Project Associate

1. Position Information

• Office/Unit/Project: UNDP Project on HIV/AIDS
• Functional Title: Project Associate
• Level: NPSA 6
• Duty station (City and Country): Teheran, Iran, Islamic Republic of
• Type (Regular or Short term): Regular-Full time
• Office- or Home-based: Office Based – Welfare Organization (WO)
• Position Number: 00127928

2. Office/Unit/Project Description

Since 1966, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been a trusted partner of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, supporting the country's development priorities in alignment with national development plans, the 20-Year National Vision, and the UNDP Strategic Plan. Through policy and technical assistance, knowledge sharing, capacity development, and innovative solutions, UNDP contributes to sustainable development across a wide range of sectors, including environmental protection, climate change adaptation and mitigation, renewable energy, green technologies, and integrated natural resource management.

Among UNDP Iran’s largest and longest-standing initiatives is its partnership with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund). Since 2005, UNDP has served as the Principal Recipient of Global Fund grants in Iran, with successive funding cycles renewed approximately every three years to support the country's response to HIV and tuberculosis. The current project, titled "Enhancement of the National HIV Response with a Focus on Target Beneficiary Groups in Line with the Fifth National Strategic Plan (2020–2026)," aims to strengthen Iran’s efforts to reduce HIV transmission, expand access to prevention, testing, treatment, and care services, and improve health outcomes among key and vulnerable populations.

The United Nation Development Programme (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).

The key objectives of the project are:

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

Under the supervision of the UNDP Programme Specialist, and under the guidance of the Head of the Social Emergency Center, Prevention of Harm, and Rehabilitation of Addiction of the Welfare Organization (National Project Director), and in close coordination with the project focal point within the Welfare Organization, the Project Associate supports the implementation of Global Fund-supported project activities as reflected in the approved project work plan and ensures high-quality project performance and the achievement of intended results.

3. Scope of Work

1. Project Planning, Coordination, and Operational Support

• Support the coordination of effective project planning and implementation by collecting, analyzing, and presenting background information needed for the mobilization of project inputs.
• Provide effective operational support to the day-to-day activities undertaken by the designated Sub-Recipient (SR), ensuring consistency with the project work plan and the policies and procedures of the Government of I.R. Iran, UNDP, and the Global Fund.
• Assist in coordinating between Global Fund-supported activities and those assigned by the National Strategic Plan (NSP) to support alignment, under the guidance of the supervisors.
• Assist in updating the project work plan on a quarterly or annual basis as needed, in collaboration with the project team and under the guidance of supervisors.
• Provide operational support for the procurement of goods and services, including assisting in the preparation of Terms of Reference (TOR)/Specifications and supporting selection procedures.
• Assist in monitoring the distribution and inventory of procured items to ensure essential supplies are available at service delivery points.
• Organize and support regular and ad hoc technical meetings, workshops, and other events with implementing partners.

2. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting Support

• Support the monitoring of the project work-plan, both substantially and financially; analyze progress and provide the project team with recommendations for follow-up actions.
• Support monitoring and reporting on project progress by assisting in the preparation and submission of timely and accurate progress reports as required by the SR, the Global Fund, and UNDP.
• Participate in monitoring activities, including field visits, and report on findings.
• Conduct follow-up to ensure recommendations from monitoring activities are implemented.

3.Administrative Support and Knowledge Management

• Provide administrative support as required, such as preparing agendas and minutes of meetings.
• Assist in the preparation of strategic documents, such as national plans, communication/M&E plans, and Global Fund proposals.
• Assist in identifying and documenting lessons learned and best practices that are generated from the project.
• Perform other related duties within the functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the office.

4. Institutional Arrangement

The Project Associate will work under the guidance of the Head of the Social Emergency Center, Prevention of Harm, and Rehabilitation of Addiction of the Welfare Organization (National Project Director), and in close coordination with the project focal point within the Welfare Organization. The incumbent will report to the UNDP Programme Specialist, who will serve as the supervisor of the position.

5. Competencies

Core

Achieve Results: ​​LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline​

Think Innovatively: ​​LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously: ​​LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback​

Adapt with Agility: ​​LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible ​

Act with Determination: ​​LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident​

Engage and Partner: ​​LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships​

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: ​​LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination ​

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Direction & Strategy: System Thinking

• Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Business Development: Knowledge Generation

• Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
• Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches.
• Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations

Business Management: Results-based Management

• Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.

2030 Agenda: People: Health

• Digital solutions for HIV and health

2030 Agenda: People: Health

• Inclusive social protection in the context of HIV and health

Business Management: Project Management

• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

6. Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary education is required.
• A university degree (bachelor’s degree) in Social Sciences, Project Management, Medicine, Public Health, Epidemiology, Mental Health and Addiction, or relevant related field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.

Experience:

• A minimum of 6 years (with secondary education) or 3 years (with a bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible, hands-on experience in supporting the coordination, implementation, or monitoring and evaluation of development projects at the national or international level.
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages and handling of web-based management systems.
• Experience in working, liasing, and collaborating with UN agencies, governments, NGOs, civil society organizations, and public international organization is desirable.
• Familiarity with risk management principles in project implementation is desirable.
• Experience working with Welfare Organization activities, particularly in the context of health interventions, HIV programming, or addiction control is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data and produce clear, comprehensive reports is desirable.
• Experience in procurement management is desirable.
• Fluency in Farsi and English is required.