinical care and treatment, and (3) monitoring and evaluation; - demonstrated effective ability to analyze health policy, epidemiological trends and health service statistics and apply those findings to the strategic oversight of the current USAID/J-CAR CRP HIV/AIDS strategy and in the design and implementation of new policies and programs. 4. Interpersonal, Team Management and Communication Skills (40 pts) - Excellent experience in managing teams and people; - outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, flexibility, patience, and conflict / problem solving skills required; - demonstrated success in managing complex office operations as well as demonstrated experience in being able to manage at a macro-level other technical areas outside of their normal assigned duties. Applying Qualified individuals are requested to submit: 1. A U.S. Government Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612 (available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/forms or at Federal agencies. 2. An updated CV 3. A statement of availability, how soon could you start? 4. Whether or not you currently hold a Security Clearance and the level of this clearance 5. Salary history for the last three years. If a Federal Employee or a PSC, please state the grade of your position. All applications should be submitted electronically or via fax to: Soraya Morillo Procurement Supervisor USAID/Dominican Republic E-mail: smorillo@usaid.gov Fax #: 809-221-0023 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. Benefits/Allowances As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: (NOTE: An individual defined as a Resident Hire employee may only be eligible for those benefits listed under item A below). A. Benefits: Employee?s FICA contribution Contribution toward Health and Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Eligibility for Worker?s Compensation Annual and Sick Leave Access to Embassy medical facilities and pouch mail service B. Allowances (as applicable*): (1) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) (2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) (3) Post Allowance (Section 220) (4) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) (5) Post Differential (Chapter 500) (6) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) (7) Danger Pay (Section 650) (8) Educational Allowance (Section 270) (9) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) (10) Educational Travel (Section 280) *Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes under the foreign earned income exclusions.
- Place of Performance
- Address: USAID/Barbados, U.S. Embassy, Wildey Business Park, Wildey, St. Michael, Barbados
- Country: BARBADOS
- Country: BARBADOS
- Record
- SN01250365-W 20070316/070314220051 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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