For recruiters

Project Management Specialist- Prevention

Listing reference: usaid_000142
Listing status: Under Review
Apply by: 21 October 2024
Position summary
Industry: Medical, Health & Social Care
Job category: Other: Government and NGO
Location: Durban
Contract: Permanent
Remuneration: R847,979 – R1,187,164 per annum, equivalent to FSN Grade 11
EE position: No
Introduction
For an application to be considered complete, please include a cover letter, and a CV of no more than 4 pages along with written responses, of no more than 750 words, to factors 1 and 2. These documents should be combined and uploaded as one document. 1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72067424R10028 2. ISSUANCE DATE: October 7, 2024 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME: October 21, 2024 at 17:00, Local Time, Pretoria, South Africa 4. POINT OF CONTACT: Kim Sias at ksias@usaid.gov 5. POSITION TITLE: Project Management Specialist – Prevention Durban 6. MARKET VALUE: R847,979 – R1,187,164 per annum, equivalent to FSN Grade 11 In accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of USAID/Southern Africa. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value. 7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Five years renewable contract subject to funds availability and need for the position. 8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Durban, South Africa, with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties. 9. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facility access 10. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Internal and external applicants 11. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.
Job description

Basic Function of Position:
The US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) represents the US government response to the global HIV/AIDS epidemic and is the largest commitment by any nation to address a single disease in history. Thanks to American leadership and generosity, alongside the work of many partners, PEPFAR has saved millions of lives, averted millions of infections, and changed the course of the epidemic. One important component of PEPFAR is implementation of the Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-Free, Mentored, and Safe (DREAMS) program with the aim to reduce the risk of HIV among Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) and Youth focused HIV Prevention.
 
The USAID Project Management Specialist – HIV Prevention (the “Specialist”) will serve as a Contract Officer’s Representative/Agreement Officer’s Representative (COR/AOR), Alternate AOR/COR or Activity Manager and provide senior-level programmatic and technical guidance to the planning, implementation, and monitoring of HIV Prevention -related programs. As a senior-level resource, the Specialist provides technical and programmatic guidance to the Bilateral Health Office, other offices in the Mission, U.S. Government Agencies, the PEPFAR Coordinating Office, host country government, and other development partners to support a coordinated, strategic approach in HIV prevention for Youth, AGYW and DREAMS- related programming. The Specialist’s key role is to serve as the Behavioral science expert in action: Bridging gaps in testing, linkage, retention, and re-engagement in PEPFAR-supported HIV prevention & treatment programs at the Provincial level. This position is the central liaison for all Prevention programming in Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) and Mpumalanga. This HIV Prevention Specialist will work in liaison with the Strategic Prevention Team Leader and the Adolescent Girls and Young Women Team Leader and Deputy Director for Prevention, maintaining oversight of the integrated primary HIV prevention efforts, and working in sync with other Prevention Implementation Specialists on the Bilateral Health Office Team.
 
The position is in the USAID Office of Health based at the Durban Consulate. The jobholder reports to the Strategic Prevention Team Leader and has no supervisory responsibility.
 
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
Technical Guidance and Leadership – 40%
  •  Serves as a senior-level technical resource for the Health Office in the area of comprehensive HIV prevention for Youth and AGYW to ensure development of key systems that effectively integrates provincial programming across the entire health portfolio.
  • Effectively communicates and demonstrates technical leadership in the Prevention technical area
  • Actively participates in the Prevention Leadership Team
  • Participates in interagency PEPFAR technical working groups at both National and Provincial levels to ensure USAID strategic priorities are represented, including participation in routine interagency technical discussions, presenting relevant sections of the quarterly PEPFAR country performance reviews, and annual PEPFAR COP strategic planning meetings to highlight Provincial programs
  • Provides strategic and technical leadership in the preparation of key annual and mid-term planning and reporting documents including the Country Operational Plan, Operational Plan, Quarterly, Semi-Annual and Annual Progress Reports, among others.
  • Prepares reports and responses to a wide range of HIV Prevention requirements including responding to requests for information from USAID/Washington, Congress and GHSD for provincial priorities.
  • Works collaboratively with the PEPFAR provincial program technical leads across US agencies and with host country agencies to identify opportunities for Provincial collaboration and ensure complementarity among AGYW programming, including prevention of and response to gender-based violence.
  • Provides technical assistance and oversight to implementing partners to ensure that at the Provincial level, the Youth focused, and DREAMS activities are carried out in alignment with approved work plans and both PEPFAR and host country guidance and priorities.
  • Stays abreast of state-of-the-art knowledge on programming and coordinates exchanges and sharing of provincial best practices among USAID, USG and other stakeholders to strengthen Youth focused HIV prevention activities and AGYW interventions.
  • Specifically for KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, guides USAID and host country provincial government on strategic decisions and policy formulation to strengthen interventions for Youth and AGYW.

