Local Implementation Specialist – CARDIO4Cities

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in approximately 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty and the reduction of inequality and exclusion. The program helps countries to developing policies, leadership skills, partnership skills, institutional capacities, and to building resilience to sustainable development results.

UNDP implements several projects in different areas, offering its partners technical, operational and management assistance through access to methodologies, specialized knowledge, specialized advice and a wide international network of technical cooperation.

To contribute to human development, poverty reduction and the country's growth in priority areas, UNDP Brazil has a constant mission to align its services with the needs of a dynamic, multifaceted and diverse country. The projects are carried out in partnership with the Brazilian government, international financial institutions, the private sector and civil society.

Cardiovascular disease is the world’s leading cause of death – taking almost 18 million lives per year. Although cardiovascular disease is a global challenge, three-quarters of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Cities are facing unprecedented health challenges, from the growing burden of cardiovascular disease to increased demands on health systems due to rapid urbanization, the constant threat of emerging diseases often hitting urban populations hardest, the impact of climate change and the global shortage of skilled health workers.

Against this background, the Novartis Foundation (NF) is working with city authorities and other partners to co-design and implement data-driven responses to improve cardiovascular population health and narrow health inequities in urban settings. The Novartis Foundation built and validated its cardiovascular population health approach, called CARDIO4Cities. This initiative developed powerful proof for how cities can improve cardiovascular health in their populations – by dramatically increasing hypertension control, the prime risk factor for cardiovascular disease in cities on three continents. This was achieved by combining resources and expertise from multidisciplinary partners, and monitoring progress against measurable target.

In Brazil, CARDIO4Cities was adapted to the Brazilian context and implemented in partnership with BP - Beneficência Portuguesa de São Paulo, demonstrating cost-effective and scalable impact. Over a period of 15 months, the percentage of people with hypertension who managed to control their blood pressure jumped from 12% to 31%. During this time, heart attacks decreased by 13%, and stroke (cerebrovascular accident) episodes fell by 12%. Since 2024, CARDIO4Cities has already expanded to a total of 45 new municipalities, supported by the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) and co-financiers such as the Umane and Swiss Re Foundation. The model integrates multisectoral collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and proactive detection and management of cardiovascular risks.

This project focuses on implementing CARDIO4Cities, in Colombia, Chile and/or Uruguay, selected countries in the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) and bears the potential to implement in other countries in the future. In order to do so, this project brings together the global expertise and thought leadership of NF with BP’s experience in implementing health policies and programs. In order to build an implementation mechanism for CARDIO4Cities that can operated in different countries and across borders, the actions are enhanced through the global platforms and networks of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which also acts as a catalyst for partnerships at the local and global levels, enabling the addition of new partners according to the initiatives to be implemented.

Within the scope of the CPLP, the first experience to be implemented will be carried out in Portugal. The Local Implementation Specialist will be responsible for supporting the coordination, planning, executing, monitoring, reporting, engaging the local counterparts, ensuring full alignment with strategic objectives and established indicators.

Under the direct supervision of Project Manager, the Local Implementation Specialist will serve as Country Specialist within the scope of the CARDIO4Cities in Portugal, supporting the implementation and sustainability of actions in partnership with NF, BP, UNDP and local counterparts. The main responsibilities include:

1. Support the alignment, consolidation of information, and overall coordination of the CARDIO4Cities units in Portugal.


· Planning and monitoring CARDIO4Cities activities, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and defined indicators.

· Preparing monthly reports describing activities carried out, results achieved, and supporting evidence (attendance lists, meeting records, etc.).

· Analyzing data and monitoring indicators related to primary health care and chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with a focus on cardiovascular risk.

· Developing and managing dashboards and monitoring systems for health indicators.

· Integrating and validating databases from different municipalities and sources.

· Conducting advanced data analysis to generate insights on cardiovascular risk and intervention performance.

· Ensuring data quality and security, in compliance with LGPD and international best practices.

· Supporting interoperability between local systems and the project’s digital tools.

· Producing analytical reports and visualizations for managers and partners.

· Training local teams in the use of digital tools and interpretation of indicators.

· Supporting local implementation, including coordination with municipal managers, health teams, and institutional partners.

· Coordinating capacity-building and engagement activities for healthcare professionals and stakeholders to strengthen evidence-based practices.

· Producing and reviewing technical and institutional content, including materials for communication, reports, and presentations.

· Participating in strategic and operational meetings scheduled by BP or project partners.

· Ensuring compliance with institutional guidelines and data protection regulations, safeguarding confidentiality and proper data use.

· Promoting project sustainability in implemented municipalities, supporting continuity strategies and integration with local policies.

· Supporting the submission of the project for national and international awards and recognitions, when applicable.

Desired competencies:

· Strong analytical skills for interpreting health data and indicators.

· Orientation toward digital innovation.

· Analytical and critical thinking.

· Attention to information quality and security.

· Technological adaptability.

· Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and local authorities.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

· Knowledge of user-centered design methodologies and health innovation is considered an asset.