Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
Office/Unit/Project Description
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development within the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP's policy work, carried out at headquarters, regional hubs, and country office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.
Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) is responsible for developing all relevant policies and guidance to support the results of UNDP's Strategic Plan. BPPS staff provide technical advice to country offices, advocate for UNDP corporate messages, represent UNDP at multi-stakeholder forums including public-private dialogues and government-civil society dialogues, and engage in UN inter-agency coordination on specific thematic areas. BPPS collaborates closely with UNDP's Crisis Bureau to support emergency and crisis response, ensuring that risk considerations are fully integrated into development programmes. BPPS assists UNDP and its partners in achieving higher-quality development results through an integrated approach that links results-based management and performance monitoring with innovative, knowledge-driven programme support efforts.
The 2030 Agenda for SDGs and the pledge to leave no one behind reflect the interconnectedness of health and sustainable development, addressing issues such as widening economic and social inequalities, the climate crisis, rapid urbanization, the continuing burden of HIV and other infectious diseases (e.g., malaria, tuberculosis), the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, and emerging health threats. Delivering health and well-being for all demands innovative partnerships and financing. As affirmed in the Political Declaration of the 2019 High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage (UHC), partners like the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and others are critical to achieving the health-related goals of the 2030 Agenda. The Stronger Collaboration, Better Health: Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All outlines how multilateral health, development, and humanitarian agencies, including UNDP, will collaborate to support countries in delivering UHC and achieving health-related SDG targets.
UNDP’s partnership with the Global Fund, in alignment with UNDP’s HIV, Health, and Development Strategy 2022–2025: Connecting the Dots, makes a vital contribution to UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2022–2025, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the SDGs, and the pledge to leave no one behind.
As a long-standing partner of the Global Fund, UNDP’s value proposition lies in providing an integrated package of development solutions to strengthen institutions delivering health services. Since 2003, as an interim Principal Recipient (PR) and provider of technical assistance to Global Fund grants in 51 countries, UNDP has achieved significant health and development results in challenging operating environments. Proactive risk management and investing in sustainability form the cornerstones of UNDP’s portfolio management approach, enabling countries with significant capacity constraints to manage large-scale health programmes. By offering technical assistance during all implementation phases, strengthening legislation, policies, and regulatory frameworks, and building capacities in critical areas like financial management, health information systems, procurement, and supply chain management, UNDP ensures sustainable transitions to national entities. UNDP’s track record as PR over the past 20 years underscores its capacity to deliver in challenging environments, solidifying its positioning as a health implementation support partner.
A critical role of the Global Fund Partnership Team is to support Country Offices (COs) with tools, methodologies, learning materials, and expertise for capacity development, fostering resilient and sustainable systems for health, and promoting knowledge building and management, focusing on communication and information sharing across country offices (COs) and regions, and with UNDP’s health and development partners.
The role readiness training programme directly addresses the specific capacity-building needs of CO personnel involved in Global Fund grant implementation. Unlike broader UNDP people development initiatives, these targeted trainings focus on the precise skills and knowledge required for the unique demands of roles within the Global Fund context. It aims to equip new personnel and those transitioning into new roles with the necessary skills and knowledge, thereby reducing the learning curve and enhancing overall programme efficiency.
The learning methodology is focused on tailored, role-specific trainings delivered through a combination of virtual and in-person workshops, self-paced online modules, fieldwork and follow-up sessions. The Programme Specialist (Role Readiness) will lead the overall initiative, ensure the rollout of all touchpoints and learning components, monitor and evaluate training effectiveness, and ensure robust feedback mechanisms are in place for continuous improvement and adaptation of the training programme.
