BACKGROUND

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

OFFICE/UNIT/PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development within the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work, carried out at headquarters, regional hubs, and country office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.
Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) is responsible for developing all relevant policies and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. BPPS staff provide technical advice to country offices, advocate for UNDP corporate messages, represent UNDP at multi-stakeholder forums including public-private dialogues and government-civil society dialogues, and engage in UN inter-agency coordination on specific thematic areas. BPPS collaborates closely with UNDP’s Crisis Bureau to support emergency and crisis response, ensuring that risk considerations are fully integrated into development programmes. BPPS assists UNDP and its partners in achieving higher-quality development results through an integrated approach that links results-based management and performance monitoring with innovative, knowledge-driven programme support efforts.
The 2030 Agenda for SDGs and the pledge to leave no one behind reflect the interconnectedness of health and sustainable development, addressing issues such as widening economic and social inequalities, the climate crisis, rapid urbanization, the continuing burden of HIV and other infectious diseases (e.g., malaria, tuberculosis), the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, and emerging health threats. Delivering health and well-being for all demands innovative partnerships and financing. As affirmed in the Political Declaration of the 2019 High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage (UHC), partners like the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and others are critical to achieving the health-related goals of the 2030 Agenda. The Stronger Collaboration, Better Health: Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All outlines how multilateral health, development, and humanitarian agencies, including UNDP, will collaborate to support countries in delivering UHC and achieving health-related SDG targets.
UNDP’s partnership with the Global Fund, in alignment with UNDP’s HIV, Health, and Development Strategy 2022–2025: Connecting the Dots , makes a vital contribution to UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2022–2025, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the SDGs, and the pledge to leave no one behind.
As a long-standing partner of the Global Fund, UNDP’s value proposition lies in providing an integrated package of development solutions to strengthen institutions delivering health services. Since 2003, as an interim Principal Recipient (PR) and provider of technical assistance to Global Fund grants in 51 countries, UNDP has achieved significant health and development results in challenging operating environments. Proactive risk management and investing in sustainability form the cornerstones of UNDP’s portfolio management approach, enabling countries with significant capacity constraints to manage large-scale health programmes. By offering technical assistance during all implementation phases, strengthening legislation, policies, and regulatory frameworks, and building capacities in critical areas like financial management, health information systems, procurement, and supply chain management, UNDP ensures sustainable transitions to national entities. UNDP’s track record as PR over the past 20 years underscores its capacity to deliver in challenging environments, solidifying its positioning as a health implementation support partner.
A critical role of the Global Fund Partnership Team is to support Country Offices (COs) with tools, methodologies, learning materials, and expertise for capacity development, fostering resilient and sustainable systems for health, and promoting knowledge building and management, focusing on communication and information sharing across country offices (COs) and regions, and with UNDP’s health and development partners.
The role readiness training programme directly addresses the specific capacity-building needs of CO personnel involved in Global Fund grant implementation. Unlike broader UNDP people development initiatives, these targeted trainings focus on the precise skills and knowledge required for the unique demands of roles within the Global Fund context. It aims to equip new personnel and those transitioning into new roles with the necessary skills and knowledge, thereby reducing the learning curve and enhancing overall programme efficiency.
The learning methodology is focused on tailored, role-specific trainings delivered through a combination of virtual and in-person workshops, self-paced online modules, fieldwork and follow-up sessions. The Programme Specialist (Role Readiness) will lead the overall initiative, ensure the rollout of all touchpoints and learning components, monitor and evaluate training effectiveness, and ensure robust feedback mechanisms are in place for continuous improvement and adaptation of the training programme.

MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in International Development, Social Science, Knowledge Management, Human Resource Management, Business Management, Communications, or related area is required. OR
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

MINIMUM YEARS OF RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE

A minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in the public or private sectors with increasing level of responsibility in project management and the use of digital tools for communication, knowledge management and engagement, is required.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Experience in Project management of learning initiatives is required.
• Experience in coordination of stakeholders for the design and delivery of learning interventions is required.

DESIRED SKILLS IN ADDITION TO THE COMPETENCIES COVERED IN THE COMPETENCIES SECTION

• Experience and broad knowledge of UNDP and/or the UN system in general is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in agile project management of learning initiatives is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in monitoring and evaluation of learning programmes is desired.
• Proven experience in writing and editing of a variety of documents is an asset.
• Experience in learning design and delivery – with a focus on online learning is desired.
• Communications experience working with an international organization is an asset.
• Familiarity with Global Fundʼs policies and knowledge products is an asset.
• Experience working in knowledge management with a UN Agency is an asset.

RIGHT TO SELECT MULTIPLE CANDIDATES

• 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.

RIGHT TO SELECT MULTIPLE CANDIDATES

• 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.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide technical advice and quality assurance to UNDP Country Offices in management of Global Fund projects and other health projects:
• Leading a Country Team, provide technical programme and policy advisory support, guidance and advocacy to Country Offices in the management and implementation of Global Fund grants and other health projects through each stage of grant life cycle, including on feasibility and risk analysis of new initiatives in compliance with UNDP rules, policies and procedures and Grant Agreements.
• Provide technical programme and policy advisory support to ensure linkages of Global Fund projects with other health projects for the effective use of resources, ensuring synergies and avoiding duplication.Liaise with HHG Regional Advisors to facilitate support to COs in the relevant priority areas agreed for each region.
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• Ensure Effective Programme Coordination on Role Readiness

• Oversee the implementation of the Role Readiness Project for Key Functions in Global Fund-funded Health Programmes, ensuring all touchpoints of the project are activated effectively.
• Establish and manage a mechanism and cadence for organizing quarterly orientation sessions on the UNDP-Global Fund partnership in collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Facilitate systematic onboarding processes to support new personnel in gaining a foundational understanding of their roles within critical domains, including programme management, financial management, health product management, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Coordinate with the BPPS/Quality Programming team to ensure engagement and participation in RBM and PPM training materials and workshops.
• Define and document roles, responsibilities, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for individuals and teams involved in the programme rollout.
• Develop and implement an engagement and communication strategy to raise awareness and ensure active participation in the programme.
• Support the seamless integration of self-paced online modules, fieldwork components, and follow-up sessions into the training plan.
• Support the organization of the annual workshop for Country Office personnel.
• Collaborate with GFPHST functional teams to activate the continuous development touchpoints including supporting the organization of the annual in-person workshop for the Country Office (CO) and PMU personnel working on Global Fund grant implementation.
• Support the standardization of JDs and ToRs for key functions in consultation with GSSCOversee the capacity and talent mapping within the UNDP/Global Fund portfolio, including HQ and COs.
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• Training Material Development

• Collaborate with the Role Readiness People Development Specialist (TDU) and GFPHST subject matter experts to design and update training materials, including interactive resources, practical assignments, and self-paced modules tailored to functional areas.
• Ensure training materials are accessible and inclusive, incorporating language support and virtual delivery tools.
• Support the creation of guides and templates where applicable (e.g. for “how-to” resources, lists of key policies, personal development plans with suggested resources to learn more).Ensure the inclusion of UNDP/GF technical guidance and tools into the PPM and RBM trainings and other material.
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• Evaluation and Feedback Mechanisms and Facilitate Knowledge Sharing

• Design and implement feedback mechanisms to collect participant insights and assess training effectiveness across all touchpoints.
• Analyze evaluation data to identify gaps and propose actionable improvements for continuous programme enhancement.
• Support the integration of qualitative assessments during follow-up sessions to gauge participants’ understanding and practical application of the training.
• Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on development and programme related issues. Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the programme, facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the programme, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with programme partners and to support UNDP’s engagement in this area.