Project Management Support-Advisor (Public Health)

The Project Management Support-Advisor (Sanitary, Epidemiological and Hygiene Laboratories) shall support the project’s strategic alignment and support for Uzbekistan’s strive towards SDG3, maintain and strengthen UNOPS value proposition in the Health Sector. 

Summary of functions:

1. Programme management;
2. Advisory capacity;
3. Stakeholder engagement;
4. Knowledge management and innovation.

1. Programme Management

• Provide strategic subject matter guidance to the implementation of the project, including programme management: work planning, development, monitoring and evaluation of work plans against agreed impact indicators;
• Assess the design, governance and implementation of health-related projects under the portfolio, assess country capacity, identify challenges and recommend solutions; 
• Assist in the assessment, design, implementation, and setting up monitoring and evaluation for health-related projects under the portfolio as required;
• Develop detailed strategies as well as risk assessment and mitigation plans for the realization of the project;
• Prepare assessments, reports, briefings, presentations and proposals required for strategic decision-making;
• Coordinate relevant activities and ensure predictable follow-up on agreed action points with relevant stakeholders;
• Guide the development of communications and advocacy documents that convey the outcomes and impact health-related projects under the portfolio;

2. Advisory Capacity

• Advise the Senior Programme Manager on all matters related to Sanitary, Epidemiological and Hygiene Laboratories;
• Provide oversight and recommendations on the implementation of the project, ensuring alignment with national legislation on sanitary norms and rules, international best practice and WHO technical guidance with respect to health infrastructure (laboratories), medical equipment and digitalization of essential laboratory information;
• Support in the development and delivery of staff training on equipment use and application of maintenance protocols aligned with the national Sanitary, Epidemiological and Hygiene Laboratories system and national priorities, as required;
• Support in the setup and implementation of a training programme for staff, covering the medical equipment, the health surveillance system and developing laboratory and medical skills;
• Contribute to the evaluation and selection of new or adapted national health surveillance and monitoring software and ICT systems;
• Contribute to the strategic positioning of UNOPS in the health procurement domain, in coordination with the project team and Procurement Advisory Services;

3. Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage, discuss, negotiate and liaise with key stakeholders, such as the Government of Uzbekistan, line ministries and health and development partners;
• Establish solid and transparent working relationships with the project team and key stakeholders;
• In collaboration with the Senior Programme Manager enable the formulation of project communications plans, coordinate internal project communications and monitor the effectiveness of project communications;
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement and communication, ensuring effective timing and interdependency management of communications;

4. Knowledge Management and Innovation

• Assist in knowledge building and sharing including synthesis of lessons learnt/best practices, and contribute to broader UNOPS knowledge management initiatives;
• Provide technical guidance and on-the-job training to ensure work standards are achieved, both in terms of quality and quantity of inputs/outputs processed.

• An advanced university degree (e.g. Masters) preferably in Public Health, Epidemiology, Hygiene and/or Clinical Laboratory or other related fields is required.
• A first-level university degree (e.g. Bachelor) in combination with 2 additional years of progressively relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years  of progressive and relevant experience in health services, health programme development or programme implementation is required. 
• Understanding health systems and health systems management would be desirable.
• Experience in Public Hygiene/Sanitary Laboratory systems and Public Laboratory systems management is required.
• Experience at national level in Public Hygiene/Sanitary Laboratory systems and Public Laboratory systems management is an asset.
• Experience in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS countries) or Eastern European countries is an asset.
• Understanding of relevant WHO normative guidance on Sanitary, Epidemiological and Hygiene Laboratories, as well as other global guidance, developments, partnerships and initiatives is valued.
• Experience of working with multiple stakeholder delivering complex health interventions at national scale is a strong asset.
• Experience in the UN system organizations, preferably in a developing country, is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Proficiency in English is required.
• Working knowledge of Russian and/or Uzbek is an asset.

Certification:

• Certification in Project Management (PRINCE2 Foundation, Prince2 Practitioner,  PMI, Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) Foundation and/or Practitioner etc.) is an asset.