Program/Project/Activity Management – 40%

  • Serves as a COR/AOR, Alternate AOR/COR and/or Activity Manager for HIV prevention for Youth, Orphans and Vulnerable Children, Key Populations and AGYW programs/projects/activities awarded through the Bilateral Health Office, providing programmatic and financial oversight to ensure agreements, contracts and grants achieve anticipated results, and are linked to and enhance attainment of the Bilateral Health Office, Mission, and USG objectives.
  • Participates in activity design of new PEPFAR funded activities for HIV Prevention programs, including developing program descriptions, provincial profiles, and other technical components for new procurements specifically focusing on KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga provinces.
  • Conducts site visits and assessments as required to monitor progress, and to provide technical and programmatic recommendations to ensure effectiveness, efficiency and judicious use of U.S. Government (USG) funding.
  • Conducts provincial site monitoring and program quality reviews for all Prevention activities by receiving technical documents and reports, visiting the field at least twice per month, and by engaging in one-on-one reporting and meeting with key counterpart officials across multiple sectors.
  • Provides up to date technical guidance on a broad range of HIV Prevention and HIV/AIDS-related interventions, including providing guidance in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluations of complex HIV Prevention and DREAMS programs.
  • Provides technical guidance in quality and performance improvement, working with key stakeholders to improve the quality of HIV Prevention and HIV/AIDS-related interventions, by applying evidence-based guidelines, approaches, and tools at the provincial level.
  • Provides on-going technical assistance to USAID local partners in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga to ensure that activities are evidence-based and that services are transparent, equitable, of high quality and responsive to children, youth and adolescents needs.
  • Provides monitoring and oversight to ensure that implementing partners practice sound management and robust accounting; and that local partners are active and providing district level leadership and sharing best practices in HIV Prevention programming at the sub district, district and Provincial levels
  • Facilitates site visits, meetings, and discussions with officials as needed and will work with BHO team members to track overall Prevention team budget and funding priorities at the provincial level.
  • Provides support in drafting technical documentation such as performance reports, scopes of work, briefing papers, concept papers and conduct analyses to develop strategies, monitor ongoing programs, and report on project achievements and interventions specifically at the Provincial level.
  • Provides technical support to Implementing Partners (IPs) to develop strategic work plans with realistic and measurable targets that lead to effective implementation of the Bilateral Health Office and PEPFAR HIV Prevention and HIV/AIDS program priorities.
  • In partnership with Agreement Officer Representatives (AORs) and the Implementing Partners, reviews and provides technical support for annual work plans, monitoring and evaluation plans, quarterly reports, and other key documents.
  • Ensures quality of Provincial HIV Prevention and HIV/AIDS programs by monitoring compliance to provincial and national guidelines and the use of recommended approaches and tools, and when requested by AORs, provides supportive supervisions to IPs.

