The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. The Fiji multi-country office covers ten countries including Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu as well as provides support to regional initiatives.

As a trusted, long-term partner of The Global Fund (GF), UNDP’s value proposition lies in providing an integrated package of development solutions to strengthen institutions to deliver health services. Through its contributions as interim Principal Recipient (PR) and provider of technical assistance in over 53 countries since 2003, UNDP’s provision of integrated policy, implementation and capacity development support to countries has yielded significant health and development results in challenging operating environments. Proactive risk management and investing in sustainability are the cornerstones of UNDP’s portfolio management approach and providing technical assistance to national counterparts during all phases of implementation, strengthening legislation, policies and regulatory frameworks, and building capacities across key functional areas, including financial management, health information systems, procurement and supply chain management.

As the interim Principal Recipient for the Multi-Country Western Pacific grants (Integrated HIV/TB Programme for 12 PICs and Malaria Programme in Vanuatu) from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2026, UNDP is responsible for the financial and programmatic management and the procurement and supply of health products for the Global Fund HIV,TB and Malaria grants to 12 Pacific Islands Countries (Cook islands, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu) in coordination with the sub-recipients comprising of 12 Countries Ministry of Health, Civil Services Organisations national and technical partners including WHO operating under the UN2UN agreements in Fiji/Suva and in Vanuatu for the achievement of programme results and the effective use of grant resources.

For the implementation of the Multi-Country Programmes, the UNDP Pacific Centre in Fiji established a Programme Management Unit (PMU) based in Fiji, Vanuatu, and Samoa to coordinate and oversee the implementation and to ensure compliance with the Global Fund and UNDP rules, policies, and procedures. The PMU coordinates with the PIRM CCM, PICs Governments and CSOs as well as with regional partners, the Global Fund and other key stakeholders in the health and development sector (bi-laterals, private sector) and technical assistance providers.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Programme Manager of UNDP in Suva, the Project Specialist in Vanuatu is responsible for supporting the management of the UNDP Global Fund Multi-Country Integrated Programme on HIV/TB and Malaria in Vanuatu. He/she is responsible for ensuring timely and efficient implementation of Programme activities in line with the approved work plan and budget and signed sub-recipients’ agreements. The Project Specialist will ensure monitoring of activities implemented by the sub-recipients. He/she will represent the Programme at the national level and liaise with relevant stakeholders and technical partners. Furthermore, he/she will support the UNDP strategy to strengthen the technical and management capacity of the national institutions and support Vanuatu Ministry of Health Malaria Programme’s Capacity Development and Transition Plan.

The Project Specialist works in close collaboration with the Programme PMU based in Suva, UNDP Sub-Recipients (SRs) in Vanuatu, UN Agencies, Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society to ensure the successful implementation of the Global Fund Multi-Country Western Pacific Programme.

The successful candidate will work directly under the supervision of the Programme Manager of the Multi-Country Western Pacific Programme Funded by the Global Fund

The candidate will work with all project’s partners and stakeholders at national levels.

• Assists in the design, development and monitoring of work plans, milestones and indicators for GF Multi-Country Programmes Sub-Recipients and implementing partners.
• Supports the SR management and application processes when necessary (development of necessary information notes, and guidelines for panel review, etc.).
• Supports country and NGO partners in the development of strategies to facilitate results- based implementation of Programme activities, in accordance with the action plans and within established budgets.
• Develops national/stakeholder engagement plans and tools to support the overall management of the Programmes.
• Provides support to the Monitoring and Evaluation Analyst to monitor, review and follow up on the SR performance and assist in the preparation of reports.
• Ensures contribution to the programmatic feedback to sub recipients and service providers regarding performance and identified issues.
• Analyzes the Programme implementation bottlenecks and contributes to the development of solutions.
• Leads and coordinates the implementation of the VMOH Capacity Development Plan in line with the approved workplan and milestones.

Ensures effective management of the Global Fund Multi-Country Programme, achieving the following results:

• Assumes the operational management of the Multi-Country Programme in Vanuatu – plan, initiate and manage project activities – in accordance with UNDP and Global Fund rules and procedures.
• Coordinates the implementation of the 2024-2026 Multi-Country Programme including the HIV, TB, ML and C19 grant with Sub-recipients and other regional/technical partners.
• Focal point for the Malaria programme technical assistance component of the grant in close collaboration with WHO and other partners
• Conducts financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the programme, identifies operational and financial problems, develops solutions.
• Monitors the multi-country programme and activity results against those planned, together with the cost of achieving those results.
• Supports the implementation of M&E action plan as agreed with the Global Fund.
• Aggregates reports on activities, outputs, and outcomes. Contributes to donor reports.
• Participates in coordination of audits and follow up on audit recommendations. Timely reports on the status of each recommendation.

Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of a resource mobilization strategy focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Maintains close co-ordination between the GF programme with other disease initiatives in the country to ensure and promote continuity, partnership building and avoid duplication of programmatic activities.
• Participates and promotes the organization of events, forums etc. on HIV, TB and malaria prevention and control in order to fortify the different national structures.

Ensures provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Provides guidance and capacity building to SRs and national entities. Develops training plan/curriculum for the SR financial and conducts trainings on GF performance-based funding and financial reporting requirements management system.
• Synthesizes lessons learned and best practices. Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Coordinates the formation of the Donor Coordination and Program Implementation unit at the VMOH
• Coordinates the Implementation of the Capacity Development and Transition Plan for the Donor Coordination and Programme Implementation Unit at the MoH in Vanuatu.
• Conducts Capacity development trainings for the newly established Donor coordination and Programme Implementation Unit at VMOH

Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and support to resource mobilization for HIV/TB and Malaria issues:

• Support to monitoring progress and formulation of strategies towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal 3 on Health with collaboration with other UN agencies.
• Development of partnerships with other UN Agencies and task teams, including the Joint UN working groups on Health, and Governance and other task teams.
• Strengthens partnerships with governmental institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society based on strategic goals of UNDP, PICs’ needs and donors’ priorities.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice through identification of best practices and lessons learned in health issues.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

• 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 management

• Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results
• Resource Management: Ability to allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with principles of accountability and integrity
• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
• 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

Business Direction and Strategy

• Strategic System Thinking: Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions; Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP;
• 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

2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness

• Effectiveness: Project Quality Assurance

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Project Management, Public Health or other relevant 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.
• Certificate on Project Management is an added advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects, and/or leading and managing projects.
• Solid negotiation and diplomatic skills, cross-cultural, interpersonal and communication skills, ethics, and confidentiality.
• Good analytical skills and ability to interpret complex socio-cultural backgrounds as well as quickly obtain an overview of a variety of activities and approaches.
• Experience of working in/with Ministry of Health in the Pacific, including relevant CSOs is an added advantage.
• Experience working in the UN is an asset.
• Experience working in malaria project is an asset.
• Experience working with key and vulnerable population including MSM, TG, and FSW is an asset.
• Excellent command of MS Office applications (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and MS Project) and handling web-based management systems.

Required Languages:

• Fluency English and Bislama and/or French is required.
• Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.