Back Programme Manager(GF)

As of 2019, UNDP served as the Principal Recipient (PR) for 35 grants, covering 18 countries and three Regional Programmes, funded by the Global fund. UNDP is a key partner to the Global Fund to Fight HIV and AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GF) and is the UN agency assuming the role of Principal Recipient of the HIV grant funded by the Global Fund in Tajikistan. In its role as Principle Recipient, UNDP ensures quality financial management, timely procurement of supplies, and efficient monitoring and service delivery.

Tajikistan remains in the concentrated stage of HIV epidemic among key population groups. The trend of HIV was on the rise, with Tajikistan being one of the few countries in which HIV prevalence increased by more than 25% in the past 10 years. According to the data provided by the Ministry of Health in Tajikistan and the results of SPECTRUM, as of December 2019, it is estimated that 13,000 people in Tajikistan are living with HIV. Only 67,4% of estimated people living with HIV (PLWH) are aware of their status and 53.6% of estimated PLWH who should aware of their HIV status are in treatment as Tajikistan is currently adjusting the national HIV treatment protocols to align with latest WHO recommendations to “test and treat” people living with HIV, including children, adolescents, adults, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people with co-infections. Currently, 86.7% of PLWH who are aware of their status are in care, and 79.5% are on Anti-retroviral therapy.

The overarching purpose of the HIV/AIDS grant is to support the National AIDS Program to strengthening the supportive environment in order to scale up prevention, treatment and care and contain the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Republic of Tajikistan. Additionally, UNDP intends to maximize the potential of partnerships among main stakeholders. This is accomplished through strengthening the capacity of local counterparts and government counterparts; expansion of partnership with domestic and international stakeholders and technical agencies; more effective use of existing UNDP country office implementation structures in cross cutting areas and continuing to advance effective coordination and collaboration with the existing and future partners.

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative and in close coordination with the Assistant Resident Representative-Programme and responsible Programme Analyst, the Programme Manager shall be responsible to lead, supervise and coordinate the daily activities of the Global Fund projects and provide strategic direction for the development and provision of support services in the implementation of projects, in order to assure: i) the achievement of planned targets and ii) the effective and transparent execution of the financial resources of the project. The Programme Manager provides technical leadership to the implementation of the grant, in collaboration with Government, UN Agencies, donors and other partners, to ensure that the implemented project contributes to the broader national strategy. When requested by the Deputy Resident Representative, the Programme Manager represents UNDP in international and national fora, liaises with external clients and a broad range of constituencies and UNDP counterparts in the Government, local and international media, civil society as well as counterparts from other international organizations.

Summary of key functions:

1. Ensuring effective project management

2. Provision of policy advice and strategic technical guidance to the Government and project partners

3. Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and supports the implementation of the resource mobilization

4. Ensures guidance and capacity building and facilitation of knowledge building and sharing to partners and staff.

1. Ensures effective implementation of the project, through project planning, management, monitoring and oversight, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Oversight and management of grants’ planning, implementation with emphasis on achievement of the project’s objectives;
• Coordination and supervision of administrative, financial, procurement, asset and programmatic aspects of the Global Fund grants in accordance with the grant agreement, UNDP rules and regulations and corporate agreements with the Global Fund;
• Financial and substantive monitoring of the Grant, identification of potential implementation constraints and recommendation of appropriate solutions;
• Supervise the development, implementation and review of the risk management matrix for the Grants;
• Lead on the GF grants’ audits and ensure timely follow up on audit recommendations and developed action plans;
• Ensure timely and quality submission of core documents and reports to the Global Fund;
• Ensure the project compliance with appropriate UNDP policies and procedures;
• Participate in recruitment processes of staff, performance management and supervision and effective leadership of the project team (15 personnel, including 2 technical experts);
• Negotiate and provide technical assistance to the governmental partner to prepare the annual workplans and detailed action plans as required by the project.

