SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72038822R00001

ISSUANCE DATE: December 09, 2021

CLOSING DATE/TIME: January 09, 2022; 04:30PM Local Time

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S./Third Country National Personal Service Contractor (US/TCNPSC)  – Health Specialist (Infectious Diseases Coordinator), GS-14

 Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking qualified persons to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation.

Offers must be in accordance with Attachment 1, Sections I through V of this solicitation. Incomplete or unsigned offers will not be considered. Offerors should retain copies of all solicitation material for their records.

This solicitation does not obligate USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the offer.

Questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in the attached information.

Sincerely,

Sara Suliman

Contracting Officer

ATTACHMENT 1                                                                                          

I.    GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72038822R00001

2. ISSUANCE DATE: December 09, 2021

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: January 09, 2022 at 04:30PM local time in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

4. POINT OF CONTACT: KMA Zubin Faisal, e-mail at [email protected]. Please DO NOT send applications to this email address. For mailbox to send application, see section IV of this solicitation.

5. POSITION TITLE: Health Specialist (Infectious Diseases Coordinator)

6. NUMBER OF VACANCIES: One (1)

7. MARKET VALUE: $93,907- $122,077 per annum; equivalent to GS-14.

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.

8. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: This is a one year contract with the possibility of four, one year extensions based on need of the USG and availability of funds. The contract and extensions cannot exceed 5 years.

9. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Dhaka, Bangladesh with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Work.

10. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens, Resident Aliens and Third Country Nationals.

11. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: The successful candidate will be required to obtain a Facility Access clearance.

12. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

GENERAL STATEMENT OF PURPOSE OF THE CONTRACT:

INTRODUCTION

The Health Specialist (Infectious Disease Coordinator) is a member of the Office of Population, Health, Nutrition and Education’s (OPHNE) senior staff with responsibilities for representing the Office, and contributing to the Office’s policies, directions and design of key Mission documents related to COVID 19 response and programming. S/he functions as the Mission lead on COVID-19 response, a key Biden-Harris Administration priority. USAID/Bangladesh’s COVID-19 response currently has a portfolio of 10 activities (projects) with an estimated level of project funding of $43.1 million in FY2021. S/he will also support the GOB’s health development program in its sector-wide approach (2017-2023), which is currently $14 billion dollars, to adapt to and manage COVID-19.

The Health Specialist will provide leadership, advisory, and management responsibilities over the full range of COVID-19 service delivery activities. The incumbent will also provide technical advice and guidance to OPHNE staff to better adapt existing health activities in the context of COVID-19. S/he will develop and coordinate innovative COVID-19 response strategies and interventions; ensure that COVID-19 programs and activities are aligned with country plans and coordinate technical and strategic guidance for implementing partners on integrated COVID-19 programs in line with USAID policies and strategies. The Health Specialist reports to the Infectious Disease Team Lead, and will provide a host of management and oversight functions, including strategic planning, program design, and evaluation. COVID activities are currently managed by several staff across the Mission, in addition to their existing responsibilities. The incumbent will work with all of these staff to ensure that the Mission has a cohesive and strategic COVID response. The incumbent will work at a senior level in a high-priority USG foreign assistance program that requires a high degree of knowledge, experience, maturity, and an ability to function independently under a complex, highly demanding, and frequently-changing environment.

STATEMENT OF DUTIES TO BE PERFORMED:

It is expected that the Health Specialist will work with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, other relevant GOB Ministries, as well as the entire COVID-19 donor community, to improve COVID-19 response and programs in the country. This will not only require public sector engagement but will also mean developing stronger ties with the private sector and civil society. The incumbent will engage with relevant Mission Operating Units and provide oversight on the intersection between COVID-19 health programming and addressing the secondary impacts of the pandemic. S/he will also focus attention on behavior change communication, ensuring continuity of essential health services, as well as policy and advocacy activities for improved pandemic response in Bangladesh. S/he will also need to address key health issues that have been exacerbated due to COVID-19 including teen pregnancies, gender based violence, and mental and social health issues.

The Health Specialist shall exercise extensive independent judgment in planning and carrying out tasks, developing consensus among diverse stakeholders, representing the U.S. Government in critical technical and policy fora, resolving problems and conflicts and in meeting deadlines. The contractor shall also perform inherently USG functions such as, officially representing USAID at functions, managing contracts and grants, budgeting, developing planning documents and work plans, and reporting. The position requires a positive and proactive attitude to teamwork.

