Global Health Security (GHS) Technical Advisor

I. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72066321R00012 2. ISSUANCED ATE: March 17, 2021 3. CLOSINGDATE/TIMEFORRECEIPTOF OFFERS: April 16, 2021 (5:00pm EAT) 4. POINT OF CONTACT: Annmarie McGillicuddy, Supervisory EXO and Fekadu Tamirate, HR Specialist, e-mail at [email protected]. 5. POSITION TITLE: Global Health Security (GHS) Technical Advisor 6. MARKET VALUE: $ $93,907 to $122,077 equivalent to GS-14 . The final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based on the successful candidate’s salary history, work experience, and educational background. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated. 7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: For two years, with three renewable one-year option periods up to a maximum of five years. Estimated to start on 08/17/2021. The base period will be 08/17/2021 – 07/16/2023, estimated to start on 08/17/2021. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise (an) additional option period(s) for a time period for three years for the date(s) estimated as follows: Base Period: 08/17/2021 – 07/16/2023 Option Period 1: 08/17/2023 – 07/16/2024 Option Period 2: 08/17/2024 – 07/16/2025 Option Period 3: 08/17/2025 – 07/16/2026 8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Work. 9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens and U.S Resident Aliens or Third Country Nationals. For USPSC: • Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident (“green card holder”); • U.S. resident alien means a non-U.S. citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States; • Submit a complete application as outlined in the solicitation section titled SUBMITTING AN OFFER; • Be able to obtain facility access authorization; • Be able to obtain a Department of State medical clearance; • Be willing to travel to work sites and other offices as/when requested; • Employment is subject to funds availability and all the required approvals obtained. For TCNPSC: • Be a Third Country National. Third Country National means an individual: (1) Who is neither a citizen nor a permanent legal resident of the United States nor of the country to which assigned for duty (Ethiopia), and (2) Who is eligible for return to his/her home country or country of recruitment at U.S. Government expenses; • Submit a complete application as outlined in the section titled SUBMITTING AN OFFER; • Be able to obtain facility access authorization; • Be able to obtain a Department of State medical clearance; • Be willing to travel to work sites and other offices as/when requested; • Employment is subject to funds availability and all the required approvals obtained. If a third country national (TCN) is selected for award, during the period of this contract, the TCN personal services contractor must provide at least one day a week of training to a cooperating country national (CCN) designated by USAID. The PSC Supervisor will establish a training plan with benchmarks to measure the TCNPSC's progress toward achieving this training deliverable. 10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facilities Access. The final selected candidates must obtain both the appropriate security and medical clearances within a reasonable period. If such clearances are not obtained within a reasonable time or negative suitability issues are involved, any offer made may be rescinded. 11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES 1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract: The Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) is a global initiative that was launched at a White House event on February 13, 2014. GHSA’s goal is to advance a world safe and secure from infectious disease threats and to elevate global health security as a national leaders-level priority. In 2014, member countries developed 11 lines of effort in support of the GHSA – known as Action Packages – that work across human health, animal health, and other sectors to help countries to achieve GHSA objectives and to meet country requirements for the WHO’s International Health Regulations (IHR) and related animal health regulations. The Action Packages are designed to outline tangible, measurable steps required to prevent outbreaks, detect threats in real time, and rapidly respond to infectious disease threats —whether naturally occurring, the result of accidental release of pathogens, or an act of bioterrorism. The Action Packages include specific targets and indicators that can be used as a basis to measure how national, regional, and global capacities are developed and maintained over the long-term. Progress toward achieving the GHSA targets and objectives is measured by WHO’s Joint External Evaluation (JEE), a tool which consolidates the GHSA and IHR metrics into 19 technical areas. USAID’s Global Health Security (GHS) portfolio works to strengthen countries’ multisectoral capacities in reducing the risk and impact of zoonotic disease threats that are of greatest public health concern. The program emphasizes systems strengthening at national and subnational levels and in multiple sectors for preparedness; laboratory; surveillance; workforce; risk communications; supply chain and related countermeasures. GHS embraces the One Health approach, recognizing the critical role that wildlife, livestock, other domestic animals, and environment play in emerging zoonotic diseases with pandemic potential and antimicrobial resistance. Identifying and minimizing zoonotic disease spillover risks at their source in animals and a comprehensive approach to antimicrobial resistance that includes the livestock, agriculture, and environment sectors are essential components of USAID’s contribution to GHS. USAID’s GHS portfolio also leverages other USAID programing priorities in the areas of health systems strengthening, food security, economic growth, and disaster assistance. Healthy animals provide a safe and nutritious food supply component, and additionally, jobs