Representation and Reporting -20%

  • Represents the Bilateral Health Office, Mission, and USG at Provincial, national and/or international technical and programmatic meetings, within various Host Country and multilateral working groups, the interagency, senior host country officials and other social sector donors, government officials, and with guidance from the Contract and Agreement Officer to the Implementing Partners (IPs).
  • Reviews and conducts data and trend analysis and provides technical recommendations to improve the performance of the HIV Prevention programs, projects and activities at site, district and provincial levels.
  • Prepares ad hoc reports as required for the Mission, USAID/Washington, Bureau of Global Health Security & Diplomacy and the Office of Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC), donor coordination groups, and others highlighting provincial programming.
  • Drafts talking points and/or speeches for the Bilateral Health Office Director, Office Chief, Mission Director, Ambassador and others, as required, and prepares briefing papers, presentations, and coordinates site preparations for site visits in KwaZulu Natal and Mpumalanga provinces.
  • Provides leadership on HIV Prevention -related inputs to the development of the annual PEPFAR Country Operational Plan (COP) and ensures strong monitoring and oversight of the HIV Prevention portfolio through the quarterly PEPFAR Oversight and Accountability Review (POART), Semi Annual Performance Report (SAPR), and Annual Performance Report (APR) highlighting the provincial best practices.
  • Supports the development of the annual budget allocation for HIV Prevention programming and supports HIV Prevention activities financial tracking, including confirmation that expenditures, and budget pipelines conform to action plans and approved work plans for the KZN and Mpumalanga provincial programs.
  • Prepares information sheets, presentations, and other documents about US government funded HIV Prevention provincial programs. Draft briefing materials, progress reports, memoranda, and other Front Office communications materials as needed. Identifies and submits success stories, best practices, and images to be highlighted by USAID media for the two specified provinces.
  • Ensures that USAID successes, best practices and approaches are shared widely with Provincial officials, private sector, civil society and other donors active in the Provinces of KZN and Mpumalanga.
  • Represents USAID and PEPFAR at designated national, provincial, district, sub district meetings that relate to HIV Prevention and HIV/AIDS related activities.
  • As requested by the Mission Director, Bilateral Health Office Director or Deputy Director, represents USAID at meetings outside of the HIV/AIDS Prevention field when needed at the Provincial level. When requested, organizes site visits and prepares orientation materials for visiting delegations.
CCN PSCs may participate in temporary duty (TDY) travel to USAID/Washington and other Missions in order to participate in the Foreign Service National Fellowship Program described in ADS 495maa.
 
POSITION ELEMENTS
 
Job Knowledge: Senior-level knowledge related to planning, designing, implementing, and providing technical guidance on HIV prevention, adolescent, youth and/or community-based social welfare initiatives. Detailed knowledge of the social, education and health sector in the host country, including institutions, strategies, policies, objectives, development perspectives, political structure and environment.
 
Skills and Abilities: Abilities: Project management skills, including data and information management, administrative, and monitoring skills used to track the performance of implementing partners and activities. Excellent communication skills both orally and in writing, especially in being able to present information, analyses, and recommendations to individuals with nontechnical backgrounds. Ability to respond professionally and adjust in fluid situations to meet deadlines in the face of competing priorities and time pressures. Ability to work both independently with limited direct supervision of day-to-day activities and also function as part of a team. Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish and maintain relationships with a wide array of contacts. Diplomacy and tact and the ability to negotiate difficult issues and build consensus to achieve results with a wide range of individuals. Ability to operate independently with limited direct supervision of day-to-day activities are required. The incumbent must possess strong communication skills (oral and written), advocacy, and networking skills. S/he must have strong conceptual and analytical skills to be able to quickly grasp and translate new concepts into operational plans and results. Strong analytic skills with the ability to independently and reliably analyze political, social, economic and policy issues and to formulate, present and effectively defend complex activity design and implementation actions and documents in a clear manner and according to profession standards is also required. Excellent computer and software skills.
 
Post Entry Training: Familiarization training in USAID-specific procedures, regulations, and methods. On-the-job training regarding USAID, PEPFAR and PMI policies, procedures, and regulations, including the Automated Directives Systems (ADS), Mission Orders, and all planning and reporting databases. Successful completion of formal COR/AOR training is necessary for proper job performance and will be provided. Training to maintain professional capability in the field, and other courses offered for professional USAID staff, as appropriate; and courses, seminars, conferences, and other activities in fields related to the function and needed to maintain and update professional qualifications may be provided as they become available, subject to availability of funds.
 
Supervision Received: Works under the general supervision of the designated Team Lead. The supervisor makes assignments in terms of overall objectives and resources available. Completed work is reviewed in terms of achievement of program/project/activity goals, effectiveness in meeting provincial and USAID objectives, and integration with other initiatives in the Bilateral Health Office and Mission portfolio. Some technical direction may come from other professionals in the Office; in general, however, the Specialist will be expected to exercise considerable autonomy and best judgment in discharging the duties of the assignment.
 
Supervision Exercised: The supervision of other staff is not contemplated.
 
Available Guidelines: Available guidelines include USG program/project/activity guidance, rules, and requirements; USAID Mission Orders, Mission strategy, and other relevant reports; the ADS; USAID Mandatory and Standard Provisions, and the FAR and AIDAR; and PEPFAR operational plans, Country Operational Plans, host-government Five-Year Strategic Plans (or equivalent), and other published and unpublished guidelines. Guidelines are often general in nature and not specific to the situation at hand, requiring considerable interpretation.
 
