Programme Analyst - Key Populations (LGBTI & Drug Policy)-(Open to all applicants)

Please note the appropriate Tier indicated in the vacancy title and ensure that you are holding the applicable contract as defined below:

• Tier 1: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates)  
• Tier 2: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA) and personnel on regular PSA contracts 
• Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Background

Over the past decade, UNDP’s Hub on LGBTI+ and Key Populations has led implementation of several important multi-country and regional initiatives in Africa, involving a combination of key populations, LGBTI issues, human rights, law, and inclusive governance. The Hub manages these various Africa-focused projects under the umbrella brand, #WeBelongAfrica. This consolidated approach for key populations, LGBTI, issues, human rights and inclusive governance is expected to create a much-needed synergy between UNDP’s different projects; provides a common vision and purpose that can be shared across communities, governments, and development partners; and contributes to UNDP’s portfolio approach.

#WeBelongAfrica currently consolidates three distinct projects: the Sweden-funded “Inclusive Governance Initiative” (IGI); the Netherlands funded “Southern Africa Young Key Population Initiative” (YKP); and the African component of the German-funded “LGBTI Inclusion Index”.   Moving forward, a fourth project is being added to the portfolio, the Africa components of the global “Drug Policy Project” funded by the Open Societies Foundation. The YKP project focuses on strengthening the capacity of young key population groups in southern Africa to engage in policy dialogue and advocacy related to their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) with their national governments; sub-regional bodies such as the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC); regional institutions including the African Union (AU) and the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR); and relevant national human rights institutions.  IGI includes a similar emphasis on capacity development of civil society groups and facilitation of engagement of such groups with these institutions, although IGI focuses only on LGBTI groups.  The current phase of the Inclusion Index focuses on strengthening the collection, analysis, and use of LGBTI-related data in seven countries globally, including South Africa, Namibia, Kenya and Cote d’Ivoire in Africa.  The “Drug Policy Project” supports implementation of the UN System Common Position on Drugs, recognizing that people who use drugs are an important key population in the HIV response. UNDP’s role is to advance evidence-informed, rights-based, and health-oriented reforms to drug policy, with Ghana and South Africa identified as priority countries in Africa.

This ToR outlines the roles of a programme analyst to support the LGBTI+ and Key Population Hub team in implementing relevant regional activities related to the Drug Policy Project, the LGBTI Inclusion Index and the Inclusive Governance Initiative, with particular attention to those activities that will take place within South Africa.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Programme Analyst will work within the #WeBelongAfrica team and the South Africa country office to support implementation of project activities related to drug policy, LGBTI+ data, and LGBTI+ inclusion.  Specific responsibilities will include:

Coordinate effective project planning and implementation.

• In consultation with team members and relevant stakeholders, develop and monitor workplans, budgets and expenditures for drug policy work in Ghana and South Africa; LGBTI+ data work in Namibia, Kenya and South Africa; and UNAIDS related work in UNDP South Africa;
• Coordinate / manage the day-to-day activities of relevant projects and the overall implementation processes, including planning and monitoring in order to optimize the use of resources and to ensure the successful achievement of project objectives and results specified in project documents. Provide subject matter technical advice and support and ensure outputs are delivered on time, within the set budget and specified constraints, and to high-quality standards;
• Coordinate relevant capacity strengthening activities and technical support to South Africa and Ghana country offices (on drug policy); to South Africa, Namibia, Kenya and Cote d’Ivoire country offices (on LGBTI+ data); and to the South Africa country office (on UNDP contribution to UNAIDS work in country). 

Foster partnerships and collaboration.

• Contribute to team meetings of the Global Hub on LGBTI+ and Key Populations and the Governance Cluster of the South Africa country office, and represent UNDP at relevant meetings convened by UNAIDS South Africa and UNAIDS East & Southern Africa;
• Nurture and manage relevant partnerships with supportive CSOs and governmental agencies, including with the South Africa National AIDS Council, under the guidance of the South Africa country office to support implementation and reporting of the UBRAF country envelope activities, and the Hub on LGBTI+ and Key Populations;
• Develop and maintain strong relationships and strategic linkages with implementing and development partners, government officials, NGOs, other regional and national stakeholders, and beneficiaries to support key objectives and ensure inclusive implementation and participation of key stakeholders in assigned portfolio;
• Develop and maintain stakeholder mapping and analysis to identify stakeholder needs and how best to leverage their participation and/or strengthen their engagement. Prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation and opportunities for joint initiatives. Make recommendations to the management team on activities with potential for scale-up, replicability and synergies;
• Provide technical support to the implementing partners and act as a liaison between UNDP and the partners;
• Support resource mobilization efforts and project development.

Monitor and report on progress in implementing project activities and achieving the targets set.

• Review the results framework and update the indicators, baselines, and targets of the assigned portfolio. Develop clear strategies and an effective system for data collection, means of verification, and information sharing and reporting;
• Monitor implementation and progress in achieving goals and targets in accordance with the established quality criteria and UNDP rules, regulations, and standards. Identify, analyze, and take adequate measures to manage emerging issues, problems, and risks. Conduct field visits to project location sites;
• Liaise with finance and operations colleagues in the South Africa country office and in the HIV and Health regional team to ensure administrative requirements, budgets and use of financial resources are managed and executed in a timely and appropriate manner and within UNDP and donor rules and regulations.
• Prepare corporate, donor and government reports in line with the reporting schedule and UNDP and donor requirements.

Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic area(s).

• Map and monitor relevant policies, laws and institutional partners relevant to #WeBelongAfrica’s work on drug policy, LGBTI+ data and LGBTI+ inclusion, both regionally and within South Africa;
• Lead organization of relevant national and multi-country consultations and workshops, including virtual and in-person events, with stakeholders involved with the judiciary (for drug policy) and national statistics offices (on LGBTI+ data);
• Organize training, workshops, and capacity building activities in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia;
• Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners;
• Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on project related issues. Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDP’s engagement in this area;
• Promote advocacy on development trends and opportunities to collaborate in coordination with the project partners, stakeholders, and UNDP communications staff.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement 

Primary supervision of the Programme Analyst will be provided by the Manager: UNDP Hub on LGBTI+ and Key Populations in Pretoria, with a secondary reporting line to the Governance Programme Manager in UNDP’s South Africa country office. 

Competencies

CORE

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

Business direction and strategy: System thinking          

• Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Business direction and strategy: Negotiation and influence     

• Reach a common understanding/agreement, persuade others, resolve points of difference through a dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions and create ‘win-win’ situations

Business management: Results-based management  

• Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and too

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  Universal Health Coverage

2030 Agenda: People   Health  LGBTI+ rights

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Public Health, Development Studies, Communications, or 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 advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience including direct engagement with both HIV / key population issues and LGBTI+ rights, in Africa is required. 

Required Skills

• Proven track record of knowledge on HIV key population issues, and how they relate to broader human rights and public health goals;
• Experience working with stakeholders from governments, regional entities and civil society in the Africa Region;
• Demonstrated experience of organizing multi-country events in Africa;
• Demonstrated experience in relevant public health or human rights research and documentation;
• Familiarity with the UN system, donors, multilateral organizations, and NGOs; 
• Proven Microsoft Office skills.

Desired Skills

• Experience working within UNDP;
• Specific experience working on drug policy and/or LGBTI issues in Africa;
• Proficiency in using AI tools; 
• Advanced proficiency in PowerPoint and project management software.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in written and spoken English 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.

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