SOLICITATION NUMBER: 111-0906-004 Gentlemen/Ladies: SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor US/Third Country National PSC - Health Advisor The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications (SF 171 or OF 612) in providing the PSC services described in the attached. Please send applications to: Nooneh Haroutunian HR Specialist/EXO 7020 Yerevan Place Washington, DC 20521-7020 Or By e-mail to:
[email protected] Or By FAX to: Attn ? Nooneh Haroutunian ( 374-10) 46 47 28 (Armenia) Submissions shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified and must be received at USAID/Armenia by COB October 5, 2006. Any questions may be directed to Bradford Palmer, Supervisory EXO, USAID/Armenia who may be reached at FAX No. (374-10) 46 47 28 (Yerevan, Armenia), or via e mail to:
[email protected]. Offerors should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their proposals. Application forms: USG Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612 can be located at the USAID website: http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A ONE PAGE SUMMARY ADDRESSING OF HOW THEY UNIQUELY MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION. Sincerely, David Brown Acting Supervisory Executive Officer USAID/Armenia HEALTH ADVISOR USAID/ARMENIA YEREVAN, ARMENIA 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 111-0906-004 2. ISSUANCE DATE: September 19, 2006 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: October 5, 2006 4. POSITION TITLE: Health Advisor 5. MARKET VALUE: $77,793 through $101,130 (equivalent to a GS - 14) 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: two years 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Armenia/DSRO 8. POSITION DESCRIPTION: I. BACKGROUND Since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Armenia has been struggling to establish a free market economy and a democratic governance system. Immediately after independence, Armenia plunged into a humanitarian crisis as it suffered the effects of the conflict with neighboring Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh (NK) region, which lies within Azerbaijan but is occupied by ethnic Armenians, and the subsequent blockade by Turkey. There is currently a cease-fire but no permanent resolution to the dispute. Armenia slowly emerged from the humanitarian crisis and has been working on establishing and strengthening the institutions necessary for a free market economy, a democratic governing system, and an adequate social safety net. Although Armenia has made significant progress on the political, economic and social fronts, there is still much room for improvement and much need for continued international support. The U.S. Government (USG) assistance program in the Caucasus region as a whole is of particular strategic importance to the U.S. and enjoys high visibility and considerable interest from the public and private sectors alike. Given the diverse, politically sensitive, and rapidly growing country program, USAID/Armenia became a full-fledged mission in mid-1998, having previously been part of the regional Caucasus mission. USAID first started its programs in Armenia in 1992, focusing on emergency assistance to the large number of vulnerable persons, including those displaced by the regions? various conflicts. The current USAID program focuses increasingly on sustainable development in the governance, social, health, and economics sectors. The portfolio of assistance activities is extensive, labor intensive, and requires close performance monitoring to ensure that it is having the desired impact. The health portfolio works to strengthen Armenia?s health system and, ultimately, improve access to adequate and affordable health services. Programs address areas of health system reform, pharmaceutical management, maternal, child, and reproductive health, eye care, and women?s cancer prevention and detection. Presented below is the results framework for USAID/Armenia?s health strategic objective. II. Introduction The USAID Mission in Yerevan has program responsibility for the formulation of the Country strategy and implementation of a program designed to create a democratic society and market economy in Armenia. The Democracy and Social Reform Office (DSRO) is currently responsible for managing over 30 activities in these program areas, with a budget of approximately $30 million annually. The DSRO portfolio is large, complex and can be divided into four major components: 1. In democracy, USAID Armenia?s goal is increased participation in civic life and more open governance institutions through which to channel participation, in order to stimulate the demand side for improved governance and to hold government institutions accountable through the democratic process. 2. In healthcare, USAID Armenia programs focus on primary healthcare, and a well-functioning health system that increases utilization of high quality services. These factors are critical if Armenia is to break out of the vicious cycle of poverty, poor health, and low economic growth. 