Leadership skills are critical to the success of this position. The incumbent is expected to complete assigned duties with limited supervision and shall work extensively through diverse teams. While the Health Specialist shall be supervised by the Infectious Disease Team Lead, s/he is expected to work closely with the entire OPHNE Office and other USAID/Bangladesh staff and programs.

Specifically, the Health Specialist is expected to perform duties in the following areas:

Strategic and Technical Leadership                                                       

• Carry out a full range of consultative, advisory, strategic, and planning responsibilities to ensure technical and programmatic soundness of USAID investments in COVID-19 response, and ensures full compliance with USAID and US Government policies.
• Provide strategic direction and technical leadership in public/private health service delivery to improve health outcomes due to COVID-19.
• Provide guidance to the OPHNE Office regarding COVID-19 investments and future programming, including design and modification of program activities, the determination of program direction, monitoring and evaluation and corrective action, where needed.
• Monitor the development of new COVID-19 policies and their impact on programming in the country. S/he coordinates the analysis and synthesis of key technical lessons learned and best practice recommendations across the Mission based upon the research and documentation of experiences. This level of coordination will necessitate work with technical staff in other offices to ensure complementarity, synergy, and integration.
• Interface within USAID/Bangladesh and with USAID/Washington on the mission’s COVID-19 portfolio and keep abreast of current and new knowledge on programming trends in Bangladesh and other parts of Asia, and on relevant state of the art research globally, using this information to inform programming in Bangladesh. S/he will coordinate exchanges and sharing of best practices among USAID, USG and other stakeholders to track evolving COVID-19 data, case management techniques, and vaccine roll out to strengthen COVID-19 response approaches.
• Identify short-term technical assistance (STTA) and ensure that objectives and outcomes of the STTA are consistent with and support the furtherance of the Mission COVID-19 and pandemic threat response portfolio.
• Organize site visits and prepare orientation materials for delegations from USAID Headquarters (HQ), Department of State, other agencies and Congress.

Program/Project Planning, Management, and Reporting

• Participate in the design of project mechanisms and activities to prevent, detect and respond to COVID-19 and other pandemic threats. Work with the OPHNE team to ensure that COVID-19 activity workplans, as well as monthly, quarterly and annual reports are completed and submitted in a timely manner according to their award requirements.
• Provide technical oversight to COVID-19 response and all related activities within the portfolio, including input for the preparation of program and budget documentation requirements from the Office Director, the Mission, USAID/W and the Government of Bangladesh.
• Ensure that activities are implemented in a timely manner and that they are of good quality, following best practices in the sector. Conduct site visits as required, and when approved by RSO, in order to monitor progress, and to provide technical and programmatic recommendations to ensure effectiveness, efficiency and judicious use of U.S. Government (USG) funding.
• Responsible for submitting the final draft of COVID-19-related sections of the Mission's annual operational planning, performance planning and reporting reports.
• Liaise with USAID/W, technical experts to inform them of Mission health activities and coordinate field or centrally-funded activities.
• May assume AOR/COR/Activity Manager responsibilities as required.
• Lead management reviews and external evaluations; monitor programs through reviewing technical reports, making field visits, and analyzing outcome and impact data, and oversee the development of policy guidelines and technical resources.

Representation, Reporting and Capacity Building

• Represent USAID at designated national, regional and international meetings that relate to COVID-19, including regular participation in national level technical working groups, emergency operations committees, professional associations, and related committees. Participate in COVAX and other coordination meetings and multi-partner program reviews.
• Establish strategic working relationships with senior high-level GOB and other relevant government officials at the national and district level, development partners, civil society organizations, private sector health counterparts, and professional associations to enhance regular and timely sharing of information on issues related to strategic planning and direction, private sector engagement, changes in key policies, and legal and regulatory environments that could affect the implementation of USAID programs. The Coordinator plays a leadership and capacity-building role with these actors to advance COVID-19 response in the country as per the relevant national strategies and policies that affect service delivery and health outcomes. The Coordinator will ensure that the Mission is contributing to the key priorities of global COVID-19 response.
• Provide mentorship and coordination to a team of seven and help to build the skills of FSNs working on COVID-19 response. S/he will serve as mentor and coach to the FSNs, including through engagements on state-of-the-art technical approaches. The Coordinator will also provide significant guidance and support to build the skills and understanding of new staff on USAID operating procedures, activity management, reporting requirements, and relevant policies.
• Lead and provide guidance to the COVID-19 team and oversee work products, in coordination with OPHNE management and supervisors. S/he ensures that team members are fulfilling job responsibilities in a timely and effective manner while providing leadership and mentorship to professional staff.
• Assist the Office leadership in creating a supportive environment that values diversity, abides by the USG equal employment opportunity laws, and elicits the highest possible level of performance from the entire team.

