Project Management Specialist – Maternal and Child Health (MCH) at USAID

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking to employ a suitable and qualified candidate for the position below:

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Project Management Specialist – Maternal and Child Health (MCH)

Solicitation No.: 72062020R10011
Location: Abuja, Nigeria with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.
Period of Performance: Five (5) years renewable, estimated to start o/a December 2020.
Security Level Required: CCNPSC Clearance.
Eligible Offerors: Open to Cooperating Country National (Nigerians only).

General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

• The Project Management Specialist (Maternal and Child Health) (MCH) provides technical and program expertise to the Health, Population and Nutrition (HPN) Team.
• The primary responsibility is to provide project management and technical advice on maternal and child health, provides guidance on new program initiatives, drafts program documents to secure funding and implement activities.
• The incumbent represents USAID regarding MCH policies, strategies and activities with outside organizations, such as the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Population Commission, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, the State Ministries of Health, United Nations organizations, British Department for International Development, UNICEF, the World Bank, United Nations Population Fund, foundations and other development partners.

Statement of Duties to be Performed
Program/Project Management – 45 %:

• The Specialist manages a diverse portfolio targeting evidence-based, high impact, cost-effective interventions for the improvement of MCH including but not limited to prevention and treatment of diarrhea and pneumonia; strengthening routine immunization and new life saving vaccines; improving emergency obstetrical and new-born care.
• S/he provides guidance on new program initiatives, drafts program documents to secure funding and implement activities, and manages the relationships between USAID and implementing partners (IPs).
• Provide technical assistance in capacity building, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation to key USAID governmental and non-governmental partners, to ensure that they develop measurable plans and objectives for implementation of innovative and effective HPN projects.
• Provide oversight to ensure that programs have sound programmatic and financial management, achieve expected results, are linked to and enhance attainment of strategic objectives, are aligned with Government of Nigeria (GON) priorities, and are implemented within the framework of the USG foreign assistance policies. Work closely with other U.S. Mission and Agency staff to ensure effective coordination and alignment of all USG programs.
• Conducts regular site visits to monitor activity progress, and to provide technical and programmatic recommendations.
• Close coordination, collaboration, alignment and integration with staff working to improve other components of the portfolio, including malaria, family planning, nutrition, prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV, health systems strengthening, health seeking behavior, commodity supply and logistics, and quality improvement is essential.
• Serve as Agreement/Contract Officers Representative (AOR/COR) and program/project/activity manager.  Provide review and approval of work plans, budgets, performance monitoring plans, quarterly and annual reports, and other key documents for managed activities.

Technical advice and advocacy – 35%:

• Serves as a Mission point of contact for all matters related to MCH.  Work to ensure technical and programmatic synergy within USAID/Nigeria supported activities, and with GON and other development partners by facilitating the exchange of technical information and identifying and fostering opportunities for partnership on technical and programmatic activities.  Participate as USAID representative in national-level technical, programmatic, and policy meetings, and in consultations with other donors, government officials, and IPs.
• Develop policies and guidelines to integrate MCH activities and technical priorities into other areas of health and related sectors, including HIV, education, governance, agriculture and economic strengthening activities. Participate in relevant Mission, donor and GON working groups, providing technical advice and guidance, and advising on projects supporting maternal health and child survival.
• Advocates for MCH programs and for funding required achieve desired outcomes within the HPN results framework. Ensure that USAID programs contribute to relevant USG plans and goals.

Programmatic Support – 20%:

• Provides technical and programmatic support, including developing presentations and talking points, and serves as site officer for high-level delegations, other visitors, and overall USG and USAID Mission needs.
• Maintains responsibility for supporting the Team, other technical offices, the Agency and USG Mission in developing strategic and technical plans.
• Respond to reporting requirements and requests from within the Mission, from USAID/Washington, and others, as needed.

Supervisory Relationship:

• The incumbent will be supervised by the Team Leader or his/her designee.

Supervisory Controls:

• None

Physical Demands:

• The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

Minimum Qualifications Required for this Position

• Education: Minimum of master’s degree in Public health or other health-related area is required.
• Prior Work Experience: A minimum of 7 years progressively responsible, professional-level experience managing public health and health delivery with emphasis on MNCH; Clinical and Programmatic experience working in Nigeria’s northern states on public health–related activities is required.
• Language Proficiency: Level IV English language (high proficiency in verbal and written expression) is required.

Job Knowledge:

• Familiarity with the broad range of MCH issues that affect Nigeria and/or developing countries in general.
• Understanding of, and sensitivity to, the major issues affecting MCH in all geographical regions of Nigeria, with in-depth knowledge of the implementation of MCH programs in Nigeria’s northern states.
• Demonstrated understanding of programs and organizational aspects of major international donors, organizations, foundations and private sector organizations that support Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health.

