SUBJECT: Solicitation for a Cooperating Country/Third Country National Personal

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72064121R100006-REISSUED

2. ISSUANCE DATE: December 17, 2020

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: January 08, 2021 at 11:59 pm Accra time.

4. POINT OF CONTACT: GhanaApplications@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: PROJECT MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST (STRATEGIC INFORMATION)– HEALTH, POPULATION AND NUTRITION OFFICE.

6. MARKET VALUE: GHC 131,716.00 – GHC 197,595.00 equivalent to FSN-11.

In accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of the U.S. Mission in Accra - Ghana. Final compensation will be negotiated within the market value.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The period of performance is five (5) years, estimated to start o/a June, 2021. The services provided under this contract are expected to be of continuing

nature executed by USAID through a series of sequential contracts, subject to availability of funds, satisfactory job performance and need for continued services.

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Accra, Ghana with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: All interested candidates eligible to work in Ghana.

Cooperating Country National (CCN) is defined as an individual who is a cooperating country citizen, or a non-cooperating country citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the cooperating country.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Regional Security Office Background Check

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

The Strategic Information (SI) Specialist is an integral member of the USAID/Ghana Health, Population, and Nutrition Office (HPNO). The USAID/Ghana HPNO team has an integrated $73 million health portfolio, including HIV/AIDS; malaria; nutrition; social protection; family health (family planning, maternal and child health, and water, sanitation, and hygiene); and health systems strengthening. His/her primary responsibility is to provide technical guidance to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) portfolio in the area of Strategic Information (SI), with additional support to the other 72064121R100006

HPNO technical teams. The Specialist provides technical leadership, mentorship, and capacity building to staff.

• S/he ensures that data generated by program monitoring and other SI systems are of high quality and use for program planning, policy development, advocacy, and program evaluation. The job holder will also demonstrate leadership as part of the PEPFAR interagency team.

Within the HIV/AIDS portfolio, the Specialist will oversee activities such as surveillance, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), population-based surveys, geospatial mapping and information systems.

• S/he will report on progress towards achieving PEPFAR targets, particularly collecting and managing program targets and results.
• S/he will analyze complex data sets at the national and program level to support data driven decision making and ensure effective and efficient use of approximately $50 million annual budget provided by USG and the Global Fund. S/he will provide technical leadership to support the National HIV/AIDS Program and Ghana AIDS Commission to streamline processes and approaches for data collection, reporting and analyses. The job holder will play a critical role in influencing how the USG and Government of Ghana use and apply data to drive strategic influence for epidemic control.

Across the wider office, the Specialist will coordinate, measure, harmonize, and conduct data analysis to inform program design and ensure high quality implementation.

• S/he will be expected to conduct capacity building and mentorship to strengthen SI skills across all HPNO technical areas/ programs. In close collaboration with the USAID/Ghana Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) staff, including the USAID/Ghana Health Development Monitoring and Outreach Specialist, the President’s Malaria Initiative SI Specialist, and the Program Office MEL Specialist, the job holder is responsible for providing high-level quality control for the USAID/Ghana health data- from indicator and reporting guidance for alignment to data capture, data management and processing, data analysis, and ultimately to data use for program management.
• S/he will manage various HPNO MEL activities, including the USAID Demographic Health Survey award; the GHS e-tracker component of a Government to Government award; and target research studies for the HPNO office. In this capacity, the job holder will play a critical decision-making and advisory role in guiding HPNO teams on MEL needs across the portfolio, including advising on target research to ensure learning and adaptation of health programming.

This position is located in the USAID/Ghana HPNO Office in Accra and will require travel both within Ghana and internationally. The SI Specialist will report to the USAID/Ghana HIV/AIDS Team Lead.

2. Statement of Duties to be Performed

A. HIV/AIDS (65%)

1) Technical Expertise and Leadership

• Lead SI-related processes required for the development of the PEPFAR Regional Operational Plan (ROP); provide technical expertise to inform target and budget setting based on multiple data streams.
• Ensure compliance with all OGAC and OHA SI-related policies, information requests, and reporting through close coordination with USAID/Washington Office of HIV/AIDS, other USG implementing agencies, and OGAC.
• Ensure that performance monitoring systems are in place and are compliant with current OGAC and USAID policies and guidance.
• Lead technical assessments for USAID-supported HIV/AIDS activities.
• Participate in data audits and compile relevant findings and recommendations.
• Establish and maintain a close relationship with GoG counterparts, implementing partners, and development partners (i.e., the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria) to harmonize data collection and reporting.
• Liaise with middle/senior level officials of the Government of Ghana, NGOs, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM), multi/bilateral agencies and other implementing agencies to harmonize data collection and reporting.
• Participate in national HIV/AIDS SI Technical Working Groups and provide recommendations for strategies to improve Ghana’s HIV/AIDS SI systems.
• Provide guidance to implementing partner(s) to ensure adherence to Ghanaian national M&E reporting guidelines, standards, and manuals.
• Oversees coordination of lessons learned dissemination with all HIV/AIDS partners.
• Build the capacity of local organizations and new partners to meet PEPFAR monitoring and reporting requirements.
• Provide SI support to USAID/Ghana PEPFAR Team, implementing partners, and GoG counterparts to ensure high quality data collection and use and to inform effective program planning and implementation.
• Facilitate the effective implementation of service standards at the national and facility level through effective monitoring and use of SI including data quality assurance.
• Provide data to inform SI investments and contributions supported by PEPFAR/Ghana, such as eTracker, to affect overall program sustainability, capacity building, and the delivery of quality services.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of HIV/AIDS survey and surveillance data, epidemiological, and evaluation literature at both national and international levels.
• Lead preparations for periodic HIV program performance reviews of (quarterly, Semi-annual performance reviews and Annual Progress Reports).

