T e r m s o f R e f e r e n c e JUNIOR PROFESSIONAL OFFICERS IN HIV AND AIDS, UNAIDS OFFICE IN GHANA I. General Information: Title: Sector of Assignment: Country: Location (city): Agency: Division: Programme Officer (JPO) HIV/AIDS Ghana Accra UNAIDS Programme Effectiveness and Country Support Dept Duration of Assignment: Initially one year with the possibility to extend up to 3 years. Grade: P1 step 1 or P2 step 1 in the first year, depending on the level of education and experience. Note: this post is opened in the context of the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) scheme sponsored by the Government of the Netherlands and is addressed exclusively to Dutch and European Union nationals or permanent residents of the Netherlands (for criteria refer to the website of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs: http://www.minbuza.nl/en/key_topics/development_cooperation/associate_experts_programme II. Supervision: Title of Supervisor: UNAIDS Country Coordinator Content and methodology of supervision: The incumbent will be supervised by the UNAIDS Country Coordinator. While the incumbent will be expected to be able to work independently, the UNAIDS Country Coordinator will work closely with the incumbent in order to mentor and monitor his/her work. 1.M a n d a t e The UNAIDS Country Office for Ghana operates within the UN Resident Coordinator system to support the work of the UN Country Team (UNCT). The primary role of the UNCT is to facilitate a coordinated UN system support to the national AIDS response through the efficient and effective functioning of the UN Joint Team on AIDS and implementation of the Joint UN Outcome Results Framework on AIDS.
2. K e y r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s Under the direct supervision of the UNAIDS Country Coordinator (UCC) in Ghana, and subject to the changing working environment and partnership with government, the incumbent will: Assist the UCC in his efforts to promote joint work of UNAIDS Secretariat and Cosponsors through UN Joint Team on AIDS and its Joint Programme of Support Facilitate and support the development of the Joint UN Programme of Support to the national AIDS response in line with the National Strategic Framework and Annual Programme of Work (APOW) and monitor its effective implementation in collaboration with the lead agencies including funding status and timely disbursement of funds liaising with the Ghana AIDS Commission, UNDP, and other agencies. Facilitate and ensure quarterly review of the implementation of the Joint UN Programme of Support on AIDS Assist the UCC in his efforts related to fundraising for the Joint UN Programme of Support and seeking the collaboration of bilateral and non-traditional civil society donors Ensure and support the mainstreaming of AIDS into the ongoing processes relating to the review, updating and development of UNDAF Support the final review of the Joint UN Programme of Support and prepare the final qualitative and quantitative reports on its implementation including results obtained, problems encountered and lessons learned. Prepare also specific report for donor partners providing funding for the implementation of the joint programme as may be required. Facilitate AIDS information sharing among UNAIDS Secretariat and Cosponsors and other key stakeholders, prepare a quarterly newsletter and briefs on the UN support to the national response Provide support to UNAIDS in the selection and recording of the best practices Support the UCC and the UNAIDS Country Office in the current audit of laws applicable to HIV in Ghana and assist in the process of drafting a specific law against stigma and discrimination of PLHIV and sexual minorities. Liaise with appropriate departments in Government and civil society organization for the collecting and sharing Legal and Human Rights information on HIV and AIDS Any other duties as requested by supervisor 3. L e a r n i n g e l e m e n t s Upon completion of the assignment, the JPO will be able to: Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the HIV/AIDS missions, objectives and operations of UNAIDS and its ten cosponsors (UNHCR, UNDP, WFP, UNODC, ILO, UNICEF, UNESCO, UNFPA, WHO and the World Bank). Demonstrate a good understanding on building and maintaining partnerships at national and regional level. Follow up discussions on technical issues on HIV/AIDS with counterparts in order to help promoting HIV/AIDS policies and programs in the region. Appraise and formulate projects addressing HIV/AIDS issues. Negotiate HIV/AIDS project ideas, execution modalities and co-financing schemes with a variety of partners including bilateral, governmental and private sector organizations. Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and its implications 2
