Back Project Specialist - TB

In January 2018, the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) approved the Program Continuation request of the Republic of Sudan funding of HIV/AIDS, and TB, under NFM-2 for the implementation period of 2018-2020.

UNDP has been a key partner to the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) in Sudan and is designated Principal Recipient of the HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis grants (the ‘Grants’). During the period of implementation of NFM-2.

In this new arrangement, in addition to implementation of important Principal Recipient  responsibilities for the financial and programmatic management, procurement of health and non-health products, and M&E;  UNDP will implement a capacity development plan in view of providing  capacity transfer to the Ministry of Health and selected NGOs/CBOs who will be designated by the CCM to take over as PR for TB and HIV projects, respectively.

In line with this transition, change in scope and evolving roles, UNDP is recruiting a Project Specialist (TB Grant) to work in the Global Fund PMU. The TB  Project Specialist will work under overall guidance and supervision of Global Fund Programme Manager. The TB Project Specialist is responsible for ensuring a coherent, effectiveness and efficient implementation of TB grant to ensure that approved grant’s work plans and budgets are implemented as planned and that the grant achieve intended programmatic results and impact.

The TB project Specialist promotes a close and regular working partnerships with SRs, providing capacity transfer in programmatic management of TB program and enhancing speedy implementation of TB grant activities, including unblocking bottlenecks which could potentially affect programmatic and financial performance of the grant.

In her/his core functions, the TB Project Specialist reinforces a collaborative, client-focused, quality and results-oriented approach across grant sub-recipients and stakeholders. S/he works in close collaboration with the grant team, M&E, procurement, and finance and admin staff within the UNDP-PMU and the colleagues within the UNDP Sudan Country Office and with other TB implementing partners, creating partnerships and synergies necessary to achieve better results.

Summary of key functions:

• Technical support and strategic direction for accelerating implementation of TB program
• Grant management, including ensuring programmatic and financial performance and achievement of intended targets
• Create partnerships and ensure harmonization with the SRs and partners
• Performance management, knowledge sharing and capacity building to enhance effective and efficient implementation of TB grant
• Implementation of the plan for the transfer of the Principal Recipient responsibilities to the designated entity

• Provide routine technical support to SRs in speedy implementation of approved work plan and budgets to ensure proper accountability for programmatic results and efficient use of the Global Fund resources.
• Provide policy advice, process management and programme advisory support to SRs; undertake policy analysis and capacity development process, addressing existing capacity gaps at the SRs level;
• Identify existing bottlenecks in the overall coordination, management, and implementation of TB grant and guidance and strategic solutions to sub recipients and national counterparts in the implementation of activities related to TB grants within the overall framework of GFATM.
• In close collaboration with M&E and other grant sections analyze results of projects, and incorporate lessons learnt into the decision-making process of recipients and donors, research inputs and provide strategies for dissemination of information.

• Directly work with the sub recipients and national counterparts in their effort to improve the overall TB interventions in Sudan.
• Develop and submit work plans and budgets, and coordinate with M&E and PSM teams to ensure that the performance frameworks and PSM plans for TB grant are realistic and achievable and that they are in tandem with national TB strategic plan and programmes.
• Ensure that programme components are implemented in accordance with UNDP rules and procedures, and in compliance with Internal Control Framework as well as with UNDP’s general framework agreement with the GFATM;
• Coordinate the timely preparation of the quarterly programmatic and financial progress reports as well as annual work plans, reports and activity schedules with other sections within the Global Fund Programme Management Unit (PMU)
• Establish agreements, oversee and monitor implementation of work plans by Sub-Recipients and national programmes, and ensure effective coordination   amongst them; including conducting monthly meeting with respective Sub Recipients and National Programme to follow up on programme implementation.
• In accordance with approved relevant work plans and budgets, timely prepare procurement plans and technical specifications in close consultation with the relevant National Programme and facilitate procurement of commodities with the Procurement Section of the UNDP GFATM PMU.
• Work with the Supply Chain and Procurement sections to ensure the proper and timely implementation of the relevant activities under the TB grant, including working with the PSM team to produce montly update report on
• stock levels and stock status of Pharmaceuticals and lab supplies.
• Ensure, in close collaboration with Finance the financial management of the grant budgets, including budget revisions, monitoring the grant absorption rate, monthly and quarterly tracking and review of expenditures etc.
• Work closely with M&E section towards effective monitoring, timely reporting and analysis of results of projects to incorporate lessons learnt into recommendations for improvement to be implemented by partners.
• Keep track of expenditure on regular basis, and ensure budgetary discipline of the TB grants, including compliance of financial management systems, and supporting the SR to abide by standard operating procedures in program management and financial management relative to requirements of the GF and UNDP.
• Support the SR in determining the needs for reporgramming the activities and budget, advise on prioritization of activities that would address programmatic gaps, improve expansion, quality and outcome of services, and play leading roles , supporting the SRs in cash forecasting  and strategically allocation of resources to to priority activities targeting at achieving  the set targets.
• Liaise with procurement and legal sections to prepare and follow up contracts of GFATM sub-recipients; provide substantive inputs and lead the sub-recipients contracts management;
• Timely identify bottleneck/s in hindering GFATM projects/grants implementation and promptly propose exit strategy and report to Programme Manager.
• Work closely with the Project Associates to maintain an assets inventory for GFATM project.
• Support the SR to ensure that the risk matrix and management actions of the grants are addressed on an agreed period, and progress of addressing them reported to the management on monthly based

