Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life, as envisaged by 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We are on the ground in more than 170 countries and territories, working with governments and people on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners that can bring about results.

UNDP Turkmenistan has an expanding health programme that includes projects funded by the Global Fund, by the World bank, and by the Government of Turkmenistan (GoT). Since 2016, the GoT provided more than $67 million funding for health projects implemented by UNDP. In February 2023 the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan (MoHMI) and UNDP have signed a 2-year project for control of non-communicable diseases (NCD) in 2023-2024. This is the 2nd NCD project for UNDP, the first such project has been implemented since 2020 with very good results (delivery of quality assured essential medicines and overall strengthening of health system). The 2nd project will build on and continue the results of the previous projects, to improve the capacities of the national health system to control NCDs. Due to cost-efficiency savings, the project will be extended until 31 Dec 2025, and in the meantime the UNDP and MOHMI are preparing signing of a new NCD project for 2025-2029.

UNDP Turkmenistan is seeking Regional Associates for the NCD project, to monitor the distribution, storage of medicines, stock management, administration to patients, and overall support to the project implementation at regional level.

The project will hire one regional associate in Ashgabat and in each velayat of the country (six associates in total).

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides comprehensive support in all aspects of project implementation in the region;
• Collects and verifies monthly data on the stocks of NCD medicines procured by the UNDP project and distributed in the region. The compiling and summarizing of the information is done on the basis of the documentation and visits to health facilities, warehouses, pharmacies in the region.
• Maintains close liaison with local health authorities and the Project Manager, ensuring regular information flow and coordination of information dissemination, facilitating resolution of any bottlenecks, the need for re-distribution, expiry risks or risks of stock-out for NCD medicines.
• Proactively undertakes regular monitoring visits to the health facilities in the region, independently as well as jointly with other project colleagues, MOH, and other partners;
• Assist in the organization of field and monitoring visits or any other events within the project;
• Contributes quality and timely inputs to the UNDP corporate and project reports;
• Identifies bottlenecks related to the implementation of the project, proposes mitigation measures and contributes to their execution;
• Promotes knowledge generation through identification, documentation and dissemination of achievements, best practices and lessons learned directly linked to the project;
• Performs any other project task assigned by the supervisor and related to the NCD project.

Competencies

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary education is required, or
• University Degree in Medicine, Pharmacy, Epidemiology, or equivalent field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.

Experience:

• Minimum 6 years (with secondary education) or 3 years (with Bachelor degree) of relevant professional experience in health sector as a health professional (doctor, pharmacist, epidemiologist) or health administrator supervising healthcare services is required
• Experience working as a medical doctor/nurse at the health care facility in Turkmenistan, or
• Experience as administrator/ supervisor of health care system in Turkmenistan
• Working level of usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.)
• Knowledge of UN or UNDP’s rules, policies and procedures is an asset.
• Experience with quantification of medicines, stock management, inventory of medicines

Language requirements:

• Fluency in Russian and Turkmen is required.
• Working knowledge of oral and written English is an asset.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.