Background information - Asia Regional Health Cluster
The Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC) was established in 2018 for efficient delivery of grants and fund management, and the provision of quality pharmaceuticals and health products. The ARHC aims to significantly impact the targets of UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 on good health and well-being, by expanding the population benefitting from UNOPS-managed health-related engagements across the Asia Region.
The ARHC portfolio manages the Principal Recipient (PR) Programme of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) in Asia. The Global Fund, which has been providing financial support to the Greater Mekong Sub-region for malaria programs since 2003, has selected UNOPS as a PR, responsible for delivering the targets set out in the grant agreements in collaboration with selected sub-recipients from the National Programmes, local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and UN agencies.
Background Information - Job-specific
UNOPS is the Principal Recipient managing the RAI grant (RAI4E 2024-2026), established by Global Fund in 2018, providing financing for malaria elimination activities in the Greater Mekong Sub region.
UNOPS as Principal Recipient (PR) in Lao PDR is dedicated to building capacity. The PR aims to strengthen the functional teams within the Ministry of Health and CMPE (Centre for Malariology, Parasitology and Epidemiology), with a focus on the sub-national (provincial) level. The work of the PR with the Department of Communicable Diseases Control (DCDC) and Department of Finance (DOF) will increasingly align with the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) structure, defining a mechanism to transfer capacity to line management functions of existing MoH staff.
Functional Responsibilities
Purpose and Scope of Assignment
Under the direct supervision of the Head of Programme of ARHC, and in accordance with UNOPS policies, procedures and practices, the Programme Coordinator is responsible for the on-going performance of the RAI grant in Lao PDR, managing overall operations, working closely with the Sub Recipients (SRs) and assisting in negotiations with Global Fund and Laos - Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM).
1. Managerial and Programmatic Leadership
Provide managerial and programmatic leadership to the UNOPS PR unit in Lao PDR for effective communications, coordination, and human resources management.
Oversees the development and continuous review of key programme documents; including but not limited to work plans and detailed budgets, Performance Based Framework and Procurement and Supply Chain Management (PSM) plan.
2. Grant Management
Design and implement financial systems controls for grant management.
Manage grant funds and cash flow management and disburse funds to Sub-Recipients (SRs) in accordance with the sub grant agreements and with the fund flow structure of the grant (based on quarterly disbursement requests through the MOH and WHO).
Coordinate the preparation of programme’s budgets: review budget submissions, analyse and report on budget approvals and delivery situation, monitor expenditures against approved budgets, and reporting on variances.
Ensure activities for ongoing grants are monitored, analysed and reported on.
3. Programme Monitoring and Implementation
Support and carry out regular monitoring of implementing partner performances and verify the implementation status of the programme and the progress towards reaching set programme targets.
Lead the timely submission of quality and complete key deliverables including but not limited to Progress Update Reports, quarterly reviews, pulse checks and risk matrix.
Ensure the development and implementation of an effective programme and financial M&E system meeting donor requirements, as well as ensuring that systems are in place for effective monitoring of the beneficiaries’ actions and of funds disbursed.
Lead the development of capacity building plans and coordinate with other Sub-Recipients to ensure activities are undertaken at the province and district levels.
Analyse programme results and incorporate lessons learned into the decision making process; strengthening the knowledge base by facilitating lessons learned and feedback sessions with the teams.
Work closely with the CCM and the technical strategic committees of the CCM in managing grants, prepare the country for RSC presentations and any pending issues raised by the Independent Monitoring Panel, and coordinate activities with other grants in Lao PDR.
Lead an effective communications strategy and ensure effective relations with stakeholders.
Implement effective risk management practices in all GF grants managed by UNOPS Lao PDR.
Contribute to preparatory inception activities for new GFATM RAI grant, develop SOPs, manuals, plans, reporting templates and all necessary programme support devices and toolsets as required.
Ensure proper planning, expenditure tracking and audit of financial resources for the GFATM grants; Monitor financial exception reports for unusual activities and transactions, and lead investigation of irregularities.
Support CMPE and technical partners in procurement planning, and assess reasonableness of the types and quantities (forecasted needs) of medicines and other health products that are planned to be procured.
4. Knowledge sharing and management
Support UNOPS in promoting knowledge management, especially relating to grants and public health initiatives.
Ensure establishment of a proper document control system.
Provide professional advice and regular progress updates to the Head of Programme of ARHC on the implementation of the UNOPS action plan to the Global Fund in Laos.
Advanced degree (Master’s) in Health, Public Health, Health Economics, Business Administration, or related field is required.
A Bachelor degree with two (2) additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive responsible experience in the area of program/ project implementation, operations, and/or administration in combination with an advanced degree is required.
Three (3) years of experience managing public health programmes is an advantage.
Proficiency in office software packages (MS Office 2010 or newer versions) and Google Suite is desirable.
Experience working in coordination with donors, INGOs and civil society is desirable.
Professional work experience in South East Asia is desirable.
Previous experience with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis would be an asset.
Sound knowledge of UNOPS regulations and rules would be an asset. LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS:
Contract type: International ICA Support Contract level: IICA-3/ICS-11
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance
Vientiane is a family duty station.
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
Disclaimer: If the selected candidate is a national of the duty station, a Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA) will be issued.
Additional Information
Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
Terms and Conditions
For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.