I. GENERAL
INFORMATION
1. SOLICITATION NO.: SOL-696-16-000007
2.
ISSUANCE DATE: September 30, 2016
4.
POSITION TITLE: Health
Commodities and Logistics Advisor
5.
MARKET VALUE: Position
is classified at GS-13 with annual salary range of
$73,846 to $93,542 p.a. Final compensation will be negotiated
within the listed market rate.
6.
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 2 Years. Level of effort is full time (40 hours per week).
7.
PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Kigali, Rwanda
8.
SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRE: Facility
Access Clearance Level
9.
STATEMENT OF DUTIES:
Over the last two
decades, concerted efforts focused on reducing maternal and child mortality
have produced substantial improvements in health in many developing countries.
In Rwanda, the achievements have been remarkable. Maternal mortality and
under-five mortality are today approximately only one-third of the mortality
rates in 1990, with the current maternal mortality ratio at 210 maternal deaths
per 100,000 live births, and the current under-five mortality rate at 50 child
deaths per 1,000 live births (Demographic and Health Survey, 2014-2015). This
progress has been driven by focused and systemic improvements throughout the
Rwandan health sector.
Despite the
significant achievements made to date, there is more to be done. USAID is
continuing to focus on its Ending Preventable Child and Maternal Deaths (EPCMD)
initiative in 24 priority countries, including Rwanda. It is estimated that in
Rwanda, scaling up key interventions can lead to 123,000 child lives and 6,800
women’s lives saved by 2020. However, identifying and addressing the remaining
challenges in Rwanda will require increased focus—on key interventions to
address lagging indicators, on geographic areas that are facing the greatest
challenges, and on segments of the population that require increased access to
services.
USAID/Rwanda's Health
Team oversees a budget of over $75 million annually. The health portfolio
covers child survival (immunization, integrated management of childhood
illness), reproductive health (family planning, safe motherhood, fistula),
infectious diseases (HIV/AIDS, malaria), and health systems strengthening. It
is led by a US Direct Hire (USDH) Office Director and Deputy, and is comprised
of three sub-teams: Health and Social Welfare Promotion (HSWP), Health Service
Delivery (HSD) and Health Systems Strengthening (HSS). The 22-member staff
manages an integrated portfolio of activities with a vision to build capacity
in Rwanda for sustained and improved health outcomes by providing innovative
and responsive technical and financial assistance.
A key area of
assistance for USAID/Rwanda includes technical assistance in supply chain
management and procurement of public health commodities. Rwanda’s public health
supply chain system relies on central services for national quantification,
procurement, and policymaking through divisions within the Ministry of Health.
Health technical programs work with the central warehouse to establish national
guidelines, finance, and procure the right quantities of essential commodities.
Product integration for in-country ordering, distribution, and data collection
allow for efficiencies at the district pharmacy and service delivery point
levels. Ensuring data quality and utilization, collaboration between programs
and supply chain levels, and building capacity in supply chain management
skills, are critical to strengthening Rwanda’s public health supply chain
system and ensuring commodity security, so that patients and clients receive
appropriate medicines and health products in a timely manner. The Health
Commodities and Logistics Technical Advisor position will directly affect this
outcome.
BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITION:
The Health Commodity
and Logistics Technical Advisor (Advisor) provides technical, management and
coordination services to support USAID/Rwanda's Health Team.
The focus of
USAID/Rwanda’s supply chain program is technical assistance in health commodity
procurement and supply chain system strengthening. In collaboration with the
central warehouse and the Medical Procurement and Production Division (MPPD),
activities address central functions for procurement, data management and
utilization, supply chain integration, warehousing and distribution
efficiencies, business process improvement, and long term strategies for supply
chain sustainability.
The Advisor will be a
member of the Health Systems Strengthening team, and will be responsible for
accurate planning, implementation, management, monitoring, results reporting,
advocacy, and performance improvement of USAID commodity procurement and
logistics activities. The Advisor will serve as the US Government (USG) focal
point for all HIV-related commodities procured with The President's Emergency
Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) funds, malaria commodities procured with The
President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) funds, and all other family planning and
maternal and child health commodities procured by the USG in Rwanda. The
Advisor will serve as the Activity Manager for USAID/Rwanda’s Global Health
Supply Chain – Procurement and Supply Management project Rwanda activities,
providing management and strategic planning support. S/he reports to the HSS
Team USDH lead and works in close collaboration with the 22 other staff members
on the health team as well as with local government counterparts. The Advisor
may provide technical mentorship to USAID Health Office staff whose portfolio
includes elements of commodities and supply chain management.
