The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life, as envisaged by 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We are on the ground in more than 170 countries and territories, working with governments and people on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners that can bring about results.

UNDP is key partner to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the ‘Global Fund’, ‘GF’) and serves as interim Principal Recipient (‘PR’) at the request of the Country Coordinating Mechanism (‘CCM’) or GF. The GF has been supporting the National TB Programme (NTP) of Turkmenistan since 2010 and so far, has invested about $30 mln.

In July 2021, Turkmenistan has started implementation of the transitional TB grant with the budget of $5,0 mln aiming at ensuring sustainability of the NTP and preparedness to its full transition from the GF support to full domestic funding by the end of 2024 (Exit-2024). In addition to the TB grant, Turkmenistan received COVID-19 response funding in the amount of $1,5 mln to be implemented from Oct 2021 to Dec.

As in the past grants, Turkmenistan CCM requested UNDP Turkmenistan to continue the PR’ role for the Exit-2024 TB grant. The Ministry of Health and Medical Industry (MoH) is the main implementing partner, the WHO and National Red Crescent Society (NRCS) are the Sub-recipients (‘SR’). In the role of PR, UNDP is responsible for the financial and programmatic management of the Global Fund grant as well as procurement of pharmaceutical and non-health items and the quality of the services provided under the Programme. In all areas of implementation, UNDP provides support to national partners to strengthen health systems to assume the PR’ role when capacities permit. Central to UNDP’s work is strengthening partnerships between MoH, other government agencies, affected communities, development partners and UN agencies to ensure more effective and inclusive governance of the response against the disease.

For the implementation of the Programmes funded by the Global Fund, UNDP Turkmenistan established a Programme Management Unit (‘PMU’) which coordinates and oversees the implementation of the Programme and ensures compliance of the terms and conditions of the grant agreements with the GF and UNDP rules, policies and procedures.  The PMU is based in Health Portfolio of UNDP Turkmenistan, links with other UNDP programs in Turkmenistan and also with other UNDP Country Offices acting as PR for Global Fund programmes in the region and globally.

In addition to the GF grant, the Government of Turkmenistan commits funding for procurement of health products for control of TB, viral hepatitis C and safe blood transfusion. The funding through the Government Financing agreement (FA) complements the GF grant by gradual takeover of all GF activities by 2024. So far, the Government has taken over the procurement of TB medicines for treatment of drug-sensitive TB and with resistance to multiple drugs (MDR-TB), and reagents. In 2022-2023 within the signed FA, the Government will also absorb the patient support activities, maintenance of medical equipment, and other activities currently under the GF grant.

Project strategy

The goal of the project is: To finalize the successful transition and strengthen the sustainability of the Global Fund investments in Turkmenistan through progressive government co-financing of all key interventions by 2024 and reaching sustainability and self-reliance of the National TB Program by 2025. The project is streamlined around two main Objectives:

• Objective 1 To sustain the National TB response in the successful and complete transition to domestic funding.
• Objective 2 To ensure universal access to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care services for people with drug-resistant TB leaving no one behind and apply people-centered strategic interventions during the transition period.

The transitional grant will invest in the activities prioritized by the National Program for Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis in Turkmenistan in 2021-2025, and in line with the Global Fund’s sustainability, transition, and co-financing policy.

The project will be implemented from 1 July 2021 to 31 Dec 2024. The Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan is the Beneficiary of the Project and Government Institution responsible for the implementation of the project. The project also works with the Ministry of Internal Affairs for improving quality of TB services in the penitentiary sector. UNDP is the Principal Recipient for the project. Country Coordinating Mechanism (CMM) is established and serves as the project’s coordination and decision-making body. WHO implements technical assistance, training of healthcare workers, and operational research. The NRCS implements patient support to MDR-TB patients on ambulatory treatment. The project interventions are verified by the GF Local Fund Agent (LFA) who has independent programme and finance specialists for verification of the project reports, including by spot checks.

The UNDP Health Programme Specialist is assigned with the responsibility for the overall supervision of the project implementation.

The day-to-day administration of the project is to be carried out by a Project Manager (PM), assisted by the PMU. The PMU consists of: Project Manager, Finance Specialist, M&E Specialist, Lab Specialist, Admin & Logistics Assistant, Driver & Customs Clerk.  

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Manager has the authority to run the project on a day-to-day basis on behalf of the CCM within the constraints laid down by the CCM. The Project Manager is responsible for day-to-day management and decision-making for the project. The Project Manager’s prime responsibility is to ensure that the project produces the results specified in the project document, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost.

Working under the supervision of the UNDP Health Programme Specialist to whom he/she will report, and in partnership with the project staff, the PM will be responsible for leading the Project Team in the day-to-day implementation of the Project and managing Project resources effectively and efficiently so as to achieve the Project Objective and Outcomes within the set timescale and available budget.  More specifically, the PM will perform the following duties:

Ensures effective management of the Global Fund programme focusing on achievement of the programme results and the NTP Transition arrangements:

