Programme Specialist (Health)

Background

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Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.

A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.

Travel:  

UNDP will cover the cost of travel of the individual to the duty station, as well as their return to their home upon completion of their services. Travel costs are covered only in the event that the function will be undertaken physically in the duty station and excludes working from home arrangements.

Institutional Arrangement

Under the supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative and in close collaboration and daily management and interaction with the DG portfolio manager, the Procurement Programme Specialist (Health) manages the Health and Transparency Programme with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine (MOH) and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex issues related to health product procurement activities.

Office/Unit/Project Description  

UNDP Ukraine provides support to the Government of Ukraine on strengthening the medical procurement system of Ukraine and advancing the implementation of the on-going health reform and ensure through the provision of high-quality, accessible, and affordable medicines and medical devices to the citizens of Ukraine. UNDP is also supporting the Government of Ukraine and the Ministry of Health to adequately respond to the  COVID-19 pandemic, and recover forward from the emergency better and greener by focusing on crisis coordination and management, supply of personal protection equipment to frontline medical workers, and identification of needs and priorities for emergency interventions. UNDP brings its extensive expertise in establishing the procurement system that corresponds to the highest standards of transparency, accountability, anti-corruption, cost-efficiency, equity and sustainability, including the application of UNDP’s Quality Assurance (QA) Policy (2018) for all health products supplied by UNDP, which is in line with international best practice.

UNDP together with other UN Agencies (UNICEF and WHO) developed a Project aimed at strengthening the national health care procurement system and thereby improving the effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment of the patients of Ukraine. Specifically, in the framework of the project, UNDP (i) procures medicines and medical products for the National Public Health Programmes for 2019 and ongoing years as needed, (ii) strengthens the capacity of the Ministry of Health to ensure transparency, accountability and effectiveness of the public procurement of medicines and other medical products.

Besides the procurement services to the Ministry of Health, the Health and Transparency Programme consists of three major components directly linked to providing procurement services to the Ministry of Health. These are: 1) establishing a transparent, efficient, sustainable and accountable public procurement system in the healthcare sector; 2) strengthening the capacity of the national Coordination Council on HIV/TB and 3) ensuring protection of human rights of key populations affected by HIV and TB.

Under the supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative and in close collaboration and daily management and interaction with the DG portfolio manager, the Programme Specialist (Health) manages the Health and Transparency Programme with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine (MOH) and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex issues related to health product procurement activities. The Programme Specialist (Health) promotes a collaborative, client-focused, quality and results-oriented approach in the Programme Implementation Unit (PIU). S/he supervises and leads a team, working in close collaboration with the Country Office Units, including, Operations Unit, Business Development and Innovation unit, programme portfolios, UNDP Regional and HQs units  (e.g., Global Procurement Unit, Quality Assurance Team), Government officials, national stakeholders and technical partners (e.g., WHO). This will be done in accordance with UNDP rules, policies and procedures, and the Financing Agreements.

The key results have an impact on the overall health and transparency, technical assistance to national counterparts and success in establishment and implementation of national procurement reform agenda. Strategic approach to procurement of health products, quality assurance, establishment and implementation of the contract monitoring, control system, timely and appropriate delivery of project required services, introduction of e-procurement ensuring client satisfaction and overall timely delivery of the whole Health and Transparency Programme.

The incumbent will promote UNDP’s mandate as a gender-responsive organization with zero tolerance to any kind of discriminatory and abusive behaviour, including sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensures the strategic leadership, programme planning and effective management 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, including the Quality Assurance Policy, the financing agreement ensuring integration of the functional areas, policy integration and capacity development;
• Leads on the coordination, management, supervision and oversight of the programme unit across all functional areas to achieve programme goals, provide quality services and ensure programme delivery with full utilization of the allocation and strong achievement of programme targets;
• Leads on assessing the programmatic impact and substantive monitoring of programme delivery and evaluation of the programmes’ performance and proactively leads on reviews with national and implementing partners and ensures the accountability for the timely implementation of corrective action(s), including readjustment of the operations; 
• Ensures the implementation of regional UBRAF envelope related to HIV and TB interventions; 
• Develops and maintains an organizational structure to ensure UNDP is resourced to deliver its commitments, and leads on the recruitment of staff, contractors, service providers, fostering diversity, equity and inclusion and builds the technical, management and leadership capacity of staff for promotion of organizational excellence;
• Ensure inclusion of gender-specific activities and mainstreaming of gender equality and women’s empowerment considerations in the project work, promote a safe and enabling environment free of any kind of discrimination and abusive behaviour, and use gender-responsive communications principles in line with the UNDP corporate standards; and
• Ensures strong collaboration with Country Office units, UNDP Regional and Headquarter units, on all areas of strategic planning, programme management, and oversight. 

Ensures effective oversight and proactively performs risk assessments focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Leads on preparation of programme documents required by the donor, including work plans, budgets, monitoring and evaluation plans, and procurement and supply management plans and leads the negotiation of corporate agreements, timely reprogramming requests and identification of cost savings;
• Initiation of the programme, presentation, entering project into Atlas, finalization of financing agreements,  determination of required revisions; coordination of the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises, closure of projects through review;
• Ensures UNDP’s financial, asset and health product (including quality control, insurance) management policies, procedures, are developed and validated by internal reviews;
• Leads on timely preparation and quality submissions of financial and programmatic donor reports, compliance with financing agreements and necessary revisions;
• Leads on performing risk assessments, develops and implements risk management matrix/plan with the unit  and ensures adequate oversight and support is provided, with timely incident reporting; and
• Leads on programme audits and investigations under the guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative and in coordination with the Regional Bureau, Office of Audit and Investigations, and ensures timely follow up on management actions and recovery actions.

