Programme coordinator – United Nations Institute for training and research

Strategic Planning, Capacity Building, Organizational Development, Project Management, Resource Mobilisation, Partnership Development, Finance & Administration, Health Innovation.

UNITAR is an autonomous body within the United Nations that was established in 1965 pursuant to a UN General Assembly resolution. UNITAR’s mission is to develop the individual, institutional and organizational capacities of countries and other United Nations stakeholders through high quality learning solutions and related knowledge products and services to enhance decision-making and to support country-level action for overcoming global challenges.

On 28 November 2019, at its 60th session, the UNITAR Board of Trustees took note of and endorsed, the Operations Agreement between UNITAR and The Defeat-NCD Partnership (dated 23″ July 2019) to host the secretariat of the Partnership. UNITAR houses the secretariat of the Defeat-NCD Partnership and other relevant strategic initiatives working in the field of noncommunicable diseases and addressing related risk factors – such as road crashes, deaths and injuries, and assisted technologies for improved health outcomes.

The Defeat-NCD Partnership is a multi-stakeholder partnership anchored in the United Nations and includes governments, multilateral agencies, civil society, academia, philanthropies, and the private sector. It was established in January 2018 to help tackle the most significant global health problems of the age: premature death, sickness, disability, and the associated social and economic impacts of selected non-communicable diseases (NCDs). It is based on the expert guidance and the technical norms and standards issued by the World Health Organization for managing NCDs.

The Government of Rwanda is part of the Governance Mechanism of The Defeat-NCD Partnership. Specifically, the Minister of Health is a member of the High-Level Council, and the NCD Focal Point, Ministry of Health, is a member of the Consultative Group.

The purpose of this assignment is to lead the design, implementation, resource mobilization and reporting of The Defeat-NCD Partnership programme activities in Rwanda, in support of the Ministry of Health.

Further the incumbent is responsible to help inform, shape, and align the service offering of the Defeat-NCD Partnership to be rolled out across 90 plus priority low resource countries through regular and proactive collaboration with Programme Coordinators in other priority countries, starting with Myanmar.

Specifically, this assignment will enable populations in Rwanda and the other priority countries to access a range of interconnected essential services and resources through four pillars of interventions:

•   NCD NATIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING:

We work with governments and key in country stakeholders, through the national ministries of health and other national institutions, to assess gaps in their NCD capabilities. Through our technical support to develop a multi-year NCD National Costed Action Plan, we facilitate engagement of relevant partners to ensure expansion of services in line with national targets. Our overall objective is to ensure that partner countries have institutional capacities, structures, systems, and financing in place to tackle NCDs.

•   COMMUNITY SCALE-UP OF NCD SERVICES:

Defeat-NCD seeks to demystify, democratise, decentralise, and where safely possible, demedicalise NCD service provision. We enable the earlier screening and management of risk factors as well as the mitigation of established disease. at the community level. By increasing the use of self-care interventions, we can improve patient compliance, resulting in better treatment and health outcomes. Our overall objective is to bring more of the necessary prevention and management NCD services directly to the communities and people who need them most.

•   AFFORDABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY OF ESSENTIAL NCD SUPPLIES:

To make the provision of NCD supplies simpler and more cost- effective, Defeat-NCD is designing a Marketplace to create a fair, competitive environment that serves the interests of both buyers and suppliers. Using market-sizing and price-tracking studies, the Marketplace’s methodology will correct current market failures due to information imbalances. It will also help address regulatory bottlenecks in an appropriate manner. Our overall objective is to enable the consistent provision of affordable essential NCD medicines, diagnostics, and equipment in low-resource countries. 

•  SUSTAINABLE NCD FINANCING:

Governments need to invest more in health, with a greater share allocated to NCDs in support of national costed NCD action plans (Pillar 1). Cost savings can also be achieved by linking NCD programming with other conditions and improving service delivery (Pillar 2), as well as reducing the cost of NCD drugs, diagnostics, and equipment (Pillar 3). Our overall objective is to establish a long-term sustainable financing model for NCD programming in low-resource countries.