3. In social protection, USAID Armenia?s goal is an effective and sustainable benefits system, in addition to targeted vocational training. Together, these are necessary to meet long-term universal coverage commitments for the disabled and the elderly, as well as the short-term needs of the unemployed and the poor. 4. In Nagorno-Karabakh (NK), USAID provides subsistence level humanitarian assistance to victims of the NK conflict based on the needs of these victims and in response to U.S. Congressional directives. Humanitarian aid provided since 1998 is in the areas of shelter, health, drinking and irrigation water systems, de-mining and micro-loans to selected vulnerable population of NK. DSRO must, to varying degrees, coordinate each of these activities with a large group of multilateral donors. These include the World Bank (WB), World Health Organization, UNICEF, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and United Nations Development Program (UNDP), among others. Political instability in the government and frequent changes in key counterparts complicate implementation of the DSRO portfolio. Additionally, many key counterparts have been educated in the former Soviet system and have had limited international experience or are not up to date in their fields of specialization. The Health SO core team currently includes two US technical advisors and one FSN (FSN- 11). DSRO is currently recruiting for another FSN 11 Health Project Management Specialist, Funding for USAID/Armenia?s Health activities totals approximately $8 million per year. On a day-to-day basis, the DSRO USPSC/TCN Health Advisor will be responsible for designing, managing, implementing, coordinating, and monitoring major components of the Mission?s health sector portfolio. The Health Advisor will receive guidance from the Senior US technical advisor and will be supervised by the DSRO Director. He/she is expected to work independently, use good judgment and make decisions regarding USAID?s health sector portfolio as specified in this scope of work (SOW). The incumbent will have the authority to negotiate on behalf of the Mission regarding the health sector portfolio. III. Duties and Responsibilities The Health Advisor will serve as advisor and program manager for the Mission?s health sector portfolio that is designed to achieve the Mission?s Strategic Objective 3.2 ?Increased Utilization of Sustainable, High-Quality Primary Healthcare (PHC) Services.? The portfolio currently includes the Mission?s flagship Primary Healthcare Reform Project (PHCR), a large reproductive health project (NOVA), a mobile medical outreach program, two discrete GDA projects and some field support activities (Demographic and Health Survey, Rational Pharmaceutical Management Plus). The incumbent will be assigned as cognizant technical officer (CTO) responsibilities for several of these activities depending on prevailing DSRO management needs. Program implementation includes working with both governmental and non-governmental agencies in order to achieve program objectives. In performing his/her duties, the incumbent will be expected to coordinate with mid and high level Armenian government officials, other donors, and local and international non-governmental organizations to achieve program objectives. Frequent contact with Armenian counterparts, including government officials, medical facility staff, and medical education professionals is expected. In particular, the incumbent will be responsible for the following: A. The Health Advisor has core management responsibility for the day-to-day activities on health system reform and improved service delivery within the health strategic objective of the DSRO. Responsibilities will include but not be limited to: 1. The incumbent will design, develop, implement and supervise initiatives and specific interventions to address constraints and barriers to the provision of sufficient and affordable healthcare services in Armenia. 2. The incumbent will provide substantive technical leadership for planning, monitoring, and technically guiding health programs, researching healthcare issues and advising colleagues at the US Embassy, USAID/Washington, USAID-funded implementers, international organizations, and mid and high level government officials in Armenia. This collaborative work will include identifying achievable results with customers and implementers, obtaining and maintaining support from implementers, customers, and stakeholders, and obtaining country and mission level approvals for initiating development activities. 3. As requested and under the direction of the Senior Health Advisor, DSRO Director, and/or Mission Management, the incumbent will negotiate health project assistance with host country counterparts, both non-governmental and governmental, including at the Ministerial level. This may include coordination and exchanges of information on health reform in Armenia with the U.S. Embassy and the Office of the Coordinator (EUR/ACE) within the Department of State. 4. The incumbent will oversee the implementation of USAID?s health sector portfolio. The incumbent will perform all required implementation and administrative duties related to the Cognizant Technical Officer (CTO) and activity manager roles. CTO responsibilities include conducting frequent field visits to project sites, reviewing and advising on technical documents, including public education materials, providing close supervision of funding pipelines, budgets, and funding requirements for the DSRO health projects awards. 5. The incumbent will lead and coordinate the work of implementing partners and technical assistance advisors. The partners have their separate institutional expatriate and local professional teams. The incumbent must ensure that the activities of contractors and grantees are consistent with USAID?s health strategies, programmatic interests, and with the U.S. Government?s larger assistance strategy in the region. 