Team Leader

UNOPS helps its partners in the United Nations system meet the world’s needs for building peace, recovering from disaster, and creating sustainable development. UNOPS is known for its ability to implement complex projects in all types of environments around the globe. In an effort to promote organizational excellence, UNOPS seeks highly qualified individuals for the following position:

Call for Applications
Vacancy Details

Vacancy Code	VA/2011/APO/ICA/189
Post Title	Team Leader
Post Level	Individual Contractual Agreement1
Project	Local Fund Agent (LFA), Global Fund to Fight AIDs, TB and Malaria (GFATM)
Org Unit	Asia and the Pacific Regional Office
Duty Station	Beijing, CHINA
Duration	12 months initially with possible extension (subject to funds availability and satisfactory performance)
Closing Date	17 July 2011

Background
The Local Fund Agent (LFA) is a crucial part of the Global Fund's system of oversight and risk management. Its principal role is to provide informed and independent professional advice about the capacity of Principal Recipients (PR) to manage the implementation of activities funded under grants (including a PR’s capacity to oversee implementation of activities by Sub-recipients), to make recommendations concerning periodic disbursement of grant funds, to review grant performance when a grant is being considered for renewal, and to provide the Global Fund Secretariat on an ongoing basis with relevant information on issues or risks which might affect grant performance.

The LFA is expected to have an up-to-date and comprehensive understanding of the diseases (HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria), how they are prevented, transmitted and treated and their impact on the country. The LFA assesses the PR’s institutional and health/programmatic capacities and arrangements to ensure adequate health expertise (HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and/or malaria) in the implementation of the Global Fund grants. The LFA also determines whether the PR has adequate infrastructure and information systems to support grant implementation, including the monitoring of performance of Sub-recipients and outsourced entities in a timely and accountable manner.

Under the direct supervision of the UNOPS APO Senior Portfolio Manager, the China LFA Team Leader will be based in Beijing with frequent field travel. The LFA Team Leader is responsible for the coordination of the China LFA Team and for ensuring that all LFA work is of high quality and completed within the timeframe set by the GFATM.

Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of Senior Portfolio Manager of UNOPS Asia and Pacific Regional Office (APO), the incumbent is required to perform the function of leadership and coordination of UNOPS LFA activities in China by carrying out the following activities:
 Hold regular Team meetings and promote teamwork and enthusiasm among team members for the provision of LFA services to GFATM in the fight against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
 Ensure adequate working environment is maintained for the Team including the provision of logistical and administrative support
 Develop an annual work plan of GFATM LFA activities and submit to APO
 Maintain updated schedule of time worked by all Team members in each technical area
 Demonstrate an overall understanding of the various GFATM grants and in depth knowledge of all LFA activities required to be performed as described in the LFA Manual
 Remain updated on GFATM guidelines and procedures, timeframes for completion of LFA activities, and the forms and templates to be used in the LFA work
 Pro-actively monitor GFATM grant implementation by Principal Recipients (PR) through regular contact, including with other stakeholders, and provide GFATM on an ongoing basis with relevant information on issues or risks
 Attend CCM meetings and other ad hoc events related to grant implementation and keep GFATM informed on relevant matters
 Work with the Country Coordination Mechanism (CCM) to review work plans and Principle Recipient's (PR) progress in meeting grant objectives outlined in the Grant Agreement
 Update regularly the GFATM and APO on grant progress and immediately report any concerns or risks which may affect grant performance
 Organize and lead PR Assessments, Repeat PR Assessments and Phase 2 Reviews to provide informed and independent professional advice to the GFATM about the capacity of PRs to effectively manage and implement the GFATM grants
 Assist GFATM in grant negotiations
 Lead LFA Assessments of CCM Requests for funding
 Verify Progress Updates/Disbursement Requests to make recommendations to the GFATM concerning periodic disbursement of grant funds
 Organize and participate on LFA on-site data verifications, financial spot checks and other exercises including travel to monitor status of grant implementation
 Assist GFATM in grant closure activities
 Facilitate visits by the GFATM Fund Portfolio Manager (FPM) and travel as necessary for joint monitoring visits
 Perform other duties as per the LFA Manual and/or as assigned.
Expected results of the incumbent:
 Timely, thorough and high quality LFA Assessment and monitoring reports on PR and SR capacity to implement approved proposals and ensure accurate reporting by PRs and SRs of results, systems and processes using appropriate Global Fund tools designed in the five functional areas of Financial Management and Systems (FMS), Programme Management Capacity (PMC), Sub-recipient Management, Pharmaceutical and Health product Management (PHPM), and Monitoring and Evaluation Arrangements (M&E); Identify any critical capacity gaps that need to be addressed by PR and communicate them to GFATM Portfolio Manager.
 Well coordinated and supervised team of national and international LFA experts with efficient office management systems to support logistics, coordination and travel of international experts. Supervise national officer and driver. Thorough knowledge of GFATM systems and processes. Establishment of effective working relationships with GFATM and all stakeholders.
 Review and verification of quarterly Progress Updates and Disbursement Requests submitted to the Global Fund within the timeframe stipulated or as agreed with Fund Portfolio Manager (FPM).
 Annual Work Plan developed for all LFA activities and timeframes. Effective and consistent
communication with all Team members and facilitation of early planning for international consultants’ participation in LFA activities.
 Regular and frequent monitoring to GFATM on PR and SR implementation and completion of On-Site Data Verification Reports including compliance requirements and/ or recommendations for strengthening measures, including a timeframe, to resolve identified data quality problems.

Required Selection Criteria

Competencies
• Professionalism, integrity and commitment to project demands
• Strong analytical skills
• Accountability
• Planning and Organizing
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Aptitude for political sensitivities
• Team player

Education/Experience/Language
• A degree in public health, finance, public administration, a social science or other relevant discipline.
• At least 10 years of management experience, preferably in health, social or finance sector.
• Project management experience and proven in-depth knowledge of issues relating to project management in developing countries required.
• Strong writing and analytical skills required.
• Experience GFATM LFA is an asset.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Mandarin required.

Submission of Applications
Qualified candidates may submit their application, including a letter of interest, complete Curriculum Vitae and an updated United Nations Personal History Form (P.11) (available on our website) via e-mail to vacanciesbkk@unops.org . Kindly indicate the vacancy number and the post title in the subject line when applying by email.

Additional Considerations
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
For more information on UNOPS, please visit the UNOPS website at www.unops.org.

¹For more information on UNOPS individual Contractor Agreement, please visit http://www.unops.org/ENGLISH/WHOWENEED/CONTRACT-TYPES/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements-ICAs.aspx