Project Focal Point (Analyst)

The project titled " Enhancement of National HIV Response with Focus on Target Beneficiary Groups in line with fifth National Strategic Plan 2020-2026” is funded by the Global Fund to support Iran’s response in controlling the growth of HIV/AIDS prevalence and incidence.

The key objectives of the project are: 

• By the end of March 2027, maintain HIV prevalence among PWIDs at less than 5%
• By the end of March 2027, maintain the HIV prevalence among people who are exposed to sexual transmission of HIV at less than 5%  
• By the end of March 2027, decrease the AIDS mortality by 20%

The United Nation Development Program (UNDP) Iran country office as the Principal Recipient (PR) works with the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) and three Sub-Recipients (SRs) in implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the project. The SRs are: Center for Communicable Diseases Control of Ministry of Health and Medical Education (CDC), Welfare Organization (WO) and Iranian Prisons Organization (PO).

Under direct supervision  of the National Project Director of PO and  UNDP HIV/AIDS Project Manager the Project Focal Point (Analyst) support implementation of HIV/AIDS project activities as reflected in the approved project work plan and ensure high quality of project performance and achievement of intended results.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Focal Point(Analyst) will work under direct supervision of the National Project Director of PO and  Project Manager of HIV/AIDS at UNDP.

Note: The final recruitment process is conditional upon the approval of the background check by the Security Department of the Prisons Organization.

• Take charge of the day-to-day management of the project activities to be undertaken by the designated Sub-Recipient (SR) that is Prison Organization (PO) and conduct operational management of the project in consistency with the project work plan and approved project document, policies and procedures of the Government of I.R. Iran, UNDP Iran, and the Global Fund. 
• Manage the coordination between the Global Fund-supported activities and those assigned to the Prison Organization by the HIV National Strategic Plan (NSP) to ensure alignment. This may include preparing regular reports on any challenges that might arise from discrepancies between the NSP and Global Fund-supported interventions. This requires the full involvement of the project focal point (Analyst) in the HIV programmes within the Prison Organization, extending beyond the scope of the Global Fund-supported projects.  
• Enhance the efficiency of the Global Fund-supported activities by ensuring the effective use of procured items and the quality of their utilization, along with the human resources as outlined in the project work plan. This includes proper maintenance of equipment (if any), appropriate utilization of other items, and ensuring that the recruited staff possess the necessary knowledge and skills to maintain the quality of services. Additionally, it involves preventing and avoiding any misuse of the provided items.Active involvement in preparation of the TOR/Specifications of goods and services, as well as pursuing selection procedures under the guidance of the direct supervisors and with close coordination of UNDP.
• Manage the distribution and inventory of procured items to ensure the availability of essential supplies for the diagnosis, treatment, and care of target populations in all prisons. This should be done in close collaboration with the national HIV program in the prisons.
• Review and revise project activities when necessary on a quarterly, semester and/or annual basis; update project work plan under the guidance of the direct supervisors, and in collaboration with UNDP and close liaison with the responsible Sub-Recipients (SR), when applicable.
• Timely preparation and submission of complete and accurate progress reports and to assure that reports prepared by project personnel or service providers are prepared as per the requirements of the SR, the Global Fund and the UNDP. 
• Lead and participate in regular and planned monitoring field visits and report accordingly as per the developed monitoring forms which are approved by the SIP committee and PO. In addition to that, monitor and certify project expenditures in conformity with the administrative and financial procedures of the SR, and UNDP and to ensure timely settlement of pre-payments, when applicable.
• Conduct follow up to ensure implementation of the recommendations of monitoring field visits. 
• Assist the preparation of the national strategic/communication/M&E plans, the Global Fund proposals, etc. and also providing timely preparation and submission of financial, inventory and M&E reports. 
• Complete engagement in the management of HIV comorbidities within the Prison Organization, including tuberculosis, Hepatitis B and C, STIs, and other infectious diseases, as per the request of the National Project Director of the Prison Organization.

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

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
• Adapt with Agility:  LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making