The UNFPA Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme is intended to provide on-the-job training for young professionals who wish to obtain practical experience in development assistance.  It gives them an opportunity to acquire professional knowledge in population projects in a developing country. 

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In Niger, there is a mechanism known as the Technical and Financial Partners coordination to ensure the coordination between the PTF and the Government in the Health sector.

Each 2 years, a lead agency is designated among the partners to coordinate all the actions of the PTFs necessary to support the Ministry of Public Health (MoH) in its efforts to improve sectoral performance.

UNFPA Niger has been designated as LEAD agency to perform that task and the JPO will work in support to the Representative to that end.

The country programme for 2019-2021 is in line with the priorities of the Government of Niger, as outlined in its Economic and Social Development Plan. The 2019-2021 program focuses on five (5 ) regions and is declined through three (3) outcomes and four 4) outputs as described in the  Programme priorities and partnerships of the UNFPA Country programme document for Niger.

He/She will work closely with the health cluster of UNFPA and under the supervision of the Senior technical advisor to provide that support.

Content and methodology of supervision:

As part of the UNFPA JPO programme overall framework, the JPO will benefit from the following supervision modalities:

• Structured guidance provided by the supervisor, especially in the beginning of the assignment, with the purpose of gradually increasing the responsibilities of the JPO
• Establishment of a work plan, with clear key results
• Effective supervision through knowledge sharing and performance/development feedback throughout the assignment
• Easy access to the supervisor
• Participation in Unit/Team/Office meetings to ensure integration and operational effectiveness
• Guidance and advice in relation to learning and training opportunities within the field of expertise
• If more than one supervisor; clear agreement of the roles and responsibilities between the relevant parties
• Annual performance appraisal and development with the supervisor (PAD).

Learning Elements:              

Upon completion of the two-year assignment, the JPO will be able to:

• Appraise and prepare projects addressing in the health sector  
• Write assessment reports on health programmes
• Design and monitor institutional coordination mechanism

Living conditions at the Duty Station:

• Niger is a family Duty Station
• Housing: Good
• Climate: Sahelo – Saharian climate
• Access to medical care: Good
• Security: acceptable

Functions:

Under the supervision of the RH Senior technical Advisor the ‘Junior Professional Officer’ (JPO) will help the Lead Partner of the Technical and Financial Partners (PTF) to ensure coordination between the PTF and the Health sector in Niger. To do this, it will identify and coordinate all the actions of the PTFs necessary to support the Ministry of Public Health (MSP) in its efforts to improve sectoral performance.

At the request of the PTF and its hierarchy, the JPO can act as a representative of the PTF to the national authorities and lead the group of PTFs.

The JPO will monitor the implementation of the sector strategy and support the Lead Partner of the PTF Santé and the PTF Santé in the preparation and participation in sector consultations and coordination.

The JPO will provide information and analysis to enable better sectoral dialogue between all international partners and between TFPs in health and national structures for technical, strategic and political dialogue.

Tasks:

In support of the TFP Lead Partner, the JPO will perform the following tasks:

In relation to the ‘administrative’ role of the TFP Lead Partner

• Provide secretariat for the coordination of TFPs: convene and chair meetings, prepare minutes, maintain databases of TFPs and their activities, etc. ;

• Transmit invitations to the MSP to all TFPs to participate in meetings of the various levels of the consultation framework;

• Circulate among the PTF all relevant information in relation to sectoral performance;

• Ensure good communication and good flow of information between the MSP and the PTF and between the PTF;

• Facilitate sectoral concertation by organizing meetings between TFPs and ensuring that planned meetings are held between the MSP and TFPs, by co-chairing these meetings together with the Ministry;

• Prepare, on behalf of the TFPs, reviews and joint missions;

• Follow- up and ensure that TFPs  statements are fully reflected in reports as expressed by the TFPs;

• Establish, develop and maintain good relations with the TFPs active in the sector;

• Facilitate the introduction of new TFPs in the sector, and motivate TFPs who are not part of the PTF consultation group, to join the group; welcome the new TFPs and explain to them the MSP-PTF consultation framework for the sector;

