Project Coordinator (TB)

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.

UNDP began its operations in Tajikistan in 1994. Nowadays, Tajikistan is a peaceful and stable country, with a rapidly developing economy. Recovery from the devastating social and economic consequences of civil war and the start of reforms led to steady, though unequal, growth over the past decade averaging 8 per cent annually, according to World Bank country data.

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 (human immunodeficiency viruses) and TB (tuberculosis) 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. 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:

Ensure effective and efficient implementation of the TB (tuberculosis) components of the consolidated grant; Ensure quality of implementation of the project by sub-recipients and implementing partners in TB against their SR agreements. Provide programmatic and technical expertise and guidance to the team to ensure timely and quality implementation of the program related activities. Supervises programmatic and technical staff of the project to ensure timely and quality implementation of the program related activities

I. Ensure effective and efficient implementation of the TB component of the 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 TB component under consolidated grant 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 TB component of the programme 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 (grant sub-recipient organizations) agreements

• Facilitate and support the implementation assessment of sub-recipients and facilitate development of Management letters and follow up action plans to close identified gaps; • Contribute to the development of terms of reference and description of services for sub-contracts and sub-recipients; • 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 TB project of the consolidated grant agreements at PR and SR levels; • Jointly with PM and Finance Analyst monitor reporting and accounting practices of sub-recipients in TB 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 task-based payments to the Governmental employees receiving top-ups of the grant. • Facilitate actions in response to the recommendations of Technical Review Panel (implementation of action plans) • Provide technical assistance to the analytical development work of the Sub-Recipients (SR)s and ensure high quality knowledge products. Promote the substantive quality of all knowledge products, reports and services, and ensures effective integration and compatibility with other practice areas.

III. Provide programmatic and technical expertise and guidance to the team to ensure timely and quality implementation of the program related activities

• Provide substantive policy recommendation and advice to Programme Manager and National institutions on the issues of TB • Provide inputs to various technical reports, donor reporting (PUDR), PRODOC, etc. • Participate in working groups for developing national policies for TB control program in accordance with international approaches in prevention and treatment of TB

IV. Supervises 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; • 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 TB, TB/HIV integration in the country by systematically (1) sharing knowledge with colleagues and national programme partners, 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.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs

• As an active UNDP TJK CO team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNDP TJK CO and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:

o Programmatic impact is reviewed, ensuring the appropriateness and the accuracy of methods used to verify progress and results. o The work and performance of sub-recipients is analyzed on regular basis and action plans to close identified gaps in the capacities are proposed. o Efficient M&E processes, trainings and communications within the framework of the grant agreements at PR and SR levels are maintained. o Timely and quality donor reporting (PUDR) is facilitated, review and updates to PRODOC, AWP are introduced as required.
o Participation to technical working groups for developing national policies for TB program in accordance with international approaches in testing and treatment for TB o Lists of supplies with detailed specifications and in agreement with implementing partners are prepared; o Contribution to UN corporate reporting is provided as requested o Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment o A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

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

/ especially project management experience in health (preferably TB) with Master’s degree or 7 years of professional experience in implementing health projects, especially project coordination experience in health (preferably TB) with Bachelor’s degree. • 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 with the GF funded projects is desirable.

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 characterised 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.