Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s 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 Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance and supports the results of UNDP’s 2018-2021 Strategic Plan, focusing on seven outcomes including, strengthening institutions to progressively deliver universal access to basic services (Outcome 3). The HIV, Health and Development Group (HHD Group), within BPPS, is helping to contribute towards this outcome. The HIV, Health and Development Strategy 2016-2021: “Connecting the Dots” elaborates UNDP's work on HIV and health in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. UNDP’s partnership with The Global Fund, makes a vital contribution to UNDP’s Strategic Plan, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the SDGs and the pledge to leave no one behind.

UNDP has an important role in supporting health outcomes by supporting countries to address the social, cultural and economic determinants of HIV and health, in partnership with UN entities and other organizations. This is done through UNDP’s core work in reducing inequalities and social exclusion that drive HIV and poor health, promoting effective and inclusive governance for health, and building resilient and sustainable systems for health. UNDP also contributes through its coordinating and convening role in bringing together multiple partners and resources at national and local levels.

As a trusted, long-term partner of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund, GF), UNDP’s value proposition lies in providing an integrated package of development solutions to strengthen institutions to deliver health services. Through its contributions as interim Principal Recipient and provider of technical assistance in over 53 countries since 2003, UNDP’s provision of integrated policy, implementation and capacity development support to countries has yielded significant health and development results in challenging operating environments. Proactive risk management and investing in sustainability are the cornerstones of UNDP’s portfolio management approach and providing technical assistance to national counterparts during all phases of implementation, strengthening legislation, policies and regulatory frameworks, and building capacities across key functional areas, including financial management, health information systems, procurement and supply chain management. Within the HHD Group the Global Fund – Health Implementation Support Team (GF/HIST) is a dedicated team providing support to UNDP Country Offices implementing health and development programmes.

In Zimbabwe, UNDP is the interim Principal Recipient (PR) for the HIV grant and is also providing Support Services (Fund Administration (FA)) to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) as the continuing PR for the tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria grants. UNDP-GF partnership under the 2021-2023 allocation aims to contribute towards the achievement of the vision and goals of Zimbabwe National HIV Strategic Plan, 2021-2025. For effective implementation of the Global Fund resources, UNDP Zimbabwe has established a Program Management Unit (PMU), which is responsible for the day-to-day overall programme management, risk management, policy guidance, financial accountability, procurement of goods, including health products and services, strengthening of the national pharmaceutical and laboratory supply chain systems, including the Solar for Health (S4H) initiative and monitoring and evaluation. The GF resources are implemented in accordance with UNDP rules, policies and procedures, the grant confirmation, corporate agreements with the GF and in close coordination with the national partners, including the National AIDS Commission (NAC), MoHCC, national disease programmes, NatPharm, NGOs, CSOs, communities, technical partners, UN entities and the Global Fund (Local Fund Agent) and Country Coordinating Mechanism.

In order to provide strategic planning, programmatic and operational management and oversight to the GF portfolio to achieve the defined programme goals, targets and effective delivery and quality services, a dedicated Project Management Unit (PMU) has been established.

The Programme Associate will promote a collaborative, client-oriented approach, ensuring integration across functional areas within the PMU and support to the integration of capacity building and health system strengthening activities. UNDP has continued to partner with the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in responding to and accelerating progress towards ending the three epidemics. In Zimbabwe UNDP is the Principal Recipient (PR) of the New Funding Model (NFM3) for the HIV grant and is also providing Support Services (Fund Administration) to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) as the continuing PR for the TB and Malaria grants. UNDP-GF partnership under the new funding cycle (2021-2023) aims to contribute towards the achievement of the vision and goals of Zimbabwe National HIV Strategic Plan for the period 2021-2025.

In fulfilling the continued role of Principal Recipient, UNDP ensures quality financial management, timely procurement of supplies, and efficient monitoring and service delivery. UNDP‘s management role consists of implementing grants, ensuring financial accountability, and training of national and international counterparts on program management and financial accountability.