Duties and Responsibilities
Provide technical advice and quality assurance to UNDP Country Offices in management of Global Fund projects and other health projects: Leading a Country Team, provide technical programme and policy advisory support, guidance and advocacy to Country Offices in the management and implementation of Global Fund grants and other health projects through each stage of grant life cycle, including on feasibility and risk analysis of new initiatives in compliance with UNDP rules, policies and procedures and Grant Agreements. Provide technical programme and policy advisory support to ensure linkages of Global Fund projects with other health projects for the effective use of resources, ensuring synergies and avoiding duplication. Liaise with HHG Regional Advisors to facilitate support to COs in the relevant priority areas agreed for each region.Ensure Effective Programme Coordination on Role Readiness Oversee the implementation of the Role Readiness Project for Key Functions in Global Fund-funded Health Programmes, ensuring all touchpoints of the project are activated effectively. Establish and manage a mechanism and cadence for organizing quarterly orientation sessions on the UNDP-Global Fund partnership in collaboration with key stakeholders. Facilitate systematic onboarding processes to support new personnel in gaining a foundational understanding of their roles within critical domains, including programme management, financial management, health product management, and monitoring and evaluation. Coordinate with the BPPS/Quality Programming team to ensure engagement and participation in RBM and PPM training materials and workshops. Define and document roles, responsibilities, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for individuals and teams involved in the programme rollout. Develop and implement an engagement and communication strategy to raise awareness and ensure active participation in the programme. Support the seamless integration of self-paced online modules, fieldwork components, and follow-up sessions into the training plan. Support the organization of the annual workshop for Country Office personnel. Collaborate with GFPHST functional teams to activate the continuous development touchpoints including supporting the organization of the annual in-person workshop for the Country Office (CO) and PMU personnel working on Global Fund grant implementation. Support the standardization of JDs and ToRs for key functions in consultation with GSSC Oversee the capacity and talent mapping within the UNDP/Global Fund portfolio, including HQ and COs. Training Material Development Collaborate with the Role Readiness People Development Specialist (TDU) and GFPHST subject matter experts to design and update training materials, including interactive resources, practical assignments, and self-paced modules tailored to functional areas. Ensure training materials are accessible and inclusive, incorporating language support and virtual delivery tools. Support the creation of guides and templates where applicable (e.g. for “how-to” resources, lists of key policies, personal development plans with suggested resources to learn more). Ensure the inclusion of UNDP/GF technical guidance and tools into the PPM and RBM trainings and other material. Evaluation and Feedback Mechanisms and Facilitate Knowledge Sharing Design and implement feedback mechanisms to collect participant insights and assess training effectiveness across all touchpoints. Analyze evaluation data to identify gaps and propose actionable improvements for continuous programme enhancement. Support the integration of qualitative assessments during follow-up sessions to gauge participants' understanding and practical application of the training. Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on development and programme related issues. Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the programme, facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the programme, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with programme partners and to support UNDP’s engagement in this area.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.
Institutional Arrangement
This post will report to the Programme Advisor in the Global Fund Partnership and Health Systems Team (BPPS/HHG/GFPHST), based in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The role will require close collaboration with the People Development Specialist in the Talent Development Unit (BMS/OHR/TDU) to support the design, development, and implementation of training materials and programmes.
In partnership with the GFPHST Programme Specialist (Capacity Development), the incumbent will jointly supervise the GFPHST Programme Analyst (Role Readiness), who will provide coordination support for the programme rollout and related activities.
Expected Demonstration of Competencies
Core Competencies
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies Thematic Area Name Definition Business Development and Strategy System Thinking
Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated
elements coexist within an overall process or
system, and to consider how altering one element
can impact on other parts of the system
Business DevelopmentKnowledge Generation
Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply
existing concepts to new situations, and to develop
new concepts to generate workable solutions and
new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts,
conceptual models, and theories that can be
useful in addressing new situations
Business Management Project Management Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goalsBusiness Management
Communication Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels Business Management Monitoring & EvaluationAbility to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between
planned activities and programme management
and results.
Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies,
systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an
independent judgement based on set criteria and
benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming
needs and concerns
Digital Digital L&D Knowledge of digital learning methods and ability to design and develop digital learning programmesDigital
Creative facilitation
Ability to design workshops that considers and addresses multiple interests, agendas, worldviews; set out clear objectives and engaging activities; select appropriate tools, materials, resources that are needed to enable or support the activities. Ability to swiftly build rapport with participants and create a safe space (on- and offline) where they feel comfortable to share their views, concerns, experiences and
reflections; supporting this with a range of tools to stimulate active participation. Ability to facilitate inclusive
conversations, ability to work with a diverse set of people with different backgrounds, seniority and expert levels, using different approaches tailored to fit the
people in the room, drawing out the perspectives and ideas of each individual and making decisions
through deliberation and discussion across a group.
Ability to pace a session, adjust to the abilities and energy levels of attendees and the nature or purpose of an exercise. Being flexible and able to improvise;
adapting and changing approaches
in response to the needs, while staying true to the intent and objectives of the session.
Required Education, Experience, Skills and Competencies
Minimum Education requirements
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in International Development, Social Science, Knowledge Management, Human Resource Management, Business Management, Communications, or related area is required. OR A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.Minimum years of relevant work experience
A minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in the public or private sectors with increasing level of responsibility in project management and the use of digital tools for communication, knowledge management and engagement, is required.
Required skills
Experience in Project management of learning initiatives is required. Experience in coordination of stakeholders for the design and delivery of learning interventions is required.Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section
Experience and broad knowledge of UNDP and/or the UN system in general is highly desirable. Demonstrated experience in agile project management of learning initiatives is an asset. Demonstrated experience in monitoring and evaluation of learning programmes is desired. Proven experience in writing and editing of a variety of documents is an asset. Experience in learning design and delivery – with a focus on online learning is desired. Communications experience working with an international organization is an asset. Familiarity with Global Fundʼs policies and knowledge products is an asset. Experience working in knowledge management with a UN Agency is an asset.Required Language (s):
Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish is desirableProfessional Certificates: Professional Certification in HR is a distinct asset.
Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.Right to select multiple candidates
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.Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.Right to select multiple candidates
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.Scam alert
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.