Background:
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 a founding Cosponsor of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), and guided by the health-related MDGs, responding to HIV is one of the organizations’ priorities. Under the UNAIDS division of labour, UNDP is responsible for leading the UNAIDS response in addressing dimensions of AIDS relating to: development planning and mainstreaming; governance; and human rights, gender and sexual diversity. UNDP is also responsible for providing support to governments in their implementation of policies and programs that protect the human rights of people affected by HIV.
Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States is home to the fastest growing HIV epidemic in the world: rising from an estimated 800,000 people living with the virus in 2001 to 1.4 million as of 2010. Adult HIV prevalence is 0.8 percent across the region and 1 percent or higher in the Russian Federation and Ukraine, the two most populous countries in the region, which together account for almost 90 percent of newly reported HIV cases. Levels of treatment in the region are low with approximately 20 percent of those in need of antiretroviral therapy receiving it. In cooperation with governments, other UN agencies, international organizations, and civil society actors, UNDP works to develop the capacity of national legislators, government offices and civil society actors on matters of intellectual property protection and public health. UNDP also provides policy and technical support relating to intellectual property relating to legislation, negotiations and drug procurement.
The HIV Legal Specialist will have the role of the Regional Team’s advisor on human rights and access to essential medicines. The incumbent will provide advisory, research and programme management services on behalf of the HIV, Health and Development Practice, and will collaborate closely with colleagues in UNDP’s regional teams for Poverty Reduction, Democratic Governance, Capacity Development and Gender. He or she will also represent UNDP at internal and external fora.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Master degree in law.
- Academic expertise in a related field such as intellectual property, international trade, public health, public administration, or social
sciences is an additional asset.
Experience:
- Minimum 5 years of relevant national/international professional experience;
- Experience working in the field of HIV or public health;
- Work experience from a developing country or economy in transition is highly desirable;
- A track record of extensive national/international development work;
- Experience in writing, research and analysis;
- Thorough knowledge of HIV, health and development issues in the Europe and CIS region;
- Proven competency in programme formulation, preparation of work plans and budgets and financial management;
- Knowledge of financial management system (ERP, ATLAS, etc) an advantage;
- Proven record in holding progressively responsible positions;
- Familiarity with the UN system and other international development organizations an asset;
- Experience in the use of computers and office software packages as well as web based management systems; well developed presentation
skills.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English is required;
- Russian fluency is desirable.
Deadline: 23 May 2012
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