Strategic Information Adviser

Organizational Context & Project Description:

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS in Ghana is the main advocate for accelerated, comprehensive and coordinated action on the AIDS epidemic. The mission of the country office is to lead, strengthen and support an expanded response to HIV and that leads to the attainment of the 90-90-90 targets as well as the 2030 goal of ending AIDS. 

The UNAIDS Ghana country office supports the national response through a well-coordinated Joint UN Team on AIDS to ensure that national targets are achieved, including the prevention transmission of HIV, provision of care and support to those already living with the virus, reducing the vulnerability of individuals and communities to HIV and alleviating the impact of the epidemic.

UNAIDS in Ghana is aligned with the Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda (GSGDA) and the National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan of the Ghana AIDS Commission to achieve outcomes  in the following areas:

• Leadership and advocacy for effective action on the epidemic;
• Strategic information and technical support to guide efforts to implement the UNAIDS Fast-Track 90-90-90 targets;
• Tracking, monitoring and evaluation of the epidemic and of responses to it;
• Civil society, and private sector engagement and the development of strategic partnerships;
• Securing critical political will and mobilization of resources to support an effective response.

Task Descriptions

Under the direct supervision of the UNAIDS Country Director, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
1.  Support the Country Director in the organization and management of Country     Office, including:
•    Drafting of analyses on strategic issues or partners as requested by the Director.
•    Monitoring of the Director’s agenda, especially in view of the Director’s partici-pation in key high-level events and meetings.
•    Drafting of minutes or other meeting reports as requested.
•    Support to documenting outcomes of meetings and follow up actions.
•    Review of notes for the record prior to submission to the Director.
•    Coordination of inputs to the Director in connection with meetings and major events (e.g. briefings, speeches and presentations).
•    Support to logistical coordination, in particular in relation with the UNAIDS Ex-ecutive Director’s and Deputy Executive Directors’ high-level agenda,

2.  Backstopping information management and communication functions for the     UNAIDS Ghana Office:
•    Handling internal and external requests for information and action;
•    Drafting of papers and supporting documents for meetings, as requested;
•    Oversee effective management of all incoming requests for the Director’s en-gagement;
•    Within delegated authority, representing the Ghana Office in meetings and working groups;
•    Where appropriate, provide supervision and guidance for other staff in the Gha-na Office;
•    Assist in drafting articles/posts on UNAIDS-related events/programmes for na-tional, regional and global press as well as corporate media platforms.
•    Obtain inputs for programme staff for the production of stories/feature articles from meetings, recorded interviews, the national press to magazines or publica-tions.
•    Support the production of UNAIDS Ghana monthly newsletter: prepare arti-cles/stories and formulate the layout and graphic design
•    Collect information from staff to prepare articles and tweets for the Office Fa-cebook and Twitter account
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:
•    Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by read-ing relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for in-stance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
•    Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
•    Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
•    Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publica-tions/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
•    Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
•    Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

•    Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take own-ership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confi-dentially; responsive and client-oriented.
•    Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations.
•    Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work envi-ronment.
•    Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish prior-ities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.
•    Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious work-ing
relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diver-sity and gender;
•    Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presenta-tions, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommenda-tions; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but ob-jective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
•    Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, re-mote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of oper-ations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary;

•    Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

Results/Expected Outputs
•    Fortnightly strategic analyses and advocacy materials prepared;
•    Timely completion of workplans
•    Excellent documentation of meetings and timely follow-up
•    Well-prepared speeches, briefings and presentations
•    At least one feature article and/or story for publication once a month  and source image to accompany the written pieces
•    The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counter-parts, including Implementing Partners (IPs);

•    Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment

•    A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development dur-ing the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed
 

Education – Required Degree Level:      Master's degree
Education - Additional Comments: University degree in international relations, international development, social sciences, public health, medicine, epidemiology, business management or other related fields relevant UNAIDS


Required Experience: minimum years of experience  3 years

Essential: A minimum of three years of experience at national and international levels in programme planning or health service delivery or public health. Experience in event management, stakeholder relations and protocol relate issues. Experience in UN agencies/programmes or other major international/bilateral organizations.

Desirable:  Experience working in or collaborating with UNAIDS, especially at the country level.  Demonstrated support to sector managers.