GENERAL INFORMATION
SOLICITATION NO.: 72061524R00007
ISSUANCE DATE: May 22, 2024
CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: June 21, 2024 at 16:30 p.m. (Nairobi Time)
POINT OF CONTACT: Executive Office/Human Resources, Patrick Bii email at pbii@usaid.gov and Noel Sikasa at nsikasa@usaid.gov
POSITION TITLE: U.S. Personal Service Contractor (U.S. PSC) Senior Supply Chain Advisor (GS 15)
MARKET VALUE: $123,041 to $159,950 equivalent to GS-15. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value and will include Locality Pay for domestic USPSCs based on the location of the Official USAID Worksite, or the approved alternative worksite if approved for remote work. USPSCs performing overseas are not entitled to Locality Pay.
PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Nairobi, Kenya with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties. Relocation expenses will not be reimbursed for U.S.-based positions.
Overseas USPSCs may be authorized to telework or remote work only from a location within the country of performance, in accordance with Mission policy. Telework or remote work from outside the country of performance may only be authorized in certain situations in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract.
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years with three one-year options subject to funding and contractor performance of satisfactory or better.
ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S Citizens. Citizenship, if dual, must be clearly stated.
SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The primary location of work will be on the U.S. Embassy/USAID compound in Nairobi, Kenya. No special demands are required to perform the work.
STATEMENT OF DUTIES/POSITION DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND:
USAID supports the Government of Kenya (GoK) with high-impact, evidence-based health sector interventions to support HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment; malaria prevention and treatment; tuberculosis (TB) control and treatment; reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health care; nutrition; and water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Due to the devolution of health sector management and service delivery to 47 counties, USAID interventions focus mostly at the county level with targeted support at the national level. One of the key areas of country-wide support is strengthening the health-sector supply chain. In Kenya, procurement, warehousing and distribution of health commodities is predominantly performed by the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).
USAID has been supporting KEMSA in strategizing and prioritizing the essential reforms they need to undertake to accommodate the GoK’s vision under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda. Additionally, the GoK has reached out to USAID to support the Ministry of Health in the development of an integrated supply chain management strategy.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Senior Supply ChainAdvisor will serve as under the Supply Chain Team Lead in the Health, Population and Nutrition (HPN) Office, responsible for providing leadership and technical support to ensure the well-coordinated and effective program implementation of the USG supply chain portfolio in USAID/KEA and the HPN Office. The incumbent also carries out a full range of consultative, advisory, strategic planning, and coordination activities to the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program, the U.S. President’s Malaria Program (PMI), and reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent health (RMNCAH) programs. Because of the integrated nature of the HPN Office, s/he will also work closely with three additional technical teams: HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Family Health. The incumbent represents USAID at official national government events, donor forums and technical working groups; as well as coordination among implementing partners and other USG agencies as it relates to the supply chain partners and PEPFAR, PMI and RMNCAH portfolios. S/he will ensure that planning and responses by USAID/KEA are carried out in accordance with Agency and State Department directives. The incumbent will supervise two FSN 11 technical Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs).
Detailed duties and responsibilities to be performed are described below;
Technical Guidance (65%)
- Provide technical leadership to build systems and capacity of Kenyan entities to procure, track, account for, manage, and distribute commodities.
- Engage in high-level advocacy and negotiations with manufacturers and distributors to leverage price negotiations, volumes, best practices, technologies, and capacities (e.g. warehousing or manufacturing capacity).
- Serve as a subject matter expert providing technical advice and management support on supply chain management issues including warehousing, inventory management and distribution systems, driving and analyzing supply chain performance, distribution optimization through modeling, temperature monitoring, and cost analysis.
- Provide technical expertise for strategic planning activities related to USG project design, Kenyan supply chain systems design, and supply chain activities, e.g. policy development, harmonization of supply chain systems, opportunities to enhance economies of scale benefits policy.
- Participate in PEPFAR coordinating team meetings.
- Review and monitor Kenya’s procurement plans to ensure robust supply chain strategies and technical assistance.
- Conduct supply chain market intelligence and analysis to provide support on HIV, PMI and RMNCAH related commodity supply chain procurement and supply chain strategies.
- Participate in internal technical and advisory groups and HPN Office meetings.
Coordination and Integration (20%)
- Facilitate the coordination of USAID and USG funded supply chain activities in KEA, this includes CDC and DOD funded work, to ensure the most cost effective and diplomatic approaches to supporting GoK and USG goals under PEPFAR.
- Develop and maintain relationships with relevant ministries, bi-lateral donors, international organizations, private sector, local/international NGOs, and other U.S. government agencies involved with HIV/AIDS and PMI activities to ensure that programs are coordinated and supported as appropriate.
