Background

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the DRR (P/O), the Programme Specialist is responsible for management of UNDP programme within the Governance thematic areas. The Programme Specialist analyzes political, social and economic trends and leads formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio and provides policy advisory services.

The Programme Specialist leads the formulation of strategies and briefing notes on HIV and AIDS to the CO management.  The Programme Specialist will advise UNDP Management on improving national capacity to coordinate, manage and monitor HIV and AIDS responses, strengthening of public and private institutions including Civil Society Organizations that are mainstreaming HIV and AIDS interventions into their core policies, strategies and programmes.

Based on the premise that UNDP is viewed as being appropriately positioned to address poverty reduction, good governance and HIV/AIDS management, The Programme Specialist is expected to facilitate the building and strengthening Governments capacity in strategic planning, coordination, leadership and ownership of the development agenda. Furthermore, the Programme Specialist will be focused on up-stream support to ensure strategic policy impact. S/he works in close collaboration with the UNDP programme and operations teams, programme staff in other UN agencies, UNDP HQ staff and Government officials, technical advisers and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society organizations ensuring successful UNDP HIV/AIDS, Health and Human Rights programme formulation, implementation and delivery of transformational development results. S/he will be responsible for resource mobilization and leads the programme strategic thinking and visioning exercise in a bid to make UNDP the development partner of choice for the government, bi-lateral and multi-lateral partners.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensure Implementation of programme strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Conducting socioeconomic and policy analysis using high medium and low HIV and AIDS scenarios;
  • Facilitating macro-economic and demographic HIV and AIDS modeling for long term sustainable development planning;
  • Preparing policy briefs for integration of HIV and AIDS in development policy and budgetary frameworks;
  • Thorough analysis and research of the governance, social and economic situation in the   country and preparation of  substantive inputs to  CCA, UNDAF, CPD, CPAP and other documents;
  • Facilitating continuous institutional capacity assessment for HIV and AIDS based development policy planning and  implementation;
  • Identification of areas for support and interventions within the Governance thematic area;
  • Support implementation of corporate strategic initiatives such as HACT and other reporting obligations.

Ensures effective management of the CO programme within the Governance thematic area focusing on quality control from  formulation to implementation of the country programme achieving the following results:

  • Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets (BSC) and monitoring achievements of results;
  • Design and formulation of CO programme within the Governance area, 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;
  • Initiation of projects, presentation of the projects to LPAC, entering projects into Atlas, finalization of  contribution agreements; determination of required revisions, coordination of the mandatory and budgetary re-phasing  exercises, closure of projects through reviews. Participates in recruitment and procurement processes for projects;
  • Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of projects, identification of operational and financial problems,  development of solutions. Participation in audit of NIM projects;
  • Follow up on audit recommendations. All exceptions are timely reported;
  • Aggregate reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes. Preparation of donor reports.

Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy in cooperation   with the Resource Mobilization Committee/staff member of the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Development of partnerships with UN agencies, IFIs, Government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors,   private sector, civil society organisations based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donor priorities;
  • Facilitate the development and implementation of resource mobilization strategy for the HIV and AIDS programme;
  • 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 efforts in   resource mobilization.

Provision of top quality policy advisory services to the Government and, facilitation of knowledge building and   management on achievement of the following results:

  • Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best   practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals;
  • Coordination of development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in   collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners;
  • Establishment of advocacy networks at national level and linked to international networks. Relevant, high-impact   advocacy campaigns are implemented with key partners;
  • Compiling and presenting advocacy papers to UNDP and Government planning and review forums;
  • Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
  • Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme.

Effective contribution to the Delivering as One initiative and provision of substantive inputs to the UN Governance and  Human Rights Component Coordinating Group:

  • Effective participation in the UN Governance and Human Rights Component Coordinating Group and provision of substantive  inputs to the Theme Group's work;
  • Identification of joint interventions programming in the poverty areas;
  • Support to ongoing M&E processes within the framework of DaO;
  • Collaborative preparation and/or revision of CCA, UNDAF, CPD and other documents.;
  • Contribute in the working sessions of the UN Thematic Groups (TG) and serves as the secretariat of the TG as necessary;
  • Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices from programmes.

Competencies

   Functional Competencies:  

  • Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda;
  • Results-Based Programme Development and Management;
  • Building Strategic Partnerships;
  • Innovation and Marketing New Approaches;
  • Resource Mobilization;
  • Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing;
  • Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise;
  • Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals;
  • Client Orientation;
  • Demonstrate good communication and interpersonal skills; and
  • Should also be culturally and politically sensitive in the work with counterparts; and
  • Be able to work at all levels;
  • Research, analytical and negotiation skills are required.

Core Competencies:

  • Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;
  • Building support and political acumen;
  • Building staff competence,  creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
  • Building and promoting effective teams;
  • Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
  • Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
  • Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards;
  • Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
  • Fair and transparent  decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master’s Degree or equivalent in Public Health, HIV and AIDS Management or related field.

Experience:

  • 5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services in the HIV and AIDS or public health programme management Hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.
  • Experience in the field of multi-sectoral responses to HIV/AIDS;
  • Experience in designing, monitoring and evaluation of projects;
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages such as (MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and web based management systems is essential.

Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in English; and
  • National language of the duty station.