Programme Manager -Global Fund

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 170 countries and territories, working with governments and people on their own solutions to global and national development challenges to help empower lives and build resilient nations.

UNDP is a lead agency in UNAIDS for addressing the dimensions of HIV and AIDS relating to human rights, gender and sexual diversity. In addition, UNDP contributes to public health and development partnerships through collaborations with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the ‘Global Fund’), Roll Back Malaria, Stop TB Partnerships, and special programmes on human reproduction and infectious diseases that disproportionately affect poor populations.

As part of its wider engagement with the United Nations, the Global Fund has partnered with UNDP since 2003 to ensure that grants are implemented and services are delivered in countries facing constraints on implementation. The partnership focuses on three closely linked areas of work: implementation support as interim Principal Recipient (PR), capacity development, and policy engagement. UNDP was nominated as the PR by the Country Coordinating Mechanism in December 2014 for the multi-country Western Pacific grants (TB and HIV; and Malaria (Vanuatu)) (the ‘Multi-country Programmes’).

For the implementation of the Multi-country Programmes, the UNDP Pacific Centre established a Programme  Management  Unit  (PMU)  to  coordinate  and  oversee  the  implementation and  to  ensure compliance of the terms and conditions of the grant agreements with the Global Fund and UNDP rules, policies and procedures. The PMU ensures coordination with the PIRMCCM, Government and CSOs, regional partners, the Global Fund and other key stakeholders in the health and development sector (UN, bi- laterals, private sector) and technical assistance providers.

Under the overall guidance of the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, the Programme Manager is responsible for oversight of all aspects of the Multi-country Programmes. Specifically he/she will lead, supervise and coordinate daily activities, and provide strategic direction for the development and provision of support services in the implementation of the Multi-country Programmes. They will play a supervisory role to PMU, including out-posted staff. This is in order to ensure: (i) the achievement of approved targets; (ii) the effective and transparent execution of the financial resources of the Multi-country Programmes; and (iii) effective coordination with the PIRMCCM, Governments, CSOs, regional partners, the Global Fund and other key stakeholders in the health and development sector (UN, bi- laterals, private sector) to ensure stakeholder engagement, coordination and proper linkages with broader regional strategies and programmes (iv) integration of policy initiatives within the Multi-country Programmes based on UNDP’s wider mandate under the UNAIDS division of labor  (v) capacity development to national authorities with the goal of transitioning activities when circumstances permit and (vi) leading on the development and implementation of  a robust set of monitoring and evaluation tools, templates and policies to ensure programmatic achievement of approved targets, provision of quality services and successful capacity development strategies.

The Programme Manager is responsible for the implementation of the Multi-country Programmes, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Oversight and management of programme planning, implementation and oversight with emphasis on achievement of approved programme targets and provision of quality services. Explore with the GF Health Implementation Support Team and the Global Fund differentiated implementation models based on risk (i.e. results-based financing).
• Coordination and supervision of administrative, financial, asset, procurement and programmatic management of the Global Fund grants in accordance with the grant agreement with the Global Fund and UNDP rules, policies and procedures.
• Oversight and coordination of programmatic, asset and financial management and programmatic and financial reporting of the Global Fund grants and the Sub-recipients.
• Development and regular review of risk management matrix for the programme in consultation with PIRMCCM, Sub-recipients and technical partners, drawing on the results to monitoring and supervision reports, audits, Global fund management letters.
• Assessment of programmatic impact and oversight of the appropriateness and the accuracy of methods used to verify progress and the results.
• Support to the preparation of aggregate reports and ensuring they are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes.

The Programme Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Multi-country Programmes, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Management of UNDP’s commitments within the corporate agreements with the Global Fund, ensures effective application of RBM tools, monitors unit work plans, programme effectiveness and achievement of results.
• Development and implementation of robust monitoring and evaluation tools, templates, processes, policies to ensure achievement of targets
• Maintaining regular contact with project and programme counterparts.
• Recruitment, performance and career management and supervision of UNDP programme and project staff (including out-posted staff) to motivate and promote organizational excellence.
• Team work: Promoting cross-unit team work.
• Routine monitoring of financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions, and investigates anomalies or unusual transactions. Informing supervisors and other UNDP staff at Headquarters of the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained.
• Proactively support the PR and SR audit processes, including timely follow up of recommendations by ensuring they are reflected in the day to day programme management and supervision, regular and thorough communication pre-during and post audit with OAI or SR audit firms. 
• Ensure a functioning data management system to store and access key programme information.

The Programme Manager is responsible for establishing and  maintaining  strategic partnerships and  supports  the  resource  mobilization  in cooperation with the Management Support and Business Development Team  focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Maintain regular communication between UNDP/Global Fund Heath Implementation Support Team, Effective Governance and other teams in the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, HIV, Health and Development Group, Global Fund Secretariat and Local Fund Agent and PIRCCM.
• Implementation of the CO partnerships  and  resources  mobilization  strategies  to  achieve programme outcomes and to leverage Global Fund funds/co-finance programmes.
• Creation and coordination of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, regional partners, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society etc.
• Establish and maintain linkages with Bangkok Regional Hub and broader regional programming.
• Ensure cooperation with other programmes funded by the Global Fund globally, applying where appropriate good practices from other programmes.
• Establish linkages with existing technical assistance providers in the region.
• Coordinate and build effective partnerships with the PIRMCCM, and regional partners.
• Determine programmatic areas of cooperation, based on strategic goals of UNDP, country
• needs and donors’ priorities.
• Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for cost-sharing.

Ensure  knowledge and  capacity building,  focusing  on  the  achievement of  the following results:

• Lead development of capacity development plans and implementation of agreed actions, leveraging additional resources and innovative approaches to achieve programme goals and objectives.
• Promote knowledge sharing and coaching among the Sub-recipients within the region.
• Promotes identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned from the Multi- country Programmes for organizational sharing and learning.
• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the COs in the region.
• Shares experience/ best practices on the UNDP- GF partnership network.

People Management Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Leadership Ability to persuade others to follow

Innovation Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Communication Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Delivery Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Education: Master’s degree in Public Health, Economics, International Development, Public or Business Administration or any development related field

Experience: Minimum 7   years  of  experience  in  project  management/public health; Experience  in  partnership  building  and  management  with  multi- stakeholders including health, human rights, donors and civil society organizations;Knowledge  and  experience  in  working  with  UNDP  and/or  UN agencies;Knowledge and experience in working with programmes funded by the Global Fund;Experience working in a developing country;

Language Requirements: Fluency in written and spoken English. Knowledge of French is desirable.  

Other: Describe any additional qualifications: Non-Smoking environment

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: 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.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Scam warning