Project Analyst (Focal Point)

Background

The project titled " Enhancement of National HIV Response with Focus on Target Beneficiary Groups in line with fifth National Strategic Plan 2020-2026” is funded by the Global Fund to support Iran’s response in controlling the growth of HIV/AIDS prevalence and incidence.

The key objectives of the project are: 

• By the end of March 2027, maintain HIV prevalence among PWIDs at less than 5%
• By the end of March 2027, maintain the HIV prevalence among people who are exposed to sexual transmission of HIV at less than 5%    
• By the end of March 2027, decrease the AIDS mortality by 20%

The United Nation Development Program (UNDP) Iran country office as the Principal Recipient (PR) works with the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) and three Sub-Recipients (SRs) in implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the project. The SRs are: Center for Communicable Diseases Control of Ministry of Health and Medical Education (CDC), Welfare Organization (WO) and Iranian Prisons Organization (PO).

Under direct supervision of the National Project Director of PO and UNDP HIV/AIDS Project Manager the Project Anlayst (Focal Point) support implementation of HIV/AIDS project activities as reflected in the approved project work plan and ensure high quality of project performance and achievement of intended results.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Analyst (Focal Point) will work under direct supervision of the National Project Director of PO and Project Manager of HIV/AIDS at UNDP.

• Take charge of the day-to-day management of the project activities to be undertaken by the designated Sub-Recipient (SR) that is Prison Organization (PO) and conduct operational management of the project in consistency with the project work plan and approved project document, policies and procedures of the Government of I.R. Iran, UNDP Iran, and the Global Fund. 
• Manage the coordination between the Global Fund-supported activities and those assigned to the Prison Organization by the HIV National Strategic Plan (NSP) to ensure alignment. This may include preparing regular reports on any challenges that might arise from discrepancies between the NSP and Global Fund-supported interventions. This requires the full involvement of the project focal point (Analyst) in the HIV programmes within the Prison Organization, extending beyond the scope of the Global Fund-supported projects.  
• Enhance the efficiency of the Global Fund-supported activities by ensuring the effective use of procured items and the quality of their utilization, along with the human resources as outlined in the project work plan. This includes proper maintenance of equipment (if any), appropriate utilization of other items, and ensuring that the recruited staff possess the necessary knowledge and skills to maintain the quality of services. Additionally, it involves preventing and avoiding any misuse of the provided items.Active involvement in preparation of the TOR/Specifications of goods and services, as well as pursuing selection procedures under the guidance of the direct supervisors and with close coordination of UNDP.
• Manage the distribution and inventory of procured items to ensure the availability of essential supplies for the diagnosis, treatment, and care of target populations in all prisons. This should be done in close collaboration with the national HIV program in the prisons.
• Review and revise project activities when necessary on a quarterly, semester and/or annual basis; update project work plan under the guidance of the direct supervisors, and in collaboration with UNDP and close liaison with the responsible Sub-Recipients (SR), when applicable.
• Timely preparation and submission of complete and accurate progress reports and to assure that reports prepared by project personnel or service providers are prepared as per the requirements of the SR, the Global Fund and the UNDP. 
• Lead and participate in regular and planned monitoring field visits and report accordingly as per the developed monitoring forms which are approved by the SIP committee and PO. In addition to that, monitor and certify project expenditures in conformity with the administrative and financial procedures of the SR, and UNDP and to ensure timely settlement of pre-payments, when applicable.
• Conduct follow up to ensure implementation of the recommendations of monitoring field visits. 
• Assist the preparation of the national strategic/communication/M&E plans, the Global Fund proposals, etc. and also providing timely preparation and submission of financial, inventory and M&E reports. 
• Complete engagement in the management of HIV comorbidities within the Prison Organization, including tuberculosis, Hepatitis B and C, STIs, and other infectious diseases, as per the request of the National Project Director of the Prison Organization.    

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 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
• Adapt with Agility:  LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making 

People Management:

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Partnership Management

•  Relationship Management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust, and mutual understanding

2030 Agenda: People

• Health: Support to Global Fund and other Health Programmes

Business Direction & Strategy

• Strategic Thinking: Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.

Business Development

• Knowledge Generation: Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.
• Operations Management: Ability to effectively plan, organize, and oversee the Organizational business processes in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner. Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms.
• Monitoring and evaluation: Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in project management, medicine, public health, epidemiology, mental health and addiction, or relevant related fields is required. or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advance university degree.

Experience:

• Applicants with master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.
• Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services and hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages and handling of web-based management systems.
• Medical degree as a General Practitioner or specialist in infectious disease, addiction, social Medicine or psychiatry is highly desirable.
• Experience in working, liaising, and collaborating with UN agencies, governments, NGOs, civil society organizations, and public international organizations is an asset.
• Proven experience in applying capacity building theory and capacity building/assessment methodologies is desirable. 
• Proven good networking abilities and partnership development.
• Experience in risk Management and Mitigation is an asset. 
• Familiarity with Prison Organization activities, particularly in the context of health interventions or HIV programming is desirable. 

Required Languages: 

• Fluency in Farsi and English is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.