UNDP Jobs - 53082- Programme Manager- Gender and HIV

Programme Manager- Gender and HIV - (Open to South African Nationals Only)

Location :

Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

04-Mar-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

NO-C

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Initial 12 months

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The UN System in South Africa is committed to supporting the country in meeting its development objectives in alignment with the national development priorities and within the context of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In response to this UNDP South Africa will focus its partnership with the Government on achieving demonstrable and sustainable development results in the pursuit of its development goals and in delivery of and access to quality services particularly for marginalized and vulnerable groups. In this way UNDP SA will contribute to strengthening institutions and processes of democratic governance in South Africa.

UNDP’s mandate on democratic governance focuses on fostering inclusive participation, strengthening responsive governing institutions, and promoting democratic principles. Inclusive participation expands equal opportunities for engagement by the poor, women, youth, indigenous people, and other marginalized groups who are excluded from power. Promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment, human rights based approaches and support to the National response to the HIV epidemic in South Africa form part of the corporate mandate for UNDP which the CO intends to give maximum attention.

In addition, the need to promote strong partnerships among development stakeholders has underscored the imperative of including the civil organizations and other stakeholders in development management at the various levels of government. Based on this realization, the CO intends to strengthen its capacities to respond to the many challenges around Gender Equality Women’s empowerment, and HIV.

Under the direct supervision of the Team Leader of Development Solutions Team (DST), and the overall guidance of the Country Director, the Programme Manager will be responsible for programme development and implementation, management, capacity development, advocacy and dialogue on issues of Gender and HIV. He/she is expected to provide policy and technical advisory services to the Government, United Nations Country Team (UNCT), relevant development partners, civil society organisations and other national actors.

The Programme Manager is also expected to provide advice to the Senior Management of the Country Office on Gender and HIV issues, and work in close collaboration with UNDP Headquarters and UNDP Regional Service Centre staff to ensure successful programme management of the governance programme of the Country Office. The Programme Manager will work in close collaboration with the CO Gender Focal Team, to ensure that gender and HIV are mainstreamed in the CO programmes and operations.

The Programme Manager will also work in close collaboration with the Programme Support Team (PST) and the Operations Team to ensure that programmatic tasks and activities are aligned with the UNDP's vision and goals in South Africa.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensuring the implementation of UNDP corporate and UNDP South Africa strategies on Gender and HIV in South Africa, by focusing on achievement of the following results:

Thorough analysis and research of the political, social, and economic situations in the country with a particular focus on areas that have impacts on Gender Equality, Women’s Empowerment, HIV, and human rights;
Identification of areas for support and interventions within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned based on the above analysis as well as UNDP’s corporate priorities and comparative advantage;
Identification of sources of information related to good practices on Gender and HIV.

Ensuring effective management of the Gender and HIV programme areas of UNDP South Africa Country Office within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned focusing on quality control from formulation to implementation achieving the following results:

Design and formulation of Country Office programme within the areas of responsibility, translating UNDP’s priorities into local interventions. Coordination of programme implementation with the executing agencies. Introduction of performance indicators/ success criteria, cost recovery, targets and milestones;
Facilitate gender equality, women’s empowerment and HIV capacity development programmes/projects, review and adjust project documents according to agreed-upon governmental priorities and available resources;
Initiation of projects, preparation and finalization of contribution agreement; determination of required revisions; coordination of the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises, closure of projects through review;
Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of gender and HIV projects, identification of operational and financial problems, and development of solutions in close coordination with the PST;
Act as a focal point for periodic programme/projects’ reviews including but not limited to Integrated Workplan Monitoring (IWP), mid-term and annual review and result-oriented annual review (ROAR) in close coordination with the PST;
Evaluation of the programme impact. Monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, timely readjustments in portfolio in close coordination with the PST;
Regular field monitoring visits, reporting back on findings and recommendations, follow-up to ensure timely implementation of the recommendations to build the capacity of the implementing partners.

Developing strategic partnerships for the Gender and HIV programme areas of UNDP South Africa Country Office focusing on achievement of the following results:

Development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral development partners, private sector, and civil society organisations in the specific thematic areas 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 initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization;
Preparation of briefing notes, statements and speeches for Senior Management related to programmes under portfolio;
Maintenance of project briefs and activity information for bilateral donors, academia, private sector and other UNDP field offices to support UNDP’s public awareness activities.

Providing top quality policy/technical advisory services internally and externally to Governmental and non-governmental partners, including development partners and civil society groups, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Provide authoritative advice and technical guidance on the direction and strategies of programming from planning to delivery of results;
Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to programme policy goals;
Represent UNDP at various technical fora related to gender and HIV, such as UNCT Inter-agency technical working groups, and donor technical working groups;
Initiate and contribute to strategic discussions on gender, women’s empowerment and HIV issues with stakeholders including UN colleagues and partners;
Prepare policy proposals, position papers and/or documents on HIV/AIDS, gender and human rights issues;
Contribute to the preparation and finalization of UNDP’s annual reports on gender and HIV.

Facilitating knowledge building and exchange focusing on achievement of the following results:

Develop knowledge products to strengthen organizational capacity to provide technical backstopping on HIV/AIDS, gender issues and human rights based approaches;
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice in the areas of service delivery and democratic governance;
Systematic recording of best practices and lessons learnt in the areas assigned;
Coordination of internal and external reviews and evaluations;
Organization and facilitation of training for other staff in the areas of service delivery and democratic governance;
Contribute to strategic plan for learning and development and contribute to the implementation of training activities;
Initiate and lead UNCT interagency working group on gender and HIV to ensure effective implementation of the gender and HIV components of the UN-Government of South Africa Strategic Cooperation Framework (SCF).

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
In-depth knowledge of development issues;
Ability to advocate and provide policy advice;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources;
Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change.

Management and Leadership

Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Sound analytical and conceptualization skills;
Ability to work as team member in a multicultural environment;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Initiative and sound judgment, demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with persons of different nationalities and cultural background;
Ability to work under conditions of extreme pressure and difficult living conditions;.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in Gender and Development, Public Health, Social Sciences or related field.

Experience:

A minimum of 5 years of professional work experience in planning, designing, organizing and implementing Gender and HIV and development projects, preferably at national level and in international cooperation;
Experience that cuts across health, gender and human rights work;
Experience on programme coordination;
Familiarity with international best practices, national policies, and legal and institutional frameworks in relation to the management of gender and HIV programmes in South Africa;
Excellent computer skills, knowledge of internet communications and command of MS Office applications;
Experience in handling web based management systems.

Language:

Fluency in English;
Knowledge of at least one South African local language is desirable.