Exercise of Judgment: The Specialist exercises expert judgment required for developing, coordinating, managing and reporting provincial program and project activities. High level sound judgment is required to make decisions based on careful analysis of facts and variables, possible alternatives and potential political and development implications and impact. Expert judgment must be exercised to complete work independently, monitor implementation of activities and maintain accountability for results achieved and work seamlessly with Bilateral Health Team members. As the Health Office’s HIV Prevention senior expert in the KZN and Mpumalanga Provinces, the job holder will have extensive discretion over his/her own work. Work objectives are agreed to by the supervisor, but the job holder has extensive discretion to plan and work to meet their work objectives. It is anticipated that the supervisor will meet weekly initially and after six months, this will move to bi-weekly and then monthly to manage performance and deliverables. Domestic and international travel is approved by the supervisor, but the job holder has extensive discretion over local travel and is expected to represent USAID BHO Team on the ground at the Provincial level in both KZN and in Mpumalanga.
 
Authority to Make Commitments: The Specialist exercises the authority given to activity managers and COR/AORs and may make administrative arrangements consistent with ADS guidance and Mission and Office policy. The Specialist acts and establishes priorities based on available guidelines and professional judgment. Guidance is sought when needed, and superiors informed of activity and project status. Within the scope of the authority delegated, the Specialist may indicate to ranking counterparts and IPs that they will make a recommendation to USAID on a specific activity, issue, or problem. The Specialist has no independent authority to commit the USG to the expenditure of funds but may negotiate a referendum for the supervisor.
 
Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: The job holder has a full range of contacts within the Mission at all levels and maintains contact implementing partners regarding program implementation. Within the Embassy, contacts are with counterparts and senior staff at USAID, CDC, and State Department. Frequent and substantive personal contacts with mid- and high-level provincial officials of the Government of South Africa, other donors, and civil society, are for the purpose of explaining and advocating for PEPFAR and USAID policies, objectives, and procedures; to transmit and interpret host country government and private-sector concerns to senior USAID officials; and to directly influence the host country government, USG inter-agency and development partner investments and activities in the sector. In addition, the Specialist provides technical assistance and guidance on best practices to USG staff, and host-government and partners specifically at the provincial level. As the HIV Prevention Subject Matter Expert at the provincial level, the position provides highly specialized HIV Prevention and Biomedical technical advice/recommendations across the Office and specifically for partners in the KZN and Mpumalanga Provinces. The position also provides advanced assistance to PEPFAR Provincial implementing partners to improve performance. The job holder will collaborate with USAID, PEPFAR, other agencies implementing partners, provincial governments and the South African government, and other external stakeholders on HIV prevention interventions. The position provides highly specialized advice to internal staff as it relates to HIV Prevention PEPFAR indicators. The job holder oversees Provincial compliance of USAID/South Africa HIV and TB programs with South African government and U.S. Government policies and guidelines.
 
Time Expected to Reach Full Performance Level: One year.
 
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.
 
The following factors, and points for each, will be the basis for the evaluation of applications meeting the required minimum qualifications. All applications will be evaluated based on the documentation submitted with the application. USAID reserves the right to contact your previous employers for relevant information concerning your performance and may consider such information in its evaluation.
 
 FACTOR #1 - Relevant Work Experience 35 points:
  • 7 years relevant experience in program and project management
  • Experience working with the South African Government at National or Provincial levels
  • Experience working with donors and supporting PEPFAR-funded programming
  • Experience developing, reviewing and implementing work plans and monitoring programs
  • Experience in providing strategic and technical leadership in the preparation of key annual and mid-term planning and reporting documents  
  • Experience in strengthening community and youth leadership and participation in social and behavior change programs for improving service access.

FACTOR #2 – Job Knowledge - 35 points

  • Advanced understanding of HIV Prevention interventions 
  • Knowledge of comprehensive Primary HIV Prevention promoting a people centered approach to the delivery of services that empowers people to make choices amongst an expanded array of HIV prevention options
  • Advanced understanding of PEPFAR and or Global Fund HIV and TB Prevention programming
  • Knowledge & understanding of how to bridge gaps in testing, linkage, retention, and re-engagement in HIV prevention & treatment programs
  • Knowledge of the South Africa Government’s development priorities (e.g. National Strategic Plan) specifically for youth
  • Knowledge of social and behavior change and the social determinants of health for children, adolescents and families in the HIV and TB epidemic
  • Knowledge of youth and community behavior for HIV and TB service improvement

FACTOR #3 – Skills & Abilities - 30 points:

  • Demonstrated  ability to communicate information in an objective, transparent, accurate and concise form in both verbal and written communications.

