Project Management Specialist - Health Program Sustainability
Listing reference: usaid_000097
Listing status: Under Review
Apply by: 6 October 2023
Position summary
Industry: Medical, Health & Social Care
Job category: Government and NGO
Location: Gauteng
Contract: Permanent
Remuneration: SZL796,963 – SZL1,195,482 per annum
EE position: No
Introduction
The USAID Project Management Specialist (Health Program Sustainability), thereafter, referred to as “the Specialist” will apply their strong technical background in health development financing or economics, and a demonstrated ability to develop sound business cases and partnership approaches to promote sustainable health development models.
USAID/Eswatini implements a comprehensive President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) portfolio. USAID’s programs support the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini (GKoE) and health stakeholders in their response to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemic to scale up strategic testing and case identification, treatment, adherence and retention interventions, and to prevent HIV transmission and acquisition. USAID supports public health facilities with technical assistance and mentoring for care and treatment and bio-medical prevention, including Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Voluntary Male Circumcision (VMMC). USAID provides comprehensive clinical and prevention services at community level across the country, including leading the PEPFAR Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored, and Safe (DREAMS) prevention program for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) and leading the program for mitigating the impact of HIV on Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC). USAID strengthens government systems for commodity management and supply chain, developing electronic medical record systems, and advancing allocative efficiencies in the health sector through health financing support. USAID works to complement the USAID/PEPFAR portfolio in Eswatini by leveraging private sector partnerships and support from other U.S. government initiatives such as Power Africa and Prosper Africa to improve health and development outcomes in Eswatini. USAID also works with traditional and community leaders to anchor community ownership of the HIV response.
Job description
Basic Function of Position:
As one of the first countries in the world to approach or surpass the UNAIDS ‘95-95-95’ HIV treatment goals across several demographics, Eswatini is entering a new phase of its HIV response. PEPFAR’s focus shifts toward sustaining program achievements, Embassy Eswatini’s leadership has prioritized the mutual leveraging of PEPFAR and other development programs to catalyze solutions that will address the broader determinants of health outcomes for the benefit of the population affected by HIV. The bilateral office is expected to collaborate on a range of development topics, including gender, food security, economic empowerment, power, connectivity, and improving primary healthcare service delivery platforms to positively impact the health sector and solidify PEPFAR-supported achievements as the program moves into the sustainability phase.
The Specialist will serve as a key technical expert in the design, establishment, and implementation of innovative service delivery mechanisms, sustainable financing approaches, and digital health infrastructure projects through traditional procurements, public-private partnerships, and strategic collaboration with a range of health sectors and development partner stakeholders. The incumbent will support health economics and human resource for health (HRH) planning activities, including activity-based costing, to inform public and private resources planning, as well as creating opportunities for performance-based healthcare financing models. The incumbent will serve as the Contract/Agreement Officer’s Representative (C/AOR) and activity manager for sustainability-related programs.
Reporting to the Health Systems and Digital Health Team Lead, the Health Program Sustainability Specialist will engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including the Ministries of Economic Planning and Development, Finance, Health, Education, Public Service, Public Works, Natural Resources and Planning, Sports Youth and Culture, and related regulatory and parastatal organizations. The incumbent will help lead capacity building efforts targeted to local partners receiving direct USAID awards and explore additional strategic opportunities to further engage with international and emerging local partners that play a key role in enhancing health program sustainability and advancing primary health care models.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
Technical and Strategic Leadership (50%)
- Leads the establishment, and implementation of innovative service delivery mechanisms and digital health infrastructure projects through traditional procurements, public-private partnerships, and strategic collaboration with a range of health sector and development partner stakeholders.
- Works to create partnerships and mechanisms that further global and local health sector priorities, including advancing primary healthcare platforms and broadening the reach of quality healthcare services.
- Leads health economics and health financing activities, including activity-based costing, to inform public and private resources planning, as well as creating opportunities for performance-based healthcare financing models.
- Provides support to human resource for health (HRH) programming that promotes models of multi-skilling, upskilling, integration, and domestic financing absorption that result in more effective and sustainable models for HRH supported by HIV and related domestic and international health stakeholders, particularly HRH supported through PEPFAR.
- Collaborates with Eswatini government and multilateral stakeholders to establish social contracting mechanisms.
- Supports technological innovations and partnerships that benefit health and other social investments.
Program/Project Activity Management and Monitoring (30%)
- Serves as Contracting Officer’s Representative/Agreement Officer’s Representative (COR/AOR) for contracts, agreements, and/or grants in the USAID/Eswatini health portfolio, managing and providing administrative, financial, and technical oversight of activities as designated by the contract or agreement officer (CO/AO).
- Serves as Activity Manager for designated activities and advising on other program activities to ensure their successful implementation.
Stakeholder Engagement (20%)
- Represents USAID and PEPFAR to senior and technical level GKOE counterparts and private sector leaders.
- Leads inclusion of client inputs in the design, monitoring and improvement of HIV and public health services in USAID-supported sites.
- Cultivates and supports strategic partnerships with private sector, international and local stakeholders, development agencies, and implementing partners to strengthen services available at public health clinics and in community settings.
- Engages with a range of ministries and sectors - such as the Ministries of Economic Planning and Development, Finance, Health, Education, Public Service, Public Works, Natural Resources and Planning, Sports Youth and Culture, and related regulatory and parastatal organizations - to coordinate and leverage development opportunities.
