Programme Coordinator for The Gambia

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

The Government of The Gambia is part of the Governance Mechanism of The Defeat-NCD Partnership. Specifically, the Minister of Health is a member of the High-Level Council, and the NCD Focal Point, Ministry of Health, is a member of the Consultative Group.

This assignment will enable populations in the portfolio priority countries to access a range of interconnected essential services and resources across the four pillars of work of the Defeat-NCD Partnership.

● NCD National Capacity Building (Pillar 1): Work with Governments and other in-country stakeholders to assess gaps in their NCD capabilities. Through technical support develop a multi-year NCD National Costed Action Plan. Facilitate engagement of relevant partners to ensure expansion of NCD services in line with national targets. The overall objective is to ensure that countries have institutional capacities, structures, systems, and financing in place to tackle NCDs.

● Community Scale-Up of NCD Services (Pillar 2): Aim to demystify, democratise, decentralise, and where safely possible, demedicalise NCD service provision. Enable the earlier screening and management of risk factors as well as the mitigation of established disease. at the community level. By increasing the use of self-care interventions, improve patient compliance, resulting in better treatment and health outcomes. The overall objective is to bring more of the necessary prevention and management of NCD services directly to the communities and people who need them most.

● Affordability and Accessibility of Essential NCD Supplies (Pillar 3): To make the provision of NCD supplies simpler and more cost-effective by designing a Marketplace to create a fair, competitive environment that serves the interests of both buyers and suppliers. Using market-sizing and price-tracking studies, the Marketplace’s methodology will correct current market failures due to information imbalances. It will also help address regulatory bottlenecks in an appropriate manner. The overall objective is to enable the consistent provision of affordable essential NCD medicines, diagnostics, and equipment in low-resource countries.

● Sustainable NCD Financing (Pillar 4): Governments need to invest more in health, with a greater share allocated to finance their national costed action plans for NCDs. While cost savings can be achieved by linking NCD programming with other conditions and improving service delivery and by reducing the cost of NCD supplies, additional and innovative financing will be needed outside of the ongoing aid support and expanding fiscal allocations. The overall objective is to establish a long-term sustainable financing model for NCD programming in low-resource countries.

Within the delegated authority and under the direct supervision of the Technical Specialist (Country Support) at The Defeat-NCD Partnership, the Programme Coordinator for the Gambia will carry out the following tasks:

• Prepare quarterly progress report for the implementation of the National Multi-Sectoral Strategy and Costed Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases in The Gambia (2022-2027) in support of the Technical Working Group (TWG) meetings and the Multisectoral Committee meetings. • Prepare and circulate the meeting minutes and lead on the follow-up of agreed action points following the TWG and Multisectoral Committee meetings. • Prepare and disseminate to all relevant partners a standardised M&E framework, indicator, and assessment tool that will be used for the regular M&E and reporting of the National Multi-Sectoral Strategy and Costed Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases in The Gambia (2022-2027). • Implement the activities of the Defeat-NCD Partnership in funded projects including the project of the World Diabetes Foundation (WDF). • Lead the assessment of learning and capacity building for NCDs at the Ministry of Health in the Gambia and prepare a training and capacity building plan, identifying collaboration points with The Defeat-NCD Partnership and its partners. • Develop content for e-learning as identified in the workplan of the Partnership and as per the assessment of learning and capacity building needs. • Prepare a comprehensive resource mobilisation plan in support of the Defeat-NCD Partnership Programme in The Gambia and for the implementation of the National Multi-Sectoral Strategy and Costed Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases in The Gambia (2022-2027). • Raise % of funds (to be agreed before signing the contract) in support of the National Multi-Sectoral Strategy and Costed Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases in the Gambia (2022-2027)

Results/expected outputs:

As an active team member of The Defeat-NCD Partnership at UNITAR, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly, and high-quality support rendered to Government of the country and The Defeat-NCD Partnership partners in the accomplishment of functions entrusted to the postholder.

• Regular reporting of activities for all stakeholders implementing NCD related activities across The Gambia. • Training and capacity building needs of health personnel and professionals at the Ministry of Health of The Gambia are identified and partnerships mobilised in response to identified gaps. • Successful implementation of the WDF project in the Gambia. • % of funds raised in support of the Defeat-NCD Partnership programme in the Gambia. • % of funds raised in support of the National Multi-Sectoral Strategy and Costed Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases in The Gambia

The selected UNV's performance will be measured against the results/outputs outlined above.

The assignment requires the UNV to work directly with and under the supervision of the Technical Specialist (Country Support), to support and align work with all 4 pillars of the Partnership work

☐ Adaptability and Flexibility ☒ Building Trust ☒ Client Orientation ☒ Commitment and Motivation ☒ Commitment to Continuous Learning ☒ Communication ☒ Creativity ☒ Empowering Others ☒ Ethics and Values ☒ Integrity ☒ Judgement and Decision-making ☒ Knowledge Sharing ☒ Leadership ☒ Managing Performance ☒ Planning and Organizing ☒ Professionalism ☒ Respect for Diversity ☒ Self-Management ☒ Technological Awareness ☒ Vision ☒ Working in Teams

at progressively higher level of responsibility within the Procurement and Supply Chain field, Project Management. Organizational Development, Resource Mobilisation, and Partnership development experience is required Relevant experience in procurement & supply planning; in identifying clients’ procurement & supply-related needs and in providing support and guidance from clients’ point of view is required. Customer service experience is desired

Skills required:

• Demonstrated knowledge of health financing policy, international health and development issues at the global level • Demonstrated experience of identifying and institutionalizing innovation in organizational development or in technology, including health solutions is preferred. • Track record of undertaking high-level strategic engagement, resource mobilization and managing implementation with representatives of countries, implementing partners, and donors for programmes within the East Africa region is preferred. • Experience in private sector preferably in an information technology/ecommerce company is desirable. • Relevant international experience and ability to effectively work with national partners, communities, and international partners from diverse cultural backgrounds. • Attention to details, tact, discretion, and diplomacy. • Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to promote consensus and to promote innovations. • Computer literacy with emphasis on databases and data management and Excel proficiency

Other Skills

• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel. • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines. • Have affinity with or interest in public health, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System

The UN Volunteer will serve at the Ministry of Health in Banjul, The Gambia. The Gambia is a safe country providing good quality of life for international personnel with excellent air quality, a tropical climate, the proximity of beaches and plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities. A majority Muslim country, The Gambia is an open and peaceful society where cultural exchange and inclusion prevail. The Greater Banjul Area is a popular tourist destination, offering beach and nature assets as well as varied entertainment options for internationals (restaurants, bars, night clubs). A developing country, Gambia faces unreliable electricity and water supply, but backup systems exist in housing units catering to internationals. Medical facilities are not the best quality; medical evacuation to Senegal is the preferred treatment option in case of serious health issues. Telecommunication operators offer decent broadband and 4G connections. The Gambia is a cash-based economy, but it is easy for foreigners to open a bank account. The Gambia is a unique country undergoing an exciting democratic transition. Gambian institutions and individuals are eager to collaborate with foreign experts. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in challenging conditions are essential.