Programme Manager

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 2018-2021 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.

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. UNDP partners with countries in crisis/post-crisis situations, those with weak institutional capacity or governance challenges, and countries under sanctions. When requested, UNDP acts as interim Principal Recipient (PR) in these settings, working with national partners and The Global Fund (GF) to improve management, implementation and oversight, while simultaneously strengthening health institutions and systems for national entities 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.

UNDP has been identified by the Global Fund as the interim PR for the Venezuela malaria grant (the Grant), to be implemented from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2023. In the period from 2014 to 2017, malaria cases increased by 65% on average (range from 49.9% to 76.4%). In  2018  and  2019,  the  number  of  cases  remained exceptionally high, as did persistent financial, logistical, and human resource constraints, which have impeded scale up of an adequate response.

UNDP will implement the Grant in close coordination with the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), the Ministry of Health and its directorates, CSOs, other national partners and other technical agencies. 

In order to manage the Grant and achieve its aforementioned goal, a dedicated Project Management Unit (PMU), will be established to ensure strategic, programmatic and operational management and oversight of the grant.  Leading this PMU, and under the overall supervision of the Resident Representative, the Programme Manager will be responsible for leading a multi-disciplinary team, achieving a high level of programme performance, coordinating  and building strategic partnerships, providing policy and strategic technical guidance and engaging with partners capacity on strengthening  national systems and health institutions. This will be done in accordance with UNDP rules, policies and procedures and corporate agreements with the GF, and working in close coordination with national stakeholders, the GF (including Local Fund Agent), and technical and UN partners, the GF/HIST and other UNDP programmes. Importantly, since there is no CCM in Venezuela, the Programme Manager will lead the establishment and facilitation of a multi-stakeholder advisory group (‘the malaria technical advisory group’).

1. Ensures strategic leadership, programme planning and effective management and oversight of Global Fund programme, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Leads on the strategic planning, oversight and management of the programme in compliance with UNDP’s rules, policies and procedures, the grant agreement and corporate agreements with the Global Fund;
• Leads on the coordination, management, supervision and oversight of the PMU across all functional areas to achieve programme targets, provide quality services and full utilization of GF allocation and the achievement of programme targets;
• Leads on assessing the programmatic impact and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the programme and proactively leas on reviews for underperformance, bottlenecks and ensures the accountability for the timely implementation of corrective action(s); 
• Develops and maintains an organizational structure to ensure UNDP is resourced to deliver its commitments, leads on the recruitment of PMU staff, fostering diversity, equity and inclusion and builds the technical, management and leadership capacity of staff for promotion of organizational excellence; and
• Ensures strong collaboration with UNDP regional and headquarters on all areas of strategic planning, management, oversight implementation and donor communication.

2. Ensures proactive financial, asset and health product management and oversight and controls are met and proactively performs risk assessments focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Ensures UNDP’s financial, asset and health product (including quality control, insurance) management policies, procedures, and SOPs are followed and validated by internal reviews;
• Leads on timely preparation and quality submissions of financial and programmatic donor reports and responses to management actions, compliance with grant conditions and revisions to the grant agreement(s);
• Proactively performs risk assessments, develops and implements risk management matrix/plan with the PMU staff and implementing partners and ensures adequate oversight and support is provided, with timely incident reporting;
• Ensures compliance of procedures, systems to ensure safety and security of staff, assets and health products in line with UNDP’s rules, policies and procedures;
• Supervises and ensures accountability for Sub-recipient (SR) assessments, contracting, monitoring, with SRs work plan and budgets implemented in compliance with UNDP’s SR grant agreement, and service providers while ensuring quality of the programme and achievement of programme goals; and
• Leads on programme audits and investigations under the guidance of the Resident Representative and in coordination with the Regional Bureau, Office of Audit and Investigations and GF/HIST and ensures timely follow up on audit recommendations. 

3. Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and support the implementation of the resource mobilization:

• Coordinates, build partnerships and maintains strong working relationships with the National Malaria Programme, Ministry of Health, other implementing partners, including financial and technical partners, UN Agencies, to ensure transparent and effective management and oversight of the programme;
• Leads on the establishment and facilitation of the multi-stakeholder advisory group (the ‘malaria technical advisory group’);
• Supports the national strategic planning processes for the programme based on evidence gained during implementation of the programme;
• Maintains close co-ordination between the programme and other health initiatives in the country, to promote partnership building and avoid duplication of programmatic activities and to exchange critical and technical information and resolve programme implementation issues; and
• Develops funding requests to complement UNDP’s PR role with other health and development activities and the development of project documents. 

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

• Ensures harmonization and integration of the programme into the national strategic documents on disease programmes;
• Provides strategic policy and technical advice to the National Malaria Programme, Ministry of Health, and implementing partners and supports work on programme adjustments as necessary;
• Leads meetings of and participates in malaria technical advisory committee, as required;
• Supports implementation of interventions and policy guidance related to the removal of human rights and gender related barriers to the access to and uptake of malaria services; and
• Coordinates planned studies and programme review(s) with the national programme(s), in collaboration with the National Malaria Programme, Ministry of Health, CSOs, UN agencies, financial and technical partners, and the GF.

5. Ensures guidance and capacity building and facilitation of knowledge building and sharing focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Engages with National Malaria Programme, Ministry of Health, implementing partners, CSOs, UN agencies and financial and technical partners to strengthen national systems and health institutions, across functional areas including, procurement and supply chain management, financial management and oversight, SR management, risk management, project implementation and monitoring;
• Engages with national partners and oversees the development of capacity development strategies to support national entities to implement and assume the PR role over time, ensuring access to appropriate tools and resources;
• ·Identifies and supports development of communications (print, video) highlighting key programme achievements, best practices, and lessons learnt and contributes to information sharing with the national Malaria Programme, Ministry of Health, implementing partners, CSOs, UN agencies, financial and technical partners, and the GF; and
• Actively participates in UNDP and other relevant external networks to promote the programme and UNDP’s health and development work (conferences, community of practice, Yammer, TEAMS) and represents UNDP in relevant technical meetings, working groups at country, regional and global level.  

Core

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Delivery

Ability to get things done

Technical/Functional

Primary

Malaria, Health and Development

Understanding and practical experience of issues related to malaria, health and development social determinants of health and the ability to apply them to strategic and/or practical situations.

Project Management

Ability to plan, organize and control resources, procedures and protocols and to achieve specific goals.

Capacity Development

Ability to strengthen and maintain the capabilities of individuals, societies, organizations and governments to set and achieve development objectives over time.

Partnerships

Ability to engage with other agencies, donors and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships.

Risk Management

Ability to identify and prioritize risks, and organize action around mitigating them.

Development Effectiveness

Knowledge of development effectiveness concepts, principles and issues and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations, covering the economic, social and environmental dimensions.

Coordination

Ability to manage complex relationships through pathways of knowledge exchange, capacity development, funding relationships and strategic engagement .

Negotiation

Ability to reach an understanding, resolve point of difference, or gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue.

Secondary

Knowledge Management

Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge.

Resource Mobilization

Ability to identify and organize programmes and projects to implement solutions and generate resources.

Representation

Ability to productively share UNDP knowledge and activities (at UN and other venues) 

Education:

Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in Public Health, International Development, Business Administration, Social Sciences, or related field.

Experience:·        

• Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in Public Health is an asset.
• Minimum 7 years’ experience in the management of health and development programmes.
• Experience in the management of malaria programmes is an asset.
• Strong knowledge of UN or UNDP rules, policies and procedures, is an asset.
• Strong knowledge of Global Fund’s rules, policies and procedures, is an asset.  
• Demonstrated experience in developing and managing effective partnerships with government, UN agencies and civil society organisations in the area of health and development programmes.
• Experience in a challenging operating environment is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in Spanish both written and oral.
• Working knowledge in English both written and oral

Other Requirements:

Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling web-based management systems.

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