Selection Process: 

  •     After the closing date for receipt of applications, applications will be reviewed for submission requirements and the established minimum requirements for the position. Applications that meet the minimum requirements will be forwarded to a Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC).
  •       The TEC will review each of the forwarded applications against the established evaluation criteria to develop a shortlist of applicants to be tested and possibly interviewed.
  •      Shortlisted applicants may be further evaluated.  Assessments to include English writing, computer and other technical skills may be administered to determine competitively ranked applicants for possible interviews.  Competitively ranked applicants will be interviewed.  Reference checks will be made only for the interviewed applicants
  •      Following the interview, during which the applicant will be evaluated against the established criteria, the TEC will make a preliminary determination of applicants to be considered for employment and conduct and document reference checks. Please note that references may be solicited from current as well as former supervisors in addition to the references you provided in application packages. References will only be solicited for those interviewed applicants who are being considered for ranking.  The applicant’s references must be able to provide substantive information about their past performance and abilities. If an applicant does not wish USAID to contact a current employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the applicant’s cover letter; USAID will delay such reference checks pending the applicant’s concurrence.
  •      Based on this final input, the TEC will make its final decision on applicant ranking and submit a selection memo to the Contracting Officer (CO) for final determination on whether an offer of employment will be made.  Unsuccessful applicants who were interviewed will be contacted and advised of their non-selection. As a positive medical clearance and security certification are a condition of employment, the selected candidate will undergo a stringent investigation prior to employment with USAID/SA.
Submitting an Offer:
  • All interested and eligible candidates should visit http://usaid.ci.hr to apply. Applicants with PNet accounts can log-in from the above website to apply and first-time users will be required to register on the site before they can apply. 
  • Kindly note that when you apply via cellphone you are not able to complete the required questionnaire.  And if you do not complete the required questionnaire for the position, you will automatically be eliminated from further review.
  • For an application to be considered complete, please include a high-quality cover letter, explaining why you are qualified for the position and a CV of no more than 4 pages along with written responses, of no more than 750 words, to factors 1 and 2. These documents should be combined and uploaded as one document. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in your application being considered “non-responsive” and eliminated from further consideration. 
  •  Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I. 
  • The U.S. Mission in South Africa provides 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.  The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) also strives to ensure equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations.
  • Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.  Applicants who do not follow the application instructions may be dropped from further consideration.Points of Contact:
  • Kim Sias , Telephone: (012) 452-2206
Applicability: 
This position is open to South African citizens and South African permanent resident permit holders. USAID Southern Africa management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget, need for continuity, and residency status in determining successful applications. Current USG employees on probationary status (i.e., within their first year of employment) are not eligible to apply.
 
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.
 
References:
  • Three (3) references, who are not family members or relatives, with working telephone and e-mail contacts. The references must be able to provide substantive information about your past performance and abilities. USAID reserves the right to contact your previous employers for relevant information concerning your performance and may consider such information in its evaluation of the applicationCOMPENSATION
  • This position will be compensated in accordance with the U.S. Mission for South Africa’s Local Compensation Plan (LCP). The successful candidate’s salary level will be based on prior job-related experience and salary history.
  •  
REQUIRED FORMS FOR CCNPSC HIRES
Once the Contracting Officer 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 forms.
BENEFITS
The plan includes basic salary, miscellaneous allowance, pension fund and medical aid subsidy.
 
TAXES
Every CCNPSC staff member in the Mission regardless of agency affiliation is required as a condition of employment, to pay their taxes to the South African Government.
 
USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO CCNPSCs
USAID regulations and policies governing CCNPSC 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 will be used for this contract.
  • 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 5 CFR 2635. See https://www.o

Minimum requirements

Education: Completion of a master’s degree in public health, International Development, Health, Social or Behavioral Sciences, Organizational Development, Epidemiology, Political Science, or Business Administration or other closely related field is required.
 
Prior Work Experience:  A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible, professional-level experience in developing, implementing, and/or monitoring health and/or social welfare programs to provide a comprehensive HIV prevention package, or related social determinants of health and other health issues, for Youth and AGYW. Experience coordinating with host country governments at the provincial, district, or local level on relevant public health challenges for Youth and AGYW, including supporting youth to access HIV testing treatment and care, , gender-based violence response and prevention, HIV Prevention interventions, behavior change education, or other similar issues, is required.
 
Language Proficiency: Level IV (advanced professional proficiency) in English, oral, reading and written communications and Level II (conversational proficiency) in Zulu and/or Siswati, is required.

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