Programme Coordinator

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.

The Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance and supports the results of UNDP’s 2014-2017 Strategic Plan, focusing on seven outcomes including, strengthening institutions to progressively deliver universal access to basic services (Outcome 3). The HIV, Health and Development Group (HHD Group), within BPPS, is helping to contribute towards this outcome.  The HIV, Health and Development Strategy 2016-2021: ‘Connecting the Dots’ elaborates UNDP's work on HIV and health in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and achievement of SDG 3. UNDP has an important role in supporting health outcomes by supporting countries to address the social, cultural and economic determinants of HIV and health, in partnership with UN entities and other organizations. This is done through UNDP’s core work in reducing inequalities and social exclusion that drive HIV and poor health, promoting effective and inclusive governance for health, and building resilient and sustainable systems for health. UNDP also contributes through its coordinating and convening role in bringing together multiple partners and resources at national and local levels.

As a trusted, long-term partner with extensive operational experience, UNDP supports countries in effective implementation of complex, multilateral and multi-sectoral health programmes while simultaneously investing in capacity development so that national and local partners can assume these responsibilities over time making a significant contribution to the achievement of SDG 3 and facilitate cross-sector dialogue and policy integration and coherence across sectors. UNDP’s contribution is aligned with the larger UN reform which envisions UNDP to provide an integrator function in its effort to support governments achieve Agenda 2030When requested, UNDP acts as interim Principal Recipient (PR), working with national partners and he Global Fund (GF) to improve management, implementation and oversight, while simultaneously developing national capacity for governments or local entities to be able to assume the PR role over time. Within the HHD Group the Global Fund /Health Implementation Support Team (GF-HIST) is a dedicated team providing support to UNDP Country Offices throughout the grant lifecycle.

In July 2014, the Afghanistan Country Coordinating Mechanism requested UNDP Afghanistan to assume the interim PR role for the HIV, TB, Malaria and Health System Strengthening grants under the Global Fund new funding model for the TB, HIV and malaria grants (the Grants) The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) is a key principal implementing partner, and leading on the implementation of “National Health Strategy 2016-2020: Sustaining Progress and Building for Tomorrow and Beyond” and the achievement of SDG 3.  In the role of interim PR, UNDP is responsible for the financial and programmatic management and oversight of the Grants, as well as procurement, and management of pharmaceutical, health products and non-health items. In all areas of implementation, UNDP provides support to national partners to strengthen health systems to assume the PR role when capacities permit. UNDP will also be a key partner to support the government of address social determinants of health, mobilize a multi-sectoral engagement and strengthen resilient systems for health service delivery.  Central to our work is strengthening partnerships between affected communities, governments and development partners to ensure more effective and inclusive governance of the response against the three diseases. For the implementation of the Grants funded by the Global Fund, UNDP Afghanistan established a Programme Management Unit (PMU) which coordinates, manages and oversees the implementation of the Grants in accordance with UNDP rules, policies and procedures and corporate agreements with the Global Fund and facilitates cross-sector dialogues and policy integration and coherence across sectors for the successful implementation of the National Health Strategy. 

Ensures effective management of the Global Fund Grants focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Oversight and management of grants’ planning, implementation with emphasis on achievement of national targets;
• Coordination and supervision of administrative, financial, procurement, asset and programmatic aspects of the Global Fund grants in accordance with the grant agreement, UNDP rules and regulations and corporate agreements with the Global Fund;
• Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the Grants, identification of potential implementation constraints and recommend appropriate solutions;
• Supervise the development, implementation and review of the risk management matrix for the Grants;
• Assess the programmatic impact and oversee the appropriateness and the accuracy of methods use to verify progress and the results; ensure smooth collaboration between the Sub-recipients (SRs), other national units, partners and the local fund agent on requested deliverables;
• Participate in recruitment processes of staff, performance management and supervision, to motivate and promote organizational excellence for optimal implementation;
• Lead and coordinate all audit activity at both the level of the PR and SRs, development of action plans and timely monitoring to ensure timely fulfilment of recommendations;
• Ensure timely and quality submission of core documents and reports from SRs and for UNDP’s reporting to the Global Fund.

Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and support the implementation of the resource mobilization and focusing on the achievement of the following key results:

• Coordinate and build partnerships with the national disease programmes, Ministry of Health, UN Agencies, financial and technical partners and other implementing partners as well as with international and local stakeholders to ensure transparent and effective implementation of the Grants;
• Ensures full alignment with national development and health strategies and plans  with full country-ownership for sustainable and resilient institutions;   
• Supports the MoPH to mobilize a multi-sectoral engagement and to strengthen resilient institutions and systems;  
• Maintain close co-ordination between the Grants with other health and development initiatives to ensure and promote synergies, partnership building and avoid duplication;
• Maintain effective partnership with government and regional institutions, implementing partners and UNDP colleagues to exchange critical and technical information and resolve programme/project implementation issues to ensure results are achieved as planned;
• Establish dialogue with donors, partners and stakeholders to maintain effective working relationships and complete resource mobilization efforts for enhancement of the Grants and integration, coordination and coherence across the policy/planning cycle.

Ensures provision of policy advice and strategic technical guidance focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Ensure harmonization and integration of the Grants into the national strategic documents on health and development programmes;
• Ensure provision of strategic policy advice in line with UNDP’s mandate as the Co-sponsor of UNAIDS and UNDP’s other health partnerships (e.g. RBM, WHO, UNICEF, GAVI), facilitate cross-sector dialogue and policy integration and coherence across sectors and building inclusive and accountable institutions;
• Provide technical advice to the Ministry of Health, other government ministries, national disease programmes, and implementing partners and support work on programme adjustments, as necessary, in coordination with technical partners;
• Participate in technical committees of the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) and other health and development forums and provide advice on Global Fund procedures as required.
• Ensure integration into other UNDP programmes and other health and development projects to ensure efficiencies and effectiveness and ensure cross-sector dialogue and policy integration and coherence across sectors.

Ensures guidance and capacity building and facilitation of knowledge building and sharing. 

• Engage with national partners to build the capacity of national systems and health institutions including national health and development programmes in the areas of procurement and supply chain management, financial management and oversight, risk management, project implementation and monitoring;
• Engage with national partners and oversee the development of capacity development strategies aimed at assisting governments and national entities to implement and assume the PR role and to build inclusive and accountable institutions and systems for the sector;
• Ensure access to appropriate tools and resources required to support government and national partners in the implementation and oversight of the Global Fund programmes to assume the PR role;
• Support the work of the CCM and its technical committees and other health and development forums to build inclusive and accountable institutions and systems for the sector;
• Synthesis of lessons learnt and disseminate best practices in-country, regional and globally for management of the Grant and the promotion of cross-sector dialogue and policy integration and coherence across sectors for the achievement of SDG 3.

Core

Education:

• Master’s degree in Public Administration, Economics, International Development, Business Administration, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Medical & Health Sciences or related field.

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in project management/public health;
• Minimum 3 years of senior-level management responsibilities working in a complex operating environment;
• Experience in partnership building and management with multiple stakeholders;
• Experience working in developing countries an asset;
• Knowledge and experience in working with UN/UNDP agencies an advantage;
• Knowledge of Global Fund rules, policies and procedures.

Language:

• Fluency in English, both written and oral is required.

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

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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.

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