and livelihoods all along the value chain from producer to final consumer. Livestock industries are huge contributors to national economies of East Africa and Ethiopia in particular. Ensuring that animals are safely, economically managed and food is safe for human consumption not only minimizes the risk of transferring zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance, but also greatly assists with enhancing partner countries’ capacity for agricultural development and participation in international trade. Global Health programming in Ethiopia with primary objectives in the areas of health systems strengthening and disease control, such as malaria and TB, also contribute to GHS targets. The GHS Technical Advisor in Ethiopia will fill a critical role for USAID to meet the expectations of the White House and Congress for rapid, effective, and coordinated implementation of the U.S. Governments commitment to GHS. This Advisor will work under the direction of USAID/Washington (GHSA Team and A/COR’s) and with regional colleagues to monitor USAID activities, ensuring alignment with government of Ethiopia (GoE) NAPHS priorities. The Advisor will ensure effective USG interagency coordination and work closely with USAID colleagues and other USG partners, particularly CDC, and US Department of Defense (DOD) offices working in Ethiopia at the national and sub-national levels, which also provide support for GHS implementation. The US State Department provides important support for in-country USG interagency collaboration. BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION: Under the direct supervision of the Health Office Infectious Diseases Team Leader, the GHS Technical Advisor is responsible for leading USAID’s contributions to GHS under the direction of the USAID/Washington GHSA Team and relevant A/COR’s. The Technical Advisor will coordinate USAID partners, provide recommendations regarding solutions to challenges, build relationships with GoE counterparts and liaise with multiple inter-agency, USAID/Washington and regional counterparts involved in GHS. Strong inter-personal skills as well as spoken and written communication abilities are required. The incumbent may also supervise a foreign service national Global Health Security Advisor. 2. Statement of Duties to be Performed: Working as part of the Embassy Addis Ababa GHS Team within the Health Office, the Technical Advisor will complete the following duties and responsibilities: A. Ensures coordination of USAID GHS activities with USAID’s existing program and with CDC, DTRA and other USG agencies’ GHS-related activities. Maintain strong partnerships between agencies as well as implementing partners of respective agencies and build strong partnerships with other development partners in Ethiopia: 1. Represent USAID in the USG GHS Interagency Technical Working Group. Work collaboratively with the USG agencies while representing USAID priorities. 2. Maintain frequent, regular, and ad hoc meetings with CDC, DTRA and other Embassy Addis Ababa agencies to discuss activities and maintain coordination and to keep each other informed on changes to GHS activities. 3. Work collaboratively with USG agencies to develop detailed annual GHS work plans to ensure coordination of USG GHS supported activities and to avoid duplication. 4. Provide technical expertise to USAID and USG leadership for GHS technical areas of work. 5. During disease outbreak situations in which USAID, CDC, DTRA, and Implementing Partners are asked to participate, ensure that USAID’s efforts are tightly coordinated with other partners in supporting the national government. 6. Set up/encourage the establishment of Partner/Donor coordination and collaboration mechanism to advance GHS in Ethiopia. Such partners include USAID partners, other donors, the GoE, private sector, international and local NGOs, multi-lateral organizations, etc. B. Liaison between the Mission in Ethiopia and USAID Washington: 1. Report on activities in Ethiopia to USAID Global Health Security Washington-based and regional team members. and Development Unit 2. Assist the Agreement Office Representatives and Contract Office Representatives by monitoring and guiding implementing partner activities to ensure consistency with project objectives and to ensure that activities contribute to advancing Ethiopia’s targets for GHSA and JEE metrics. 3. Report on GHS guidance from USAID Washington to the Mission 4. Work with USAID’s GHS Team and GHSD to identify new opportunities and activities to contribute to Ethiopia’s GHSA efforts. This would include activity design, assessments and scoping of new opportunities. C. Serve as USAID’s representative on technical working groups with GoE counterparts related to GHS activities. Build and Maintain strong relationships with multiple GoE Ministries and Agencies: 1. S/he will represent USAID on donor/government coordination groups related to priority zoonotic diseases and AMR, One Health Technical Committees and other GHS priority engagements. 2. Develop relationships with senior level policy makers in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Resources, Ministry of Health, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Ethiopia Wildlife and Conservation Authority and Regional Bureaus. D. Provide coordination across all USAID GHSA activities in Ethiopia: 1. Establish and maintain coordination networks among USAID implementing partners in Ethiopia whose activities are related to GHS. Facilitate opportunities for USAID implementing partners to collaborate and leverage each other’s activities. Communicate and promote to IPs USAID’s expectations for IPs to function as a cohesive program working together to advance GHS targets in Ethiopia, in consultation with relevant A/COR. 2. Use the coordination network to facilitate the GHS implementing partners in successful completion of work plan activities and to maximize USG investments. 