For effective implementation of the Global Fund program, UNDP Zimbabwe has established a seasoned Program Management Unit (PMU) that coordinates the implementation of the grants and also provides general guidance of Global Fund and UNDP policies and procedures to all Sub Recipients participating in the implementation of the projects. The PMU is responsible for overall programme management, financial accountability, procurement of goods & services as well as Monitoring and Evaluation.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Programme Officer – HIV, the Programme Associate – Civil Society Organization (CSO) and Government service provision specifically supports the planning, coordination, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of the CSO and Government service provision of the HIV grant. The position supports the PMU for the effective management of the HIV grant.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provides Support To The Programme Unit Focusing On The Achievement Of The Following Results In The CSO And Governance Service Provision Programme

Supports the Programme Officer in the planning, implementation and management of different CSO and Government partners implementing the HIV/AIDS programme

Prepares correspondence, reports, presentations and other written materials from oral instructions and written communication

Supports the coordination of review meetings with CSO and Government partners

Supports the preparation of information for annual audit, annual and quarterly programmatic reports of the grant as well as end-of-grant reports.

Supports the Programme Officer (HIV/AIDS) to track the implementation of the Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP) including support to CSO and Government SRs and SSRs to prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual workplans based on the DIP and monitor the timely implementation of the activities

Undertakes field visits to CSO and Government partners to provide support and supervision as part of capacity building

Undertakes spot checks on approved training plans for CSO and Government partners to ensure compliance, support the maintenance of a training database and participate in the assessment of the effectiveness of the trainings

Supports the review of quarterly and other reports submitted by CSO and Government SRs, document observations noted in the review, provide feedback to the partners, and follow up to ensure their implementation

Participates in the development of appropriate data collection tools and M&E templates for the CSO and Government partners

Supports CSO and Government partners to develop work plans and budgets, as well as prepare quarterly and annual reports for tracking program expenditures and performance.

Assists in responding to general inquiries from GFATM and LFA on both programme and M&E issues for CSO and Government partners in the grant.

Provides administrative support to the Project focusing on achievement of the following results:

Ensures the creation of requisitions in Atlas for all travel and procurement planned under the project for the CSO and Government partners in the grant.

Maintains the filing system to ensure safekeeping of confidential materials and proper record keeping for the CSO and Government partners in the grant.

Analyses information on implementing partners and preparation of implementing partners’ profile and database for CSO and Government partners in the grant.

Supports the Programme Officer HIV/AIDS in the organization of meetings with CSo and Government implementing partners in the grant.

Assists in the development of materials for meetings, presentations, and workshops.

Assists in the compilation, analysis, and summarizing programme CSO and Government partners data and generate the required charts and tables to inform decision making,

Performs other tasks as required

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the PMU focusing on achievement of the following results:

Support Organization in trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme.

Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in programme.

Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Identify and formulate lessons learned and document best practices from evaluations and studies to be integrated into project reports

Competencies

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Level 3: Adapts deliverables to meet client needs

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow

Level 3: Proactively seeks and recognizes contributions of others

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Level 3: Appropriately involves team in different stages of work and decision-making

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Level 3: Expresses information and views with adaptive reasoning and appreciation for complexity and variation

Delivery

Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Level 3: Takes responsibility for addressing critical situations and delivering core value

Health and Development

Understanding and practical experience of issues related to health and development social determinants of health and the ability to apply them to strategic and/or practical situations

Level 3: Implement & Manage: Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work

Monitoring and Evaluation

Knowledge of methodologies, assessment tools, systems and apply practical experience in planning, monitoring, evaluating and reporting and ability to apply to practical situations

Level 3: Implement & Manage: Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work

Project Management

Ability to plan, organize and control resources, procedures and protocols and to achieve specific goals

Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Capacity Development

Ability to strengthen and maintain the capabilities of individuals, societies, organizations and governments to set and achieve development objectives over time

Level 3: Implement & Manage: Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work

Partnership

Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships

Level 3: Implement & Manage: Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work

Knowledge Management

Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge

Level 3: Implement & Manage: Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work

Required Skills And Experience

Education

University Degree in Business or Public Administration, Economics, Political or Social Sciences.

Experience

7 years of relevant experience in HIV/AIDS is required and usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Previous CSO and Government service provision experience would be an added advantage.

Strong writing, interpersonal and oral communication skills are important since the program associate must interact with personnel at all levels within the partners.

Previous UNDP/GF experience would be an added advantage.

Language Requirements

Fluency in English with good verbal and written skills. Knowledge of the national languages would be an asset.

Disclaimer

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

Applicant Information About UNDP Rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. 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.

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