Project Coordinator (HIV)

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The UNDP Tajikistan Country Office was selected as the Principal Recipient in the implementation of HIV/AIDS grants provided to Tajikistan by the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria since 2003. The overall goal of the Project is to reduce the burden of HIV and TB in the country through addressing challenges related to HIV, drug resistant (“DR”) TB, co-infection of TB/HIV, human rights barriers, and underlying health systems shortcomings calling for urgent actions. The Project is streamlined around four main objectives, aiming at ensuring effective HIV response measures among key populations (KPs), scaling up access for early and quality diagnosis, treatment and care, ensuring integrated care for those affected both by TB and HIV, as well as strengthening national public heath response. The Project will build up on the previous projects’ achievements and results; it will additionally, introduce innovative approaches, such as index testing for HIV, introduction of TB-LAM diagnostic method and new community active case finding interventions using One Impact mobile solution. Also, the Project will contribute to the national health care reform by building and improving the technical and managerial capacities of health professionals, promoting participation of civil society organizations in the response to the HIV/AIDS and TB epidemics and enhancing the cooperation of non-governmental organizations with the public health sector.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Programme Manager or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Project Coordinator (HIV) will:

1. Ensure effective and efficient implementation of the HIV/AIDS project;
2. Ensure quality of implementation of the projects by sub-recipients and implementing partners in HIV against their SR agreements.
3. Provide programmatic and technical expertise and guidance to the team to ensure timely and quality implementation of the program related activities.
4. Supervise programmatic and technical staff of the project to ensure timely and quality implementation of the program related activities
5. Ensure Knowledge building and Management

I. Under the guidance of the of the Program Manager ensure effective and efficient implementation of the HIV/AIDS project • Assess programmatic impact and oversee the appropriateness and the accuracy of methods used to verify progress and results; • Ensure an effective flow of information between finance and non-finance actors to effectively link programmatic results to expenditures; • Coordinate with corporate UNDP services to ensure that expected results are delivered in a timely manner; • Under the guidance of PM optimize the organizational capacity to deliver efficiently the HIV/AIDS grants in Tajikistan • Under the guidance of PM maximize the engagement of all relevant partners in effective project implementation and advise implementing partners on strategies to be put in place to facilitate results-based implementation of activities; • Establish working procedures related to the management of the HIV/AIDS programmes and oversee their compliance during the programme implementation period; • Advise management on project implementation and actively take a lead in discussions related to efficient and effective programme implementation;

II. Ensure quality of implementation of the projects by sub-recipients and implementing partners against their SR agreements • Facilitate and support the implementation of the assessment of sub-recipients and facilitate development of Management letters and follow up action plans to close identified gaps; • Develop and agree terms of reference and description of services for sub-contracts and sub-recipients; • Facilitate and support in identifying and selecting potential sub-recipients through a transparent process; • Coordinate development of training plans/curricula for the PR’s and sub-recipients’ programme and monitoring the donor approved training plan; • Ensure and be accountable for efficient M&E, trainings, communications, programmatic results and processes within the framework of the HIV/AIDS grant agreements at PR and SR levels; • Preparing legal documents (Letters of Agreements and project cooperation agreements) for GFATM SRs, and other types of contracts for service and good suppliers as requested by Procurement unit; • Oversee the capacity assessment of Sub-Recipients (SR)s and formulate proposed action plans to close identified gaps in capacities; • Lead the analytical development work of SRs and formulate proposed action plans to close identified gaps in the capacities. Promote the substantive quality of all knowledge products, reports and services, and ensure effective integration and compatibility with other practice areas; • Jointly with PM and Finance Analyst monitor reporting and accounting practices of sub-recipients including budgeting and financial key performance indicators as well as strict budget line controls with PR and SR expenditures; • Under the guidance of PM, liaise with the donor, the Local Fund Agent, government and other external relations; • Oversee the proper introduction and implementation of the Performance based and task based payment to the Governmental employees receiving top-ups of the grant.

III. Provide programmatic and technical expertise and guidance to the team to ensure timely and quality implementation of the program related activities • Facilitate development of various technical reports, donor reporting (PUDR), PRODOC, AWP, etc. • Provide substantive policy recommendation and advice to Programme Manager and National institutions on the issues of HIV • Participate in working groups for developing national policies for HIV/AIDS program in accordance with international approaches in prevention and treatment of HIV

IV. Supervise programmatic and technical staff of the project to ensure timely and quality implementation of the program related activities • Follow up and ensure list of supplies with detailed specifications and in agreement with the relevant Technical Group of the SRs and NCC prepared; • Facilitate and oversee procurement cases and oversee the monitoring of the status of drugs and equipment distributed to the SRs, their utilization and efficiency; • Support the PM to facilitate and support transparent process for procurement of services and goods as well as efficient supply management within the framework of GFATM and UNDP requirements; • Efficiently perform any other delegated duties assigned by the supervisor.

V. Ensure Knowledge building and Management: • Contribute to building the corporate body of knowledge in the area of HIV, HIV/TB integration in the country by systematically (1) sharing knowledge with colleagues, and (2) ensuring that relevant experiences and lessons learnt are considered for proposing changes to the project; • Provide written inputs to UNDP flagship products/newsletter/policy briefs, and UN corporate reporting based on project results, data and information, lessons learned and best practices.

Management and Leadership Professionalism Client Orientation Communication Partnership Integrity Commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision, and values Cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

• At least 5 years of professional experience, especially project management experience in HIV/AIDS with Master’s degree or 7 years of experience in implementing health projects and project coordination experience in HIV with Bachelor’s degree. • Experience with the Global Fund funded projects is highly desirable • In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues; • Experience in networking and building partnerships (government, donor, civil society). • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including community members and authorities at different levels; • Experience in the EECA region will be an asset.

Tajikistan is small, land-locked, and 93 percent mountainous, making it one of the least accessible countries in the world. Population of Tajikistan is 9 million (from them 49% are women, 40,6% - children under 18, and 66% young adults under 30), it makes the population of the country one of the youngest in Central Asia. Nearly three quarters (73.4 per cent) of the population live in rural areas.

Tajikistan had been included into the list of the countries with a rapid poverty reduction level for the last 15 years. The rate of poverty was decreased from 83% in 1999 to 29,7% in 2017. The health system remains largely state owned and administered, although there is a growing private sector, and their services are generally limited to consultations, diagnostic services and ambulatory treatment.

The climate is characterized by aridity and extreme differences in temperature between seasons and amongst regions. There is also considerable inter-annual variability in the climate. Forests are considered to play an important role in Tajikistan because they regulate the climate and serve as a source of raw materials.

As the capital city of Tajikistan, Dushanbe is a clean and safe place, with wide, tree-lined streets and numerous parks, cafes and restaurants. Modern apartments are available in central locations with affordable rents. Dushanbe is well served by shopping malls and supermarket chains. Recreational activities include enjoying the beautiful mountainous scenery, visiting cultural monuments, playing sports, or partaking in local nightlife.