Assessment Center for positions of UNAIDS Country Director – P5  

About UNAIDS:
Serving Communities and Countries to End Inequalities and AIDS
We, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, lead the global effort to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. By placing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to reduction of inequalities at the heart of our work, we lead the global response to AIDS by: (i) maximizing equitable and equal access to HIV services, (ii) breaking down barriers to achieving HIV outcomes, and (iii) integrating efficient HIV responses into wider health and protection systems.
We are committed to creating an equal, safe and empowering workplace culture where all people in all their diversity thrive. We live our values of Commitment to the AIDS Response, Integrity and Respect for Diversity.

MANDATE OF THE DEPARTMENT:
Provide leadership and coordinate support for an expanded UN system response to support the country towards ending AIDS as a public health threat as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with a Fast-Track approach to rapidly scale up HIV services focused on populations and locations most affected by the epidemic. Promote effective use of strategic information to better understand and track the epidemic as well as trends, and to measure progress and the sustainable impact of the response. Support efforts to strengthen the capacities of communities and their meaningful engagement in health, social protection and human rights mechanisms. Provide intellectual leadership to guide policy decisions and programmes, including the creation of an enabling political, fiscal and legal environment to achieve Zero new HIV infections, Zero AIDS-related deaths and Zero stigma and discrimination as set out in global policy declarations adopted by UN Member States. Ensure full integration of efforts with UN Reform developments. Promote, support and provide guidance to national partners and the UN system in integrating HIV and AIDS into wider UHC and country development challenges while reaching global AIDS targets to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 and leave no one behind.

Main tasks and Responsibilities of the Position:
The UNAIDS Country Director (UCD) leads and manages the UNAIDS Joint Programme at country level, under the supervision of, and receiving guidance and support from, the UNAIDS Director, Regional Support Team (RST). At country level, the UNAIDS Secretariat is part of the UN Development and Resident Coordinator System and, as such, the UCD is a member of the UN Country Team (UNCT). The UCD works under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/HC) who retains the overarching authority to strategically position the UN in the country. The RC/HC participates in the UCD’s annual performance appraisal. The UCD proactively works with considerable levels of autonomy and self-initiative, managing relationships with partners and key stakeholders at the country level. 

1) Leadership, policy guidance and advocacy

a) Engages and advocates with high-level government and other authorities, political and civil society leaders and other key stakeholders to sustain political commitment and translate it into action for an inclusive, multi-sectoral evidence-based and sustainable HIV response that leaves no one behind.

b) Brokers authoritative technical advice to country stakeholders on global HIV and wider development policies and best practices to guide the development of cost-effective National HIV Strategic Plans and efficient and impactful programmes.

c) Identifies ‘game-changers’, promote innovations, develop high impact opportunities, initiatives and non-traditional partnerships (e.g., private sector) to fast-track progress towards the achievement of national and global targets.

2) Strategic information to guide national strategies and programmes

a) Promotes, supports and oversees the generation of strategic information to guide national strategies and programmes and oversees tracking, monitoring and analysis of the epidemic and response.

b) Advises the Executive Director and senior management of evolving opportunities and challenges in the HIV response.

3) Tracking, monitoring and analysis of the epidemic and response

a) Leads and promotes the development and consolidation of a single national HIV Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) system and facilitates the coordination of M&E, data use and knowledge management efforts to track the epidemic and measure progress, outcomes and impact of the response as well as gaps and inequities.

b) Ensures periodic monitoring and reporting of UN system efforts to support the national response according to the agreed set of indicators included in National Strategic Plans and the UNAIDS Unified Budget, Results and Accountability Framework (UBRAF).

c) Ensures data generated is communicated in impactful ways, reaching across different audiences and addressing demographic, gender and geographical disparities and inequities for access to and utilization of services.

4) Resource mobilization and investment optimization

a) Mobilizes and leverages technical, financial and institutional resources for a fully financed and sustainable HIV response including increasing domestic funding and promoting the strengthening of national capacity.

b) Influences and supports actions to achieve and maintain sustained AIDS financial and programmatic response through a people-centered approach in coordination with government, donors and civil society.

5) UN system effectiveness

a) In support of the reinvigorated UN Development System (UNDS), leads and ensures accountability of the UNCT for shared results in the area of HIV, and an effective coordination of efforts to reach HIV targets as part of the focus areas within the UN Management and Accountability Framework (MAF), the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, the Joint UN HIV Programme of Support, and national strategic plans.

b) Ensures coordination, policy coherence, results-based planning and communication within the UN and between the UN, government and other partners to ensure results. 

c) Leads, guides and advocates within the UNCT to promote and support UN Plus initiatives and other HIV-focused initiatives targeted at UN staff and their families 

d) Plays a key role in the development and application of a joint UN advocacy and communication strategy and plan for the scaling-up and integration of effective and evidence informed HIV and related strategies and programmes. 

e) Convenes regular meetings of the Joint UN team on AIDS to review progress against implementation of the Joint UN Plan on HIV, ensuring effective annual reporting within the JPMS as well as to the UNCT, Government and CSOs as is appropriate for the country context. 

