Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
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, as envisaged by 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We are on the ground in more than 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. The United Nations Development Programme UNDP Indonesia Country Programme 2016-2020 developed in partnership with the Indonesian Government addresses the unfinished business of the Millennium Development Goals and support national efforts to advance the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
The programme contributes directly to MoH National Action Plan 2015-2019, objective 1) increasing the health status of society and; 2)increasing the responsiveness and protection to society towards social and financial risks related to health and Outcome 2 of the UNDP country Programme for Indonesia (2016-2020), which are aligned with the Indonesian Government Health Sector’s Objectives, commitment to Universal Health Coverage, SDG3 Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages (target 3.8 in particular) and other Sustainable Development Goals. One of its efforts is to be involved in supporting the transformation of health technology in the Ministry of Health through Network Strengthening and the Bio Informatic Biomedical & Genome Science Initiative (BGSi).
BGSi is a new initiative of the Indonesian Ministry of Health (MOH). The initiative will act as a multi-institutional ecosystem that aims to support collaborative biomedical and genomic activities in Indonesia by leveraging strengths in technology and infrastructure including biobanking, data management, high throughput sequencing and bioinformatics.
The initiative aims to build a national asset established under the Indonesia Ministry of Health with two major focusses. First, to establish a national biobank focused on six conditions (diabetes, cancer, stroke, tuberculosis, psoriasis, and rare/genetic diseases) which will store samples from participants where each sample will be connected to a registry that manages all information associated with the participant (demographic and clinical) and second, to generate Whole Genome Sequence information, for each of those participants, that will be curated in a national database. Samples and genomics information from healthy participants will also be collected and generated by this initiative. All samples and data will be made available to researchers nationally and internationally through BGSi.
The initiative will be organized around a headquarter facility located in Jakarta, housed in the MOH repository building and the historical Eijkman building, that will host the biobank and WGS labs respectively. BGSi HQ will manage the registry system and provide technical support for the Hubs and the entire ecosystem. A second and just as important part of the ecosystem is the hospitals (referred to as HUBs) where each HUB is in charge of managing activities related to recruitment, sample collection and tertiary analysis for the disease it has been assigned.
Therefore, UNDP need an International Specialist BGSI who will be responsible for supporting activities leading to the establishment and development of BGSi, the formulation of its business and its scientific strategy, the building of its team, its engagement with the peripheral hubs and other key stakeholders. Specialist will be responsible for contributing to the design the projects of interest to the MOH. You will identify and elevate potential new business opportunities and assist in pursuing those opportunities. This will involve the review and analysis of these opportunities to develop insightful, value added proposals for BGSi by recommending solutions and offerings and following up on those.
Duties and Responsibilities
The direct supervisor of this activities is the National Technical Specialist for HEART. She/He will work closely with project team in BGSI and HEART Cluster, operations units, and programme staff to provide Technical Assistance and advice regarding biomedical and genome science-related issues and to ensure adequate exchange of information.
Technical Advisory for BGSI establishment
- Participates or leads teams in the design, development and delivery of BGSi strategy and activities.
- Reviews and analyzes requirements or problems and assists in the development of proposals of cost-effective solutions in accordance with BGSi requirements.
- Provides direction and guidance to the technical and managerial team.
- Develops detailed documentation and specifications.
- Performs qualitative and/or quantitative analyses to assist in the identification of BGSi issues and the development of specific solutions.
- Designs, structures and delivers BGSi reports and presentations that are appropriate to the characteristics or needs of the audience.
- Recommends improvements and alternative solutions to resolve problems.
- Identifies new business opportunities of follow-on work and new leads at BGSi.
- Provides follow-up with HUBs, external collaborators, and various stakeholders.
- Supervise a diverse, interdisciplinary team of scientists and bioinformaticians and will closely collaborate with researchers and clinicians across the Hubs.
The incumbent of the position should avoid any kind of discriminatory behavior including gender discrimination and ensure that
- Human rights and gender equality is prioritized as an ethical principle within all actions.
Activities are designed and implemented in accordance with “Social and Environmental Standards of UNDP”. - Any kind of diversities based on ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, class, gender is respected within all implementations including data production.
- Differentiated needs of women and men are considered.
- Inclusive approach is reflected within all actions and implementations, in that sense an enabling and accessible setup in various senses such as disability gender language barrier is created.
- Necessary arrangements to provide gender parity within all committees, meetings, trainings etc. introduced.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies
Core Competencies
- 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
Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies
Business Direction & Strategy
- System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
Business management
- Working with Evidence and Data: Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making
- 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
Information Management & Technology
- Solutions Architecture: Ability to design and manage the Information system architecture supporting corporate business processes. Design integration strategies and approaches to integrate of one or more applications or services to maintain a coherent and effective IT architecture. Knowledge of ISO 20000 and IT operations. The Open Group TOGAF9 or Open CA, ITIL Master certification, or DevOps or similar certification desirable.
2030 agenda-people
- Gender: Gender mainstreaming
Information Management & Technology
- IT Project management: Capacity to manage ICT projects, using IT methodologies and approaches such as agile deployment and/or waterfall system development methods
- IT Research and Development: Regular Following new technologies and technical trends, research the technologies that are applicable and beneficial to the organization and develop the systems
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in health scientist specific in genomics, genetics, molecular biology, engineering, bioinformatics or similar discipline is required, or
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
- Minimum 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible relevant experience at the national or international level in biomedical research emphasizing technology and engineering.
- Solid networking capacity
- Proven analytical, interpretative and problem-solving skills
- Solid skill in providing project advisory services, monitoring and evaluation
- Proven analytical skills and ability to conceptualize strategic intervention
- Demonstrated experience in delivering results and resolving the issues on complex cases
- Experience in knowledge sharing is required
- Excellent writing skills in English to develop knowledge products, policy briefs, and other communication materials
- Ability to communicate and give a good presentation, report, and able to work independently and in a team
- Experience with patient data would be advantageous
- Experience in providing policy and/or programme advice and leading policy engagements and dialogues.
- Experience in representing senior management and conducting high- level meetings
- Ability to manage multiple projects, juggle priorities and deliver on tight deadlines
- Solid experience and knowledge of key issues and current developments in the biomedical life science industry
- Experience in fostering networks and partnerships and ability to provide coordination with the international and other organizations present in the health sector
Required Language:
- Fluency in English is required
Disclaimer
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: 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.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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