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
a. Supervision Received: This position will report to the Health Systems and Digital Health Team Lead.
b. Supervision Exercised: Continuing formal supervision of other staff is not contemplated.
c. Available Guidelines: Available guidelines include USG program/project/activity guidance, rules, and requirements; USAID Mission Orders, Mission strategy, and other relevant reports; the Automated Directives System (ADS); USAID Mandatory and Standard Provisions, and the FAR and AIDAR; and, Emergency Plan guidelines, Country Operational Plans (COPs), the Mission and Host Government Five-Year Strategic Plans, and other published and unpublished guidelines. Guidelines are often general in nature and not specific to the situation at hand, requiring considerable interpretation.
d. Exercise of Judgment: The job holder will exercise a high degree of independent judgment and initiative to plan, prioritize and conduct the activities entailed in fulfilling major duties and responsibilities. The job holder will be expected to analyze and address problems by applying relevant guidance for management, administrative issues and evidence-based strategies (for technical issues) to advance the USAID/Eswatini’s objectives. In the event that no formal guidance exists, the job holder will use her/his own personal, well-informed judgment, making independent decisions that can be defended as necessary and seeking input when appropriate.
e. Authority to Make Commitments: None. This position holds no authority to make financial commitments. When fully designated as COR/AOR s/he will have full authority and responsibility as delegated by ADS, other Mission, and USAID guidelines. The job holder takes action and establishes priorities based on available guidelines and professional judgment. Due to the job holder’s expertise and professional standing in his/her field, substantial weight will be given to his/her recommendations while commitments are made by those with the authority to do so. The job holder may negotiate a referendum for the immediate supervisor.
f. Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: The job holder occupies a high profile and important position at USAID/Eswatini and in the Eswatini US government PEPFAR team. S/he represents USAID in engagements with high levels of a variety of host government officials at national and sub-national levels, donors, private and non-governmental organizations. S/he provides policy recommendations as well as strategic and programmatic advice to senior USAID and USG officials, other donors, and implementing partners. S/he must also have an extensive range of contacts with the HIV/AIDS, health and social development sectors including senior government technical and managerial staff, including Ministerial, Permanent Secretary, etc., Heads of Agencies, development partners, senior officials from the civil society and the private sector. The purpose of the contacts is related to project implementation and to obtain and interpret information relevant to program activities, to develop and/or clarify strategy or activity designs and to identify problems requiring resolution among USAID, technical assistance and training providers, counterparts and other donors.
g. 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 40 points
Demonstrated experience working with the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini in sectors such as the Ministries of Economic Planning and Development, Finance, Health, Education, Public Service, Public Works, Natural Resources and Planning, Sports Youth and Culture, and related regulatory and parastatal organizations (20).
Demonstrated track record of engaging with a range of stakeholders, including stakeholders from the community and health sectors, and have an ability to advocate and engage in high level negotiations for expanded and improved HIV client services. (10)
Demonstrated track record of having established and expanded new services and formed new and sustainable partnerships. (10)
FACTOR #2 – Job Knowledge - 60 points
Knowledge of the health sector, and knowledge of information management systems, finance and economics, human resources and private sector partnerships related to health (HRH) planning activities (20)
Knowledge of techniques, and approaches to prevent new HIV infections and increased access to quality care services for people living with HIV (PLHIV) (20)
Broader understanding of public health systems for effective country response to public health threats (20)
Total possible Factor points: 100
INTERVIEW PERFORMANCE – 100 points
How the Selection will be made:
- 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.
Offeror submissions must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents.
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 (optional), explaining why you are qualified for the position and a CV of no more than 4 pages. 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 Eswatini 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:
Odessa Sifora, Telephone: (012) 452-2112
Thabang Mothupi, Telephone: (012) 452-2198
Carol Masemola, Telephone: (012) 452-2058
Kim Sias, Telephone: (012) 452-2206
Mary-Jane Molema, Telephone: (012) 452-2358
Applicability:
This position is open to Eswatini citizens and Eswatini 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.
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 the applicant’s past performance and abilities. USAID reserves the right to contact an applicant’s previous employers for relevant information concerning applicant’s performance and may consider such information in its evaluation of the application.
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:
a. Conditional Selection Letter.
b. Security Eligibility Requirements.
c. Medical Clearances or Statements.
VII. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES
As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: basic salary, miscellaneous allowance, pension fund and medical aid subsidy in accordance with the Local Compensation Plan.
VIII. 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 Eswatini Government.
IX. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO CCNPSCs
USAID regulations and policies governing CCNPSC awards are available at these sources:
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/ads/policy/300/aidar
Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms will be used for this contract.
LINE ITEMS
Minimum requirements
Education: Master’s degree in business, economics, health, international development, social sciences, law, or related discipline is required.
Prior Work Experience: A minimum eight years of experience working in development financing or economics, and experience working with the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini in sectors such as the Ministries of Economic Planning and Development, Finance, Health, Education, Public Service, Public Works, Natural Resources and Planning, Sports Youth and Culture, and related regulatory and parastatal organizations is required.
Language Proficiency: English language fluency (Level IV English), in oral, reading, and written communications is a requirement for this position. Level IV fluency in iSiswati, writing, speaking and comprehension ability is also required.