3. Engage with implementing partners and multi-sectoral GoE and other stakeholders to promote the skills, capacities and environment in Ethiopia across the ministries to investigate diverse and complex conditions that resemble pathologic patterns that will or could affect public health. 4. Provide technical guidance to USAID IPs to promote and leverage existing USAID activities and the contributions of other stakeholders in Ethiopia to achieve JEE targets with an emphasis on USAID priority Action Packages and interventions at the human-animal-environment. E. Coordinate multiple reporting requirements that require input and clearance from diverse stakeholders. 1. Lead development of USAID contributions to Embassy Addis Ababa’s Bi-Annual GHSA Progress Report 2. Have strong knowledge of assessments and scoring related to Ethiopia’s GHSA Joint External Evaluation Report 3. Provide bi-weekly updates to Embassy Addis Ababa inter-agency GHS Team 4. Develop weekly updates for USAID/Ethiopia Front Office on GHS progress, events and upcoming visitors. 3. Supervisory Relationship: This position reports to the Infectious Diseases Team Leader of the Health Office. The GHS Technical Advisor should be able to operate independently and require little supervision in carrying out routine responsibilities. The incumbent may provide supervision for a Foreign Service National Global Health Security Advisor. 4. Supervisory Controls: The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Health Office Infectious Diseases Team Leader. The GHS Technical Advisor has responsibility for independent planning and implementation of required tasks and activities. The Advisor keeps the supervisors informed of progress, potential controversial matters, and any other concerns. Completed work is expected to be technically sound and of high quality. 11. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands. Note: No in-person appointments or telephone calls will be entertained unless you are required to have more information about this solicitation. II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION Applications will be initially screened by the Human Resources Office to determine whether applicants have met the advertised minimum qualifications. A list of qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring office for further consideration and screening. Offerors who do not meet all the education and experience factors are considered NOT qualified for the position. EDUCATION: The candidate must have a degree in Medicine (MD), Veterinary Medicine DVM) or a master’s degree in Epidemiology, Public Health, or relevant technical field. WORK EXPERIENCE: The incumbent is required to have at least five years of progressively responsible experience in One Health, Animal Health, Public Health or Epidemiology. Prior experience working with a bi-lateral or multi-lateral donor in development programming is required. Developing country work experience is highly desirable. III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c). In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers. The FAR provisions referenced above are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far. A USAID “Facility Access” security clearance and Department of State medical clearance are required prior to issuance of the contract for this position. EVALUATION FACTORS USAID policy specifies that U.S. citizens or resident aliens (USNs) are preferred over third country nationals (TCNs). Therefore, USN and TCN offers will not be evaluated together. USAID will evaluate USN offers first and if the CO determines that there are no qualified USNs, only then will USAID evaluate TCN offers. Education (15 points): The candidate must have a degree in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Medical Doctor, or a master’s degree in Epidemiology, Public Health or relevant technical field. Additional evaluation points will be given to offerors who exceed the minimum requirement. Experience (30 points): The incumbent is required to have at least five years of progressively responsible experience in One Health, Animal Health, Public Health or Epidemiology. Prior experience working with a bi-lateral or multi-lateral donor in development programming is required. Direct experience working on the GHS activities or implementation is also highly desirable. Communication (20 points): The candidate must be fluent in both spoken and written English. Given the nature of the position, effective written and oral communications are absolutely critical to perform successfully in this position. The candidate should have a demonstrated ability to produce professional quality analytical pieces and make oral presentations. The incumbent must be able to communicate effectively with Mission employees; local government officials at the Senior Minister level; international and local organizations, donors and other embassies; and various Washington based U.S. Government agencies. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (35 points): Professional knowledge of a broad range of infectious disease, one health, antimicrobial resistance, health systems, and development issues; knowledge of the sub-Saharan Africa, preferably East Africa cultural/work environment. Knowledge of how to engage with senior level executives and officials in government and development sector contexts, and to build trust-based relationships with senior-level executives. Knowledge of how to engage with technology entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators. Knowledge of how to work with stakeholders across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. The applicant must possess strong management, negotiation, collaboration, team building, networking and interpersonal skills. Candidate must have a proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision. Strong interpersonal skills are required to establish and maintain strong contacts with counterparts both inside and outside of USAID and in order to explain USAID objectives and procedures to government