USAID Project Management Specialist (RMNCH Cluster Lead) Full Time

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1.SOLICITATION NO.: 72066324R10023

2.ISSUANCE DATE: 12/13/2024

3.CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: 12/27/2024, no later than 11:59 p.m (EAT).

4.POINT OF CONTACTS:  Reid H. Ahl, Supervisory EXO and Fekadu Tamirate, HR Specialist, e-mail at addisusaidjobs@usaid.gov. 

5.POSITION TITLE:  USAID Project Management Specialist (RMNCH Cluster Lead) 

6.MARKET VALUE:  $ 32,085 – $ 57,777 yearly i.e., equivalent to FSN – 12. In accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of USAID/Ethiopia. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.  Salary will be paid in local currency at the exchange rate in effect when the payroll is processed.

7.PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:  Five (5) years. The services provided under this contract are expected to be of a continuing nature through a series of sequential contracts, subject to continued need, satisfactory performance, and the availability of funds. The expected initial period of performance will be April 26, 2025 to April 26, 2030.

8.PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: US Embassy, Entoto Road, Addis Ababa, with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.

9.ELIGIBLE OFFERORS:  Cooperating Country Nationals (CCNs). “Cooperating country national” means an individual who is a cooperating country citizen, or a non-cooperating country citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the cooperating country. 

10.SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facilities access.

11.STATEMENT OF DUTIES

            a. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

The Project Management Specialist (Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health – RMNCH Cluster Lead) facilitates communication and collaboration with high-level stakeholders, provides strategic and technical assistance for health policies and programs, represents USAID by leading or participating in technical groups, and builds alliances within USAID and with other development partners.

The jobholder brings extensive experience working with national stakeholders, including government bodies, professional associations, civil society, and faith-based organizations. The jobholder will facilitate coordination among different teams and offices to optimize Mission investments in humanitarian, youth development, RMNCH and adolescent health, and health system strengthening (HSS) activities. S/he provides strategic and technical leadership in designing and implementing USAID family health activities, representing USAID and the U.S. Government (USG) in national and international forums to advise on policies and strategies. With a comprehensive understanding of global health issues and the USAID/USG health portfolio, the Jobholder also serves as an Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) or Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), overseeing program performance, addressing challenges, and coordinating with team members and leadership as needed.

The jobholder is a senior, key member of the Health Office, Family Health Team. The jobholder reports to the Health Office Director or his/her designee and has supervisory responsibility for up to three team members, including AORs/CORs, and provides mentoring and coaching to the entire Office in the areas of reproductive, maternal, and child health issues.

            b. Statement of Duties to be Performed 

Technical and Strategic Leadership (35%) 

• Act as USAID’s principal technical authority on RMNCH, offering expert guidance and high-level technical support to the Mission, the Government of Ethiopia, and other development partners.
• Deliver comprehensive strategic and technical direction for RMNCH activities, ensuring they are effectively coordinated with the Health Office and broader Mission initiatives.
• Support the Family Health Team members and collaborate with other teams, leadership in the Health Office, and other offices in the USAID Mission to ensure that the quality of programs executed by implementing partners is thoroughly managed and addressed.
• Stay updated on new RMNCH developments through literature reviews, research, and ongoing communication with both local and international stakeholders. Provide advice on integrating these advancements into USAID’s strategies and policies to enhance effectiveness.
• Partner with Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning colleagues to design innovative monitoring and evaluation methods and tools that effectively measure the impact and outcomes of RMNCH activities.
• Lead the strategic development of key planning and reporting documents, including Operational Plans, Congressional Budget Justifications, Technical Notifications, and various progress reports.
• Coordinate the procurement of short-term technical assistance (STTA), ensuring that STTA objectives align with and support the Mission’s RMNCH portfolio.
• Organize site visits and prepare orientation materials for delegations from USAID Headquarters, the Department of State, other agencies, and Congress.

