Background

The UNAIDS Country Office has overall responsibility for ensuring the functioning and accountability across all areas in the division of labour among the UNAIDS family of co-sponsors on the following matters: Leadership and Advocacy; Coordination, coherence and partnerships; and Mutual accountability.

Current UN operations in Somalia are carried out in three zones; Puntland, Somaliland and South Central. In that regard,
UNAIDS co-sponsors have office presence in each of the three zones. For UNAIDS to effectively execute its mandate of advocacy, coordination, strategic planning and M&E, it is necessary that it also establishes local presence in each of the three zones.
 
UNAIDS has signed an MoU with UNICEF (Global Fund PR) to support Global Fund supported M&E work in Somalia including the development of M & Framework and tools and technical support to its implementation at national and zonal levels.
 
From 2012 UNAIDS has strengthened its leadership and coordination roles through the revitalization of the Joint Team on AIDS (JUNTA) in Nairobi and established foundations for zonal level JUNTA coordination structures. In Puntland, the JUNTA has been chaired by UNAIDS with other agencies taking the lead in the three zones. The same arrangement needs to be replicated in Somali Central and Somaliland. Apart from the JUNTA meetings, there is need for continued participation and representation of UNAIDS in key forums and working groups at the zonal level and coordination of key activities in consultation with UCC. Other initiatives in need of zonal level inputs include the on-going efforts to ensure that the UN cares minimum standards are observed by all agencies at the zonal level and the new focus on integrating HIV in IASC cluster work with link to emergencies. The key implementation steps for the activities under each of the result areas are detailed in the county work plan.
 
For the technical needs of supporting the M&E work and coordination in the three zones UNAIDS is looking for National Professional Officers to support the UCO and ensure other activities within the UNAIDS mandate are implemented in three zones. UNAIDS requires frequent zonal level consultations, inputs and reviews in which operational, facilitation and coordination and consultations with the NACs and other stakeholders will be required.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:
  • Leadership and advocacy for effective action on the epidemic in the zone;
  • Strategic information required to guide the effort of partners in the zone;
  • Tracking, monitoring and evaluation of the epidemic and response within the zone;
  • Civil society engagement and partnership development.
Under the guidance and supervision of the UCC, the incumbent will be responsible for:
Leadership and advocacy for effective action on the epidemic in the zone:
  • Advocate for integration and mainstreaming of HIV;
  • Advocate for the affirmation of the national AIDS council of the zone;
  • Provide leadership and guidance on policy and strategy'
  • Advocate with all national and international partners for an expanded response to AIDS.

Strategic information required to guide the effort of partners in the zone:

  • Ensure collation, dissemination and use of strategic information;
  • Support the establishment and consolidation of information systems to track the national response.
Tracking, monitoring and evaluation of the epidemic and response within the zone
  • Promote the development and consolidation of M&E systems;
  • Encourage periodic monitoring and reporting of activities of cosponsors and other UN agencies;
  • Facilitate strategic management of the response, including government led participatory reviews;
  • Facilitate tracking of resources allocated to HIV-related activities and identification and monitoring of resource gaps.
Civil society engagement and partnership development:
  • Promote increased participation of all sectors, national and development partners in planning, implementation and evaluation of the AIDS response;
  • Mobilise support for civil society organizations and NGOs in particular those representing people living with HIV, to contribute to national policy and programme development;
  • Support zonal leadership for an expanded response, including civil society, people living with HIV and the private sector;
  • Broker strategic partnerships between national and international programme partners.
Impact of Results
 
The key results will have a direct impact on the overall effectiveness and success of National Strategic Plan development and operationalization and subsequently the contribution to the achievement of the Global Targets of the UN Political Declaration of HIV/AIDS.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:
  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
Functional Competencies:
 
Development and Operational Effectiveness
  • Extensive knowledge in one or more substantive areas around UNAIDS;
  • Commitment to the AIDS response;
  • Demonstrated ability in fostering collaborative relationships with co-sponsors, external institutions and across other units and departments at the management level;
  • Solid knowledge in financial resources and human resources management, contract, asset and procurement, information and communication technology, general administration.
Management and Leadership
  • Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
  • Leads teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
  • Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:          

  • Advanced university degree in development economics, social or physical science, public health, public administration, management or similar academic preparation with 2years experience;
  • First level university degree with 4 years relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
 Experience:
  • HIV & AIDS work experience;
  • Demonstrated effectiveness in a management role;
  • Strong IT skills. 
Language Requirements:            
  • Fluency in written and spoken Somali and English.  
  • Knowledge of Arabic is an asset.

Terms of Service

This is a non-staff contract under the service contract modality of hiring of the UNDP. Individuals engaged under a service contract in their individuals capacity and not as representative of a government institution, corporate body or other authority external to UNDP. The incumbent shall not be considered as staff of UNDP, the UN common system or the government and are therefore not entitled to any diplomatic privileges or any other special status or conditions.