• Oversight and management of programme planning, implementation with emphasis on achievement of programme targets and the transitional arrangements.
• Coordination and supervision of administrative, financial, procurement and programmatic aspects of the Global Fund grants in accordance with the grant agreement with the Global Fund and UNDP rules and regulations.
• Regular update of the NTP sustainability and transition plan, status of its action plan, and prepare reports on this status to the CCM and the donor.
• Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the GF Programme, identification of potential implementation problems and recommend appropriate solutions.
• Ensure that the activities managed by Sub Recipients are executed according to their work plan and budgets and the terms and conditions of grant agreements ensuring quality of the projects and achievement of Programme targets.
• Development and regular review of the risk management matrix for the GF Programme, Sub recipients (SRs) and technical partners.
• Assess the programmatic impact and oversee the appropriateness and the accuracy of methods use to verify progress and the results.
• Participate in recruitment process of PMU staff. performance management and supervision of UNDP programme and project staff to motivate and promote organizational excellence.
• Lead on the GF Programme audits and ensure follow up on audit recommendations in liaison with the Audit Focal point in the Country Office
• Advise management on project implementation and actively take a lead in discussions related to efficient and effective programme implementation.
• Ensure and be accountable for efficient M&E, trainings, communications, programmatic results and processes within the framework of the TB grant agreements at PR and SR levels.
• Management and supervision of project implementation and evaluation across all components. Assurance of successful completion of the project in accordance with the stated outcomes, targets and deliverables summarized in the Project Performance Framework.
• Regular communication and coordination with the National Implementing Partner, the CCM, and all other partners and interested stakeholders.
• Organization of CCM meetings at least once per year, or more frequently if required.
• Regular communication with senior UNDP management with regard to all project activity. 
• Preparation of Annual Work Plans, as well as annual spending targets in accordance with the Project Document. Tracking of work outputs throughout the year in light of these Annual Work Plans.
• Tracking and managing of project spending in accordance with the project budget, as well as UNDP rules and procedures, to ensure transparency, responsibility, and timely fulfilment of both program targets and budget targets.
• Preparation and submittal of annual Progress Update and Disbursement Request (PUDR) to the CCM, UNDP, and GF in accordance with the Grant Agreement requirements.
• Supervision of regular data collection and analysis, as well as reporting and public outreach via the mass media, events, and other means, to disseminate the results of the project.
• Regular travel to project sites within Turkmenistan to organize and monitor project activity. possible travel outside the country for participation in directly relevant international meetings.
• Support to independent evaluations of the project, for example conducted within the review of the NTP or within the UNDP evaluations.
• Under the guidance of UNDP CO, liaise with the donor, the Local Fund Agent, government and other external relations.
• Prepare Final Project Review Reports and other documents required for the closure of the project.
• Manage the transfer of project deliverables, documents, files, equipment and materials to national beneficiaries.

Ensure quality of implementation of the projects by sub-recipients and implementing partners against their SR agreements:

• Facilitate and support the implementation of the activities by the 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.
• Jointly with other team members under the guidance of senior management 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.

Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and support the implementation of the resource mobilization:

• Coordinate and build partnerships with the national disease programmes, Ministry of Health, UN Agencies, financial and technical partners and other implementing partners as well as with international and local stakeholders to ensure transparent and effective implementation of the GF Programme.
• Support the national strategic planning processes for the GF Programme based on evidence gained during implementation of the Programme.
• Maintain close co-ordination between the GF programme with other health initiatives in the country to ensure and promote continuity, partnership building and avoid duplication of programmatic activities.
• Maintain effective partnership with government and regional institutions, implementing partners and UNDP colleagues to exchange critical and technical information and resolve programme/project implementation issues to ensure results are achieved as planned.
• Establish dialogue with donors, partners and stakeholders to maintain effective working relationships, sustain interests, resource mobilization and cooperation.

Ensures guidance and capacity building and facilitation of knowledge building and sharing:

• Engage with national partners to build the capacity of national systems and health institutions including national disease programmes in the key areas of procurement, financial management and oversight, risk management, project implementation and monitoring.
• Ensure access to appropriate tools and resources required to support government and national entities in the implementation and oversight of their Global Fund programmes and for timely transition to the domestic funding.
• Synthesis of lessons learnt and disseminate best practices for management of the Programme.

Core Competencies

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work.
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking.
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others, and support their learning.
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process.
• Act with Determination:  LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously.
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion:  LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making.

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

• Business direction and strategy-Strategic Thinking:
  • Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks, and opportunities, linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions.
• Business Development - Human-centered Design:
  • Ability to develop solutions to problems by involving the human perspective in all steps of the problem-solving process.
• Business Development Knowledge generation:
  • Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
• Business management- Working with Evidence and Data:
  • Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions, and supporting decision-making.
• Business management - Communication:
  • Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
• Business management- Risk management:
  • Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks.
• HIV, Health and Development- Access to prevention and treatment services:
  • Understanding and practical experience of issues related to HIV, Health and Development social determinants of health and the ability to apply them to strategic and/or practical situations.

• Bachelor's degree (in any field) is required.
• Master’s degree in medicine, public health, medical statistic, pharmacy will be an asset. 

• Minimum 2 years (with Master’s degree) or 4 years (with a Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in management of a development project nationally/internationally.
• Experience in management of a medical or public health project will be an asset.
• Experience in the area of infectious diseases will be an asset.
• Experience in procurement, supply, or maintenance of medical equipment will be an asset. 
• Experience in partnership building and management with multi-stakeholders, including government agencies, health donors and civil society organizations.

Languages:

• Fluency in English, Russian, and Turkmen (written and spoken).

Required Documents

• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
• A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.
• Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as  reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.