Programme Officer – Health &HIV

UNDP’s work on HIV and Health is geared towards the broader commitment of the organization to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, strengthen effective and inclusive governance, and build resilient and sustainable systems for development. This is guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and implemented through UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2018-2021 and the HIV, Health and Development Strategy 2016-2021. With the emergency of COVID-19, there has been heighted recognition and appreciation that health is a key development issue which should be integrated and mainstreamed into the development agenda of all countries.

UNDP was one of the first agencies to support Institutional capacity development of the HIV and AIDS response in the local governments to address the need for improved national capacity to coordinate, manage and monitor the HIV response. UNDP has been committed to increasing the number of public and private institutions, including civil society organizations that are mainstreaming HIV and AIDS interventions into their core policies, strategies, and programs.  UNDP has also been committed to support capacity assessments to determine barriers that impede on human rights and the law. UNDP’s support is anchored in strengthening Government’s capacity in strategic planning, coordination, leadership and ownership of the development agenda and domestication of the Paris Declaration.

WHO and UNDP entered into an agreement to strengthen Health related joint programming and have since made commitments to strengthen country level health systems. It is through this background therefore that accelerated NCDs prevention and control was fast tracked to jointly plan and implement in support of the NCDs national priorities. A UN Interagency Task Force on the Prevention and Control of NCDs was established by the UN Secretary-General in 2013 and reports to ECOSOC annually. The Task Force was established in recognition that Member States require concerted and coordinated action from UN agencies in tackling NCDs as part of the development agenda. To date the Task Force has undertaken around 25 joint programmes and initiatives developed to support countries deliver multisectoral action to prevent and control NCDs. Previously, in 2019 the Country Office in partnership with the Joint Programming Mission of the UN Interagency Task Force (UNIATF) on the Prevention and Control of NCDs conducted a Uganda NCDs investment case which gave an insight into the burden of NCDs both economically and Healthwise.

It is against the above background that UNDP Uganda seeks to recruit a Programme Office for Health and HIV to coordinate UNDP integrated programing and implementation of   HIV, NCDs, Health and Development. This position is under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative, and with the direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative. The Programme Officer for Health and HIV is based in Kampala.

Policy Research and Development:

• Through in-depth research and analysis, contribute to the development and drafting of policy briefs, guidance notes and other knowledge products on the social determinants of health, with an emphasis on HIV, and NCD prevention and control;
• Take part in the process of analyzing, improving, and adapting policies for different contexts on key emerging policy agendas as appropriate, including  HIV, and NCD prevention;
• Support the coordination, testing and rolling out of tools to advance legislation and innovative health financing approaches across development goals.

Programme and Project Planning and Delivery Support:

Support the planning and delivery of ongoing NCD:

Coordinate UNDP’s work on HIV and Health:

• Work with Ministry of Health, OPM, MOGLSD, Parliament, UAC, and other stakeholder to integrate, track and report on the multi-sector health development agenda for NCDs, Mental Health, Sustainable Financing, Health Emergencies, etc;
• Work with Ministry of Health, UAC, and other key stakeholders to strengthen links between Gender, legal and human rights in the SDGS, the Health Strategic Plan and National HIV Strategic Plan;
• Work closely with Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to facilitate access to HIV and Health, particularly NCDs information;
• Work closely with key stakeholders to develop approaches that reduce HIV related stigma and discrimination among people living with HIV, key populations, refugees, and other vulnerable groups.

Coordinate UNDP’s work on governance programming within the JUPSA and UN Joint Programme on NCD  through the following actions:  

• Work with Ministry of Health, UAC, Office of the President, OPM and other stakeholders to support coordination, reporting and other systems strengthening areas;
• Work with Uganda Aids Commission, Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, Office of the Prime Minister on financing for development,   monitoring of the various financing initiatives like the AIDS trust fund, the Health financing scheme and the “one dollar initiative” of the Private Sector;
• Working with Ministry of Health, UAC, and other key stakeholders the officer will strengthen links between Poverty reduction, economic empowerment, infrastructural development, Gender and Human rights.

Contributing to programme design and management:

• Support the development and formulation of new project proposals and workplans, as well as the timely completion of evaluation reports of existing initiatives;
• Contribution to continuous monitoring and assessment of the programme impact (intended or non-intended/positive or negative), with special attention to potential perverse effects to political, social, and economic governance;
• Co-ordinate participating agencies in annual work planning, review, and reporting processes in line with the agreed monitoring and evaluation framework of the Joint Programmes;
• Manage contracting and administrative processes relating to projects, including monitoring progress on deliverables, and providing quality assurance;
• Provide technical support to programme teams and respond to country office needs as appropriate, including through the provision of capacity building and backstopping;
• Prepare materials as requested by supervisor to support the application of integrated multi-disciplinary approaches, including training materials and guidance notes for the country office team and partners.

Communication and Representation:

• Prepare communication and advocacy materials to support mobilizing, fostering, and strengthening strategic partnerships with UN entities and other relevant bodies;
• Draft and aid the development of briefings and speeches, and represent UNDP, as requested, in external meetings;
• Prepare advocacy materials on the importance of NCD prevention and control to deepen related political commitment and related reforms.

Knowledge management:

• Keep an up-to-date record of relevant knowledge products, whether at the global, regional levels and proactively share documents with team members and respond to their specific requests for information;

• Contribute to the development and review of knowledge products in close coordination with HQ and Regional Hub teams by analyzing and sharing lessons learnt and programme evaluation results;
• Support quality assurance of knowledge products as requested.

UN coordination:

Partnership support and Facilitation of Inter-agency collaboration:

·       Support health team’s engagement in UN interagency coordination, in particular the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on NCDs, on HIV, and on health emergencies,  by serving as focal point on thematic working groups as needed as well as by providing research insight and ensuring follow-up to tasks assigned to UNDP;

·       Support ongoing partnership efforts with the WHO on the implementation of the SDG3 Global Action Plan;

Foster partnerships including for resource mobilization and advocacy activities with UN partners, civil society, and other external stakeholders.

Innovation:

Ability to make new and useful ideas work.

Leadership:

Ability to persuade others to follow.

People Management:

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.

Communication:

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.

Delivery:

Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrate integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promote the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management, and reporting;
• Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources;
• Research (General) Knowledge of analytical tools and methods for undertaking substantive research on various policy related issues;
• Ability to formulate and manage budgets, manage contributions and investments, manage transactions, conduct financial analysis, reporting and cost-recovery;
• Excellent knowledge of financial rules and regulations, accounting.

Management and Leadership:

• Ability to plan, organize and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific results;
• Ability to manage complex relationships through pathways of knowledge exchange, capacity development, funding relationships and strategic engagement;
• Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement;
• 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.

Education:

Master’s degree in the areas of Public Health, International Development, Public Administration, and Management or any related fields.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of progressive relevant work experience at National level in project support within international development organizations, including the UN, Governments, or the private sector.
• Hands-on experience in design and implementation of partnership initiatives and events.
• Demonstrated ability to translate research and evidence into well-written, policy relevant communications, for example: policy briefs, discussion notes, academic papers, and guidance documents.
• Experience engaging with government officials on Health and HIV is an asset.
• Knowledge and experience of UNDP and/or UN agency and/or other development organizations is an asset; especially work experience on a multi-agency project/programme.
• Experience in the Health Sector Programing and National HIV/AIDS Response.
• Experience in providing technical advice at senior level, technical expertise and working knowledge of HIV/AIDS and Health;
• Must have exposure to the different mandates of UN agencies funds, and programmes;
• Experience working with the UN will be an added advantage.

Language Requirements: English

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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