4. L i n k a g e s Internal UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Southern and Eastern Africa, and in UNAIDS, Geneva. UNAIDS staff in various countries. Purpose To request and provide information; enlist Support/funds/expertise; identify research and development needs. Exchange/share experiences and views; develop collaboration - linkages between different national efforts and organizations External Heads of HIV in other UN agencies. Purpose To provide assistance and support in their coordinating role; to assist in planning and finding and utilization of available information; to provide reliable information related to vulnerable groups National AIDS Council, other relevant government agencies, civil society organizations and cooperating partners. To participate/collaborate in reviews, development for planning, and evaluation of activities. To provide reliable information and review documentations. Staff and Officials of the UN Joint Program in Ghana, and UN agencies, donors, NGOs. To facilitate/promote provision and exchange of information. 5. P o s t r e q u i r e m e n t s : k n o w l e d g e a n d e x p e r i e n c e EDUCATION University degree in international development, social or physical sciences, public health, management or similar academic preparation. EXPERIENCE Two years work experience (maximum of 4 years) preferably in programme management in public or private sector at the national or international levels, experience in data analysis and coordination. LANGUAGES Excellent knowledge of English. FUNCTIONAL/TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS Knowledge of the AIDS epidemic, globally and its implications. Understanding of the UN system of organizations and their delivery mechanisms. 3
6. U N A I D S V a l u e s 1. Commitment to the AIDS response 2. Integrity 3. Respect for diversity 7. C o r e c o m p e t e n c i e s 1. Working in teams 2. Communicating with impact 3. Applying expertise 4. Delivering results 5. Driving change and innovation 6. Being accountable 8. M a n a g e r i a l c o m p e t e n c i e s 1. Exercising sound judgement 2. Building relationships and Networks 9. I n f o r m a t i o n A b o u t L i v i n g C o n d i t i o n s a t t h e D u t y S t a t i o n Ghana is located in Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d'ivoire and Togo and Burkina Faso in the north. Its climate is tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north and its country terrain is mostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-central area. The major languages spoken are English, African languages including Twi, Akan, Ewe and Ga and the major religions are Christianity, indigenous beliefs, Islam. The capital of Ghana, Accra, has an overall cost of living index which equates it with middle cost of living locations and is currently ranked 140, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 300 international locations. Communication costs such as home telephone rental and call charges, internet connection and service provider fees, mobile / cellular phone contract and calls are relatively inexpensive compared to other cities, with a rank of 297 out of 300. Education costs such as crèche / pre-school fees, high school / college fees, primary school fees, and tertiary study fees are relatively inexpensive compared to other cities, with a rank of 205 out of 300. Healthcare costs for general healthcare, medical and medical insurance such as general practitioner consultation rates, hospital private ward daily rate, non-prescription medicine, and private medical insurance / medical aid contributions is relatively more expensive compared to other cities, with a rank of 86 out of 300. 4
Household costs for housing, water, electricity, household gas, household fuels, local rates and residential taxes such as house / flat mortgage, house / flat rental, household electricity consumption, household gas / fuel consumption, household water consumption, and local property rates / taxes / levies is equally expensive on average compared to other cities, with a rank of 145 out of 300. Restaurants, Meals Out and Hotel costs such as business dinner, dinner at a restaurant (non fast food), hotel rates, take away drinks and snacks (fast food) is relatively less expensive compared to other cities, with a rank of 273 out of 300. Transport costs for public transport, vehicle costs, vehicle fuel, vehicle insurance and vehicle maintenance such as hire purchase / lease of vehicle, petrol / diesel, public transport service maintenance, tires, vehicle Insurance, and vehicle purchase is are fairly expensive compared to other cities, with a rank of 132 out of 300. 6. How to Apply Eligible candidates are requested to submit an online application at the following link: http://www.jposc.org/content/programme/current_vacancies-en.html. The deadline for receipt of applications is 12 midday, Thursday 26 May 2011. Applications received after this will not be considered. In view of the volume of applications, only candidates being invited to an interview will be contacted. 5