UNAIDS Country Director

Caracas

Organization: UNAIDS - The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS
Location: Caracas
Grade: Mid level - NO-D, National Professional Officer - Locally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- Humanitarian Aid and Coordination
- Project and Programme Management
- Managerial positions
Closing Date:

UNAIDS is an innovative United Nations partnership that leads and inspires the world in achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.
UNAIDS' Cosponsors include UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank. Visit the UNAIDS Web site at

Vacancy No.: UNAIDS/23/FT90

Title: UNAIDS Country Director

Grade: NO-D

Contract type: Fixed-term Appointment

Duration of contract: 2 years

Date: 4 October 2023

Application Deadline: 29 November 2023
(6 day(s) until closing deadline)
Currently accepting applications

Organization unit: AI/RSP Regional Support Team, Latin America and Caribbean (AI/RSP)

Duty station: Caracas Venezuela

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:
The UCO Venezuela provides leadership and coordinates the expanded UN system response in Venezuela. Using an equity and equality lens as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the UCO Venezuela works to ensure the scale up of HIV services focused on key populations and other vulnerable groups most at risk. The UCO Venezuela promotes effective use of strategic information to better understand and track the epidemic and its trends, and to measure progress and sustainable impact of the response in Venezuela It supports efforts to strengthen the capacities of communities and their meaningful engagement in health, social protection, and human rights mechanisms, and provides support and technical guidance as necessary to national partners and policymakers.

Main tasks and Responsibilities of the Position:
Reporting to the Regional Director and in coordination with substantive global teams, the UNAIDS Country Director is accountable for the overall implementation of the UNAIDS Joint Programme at country level, ensuring that relationships with partners and key organizational stakeholders are effectively managed and advises Senior Management on issues of key political importance for the delivery of the UNAIDS mandate in the country. The Director represents the UNAIDS Secretariat and is a member of the UN Country Team.

He / she has the following responsibilities:

1. Leadership, policy guidance and advocacy
- 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, sufficiently financed, community-led, evidence and rights-based, gender transformative and sustainable HIV response that leaves no one behind.
- 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, congruent with UNAIDS and global strategic and political guidance and commitments on AIDS response, such as the organizational strategy, the political declaration and the SDGs.
- Identifies 'game-changers', promotes innovations, scales up community-led responses, develops high-impact opportunities, initiatives and non-traditional partnerships (e.g. with private sector) to fast-track progress towards the achievement of national and global targets.
- Engages and supports communities, including key population, youth- and women-led organizations as critical partners for an effective national response.
- Supports development of policies and programmes to meet 10-10-10 targets to reduce inequalities and create an enabling environment.
- Analyses current trends, investigates pertinent matters, and draws the attention of senior management to any significant, sensitive and/or politically relevant issues with implications for the country. Develops and oversees an 'early warning system' on programmatic and political bottlenecks and opportunities.
- Establishes partnerships with key stakeholders, including bilateral and multilateral agencies, the private sector and philanthropic organizations.

2. Data for impact to guide national strategies and programmes
- Promotes, supports and oversees the generation of data for impact to guide national strategies and programmes. Oversees tracking, monitoring and analysis of the country epidemic and its response.
- Leads and promotes a consolidated national HIV monitoring framework and data management system. Facilitates the coordination of data collection, analysis and use to track the epidemic and measure progress, outcomes and impact of the response, as well as gaps and inequities.
- Strategically uses data and information generated from national and other sources to advance and focus the HIV response in the country, as part of UNAIDS' overall knowledge management efforts. Promotes innovative approaches to ensure that evidence is communicated in impactful ways and addresses inequities for access to and utilization of services.
- Ensures periodic monitoring and reporting of UN system efforts to support the national response as per agreed set of indicators.

3. Facilitating policies and programmes to scale-up provision and uptake of services for all
- Advocates for maintaining momentum and prioritization including development, coordination and implementation of National Strategic Plans and policies for HIV prevention, treatment and pediatrics, and differentiated service delivery approaches.
- Provides advice and technical support in grant design and implementation through prioritizing key strategic actions and optimizing synergies enabling the country to achieve its targets.
- Supports and leads national partners to integrate and institutionalize HIV into national efforts for health systems strengthening and community systems strengthening by facilitating discussions on HIV inclusion into national health coverage, integration of HIV into multi-sectoral approaches (including urban HIV responses), and using lessons learnt to ensure equitable and stigma and discrimination-free access to services for key populations.
- Provides advice to scale up effective community-led service delivery approaches and promotes trusted community access platforms for HIV prevention, testing and treatment for key populations.

4. Resource mobilization and investment optimization
- Leads on advocacy plans and efforts towards sustaining AIDS response financial commitments and increasing resource mobilization for HIV and health financing in the country, under the technical guidance of and in collaboration with UNAIDS subject matter experts.
- Strengthens national capacity, including of civil society actors for increasing domestic and international funding through existing and innovative mechanisms.
- Keeps abreast of the country finance landscape by engaging in active dialogue, with the support of UNAIDS subject matter experts, with public and private financing institutions to advance the objective of a sustained and rightly financed HIV response.

5. UN system effectiveness
- Represents UNAIDS and participates in the UN Country Team thus ensuring effective coordination of efforts to reach the HIV targets as set in national and international frameworks. Ensures that the UNAIDS strategy and vision are shared by UN Country Team members.
- Convenes meetings to review progress against implementation of the Joint UN plan on HIV and ensures effective reporting within the established reporting calendar and deadlines.
- Leads, guides and advocates within the UN Country Team to promote and support HIV-focused initiatives targeted at UN staff and their families.

6. Managing people and resources
- Manages and oversees the full range of management tasks, including financial, administrative, procurement, human resources and ICT, necessary for the functioning of the country-level operations.
- Coordinates the development of workplans and budgets as per the frameworks and guidance in place. Tracks implementation and expenditures. Monitors progress, evaluates results and provides reports, as required.
- Provides leadership, guides and supports the UNAIDS personnel in the country. Nurtures an equal, safe and empowering work environment and team culture. Coaches team members and encourages ongoing professional development and personal growth. Ensures compliance with all corporate HR processes and frameworks, in particular upholding zero tolerance for abusive conduct.
- Ensures compliance with safety and security standards and protocols. This includes evacuations and other emergency arrangements as required.

Performs other duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:
Essential: Advanced university degree at Master´s level or equivalent in Public Health, Medicine, Economics, Social or Political Sciences or another field related to the responsibilities.

Desirable: Further studies in Public Administration, Business Administration, Management or a related field.

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. Leading Teams
2. Building Relationships and Networks
3. Developing and Empowering Others
4. Managing Performance and Resources
5. Vision and Strategic Thinking
6. Exercising Sound Judgement

Experience:
A minimum of 7 years of experience in policy, planning, managing and implementing development cooperation programmes in public health and HIV, and/or economic, corporate and sustainable development, or closely related areas, at international and national levels. This must include successful cooperation and negotiation with senior government officials, as well as the type of knowledge and skills commensurate with the size and complexity of the country setting, AIDS epidemic and response. Managerial experience commensurate with the key responsibilities described.

Desirable: Experience of working with UN system organizations in public health or other development cooperation programmes.

Languages:
Essential: Advanced knowledge of Spanish and proficiency in English.
Desirable: Knowledge of additional UN official languages.

Additional Information:
Please note that for this vacancy only nationals of Venezuela and legal residents holding a valid residence or work permit are eligible. A valid passport will be requested.
Furthermore, we will only accept online applications for local applicants.
Other similar positions at the same level may be filled from this vacancy notice.

Annual salary: (Net of tax)
USD 67,556 at single rate

Applicants will be required to take a test. Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.

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: 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.

Currently accepting applications

UNAIDS has a smoke-free environment

We do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.

Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.

Apply