The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is a global public/private partnership dedicated to raising and disbursing large amounts of finance to prevent and treat the three pandemics.  The Global Fund has so far committed more than US$10 billion to over 524 programs in 136 countries.

The vacancy is in the Secretariat of the Global Fund. The Secretariat manages the grant portfolio, including executing Board policies, disbursing money to grant recipients and implementing performance-based funding of grants. The Secretariat is also tasked with resource mobilization; providing strategic, policy, financial, legal and administrative support and overseeing monitoring and evaluation. It is based in Geneva and has no staff located outside its headquarters. 

Building upon the success achieved so far, the Global Fund is adapting its structure and creating new management positions to meet the challenges of growth and expansion in the period 2008-2010.

The Global Fund is looking for staff with a strong commitment to health and development, an open mind-set, an entrepreneurial and flexible attitude as well as strong interpersonal skills. 

Job Purpose Summary
& Reporting Relationships

The Country Programs Cluster is the largest cluster in the Global Fund Secretariat and is responsible for negotiating and managing Global Fund grants.  The Cluster is the primary interface between the Global Fund and countries and is responsible for all country operations.

The Unit Director is one of 3 Unit Directors, each of whom is responsible for the management of the Global Fund’s important grant management process, and other aspects of its approach to country programs, for a predetermined geographic area managed through Country Teams.  The Unit Director will also provide strategic thinking and policy advice to a country operations system which is constantly evolving.

In addition, each Unit Head is also responsible for one of the key grant support functions which, although housed within one Unit, service all 3 Regional Units. 

Unit Director 1 is responsible for country operations and grant management in more than 40 countries in West and Central Africa, Southern Africa and East Africa and the Indian Ocean, as well as for the Grant Renewals Support function.  

The Global Fund has an innovative grant cycle which, following an initial commitment period, is followed by a thorough evaluation process.    The Unit Director will oversee a team of 6 responsible for this important process of grant renewal.  Functions of this team include managing and optimising all processes related to grant renewal, providing policy guidance and leadership within the Secretariat and to external stakeholders and managing related communications with the Board. 

The Unit Director reports to the Director – Country Programs Cluster, who is responsible for providing overall leadership and strategic direction to the Global Fund’s country operations through the Global Fund’s Regional Units.
The Unit Director has four direct reports: three Regional Team Leaders and the Manager of the Grants Renewals Team.  The Unit currently comprises 55 staff.

The Unit Director will provide technical expertise, leadership and management of the Global Fund’s work in areas of responsibility and will:

Oversee the country operations and grant management process by the three Country Teams in the area of regional responsibility; ensure consistency, quality assurance, risk management and systemic support to country teams to deal with emerging grant challenges;

Actively champion and facilitate collaborative regional partnerships with other bi-lateral and multi-lateral donor agencies, and with providers of technical assistance recognising that these partnerships are a critical factor in enhancing the impact of Global fund grants;

In close collaboration with counterparts in the Partnerships Unit, lead the efforts of Regional Team Leaders and Country Teams in the involvement of the private sector and civil society in demand mobilisation and grant operations;

Contribute to the development and updating of the Global Fund’s policies and processes linked to country operations and grant renewal in conjunction with all relevant stakeholders, based on Global Fund policy, as well as country needs, allowing for an efficient and transparent grant review and renewal process; and

Provide relevant briefings in the area of responsibility to the Executive Director, Executive Management Team and the Board, as requested.

As a senior manager of the organization, the Unit Director will:

Contribute to organization-wide development through active participation in cross-Cluster/Unit working groups and projects;

Participate as a key member in the Cluster’s management team and take-on Cluster-wide initiatives; actively promoting cross-Unit collaboration and team working;

Represent the Executive Director and the Director, Country Programs Cluster as appropriate, in high-level meetings; and

Provide input to policy and strategy development when required.

In providing strategic management and leadership to the Unit, the Unit Director will:

Translate the Cluster’s strategic vision into an operational plan for the Unit that is aligned with Cluster objectives and Global Fund goals that include well defined activities, milestones and performance indicators;

Provide technical and managerial leadership in the implementation of the Unit’s operational plan to achieve the targeted outcomes;

Provide technical and strategic leadership to Unit staff, ensuring the attainment of expected outcomes as well as the continued development of the Unit’s staff members;

Manage the Unit’s budgetary resources based on agreed Cluster needs and priorities; and

Oversee, co-ordinate and monitor the work of the Unit teams to ensure Unit cost effectiveness and performance against results.

Academic Qualifications
(essential/desirable)

Essential

• Advanced degree in management, public health, business administration or relevant area of responsibility.

Desirable

• Post graduate training in management or public health.

Experience
(essential/desirable)

Essential

• 10-15 years with considerable oversight and management responsibilities in health and/or international development or related field with at least 5 years in senior leadership position;
• 3-5 years field experience at senior management level in the region’s countries;
• At least 5 years’ experience in the management and delivery of complex program services including portfolio management and strategy;
• Experience in managing staff from diverse backgrounds;
• Extensive experience in results based performance management techniques and practices, including developing and implementing oversight and management controls;
• Experience in working in a fast moving organization with tight deadlines;
• Considerable related experience at a management level in the delivery of a national program or its equivalent, preferably health related;
• Experience in the Unit’s region; and
• Experience and knowledge related to public health, AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

Desirable

• Knowledge of the Global Fund or of a comparable organization; and
• Training and/or on-the-job experience in the area of change management

• Leadership and management capabilities leading diverse teams in relevant area;
• Highly organized individual with a demonstrated ability to prioritize, multi-task and adjust to changing priorities;
• Ability in negotiation and consultation at a senior level, including demonstrated diplomacy, tact, discretion and good judgment in managing interactions with individuals at all levels within and outside an organization; and
• Strong track record of networking and partnership building with excellent inter-personal skills.

• Sound decision making:  Ability to identify alternatives or options in planning and decision making whilst weighing up the risks for the organization;
• Managing and improving performance through the use of results-based performance management techniques and practices;
• Communicating effectively:  Using appropriate communication techniques effectively both verbally and in writing to communicate at all levels up to Board level;
• Developing own and staff capability, encouraging diversity and fostering teamwork;
• Results-oriented:  Ability to structure and prioritise  individuals’ and the Unit’s objectives against organizational goals; and
• Solution oriented analysis: Ability to create business relevant and creative solutions.

An excellent knowledge of English and preferably a good working knowledge of French or one of the following: Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish.  One other language of the region is desirable.   

A covering letter not exceeding one and one half pages must accompany all applications. The letter should describe your ability to meet the essential requirements set out in the vacancy notice.

THE GLOBAL FUND HAS RETAINED RUSSELL REYNOLDS ASSOCIATES TO ASSIST WITH THIS APPOINTMENT. FOR MORE DETAILS ON QUALIFICATIONS, REQUIREMENTS, TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AND HOW TO APPLY, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.RRAPUBLICSECTOR.COM

The position will have an attractive, internationally competitive compensation package equivalent to a director level position in accordance with the WHO/UN salary scales; the final remuneration level to be determined in accordance with the selected candidate’s qualifications and relevant experience.

The current arrangement under which Global Fund Secretariat employees have the status of WHO staff will terminate on 31 December 2008.  After that date, all staff of the Global Fund will be covered under a new contractual arrangement directly with the Global Fund.