Supervisory Relationship

The position will be supervised by the Infectious Disease Team Lead. However, the incumbent is expected to collaborate closely with subordinates and peers across the Office, and also work independently in carrying out specific responsibilities. Performance shall be evaluated annually based on accomplishments against planned work objectives. The Health Specialist shall provide written and oral reports as requested.

Supervisory Controls

Formal supervision of other Mission staff is not contemplated.

13. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands. The work requested is generally sedentary and poses few physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

To be considered for the position, a candidate must meet the Minimum Qualifications listed below.

Education: Master’s degree in an accredited program in Public Health, International Development, Health, Social or Behavioral Sciences, Epidemiology, Biology, Infectious Disease, Medicine, Pharmacy, or Pandemic Threats.

Prior Work Experience: At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in the field of public health. A focus on infectious diseases, global health security, and/or pandemic preparedness programs in developing countries is preferred. At least five (5) years’ experience in an international or resource-challenged setting.

Job Knowledge: Demonstrated supervisory and technical expertise in infectious diseases, global health security, pandemic preparedness programs, or other relevant public health areas in low or middle income countries is required. The qualified person should have demonstrated in-depth technical leadership, policy experience, and experience designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating outbreak response activities, vaccine delivery, infectious disease, global health security and/or pandemic preparedness programs. The incumbent must have knowledge and understanding of the economic, political, social, and cultural characteristics of Bangladesh and the region; development problems in the outbreak management sector in Bangladesh and the region; an understanding of the resources, resource constraints, and overall development prospects and priorities of Bangladesh and the region; and, knowledge of USG legislation, policy, and practice relating to health and outbreak response activities, of USAID programming policies, regulations, procedures, and documentation, and of the objectives, methodology, and status of assigned activities.

Skills and Abilities: The jobholder must possess strong technical and analytical skills in infectious disease prevention, detection and outbreaks/pandemic threat response, or other relevant public health area. The qualified person should have demonstrated technical leadership, policy experience, and experience designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating vaccine delivery, infectious diseases, global health security, and/or pandemic preparedness programs.

The jobholder must possess strong skills 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.

III. EVALUATION & SELECTION FACTORS

Applicants who meet the Education/Experience requirements and Selection Factors will be further evaluated. Applications that do not meet the required minimum qualifications will not be scored. Candidates meeting the above required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application.

After meeting the minimum qualifications, consideration and selection will be based on a panel evaluation of the Evaluation Criteria. Additionally, USAID reserves the right to conduct written exams and an interview with the top-scoring candidates. Top-scoring candidates will also be asked to provide three professional references. Please note that not all applicants will be interviewed or contacted. USAID will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews unless the expenses are pre-authorized. Reference checks may be conducted on candidates selected for an interview.

Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the following selection criteria:

• Prior Professional and Leadership Experience - 35%
• Technical Capacity - 30%
• Interview - 35%

OTHER AREAS OF CONSIDERATION: This US/TCNPSC position is open to all U.S. Citizens, Resident Aliens and Third Country Nationals.

For USPSCs:

• 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 APPLYING;
• 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 Third Country Nationals:

• Submit a complete application as outlined in the solicitation section titled APPLYING;
• 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.

Hiring Preference:

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.

If a Third Country National is hired under this solicitation then the following applies:

• During the period of the contract, the TCN contractor shall devote at least 10% of working hours to training to a cooperating country national (CCN) designated by USAID. The PSC Supervisor will establish a training plan with benchmarks to measure the contractor's progress toward achieving this training deliverable.

• A TCNPSC hired under this contract will receive compensation in accordance with the applicable, approved Alternate Compensation Plan (ACP). All other compensation, allowances, and benefits, will be accorded under the applicable AIDAR Appendix J contract clauses.

NOTE: Please be advised that references may be obtained independently from other sources in addition to the ones provided by an applicant.

