HIV Capacity Development Specialist

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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.

Office/Unit/Project Description

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 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 (malaria, tuberculosis, COVID-19, among others), the growing burden of non-communicable diseases and the emergence of health threats such as the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2021. 

The scope and scale of delivering health and well-being for all demands innovative partnerships and financing. As a trusted, long-term partner with extensive operational experience, UNDP supports countries in the effective implementation of complex, multilateral and multi-sectoral health projects while simultaneously investing in capacity development, so that national and local partners can assume these responsibilities over time. UNDP’s partnerships with Governments, the Global Fund, International Financial Institutions (IFIs) facilitate access to resources for action on SDG 3 by countries that face constraints in directly receiving and/or managing health-related funding. In Angola, since 2016, UNDP has been delivering Procurement Support Services (PSS) to the National HIV/aids Institute (INLS), thereby helping the HIV Programme to access affordable, quality health products for the national response to HIV. And since July 2021, UNDP has been the Global Fund Principal Recipient (PR) for Angola, working with several stakeholders to implement the NFM 3/Grant Cycle 6 grant activities in Benguela and Cuanza Sul. A key component of these grant activities has been supporting storage and distribution of health commodities in the two provinces in addition to supply chain system strengthening. 

Beginning July 1, 2024, UNDP will continue its Principal Recipient (PR) role for the Grant Cycle 7 in Angola for the period July 1-June 30, 2027. The new grant includes expansion to the third province of Bié. A grant management and coordination combined with a capacity development function is therefore required in support of the INLS Senior Management to ensure both the success of the INLS sub-grant and the implementation of its Capacity Development Plan.

Scope of Work:

Ensuring the timely execution of the INLS-led targets, workplan and budget under the AGO-Z-UNDP Grant:

• Monitor implementation of GC7 INLS workplan and budget;
• Ensure that all training activities conducted and funded under the Grant are adequately planned, designed and documented through Training Reports;
• Develop and/or sustain programme reporting mechanisms within INLS with a view for timely programme reporting to UNDP;
• Develop and/or sustain supply management mechanisms between INLS, the Warehousing and Distribution Services Provider and Provincial Health Authorities so as to ensure that Grant targets are met; 
• Develop and/or sustain asset management mechanisms so as to safeguard GF-funded property acquired through the Grant (laptops, printer);
• Carry out grant M&E visits with the participation of INLS staff, as part of INLS Supervision visits or separately; ensure that all M&E and Supervision visits conducted and funded by the Grant are documented through Reports;
• Support preparation of periodic reports on the implementation of the grant activities;
• Support implementation of Global Fund, TRP, OIG Management Actions and any special conditions.

Ensuring the effective coordination and adequate oversight of INLS human resources, implementers and service providers involved in delivering on the INLS targets under the AGO-Z-UNDP Grant:

• Develop, review and update periodic workplans for INLS INLS staff implementing the GC7 activities; 
• Identify, assign and follow-up on individual performance objectives for the staff mentioned above; contribute to performance appraisal exercises as and when requested by UNDP;
• Contribute technical expertise to the hiring and management of other service providers to INLS under the Grant including for Technical Assistance; Warehousing and Distribution services; catering services etc; contribute to the performance appraisal exercises as and when requested by UNDP;
• Develop and support the implementation of the INLS Capacity-Building Plan;
• Promote the transfer of skills at all times; ensure that relevant INLS staff is involved, trained and receives guidance in carrying out all activities and interventions planned under the Grant;
• Develop and sustain awareness and ownership of the Plan within INLS;
• Contribute technical expertise and experience to capacity development interventions initiated by UNDP;
• Develop INLS Capacity Development plan and budget and operationalization plan. The operationalization plan should indicate the immediate priorities, mid- term priorities and long- term priorities;
• Advise UNDP on its support to INLS.

Advising and supporting on INLS strategic engagement with the Global Fund and other HIV/aids stakeholders:

• Help ensure alignment of GF grant implementation with the National HIV/aids Strategic Plan, INLS policies, protocols, plans and targets;
• Support INLS in meeting its counterpart financing requirements;
• Advise INLS leadership on promoting synergies and coordination among INLS partners;
• Participate in INLS resource mobilization efforts vis-à-vis the Global Fund and other partners.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The HIV Capacity Development Specialist will report to the INLS Director General.

Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact;

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems;

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences;

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination:  LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results;

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration;

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies: 

Business Development

• Knowledge Facilitation 
  • Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.

Business Management

• Risk management
  • ​​​​​​​Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks.
• Result-based management
  • Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results.

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

• Project Management
  • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

2030 Agenda: People

• Health
  • Global Fund to fight AIDs, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Business Direction and 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.

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA

Minimum Education Requirements

• Advanced University degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Public Health, Epidemiology, International Development, Social Sciences or any relevant related field is required; or
• A first level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with 2 additional years of qualifying experience will be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Minimum years of relevant work experience:

• A minimum of seven (7) years (with master’s degree) or nine (9) years (with bachelor’s degree) of professional work experience in public health sector is required.

Required skills:

• A minimum of 3 years project management experience is required;
• Capacity development experience including design and facilitation of training packages; support supervision approaches; coaching is required.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the competencies section:

• Work experience in a development context;
• HIV/aids programme management experience;
• Public health experience in Angola;
• Demonstrated experience in building capacity of national entities in health and development programmes is an asset;
• Demonstrated experience in developing and managing effective partnerships with government and civil society organizations in the context of health and development programmes is an asset;
• Proven knowledge of Global Fund policies and procedures is an asset.

Required Language(s) (at working level):

• Fluency in English, both written and verbal;
• Good working knowledge in Portuguese, both written and verbal.