2. Ensures provision of policy advice and strategic technical guidance to the Government and project partners, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Manage the overall strategic direction and provide leadership to UNDP HIV/AIDS in line with the recently approved Country Programme Document and the United Nations Development Strategy;  
• Ensure harmonization and integration of the Grants into the national strategic documents on HIV/AIDS; the National Development Strategy and Health strategic papers;
• Provide high level technical advice to the Ministry of Health, related government ministries, national disease programmes, and implementing partners;
• Develop technical/position papers to support advocacy efforts and contribute to regulatory improvements;
• Facilitate learning and experience sharing for government officials, local community leaders, NGOs, CBOs and local experts;
• Provide technical guidance to UNDP project staff, participate in technical committees of the CCM and provide advice on Global Fund procedures as required;
• Coordinate activities and exchange information/ideas with other UNDP project to establish and maximize on synergies, and contribute to the achievement of overall country programme objectives;

3. Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and support the implementation of the resource mobilization focusing on the achievement of the following key results:

• Coordinate and build partnerships with the national disease programmes, Ministry of Health, UN Agencies, Joint Team on HIV/AIDS, financial and technical partners and other implementing partners as well as with international and local stakeholders to ensure transparent and effective implementation of the Grants;
• Support the national strategic planning processes for the Grants based on evidence gained during implementation;
• Establish strong relations with donors, partners and stakeholders to maintain effective working relationships, sustain interests, resources mobilization and cooperation;
• Maintain close co-ordination between the Grants with other health initiatives in the country to ensure and promote continuity, partnership building and avoid duplication of programmatic activities;

• Oversee the development of communication strategies with national and international stakeholders.
• Contribute to the development of new concept notes and project documents as necessary.

4. Ensures guidance and capacity building and facilitation of knowledge building and sharing, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Engage with national partners to build the capacity of national systems and health institutions including national disease programmes in the key areas of procurement, financial management and oversight, risk management, project implementation and monitoring;
• Engage with national partners and oversee the development of capacity development (CD) strategies aimed at assisting governments and national entities to implement and assume the PR role;
• Document lessons learned and best practices in health project development and implementation, and develop papers and briefing to be disseminated jointly with Government counterparts;
• Promote a knowledge sharing and learning culture among program staff and implementing partners at national and district levels;
• Provide any other necessary support in coaching, guidance for the project staff that will enhance their capacity to deliver results.

Core

Innovation - Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Level 5: Creates new and relevant ideas and leads others to implement them

Leadership - Ability to persuade others to follow

Level 5: Plans and acts transparently, actively works to remove barriers

People Management - Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Level 5: Models high professional standards and motivates excellence in others

Communication - Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Level 5: Gains trust of peers, partners, clients by presenting complex concepts in practical terms to others

Delivery - Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Level 5: Critically assesses value and relevance of existing policy / practice and contributes to enhanced delivery of products, services, and innovative solutions

Technical/Functional

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, result-based management and reporting
• Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects
• Ability to apply development theory to the specific country context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations
• Demonstrated capacity to develop and implement financial management and reporting systems under challenging circumstances
• Experience with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and development aid

Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise

Management and Leadership

• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
• Excellent negotiation, managerial and analytical skills
• Sensitivity to a changing political and economic environment, and to the range of professional perspectives of the supervised staff
• Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
• Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills
• Strong communication skills, verbal and written and good working knowledge of information technology.

Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example and in-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP
• Solid knowledge of UN/UNDP policies, programming framework and procedures is an asset
• Knowledge of Tajikistan context desirable.

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Education:

• Master’s degree in Public Health or other relevant Medical Sciences field.

Experience:

• At least 7 years’ experience in Public Health, including 3 years of experience with GF funded projects.
• 3 years of programme management experience demonstrated at the international level.
• Experience in high level advocacy with government counterparts
• Proven ability and experience in promoting regulatory and procedural changes.
• Prior experience with UNDP/UN agencies or other international organizations, and relevant work experience in developing countries will be an asset.
• Extensive knowledge and experience with the various computer software including MS Word, Excel, Power Point, MS Project.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in the English language is required.
• Working knowledge of the Russian or Tajik language is highly desirable.

Other:

• Past experience in Central Asia is an advantage.

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Workforce diversity

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Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension