Job Identification : 10056

Locations : Islamabad, Pakistan

Posting Date : 04/19/2023, 05:12 AM

Apply Before : 05/03/2023, 06:59 PM

Job Schedule : Full time

Agency : UNDP

Grade : NPSA-9

Vacancy Type : National Personnel Service Agreement

Practice Area : Crisis and Fragility Policy and Engagement

Bureau : Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific

Contract Duration : 9 months

Education & Work Experience : Master’s Degree – 2 year(s) experience

Required Languages : English and Urdu

Vacancy Timeline

2 Weeks

Mobility required/no mobility

no mobility required

Job Description

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: 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 ‘leave no one behind’ 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.

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.

UNDP has recently been requested by the Global Fund to support the HIV grant, starting July 2021 until December 2023 as Principal recipient. This Global Fund HIV grant will provide the amount of US$ 47,104,249 million to Pakistan over two and a half years. It will contribute to the achievement of the overall, strategic goals of the Pakistan AIDS Strategy IV – PAS-IV on addressing low prevention and testing coverage among key populations by: Scaling up community-based interventions, improving treatment access for all, and by challenging stigma and discrimination through training for health care workers and others, and to strengthen the national M&E system for improved cascade monitoring.

To reach these goals, UNDP Pakistan aims to support relevant implementing partners in:

•  increasing coverage of the prevention services for MSM by 39% (of Population Size Estimates – PSE) by 2023 from the 2019 baseline;
•  increasing coverage of the prevention services for FSW (of PSE) by 44% by 2023 from the 2019 baseline;
•  increasing coverage of the prevention services for TG (of PSE) by 56% by 2023 from the 2019 baseline; and
•  increasing coverage of the treatment services for PLHIV by 35% (of the estimated PLHIV) by 2023 from the 2019 baseline

Rationale/Background of Project

UNDP has been identified by the GF as the interim PR for the Pakistan HIV grant for the implementation period 1 July 2021 to 31 December 2023. For effective implementation of the Global Fund resources, UNDP Pakistan 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 systems. 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 and provincial stakeholders, Common Management Unit, Sub-recipients (SRs), NGOs, CSOs, communities, technical partners, UN entities and the Global Fund (Local Fund Agent) and Country Coordinating Mechanism.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the National Programme Manager, the Program Officer, Stigma & Discrimination will be responsible for supporting the effective implementation of the program activities that are addressing stigma and discriminationa for communities most affected by HIV. UNDP Pakistan’s Project Management Unit (PMU), in collaboration with other key partners (including UNAIDS, and target key populations, including TG, FSW and MSM, etc.) will design and rollout a comprehensive program on addressing HIV related stigma and discrimination through strategic interventions on capacity building, advocacy and communications, and development of knowledge products as a barrier for vulnerable and marginalized populations in accessing social protection and life-saving health care services.

Specific activities that this position will lead on include

•  Act as a key focal person and coordinator between PMU-UNDP and key strategic partners (government partners, and UN agencies) and between PMU-UNDP and CBO SRs (and key populations) as well as other technical experts engaged to rollout various other aspects of the stigma and discrimination component.
•  Oversight of the access to justice and legal support initiatives for key populations;
•  Design and oversight of initiatives to increase awareness of key stakeholders on issues of HIV related stigma and discrimination including with parliamentarians, police, media, religious leaders and other key stakeholders;
•  Design and implementation of advocacy campaigns to reduce stigma and discrimination against populations most affected by HIV;
•  Design of learning and training sessions, implementation SOPs for implementing partners and other key stakeholders on programs and issues related to human rights, HIV related stigma and discrimination and related areas

Competencies

Core competencies:

•  Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
•  Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
•  Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
•  Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
•  Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
•  Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
•  Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies: Business Management

•  Project Management – Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
•  Human Rights – Lead programmatic interventions on reducing human rights related barriers, including stigma and discrimination which spans the access to justice portfolio, advocacy campaigns for stigma and discrimination, studies and assessments related to human rights and stigma & discrimination. Support timely implementation of studies related to stigma and discrimination to be carried out, including the finalization of study protocols and corresponding detailed budgets
•  Risk Management – Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks. Proactively identify implementation bottlenecks and innovative solutions to support and strengthen programme implementation and oversight mechanisms. Provide technical assistance to implementing partners for strengthening management and implementation of activities. Develop risk mitigation and management plans and establish tracking and/or mitigation system(s) to monitor implementation of the risk matrix and management plans
•  Communication – Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication as well as tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Support development and implementation of capacity development plans and mechanisms related to stigma and discrimination for key partners. Identify and support development of communications tools/products highlighting key programme achievements, best practices, and lessons learnt related to stigma and discrimination
•  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 results. Provide support to development of Monitoring & Evaluation Systems on human rights/stigma and discrimination interventions

Digital & Innovation

•  Data analysis – Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision making on program implementation. Provide technical assistance and support to implementing partners for strengthening management and rollout of programs. Develop high quality knowledge products (including, but not limited to, program briefs, write ups, reports, etc.) for UNDP

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. Liaise with all functional units of PMU – PSM, Programme, Finance, etc., to ensure effective coordination towards timely delivery of agreed activities in line with the grant agreement related to stigma and discrimination. Coordinate and provide technical assistance and support to taskforces and national mechanisms established to provide oversight, technical guidance to work on stigma and discrimination, and health security. Builds strategic partnerships and maintain strong working relationships with UN and other human rights & health partners. Represent UNDP in relevant external networks to promote HIV programming in health and stigma/discrimination work, technical level meetings, working groups at country, regional and global level

Health

•  HIV, Health & Development – Understanding and practical experience of social determinants of health and the ability to apply them to strategic and/or practical situations
•  National Strategic Plan/Policy for Health – Ability to engage with national disease programmes in support of development and national strategies/plans. Experience in HIV, health and development programming with UNDP in Pakistan

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

•  University degree (or equivalent to Masters’ Degree) in Public Health, International Development, Law, Business Administration, Social Sciences or related field

Experience:

•  Minimum 2 years’ progressive relevant experience in managing health and development projects and in the implementation of HIV programs.
•  Work experience in the area of HIV/AIDS (specifically stigma and discrimination) and with key populations and government partners
•  Demonstrated experience in the management of health information systems, and monitoring and evaluation.
•  Building Capacity of national and provincial stakeholders in the area of health (and human rights, stigma and discrimination and social inclusion) and development programs
•  Experience in designing strategic interventions and advocacy campaigns for stigma and discrimination awareness.
•  Knowledge of UN or UNDP rules, policies and procedures

Language requirement:

•  Fluency in English, both written and oral required. Fluency in Urdu.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)

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.

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.

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.

Non-discrimination

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.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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