The Programme Coordinator will lead the design, implementation, resource mobilization and reporting of The Defeat-NCD Partnership programme operational activities across its four pillars in Rwanda. S/he will be responsible to help inform, shape, and align the service offering of the Defeat-NCD Partnership to be rolled out across 90 plus priority low resource countries through regular and proactive collaboration with Programme Coordinators in other priority countries, starting with Myanmar.

Reporting to the Director of the Defeat-NCD Partnership, the Programme Coordinator will be located in the Ministry of Health in Kigali, Rwanda. S/he will be a dynamic and highly motivated professional with a proven track record in delivering results through effective Strategic Planning, Capacity Building, Organizational Development, Project Management, Resource Mobilisation, Partnership Development, Finance & Administration, Health Innovation. Specific deliverables include:

1. National NCD Capacity Building: Lead the strategic planning process in Rwanda and the development of the of NCD National Costed Action Plan. Mobilise funding (Investments and grants) towards activities within the costed action plan. Establish the Defeat-NCD Partnership Market Monitoring Service.

• Support the Ministry of Health in establishing, coordinating, and servicing the NCD Technical Working Group (TWG) meetings and develop professional networks amongst all stakeholders and maintain a detailed knowledge base of all relevant issues impacting public health in the context of NCDs.
• Provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health and lead the drafting of the NCD National Costed Action Plan (and its associated monitoring and results framework) and facilitate the consultations involving the Ministry of Health, as well as other parts of government (national and sub national levels), the relevant technical agencies including WHO, donors, implementation partners, non-governmental organisations, civil society organizations, academic and research institutions, private sector, and affected communities.
• Engage with potential national and international donors and investors throughout the development of the NCD National Costed Action Plan to mobilise resources towards the Plan.
• Jointly with the Programme Coordinator for Myanmar, develop the Defeat-NCD Partnership methodology for NCD National Costed Action Planning to be rolled out across the priority 90 low resource countries.
• Develop collaboration with national and international universities, research institutions, and think tanks to establish the Defeat-NCD Partnership Market Monitoring Service in Rwanda. The service would provide continuous data and analysis on the availability and affordability of essential NCD drugs, diagnostics, and devices in Rwanda (and the other 90 plus priority low resource countries) Such credible market information could be used by national finance and health ministries for their planning (forecasting) and budgeting functions and by suppliers for their longer-term business decisions. Such information is also vital for intermediaries such as the designers of innovative financial instruments, and multilateral and bilateral donors. It is also central to the design of national NCDS scale-up programmes (Pillar 2) and to the success of the Defeat-NCD Marketplace (Pillar 3). The Service would be provided freely for the common global public good and would have three main elements: (i) The market-sizing element estimates current country-specific availability and costs incurred by consumers directly purchasing these supplies or by governments, insurers, non-profit and private healthcare providers who purchase them for their clients; (ii) The market-tracking element will monitor real-time availability and affordability of essential NCD supplies; and (iii) The market-shaping element will use the above data and analyse and model them to forecast what countries need in terms of essential NCD supplies to enable them to progress steadily towards UHC by 2030 and, in the interim, assess the extent to which progress is keeping pace or lagging behind. By comparing the situation across countries in sub-regions, it will provide transparency of data to help countries, suppliers, and the Defeat-NCD Marketplace itself to negotiate and optimise the best value propositions for the provision of essential NCD supplies. That may include data-driven, long-term contracting for provision, and better-informed pooled procurement and other mechanisms to generate efficiencies of scale.

2. Community Scale-up of NCD Services: Identification of innovators and health entrepreneurs nationally and internationally to tackle identified needs during the costed action planning process specifically looking at increasing the provision of NCD services to communities in a cost-effective manner including last mile delivery and improved health self-care.  Enable the scale-up of these innovations by identifying sources of additional funding through venture capital and other investments. Nation-wide screening for diabetes and hypertension. Establishment and funding of the Defeat-NCD Partnership Venture Fund.