• Involve the Deputy Lead Partner as much as possible;

• Facilitate the participation of non-state actors and civil society in sectoral consultation;

• Provide reports and advice to the PTF Health Lead Partner for his participation in the political dialogue;

• Provide methodological and technical support to the animation of sectoral political dialogue in order to stimulate a dynamic of participative, inclusive and accountable sectoral governance in the Health sector;

• Collaborate with the entity of the Ministry in charge of coordination and communication with the TFPs; support this entity in updating the pages of the MSP website relating to TFPs;

• Develop, maintain and share knowledge and understanding of the sector, among other things by networking with local, public and private actors;

• Ensure the administrative memory of the coordination of TFPs. These records must be forwarded to the Deputy Lead Partner at the end of the lead partner’s mandate.

Provide secretariat for the coordination of TFPs: convene and chair meetings, prepare minutes, maintain databases of TFPs and their activities, etc. ;

Transmit invitations to the MSP to all TFPs to participate in meetings of the various levels of the consultation framework;

Circulate among the PTF all relevant information in relation to sectoral performance;

Ensure good communication and good flow of information between the MSP and the PTF and between the PTF;

Facilitate sectoral concertation by organizing meetings between TFPs and ensuring that planned meetings are held between the MSP and TFPs, by co-chairing these meetings together with the Ministry;

Prepare, on behalf of the TFPs, reviews and joint missions;

Follow- up and ensure that TFPs  statements are fully reflected in reports as expressed by the TFPs;

Establish, develop and maintain good relations with the TFPs active in the sector;

Facilitate the introduction of new TFPs in the sector, and motivate TFPs who are not part of the PTF consultation group, to join the group; welcome the new TFPs and explain to them the MSP-PTF consultation framework for the sector;

Involve the Deputy Lead Partner as much as possible;

Facilitate the participation of non-state actors and civil society in sectoral consultation;

Provide reports and advice to the PTF Health Lead Partner for his participation in the political dialogue;

Provide methodological and technical support to the animation of sectoral political dialogue in order to stimulate a dynamic of participative, inclusive and accountable sectoral governance in the Health sector;

Collaborate with the entity of the Ministry in charge of coordination and communication with the TFPs; support this entity in updating the pages of the MSP website relating to TFPs;

Develop, maintain and share knowledge and understanding of the sector, among other things by networking with local, public and private actors;

Ensure the administrative memory of the coordination of TFPs. These records must be forwarded to the Deputy Lead Partner at the end of the lead partner’s mandate.

Regarding the coordination of TFP Health

• Seek to know the interventions of TFPs and share them among all of them;
• Seek synergies between TFP interventions to avoid double funding and ensure equitable support across the whole of Niger. In this context, help the MSP and the Ministry of Planning to produce a map of partner interventions;
• Encourage the TFPs to align their interventions with health policies, sectoral systems and procedures through a common vision; encourage the TFPs to integrate the joint evaluation / planning / budgeting mechanism based on the Health Development Plan (PDS). As such, it ensures that the TFPs provide the information necessary for rational planning (predictability) in time and participate in the evaluation programming meetings organized at the level of the MSP structures;
• Update the document relating to the inter PTF coordination mechanism at least at each new PDS and more often if necessary to ensure better alignment of this mechanism with the single framework of strategic and operational political dialogue MSP-PTF;
• For the MSP-PTF political and strategic dialogue, ensure that a consensus is reached within the PTFs on a single framework for concerted action, steering and joint monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the PDS, which can evolve according to the various reforms that are being set up in Niger. Contribute to the updating of the document describing this framework for consultation, steering and joint monitoring of the implementation of PDS and its operation;
• Inform the TFPs about the existence of technical commissions and keep the list of TFPs that engage in it up to date;
• Help strengthen the institutional capacity of the MSP by the TFPs in a harmonized framework to avoid waste and contradictions;
• Contribute to the preparation of common positions for the TFPs to be transmitted to the MSP in relation to its policy and strategies;
• Share with all TFPs information and joint analysis of political issues in the sector.
• Strengthen dialogue with other coordination platforms involving Health: CCM, Health Cluster, Wash Cluster, Nutrition Cluster, Demography, Health, Education and Training Cluster of the Niger Economic and Social Development Plan (PDES), Coordination of PDES clusters, among others; Actively participate in coordination with other national inter sectoral frameworks and concertation spaces relevant to the health sector;
• Identify, in consultation with the PTF Santé, the challenges that need to be addressed at the level of the MSP-PTF coordination system and assess which level of this system is best suited to address them;
• Ensure the follow-up of the recommendations made to the TFPs at the end of the annual health sector assessments or at the signing of COMPACT Niger; follow up on the commitments made by TFPs in the sector at key moments in the life of the sector;
• Ensure the creation of a new COMPACT for each new PDS and the signing of this COMPACT by the largest number of stakeholders;
• Ensure compliance by the PTFs with the commitments made when signing the COMPACT.