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated skills in decision-making and overseeing the implementation of RH/FP/MNCH activities in Nigeria. Excellent communication (oral and written) and facilitation skills.
• Word processing skills are essential; knowledge of spreadsheet development, graphics applications and statistical analyses packages are highly recommended.
• Ability to analyze information, evaluate data and prepare reports and be capable of producing high quality work, often under time pressure and in complex situations.
• Excellent organizational and management skills, strong analytical skills and in-depth understanding of the technical, political, economic and cultural characteristics of Nigeria as they relate to the implementation of public health programs.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, good social and professional judgment, and the ability to function effectively in cross-cultural and multi-level settings.
• S/he must be able to interact effectively with mid- and senior-level government officials and to maintain collaborative relationships within a team structure, in addition to effectively work individually and as a team member.
• S/he must be able to effectively lead, facilitate and participate in discussions and meetings.

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.
  • Education (as stated above) 10 points
  • Prior Work Experience (as stated above) 20 points
  • Job Knowledge (as stated above) 30 points
  • Language Proficiency (as stated above) 10 points
  • Skills and abilities (as stated above) 30 points
• After the closing date for receipt of applications, all applications will initially be screened for conformity with minimum requirements and a shortlist of applicants developed. Applications from candidates which do not meet the required selection criteria will not be considered.
• A committee will be convened to review the shortlisted applications and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation criteria as stated above.  Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. No response will be sent to unsuccessful applicants.
• USAID reserves the right to interview only the highest ranked applicants in person or by phone OR not to interview any candidate.
• Reference checks will be made only for the successful candidate. If a candidate does not wish USAID to contact a current employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the application letter.

Submitting an Offer:

• Eligible Offerors are required to complete and submit the offer form AID 309-2. (Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals); or a current resume that provides the same information as AID 309-2 form.
• Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section I.
• Offeror submission must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents.
• All documentation that supports or addresses the requirements listed above (e.g. certificates of education (degree), NYSC certificate/exemption etc.) MUST be attached to the application.
• A type-written and signed application letter specifically applying for this position and addressing the minimum requirements as advertised.
• limit all electronic (e-mail) submission to one entry/email not larger than 5MB. Please submit attachments in PDF and Word formats, not pictures. E-mails received without the appropriate subject line and incomplete applications will not be considered.

Market Value

• N15,052,605 – N22,670,299 equivalent to FSN-11; 40 Hours per week in accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of United States Mission, Nigeria (Effective October 27, 2019). Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

Benefits / Allowances
As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

Benefits:

• Health Insurance
• Annual Salary Increase (if applicable)
• Annual and Sick leave
• Annual Bonus

Allowances (as applicable):

• Transportation Allowance
• Meal Allowance
• Miscellaneous Allowance
• Housing Allowance

Taxes

• The Mission emphasize to its employees of the fact that they are obliged to observe Nigerian Laws, including those concerning income and related tax obligations.  Payment of such taxes is a matter between the individual employee and the Nigerian Government. In the absence of a specific international agreement, the U.S. Government will not withhold local taxes from an employee’s salary.

USAID Regulations, Policies and Contract Clauses Pertaining to PSCs
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/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf
• 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:
  • Quantity (C): 1
  • Unit (D): LOT
  • Unit Price (E): LOT – $ _TBD__
  • Amount (F): $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_
• Supplies / Services (Description) (B): Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs) – Award Type: CCNPSC – Product Service Code: R497 – Accounting Info: SC/620-MAARD-00153-20001/GH-C/17/18/620M/1130007/1210601/72-1917/181031
• Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at: http://www.usaid.gov/workusaid/aapds-cibs
• 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

Deadline: 28th May, 2020; 4:30PM

How to Apply
Interested applicants for this position Must submit the following, or the application will not be considered:

• Eligible Offerors are required to complete and submit the offer form AID 309-2. (Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals); or a current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information as AID 309-2.
• All documentation that supports or addresses the requirements listed above (e.g. transcripts, degrees, NYSC certificate/exemption etc.) MUST be attached to the application.
• A type-written and signed application letter specifically applying for this position and addressing the minimum requirements as advertised. Please reference the job title and solicitation number on the application letter.
• Limit all electronic (e-mail) submission to one entry/email not larger than 5MB. Please submit attachments in PDF and Word formats, not pictures. E-mails received without the appropriate subject line and incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified.

Submit Applications package to: abujahr@usaid.gov

Click here to download Job Description (PDF)

Click here to download the AID 309-2 Form (Ms Word)

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:

• Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms)
• RSO Security Questionnaire
• BI Guide Questionnaire
• THOR Enrollment Intake Form.

Taxes

• The Mission emphasize to its employees of the fact that they are obliged to observe Nigerian Laws, including those concerning income and related tax obligations.
• Payment of such taxes is a matter between the individual employee and the Nigerian Government. In the absence of a specific international agreement, the U.S. Government will not withhold local taxes from an employee’s salary.

USAID Regulations, Policies and Contract Clauses Pertaining to PSCs
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/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf
• Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms
• 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 , Incentive Awards (Dec 2019):
• CCN and TCN personal services contractors of the Foreign Affairs Community are eligible for an interagency Mission incentive awards program. The program is administered by each post’s (Embassy) Joint Country Awards Committee.
• CCN and TCN personal services contractors are also eligible to receive certain monetary and non-monetary USAID incentive awards in accordance with the AIDAR and USAID internal policy.
• Meritorious Step Increases. CCNs and TCN personal services contractors paid under the local compensation plan are eligible to receive meritorious step increases provided the granting of such increases is the general practice locally.
• 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