• Based on NCD National Costed Action Planning process consultations and review of the existing national NCD related strategic plans, identify specific problems where scalable and cost-effective and efficient innovations can be applied.
• Identify potential innovative startups and health entrepreneurs focusing on NCD self-care, affordable access to NCD treatment and care, to accelerate achievement of identified needs during the NCD National Costed Action Planning process.
• Enable identified innovators to engage with the Defeat-NCD Partnership and support them with business case development and resource mobilisation (through grants, venture capital and other investments) in order to scale up their efforts.
• Design and implement an innovative, cost effective and efficient programme to screen the entire population of Rwanda for diabetes and hypertension. Mobilise public and private contributions to roll the programme out in Rwanda.
• Design, establish, and secure resources for the Defeat-NCD Partnership Venture Fund to help fund startups offering scalable, cost effective and efficient services at the community level that improve access of NCD care to the population impacted by NCDs.

3. Affordability and accessibility of essential NCD supplies: Lead the design and implementation of The Defeat-NCD Marketplace in Rwanda resulting in cost savings to Rwanda through a successful transaction in the country. Support the government of Rwanda in making the provision of NCD supplies simpler and more cost effective.

• Design the Defeat-NCD Marketplace to make the procurement and distribution of essential NCD supplies (drugs, diagnostics and medical devises) simpler and more cost-effective in Rwanda. Including establishment of Long-Term Agreements with suppliers and distributors of quality assured NC drugs, diagnostics, and medical devices suitable for Rwanda.
• Ensure cost savings to Rwanda through a successful transaction on The Defeat-NCD Marketplace. Provide additional and consistent cost savings and support for the country through the establishment of a Marketplace business development resource based in Rwanda and managed by the Programme Coordinator.
• Address gaps and inefficiencies through the NCD National Costed Action Planning process in relation to NCD procurement and supply chain in Rwanda.
• Identify the inventory systems used, forecasting practices, tools, and need analysis of NCD drugs and supplies.
• Identify the current procurement, storage, and distribution practices of NCD drugs and supplies including customs/clearance taxes.
• Study the public and private sector procurement, tendering, quality assurance, regulatory, supply chain processes with a view to designing the Defeat-NCD Partnership Marketplace in Rwanda (and inform the design and development across other 90 plus priority low resource countries).
• Support the documentation and tracking of improved affordability and accessibility of NCD drugs, diagnostics, and medical devices in Rwanda through the development of the Market Monitoring Service and The State of the World’s Essential Medicines and Diagnostic Supplies for Noncommunicable Diseases report.

4. Sustainable NCD Financing: Develop investment cases to mobilise resources (investments and grants) against the NCD Costed National Action Plan in Rwanda.

• In support of the Government of Rwanda, lead the mobilisation of national and international investments and grants for the implementation of the NCD Costed National Action Plan in Rwanda.
• Contribute to the development of an NCD innovative financing instrument for Rwanda and the other 90 plus priority low resource countries.