MAJOR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Advisor works
closely with the Health Team, sector partners, and other donors to provide
technical expertise, program management and coordination on planning,
implementation, and technical monitoring of health commodity procurement and
logistics. Specific responsibilities include:
I. Technical Advice in HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Maternal/Child Health and
Family Planning
Commodity and Supply Chain Management: (40%)
- Provide advice and technical support to USAID-supported commodity
activities, including HIV/AIDS, reproductive health and malaria.
- Analyze and report on field data and relevant technical
developments in commodities and logistics to Mission staff and management.
- Maintain high level of technical expertise and knowledge of
HIV/AIDS, malaria,
MCH and family
planning logistics management and independently analyze and apply current
technical data to the local context.
- Prepare analytical progress reports, technical analyses or briefs
for USAID Senior Management and PEPFAR Senior Management Team. Use data
for program negotiations and policy dialogue with the Government of Rwanda
(GOR) and other partners on how findings generated may impact USG and GOR
policy.
- Participate in workshops, special committees and other activities
as a technical advisor to the Mission and make recommendations on program
directions and management.
- Provide leadership in strategic planning for the USG commodities
program in Rwanda
- Support the Rwanda Ministry of Health (MOH) in coordination of
forecasting, quantification, and procurement of USG supported commodities.
- Identify and address key activities for GOR to prepare for
procuring important health commodities, making the health supply chain
more sustainable. Areas of focus may include contract management,
fiduciary control measures, and business planning.
- Keep informed on national and international initiatives and
policies and state of the art developments related to health commodities
and logistics in HIV/AIDS, malaria and family planning, particularly
constraints and opportunities to ensure an appropriate Mission response to
the changing Rwandan environment.
II. Program Management: (40%)
- Serve as Activity Manager for selected USAID programs to provide
technical direction and administrative oversight for projects budgeted at
more than $25 million/year, including: establishing routine
communications, conducting and documenting site visits and inspections;
maintaining current files on the status of partner activities, resources
and work plans; ensuring contract and award management compliance with
USAID regulations; identifying successes and barriers to achievement,
recommending future actions; ensuring financial records compliance.
- Provide strategic guidance to implementing partners to ensure
their programs are aligned with GOR and USG policies and objectives.
- Facilitate program implementation by interfacing with GOR and USG
to ensure all administrative and bureaucratic requirements are followed
and/or fulfilled if necessary. Work to hold stakeholders accountable for
implementing important activities around procurement, distribution, policy
planning and management.
- Assist the Health Team in maintaining program technical and
administrative documentation related to commodities.
- Contribute to development of all Mission reports including:
country operational plans, annual work plans, quarterly accruals, semi-annual
and annual portfolio reviews, data quality assessments and site visit
reports.
- Prepare regular and ad hoc program reports for the Mission,
USAID/W, and the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC), including
special technical or field briefings as required.
- Support USAID reporting, including preparing portions of key
documents such as the PEPFAR Annual Performance Report and USAID’s
Performance Plan and Report (PPR).
- Assist the Health Team in monitoring program results by
identifying or modifying key progress indicators for short and long term
results; providing quantitative and qualitative data collection and
analysis; reporting to stakeholders; and making recommendations based on
the findings.
- Mentor USAID/Rwanda Health Office staff whose portfolio includes
elements of commodities and supply chain management.
- Monitor USG logistics partners according to the Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) they have signed with the GOR, USAID and with other
implementing partners.
- Facilitate the design and creation of MOUs and joint work plans
where necessary
- Ensure that all USG-supported supply chain activities are
coordinated with other areas of the health system and GOR.
- Assess the performance of USG implementing partners and advice on
the best practices, procurement mechanisms and priority activities to
ensure efficient and effective supply chain activities in Rwanda.
- Monitor the political environment and other donor activities to
inform USAID/Rwanda's funding and programmatic decisions.
III. Coordination: (20%)
- Work with the Health Office, other Mission Offices, Mission
management, other USG agencies, implementing partners, local NGOs and GOR
staff at all levels to support strengthening institutional capacity.
- Collaborate with other Health Team staff in support of
USAID/Rwanda in the preparation of program planning and reporting
documents for the Mission and USAID/Washington.
- Serve as a liaison between the Health Team and USAID/W (Bureaus
of Africa and Global Health), OGAC and PMI/Washington for specific program
elements under his/her responsibility. Keep the Health Team fully informed
of developments and program issues.
- Coordinate with other USG-supported programs in health and other
sectors to capitalize on linkages and maximize synergies for greater
development impact at the community level.
- Assist in coordination and planning discussions with the Ministry
of Health and other GOR offices, donors and implementers.
10. PHYSICAL
DEMANDS
The USAID/Rwanda Health Office is a fast-paced, short
turnaround environment in a professional office setting.
11. POINT OF CONTACT
Anne Gakuba, email at agakuba@usaid.gov.
II.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
a.
Education: (20
points):
A Master's degree in public health, public health supply chain and logistics,
pharmacy, business administration or related field.
b.
Prior work experience
(30 points): Minimum seven to ten years relevant experience in public health, or
related field including experience in strategic planning and activity design,
program planning and budgeting, and monitoring and evaluation with a minimum at
least five years' experience, in an international or resource challenged
setting, directly managing pharmaceutical and public health supply chain
activities, including designing, implementing, monitoring & evaluating
activities in the delivery of supply chain and pharmaceutical management
programs. Also, the candidate should have relevant strategic planning and
design of programs to build national systems and proven ability to work
collaboratively in a team environment and to proactively build consensus.
c. Language Proficiency (20 points): Level IV fluency in written and
spoken English is required. Basic knowledge of French is a plus but not
required.
d. Job Knowledge (15 points): Knowledge of USAID’s family planning,
malaria or HIV-related commodities programs, particularly in a decentralized
context in the developing world is desired. Familiarity with, and sensitivity
to, socio-cultural and institutional factors affecting program development and
implementation in Sub-Saharan Africa. A strong understanding of diplomacy and
attentive listening skills. A working knowledge of the US Government and its
processes or process of a donor development agency in the health field is
preferred, but not required. Candidates
who do not have such knowledge must demonstrate an ability to quickly learn
about these areas.
e.
Skills and Abilities
(15 points): Demonstrated ability in program management, analytical and decision
making abilities, with exceptional attention to detail. Ability to readily
analyze, understand, and discuss issues around supply chain management. Strong
quantitative and data analysis skills, and a high degree of computer literacy
for data analysis, report writing and presentation. Demonstrated ability to
identify priority actions, generate and complete work plans within short time
frames. Demonstrated ability to follow through with assigned tasks in a timely
and responsible manner and the ability to be responsive to competing requests
from a range of stakeholders. Ability to communicate technical information
clearly to both technical and non-technical colleagues. Demonstrated
flexibility and openness in responding to changing work priorities and
environment. Demonstrated ability to work in a complex political environment
and ability to manage host government interests and expectations. Strong
interpersonal and communication skills necessary in the interaction with
implementing partners, GOR and US government colleagues including the ability
to exercise judgment in balancing technical, administrative, bureaucratic and
political considerations. Ability to apply professional etiquette to
interactions with local and international staff within USAID, across USG
agencies, GOR, contractors and grantees, and with other development partners.
Ability to travel internationally and within Rwanda.
III.
EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS
USAID/Rwanda
expects to award a two year personal services contract. Applicants meeting the
required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information
presented in the application and obtained through reference checks. USAID
reserves the right to conduct telephonic interviews with the most highly ranked
applicants and make the interview a deciding factor in selection.
The
incumbent must be:
●
A US citizen, US
Resident Alien or Third Country National
●
In possession of,
or able to obtain, a Facility Access level security clearance;
●
In possession of,
or able to obtain, a State Department medical clearance for assignment to
Kigali, Rwanda. Details of how to obtain
US Department of State medical clearance will be provided.
●
Complete Foreign
Affairs Counter-Threat (FACT) Training before arriving in Kigali, Rwanda.
●
Available and
willing to work outside the regular 40-hour workweek when required or
necessary.
●
Applicants must
address all the below elements as part of their offer in response to this PSC
solicitation.
IV.
APPLYING
For applicants to be
considered for this position the following guidelines will be adhered to and
forms completed, signed and submitted, to allow the evaluation committee to
thoroughly and objectively review your application vis-a-vis the requirements
of the position.
i). Marking
Applications: To ensure consideration of applicants for the
intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your
application, and as the subject line in any cover letter, as well as using the
address/delivery point specified in this solicitation.
ii). CV: An
up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV) or resume.
Your CV/resume must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate
the application in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria. Broad general statements that are vague or
lacking specificity will not be considered as effectively addressing particular
selection criteria. Applicants are
encouraged to write a brief appendix to demonstrate how prior experience and/or
training addresses the minimum qualifications and evaluation criteria set forth
in the solicitation.
iii). Form
AID-302-3: The submitted form must
be signed and completed as much as possible and may reference the CV/resume for
a greater detailed explanation of work experience rather than repeat it in the Form
AID-302-3. Form AID-302-3 is
available at the USAID web site,
http://auslnxapvweb01.usaid.gov/forms/formsnumeric.html, or at USG offices
iv). References:
Three (3) to five (5) references, who are not family members or relatives, with
working telephone and e-mail contacts.
The references must be able to provide substantive information about
your past performance and abilities.
Reference checks will be made only for applicants considered as
finalists. If an applicant does not wish
for the current employer to be contacted as a reference check, this should be stated
in the applicant’s cover letter. The
interviewing committee will delay such reference check pending communication
with the applicant.
Submittals shall be in accordance with the
attached information at the place and time specified. In order to be considered for the position a
candidate must meet the Minimum Qualifications listed in the solicitation. Consideration and selection will be based on
a panel evaluation of the applications vis-a-vis the Evaluation Criteria. Applicants should note that the salary
history for the purposes of the AID 302-3 form is the base salary paid,
excluding benefits and allowances such as housing, travel, educational support,
vehicle use, etc. Applicants are
reminded and required to sign the certification at the end of the AID 302-3
form.
Applications
must be signed and dated. In addition, hard copies of certain documents
may be requested. Applicants are responsible for submitting the AID 302-3 form,
so as to reach the Government office designated in the solicitation by the
closing date and time specified in the solicitation. An application received after the closing
date and time will be considered late, unless there is acceptable evidence to
establish that it was received by the Government institution prior to the time and date specified in the solicitation and in
accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.412.
USAID/Rwanda reserves the
right not to award any contract as a result of this solicitation.
Only short-listed candidates will be
contacted.
Methods of Submission of an Application:
Electronic submission is authorized and
the most preferred. Electronic application packages are to be submitted by
email to: KIGALIHR@USAID.GOV. Please
quote the number and position title of this solicitation on the subject line of
your email application. Be sure to include the announcement number at the top
of each of the additional pages.
v). Late Submissions: Qualified individuals should
note that applications must be received by the closing date and time at the
address specified in the cover letter or they will not be considered eligible
for evaluation or award, unless Contracting Officer determines that the
documents were mishandled by the receiving agency. The closing time for the
receipt of applications is 5:00 pm, local time, on the date specified on the
covering letter to this solicitation. You are directed to Federal Acquisitions
Regulation, Part 15.208 “Submission, modification, revision, and withdrawal of
proposals” for further information.
USAID/Rwanda reserves the right not to award any contract as a result of
this solicitation.
V.
LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRES
Once the CO informs the
successful Applicant about being selected for a contract award, the CO will
provide the successful Applicant instructions about how to complete and submit
the following forms.
Medical
History and Examination (DS 6561)
Declaration
for Federal Employment (OF 306)
Foreign
Activity Date (AID 6-85)
Finger
Print Card (SF-87 or FD 258)
VI.
BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES
As a matter of policy, and
as appropriate, a USPSC policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized
to receive benefits and allowances in
accordance with the AIDAR Appendix D; however, as conditions at post
change, benefits and allowance may also be changed.
A. Benefits
- Employee's FICA
Contribution
- Contribution toward
Health & Life Insurance
- Pay Comparability
Adjustment
- Annual and Sick Leave
- Medevac Insurance
- Annual Increase
(pending a satisfactory performance evaluation)
- Access to Embassy medical facilities
- Cost of Travel to/from
Post
B.
Allowances (If Applicable):
·
Post Differential
(Section 500)
·
Living Quarters
Allowance (Section 130)
·
Temporary Lodging
Allowance (Section 120)
- Post Allowance
(Section 220)
- Supplemental Post Allowance
(Section 230)
- Separate Maintenance
Allowance (Section 260)
- Education Allowance
(Section 270)
- Education Travel
(Section 280)
- Post Differential
(Chapter 500)
- Payments during
Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600)
- Danger Pay Allowance
(Section 650)
VII.
TAXES
USPSCs are required to pay
Federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable State Income taxes.
VIII.
ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRETIVES (AAPDS)
AND CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETIN (CIBS) PERTAINING TO PSCs
1. AAPDs and CIBs contain changes
to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts.
Please refer to this web site – http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs
to determine which AAPDS/ CIBs apply to this contract.
2. 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.
[END OF
SOLICITATION]
