Jobs in Zambia and Zimbabwe

Program Specialist Job – UNDP ZIMBABWE

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Programme Specialist- HIV, Health and Development (Open to Nationals of Zimbabwe)

Location : Harare, ZIMBABWE
Application Deadline : 23-Jun-15
Additional Category HIV/AIDS
Type of Contract : FTA Local
Post Level : NO-C
Languages Required :English
Starting Date :(date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 01-Aug-2015
Duration of Initial Contract : one year
Expected Duration of Assignment : one year

Background
UNDP is a founding Co-Sponsor of the Joint UN Program on HIV/AIDS, a Partner of the Global Fund and a Co-Sponsor of several other international health partnerships. UNDP works on HIV, Health and Development by leveraging on the organization’s core strengths and mandates in human development, governance and capacity development. UNDP collaborates with other partners to address the interactions between governance, human rights and health responses. In general UNDP is strategically positioned to assist effective implementation of the national AIDS response particularly in the areas of, human rights, good governance, coordination and integration of HIV in development processes. UNDP is also well positioned is supporting countries to address the wider social determinants of health beyond HIV by strengthening multisectoral action. In addition to the policy strengthening work, UNDP also works in several countries, including Zimbabwe, as the Principal Recipient of GF grants. In Zimbabwe UNDP is the Principal Recipient (PR) of the New Funding Model (NFM) for the HIV grant and is providing Support Services (Fund Administration and Capacity Building) to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) as the new PR for the NFM for TB and Malaria grants.
The Program Specialist (HIV, Health and Development) primarily works to strengthen the engagement of UNDP Zimbabwe in the policy development and implementation of the national HIV response and related health challenges. The Program Specialist works to strengthen the linkages between UNDP and UNAIDS, Government, CSO and People Living with HIV. S/he leads the policy engagement work of UNDP by working directly with key national government institutions and other national stakeholders. The Program Specialist analyzes political, social and economic trends and leads formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio and provides policy advisory services.
The Program Specialist leads the formulation of strategies and briefing notes on HIV and AIDS as well as other emerging health challenges of a multisectoral nature to the CO management. Furthermore, S/he will advise UNDP Management on improving national capacity to coordinate, manage and monitor HIV and AIDS responses, strengthen public and private institutions including Civil Society Organizations (CSO) that are mainstreaming HIV and AIDS and other emerging health challenges such as Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) interventions into their core policies, strategies and programmes.

The Program Specialist also facilitates building and strengthening Government’s capacity in strategic planning, coordination, leadership and ownership of the development agenda. S/he works in close collaboration with the UNDP programme and operations teams, programme staff in other UN agencies, UNDP HQ and Regional staff and Government officials, technical advisers and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society organizations ensuring successful UNDP HIV/AIDS, Health and Human Rights programme formulation, implementation and delivery of transformational development results. S/he leads the programme strategic thinking and visioning exercise towards making UNDP the development partner of choice for the government, bi-lateral and multi-lateral partners.
Under the guidance and supervision of the UNDP Project Manager, Global Fund Project Management Unit, and in collaboration with the MOHCC and National AIDS Council, the Program Specialist will provide guidance and leadership to ensure effective implementation of the policy engagement activities of UNDP Country Office in HIV, Health and Development.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Provide strategic advice and ensure Implementation of program strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:
  • Prepare policy briefs for integration of HIV and AIDS in development policy and budgetary frameworks;
  • Undertake thorough analysis and research of the governance, social and economic situation in the country and prepare substantive inputs to CCA, UNDAF, CPD, CPAP and other documents;
  • Undertake thorough analysis of emerging health challenges of a multisectoral nature and prepare inputs to national planning and implementation processes;
  • Facilitate continuous institutional capacity assessment for HIV and AIDS based development policy planning and implementation;
  • Identify strategies for effective integration of HIV interventions in the UNDP corporate strategy and core thematic areas;
  • Lead implementation of the Policy Engagement component of the Capacity Development Plan (2015-2017) in the context of HIV/AIDS.