5. Programme Management, Resource Mobilisation, Administration and Reporting:

• Establish a memorandum of understanding between the Government of Rwanda and The Defeat-NCD Partnership to enable the in-country set-up and operationalisation of activities.
• Mobilise public and private sector financial resources for activities of The Defeat-NCD Partnership in Rwanda, and globally contribute towards meeting the US$ 100 million target stipulated in the approved Defeat-NCD Partnership 2018-2021 budget.
• Responsible for the design, implementation, resource mobilization, and reporting of The Defeat-NCD Partnership operational workplan in Rwanda, in close consultation with the government, civil society, public and private sector donors, academic and research institutions, UN System partners, and other national/ international development stakeholders, taking in account the Defeat-NCD Partnership strategy, national priorities, the sustainable development goals, the Common Country Analysis and the United Nations Development Assistance Framework.
• Provide substantive advice to the Director of the Defeat-NCD Partnership on the country strategy, direction and planning of programmes and projects.
• Manage and ensure the quality of results-based and rights-based programming for the Rwanda Country Programme; Finalize the annual work plan and budget for approval by the Director.
• Lead the monitoring of the results-based management approach to programme planning and design.
• Manage the audit review process and timely response to audit reports.
• Familiarise and stay informed of UNITAR rules and regulations (Human Resources, Financial Management, Administration, Procurement, Grants Management etc) and implement programme activities in full compliance of them. Proactively submit, to the Director, suggested language for proposed amendments in UNITAR policies, processes to improve operational efficiencies.
• Identify implementing partners, develop MoU’s, and grants, and ensure financial and programmatic oversight in line with the specific workplan agreed with the Director.
• Manage national and international personnel working on the Defeat-NCD Partnership programme in Rwanda and towards other identified global deliverables, including public health specialist, health economist, marketplace business development specialist.
• Analyze results of programming, incorporate lessons learned, and proactively share these with Programme Coordinators in Myanmar and other countries.
• Consolidate and empower patient support groups through the establishment of local Defeat-NCD Partnership chapter/ association in Rwanda.
• Prepare briefing notes as requested for (i) the Director of the Defeat-NCD Partnership; and (ii) Government of Rwanda officials (including the Minister of Health) to showcase Rwanda’s work on tackling NCDs nationally and internationally.
• Provide technical assistance to the NCD Unit at the Ministry of Health in Rwanda for continuous improvement, supporting its priorities, developing tools, policy recommendations and sharing best practices.
• Provide the Director with weekly financial and narrative written updates on the developments and implementation of the country programming.
• Produce updates and stories for the Defeat-NCD Partnership website, social media, and communication material related to the country programme in Rwanda and other global work streams/ deliverables.
• Provide timely financial and narrative reporting inputs for the governance of The Defeat-NCD Partnership; Executive Committee, High level council, and Consultative group.
• Provide timely financial and narrative reporting on activities against The Defeat-NCD Partnership Core strategy, Results Framework, Biennium workplan and Biennium budget.

1. Memorandum of Understanding between The Defeat-NCD Partnership and The Government of Rwanda signed by 29 February 2020.
2. Technical working group is formed, and active with monthly regular meetings taking place to drive the NCD National Costed Action Planning process. The first meeting to be held during March 2020.
3. Launch of an agreed NCD National Costed Action Plan for Rwanda (and related outreach) at the 75th session of the UN General Assembly during 15-30 September 2020.
4. Amount/ percentage of funding (Investments and grants) mobilised towards activities within the NCD National Costed Action Plan by its launch in September 2020.
5. Number of health and NCD innovations identified and supported with external funding to accelerate and scale up Rwanda’s response to tacking NCDs.
6. Percentage of population covered through nation-wide screening of diabetes and hypertension in Rwanda by September 2020.
7. Number of transactions (and resulting cost savings to Rwanda) conducted through the Marketplace and quantification of pipeline by September 2020.
8. Establishment of innovative financing instruments for The Defeat-NCD Partnership, including its Venture Fund by September 2020.
9. Timely and quality financial and narrative reporting to meet external and internal requirements (e.g. external communications for programme, internal knowledge sharing with other Programme Coordinators and Geneva, governance and donor requirements).
10. Submit recommendations for scale up of the Defeat-NCD Partnership programming in Rwanda for 2021 and beyond, and also to inform as sustainable and cost effective and efficient roll out across other the other 90 plus priority low resource countries by 30 September 2020.

• Timely and quality submission of deliverables.
• Activities implemented with a high degree of effectiveness and efficiency.
• High degree of professionalism demonstrated by the individual contractor.

• Excellent analytical skills – ability to quickly understand and internalize complex partnership topics.
• Demonstrated diplomatic skills and excellent interpersonal skills with sensitivity to cultural and political differences.
• Proven background in partnership-building with the ability to establish a high level of trust and confidentiality internally and credibility externally.
• Good knowledge and experience of outreach and internal communication tools for a wide of audience.