Technical Support Senior Specialist (Retainer)

Contract

This is a IICA-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-3 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

The RBM Partnership to End Malaria

The RBM Partnership is a global health initiative created to implement coordinated action against malaria. It mobilizes for action and resources and forges consensus among partners. RBM works mainly through Partner Committees (PCs) which formalize, consolidate and amplify the Partnership priorities of advocacy, resource mobilization, and country/regional support. Each Partner Committee is supported by a Partner Committee Manager employed by the RBM Management Team.

The Country/Regional Support Partner Committee (CRSPC) provides a platform to engage the RBM Partnership community in coordinating support to countries and regions as they execute their malaria control and elimination implementation programmes. Support is tailored to suit the requirements and existing capacity in each country and region.

The consultant shall work for the RBM Country/Regional Support Partner Committee (CRSPC) to provide technical support to national malaria control programmes to optimize the quality and effectiveness of country and regional programming of malaria including developing plans, conducting reviews, providing ongoing support in programme implementation, addressing bottlenecks, resource mobilisation and advocacy.

Functional Responsibilities

The Technical Support Senior Specialist shall work for the RBM CRSPC to facilitate and support countries with issues related to implementation of their national programmes. The countries to be supported present highly complex technical, epidemiological and political contexts for implementation of malaria control and elimination. These scenarios significantly enhance the complexity of malaria program implementation and require senior and experienced consultants, able to command the respect of senior government officials and partners. The implementation support from the malaria specialist consultant will address core issues causing bottlenecks for implementation and/or issues where additional capacity and expertise is needed and cannot be found among in-country partners.

The Technical Support Senior Specialist is expected to have expertise in at least one of the intervention areas listed below in order to provide the targeted support a country requires. In addition, the specialist is expected to have a clear understanding of WHO policies and guidelines on the specific intervention area as well as an in-depth knowledge of the technical aspects of malaria prevention and control in endemic countries. The assignment also requires highly developed negotiation skills and a proven track record in achieving consensus across multiple stakeholders. The consultant will be expected to visit the country as necessary during the support period.

The expertise required includes the following intervention areas. Specialists applying should have expertise in a minimum of one intervention area.

• Social behaviour change communication (SBCC) – development of communications in support of overall national strategic plans or specific objectives, such as mass insecticide-treated nets (ITN) distribution; review of issues surrounding poor uptake of prevention, diagnostic and treatment interventions, support for Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) studies and operational research and development of tailored approaches; etc.
• Surveillance, monitoring and evaluation – review and strengthening of existing surveillance systems and/or monitoring and evaluation plans and procedures national strategic plan (NSP) objective-specific support; alignment of M&E frameworks to malaria profile; entomological and parasite profile updates; resistance monitoring; etc.
• Stratification – review of epidemiological data to guide intervention stratification and/or review data on quality/coverage/usage/uptake of malaria services to stratify targeting of quality improvement efforts (in line with the High Burden to High Impact approach)
• Vector control – review and updating of guidance for indoor residual spraying (IRS) or long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) distribution; support for Insecticide Resistance monitoring and decision-making on appropriate vector control (VC) technology; planning and operational support for deployment of VC; etc.
• Case management – assessing effectiveness of existing strategies, both facility (public and private) and community based, to provide recommendations for improved efficiency; procurement and supply management (PSM) support; support to Integrated Community Case Management (iCCM) roll out, etc.
• Preventive chemotherapy (seasonal malaria chemoprophylaxis, intermittent preventive therapy) – development of overall strategy and planning documents; operational guideline development; etc.
• Emergency preparedness and response – risk assessment and mitigation planning; quantification for procurement of materials; etc.
• Procurement and supply chain management – review of supply chain management; support for quantification for procurement and delivery of VC, diagnosis and treatment materials; etc.
• Resource mobilization and advocacy - support to financial desk reviews, development of investment cases for malaria, development of resource mobilization and advocacy strategies and funding proposals.
• Health economic analyses – support for costing of strategies/interventions, cost-effectiveness analyses, value for money analyses

Assignments could include (but are not limited to) the following and could be for a particular intervention area or across interventions:

• Carry out a comprehensive review of country programme documentation (Strategic Plan; operational plan, work plans; gap analysis, etc.) for a particular intervention area, as well as a sub-intervention area (for example, logistics or communication to support IRS or LLIN interventions);
• Coordinate the analysis of underlying causes of implementation underperformance, and identify strategies and interventions to address these bottlenecks;
• Develop detailed strategies, operational and financing plans, as well as risk assessment and mitigation plans for the specific intervention or sub-intervention areas;
• Develop training, supervision, monitoring, evaluation and activity protocols for assessing key bottlenecks and questions, including timelines and indicators for finalization and monitoring of implementation;
• Review existing support and conduct partnership mapping of current activities, resources and anticipated changes;
• Review cost and efficiencies of programs
• Lead the fieldwork and analysis to develop an investment case for malaria
• Lead and/or support on review and validation of the comprehensive programmatic and/or financial gap analysis for a particular intervention area;
• Lead high-level discussions with senior management, partner representatives and other key stakeholders to broker consensus on any of the above intervention areas;
• Undertake a technical review of chosen strategies and interventions to ensure that they are technically sound and in line with WHO normative guidance, feasible to implement and will achieve sufficient impact based on malaria epidemiology of the country / area

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• Advanced university (master’s) degree desired, preferably in public health or social science or related field. Bachelor’s degree may be considered with two additional years of experience.
• Specialization, experience or sound understanding of international development and the political agendas, as related to malaria, is preferable.

Experience

Essential:

• At least 7 years of relevant, malaria-specific experience preferably in development, implementation and/or management within at least one of the following intervention areas:

  • Social behaviour change communication (SBCC)
  • Surveillance, monitoring and evaluation
  • Vector control
  • Case management
  • Preventive chemotherapy (seasonal malaria chemoprophylaxis, intermittent preventive therapy)
  • Emergency preparedness and response
  • Procurement and supply chain management
  • Economics and finance
  • Resource mobilization and advocacy

Desirable:

• Experience in planning / implementing / evaluating technical malaria control interventions as described above

  • Knowledge of broader health policies and National Malaria Control Programmes
  • Knowledge of the RBM Partnership Program
• Documented experience of working in complex and politically and technically challenging situations to achieve consensus and effectively manage change, complemented by a proven track record in the development and/or evaluation of policies related to public health, preferably in the area of malaria.
• Documented experience at national and international levels and working with multiple stakeholders.
• Proven track record of success in managing assignments independently and efficiently
• In depth knowledge of WHO normative guidance in the intervention area of stated expertise

Language

• English or French ability to write clearly and concisely.
• Knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) Contract level: ICS-11 (Retainer) Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

****As per UNOPS policy, in duty stations where the NPO (National Professional Officer) category has been established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), a home-based contract may be issued as a Local ICA Specialist position.****

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.