Ensures elaboration and implementation of procurement and programme strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Full compliance of all procurement and programme activities in line with UNDP rules, policies and procedures, including UNDP’s QA Policy with the elaboration of the effective internal controls, proper design and functioning of a client-oriented procurement management systems;
• Procurement and programme business processes mapping and elaboration/establishment of internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in procurement, programming, harmonization of the workflows in the unit;
• Leads the development and/or review of tools, processes and systems for the planning, management and monitoring of procurement activities in order to meet UNDP’s deliverables pursuant to the Financing Agreement;  
• Conceptualization, elaboration and implementation of procurement strategy including tendering processes and evaluation, contractor appraisal, evaluation and negotiation of offers, management of the contract and contractor, legal considerations and payment conditions, risk assessment and performance management;
• Conceptualization, elaboration and implementation of sustainable procurement in the procurement support services to MOH project and other projects, including sourcing strategy, supplier selection and evaluation, quality management, customer relationship management, e-procurement introduction and promotion, performance measurement

Ensures efficient management of procurement processes and capacity development for transparency and health programme focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Development and management of the rosters of suppliers, elaboration of supplier selection and evaluation, quality and performance measurement mechanisms;
• Works closely with the team to conduct cost analysis, market research and effective ways to deliver health products in the most transparent and efficient ways;
• Provides inputs and ideas to Innovative Lab on new opportunities, demands and/or e-technologies needed for the healthcare sector, ensures promotion and implementation of sustainable health criteria in public procurement;
• Timely and proper preparation and implementation of procurement strategy in coordination with Regional Bureau, UNDP PSO and BPPS (Global Fund Team);
• Aggregates and prepares regular reports on performances, risks or bottlenecks, and update the country office and management team about main achievements, challenges and\or opportunities; 
• Promotes the capacity building and international expertise for national counterparts;
• Conducts regular assessment of the programme needs, including by engaging experts, and depending on the demand arranges the necessary trainings (e.g. quality assurance, PSM, medical products specifications development and procurement specificities trainings);
• Provides substantive guidance and leadership on the health reform agenda and overall efforts to promote health, transparency and sustainable procurement, including follow up to various research and reports provided by other UNDP programs, UN agencies and relevant stakeholders;
• Provides substantive advice with regard to new financing agreement with the Ministry of Health and other donors and partners;
• Creation and coordination of partnerships with the UN Agencies, government institutions, etc;  
• Establishment and implementation of proper monitoring system and control of health procurement processes including oversight on organization of RFQ, ITB or RFP, receipt and evaluation of quotations, bids or proposals, negotiation of certain conditions of contracts in full compliance with UNDP rules and regulations;
• Certification of submissions to the Contract, Asset and Procurement Committee (CAP) and Advisory Committee on Procurement (ACP);
• Elaboration and implementation of the internal control system which ensures that Purchase Orders (PO) are duly prepared and dispatched. Timely corrective actions on POs with budget check errors and other problems;
• Leads on the engagement with the MOH, national partners and oversees the development of capacity development strategies to support national entities, ensuring access to appropriate tools and resources; and
• Organization of trainings for Government staff on efficiency of health procurement and best international practices and models in the healthcare spheres as required.

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

• Leads on the coordination, building strategic partnerships and maintains strong working relationships with the MOH, national stakeholders, technical partners, donors and UN entities, to ensure transparent and effective management and oversight of the programme;
• Supports the national strategic procurement planning processes based on evidence gained during implementation of the programmes;
• Leads on advising the Deputy Resident Representative on the range of value-added services that UNDP can provide to MOH in the implementation of programme and cost-recovery mechanisms; 
• Maintains close co-ordination between the programme and other health and development initiatives in the country, to promote partnership building and to exchange critical and technical information and resolve implementation issues;
• Leads on the engagement with the MOH and develops a strong professional relationship based upon mutual trust and respect; and
• Leads on developing funding requests to complement the programme with other procurement activities and the development of project documents, initiation, and implementation of programmes

Leads implementation of the programme communications strategy and knowledge building and knowledge sharing focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Develops and implements a communications strategy based on the country office corporate communications goals and priorities;
• Monitors and measures the impact of the communication strategy and makes adjustments accordingly;
• Designs and implements effective national external communications strategies aligned to corporate goals and priorities;
• Coordinates communication regarding the programme performance, planning and lessons learned with the key counterparts (including the Ministry, donors, patients’ associations, pharmaceutical companies, etc.);
• Integrates issue-based advocacy into the communications strategy around key priority areas relevant to the country;
• Provides expertise and solid inputs to analysis, presentations, policy papers, issues related to registration of medicines, quality assurance of the medicines procurement etc;
• Identifies and supports development of communications (print, video) highlighting key programme achievements, best practices, and lessons learnt and contributes to information sharing with the MOH, national stakeholders, technical partners, donors and UN entities, Regional Bureau, BMS and BPPS (Global Fund Team);  and
• Actively participates in UNDP and other relevant external networks to promote the programmes and UNDP’s health and development work (e.g., conferences, community of practice, Yammer) and represents UNDP in relevant technical meetings, working groups at country, regional and global level and gathers lessons learnt to apply to the programme

Any other duty assigned by the Deputy Resident Representative

Competencies

UN CORE VALUES AND COMPETENCIES

Professionalism: Shows pride in work and achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients " and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Required Skills and Experience