- Support the coordination of supply chain partners and PEPFAR portfolio, with host governments, USG agencies, and other key stakeholders during the planning and implementation of USAID’s contributions to PEPFAR goals in the region.
- Support the HPN Office PMI team to ensure coordination with the Global Fund.
- Share best practices and lessons learned in global forums.
Program Management and Oversight (15%)
- Ensure supply chain partners and supply chain portfolio activities are carried out in accordance with USAID directives and in collaboration with other PEPFAR programs.
- Review select PMI and RMNCAH implementing partner work plans to ensure procurement forecasting and planning is appropriate.
- Serve as an activity manager for specific projects and activities, by providing technical guidance, budget and program development and review.
- Support development of indicator and performance monitoring plans for supply chain partners and supply chain portfolio related activities. Monitor progress according to these plans.
- Conduct site visits.
- Document and track lessons learned to help guide implementation.
- Manage and mentor supply chain staff.
POSITION ELEMENTS
- Degree of Responsibility for Decision Making: The incumbent will plan, execute and direct supply chain programs in USAID/KEA/PHN. At the request of the GoK, s/he will provide direct technical assistance to the development of Kenya’s Ministry of Health’s integrated supply chain management strategy with nation-wide implications. Incumbent will have wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment when executing decisions related to planning and executing a highly complex supply chain program that serves PEPFAR to combat the HIV epidemic in Kenya, PMI to control and eliminate malaria, and USAID Global Health programs.
- Level of Complexity for Work Assignments: The HPN Office is a dynamic environment. Responsibilities are varied and complex. The incumbent will need to adapt quickly to USG directives, strategies and approaches which involve gathering data, probing and analyzing before making decisions. There will also be new technical developments in the field of health systems strengthening and supply chain management in particular. The incumbent will need to stay abreast of new drugs, Kenya’s transition to universal health coverage, coordination with other donors such as the Global Fund for HIV, Malaria and TB, and provide guidance internally to USAID and externally to implementing partners and other donors when existing drug protocols need to change..
- Level of Knowledge: Serves as one of the Mission’s subject matter experts providing technical advice on supply chain and logistics strategy and operations in order to maximize the process efficiency and productivity in our programs. The incumbent will have strong analytical and statistical capabilities to understand supply and demand issues; and the ability to ensure that USAID/KEA/HPN contractors use data to track orders and shipments, trends, demand, weaknesses and inefficiencies.
- Supervisory Controls: Work will be performed under the general direction of the HPN Office Chief. Substantial interaction with the HIV Team Leader, and PEPFAR Coordinator is anticipated. As USAID/KEA’s and the HPN Office’s authority in the area of supply chain management, the incumbent is responsible for taking a pro-active approach in planning, setting priorities, independently carrying out responsibilities, and overseeing programmatic and technical work.
- Guidelines for Work: USG and USAID guidelines will be shared with the incumbent. Guidelines include Agency regulations, ADS Series, USAID/USG strategy documents, Mission Orders, Automated Directive System, the Foreign Affairs Handbook, PEPFAR guidelines, and other USAID or USG policies. S/he will be required to use their best judgment to interpret and apply these guidelines. The Advisor will also provide interpretative guidance to supervised staff and others in the USAID mission and U.S. embassy.
- Complexity of Work Environment: The work is generally sedentary and does not pose undue physical demands. Approximately seventy percent of the work will be done in office settings. During the other thirty percent of the time, and during site visits, there will be walking required to visit health sites, communities and supply chain points, and may include long periods of standing or carrying of moderately heavy items (less than 50 pounds).
- Scope and Effect of Work Performed: USAID works through PEPFAR to combat the HIVepidemic, PMI to control and reduce malaria, and RMNCAH programs to decrease morbidity and mortality, and improve the overall health of the Kenyan people. As a result of this support, Kenyans have increased access to health services for prevention, treatment and care services and more Kenyans than ever rely on the supply chain for access to antiretroviral therapy, insecticide treated nets, family planning methods, vaccinations, etc. The work involves the well-being of a substantial number of people. Without proper procurement of health commodities and access to treatment, Kenyans would be at risk of dying from AIDS, malaria, complicated pregnancies, and other diseases.
- Level and Purpose of Contacts: The incumbent will maintain contacts and work with senior national and international staff including those with the GoK, Ministry of Health and other high-ranking Kenya representatives; the U.S. Embassy Health Attaché; USAID Mission Director and HPN Office Director and Deputy; USAID/Washington Global Health and Africa Regional Bureaus; and the Global Health Security and Diplomacy (GHSD) Coordinator, to discuss policy and procedural matters, resolve conflicting or challenging issues, and obtain information relative to directives and programs. The incumbent will also establish relationships with local government officials, leaders of international organizations, the private sector, and local implementing partners.
