• Organization: UNDP – United Nations Development Programme
• Location: Afghanistan
• Grade: Level not specified – Level not specified
• Occupational Groups:
  • Administrative support
  • HIV and AIDS
  • Project and Programme Management
• Closing Date: 2023-01-18

Background

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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 is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. UNDP has been working in Afghanistan for more than 50 years on climate change and resilience, gender, governance, health, livelihoods, and rule of law. Under the broader framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in close coordination with other UN agencies, UNDP is supporting Afghan people’s aspiration for peace, prosperity, and sustainability. UNDP is currently implementing its flagship crisis response programme, ABADEI (Area Based Approach to Development Emergency Initiatives), as part of the ongoing UN-led response to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe and the breakdown of Afghanistan’s economy following the August 2021 shift in power.

As a trusted, long-term partner of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund, GF), UNDP’s value proposition lies in providing an integrated package of development solutions to strengthen institutions to deliver health services. Through its contributions as interim Principal Recipient (PR) and provider of technical assistance in over 53 countries since 2003, UNDP’s provision of integrated policy, implementation and capacity development support to countries has yielded significant health and development results in challenging operating environments. Within the HIV, Health and Development Group, Bureau of Programme and Policy Support, Global Policy Network the Global Fund – Health Implementation Support Team (GF/HIST) is a dedicated team providing support to UNDP Country Offices implementing health and development programmes.

In Afghanistan, UNDP is the interim Principal Recipient  for the three diseases, HIV, TB and malaria and health system strengthening (the ‘Grant’). The country has also accessed additional GF resources for the COVID-19 response (C19RM), which is consolidated with the Grant and is being implemented by UNDP Afghanistan. For effective implementation of the Global Fund portfolio, UNDP Afghanistan 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 pharmaceutical and laboratory supply chain systems.

Under direct supervision of the Programme Specialist HIV, the Project Associate works in close collaboration with the Sub-recipients (SRs) of the Global Fund project, the operations and project teams in the PMU to provide general administrative support and ensure successful implementation and oversight of the HIV grant activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Ensures the provision of effective and efficient support to the HIV grant management activities, with the following responsibilities:
   • Support implementation and follow up of approved activities under the Global Fund HIV grant with respective implementing partners in compliance with UNDP/GF rules and procedures and in line with signed grant agreement, budget and performance framework;
   • In consultation with respective programs and departments, support implementing partners, for results-based implementation of programme activities, in accordance with the action plans and within established budgets;
   • Assist in the design, development and monitoring of budgets, work plans, milestones and indicators for the the Global Fund HIV grant with all programs/departments and implementing partners and assist in annual work planning and reporting on the Global Fund HIV grant in accordance with donor and corporate UNDP requirements;
   • Ensures timely preparation of relevant program reports; PU/PUDR, annual report, UNDP reports, briefs etc; Analysis of the situation in Programme, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions; Proactively respond to grant related issues and follow up with all programs/departments and implementing partners to ensure smooth grant implementation;
   • Follow up on performance indicators/ success criteria, targets and milestones, preparation of reports.

2. Provides effective administrative support to management of the the Global Fund HIV grant focusing on the achievement of the following results:
   • Facilitate procurement of the commodities under the grant with the relevant programs;
   • Ensure proper control of the supporting documents for the payments jointly with procurement and finance sections;
   • Raise requisitions, track expenditures, prepare monthly and quarterly financial expenditure reports, and register of goods receipt in Atlas; Make budget check for requisitions, POs and vouchers;
   • Ensure maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas;
   • Provide administrative support for the preparation and facilitation of relevant events, including workshops and trainings under the the Global Fund HIV grant;
   • Risk based monitoring of implementing partners’ program and financial reporting to ensure quality data, compliance with financial rules to avoid misuse of grant funds;
   • Ensure that the set targets and activities are implemented in a timely manner to achieve the expected results; Ensure thorough review of implementing partners’ quarterly reports and certification of achievement of program targets linked to approved budgets;
   • Participation in audit of the project, respond to audit queries, develop action plans to address audit recommendations and ensure timely implementation of audit recommendations.

3. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:
   • Assist in dissemination of best practices for the management and implementation of the the Global Fund HIV grant at the local level;
   • Assist in assessing needs of implementing partners and reinforcing capacities for effective programme implementation;
   • Organize trainings for the operations/ projects staff on HIV programme;
   • Proactively undertakes regular monitoring of project sites; independently as well as jointly with partners and providing reports; Proactively conducts regular visits to SRs to follow up implementation, identify bottlenecks and prepare recommendation to the programme officer;
   • Regularly participate in HIV coordination meetings and other TWG meetings;
   • Conduct timely analysis of M&E data and providing narrative reports to the Global Fund, LFA, Global Fund Program Unit/UNDP and UNDP country office; Conduct verification of SR reports and data provided by SR at central and provincial/border levels;
   • Facilitate monthly/quarterly coordination meetings with implementing partners and national counterparts for performance reviews and adjustments as needed;
   • Assist in the regular collection of results for the project process indicators;
   • Jointly working with other departments within the PMU to ensure synergism of the efforts for better implementation of Z-grant.

1. Perform other duties within your functional profile as assigned and deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the office
2. Institutional Arrangement

The Project Associate for the Global Fund HIV grant reports to the Programme Specialist HIV.

Competencies

• CoreAchieve Results:LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadlineThink Innovatively:LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvementsLearn Continuously:LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedbackAdapt with Agility:LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexibleAct with Determination:LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confidentEngage and Partner:LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationshipsEnable Diversity and Inclusion:LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discriminationCross-Functional & Technical competenciesThematic AreaNameDefinitionBusiness Direction and StrategyNegotiation and InfluenceAbility to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and create ‘win-win’ situationBusiness DevelopmentKnowledge GenerationAbility to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated needBusiness ManagementProject ManagementAbility to plan, organise, prioritise and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goalBusiness ManagementPartnerships ManagementAbility to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policiePartnership managementRelationship managementAbility to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understandingAdministration & OperationsEvents management (including retreats, trainings and meetings)Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etcHIV, Health and DevelopmentAccess to treatment and quality servicesKnowledge of access to treatment and quality services, policy and principles and strategic and/or practical situations for comunnicable and non-communicable diseases

Required Skills and Experience

Travel: 

The Project Associate is required to make travels to the provinces for the purpose of supervision, monitoring and evaluation of the HIV grant.

Any travel associated with performing the functions of Project Associate shall be payable by UNDP as per applicable Policy.

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.

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