2) PEPFAR Routine Reporting

• Supervise and conduct data entry into various databases such as FACTS Info Nextgen, DATIM, etc., including ensuring the data entry (of all monitoring targets and results) process follow available guidance.

The job holder will remain the primary liaison with SI leads and mid-level staff from other U.S Government agencies and USAID-funded implementing partners to compile program data, and provide appropriate narrative and explanation for the targets of each technical program area and for each implementing partner, in accordance with reporting requirements.

• Ensure systems are in place for implementing partners to plan and monitor programs in compliance with OGAC and USAID requirements. This will include quarterly Site Improvement through Monitoring System (SIMS) visits focused on monitoring program quality; and annual data quality assessments (DQAs) to ensure key data quality standards are met (validity, reliability, precision, integrity, and timeliness).

Review weekly data reported by implementing partners and identify corrective actions as needed.

• Evaluate results achieved by implementing partners against their targets and tracking overall progress in achieving PEPFAR and USAID’s goals as outlined in the ROP, Cooperative Agreements, Contracts, and other initiatives. As necessary, adapting targets to be consistent with appropriated budgets, country constraints and new opportunities.
• Work with USG colleagues to collect and analyze routine data from the e-tracker, a transactional health information management and data collection tool, which constitutes the principal source of HIV data from health facilities. Work with USG colleagues and Government of Ghana stakeholders to improve the quality of e-tracker data.
• Develop and manage monitoring tools to track progress of activities and to identify and address performance challenges in a timely manner.
• Work with the USG PEPFAR team and Government of Ghana to prepare data and financial tools for weekly, quarterly, annual, and other reports required by OGAC to track and monitor implementing partners’ progress.
• Evaluate results achieved by implementing partners against their targets and track overall progress in achieving PEPFAR goals as outlined in the ROP.
• Lead analysis, synthesis, visualization, and manipulation of data; report development of data into summary reports; and disseminate findings, outcomes, and results of program activities and public health evaluations.
• Support the PEPFAR team in the annual ROP planning, development and presentation, with particular responsibility for reporting results and setting targets based on national and program data in close collaboration with the USAID/Washington SI Specialist.
• Participate in site visits and compile quality and timely data of HIV data in the Site Improvement through Monitoring System (SIMS). Review weekly data reported by implementing partners and identify corrective actions as needed.
• Compile and maintain a summary of HIV/AIDS survey and surveillance data on an ongoing basis.

B. Cross-Cutting HPNO Portfolio (35%)

• Collaborate with the USAID/Ghana MEL staff, Program Office, and implementing partners to determine M&E needs and design monitoring and evaluation plans and surveys, including cross-sectoral MEL needs across USAID/Ghana technical offices (Education, Economic Growth, Democracy and Governance).
• Advise HPNO technical teams on data use across sectors to ensure that data systems (PPR District Health Information System dashboard) inform lessons learned and adaptive programming.
• Serve as an Activity Manager for MEL HPNO activities, including the Demographic Health Survey, e-tracker G2G and targeted research studies funded through HPNO PD&L funds.
• Provide strategic direction and support to the HPNO team on research and evaluation needs to inform program adaptation, i.e. organizing “pause, pivot, and proceed” sessions across HPNO teams.
• Track outcome and impact-level indicators for HPNO’s contribution to the Country Development Coordination Strategy (including routine data and surveys).
• Compile and analyze health activity data across technical teams to better understand implications and relationships of performance data across health projects and activities.
• Conduct data visualization, including geographic information systems (GIS) mapping and dashboards, for data interpretation and data use across HPNO technical areas.
• Support malaria SI needs, including PMI data reporting requirements and data visualization, as needed.
• Support and build the capacity of HPNO to use data effectively for decision-making and management in strategic prioritization of resources, policy formulation, performance management of implementing partners, and program and activity design.
• Work with HPNO team members to assess progress and barriers to program achievement, recommend action for improvement and/or modifications to address programs, and document and highlight results.
• Analyze program data and contribute analyses contribute to the annual Performance Plan and Report (PPR).
• Advise HPNO technical teams on data use across sectors to ensure that data systems (PPR District Health Information System dashboard) are informing lessons learned and adaptive programming.
• Work with the HDMOS to track outcome and impact-level indicators for HPNO’s contribution to the Country Development Coordination Strategy (including routine data and surveys).
• Build capacity of HPNO staff to understand data needs, conduct data analysis and visualization to inform future health programming and promote adaptive management of current activities and projects.
• Support Government of Ghana to improve Ghana’s digital health information management technology, including technical support to the e-tracker, a tablet-based data collection tool to collect transactional health data. The contractor is eligible for temporary duty (TDY) travel to the U.S., or to other Missions abroad, to participate in the "Foreign Service National" Fellowship Program, in accordance with USAID policy.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

