Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are core principles at United Nations Development Programme (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.
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’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional Hubs, and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.
Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. BPPS’s staff provides technical advice to Country Offices, advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government, and civil society dialogues, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas. BPPS works closely with UNDP’s Crisis Bureau (CB) to support emergency and crisis response. BPPS ensures that issues of risk are fully integrated into UNDP’s development programmes. BPPS assists UNDP and partners to achieve higher quality development results through an integrated approach that links results-based management and performance monitoring with more effective and new ways of working. BPPS supports UNDP and partners to be more innovative, knowledge and data driven including in its programme support efforts.
The 2030 Agenda for SDGs and the pledge to leave no one behind reflect the interconnectedness of health and sustainable development, including widening economic and social inequalities, the climate crisis, rapid urbanization, the continuing burden of HIV and other infectious diseases (e.g., malaria, tuberculosis), the growing burden of non-communicable diseases and the emergence of health threats. The scope and scale of delivering health and well-being for all demands innovative partnerships and financing. As affirmed in the Political Declaration of the 2019 High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage (UHC), the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) and others are critical partners for delivering on the health-related goals of the 2030 Agenda. Stronger Collaboration, Better Health: Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All outlines how a dozen multilateral health, development, and humanitarian agencies, including UNDP, the Global Fund, Gavi and others will collaborate to be more efficient and effective in supporting countries to deliver UHC and achieve the health-related SDG targets.
UNDP’s partnership with the Global Fund, in line with UNDP’s HIV and Health Strategy 2022-2025: Connecting the Dots, makes a vital contribution to UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2022-2025, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the SDGs and the pledge to leave no one behind.
As a long-standing partner of the Global Fund, 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 to Global Fund grants in 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 in supporting to countries with significant national capacity constraints to manage large-scale health programmes. By 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, UNDP is able to deliver results whilst sustainably transitioning to national entities. UNDP’s track record as PR over the last 17 years and capacity to deliver in challenging operating environments has been critical for strengthening its positioning as a health implementation support partner.
In Zimbabwe, UNDP is the Principal Recipient (PR) for the HIV grant and is also providing Support Services (Fund Administration) to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) as the continuing PR for the Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria grants. The HIV grant for 2024-2026 aims to contribute towards the achievement of the vision and goals of Zimbabwe National HIV Strategic Plan, 2021-2026. For effective implementation of the Global Fund resources, UNDP Zimbabwe has established a separate Program Management Unit (PMU) within the Country Office that is responsible for the day-to-day overall programme management of the HIV grant. Under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative and Deputy Resident Representatives, the PMU is responsible for a range of functions including coordination with country stakeholders (particularly the MoHCC and the National AIDS Council (NAC)), financial management and reporting, compliance with Global Fund and UNDP policies, rules and procedures risk management, procurement of health products, other goods and services, and strengthening the national pharmaceutical and laboratory supply chain systems, including the Solar for Health (S4H) initiative. The Global Fund grant is implemented in accordance with UNDP rules, policies and procedures, the grant confirmation, corporate agreements with the Global Fund and in close coordination with the national partners, including NAC, MoHCC, national disease programmes, NatPharm, NGOs, CSOs, communities, donors, technical partners and UN entities and the Global Fund (Local Fund Agent, (LFA)) and Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM).
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager and in close cooperation with the communication unit of the CO and the UN System, the Communication Specialist will ensure communications strategies, media relations and organizational outreach efforts are aligned with corporate communications policies and initiatives. He/she will also collaborate with HHD Group and GPN colleagues to support the coverage of the activities and special events organized for the GF funded programs.
Scope of work:
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Project or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the Communication Specialist will:
Summary of Function:
1. Lead the development and implementation of communication and outreach/advocacy strategies and plans, with a specific focus on media with the following key responsibilities:
2. Lead the development and dissemination of advocacy materials with the following key responsibilities:
3. Manage media relations for the CO with the following key responsibilities:
4. Facilitate knowledge building and sharing:
5. Constant monitoring and analysis of the operating environment for infrastructure works:
Institutional Arrangements
The Communication Specialist Will report to the Project Manager.
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.
People Management
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found on the dedicated site.
Technical/cross-Functional Competencies
Business Development
Business Management
Digital and Innovation
External Relations and Advocacy
Health
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
OR
Experience:
Required skills:
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the competencies section:
Language:
Disclaimer
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.
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