Background
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UNโs 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 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 UNDPโs 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 of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund, GF), UNDPโs value proposition lies in providing an integrated package of development solutions to strengthen institutions to deliver health services. Through its contributions as interim Principal Recipient (PR) and provider of technical assistance in over 53 countries since 2003, UNDPโs provision of integrated policy, implementation and capacity development support to countries has yielded significant health and development results in challenging operating environments. Proactive risk management and investing in sustainability are the cornerstones of UNDPโs portfolio management approach and providing technical assistance to national counterparts during all phases of implementation, strengthening legislation, policies and regulatory frameworks, and building capacities across key functional areas, including financial management, health information systems, procurement and supply chain management. The Global Fund โ Health Implementation Support Team, HIV, Health and Development Group, Bureau of Programme and Policy Support, Global Policy Network (GF/HIST) is a dedicated team providing support to UNDP Country Offices implementing health and development programmes.
UNDP has been identified by the GF as the interim PR for the Pakistan HIV grant for the implementation period 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2026. For effective implementation of the Global Fund resources, UNDP Pakistan has established a Program Management Unit (PMU), which is responsible for the day-to-day overall programme management, risk management, policy guidance, financial accountability, procurement of goods, including health products and services, strengthening of the national systems. The GF resources are implemented in accordance with UNDP rules, policies and procedures, the grant confirmation, corporate agreements with the GF and in close coordination with the national and provincial stakeholders, Common Management Unit, Sub-recipients (SRs) and Sub-sub-Recipients (SSRs), NGOs, CSOs, communities, technical partners, UN entities and the Global Fund (Local Fund Agent) and Country Coordinating Mechanism.
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Duties and Responsibilities
Under direct supervision of the Project Manager, the National Programme Specialist will provide technical, advisory and strategic support to achieve successful implementation of the HIV grant in Pakistan as well as any other health-related programs which may be implemented by UNDP in the future. This will be done in accordance with UNDP rules, policies and procedures, the grant agreement, and corporate agreements with the GF, and working in partnership with national and provincial stakeholders, Sub-recipients (SRs) and Sub-sub-Recipients (SSRs) and close coordination with the GF (including Local Fund Agent), CCM, technical partners and UN entities, and the GF/HIST. The National Programme Coordinator Programme Specialist will promote a collaborative, client-oriented approach, ensuring integration across functional areas within the PMU and support to the integration of capacity building and health system strengthening activities.
Ensures and advises on effective programmatic management for the achievement of the following results:
Supports on assessing the programmatic impact and substantive monitoring of programme delivery and evaluation of the programmesโ performance and proactively leads on reviews with national and implementing partners, SRs for underperformance, bottlenecks and ensures the accountability for the timely implementation of corrective action(s); In coordination with the Project Manager and other PMU unit colleagues, contributes to performing risk assessments, develops and implements risk management matrix/plan in the areas of programme, and ensures adequate oversight and support is provided, with timely incident reporting; Develop and submit work plans and budgets, and coordinate with M&E and PSM teams to ensure that the performance frameworks and PSM plans for HIV grant are realistic and achievable and that they are in tandem with national HIV strategic plan; Establish agreements, oversee and monitor implementation of work plans by Sub-Recipients and national programmes, and ensure effective coordination amongst them, including conducting monthly meeting with respective Sub-recipients (SRs) and national and provincial programmes to follow up on programme implementation; Liaise with all functional units of the PMU โ PSM, Programme, Finance, etc. โ to ensure effective coordination towards timely delivery of agreed activities in line with the grant agreement, UNDP rules, policies and procedures and corporate agreements with the Global Fund and leads the preparation of GF programmatic reports; Supports the establishment of a framework and agreed procedures with the SRs for regular, quality reporting to UNDP on programmatic progress (e.g., implementation of activities, and reporting of indicators in accordance with the grant M&E frameworks); Supports on the programmatic activities for UNDP and SRs to define project proposals, reprogramming requests, annual and quarterly workplans and budgets to ensure timely achievement of agreed results, budget compliance in accordance with UNDP rules, policies and procedures and Grant Agreement with the Fund; Ensures that the project management module in ATLAS is updated on a quarterly basis; Monitors closely the budget, in liaison with the Finance Specialist conduct quality analysis of the performance of the budget by cost inputs and partner; the analysis to be shared and discussed at PMU Senior Management meetings; and In coordination with Project Manager in the areas of programme, SR management supports programme audits (including SRs) and investigations and in coordination with the Regional Bureau, Office of Audit and Investigations, GF/HIST, ensures timely follow up on management actions and recovery actions.Provides capacity building in grant management for the achievement of the following results:
Supports the Project Manager to coordinate with other UN agencies, government agencies, NGOs, CSOs and other organizations on programmatic interventions to strengthen policies and procedures and health systems; In coordination with the Project Manager and other PMU units proactively anticipates implementation bottlenecks and identifies innovative ways to resolve the same to strengthen programme implementation and oversight in order to support the transition of the PR role from UNDP; Supports development and implementation of capacity development and transition plans and mechanisms; Ensure links between the UNDP Global Fund grant management work and the policy advisory role of UNDP; In coordination with the Programme Specialist maintains close coordination between the programmes and HIV initiatives in the country, to promote partnership building and avoid duplication of programmatic activities and to exchange critical and technical information and resolve implementation issues; Engages in the national strategic planning processes for the programmes based on evidence gained during implementation of the programmes; Ensure a collaborative coordination between the different grant sections as well as M&E, including implementing harmonized approaches with respect to the financial tracking of grants and annual financial reporting, and any other cross-cutting issues; and Leads the design and delivery of programmatic training and/or capacity building to national partners, together with implementing partners involved in the implementation of the grants.Ensures creation of strategic partnerships with key national actors and supports resource mobilization efforts focusing on achievement of the following results:
In coordination with the Project Manager, builds strategic partnerships and maintains strong working relationships with the national and provincial partners, NGOS, CSOs, communities, donors, technical partners, and UN entities to ensure transparent and effective management, quality services and oversight of the programmes; Serve is an alternative to the Project Manager as the PMU and UNDP representative at the UN Joint Team on AIDS meetings and CCM; In coordination between the programmes and other health and development initiatives in the country, to promote partnership building and avoid duplication of programmatic activities and to exchange critical and technical information and resolve implementation issues; and Supports the Project Manager to develop funding requests to the GF and that also complement UNDPโs PR role with other health and development activities and the development of project documents and initiation of the programmes.Facilitation of knowledge building and sharing for the interim PR role focusing on achievement of the following results:
Participate and promote the organization of events, forums etc. in order fortify the different provincial and national structures; Provide support to the Project Manager to provide high quality programme briefs, write ups and inputs to UNDP reports including, ROAR, Annual Reports, Briefing Notes and any other request for information and represents UNDP at the UN Joint Theme on HIV/AIDS and CCM, at the request of the Project Manager; Monitor closely the budget, in liaison with the Finance Specialist conduct quality analysis of the performance of the budget by cost inputs and partner; the analysis to be shared and discussed at PMU Senior Management meetings; Work closely with M&E section towards effective monitoring, timely reporting and analysis of results of projects to incorporate lessons learnt into recommendations for improvement to be implemented by partners; Liaise with procurement and legal sections to prepare and follow up contracts of SRs; Provide substantive inputs and lead the SR contract management; Identifies and supports development of communications (print, video) highlighting key programme achievements, best practices, and lessons learnt and contributes to information sharing with the mplementing partners, NGOs, CSOs, communities, donors and technical partners, the GF, CCM, Regional Bureau and GF/HIST; and Actively participates in UNDP and other relevant external networks to promote the programmes and UNDPโs 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 programmes.The incumbent of the position will uphold the non-discriminatory behavior and ensure that:
Human rights and gender equality is prioritized as an ethical principle within all actions; Activities are designed and implemented in accordance with โSocial and Environmental Standards of UNDPโ. Any kind of diversities based on ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, class, gender are respected within all implementations including data production; Differentiated needs of women and men are considered; Inclusive approach is reflected within all actions and implementations, in that sense an enabling and accessible setup in various senses such as disability gender language barrier is created; Necessary arrangements to provide gender parity within all committees, meetings, trainings, etcย
Competencies
Core Competencies:ย
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impactย Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problemsย Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demandsย Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivityCross-functional & Technical competencies:ย
Business Direction & Strategy
Strategic Thinking: Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDPโs mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight. System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact other parts of the systemBusiness Development
Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.Business Management
Partnership management
Relationship Management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding2030 Agenda: People
Health: Inclusion and rights of Key Populations at risk of HIV and other excluded groupsRequired Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Public Health or relevant related field is required, orย A first-level university degree (bachelorโs degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.Experience:
Minimum 7 years (with masterโs degree) or 9 years (with bachelorโs degree) of progressively responsible relevant experience at the national or international level in working in the implementation of HIV programming and developing or implementing capacity and strengthening systems for health is required. Experience working with a public health institution in the area of HIV. Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages. Knowledge and experience working in the UN or UNDP rules, regulations, policies and procedures is an asset. Demonstrated experience in developing and managing effective partnerships with government and civil society organizations.Required Languages:ย
Fluency in English and Urdu is required. Knowledge of other local languages is an asset.ย
Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.ย
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.ย
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย 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.
Scam alert
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
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