HIV/AIDS Specialist

In the 1980’s the national response was focused on medical services such as securing safe blood for transfusion. UNDP, along with the other UN agencies have since been active in supporting the national response. Additional support has been coming from bilateral donors. International and bilateral agencies have provided technical assistance to build the Government’s capacity to respond to the epidemic. Nevertheless, the national response has continued to be weak even after the multiparty elections in 1994. It has suffered from adequate national coordination mechanisms for HIV/AIDS programmes and inefficient mobilization and utilization of available human capacity. UNDP-supported HIV and AIDS activities have been focused on capacity building and mainstreaming. For the former, UNDP has been providing support for institutional development, training, and the development of systems and mechanisms for the effective management of the epidemic at national and sub-national levels. With respect to mainstreaming, UNDP has assisted both public and private sectors by providing support to Government ministries and districts as well as to cities. In order to address the need for improved national capacity to coordinate, manage, and monitor HIV responses, UNDP has been committed to increase the number of public and private institutions, including civil society organizations, that are mainstreaming HIV and AIDS interventions into their core policies, strategies and programs. UNDP has also been committed to support a capacity assessment to determine barriers to the implementation of mainstreaming policies and to inform any required policy and strategy reviews. It has further been committed to support capacity building of local assemblies to manage HIV and AIDS interventions within their constituencies and also support the NACs ability to coordinate the national response. Based on the premise that UNDP is viewed as being appropriately positioned to address poverty reduction, good governance, and HIV/AIDS management, UNDP is expected to help build and strengthen Government’s capacity in strategic planning, coordination, leadership and ownership of the development agenda and domestication of the Paris Declaration. Further to this, UNDP is re-positioning itself to be focused on up-stream support to ensure strategic policy impact in the following four areas: long term sustainability of the HIV/AIDS response; monitor the Legislative Framework to review areas that undermine the response to HIV; determine and monitor an appropriate national response to the prevention and treatment needs of vulnerable populations such as men who have sex with men (MSM); strengthen links between National Development Plans and the National HIV Strategies & Frameworks so that the development consequences and causes of HIV are better understood and addressed in both national HIV/AIDS strategies and national development plans and processes. The HIV/AIDS Specialist is therefore expected to provide technical and policy guidance to Government and UNDP in the four strategic areas within the scope of principles of Paris Declaration.

Duties and Responsibilities

Conducting socio-economic and policy analyses using high, medium and low HIV and AIDS scenarios. Facilitating macro-economic and demographic HIV and AIDS modeling for long-term sustainable development planning. Preparing policy briefs for integration of HIV and AIDS in development policy and budgetary frameworks. Compiling and presenting advocacy papers to UNDP and Government planning and review forums Facilitating continuous institutional capacity assessment for HIV and AIDS – based development policy planning and implementation at all administrative levels. Facilitating the formulation of capacity development strategy for HIV and AIDS – based development policy planning and implementation. Provision of advisory services for the establishment and institutionalization of policy coordination structures and mechanisms for HIV and AIDS national response. Promoting joint UN advocacy on monitoring the Malawi HIV and AIDS Legislative Environment for possible review of areas that undermine the national response. Promoting documentation of lessons learnt and best practices to inform HIV and AIDS – based development policy formulation and reviews. Advocating for the integration of HIV and AIDS issues in development policies and strategies. Advocating for integration of HIV and AIDS monitoring and evaluation indicator framework into the national MGDS monitoring and evaluation framework. Facilitating the development and implementation of resource mobilization strategy for HIV and AIDS national response management; Facilitating the development and implementation of a National HIV and AIDS Strategy; Advocating for the establishment and operationalization of HIV and AIDS Public – Private Policy Dialogue Forums;

Competencies

Corporate Competencies: Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability Treats all people fairly without favoritism Functional Competencies: Knowledge Management and Learning Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office In-depth knowledge on HIV and development issues In-depth knowledge of public health and human rights issues relating to key populations Ability to advocate and provide policy advice Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills Development and Operational Effectiveness Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting. Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources. Strong IT skills. Good knowledge of Atlas. Ability to lead implementation of new organizational systems, and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change. Management and Leadership Focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to feedback. Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills. Focuses on the results of the team. Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude. Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills. Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors. Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure. Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education Masters degree in Public Health, HIV and AIDS Management or any related field. Experience Minimum of 7 years experience in HIV/AIDS or public health at program management level with international development programs. Experience in designing monitoring and evaluation systems in developing countries Experience in providing technical advice at senior level in developing countries Demonstrated ability to mobilize resources Demonstrable technical expertise and working knowledge of HIV/AIDS and/or reproductive health in developing countries Excellent communication skills, including the ability to deliver presentations to professional, lay and donor audiences Experience working with UN or other international organizations will be an added advantage Language Fluency in English

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

HIV/AIDS Specialist