Background

Office/Unit/Project Description 

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. We are on the ground in 170 countries and territories, working with governments and people on their own solutions to global and national development challenges to help empower lives and build resilient nations. 

UNDP has an important role in supporting health outcomes by supporting countries to address the social, cultural and economic determinants of HIV and health, in partnership with UN entities and other organizations. This is done through UNDP’s core work in reducing inequalities and social exclusion that drive HIV and poor health, promoting effective and inclusive governance for health, and building resilient and sustainable systems for health. UNDP also contributes through its coordinating and convening role in bringing together multiple partners and resources at national and local levels.

As a trusted, long-term partner of The 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. Proactive risk management and investing in sustainability are the cornerstones of UNDP’s portfolio management approach and providing technical assistance to national counterparts during all phases of implementation, strengthening legislation, policies and regulatory frameworks, and building capacities across key functional areas, including financial management, health information systems, procurement and supply chain management. 

In Sudan, UNDP is the interim Principal Recipient (PR) for the HIV, TB and C19RM grants. The UNDP-GF partnership under the 2024-2026 allocation aims to contribute towards the achievement of the vision, goals and strategic responses, including targets of the Sudan National HIV and TB Strategic Plans.  For effective implementation of the Global Fund resources, UNDP Sudan has a Program Management Unit (PMU), which under the overall guidance of the UNDP senior management 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, and monitoring and evaluation systems. The GF grant is implemented in accordance with UNDP rules, policies and procedures, the grant confirmation, corporate agreements with the GF and in close coordination with the Federal Ministry of Health, Sub-Receipients, national stakeholders, technical partners and UN entities, the Global Fund (Local Fund Agent, (LFA)) the Global Fund Country Team and Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM).   

Under the overall oversight of the Global Fund Programme Manager and the Programme and Monitoring and Evaluation Team Leader , will be responsible for leading a team of staff responsible for programmatic and M&E functional areas aimed at achieving the goals of the TB/HIV/RSSH Grant(s) and other future health related grants, and ultimately maintaining reasonable progrmatic grant performance ratings. To achieve this, the Programme and M&E section is responsible for leading implementation of the following strategies: 1) Prevention services and community response; 2) Laboratory Services; 3) Key and Vulnerable Populations including FSWs, MSM, IDPs and Refugees and 4) Care and Treatment services including private provider engagement. S/hed will be responsible for providing routine support to the SRs in macro-planning and accelerate implementation of programmes. This will be done in accordance with UNDP rules, policies and procedures, the grant agreements, fund administration agreements and corporate agreements with the GF, and working in partnership with sub-receipients national stakeholders, and close coordination with the GF (including Local Fund Agent), Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM), technical partners and UN entities, the GF/HIST and other UNDP business units and programmes. 

The Programme and Monitoring and Evaluation Team Leader will promote a collaborative, client-oriented approach, ensuring integration across functional areas within the PMU and support for the integration of capacity building and health system strengthening activities. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

Under the overall supervision of the Programme Manager, the Programme and Monitoring and Evaluation Team Leader provides capacity transfer and technical support to the FMOH and other SRs in the area of programme design, accelerating implementation, achievement of results and adequate grant performance rating, reinforcing the functioning of M&E and data systems, and reporting to the Global Fund. In particular, the Programme and Monitoring and Evaluation Team Leader will supervise the staff of the unit and be responsible for the following functions.

1. Ensures effective programmatic management for the achievement of the following results: 

• Leads on the assessing the programmatic impact and substantive monitoring of programme delivery and evaluation of the programmes’ performance and proactively leads on reviews with national and implementing partners, SRs for underperformance, bottlenecks and ensures the accountability for the timely implementation of corrective action(s); 
• Provide routine technical support to SRs, working alongside the  SRs assigned programme/project’s focal persons  to provide capacity transfer in specific diseases response, ensure speedy implementation and delivery of approved work plan and budgets and proper accountability for programmatic results and efficient use of the Global Fund resources.
• In coordination with other PMU units, the Head of Programme and M&E leads on performing risk assessments, develops and implements risk management matrix/plan in the areas of programme and ensures adequate oversight and support is provided, with timely incident reporting;
• Liaise with all functional units of the PMU – PSM, Finance, etc. – to ensure effective coordination towards timely delivery of agreed activities in line with the grant agreement, UNDP rules, policies and procedures and corporate agreements with the Global Fund and leads the preparation of GF programmatic reports and other reporting requirements (e.g., UNDAF, CPD, UBRAF); 
• Establishes a framework and agreed procedures with the SRs for regular, quality reporting to UNDP on programmatic progress (e.g., implementation of activities, and reporting of indicators in accordance with the grant M&E frameworks). 
• Leads on the programmatic and M&E activities for UNDP and SRs to define project proposals, reprogramming requests, annual and quarterly workplans and budgets to ensure timely achievement of agreed results, budget compliance in accordance with UNDP rules, policies and procedures and Grant Agreement with the Fund (e.g., Performance Framework); 
• Develops and maintains an organizational structure for Programme and M&E team to ensure adequate resources to deliver UNDP’s commitments, and supports in the management of staff under his/her supervison, fostering diversity, equity and inclusion and builds the technical, management and leadership capacity of staff for promotion of organizational excellence.

        2.Provide capacity development and technical assistance to the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) on M&E/HMIS, Surveillance and key Strategic Information areas:

• Provide capacity transfer to the M&E Unit of the FMOH/PMU to improve technical skills and M&E systems to fully take over functions related to coordination and management of M&E and reporting of national programs and to the Global Fund; 
• Provide technical support to the FMoH to establish a robust health management information system, especially in the rollout of DHIS.2 system;
• Coordinate between the various entities in FMoH to ensure that data collected at the health facility for the HIV, TB, Malaria and RSSH are adequately captured in the HMIS/DHIS2;
• Coordinate and collaborate with the entities that are implementing key surveillance, M&E and strategic information initiatives in HIV, TB, Malaria and RSSH for timely completion and quality outputs;
• Facilitate the development of national disease M&E plans and health system M&E plans in line with the national priorities and meeting New Funding Model requirements of the Global Fund;
• Design and disseminate M&E reporting tools and templates that support UNDP in effectively executing the PR role, and that enable key partners to effectively plan, implement, monitor and evaluate the assigned grant activities;
• Assess the M&E needs of national counterparts and provide capacity development support, resulting in effective participation in Global Fund M&E activities, such as MESS workshops, On-Site Data Verification, and LFA PUDR assessments;
• Provide needed technical assistance to Sub-Recipients and national systems in strengthening M&E activities.

    3. Supervise and ensure timely preparation and submission of required project reports (quarterly, annual or any other required report) to the Global Fund and UNDP:

• Ensure the preparation of the Annual Work Plan (AWP) for the Programme and M&E Section. 
• Ensure the development and monitoring of performance frameworks for the various grants, in close cooperation with the respective grant sections;
• Work closely with grants and operations sections towards effective monitoring, timely development of reports (quarterly, annual, ad-hoc, grant closure, etc.) and analysis of results of projects to incorporate lessons learnt into recommendations for improvement to be implemented by partners;
• Ensure regular communication and timely feedback to the Sub-Recipients on quarterly and semi-annual reporting issues, including timeliness, correctness, and availability of required supporting documents and the overall implementation of the agreed work plans;
• Ensure the successful joint (including SRs and National Programmes) compilation of reports to be submitted to the Global Fund;
• Maintain effective communication and collaboration with the Local Fund Agent (LFA)

    4.Ensures creation of strategic partnerships with key national actors and supports resource mobilisation efforts focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• In close collaboration with the Finance team, ensure that the SRs adhere to internal controls and compliance with UNDP policies and procedures, and accountability of results and resources, and ensure real-time and quality budget reprogramming and revisions, monitoring the grant absorption rate, monthly and quarterly tracking and review of expenditures etc.
• Support to develop the terms of reference for the consultants for the Sudan HIV/TB/Malaria/RSSH Funding Request, and work with various sub-groups of the Technical Working Groups (TWGs) assigned to work on various grant application interventions under the Funding Request to the Global Fund, providing technical input to ensure the continuation of standard activities supported by the programme to avoid interruption of critical services, ensuring critical gaps are addressed, and ensuring that the funding application is technically sound to maximize the allocated funding to the Sudan HIV/TB//Malaria/RSSH portfolio.
• Support the grant-making process, including updates to key grant-making documents, quality of control of key documents, provide timely clarifications to the Global Fund / LFA, ensure timely submission of key documents and the fulfilment of the TRP clarifications to be implemented throughout the grant implementation process, including the development of quality key strategic plans or expansion plans as recommended by the TRP
• Support the resource mobilisation process for non-Global Fund sources as may be pursued by UNDP CO for the health section in Sudan, including for Capacity Development of National Counterparts, and the civil society.

   5.Facilitation of knowledge building, knowledge sharing and performance management, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Provides high quality programme briefs, write ups and inputs to UNDP reports including, ROAR, Annual Reports, Briefing Notes and any other request for information and represents UNDP at the UN Joint Team on HIV/AIDS and CCM, at the request of the Programme Manager and Head of Programmes and M&E; 
• Identifies and supports development of communications (print, video) highlighting key programme achievements, best practices, and lessons learnt and contributes to information sharing with the FMOH, implementing partners, NGOs, CSOs, communities, donors and technical partners, the GF, CCM, Regional Bureau and GF/HIST; and 
• Actively participates in UNDP and other relevant external networks to promote the programmes and UNDP’s health and development work (e.g., conferences, community of practice, Yammer) and represents UNDP in relevant technical meetings, and working groups and gathers lessons learnt to apply to the programmes. 
• Ensure elaboration and implementation of assigned programme/projects, Grant Management specific capacity development/transfer plan to improve technical skills and program management systems at the DCD and any other designated National entity in preparation to adequately assume PR functions related to coordination and management of grants, according to the GF guidelines and requirements.
• Supervise, energize and motivate the section team and ensure staff capacity building to undertake their assigned work, including setting staff performance goals and targets, and performance management and evaluation.

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

Institutional Arrangement

Working under the overall supervision of the Programme Manager, the Programme and Monitoring and Evaluation Team Leader promotes a collaborative, client-focused, quality and results-oriented approach across grant sub-recipients and stakeholders. The Programme and Monitoring and Evaluation Team Leader spends about 70% of weekly working hours working in close collaboration with the assigned programme/projects focal persons at SRs, providing hand-on technical support to preparation of accelerations plan and capacity transfer in actual implementation of SR work plans, and proactively addressing bottlenecks which could delay speedy implementation of SR work plans and budgets to ensure proper accountability for programmatic results and efficient use of the Global Fund resources. 

In delivering these important functions, the Programme and Monitoring and Evaluation Team Leader supervises the technical staff of the unit, and works in close partnerships with the PSM, Finance and Admin staff at SRs and within the UNDP-PMU, as well as colleagues within the Health Pillar at the CO, and other UN partners.

Competencies:

Core:

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

People Management

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

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business management:

Results-based management:  Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.

Project management:  Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Monitoring: Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results.

Evaluation: 

• Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks.
• Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

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. 
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

Digital & innovation: 

Agile' methodologies and practices:

• Ability to manage projects and processes through continuous iteration, learning and improvement. 
• Ability to manage a self-organising cross-functional team, foster a team culture of curiosity and learning.
• Being nimble and being able to improvise and quickly adjust to unforeseen events or changes in conditions or context. 

Business Direction & Strategy:

System Thinking:

• Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements co-exist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Medical sector, Public Health or relevant related field is required, OR
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years (with Master’s Degree) or 9 years (with Bachelor’s Degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level inprogramme management in developing countries, including in the field of HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Tuberculosis and Health Systems Strengthening is required.

Required  skills :

• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems such as ERP and advanced programmes for statistical analysis of data including web-based management system for Health Information systems

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

• Demonstrated experience in leading the effective implementation of complex grants, and in developing countries, managing effective partnerships with government or civil society organizations in the area of creating and reinforcing the functioning of routine health management information systems, and building M&E capacities
• A solid understanding/experience of the Global Context and Sudan’s own national strategies to respond to HIV, TB and Malaria epidemics, including health information systems, is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in working with national diseases programme will be an asset
• Demonstrated experience in the M&E, including management of health information systems
• Strong knowledge of the Global Fund’s rules, policies, procedures and reporting

Demonstrated experience in developing and managing effective partnerships with government and civil society organizations in the area of health and development programmes.

Required Language(s) :

• Fluency in English and Arabic is required
• Working knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

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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