6. The incumbent will monitor health reform activities to 1) ensure that performance monitoring systems are in place and that periodic, reliable measures/indicators of achievement of portfolio impact are established and 2) enhance the achievement of results by periodically reviewing development context, results indicators, and activity implementation progress, identifying problem areas and resolutions, as necessary. 7. The incumbent will ensure that planned results are achieved in an efficient and timely manner, consistent with USAID regulations and policies. This includes identifying and seeking resolution of issues affecting results achievement and managing programs through frequent site visits and working with implementing organizations. 8. The incumbent will work with the Mission?s training coordinator to develop local, U.S. and third-country training and exchanges for Armenian counterparts working to improve healthcare in Armenia. S/he will also identify short-term technical assistance needs and draft SOWs to address those needs under the Mission?s training/human capacity development contract. B. The Health Advisor is responsible for providing guidance for the Mission?s health activities. This includes ensuring the acceptable performance and attainment of program results for Mission activities in primary healthcare reform. 1. The incumbent will maintain up-to-date information on the development of health reform in Armenia, and inform Mission management and relevant support offices of significant problems or other factors that could impede achieving results. 2. The incumbent will be required to provide accurate and informed advice to the Mission Management and key counterparts on health issues. She/he will provide leadership in this area to Mission Management, Foreign Service National staff, partners, counterparts, and customers. The Mission, counterparts, and customers will look to the incumbent to present viable and pertinent options to address health reform issues. 3. The incumbent will identify problems and develop strategies for areas in which USAID and other donor intervention(s) could be useful and appropriate, taking into account the current needs of the Ministry of Health, medical facilities, local government, and citizens. 4. The incumbent will serve as a liaison between the U.S. and Armenian government officials and the donor community to facilitate implementation of the health portfolio. S/he will participate in Mission and Embassy dialogue with host government representatives in the areas covered by health programs, activities, and matters concerning public health. 5. The incumbent will identify and develop linkages with other donor programs, in the health sector. The incumbent will develop a leadership position among the multilateral and bilateral donors in the health sector, and coordinate efforts diplomatically among them. 6. The incumbent will represent the Mission in discussions on health reform matters with advisors/analysts from other donors. He/she will liaison with project backstop officers in USAID/W, U.S. Embassy, and government officials in Armenia. 7. The incumbent will coordinate activities with the Senior Health Advisor, the DSRO Director, Mission Director, Controller, Contracting Officer(s), and Program and Project Development Officers to provide continuous reporting on the health sector developments and accomplishments. 8. The incumbent will provide input in the formulation of USAID?s country strategy, annual report, program reviews, and other activities and events as requested by the Senior Health Advisor, DSRO Director, or other senior Mission Management. 9. The incumbent will provide regular and frequent reporting to the Senior Health Advisor, DSRO Director, the Mission Director, the Deputy Mission Director, the E&E Bureau Offices, EUR/ACE, and the U.S. Embassy on progress, impacts, problems, constraints, and issues related to USAID-financed health programs/activities in Armenia. 10. The incumbent will carry out other job-related duties as assigned. The nature of the job is such that the incumbent is sometimes required to work outside of regular office hours to attend official events, meetings and conferences organized by USAID, host country entities, professional associations and other donors. IV. Skills and Qualifications A. Education and Knowledge ? 20 points ? An in-depth knowledge of concepts, principles, reform strategies, and practices directly related to primary healthcare reform in transition countries, preferably in the Europe and Eurasia region. ? Strong familiarity with the programs, policies and working modalities of international donor-funded programs. ? An advanced graduate degree is required, preferably a Master?s in public health in areas such as: health systems, healthcare management, health economics, health care financing, health administration, medical anthropology/sociology, international health, health sciences. A degree in medicine, nursing or other advance degree is also acceptable if combined with public health program management experience. A. Prior Work Experience ? 30 points ? 