Regarding the strategic and political dialogue between the TFPs and the MSP

• On behalf of the technical and financial partners, propose improvements and influence the redesign of the single framework for consultation, steering, joint monitoring and evaluation in the Health sector forever better collaboration; ensure an MSP-PTF consensus on this framework; contribute to a better functioning of this framework;
• Ensure regular meetings of MSP-TFP sector coordination bodies;
• Support the MSP so that it can exercise its leadership better in order to better coordinate all the stakeholders around the implementation of its policy, its strategies, its development plan;
• Work with this unique consultation framework on integrated and common planning which takes account of public finance reform;
• Support the MSP in developing results-based management at all levels of the health pyramid by participating in joint assessments of sector performance in a climate of transparency, frank dialogue and shared responsibility (reviews, joint missions, meetings of bodies piloting). On the basis of this results-based management, support the MSP in reporting on its performance;
• Support the MSP in producing a single annual report that meets the expectations of the bodies responsible for monitoring sectoral development plans, government action, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), among others;
• Support the MSP in implementing its reforms by contributing technically (participation in technical commissions) and financially to studies, evaluations, prospective analyzes, development of strategies, standards, regulatory texts, methods and tools, as well as their effective implementation;
• Establish, develop and maintain good relations with the MSP, and with other national institutions involved in, or relevant to, the implementation and monitoring of the sector strategy;
• Strengthen the effectiveness of joint advocacy;
• Keep watch over alerts, emergencies, disasters, insecurities that may have negative impacts on the health situation, the health system itself or on health efforts.

Values: Exemplifying integrity, Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN System, Embracing diversity in all its forms, Embracing change.

Initiative, sound judgment and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with staff members from different national and cultural backgrounds.

Core Competencies: Achieving results, Being accountable, Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen, Thinking analytically and strategically, Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships, Communicating for impact

Functional Skill Set:

• Ability to write technical reports, briefing notes and summaries, to design communication media (eg brochures, presentations);
•  Ability to facilitate meetings and participatory discussions with a capacity for synthesis;
• Sensitivity to cross-cutting themes (human rights, gender, rights of the child, environment);
• Ability to produce content for a website is a plus;
• Computer skills (WORD, POWERPOINT, EXCEL, etc.) and the use of the Internet;
• Mastery of the use of blogs, forums and wikis is a plus;
• Ready to work in an area with a degree of insecurity, and to follow the security procedures established by the UN;

Education

• Master degree (or equivalent) in social sciences, public health or related fields, ideally with specialized knowledge in the field of healthcare systems

Working experience

• Have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant work experience in Programme Governance or Programme Management
• A development-oriented employment history or previous experience in development is desirable
• Prior work experience in developing countries is an asset.

Language requirements

• Fluency in French and English. Knowledge of other working languages of the UN is an asset
• Ability to write clearly and concisely

Age of applicant

• No older than 32 years as of 31^st December of the year of application

Nationality

• Under the JPO programme framework, this position is open only to nationals of Belgium.

For the full requirements and information about the JPO Programme, please visit: https://www.jposc.undp.org/

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)

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.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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Contract Duration: One-year fixed-term appointment, renewable at least once subject to satisfactory performance