6) Managing the UNAIDS Country Office 

a) Manages and oversees the full range of financial, administrative, procurement, operational and human resources management tasks necessary for the functioning of the Country Office (or of country-level operations where the UCD is not resident) 

b) Coordinates the development of bi/annual workplans and budgets of the UCO and UN Country Team using results-based planning and budgeting frameworks and tracks implementation and expenditures as well as monitoring and evaluation of results and reporting. 

c) Ensures respect of rules, regulations and ethics-related policies for efficient and effective management. Ensures a collaborative and supportive work environment for all UNAIDS staff in the country, centred on shared commitment to UNAIDS mandate, with zero bullying, harassment, discrimination or abuse of authority. Models inclusive leadership and promotes a workplace where all personnel feel respected and empowered to safely contribute and raise issues, and where multiple facets of diversity are embraced as a key vehicle to promote UNAIDS vision and values; 

d) Provides leadership, guides and supports UCO personnel, including interns and consultants, nurturing a healthy work environment that encourages personnel to excel in their work, perform to their highest level, develop new skills and make a meaningful contribution to the work of the UCO. Provides constructive performance feedback on a regular basis. Promptly finalizes annual performance appraisals. 

e) Ensures adequate safety and security arrangements related to all UNAIDS Secretariat personnel and their recognized dependents. 

f) Ensures adequate assets and programmes are in place and functioning in accordance with UN and UNAIDS safety and security policies. Represents UNAIDS in the country-level Security Management Team, and where appropriate, the Disaster Management Team. 

g) Ensures close collaboration with the UN RC/HC and also the WHO Representative to obtain assistance in health-related emergency situations. Ensures that all UCO personnel are aware of health insurance information, e.g. recognized health facilities and emergency numbers. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:
Essential: Advanced university degree at the Masters level or equivalent in Public Health, Medicine, Economics, Social or Political Sciences or related field. For internal candidates, a first university degree and 12 years of experience will be considered as equivalent. 

Desirable: Formal training in Public Administration or Management. 

Competencies:
UNAIDS Values
1. Commitment to the AIDS response
2. Integrity
3. Respect for diversity

Core competencies
1. Working in teams
2. Communicating with impact
3. Applying expertise
4. Delivering results
5. Driving change and innovation
6. Being accountable

Managerial competencies
1. Vision and strategic thinking
2. Leading teams
3. Managing performance and resources
4. Developing and empowering others
5. Exercising sound judgement
6. Building relationships and Networks

Experience:
Essential: A minimum of 10 years of experience in policy, planning, managing and implementing development of cooperation programmes on public health and HIV, and/or economic, corporate and sustainable development or closely related areas, at international and national levels. This must include: (1) no less than 7 years leading multicultural teams, including workplanning, budgeting, management and coordination of personnel, and performance evaluation; (2) documented extensive experience in successfully cooperating and negotiating with senior government officials. 

Desirable: 5 years or more relevant experience in at least two developing and/or middle- income countries other than the recognized place of residence; Experience of working with UN system organizations in public health or other development cooperation programmes. 

Languages:
Essential: Advanced level of English. Advanced knowledge of another UN official language or Portuguese for external candidates.

Desirable: Knowledge of other UN official languages or Portuguese.

Additional Information:
Candidates responding to this announcement will be considered for an Assessment Center and may be eventually recommended for inclusion in the UNAIDS Country Director pool.

Candidates with a humanitarian background are particularly encouraged to apply.

CANDIDATES MUST PROVIDE the following information via email to [email protected] no later than 24 September 2024:

1. Performance Evaluation Reports (PERs) from previous three years (for internal applicants) or equivalent from other organizations (for external applicants);
2. Reference of current or former direct supervisors, if available (for all applicants);
3. Results from any previous Assessment Centre, as applicable;
4. Supplementary information as deemed useful, such as samples of written work and language certificates (for external applicants).

NOTE THAT INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

People Management Department may contact candidates to verify oral language skills.

Positions at the international professional category within UNAIDS will be subject to the Organization’s Mobility Policy. The above-mentioned position is a rotational position and its standard duration of assignment is linked to the ICSC hardship classification of the duty station.
In addition to the salary, the post adjustment applies depending on the Duty Station.
Other similar positions at the same level may be filled from this vacancy notice.

Annual salary: (Net of tax)
USD 92,731 at single rate

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 the Staff Regulations and Rules of the World Health Organization (WHO) adjusted, as necessary, to take into account the particular operational needs of UNAIDS, and any subsequent amendments.

Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

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.

UNAIDS is committed to providing a work environment that respects the inherent dignity of all persons. UNAIDS has a responsibility to take all appropriate steps to prevent and respond to discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment, including sexual harassment in the workplace or in connection with work. UNAIDS has zero tolerance towards abusive conduct.

Please visit UNAIDS’s e-Recruitment website at:  https://erecruit.unaids.org to review and apply to positions. 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.

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