Background ย Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:ย we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a โleave no one behindโ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
ย 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.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP's policy work carried out at HQ, Regional Hubs and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UNโs global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 170 countries and territories, working with Governments and people on their own solutions to global and national development challenges to help empower lives and build resilient nations.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the pledge to leave no one behind reflect the interconnectedness of health and sustainable development issues such as the widening economic and social inequalities, the climate crisis, rapid urbanization, the continuing burden of HIV and other infectious diseases (e.g., malaria, tuberculosis, COVID.19), the growing burden of non-communicable diseases and the emergence of health threats. The scope and scale of delivering health and well-being for all demands innovative partnerships and financing.
ย UNDPโs partnership with the Global Fund (GF), in line with, UNDPโs HIV, Health and Development Strategy 2022-2025: Connecting the Dots, makes a vital contribution to UNDPโs Strategic Plan 2022-2025, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the pledge to leave no one behind.ย ย When requested, UNDP acts as interim Principal Recipient (PR), working with national partners and the Global Fund to ensure management, implementation and oversight of GF grants, while simultaneously strengthening health institutions and systems for national entities to assume the PR role over time.ย
In Bissau, the Ministry of Health and UNDP have had a long-standing, strategic partnership for health service delivery through Global Fund grants. UNDP is the designated Principal Recipient for the Malaria Grant for the period 2024-2026, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and its national malaria programme, other Government and UN agencies, and in collaboration with bilateral donors and International Financing Institutions.ย
To help the UNDP Project Management Unit (PMU) deliver in a timely and quality-assured manner on the Grant Performance Framework targets, while complying with UNDP and Global Fund rules and regulations, UNDP Bissau is recruiting aย Community Health and Health System Strengthening Specialist.
Position PurposeUnder the overall supervision of theย Programme and Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, the Community Health and Health System Strengthening Specialistย will be responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the Community Health and HSS related interventions of the Global Fund malaria grant managed by UNDP. He/she will work closely with the Ministry of Health and other partners and also work closely with colleagues from procurement, supply chain and finance. Theย Community Health and Health System Strengthening Specialist will be responsible for the following tasks.
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
Duties and ResponsibilitiesProgram Development and Implementation:ย Work closely with relevant stakeholders, including government authorities, UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, and communities to ensure the successful execution of the activities defined in the grant proposals and budgets, including ensuring that the right mechanism are in place for the timely payment of community health workers incentives. Be a source of propositions for new partnerships and activities related to HSS and community health that would improve health outcomes in Guinea Bissau.ย Review proposals and budgets submitted to UNDP, provide technical guidance and follow-up with agreements and administrative requirements to start implementation.ย Monitoring and Evaluation: Monitor closely the implementation of the planned activities, through regular meetings, supervision, data analysis.ย Ensure that the data and information required to report on progress are collected on a timely manner and disseminated to the right audience to inform decisions and improvement. Contribute to the quarterly progress reports to donors and partners.ย Review protocols of national studies and coordinated external evaluations as needed.ย Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing: Together with partners, provide technical guidance to all stakeholders as needed.ย Identify and disseminate good practices that can be replicated in Guinea-Bissau. Facilitate the understanding of UNDP role and of the grant implementation process with relevant stakeholders, including government partners.ย ย ย Advocate for community health and health system strengthening at national and regional levels: Provide technical support to Country Offices and Regional Service Centres in the development and monitoring of capacity development strategies for national counterparts to assume the Principal Recipient role and implement other health and development projects;ย Support Country Office and Regional Service Centres through each stage of the audit cycle (Country Offices and Sub-recipient audits) and timely implementation of the audit recommendations; andย Manage day-to-day technical relationships with partners (Istanbul) to ensure UNDP enjoys maximum benefits in capacity building activities with national counterparts.ย ย
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:ย Theย Community Health and Health System Strengthening Specialist will supervise 2 National Officers.
Competencies Core Competencies:Achieve Results:ย LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively:ย LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously:ย LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility:ย LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination:ย LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner:ย LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion:ย LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:ย Business Direction & Strategy-Negotiation and Influence: Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and create โwin-winโ situationsย Business Direction & Strategy-System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system Business Management-Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritize and control the organizationโs programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment Business Management-Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results 2030 Agenda: Peopleย - Health: Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malariaย Business Development-Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally Partnership Management-Relationship Management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding Business Management-Monitoring: Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and resultsย Required Skills and Experience ย Education: Advanced university degree (Masterโs or equivalent) ย in Health and/or Medical Science (Public Health, Epidemiology, Health, Nursing), or a relevant social science subject OR A first-level university degree (Bachelorโs degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degreeย Experience: A minimum of 5 years (with Masterโs degree) or 7 years (with Bachelorโs degree) of relevant work experience in community health and health system strengthening.ย Experience in the implementation of health development programmes is an asset. Experience of working in the health sector with governments (especially with Ministry of Health), international organisations, and/or International NGOs is required .ย Knowledge of UNDP and/or UN rules, policies and procedures is an asset. Experience of working with West African countries is desirable. Experience in monitoring and evaluation and supply chain management is an asset.ย Knowledge of Global Fundโs rules, policies and procedures is an asset.
Language:ย
Fluency in English and Portuguese or French required (the official UN langage of the DS is required). French or Portuguese is an asset.Note: Please upload copies of your academic qualifications and 3 latest UN Common System performance evaluations (if applicable).
Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period. ย Disclaimerย Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)ย
ย Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.ย
ย UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
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ย Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
ย Non-discrimination ย UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.ย ย
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