• a. Education: A Master's degree in public health, public policy, epidemiology, demography, social or behavioral science is required.
• b. Prior Work Experience: Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively senior level experience managing health, or other development programs, with experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning or Strategic Information, with a focus in health.
• c. Language Proficiency: Excellent written and oral communication skills in English (speaking/reading/writing), including the ability to synthesize and succinctly present material is required. (Language proficiency may be tested).

III.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 evaluation and selection criteria of the selected candidate will be based on a review of his/her qualifications, work experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, and level of language required. The applicants who obtain the highest score based on the criteria defined will be interviewed and may also be required to pass a written test (depending on the TEC Chairperson’s decision).

The security clearance and medical clearance is required for the top- ranking candidate, after conducting and receiving the positive reference checks.

• a. Prior Work Experience (20%): Proven experience working with large, complex international or domestic programs is required.
• b. Job Knowledge (30%): Demonstrated in-depth technical knowledge of M&E practice, programs, methods, processes, tools and techniques (Geographic Information Systems) used to monitor and evaluate results of public health programs, with an emphasis on HIV programs. Knowledge of Ghana’s routine health information system (the District Health Information Management System, the e-tracker), and other relevant data systems.
• c. Skills and Abilities (50%):

● Experience conducting quantitative data analysis with an ability to obtain, analyze, organize, and interpret data.

● Exceptional computer skills and experience using software program applications authorized for USAID use, e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint. Advanced proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets and databases.

● Experience and demonstrated ability conducting data visualization and GIS mapping.

● Experience using data analysis software such as Epi-Info, STATA or SAS.

● Experience tracking large amounts of data and managing complex inter-agency planning and reporting processes.

● Excellent leadership, project management, and coordination skills.

● Excellent oral and written communication skills to develop and maintain effective,

sustainable working relationships with national and international health partners.

Total Possible Score: 100%

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 scored.

A committee will be convened to review the shortlisted applications and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation criteria. 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 virtually OR not to interview any candidate.

The Agency retains the right to cancel or amend the solicitation and associated actions at any stage of the recruitment process.

Reference checks will be conducted by Human Resources 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.

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. Security Clearance

3. Finger Print Card (FD-258)

VI.BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

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

1. BENEFITS:

a. Health Insurance

b. Annual Salary Increase (if applicable)

c. Annual and Sick leave

d. Annual Bonus

e. Salary Advance (0% interest)

f. Social Security Contributions

g. Local and American Holidays In accordance with Mission policy and local labor laws.

1. ALLOWANCES (as applicable):

a. Meal Allowance

b. Miscellaneous Allowance

In accordance with Mission policy and local labor laws.

VII. TAXES

The Mission emphasize to its employees of the fact that they are obliged to observe Ghanaian Laws, including those concerning income and related tax obligations. Payment of such taxes is a matter between the individual employee and the Ghanaian Government.

In the absence of a specific international agreement, the U.S. Government will not withhold local taxes from an employee’s salary.

In accordance with Mission policy and local labor laws.

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

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. Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract award as described below:

LINE ITEMS

ITEM NO (A) : 0001

SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION) (B): Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: PSC-CCN

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: 641M20HT000

QUANTITY (C): 1

UNIT (D): LOT

UNIT PRICE (E): $ _TBD__

AMOUNT (F): $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_

3. Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at

http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs

4. Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for

Employees of the Executive Branch,” available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635. See

https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE Regulations

SUBMITTING AN OFFER

• 1. Eligible Offerors are required to complete and submit the offer from AID 309-2 (OFFEROR INFORMATION FOR PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACTS WITH INDIVIDUALS) which is available at the following link:

https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-309-2

• 2. Offeror must also submit a signed cover letter and a resume.
• 3. Minimum of three (3) and a maximum of five (5) professional references with telephone and e-mail contacts, who are not family members or relatives. The applicant's references must be able to provide substantive information about his/her past performance and abilities. At least one reference provided should be a current or former supervisor.
• 4. A supplemental document with written responses to the Evaluation Factors listed under Section
• 5. Relevant educational certificate (s) and work permit or residency permit.
• 6. Offers must be received by the closing date and time on the first page of this solicitation and submitted via email to GhanaApplications@usaid.gov
• 7. Offeror submissions must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents.