UNAIDS Country Coordinator

Job Description

Vacancy No.: UNAIDS/08/FT74
Position title: UNAIDS Country Coordinator, Djibouti
Grade: P5
Contract type: Fixed-term appointment
Duration of contract: Fixed term appointment
Deadline for application: 12 August 2008
Currently accepting applications
Organization unit: AI UNAIDS Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (AI)
Technical and Operational Support (TOS)/Regional Support Team, MENA (RST)
Duty station: Djibouti Djibouti

Main tasks and Responsibilities of the Position:

The UNAIDS Country Coordinator (UCC) operates within the Resident Coordinator system to support the work of the UN Country Team (UNCT) or UN Joint Team (UNJT). The primary role of the UCC is to facilitate and support a joint UN response to HIV at country level. Working from a strong UN platform, the UCC serves to strengthen the links between the UN system, government, civil society, and people living with HIV.
The UCC supports the efficient functioning of the UN Theme Group (UNTG) on HIV mechanism (including the Technical Working Groups and other relevant forums) to ensure coordination and communication within the UN and between the UN, government and all other development partners.
Specifically, the UCC will support the UNCT to provide:

1. Leadership and Advocacy for effective action on the epidemic
a. Advocate for integration and mainstreaming of HIV, especially through the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) processes, and other major development instruments.
b. Advocate for the emergence and affirmation of national coordinating entities (e.g. National AIDS Councils).
c. Provide leadership and guidance on policy and strategy for a scaled-up national response.
d. Advocate with all national and international partners - government, civil society, bilateral and multilateral -- for an expanded response to AIDS on issues relevant to the national situation.
e. Facilitate the development and application of a Joint UN advocacy strategy and plan.

2. Strategic information required to guide the efforts of partners
a. Ensure the collation, dissemination and use of strategic information across the range of issues and themes needed to guide public policy, support the UN's advocacy efforts, and inform technically and ethically sound policies and programmes.
b. Support the establishment and consolidation of mechanisms (Country Response Information Systems) to track the national response, including national programme efforts, financing and results.
c. Facilitate the application by the UNCT of the UN Learning Strategy on HIV, including HIV in the UN workplace programmes.

3. Tracking, monitoring and evaluation of the epidemic and response
a. Promote the development and consolidation of Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) systems in general; facilitate coordination of Cosponsor activities for M&E systems development (e.g. Global Aids M&E Support Team (GAMET)).
b. Support the development of a joint UN strategy on HIV and monitoring of a UN implementation support plan based on the UNDAF Results Matrix.
c. Encourage periodic monitoring and reporting of activities of Cosponsors and other UN agencies at UNTG level according to an agreed set of indicators based on a UN Implementation Support Plan (ISP).
d. Facilitate strategic management of the response, including government-led participatory reviews.
e. Facilitate tracking of resources allocated to HIV-related activities and identification and monitoring of resource gaps.

4. Civil society engagement and partnership development
a. Promote increased participation of all sectors of society, national and international partners, in the planning, implementation and evaluation of AIDS activities through mechanisms such as national partnership forums.
b. Mobilize support for civil society organizations and NGOs, in particular those representing people living with HIV, to contribute to national policy and programme development.
c. Support national leadership for an expanded response, inclusive of civil society, people living with HIV, and the private sector.
d. Broker strategic partnerships between national and international programme partners.

5. Financial, technical and political resource mobilization
a. Identify and monitor capacity gaps; mobilise technical, financial and institutional resources to respond to needs.
b. Facilitate national leadership of coordinated efforts to mobilize resources, domestic and international, including from development banks, funds and foundations.
c. Promote participatory processes for strategic allocation and utilisation of resources, supportive of national priorities and national capacity building.

6. Lead a team of international and locally-recruited staff, including staff selection, appraisals and oversee the sound administration of funds and materials entrusted.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:
Advanced degree in development economics, social or physical sciences, public health, public administration, management, or similar academic preparation.

Competencies:
Knowledge of development issues and of the application of research findings to meet the requirements of developing countries. Thorough understanding of the AIDS epidemic and its implications. Knowledge of the UN system of organizations and their delivery mechanisms.

Experience:
11 to 15 years experience in managing and implementing development cooperation programs, including field experience with demonstrated achievements in developing countries. Experience in working with UN system organizations in technical programs, or in public health at international level is required.

Languages:
Advanced level of French and English.
Annual salary: (Net of tax)
75 432 US$ at single rate
81 197 US$ with primary dependants
Post Adjustment: 49.2 % of the figure(s) on the left side. This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.


Applicants will be required to take a test. Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.

Applications from people living with HIV are particularly welcome.

Applications from women and from nationals of non- and under-represented member states are particularly encouraged. Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations and Rules.

Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

UNAIDS reserves the right to extend the deadline for application as required.

Note: The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer or promotion of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity. The medical criterion for recruitment is fitness to work in the particular post. The United Nations HIV/AIDS Personnel Policy clearly stipulates that no staff and/or potential candidates shall be discriminated against on the basis of real or perceived HIV status. HIV infection, in itself, does not constitute lack of fitness to work. There is no obligation to disclose HIV-related personal information.

Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable UNAIDS to store your profile in a permanent database. Please visit UNAIDS's e-Recruitment website at: . The system provides instructions for online application procedures.

All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.

For new applicants, please click to apply.

Please click to apply online.