Please note the appropriate Tier indicated in the vacancy title and ensure that you are holding the applicable contract as defined below:

• Tier 1: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates)  
• Tier 2: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA) and personnel on regular PSA contracts 
• Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Background

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

The 2030 Agenda for SDGs and the pledge to leave no one behind reflect the interconnectedness of health and sustainable development, including 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 the emergence of health threats. The scope and scale of 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), the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) and others are critical partners for delivering on the health-related goals of the 2030 Agenda. 

UNDP’s partnership with the Global Fund, in line 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. 

Based on demand from Country Offices, and building on the relationships, expertise, systems, partnerships, including across the UN family, and comparative advantage established through the Global Fund partnership, the Global Fund Partnership/Health Systems Team (GFP-HST) is providing support to Country Offices through three overarching modalities: 1) the Global Fund portfolio, 2) health system strengthening  and 3) other health implementation support beyond the Global Fund, including Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), UNITAID and Smart Facilities. 

The GFP-HST provides its support through a country team approach to strengthen and integrate the different functional capacities (e.g. Finance, monitoring and evaluation, procurement and supply management, programme, Sub-recipient management), leveraging technical and policy support from the HIV, Health and Development (HHD) Group and other UNDP units. The GFPHST has a Senior Management Group for the coordination and management of the portfolio, and the portfolio is reviewed annually by the OPG. 

Purpose of the position 

Under the overall supervision of Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist (Team Leader), the M&E Specialist (Grant Support) plays a key role in the provision of technical support to Country Offices, national entities and Global Fund Partnership Team and the Health Team more broadly, with a range of responsibilities related to the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E). 

The M&E Specialist (Grant Support) will strengthen the Global Fund Partnership Team’s analytical functions and support to the Country Offices implementing Global Fund’s grants, advising teams of Programme Management Units and GFP-HST Programme Specialists on performance trends and identifying opportunities and strategies to overcome implementation bottlenecks to maximize efficiencies and impact and build resilient and sustainable health systems. The role will promote a collaborative, client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules, policies, procedures, contributing to the country team approach and support to the integration of capacity building activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

1.Provision of M&E advisory support to Country offices 

• Advise Country Offices in the development of M&E elements of the Global Fund Funding Requests for the grant cycle 8 (GC8), such as Programmatic Gap Tables, Performance Frameworks, M&E Budgets and M&E Plans. 
• Advise Country Offices in the revision of grant Performance Frameworks that are appropriate to the country’s epidemiological context and are in alignment with National Strategic Plans. 
• Advise and support Country Offices to develop site monitoring plans (including protocols for data verification and validation) for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and health systems strengthening grants in line with Global Fund rules, policies and procedures and provide guidance on implementation and monitoring. 
• Advise and support Country Offices in the preparation and quality assurance of the M&E sections of the Progress Updates/ Disbursement Requests (PUDR) reports to be submitted to the Global Fund.
• Facilitate deep-dive performance reviews with focus on underperforming indicators;
• Guide in the identification of potential implementation problems and bottlenecks and recommend appropriate strategies to address them;
• Advise and support Country Offices to prepare for OAI audits and to address audit findings in the area of monitoring and evaluation and support the implementation of the management actions. 
• Guide country offices in identifying and planning actions to improve data quality.
• Provide advisory support for strengthening health management information systems including DHIS2.
• Provide back-up support to the team members leading other portfolios when necessary.

2. Ensure effective results reporting and portfolio wide analysis.

• Undertake analysis of performance in different programmatic areas and support the GF-HIST Programme Specialists and Country Offices in catalysing corrective actions. 
• Consolidate programmatic and policy results across UNDP’s Global Fund portfolio, analyze trends in performance and provide strategic advice on how to adapt approaches and improve performance. 

3. Promoting learning and knowledge sharing 

• Document the lessons learned on strengthening M&E capacities and grant implementation through effective M&E.   
• Contribute to organizing Knowledge Exchanges for Country Office staff through identifying pertinent topics, preparing material and identifying technical experts. 
• Develop technical guidance and conduct training and 1-1 coaching activities in M&E. 
• Contribute to enhancing M&E tools used at country level. 
• Participate in designing and conducting special studies aimed at improving programmatic performance and enhancing impact of the Global Fund’s investments. 

Institutional Arrangement

The M&E Specialist will report to the Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist (Team Leader).

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results - LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact 
Think Innovatively - LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems 
Learn Continuously - LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility - LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands 
Act with Determination - LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner - LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion - LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Direction and Strategy - Negotiation and Influence:  Reach a common understanding/agreement, persuade others, resolve points of difference through a dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions and create ‘win-win’ situations.
Business Direction and Strategy - Systems Thinking:  Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
Business Development - Knowledge Facilitation:  Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange. 
Business Management - Risk Management:  Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks.
Business Management - Results-based management:  Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools. 
Partnership Management - Relationship management:  Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.
Agenda 2030: People - Health : Support to Global Fund and other Health Programmes 
 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in Public Health, Monitoring & Evaluation, International Relations, Public Administration or related field is required or related field is required. OR
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above-mentioned fields of study in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years’ (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in developing and advising on monitoring and evaluation frameworks and systems for public health and disease-specific programmes. 
• Extensive knowledge and experience of Global Fund monitoring and evaluation policies and processes. 
• Experience in building M&E capacity of national stakeholders in health and development programmes.
• Experience in developing monitoring tools and conducting oversight of implementation.
• Experience with data management and data visualization tools (PowerBI or other). 
• Experience with the Global Fund’s Data Quality Review methodology and tools. 
• Knowledge and experience of UN or UNDP operational processes and procedures.

Language:

• Fluency in Russian and English is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

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.

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