Program/Project/Activity Management (35%) 

• Oversee the development of strategies, project mechanisms, and activities aimed at enhancing health service delivery in Maternal and Child Health, Adolescent Health, and Family Planning.
• Act as the Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR), Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), or Activity Manager for the Mission’s RMNCH investments.
• Supervise and guide subordinate AORs/CORs for additional projects by reviewing and approving implementing partners’ (IP) work plans, facilitating their relationships with local stakeholders, coordinating with other IPs, host government counterparts, and development partners, and conducting regular site visits to assess program implementation.
• Based on these visits, make recommendations for program adjustments as needed. Ensure compliance with USAID regulations, maintain regular communication with IPs regarding their obligations, and lead strategic and operational planning processes, such as the USAID Country Development Cooperation Strategy and USAID Operational Plan. Keep the Health Office Director informed of program progress and any issues.
• Provide appropriate monitoring and oversight for sub-partners, including those involved in sub-awards and sub-contracts.
• Ensure all staff, partners, and Government of Ethiopia (GoE) officials are aware of and comply with all U.S. Government Family Planning, Abortion, and HIV/AIDS statutory and policy requirements.
• Provide sound financial management of assigned activities; ensure obligations, expenditures, and budget pipelines conform to action plans; ensure timely incremental funding and liquidation of advances; ensure activities are in compliance with USAID financial regulations and report any discrepancies to the Family Health Team Lead, Health Office Director, and Financial Management Specialist; ensure compliance with audits, including Non-Federal Audits and closure of any recommendations.
• Representation and Reporting (15%)
• Represent USAID at national, regional, and international meetings on Maternal and Child Health, Adolescent Health, and Family Planning, including participation in national technical working groups, professional associations, and relevant committees.
• Attend meetings outside the RMNCH domain as requested by the Mission Director, Health Office Director, or Team Leader.
• As part of the Family Health Team, adapt to a variety of work-related demands, including providing information to USAID headquarters and Congress as needed.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with senior Ministry of Health officials, development partners, civil society organizations, faith-based groups, private sector health entities, and professional associations to ensure effective communication on RMNCH issues and updates on policy, legal, and regulatory changes impacting USAID programs.

Supervision, Coaching/Mentoring and Staff Support (15%) 

• Manage Cooperating Country National staff by setting annual work goals, providing mentorship and coaching for their professional growth, and conducting regular performance evaluations to address any issues.
• Collaborate with direct reports to assess their training needs, identify suitable training opportunities, and ensure equitable access to professional development.
• Offer expert advice and guidance to direct reports on Maternal and Child Health, Adolescent Health, and Family Planning, and advise on how other program components can enhance the effectiveness of service delivery.

The contractor is eligible for travel to the U.S., or to other locations abroad, for training, for temporary duty, or to participate in the “Foreign Service National” Fellowship Program, in accordance with USAID policy.

c. Supervisory Relationship:  The RMNCH Cluster Lead will report to the Health Office Director, or designee. Most assignments are self-generated and occur in the normal course of work and the jobholder exercises independence in most phases of his/her job responsibilities but determines those situations that must be coordinated with the supervisor or other team members. Completed work is accepted as technically correct and the overall work is reviewed in terms of results achieved.

d. Supervisory Controls:  The RMNCH Cluster Lead will supervise up to three professional staff: Project Management Specialist (PH), FSN-12, Project Management Specialist (MCH) FSN-11, and Project Management Specialist (FP/RH) FSN-11.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:   The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

a. Education: Minimum of master’s degree or local equivalent from an accredited program in Public Health, International Development, Epidemiology, Infectious Disease, Medicine, Pharmacy, or Midwifery is required.

b. Prior Experience: A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in Maternal, Newborn, Child Health, Adolescent Health and Reproductive Health/ Family Planning. Prior experience working with or for bilateral or multilateral donors/stakeholders such as the World Bank, the Global Fund, UN agencies, or public or private sector projects and ensuring compliance with U.S. Government rules and regulations is required.

c. Language:  English and Amharic at Level IV (Proficient). English proficiency is a requirement for positions with USAID. In lieu of testing, as academic courses are taught in English at the secondary and post-secondary level, English proficiency will be assessed throughout the evaluation process – application review, skills test, interview. In addition, candidates may provide proof of English language proficiency. Acceptable certifications include CEFR of C1 or C2, IELTS (minimum of 6.5), Cambridge (CAE), TOEFL IBT (minimum of 95), or TOEFL ITP (minimum of 560). These test results are valid for two years.

d. Knowledge: Expert-level knowledge and understanding of maternal, child health, adolescent and family planning approaches and interventions. Demonstrated senior-level knowledge of the overall health sector context as well as the key aspects of US Government foreign assistance to the country. Working knowledge of USG and USAID’s strategic direction, its chief accomplishments and its challenges.

e. Skills and Abilities: S/he must possess strong technical and analytical skills in all components of RMNCH along with strong capacity in communication, advocacy and networking. S/he must have strong conceptual and analytical skills to be able to quickly grasp and translate new concepts into operational plans and results. This position requires an outstanding ability to exercise flexibility to be able to accept and react to evolving planning and implementation contexts. The jobholder must demonstrate excellent computer skills including skills with Microsoft Office, web-based databases, and electronic filing. S/he exercises individual judgment in his/her roles. S/he takes initiative and offers leadership in reviewing the progress of programs and projects under his/her responsibility, including performance reports, pipeline management, program implementation reviews, as well as fulfilling other USAID and USG reporting requirements. S/he demonstrates timely decision-making ability and extensive judgment in planning and carrying out tasks, using diplomacy and tact.

III . EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

The Government may award a contract without discussions with candidates 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 candidates 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 candidates 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.

To meet the basic eligibility requirements for this position the offeror must:

– Be a citizen of Ethiopia, or otherwise eligible to work lawfully in Ethiopia.

– Submit a complete application (Offer) as outlined in the section IV.

– Be able to attain a security certificate for Facility Access.

– Be cleared medically to work in the U.S. Mission to Addis Ababa.

After the closing date for receipt of applications, those that meet the minimum qualification

requirements (Education and Experience) will be referred to a Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC). Applications from candidates who do not meet the minimum requirements will not be considered. The TEC will review and score the applications to create a list of applicants to be interviewed. Short-listed candidates will be evaluated based on information presented in the application, skills test (if used), interview, and obtained through reference checks. An applicant’s references must be able to provide substantive information about past performance and abilities.

BASIS OF RATING:  Applications are rated as outlined below.

Application Review                        30 points

The application will be scored based on information provided outlining the quality of experience supporting the statement of duties as outlined in this solicitation (See Section II. d. Job knowledge and e. Skills and Abilities).

Technical Skills                               20 points

A skills test will be administered in the form of an essay to assess the candidate’s technical knowledge, attention to detail, and clarity of response using logic and reasoning.

Interview Performance                  50 points

Interview questions will be intended to explore the candidate’s:

• Knowledge of RMNCH issues and how improved outcomes can be achieved,
• Capacity to lead or work as a member of a team,
• Ability to prioritize tasks in fast-paced environments, and
• Understanding of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility concepts.

Total Possible Points:                         100 points

Reference Check                                Pass/Fail

A “Fail” Reference Check would result from information regarding confirmed illegal or unethical activities or a preponderance of negative feedback from numerous references, e.g., not a single critical comment.

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

Eligible Offerors are required to complete and submit:

a. The offer form DS-174 (Application for U.S. Federal employment) which can be found in the U.S. embassy website https://et.usembassy.gov/embassy/jobs/; or https://www.usaid.gov/ethiopia/work-with-us/careers/ds-form-174-ccn-application.

b. A résumé of CV in English

c. Letter of application (cover letter) that highlights the desired knowledge, skills and abilities required by the position, and

d. Contact information for a minimum of three and a maximum of five references, including at least two references with direct knowledge of the offeror’s past performance.

Further Guidance:  To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation Number in the offer submission.

Application must be submitted ONLY via addisusaidjobs@usaid.gov and the email subject must say– solicitation 72066324R10023, USAID Project Management Specialist (RMNCH Cluster Lead). Be sure to include your name and the solicitation number at the top of each page.   Please do not submit more than one application.  The application must be submitted before or on the closing date at local Ethiopia time 11:59 p.m.. (Local Time, or EAT).  Late and incomplete applications will be considered only at the discretion of the Contracting Officer.

VI. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

Offerors will be provided instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms after being selected for the contract award:

a. Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms)

b. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)

c. Fingerprint Card (FD-258)

VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES:  As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

a. BENEFITS:  Group life insurance, medical coverage, annual leave and sick leave.

b. ALLOWANCES (as applicable):  Meal allowance and miscellaneous benefit allowance.

VII. TAXES:  Cooperating Country Nationals are expected to comply with all relevant Ethiopian laws and regulations.

VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs

USAID regulations and policies governing CCN awards are available at these sources:

1.USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix J, “Direct USAID Contracts With a Cooperating Country National and with a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf

2. Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms. Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract award as described below:

LINE ITEMS:

3. Acquisition & 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 5 CFR 2635.  See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations.

5.PSC Ombudsman
The PSC Ombudsman serves as a resource for any Personal Services Contractor who has entered into a contract with the United States Agency for International Development and is available to provide clarity on their specific contract with the agency. Please visit our page for additional information: https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman.

The PSC Ombudsman may be contacted via: PSCOmbudsman@usaid.gov.

6.FAR Provisions Incorporated by Reference

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.

The EEO complaint procedure is 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.