officials, private businesses, corporations, foundations, NGOs, and other non-traditional development organizations. The incumbent must also have a high degree of technical, analytical, and quantitative skills in scientific approaches and in analysis of development activities and policies. Demonstrated 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. BASIS OF RATING: The initial evaluation of applications will be based on the weight assigned for education and experience that will be out of 45 points. The weight assigned for education and experience will be used to set a competitive range. Those candidates in the competitive range will be contacted for the interview (55 points). The overall assessment based on weight assigned for the evaluation criteria during the initial evaluation and the interview will determine the final candidate. Therefore, the final rating and ranking for the offerors will be base on the initial evaluation of applications and the interview. The Offeror Rating System is as Follows: Education – 15 points Experience – 30 points  Initial evaluation – 45 points Communication – 20 points Knowledge, Skill and ability – 35 points  Interview Performance – 55 points Total possible points: 100 points Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks – Pass/Fail (no points assigned) IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER For your application to be considered, the following documents must be submitted: 1. Eligible offerors are required to complete and submit the offer form AID 309-2,“Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals, “available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms. Due to COVID-19 and limited access to equipment, we are currently accepting electronic and typed signatures on the AID 309-2 form. 2. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section I. 3. To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission. 4. Letter of Application and current resume. 5. Application must be submitted ONLY via [email protected] and the email subject must say : 72066321R00012 - Global Health Security (GHS) Technical Advisor . Be sure to include your name and the solicitation number at the top of each page. 6. Please submit the application only once; and 7. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered; the application must be submitted before or on the closing date at local Ethiopia time 5 p.m. (Local Ethiopia, Addis Ababa Time (GMT+3). V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD Once the CO informs the successful Offeror about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Offeror instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms. 1. Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms) 2. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-86),or 3. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85) 4. Finger Print Card (FD-258) VI. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: 1. BENEFITS: (a) Employer's FICA Contribution (b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance (c) Pay Comparability Adjustment (d) Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation) (e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation (f) Annual and Sick Leave 2. ALLOWANCES (if applicable): Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas) (a) Temporary Quarter Subsistence Allowance (Section 120) (b) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) (c) Cost-of-Living Allowance (Chapter 210) (d) Post Allowance (Section 220) (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 Allowance (Section 650) VII. TAXES USPSCs are required to pay federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable state income taxes. VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs USAID regulations and policies governing USPSC a wards are available at these sources: 1. USAID Acquisition Regulation(AIDAR),Appendix D, “Direct USAID Contracts with a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for Personal Services Abroad,” includingcontractclause“GeneralProvisions,”availableathttps://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf. 2. Contract Cover Page form AID309-1availableathttps://www.usaid.gov/forms. LINE ITEMS ITEM NO (A) SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION) (B) QUANTITY (C) UNIT (D) UNIT PRICE (E) AMOUNT (F) 0001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs) - Award Type: Cost - Product Service Code: [e.g. R497] - Accounting Info: [insert one or more citation(s) from Phoenix/GLAAS] 1 LOT $ _TBD__ $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_ 1001 Option Period 1 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs) - Award Type: Cost - Product Service Code: [e.g. R497] - Accounting Info: [insert from Phoenix/GLAAS] 1 LOT $ _TBD__ $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_ 2001 Option Period 2 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs) - Award Type: Cost - Product Service Code: [e.g. R497] - Accounting Info: [insert from Phoenix/GLAAS] 1 LOT $ _TBD__ $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_ 3001 Option Period 3 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs) - Award Type: Cost - Product Service Code: [e.g. R497] - Accounting Info: [insert from Phoenix/GLAAS] 1 LOT $ _TBD__ $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_ 3. Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins(AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs. 4. Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch,” available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5CFR2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations. END OF SOLICITATION EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The U.S. Mission in Ethiopia provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation. USAID/Ethiopia also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs. The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation. Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.