Header

UNHCR Senior HIV /AIDS Coordinator


ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The incumbent provides technical support to the HIV/AIDS Regional Coordinators and HIV focal points in the field, as well as the UNHCR country programmes. S/He advocates for HIV/AIDS issues within and outside of UNHCR. The incumbent must ensure that UNHCR's HIV policies and programmes meet minimum UNHCR and international standards in order to reduce stigma and discrimination as well as to prevent infection and minimise mortality and morbidity among populations of concern. The incumbent plays a major role in UNHCR by supporting all issues related to HIV, including Protection issues (e.g. HIV discrimination, stigma, mandatory testing, HIV testing for resettlement), Programme issues (e.g. HIV programme funds come from country as well as headquarter budgets), and technical support sectors (e.g. HIV is a cross-cutting issue that deals with protection, nutrition, food security, community services, gender and age, public health, water and sanitation, shelter, and the environment). UNHCR became a UNAIDS cosponsor in June 2004. Together with this major opportunity for including refugees in global, regional and country policies and programmes, come obligations and responsibilities. The incumbent supports the Senior Advisor for HIV/AIDS and the Liaison Officer to UNAIDS in the fulfilment of the responsibilities.
The incumbent is ultimately responsible for providing technical support, coordination, policy and planning, advocacy and evaluation on HIV/AIDS for Displaced Persons in the region. The post will be supervised by the Chief of Section (Public Health & HIV).
FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
• UNHCR is a viable co-sponsor to UNAIDS and an active co-chair of the IATT on HIV and emergencies.
• Technical support is provided in the field of HIV/AIDS.
• UNHCR is active in the field of Reproductive Health.
Responsibility
• Work in a multi-sectoral and co-ordinated approach in co-operation with UN agencies, donors, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other humanitarian partners, including relevant IASC mechanisms.
• Develop and ensure implementation of UNHCR's Strategic Plan for HIV and RH.
• Develop and ensure new policies and strategies for UNHCR in key aspects of HIV and RH.
• Develop, review, update and ensure dissemination of internationally accepted standards, policies, and guidelines within UNHCR and among partners; adapt accordingly to the unique situation of UNHCR's people of concern.
• Coordinate with other technical sectors as well as Division of International Protection Services (DIP) and Bureaux.
• Provide leadership and advocate on all issues relating to HIV and RH and refugees/International Displaced persons (IDPs) and other persons of concern to UNHCR both within and outside of UNHCR.
• Work with others in UNHCR to advocate for access to refugees, IDPs, returnees and other persons of concern to UNHCR to public health services, including support for inclusion of refugees, returnees and other persons of concern in national and international fora and funding sources.
• Ensure regular updates and share information within UNHCR as well as with relevant government, UN and NGO counterparts, Governments and the donor community.
• Work with partners to develop, maintain and activate standby arrangements for field based support in the health sector.
• Provide technical assistance to UNHCR's regional and national coordinators, the Bureaux, DIPS and direct requests from the field as required.
• Review and provide technical inputs on reports and programme proposals from the field with the view to verify compliance with UNHCR policy priorities refugee women and children, gender, adolescents and other related topics.
• Lead the design and implementation of the monitoring and evaluation system for health programmes for refugees, returnees, and other persons of concern to UNHCR.
• Facilitate the inclusion of UNHCR programmes in inter-agency assessment and evaluation efforts.
• Lead the effort in resource mobilisation for HIV and RH activities with an emphasis on non-traditional donors to UNHCR.
• Undertake programmatic research with relevant organisations as needed to improve programmatic response.
• Assimilate and produce better practice/lessons learnt/academic articles for dissemination.
• Perform other related duties as required.
Authority
• Provide guidance and make recommendations on the overall strategy and focus of HIV and RH programmes.
• Represent UNHCR in HIV and RH meetings as well as in Reproductive Health fora.
• Represent UNHCR as UNAIDS cosponsor.
ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
• Advanced University degree specialization in Public Health (e.g. medical science or nursing) or equivalent
• Proven technical competence in international health programming with emphasis on refugees/IDPs, emergencies or post-emergencies.
• Proven managerial competence in international health programming issues with emphasis on refugees/IDPs/emergencies or post-emergencies.
• Practical knowledge of planning, monitoring and implementation of health-related services in refugee or refugee-like situations.
• Practical experience in various refugee / internally displaced persons situations ranging from emergency to reconstruction/rehabilitation.
• Minimum 10 years of working experience at professional level in public health; at least 5 years in an international capacity; at least 3 years working with refugees/IDPs or in emergency/post-emergency situation.
• Computer skills in word processing, spread sheets and powerpoint.
• Excellent oral and written English. Working knowledge of another UN language, preferably French.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
• Previous professional work with NGOs and/ or UN agencies.
• Strong communication and presentation skills (oral and written).
• Statistical programming skills an asset.
How to apply:
Please apply through our UNHCR website at http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c491.html