Policy and Strategy Officer

UNAIDS is an innovative United Nations partnership that leads and inspires the world in achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.

UNAIDS' Cosponsors include UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank. Visit the UNAIDS Web site at www.unaids.org

Vacancy No.: UNAIDS/14/FT18

Title:

Policy and Strategy Officer

Grade:

P3

Contract type:

Fixed-Term Appointment

Date:

4 April 2014

Application Deadline:

3 May 2014

( )

Organization unit:

AI UNAIDS Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (AI)

AI/SPD Strategic Policy Directions/EXO

Duty station: Geneva Switzerland

MANDATE OF THE DEPARTMENT:

The Strategic Policy Directions (SPD) Unit exercises policy leadership, coordination, coherence and review in the Secretariat as well as serving as a think tank and advisory unit for strategy development. The Unit primarily serves to support the leadership of the Executive Director, by providing robust analysis, advice and communications support, while also liaising with, and supporting as required, the Programme and Management & Governance branches and the Regional Support Teams (RSTs). The Unit provides intellectual leadership and support through high-quality research and analysis, including through external partnerships, so as to identify political trends, risks and opportunities to strategically position the Secretariat leadership on critical and emerging policy issues, including through high quality publications, to establish and reinforce political partnerships and to influence agenda-setting and policy formulation at global, regional and national levels in relation to issues of high priority to UNAIDS and the global AIDS response. The Unit strengthens the capacity of the Secretariat to engage more politically in the response. In exercising its functions, the Unit works in close collaboration with the Executive Office and Communications and Global Advocacy.

Main tasks and Responsibilities of the Position:

Reporting to the Chief, Strategic Policy Directions (SPD), the Policy and Strategy Officer is assigned the following responsibilities:

• Provide overall support to the Chief, SPD, to supply the Executive Director (EXD) and the Secretariat with evidence-informed, written and oral advice to develop strategies for positioning the Secretariat on critical and emerging policy issues, including in relation to the post-2015 development agenda and in developing the next UNAIDS Corporate Strategy.
• Draft, edit, analyze and review Secretariat publications, reports, EXD briefing notes, PowerPoint presentations and other policy and strategy communication materials, bringing a fresh take on a broad range of HIV-related issues and ensuring that the UNAIDS corporate agenda, and specifically the UNAIDS Strategy 2011-2015, is adequately and accurately reflected.
• Lead on daily planning and coordination of policy development-related processes, including by mapping project activities, tracking and reporting on deliverables, managing correspondence and ensuring smooth communication with staff and external stakeholders, facilitating production of project documents including liaison with translation, printing and production teams.
• Lead on daily planning and coordination of high-level events in which the EXD plays a prominent role, including preparing event proposals with objectives, key messages and panelists and event scripts; representing the SPD Unit on working groups; liaising with relevant Secretariat Headquarter and country staff and external partners; gathering information and political intelligence on potential panelists; coordinating and accounting for internal and external feedback on event proposals; and managing the development of related documents.
• Act as focal point for Secretariat input and coordination in the development of SPD Unit's deliverables; engage relevant UNAIDS Secretariat staff to ensure their substantive contribution in the drafting and shaping of strategic documentation in support of the UNAIDS policy agenda; and, where necessary, support hiring, oversight, and management of external support, including temporary advisors and consultants and interns.
• Facilitate communication among the UNAIDS Secretariat, its Cosponsors and other major stakeholders, to ensure the flow of strategic information in the preparation of policy and strategy materials and events; support efforts to integrate stakeholder interests in developing content and representative language in support of UNAIDS policy and strategy approaches.
• Support the Chief, SPD, in the development of knowledge related to global governance, global health and development architecture and global AIDS and health policy and financing, including by undertaking research, analysis, drafting and publication of policy documents and peer-reviewed papers.
• Perform environmental scanning and track data and trends in health and broader development issues, to anticipate emerging policy issues, identify risks, seize opportunities and understand the positions/interests of other key partners and actors so as to inform Secretariat positions and for use in publications, reports and other documents.
• Represent the SPD Unit at internal and external meetings.
• All other related duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential:

• First university degree in international health, international relations, social and/or political science, public administration/management and/or development studies

Desirable:

• Advanced university degree in above related fields.

Competencies:

UNAIDS Values:

• Commitment to the AIDS response
• Integrity
• Respect for diversity

Core competencies:

• Working in teams
• Communicating with impact
• Applying expertise
• Delivering results
• Driving change and innovation
• Being accountable

Managerial competencies:

• Vision and strategic thinking
• Managing performance and resources
• Developing and empowering others
• Exercising sound judgement
• Building relationships and Networks

Experience:

Essential:

• A minimum of three to six years of professional experience in research and/or an international health organization.
• Demonstrated contribution to HIV, health and/or development body of knowledge, such as the publication of peer-reviewed literature.

Desirable:

• Significant experience in a political office in an international organization or institution.

Languages:

Essential:

• Advanced knowledge of English.

Desirable:

• Working knowledge of French or another UN language.

Additional Information:

Positions at the international professional category within UNAIDS will be subject to the Organization's Mobility Policy. The above-mentioned position is a rotational position and its standard duration of assignment is linked to the ICSC hardship classification of the duty station.

Annual salary: (Net of tax)

US$ 56,198 at single rate at single rate

US$ 60,205 with primary dependants with primary dependants

Applications from people living with HIV are particularly welcome. Applications from women and from nationals of non- and under-represented member states are particularly encouraged.

Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to the Staff Regulations and Rules of the World Health Organization (WHO) adjusted, as necessary, to take into account the particular operational needs of UNAIDS, and any subsequent amendments.

Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

Note: The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer or promotion of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity. The medical criterion for recruitment is fitness to work in the particular post. The United Nations HIV/AIDS Personnel Policy clearly stipulates that no staff and/or potential candidates shall be discriminated against on the basis of real or perceived HIV status. HIV infection, in itself, does not constitute lack of fitness to work. There is no obligation to disclose HIV-related personal information.

Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable UNAIDS to store your profile in a permanent database. Please visit UNAIDS's e-Recruitment website at: https://erecruit.unaids.org . The system provides instructions for online application procedures.

All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.