       3. Create partnerships and ensure harmonization with the SRs and partners

• Ensure coordination and operational harmonization of GFATM TB programmes and interventions in Sudan; and work closely with all partners supporting the TB intervention efforts in Sudan.
• Establish and maintain effective communication channels and ensure sustainable information sharing with National Programmes and sub recipients in the implementation of GFATM programme activities.
• Work closely with the relevant Sub-committees and prepare regular reports and updates for a better and systematic monitoring and evaluation of TB grants.
• Ensure a collaborative vertical coordination between the different grant sections as well as M&E, including implementing harmonized approaches with respect to the financial tracking of grants and annual financial reporting, and any other cross-cutting issues.

       4. Performance management, knowledge sharing and capacity building to                             enhance effective and efficient implementation of TB grant

• Provide training and guidance to a team of TB grant staff at CNCDCD and develop work plans and priorities, monitoring achievements and evaluating performance of staff.
• Capacity building and knowledge sharing on disease- and grant specific issues especially for the section staff, through (on-the-job) trainings and synthesis of lessons learned/best practices.
• Take the lead in compiling best practices in implementing Global Fund programme activities at the country level and ensure that these are disseminated internally and externally.
• Develop knowledge products based on lessons learned, experiences and data generated through programme implementation.
• Support and facilitate capacity building of the relevant National Programme and other relevant partners to mobilize/utilize GFATM resources.

5.  Support implementation of the plan for the transfer of the Principal Recipient responsibilities to the designated entity

• Ensure elaboration and implementation of TB Grant Management  specific capacity development/transfer plan to improve technical skills and program management systems at the CNCDCD and any other designated National entity in preparation to  adequately assume PR functions related to coordination and management of TB grant, according to the GF guidelines and requirements.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Functional Competencies:

Management and Leadership 

• Good managerial and leading skills;
• Demonstrate strong coordination and organizational skills;
• Ability to work as a part of a team, sharing information and coordinating efforts within the team; 
• Consistently approaches to work with energy and a positive and constructive attitude;
• Excellent analytical and writing skills.

Communication 

• Good communication skill both in writing and oral including networking and interpersonal skills;
• Proven ability to persuade and influence others to cooperate.

Client Orientation

• Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion;
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines;
• Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients; 
• Proven ability to build strong relations with partners, clients for positive feedback;
• Ability to undertake and apply gender analysis to ensure gender equitable solutions

Partnership

• Build, coordinate and advise on strategic and programmatic partnership
• Facilitate the engagement of major stakeholders or groups in environment and sustainable development decision making, their access to and sharing of information for effective compliance.

Communication and Outreach

Advise on the development and management of the Facility’s communication strategy, outreach campaigns and activities to raise the Facility’s profile at the national and international levels.

Professionalism

• Demonstrate professional competence and mastery of subject matter
• Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively and demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Willing to undertake other assignments as provided by the Head of the Facility

• Leadership

• Proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives,
• Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support,
• Drives for change and improvements,
• Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Leadership

Judgment/Decision-making

• Identifies the key issues in a complex situation,
• Gathers relevant information before making a decision,
• Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them,
• Proposes a course of action based on all available information,
• Checks assumptions against facts

Education:

• Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Social Sciences or any other related fields. 

Experience:

• A minimum of five years with  Master’s degree, or seven years with  Bachelor degree at the national or international level in public health programme; minimum 3 years’ experience working on Global Fund programs specifically with PRs, SRs, SSRs and other Global Fund implementing partners.
• Sound knowledge of HIV program with working experience in Tuberculosis and TB/HIV integrated services.
• Excellent organizational, communications, interpersonal, as well as proven management skills.
• Experience in working with government counterparts coupled with the ability to travel within Sudan;
• Sound knowledge of the UNDP Programme and financial procedures.
• A solid understanding of the Global Context and Sudan’s own national strategies to respond to HIV epidemic is desirable.

     Language Requirements:     

• Fluency in both written and spoken English and Arabic.

• UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

• Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.

• UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Contract Duration: One Year