10 or more years, including at a minimum 2 years at a senior management level, working in health sector programs directly related to primary healthcare reform, such as health cost financing, healthcare quality improvement and/or health systems strengthening, etc. ? Minimum of 3 years overseas work experience on large, multi-faceted primary health care projects. ? At least 2 years of relevant health sector experience in a country (preferably more than one country) included in USAID?s Europe and Eurasia region is desirable. B. Complexity ? 20 points ? Has managed diverse portfolios of multi-faceted health sector reform activities in collaboration with colleagues, partners (e.g., contractors, grantees), and multiple host country stakeholders at national, regional and local levels. ? Experienced in understanding and responding appropriately to various audiences? different information needs and concerns. ? Has capacity to quickly synthesize a large amount of information, correctly interpret data and prepare reports and recommendations as needed for project development, for scopes of works for short-term technical assistance, or to address program gaps, emerging challenges, and resolve implementation problems. C. Interpersonal skills ? 25 points ? Ability to work within a team framework both as a leader and as a team member, with positive interpersonal skills. ? Ability to communicate and negotiate with tact and diplomacy with a variety of individuals and different interest groups. ? Ability to operate effectively as a manager with the ability to motivate and guide institutional contractors and grantees, host country counterparts, and fellow colleagues. D. Language and communication skills ? 10 points ? Excellent English communication skills, both oral and written, are required. ? A working knowledge of Russian and/or Armenian is highly desirable. V. Supervision A. Supervision received ? The Health Advisor reports to the DSRO Director and/or his/her designee. B. Supervision exercised ? The Health Advisor has core responsibility for day-to-day management of USAID institutional contractors and grantees working in support of primary healthcare reform. The incumbent may be called upon to supervise FSN and/or other DSRO staff. AS A MATTER OF POLICY, AND AS APPROPRIATE, A PSC IS NORMALLY AUTHORIZED THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS: (Under Automated Directives Systems (ADS) http://www.usaid.gov/ads.html 1. BENEFITS Employee's FICA Contribution Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Annual Increase Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual & Sick Leave 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). ** Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas) 3. ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDS) PERTAINING TO PSCS 03-07 Instructions to Contracting/Agreement Officers on their Role in the Debt Collection Process 03-05 Revised Requirements for Posting of Federal Acquisition & Assistance (A&A) Opportunities 03-02 ES-06 Salary Rate for 2003 01-13 Posting USAID Solicitations and other Acquisition and Assistance (A&A) documents on the Business & Procurement Internet Site 01-10 Revision of Medical Clearance Process-Personal Services Contracts (PSCs) with U.S. Citizens. 01-07 Clarification of the Extension/Renewal Policy Regarding Personal Services Contracts (PSCs) 01-05 Clarification of the Rest and Recuperation R&R) Policy regarding Third Country Nationals (TCNs) 00-08 Revision of Competitive Process-Personal Services Contracts (PSCs) with U.S. Citizens. 00-05 Personal Services Contracts (PSCs) Annual Health Insurance Costs. 00-03 2000 FICA and Medicare Tax Rates for Personal Services Contracts(PSCs) 99-22 PSC Policy 99-15 Changes to AIDAR Concerning Resident Hires and Deviations. 99-07 Contractual Coverage for Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) Services 98-24 Use of Compensatory (Comp) Time by PSCs 98-23 Guidance Regarding Classified Contract Security and Contractor Personnel Security Requirements. 98-19 Home Leave under U.S. Personal Services Contractors (PSCs) 98-16 Annual Salary Increase for USPSCs 98-14 Change in Required Application Form for USPSCs 98-12 Guidance Regarding Advertisement of Personal Services Contracts (PSCs), and Requirements for Evaluating Applications for PSCSs 97-20 Requirements for Full Reimbursement of M&IE Expenses to USAID Direct Contractors and PSCs. 97-17 PSCSs with U.S. Citizens or U.S. Residents Aliens Recruited from the U.S. 97-16 Class Justification for Use of Other than Full & Open competition for Personal Services Contracts with U.S. Citizens Contracted with Locally with CCNs and TCNs Subject to the Local Compensation Plan, and for Overseas Contracts of $250,000 or Less 97-6 Contractual Coverage for Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) Services 97-3 New USAID Contractor Employee Physical Examination 96-23 Unauthorized Provision in Personal Services Contract 96-19 U.S. Personal Service Contract (USPSC) Leave 96-8 Determining a Market Value for PSCs Hired Under Appendix D, Handbook 14 94-9 Sunday Pay for U.S. Personal Services Contractors (PSC) 93-17 Financial Disclosure Requirements Under a Personal Services Contract (PSC) 89-29 Use of Government Bill of Lading for Transportation of Personal Service Contractor (PSC) Household Effects, Unaccompanied Baggage, and Privately Owned Vehicles. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs 1. Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612. 2. 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)** ** 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. Subject to Funds Availability