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Health Program Specialist (Open to all applicants)
Better Than Cash
Luanda, Angola
Posted on May 15, 2026
Tiered Approach
In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:
- Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
- Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
- Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
- Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates
Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
Background/ Office /Unit / Project Description
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. We are on the ground in 170 countries and territories, working with Governments and people on their own solutions to global and national development challenges to help empower lives and build resilient nations.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the pledge to leave no one behind reflect the interconnectedness of health and sustainable development issues such as the widening economic and social inequalities, the climate crisis, rapid urbanization, the continuing burden of malaria, tuberculosis, HIV and other infectious diseases, the growing burden of non-communicable diseases and the emergence of health threats such as the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2021. The scope and scale of delivering health and well-being for All demands innovative partnerships and financing.
As a trusted, long-term partner with extensive operational experience, UNDP supports countries in the effective implementation of complex, multilateral and multi-sectoral health projects while simultaneously investing in capacity development. UNDP’s partnerships with Governments, the Global Fund, International Financial Institutions (IFIs) facilitate access to resources for action on SDG 3 by countries that face constraints in directly receiving and/or managing health-related funding.
In Angola, UNDP delivers technical and financial assistance to the Government as well as civil society organizations to support the national response to various health related challenges. UNDP has also actively contributed to resource mobilization efforts through the development of successful funding proposals to the Global Fund and the European Investment Bank (EIB).
In June 2022, the Ministry of Health, the European Investment Bank and UNDP signed agreements related to a COVID-19 Health Resilience Project (HRP) aimed at supporting the national response to COVID-19. This project was further expanded to support other areas in the health sector, including malaria prevention through the purchase and distribution of mosquito nets, support to HPV Vaccination campaign, including purchase of vaccines and cold chain equipment, and campaign logistics. The HRP Project Implementation Unit (PIU) is based at the Ministry of Health National Public Health Directorate (DNSP), but is currently hosted at UNDP premises due to logistic constraints in the Ministry.
Scope of Work
The Health Programme Specialist will work in support to streamline the quantification and justifications of the needs for project execution. S/he will work in close coordination and collaboration with the MoH's National Public Health Directorate (DNSP) and work in close collaboration with other health sector support projects (The Global Fund, World Bank). The Health Programme Specialist will ensure quality and timely elaboration and confirmation of the needs for the project activities, in line with the Ministry of Health priorities and in accordance with the EIB and UNDP agreed principles. This includes close collaboration and definition of needed medical supplies within the framework of Health Resilience Project.
Duties and Responsibilities
1 Effective support and advice to project coordination with a focus on achieving the following results
- Ensure that the definition of the project activates is in compliance with UNDP’s rules, policies and procedures, as well as the terms and conditions of the loan agreement with the EIB;
- Facilitate, as it may be required, the timely and efficient preparation of Project Steering Committee meetings, coordinating with all relevant stakeholders, including internal teams, government counterparts, donors, and partners;
- Contribute to ensure that the minutes of the Steering Committee meetings are accurately recorded, thoroughly reviewed, and promptly disseminated to all stakeholders;
- Participate and advise in elaboration to ensure timely and quality submissions of key documents and reports to EIB;
- Identify and diagnose potential bottlenecks, assess risks and implement appropriate mitigation measures for confirmation of the needs.
2 Effective Partnership and Stakeholder engagement with a focus on the following results
- Coordinate, build partnerships and maintain excellent relationships with the Ministry of Health/DNSP and other departments; the EIB, the European Union Delegation in Angola and WHO to ensure national ownership, donor engagement and alignment with WHO-led related project;
- Maintain close co-ordination between the Project and other related health initiatives in the country, including the Global Fund grants and the World Bank- funded initiatives, to ensure complementarity, sustainability and non-duplication;
- Maintain effective partnership with UNDP colleagues to exchange critical and technical information and to address project implementation issues towards the achievement of the planned results.
3 Provide technical coordination assistance with a focus on the following results
- Ensure harmonization and integration of the project into the national strategic plans/policies on strengthening health systems;
- Support national planning processes related to the Project based on evidence gained during the project implementation;
- Liaise closely with the Ministry of Health’s technical experts in relevant fields to elaborate technical documents for project implementation, such as technical specifications for planned procurements and planning for public health campaigns aligned with national policy goals and international good practice;
- Provide policy and technical advice to the Ministry of Health, other government ministries, national disease programmes, and Implementing Partners; support work on project adjustments, as necessary;
- Coordinate planned studies and project review(s) with the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with other government ministries, civil society, UN agencies and technical partners;
- Participate in technical committees related to and involved in the health sector;
- Support implementation of interventions and policy guidance related to the removal of human rights and gender-related barriers to access to and uptake of services.
4 Lead Facilitate knowledge building and sharing
- Document and disseminate lessons learnt and best practices for project management;
- Represent UNDP in relevant technical meetings with partners and working groups;
- Contribute substantially to information sharing with other agencies/partners at the global, regional and local level and within UNDP.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
The Health Program Specialist will work under the overall guidance of the UNDP Resident Representative and direct supervisor of the Deputy Resident Representative for Programme and Operations. S/he will supervise 3 project team members, namely the PSM Specialist, Finance Analyst and Administrative Associate, and will work in close collaboration with other health sector support projects, namely the Global Fund for Tuberculosis, Malaria and HIV, and the Procurement Support Services to the Ministry of Health project. The Health Programme Specialist will work in close coordination and collaboration with the Ministry of Health/DNSP, to whom should be accountable with regarding key project deliverable.
Competencies
Core
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Business Direction & Strategy:- Strategic Thinking
- Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions;
- Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.
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
Partnership management:- Relationship Management
- Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding
Business Direction & Strategy:- Negotiation & Influence
- Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates win-win situations
Business Management:- Customer Satisfaction/Client Management
- Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy.
- Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests.Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns
Business Management- Risk management
- Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Min. Education requirements
- Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Public Administration, Public Health, International Development, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Medicine or related field is required, or
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
Min. years of relevant work experience
- Minimum 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible relevant experience at the national or international level in health products quantification, budgets and public health programmes.
Required skills
- Experience in office software packages. Experience in handling web-based management systems;
- Ability and experience to manage diversified partnership and achieve results;
- Ability and experience in providing technical advice in Public Health;
- Experience in Programme/Project coordination.
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies
- Experience working with EIB funded projects is an asset;
- Experience in challenging operating environments;
- Demonstrated experience in developing and managing effective partnerships with Governments in the context of health and development programmes.
Required Language(s)
- Fluency in English and Portuguese both written and oral is required.
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.
Use of AI by candidates
Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection
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.#LI-DNI
Duties and Responsibilities