UNDP Jobs - 13035- Senior Adviser on HIV/AIDS

Senior Adviser on HIV/AIDS

Location :

Minsk, BELARUS

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

01-Dec-2009

Application Deadline :

01-Nov-09 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 months with a possibility of extension

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

Since December 2004 UNDP in Belarus has been implementing Round 3 HIV grant of the Global Fund. The Round 3 grant ends in December 2009. Within Round 8 of proposals, the Global Fund approved another grant for Belarus on HIV for the period of 2010-2014. The CCM selected UNDP as Principal Recipient for Phase 1 of the grant for 2010-2011. The new grant implementation will start in January 2010. The total funding allocated for Phase 1 is € 9,557,068. Within Rolling Continuation Channel another grant was approved for Belarus for HIV amounting to $ 7,5 mln for three years. UNDP in Belarus is also Principal Recipient for Round 6 grant to fight tuberculosis which will continue its implementation in 2010-2012.

The new Round 8 and RCC grants will build on activities initiated and results achieved under the Global Fund Round 3 HIV/AIDS grant in Belarus and will further develop and strengthen the national response to the HIV epidemic. The grants are set to align with the last year of the State HIV Prevention Program 2006-2010 and to underpin the next State HIV Prevention Program 2011 – 2014.

The overall goal of the HIV grants is to maintain the concentrated phase of the epidemic in Belarus and to reduce the AIDS mortality. The grants envisage to expand the coverage of the main vulnerable groups (IDUs, FSWs, MSM, prisoners, women and youth) and to improve the quality of services through capacity building of the non-government organizations (NGOs) servicing the beneficiaries. Prevention work among young people will be extended through schools. Further, the grants aim to expand the coverage of people with anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment, to improve laboratory diagnosis and training of healthcare staff, to enhance the quality of care and support, and to provide TB prophylaxis and treatment to HIV patients.

As a member of Grants Implementation Unit (GIU), Senior Adviser on HIV/AIDS works under the direct supervision of the Grants Manager and will serve as a senior technical resource on HIV issues such as access to treatment, support and care of people living with HIV. In coordination with relevant departments of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of the Interior he/she is responsible for implementation of public health related interventions within Round 8 and Rolling Continuation Channel HIV grants of the Global Fund.

Senior Adviser on HIV/AIDS supervises staff of the Grants Implementation Unit working in the area of HIV prevention, treatment and care as per grants organigram.

The initial assignment is for 12 months subject to further extension based on annual performance evaluation.

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will be based in Minsk, Belarus. The Senior Adviser on HIV/AIDS will be responsible for the implementation of activities related to providing access to treatment, support and care of people living with HIV/AIDS within two grants of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and malaria.

Summary of Key Functions:

Within HIV grants of the Global Fund assists Belarus to implement comprehensive models of HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support for people living with HIV
Proposes innovations and changes relevant for the heath system of Belarus in line with international standards
Analyses current epidemic situation and ensures compliance of the grants outputs/outcomes with WHO and other international standards
Leads and manages HIV/AIDS component of two grants including overseeing the activities of components Coordinators for HIV/AIDS and related activities.

Specific Responsibilities:

The work of the Senior Adviser on HIV/AIDS includes:
Management of activities related to HIV treatment and care in public health sector and in prisons in coordination with relevant departments of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of the Interior and in line with the project document and approved work plans and budgets
Supervision of staff working on HIV prevention and treatment within the grant implementation unit.
Monitoring the number of patients in need of the ARV therapy and efficiency of treatment in compliance with the WHO protocols and relevant needs in the country
Updating of national protocols on AIDS treatment in line with WHO requirements
Organising trainings for Belarusian clinicians in HIV/AIDS care and treatment, counseling and support, and consistent use of standard operating procedures and routine monitoring.
Analysing needs for HIV diagnostics, jointly with the national experts drafting specifications for testing equipment, test systems and other health products
Analysing data on AIDS morbidity and mortality in the country
Drafting regular reports on progress within the HIV component
Publishing of relevant articles on the grants progress and presentation of grants results at public fora
Participation in the process of recruitment, selection, and training of the grant staff.

The Senior Adviser on HIV/AIDS will work in coordination with all relevant UNDP staff and services of the UNDP office if required.

Competencies

Knowledge and understanding of current tendencies and practices in HIV/AIDS treatment and care;
Experience in drafting scientific papers in the filed of HIV/AIDS will be an asset;
Experience of managing staff;
Proficiency in office software packages (MS Word, Excel).

Required Skills and Experience

University degree in medicine;
At least 5 years of experience in HIV/AIDS treatment and care;
Language requirements: Russian, knowledge of the English language will be an asset.

Application procedures:

Applicants are requested to apply on-line.

Information about the conditions of the service contract:

Applicants have to:

Complete the form stating their interest in and qualifications for the position (in English);
Upload completed Personal History Form (PHF) in the required resume field. The PHF form can be downloaded from: http://un.by/vacancy/undp/form/ ;

Deadline for submission of applications: 1 November 2009

Responsible applicants will be shortlisted, and at least three applicants will gain a personal or telephone hearing.

Women are encouraged to apply. UNDP is non-smoking work environment.