Programme Assistant - HIV and AIDS at United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) helps developing countries attract and use aid effectively. In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights, capacity development and the empowerment of women.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Programme Assistant - HIV and AIDS

Location: Abuja, NIGERIA

Background
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme of the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers.
In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UN Volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities.
In all assignments, UN Volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.

Brief Project Description:
The work of UNODC in the area of HIV and AIDS focuses mainly on moving towards universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support for people who use drugs and for people living and working in prisons and other closed settings. The Office also promotes the integration of effective HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services into work related human trafficking. UNODC assists member states in reviewing national policies, strategies and legislation and supporting their adaptation, providing comprehensive HIV services, and strengthening monitoring and evaluation. All activities supported by the Office are geared towards strengthening national ownership and building national capacity. It is expected that, by the end of the programme cycle, HIV services for people in prisons and for people who use drugs will become integral components of national health agendas, including prison health, and social services in key countries. Technical assistance provided is based on the relevant declarations resolutions and decisions adopted by United Nations governing bodies, such as the United Nations General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board

Host Agency/Host Institute:
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Organizational Context:
The selected candidate shall work under the overall supervision of UNODC Representative, and the direct supervision and guidance of the Regional Advisor, HIV and AIDS, West Africa at the UNODC Country office for Nigeria. The programme assistant would cover activities under the thematic area: Prevention, treatment and reintegration. Specifically supporting drugs and HIV programme activities, with a focus on people who use drugs and in prisons. This position mainly involves working with government – Ministry of Health, Prisons Department, and civil society stakeholders in Nigeria and in the West Africa region.

Type of Assignment Place:
Family duty station

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Advisor, HIV and AIDS, West Africa the Programme Assistant will undertake the following tasks:

• Prepare and draft a variety of written outputs that relate to HIV and AIDS, implementation of UNODC’s HIV programme activities, such as progress reports, briefings, presentations etc.
• Support on-going secondary research, maintain and update databases, country profiles relevant to drugs and HIV.
• Provide administrative and substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, identifying participants, follow-up and coordination with participants and invitees, support logistic arrangements.
• Assist with the formulation of work plans and other organizational management tools necessary for programme planning and monitoring;
• Assist with the preparation of programme/project development and assessment missions conducted for relevant programming;
• Carry out other duties as required.

Furthermore, the UN Volunteer is encouraged to:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark IVD);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/Expected Output:

• Support implementation of programme activities as per project work plan.
• Provide administrative and substantive programmatic support for the programme activities in the region.
• Assist with a variety of written outputs.
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

Competencies

• Strong interpersonal skills, including excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills, team and networking skills.
• Proficient use of word, excel and power point.
• Evidence of ability to think strategically; to express ideas clearly; to work independently and in teams; sense of cultural and gender sensitivity.
• A strong commitment to development; commitment to work for HIV and AIDS, an interest in adapting to varied physical and professional environments; and a desire to work with people with different language, national and cultural backgrounds.

Required Skills and Experience

• University degree in a development-related discipline; law, criminology, social sciences, international relations or related fields.
• Preference will be given to those with prior knowledge of HIV and AIDS work especially with issues dealing with people who inject drugs and/or work of the UN.
• Minimum of two years of professional work experience in preferably in social work, law, drugs or HIV and AIDS related disciplines.

Conditions of Service
A 6-month contract; monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) intended to cover housing, basic needs and utilities, equivalent to N94, 914 settling-in-grant (if applicable) Equivalent of one month VLA, i.e. N94, 914 for a 12-month assignment if candidate is recruited from outside the duty station, or pro-rated if assignment is shorter than 12 months; life, health, and permanent disability insurance; return airfares (if applicable); resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.

Application Closing Date:
12th August, 2014

How to Apply
Interested candidates should
Click here to apply