SECURITY AND MEDICAL CLEARANCE

The US/TCNPSC will be required to complete a full physical examination (including relevant immunizations) from his/her own physician and then obtain a medical clearance from State M/MED prior to service overseas. Also, USAID/Bangladesh must initiate a security clearance prior to the Contractor’s travel to post of duty. Until a temporary or final adjudication of a security clearance is received, the contract shall not be signed.

If candidate fails to obtain a medical clearance and a security clearance (temporary or full) within six months, the offer may be retracted.

Candidate must not appear as an excluded party in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

1. Eligible offerors are required to complete and submit the offer form AID 309-2, “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts,” available HERE. Applicants are required to complete sections A through I. This form MUST be physically signed and scanned. Electronic signatures will NOT be accepted.

2. A cover letter of no more than one (1) page that demonstrates how the candidates' qualifications meet the work requirements and a statement certifying the date and length of time for which the candidate is available for the position.

3. A curriculum vitae (CV) which describes education and career experiences and achievements. In order to fully evaluate your application, your CV must include:

a. Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. Dates (month/year) and locations for all field experience must also be detailed. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.

b. Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work.

c. Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments.

4. Names, contact numbers, and e-mail addresses of three professional references from individuals who are not family members or relatives.

Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the email address listed in

Section IV.

By submitting your application materials, you certify that all of the information on and attached to the application is true, correct, complete, and made in good faith. You agree to allow all information on and attached to the application to be investigated. False or fraudulent information on or attached to your application may result in you being eliminated from consideration for this position, or being terminated after award, and may be punishable by fine or imprisonment.

To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, candidates must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission.

SUBMIT APPLICATION PACKET ELECTRONICALLY:

Interested candidates should send above electronically to [email protected], to the attention of the addresses indicated below. To ensure that the application is considered for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number and title of position on your application and as the subject line in any cover letter. E-mail applications must be received by the closing date and time specified in the solicitation.

Attention: Supervisory Executive Officer

USAID HR Section/Executive Office

USAID/Bangladesh

Only qualified and shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Additionally, only candidates that are interviewed will be notified if the position is filled.

V.   LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award:

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)

Forms 1 through 4 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that a candidate is the successful candidate for the job. Do not submit forms 1 through 4 with your application.

VI.  BENEFITS AND 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

(g) Sunday pay

(h)* Shipment and storage of household effects

(i)* Shipment of POV (Private Own Vehicle)

(j)* Access to Embassy medical facilities, and pouch mail service

(k)* Transportation to Post

(l)* Housing

(m)* Paid Parental Leave

(n)* Relocation Expense Benefit

2. ALLOWANCES*

TCNs will be paid allowances in accordance with the Bangladesh Mission Order. Details are available on request. USPSCS will be eligible for allowances listed in the Standardized Regulations Government Civilian Foreign Areas Sections cited below – if applicable. Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas):

(a)* Post Allowance (COLA) (Section 220)

(b)* Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

(c)* Education Allowance (Section 270)

(d)* Education Travel (Section 280)

(e)* Post Differential (Chapter 500)

(f)* Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600)

* Note: Resident Hire USPSCs are not eligible to receive these benefits and allowances.

Resident Hire U.S. Personal Services Contractor means a U.S. citizen or resident alien who, at the time of contract award, –

1. resides in the cooperating country for reasons other than U.S. government or non-U.S. government employment, or under any contract or other arrangement, that provides repatriation to the U.S.; or
2.  is a spouse or dependent of a U.S. citizen or resident alien who resides, or will reside, in the cooperating country for the purpose of U.S. government or non-U.S. government employment, or under any contract or other arrangement that provides repatriation to the U.S.

VII.  TAXES

USPSC: USPSCs are required to pay Federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable State Income taxes.

TCNPSC: TCNPSCs are responsible for their own tax payments in accordance to their respective government legislation and no deductions for tax purposes will be made at source by USAID payroll.

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

USAID regulations and policies governing US/TCNPSC awards 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,” includes 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.
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. CIBs and AAPDs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to the following link to determine which CIBs and AAPDs apply to this contract: http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs
5. ADS 309 – Personal Services Contracts can be found at: https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/309.pdf
6. 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.

USAID IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: All qualified candidates will be considered regardless of age, race, color, sex, creed, national origin, lawful political affiliation, non-disqualifying handicap, marital status, sexual orientation, affiliation with an employee organization, or other non-merit factor. Management may consider the following when determining successful candidacy: nepotism, conflicts of interest, budget, and residency status.

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