Background

Please read carefully the below information. Before you apply on-line, please download and fill in the P11 form (UNDP personal history form), that should be attached to your on-line application.

UNDP will use a transparent and competitive screening process, though will only contact those applicants in whom there is further interest. No telephone inquires will be entertained. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Only the UNDP PERSONAL HISTORY FORM (P11) will be considered for screening of applications!  It can be downloaded at the following link:UNDP Personal History Form

Since December 2004 UNDP in Belarus has been implementing grants of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. Within Round 8 of proposals, the Global Fund approved another grant for Belarus on HIV for the period of 2010-2014.The Country Coordinating Mechanism selected UNDP as Principal Recipient for Phase 1 of the grant for 2010-2011.The total funding allocated for Phase 1 is € 9,557,068. Another grant which was approved for Belarus within Rolling Continuation Channel for HIV amounts to $ 7,5 mln for three years. UNDP in Belarus is also Principal Recipient for Rounds 6 and 9 grants to fight tuberculosis which will continue its implementation in 2011-2013.

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.
The overall goal of the TB grants is to reduce the burden of tuberculosis in Belarus with specific focus on improvement of TB case detection rate, providing treatment with first and second line drugs, improvement of TB diagnostic and recording systems with specific targeting of multi-drugs resistant tuberculosis. All activities are targeting civilian and prison population.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the UNDP Programme Officer, the Grants Manager participates in the formulation, management and evaluation of the Global Fund grant activities in Belarus.
The Grant Manager works in close collaboration with the National Programme Coordinator, national partners, and UNDP Country Office Programme and Operations teams.

The Grants Manager supervises and leads the grant implementation unit composed of 25 or more national staff.

The initial assignment is for 12 months subject to further extension based on annual performance evaluation. At its discretion, UNDP may sign a contract for a 6-month period subject to further extension.

Description of Responsibilities :

• Ensures implementation of programme objectives focusing on achievement of the following results and objectives:
• Management of the grants implementation unit on a daily basis to achieve the performance indicators agreed with the donor in line with set timelines  within the scope of approved Budgets and Work Plans;
• Planning activities, organizing meetings with staff, following-up on critical issues, prioritizing on strategic issues and working towards progress on institutionalization of activities;
• Works in close cooperation with Head of Business Unit and senior advisors on HIV and tuberculosis on the issues of planning, linking programmatic and operational processes and ensuring reaching of planned deliverables;
• Preparation and submission to Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) of necessary changes and amendments, which appear in the course of grants implementation in order to achieve grants results in accordance with the Project Documents and Annual Work Plans;
• Participation in recruitment processes of grant personnel and consultants (development of Terms of Reference, participation in short listing of candidates/desk review, acting as a member of the Interview Panel when appointed), providing regular guidance and advice to the grant staff, assessment and evaluation of their performance, provision of on-going feedback to personnel;
• Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the grants, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions;
• Timely preparation and submission of progress reports and financial reports to the UNDP management, CCM and GFATM;
• Liaising with relevant national and international stakeholders;
• Support of the national strategic planning processes for HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis based on evidence gained during implementation;
• Support of the National Monitoring and Evaluation Systems;
• Take leadership in policy formulation for substantive engagement of civil society in the national HIV/AIDS response based on experiences and lessons learnt during project implementation;
• Liaise with partners on grants implementation, reporting, information sharing and further work planning;
• Identify and share best practices in implementation and management of the HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis grants at the local and international levels.
• Development and building-up of strategic partnership and maintenance of good relations with government counterparts and key stakeholders;
• Development of the capacity of the key national authorities.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies

• Demonstrated experience in programme management, and demonstrated capacity in leading the effective implementation of complex projects, including the management of data and reporting;
• Possesses strong people management skills, ability to work under deadlines and under stress, goal-oriented and solution-seeking mindset;
• Builds strong relationships with implementing partners, focuses on impact and result of the projects and responds positively to feedback;  
• Has excellent negotiation analytical  strategic and planning skills;  
• Demonstrates resourcefulness, initiative and ability to meet tight deadlines;  
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;  
• Demonstrates resourcefulness, initiative and mature judgment;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development;  
• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office through leadership and personal.

Required Skills and Experience

• University Degree in medicine, management or social sciences;
• Advanced university degree and/or additional trainings and courses received in management would be an asset;
• At least 5 years of managerial experience, including experience of managing teams of people;
• Experience of working in international projects is an asset;
• Experience of working with HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis or other infectious diseases is  an asset;
• Experience of working with various stakeholders including non-governmental organizations is an asset;
• Excellent computer skills;
• Strong communication and writing skills in Russian;
• Language requirements: Fluency in Russian, working knowledge of English.