- Supervision over others: The incumbent will supervise two technical FSNs.
- Travel requirements: The position will require travel within Kenya and one international trip per year. Incumbent will travel approximately 30% of the time.
- Support Items: The employee will be provided with the support services, equipment, and supplies necessary to perform the work. This will include a workstation that includes a desk, computer, file cabinets, network access, with the possibility for mobile computing devices based on need and Mission management approval.
- Sunday Pay: Not authorized.
- MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
Education:
- A graduate degree in pharmacology, supply chain management, public health management, business administration or related discipline.
Professional Experience:
- Minimum of fifteen years of experience in providing technical assistance to HIV/AIDS, malaria or other health programs in East African countries or other similar developing countries.
- Minimum of ten years of experience leading large scale supply chain programs.
- Minimum of eight years of management experience related to programs in developing countries that involve significant partnership and collaboration across multiple partners.
- Minimum of eight years managing, supervising and mentoring staff.
- Minimum of five years of demonstrated, successful experience coordinating complex programs with multiple partners (especially those involving two or more US Government agencies) in resource-poor settings.
- Experience with PEPFAR, PMI or other health programs in East Africa or other developing countries.
Job Knowledge and Abilities:
- Demonstrated ability to understand the strategic purpose and goals of multiple organizations working in supply chain management, PEPFAR and other health programs.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-sectoral environment with several multi-lateral agencies to identify and solve problems, and coordinate and support activities that lead to mutual success in programs relevant to the position.
- Grasp of management, supervision and mentoring principles.
- Understanding of monitoring and evaluation methodologies including frameworks, development of indicator and performance monitoring plans, data quality assurance, analysis reporting and best practices in data dissemination in international/resource poor settings.
- Demonstrated ability to build the capacity of local institutions to take on increased responsibility for supply chain functions.
Teamwork, Interpersonal, and Communications Skills:
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment and communicate highly technical information to a variety of technical and non-technical audiences.
- High degree of judgment, maturity, ingenuity, and originality to interpret strategy and to analyze, develop, and present work results.
- Excellent leadership skills.
- Fluency in English required.
- 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.
Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the following selection criteria:
Education (0%):
- Candidates that do not meet minimum education requirements will not be considered.
Professional Experience (40%):
- Minimum of fifteen years of experience in providing technical assistance to HIV/AIDS, malaria or other health programs in East African countries or other similar developing countries.
- Minimum of ten years of experience leading large scale supply chain programs.
- Minimum of eight years of management experience related to programs in developing countries that involve significant partnership and collaboration across multiple partners.
- Minimum of eight years managing, supervising and mentoring staff.
- Minimum of five years of demonstrated, successful experience coordinating complex programs with multiple partners (especially those involving two or more US Government agencies) in resource-poor settings.
- Depth of experience with PEPFAR, PMI and other health programs in East Africa or other developing countries.
Knowledge & Abilities (40%):
- Demonstrated ability to understand the strategic purpose and goals of multiple organizations working in supply chain management, PEPFAR and other health programs.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-sectoral environment with several multi-lateral agencies to identify and solve problems, and coordinate and support activities that lead to mutual success in programs relevant to the position.
- Experience with monitoring and evaluation methodologies including frameworks, development of indicator and performance monitoring plans, data quality assurance, analysis reporting and best practices in data dissemination in international/resource poor settings.
- Demonstrated success in building the capacity of local institutions to take on increased responsibility for supply chain functions.
- Must be willing to travel up to 30% of time.
Teamwork, Interpersonal, and Communications Skills (20%):
- Proven ability to understand the strategic purpose and goals of multiple health-related organizations, identify and solve problems, and then coordinate and support activities that lead to mutual success.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a broad range of partners and stakeholders e.g. senior USG and Africa personnel, international donors and private sector, in a team environment.
- Exceptional demonstrated skills in donor coordination and collaboration.
- Ability to communicate highly technical information to health and non-health audiences.
- Level IV English ability (fluent) in both written and spoken English is required.
How to apply
Interested applicants are required to submit the following:
- Offerform AID 309-2, “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with individuals,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-309-2
- An up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV) or resume (no more than five pages), cover letter explaining your qualifications for the position, copies of all relevant certificates and include three (3) references, who are not family members or relatives, with working telephone and e-mail contacts. The references will be asked to provide a general assessment of the applicant’s suitability for the position. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure submitted references are available to provide a written or verbal reference in a timely manner.
- Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted electronically via email to nairobipscjobs@usaid.gov.
- Offeror submissions must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents.
- More details can be found on SAM.GOV