Enhance strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Maintain effective partnership with Government and Regional Institutions, implementing partners and UNDP colleagues to exchange critical and technical information and resolve program/project implementation issues to ensure results are achieved as planned;
  • Enhance partnership with donors including private sector, civil society in the capacity development area based on strategic goals of UNDP, and country needs;
  • Prepare substantive briefs on capacity development opportunities and initiatives for resource mobilization Facilitate the development and implementation of resource mobilization strategy and sustainable financing models for the HIV and AIDS program;
  • Ensure strengthened links between the UNDP GF grant management work and the policy advisory role of UNDP;
    Strengthen/highlight human rights and gender components of the GF grants.

Facilitate Policy Engagement with key government institutions, CSOs, PLWHIV, etc, towards policy reviews and creation of enabling environment focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Strengthen the policy environment to ensure effective national response to HIV & AIDS;
  • Coordinate development and review of laws, policies, strategies and institutions to address major social, political and legal challenges in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners;
  • Support effective participation of community networks and advocacy groups at national and sub national levels;
  • Compile and present advocacy papers to UNDP and Government planning and review forums.

Ensures knowledge building and knowledge sharing in UNDP and UN Systems focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Identify and disseminate best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals;
    Support documentation of achievements in the implementation of the HIV/AIDS policy engagement and ensure wider circulation;
  • Partcipate in and contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice in and outside of UNDP;
  • Prepare substantive briefs on the policy works and contribution to case studies;
  • Input into updates of the Country Office and the RCO website updates.
  • Strengthen communication of results, with focus on key affected population.

Effective Representation, Advocacy and support to UN Coordination, joint programming and reform focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Participate in the UN Governance and Human Rights Component Coordinating Group and provide substantive inputs to other UN Thematic Groups (TG);
  • Identify joint programming initiatives in and outside UNDP with particular focus on most affected populations HIV/AIDS;
  • Collaborate in the preparation and/or revision of CCA, UNDAF, CPD and other documents;
  • Represent UNDP at the UN Joint Theme Group on HIV/AIDS.

Competencies

Core Competencies
Leadership:

  • Ability to persuade others to follow.

Innovation:

  • Ability to make new and useful ideas work.

People management:

  • Ability to improve performance and satisfaction;

Communication:

  • Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.

Delivery:

  • Ability to get things done.

Functional Competencies:
Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda:

  • Analysis and creation of messages and strategies
  • Creates effective advocacy strategies;
  • Performs analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses.

Results-Based Programme Development and Management:

  • Contributing to results through provision of information
  • Provides information for linkages across programme activities to help identify critical points of integration;
  • Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programme implementation;
  • Provides background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps drafting proposals;
  • Participates in the formulation of project proposals.

Building Strategic Partnerships:

  • Identifying and building partnerships
  • Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNDP’s mandate and strategic agenda;
  • Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners;
  • Promotes UNDP’s agenda in inter-agency meetings.

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches:

Developing new approaches

  • Seeks a broad range of perspectives in developing project proposals;
  • Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations;
  • Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking;
  • Makes the case for innovative ideas from the team with own supervisor.

Resource Mobilization:

Implementing resource mobilization strategies

  • Analyzes information on potential bilateral donors and national counterparts to recommend a strategic approach;
  • Identifies and compiles lessons learned;
  • Contributes towards the development of a resource mobilization strategy at the country level.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing:
Developing tools and mechanisms

  • Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
  • Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise:

In-depth knowledge of the subject-matter

  • Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;
  • Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
  • Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
  • Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments.

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals:
Analysis and creation of messages and strategies

  • Performed analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses;
  • Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level.

Client Orientation:
Contributing to positive outcomes for the client

  • Anticipates client needs;
  • Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider;
  • Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective;
  • Solicits feedback on service provision and quality.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master’s Degree or equivalent in Public Health, HIV and AIDS Management, Social Sciences or related field.

Experience:

  • 5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services in the HIV and AIDS or public health program management;
  • Experience in the field of multi-sectoral responses to HIV/AIDS;
  • Experience in oversight and supervision of designing, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
  • Demonstrate communication and interpersonal skills. Research, analytical and negotiation skills are required;
  • Strong experience of programme partnership and collaboration with national institutions;
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages such as (MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and web based management systems is essential.

Language:

  • Fluency in English and a local language.

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.