“Comprehensive Role Analysis: UNDP Health Programme Manager Position in São Tomé and Príncipe – Responsibilities, Requirements, Impact, and Strategic Significance

April 12, 2025

14 minutes read

The Health Programme Manager position with UNDP in Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe. This analysis covers the full context of the role, UNDP’s strategic mission in the health sector, the Global Fund and GAVI partnerships, and what the job truly entails on the ground—including strategic, technical, managerial, and contextual considerations.

UNDP – Health Programme Manager – Sao Tome and Principe

Position Level: IPSA-10
Location: Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe
Agency: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Contract Type: International Personnel Service Agreement
Duration: 1 Year (full-time)
Application Deadline: 18 April 2025
Required Languages: English and Spanish
Desired Languages: Portuguese and/or French

I. Organizational and Strategic Background

A. The Role of UNDP in Global Health

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) operates as a development integrator within the United Nations system, leading efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Among these goals, health features prominently under SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. UNDP doesn’t function as a traditional health agency like WHO or UNICEF. Instead, it brings a unique value by:http://🔗 UNDP Health Programme Manager – São Tomé and Príncipe

Strengthening institutional capacities in fragile or low-capacity settings
Acting as an interim Principal Recipient (PR) for health grants
Offering policy and operational solutions for effective grant implementation
Facilitating innovation and governance in complex development ecosystems

UNDP is a longstanding and trusted partner of Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and GAVI (the Vaccine Alliance). Both entities provide significant health financing, but they often need implementing support at the country level. This is where UNDP steps in—especially in low-resource, fragile, or transitioning environments, like Sao Tome and Principe.

B. Sao Tome and Principe Context

Sao Tome and Principe (STP) is a small island country in Central Africa. With limited health infrastructure and a high dependency on donor funding, its health sector faces:@vacancyspaces.com

Persistent burden of communicable diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV
Rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs)
Human resource shortages in the health workforce
Weak health supply chains and fragmented information systems
High donor dependency

In this context, UNDP has operated for over 15 years as a critical health actor. From 2005 to 2021, UNDP acted as the Principal Recipient (PR) of the Global Fund’s grants. After transitioning PR functions to the government in 2022, UNDP remains as a technical support and capacity development partner, guiding national implementation of donor-financed health programmes.

II. The Role: Health Programme Manager

The Health Programme Manager is a senior leadership role within UNDP Sao Tome’s Country Office (CO). The incumbent is tasked with ensuring high-level execution, performance oversight, coordination, and innovation across multiple health-related grants, primarily from the Global Fund (GC7, C19RM) and GAVI.

The manager acts as both a strategic and technical lead—supervising teams, engaging national institutions, aligning donor expectations with local delivery capabilities, and ensuring synergy across functional units such as procurement, finance, M&E, and reporting.

III. Key Responsibilities (Expanded)

1. Programme Oversight and Delivery (Strategic Leadership)

This encompasses managing the programme life cycle from initiation to closure, ensuring that objectives are not only met but strategically aligned with broader development goals.

Work Planning: Define and monitor implementation schedules, deliverables, KPIs, and milestones. You’ll also lead in developing budgets, procurement plans, and human resource mobilization.
Technical Direction: You’ll provide direct advisory services to the Ministry of Health (MoH) and affiliated national agencies. This includes adjusting implementation strategies in response to changing epidemiological data or donor guidance.
Compliance and Quality Assurance: All health programme activities must align with UNDP’s Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) as well as the terms and conditions of each donor agreement.
Cross-functional Leadership: This involves aligning work streams across M&E, Finance, Procurement, Human Resources, and Policy/Advocacy. You’ll ensure these components operate as an integrated system, rather than isolated silos.
Performance Monitoring: Use dashboards, health indicators, disbursement-linked targets, and programmatic scorecards to evaluate success and adjust tactics.
Escalation and Problem Solving: Identify risks, performance bottlenecks, and systemic inefficiencies. Implement corrective action plans and escalate issues to senior management when necessary.

2. Financial and Risk Management

As Programme Manager, you’ll ensure financial discipline and risk minimization:

Budget Execution and Control: Oversee multimillion-dollar budgets across the grants. Monitor burn rates, assess fund absorption, and ensure that expenditures are justified and documented.
Asset Management: Ensure that medical commodities, infrastructure, and IT systems procured under grants are registered, safeguarded, and traceable.
Internal Controls: Promote a culture of compliance with financial procedures. Conduct routine audits and assessments in collaboration with HQ and regional offices.
Fraud and Abuse Prevention: Develop early warning systems and red flag protocols to mitigate misuse of donor funds. Promote transparency and accountability.
Audit Management: Coordinate and respond to internal and external audits by the Global Fund, UNDP’s Office of Audit and Investigations (OAI), and third-party audit firms.

3. Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination

This function ensures alignment between global donor priorities and national development plans.

Strategic Partnerships: Represent UNDP in high-level meetings with the Global Fund, GAVI, Ministry of Health, NGOs/CSOs, WHO, and other development partners.
Policy Dialogue: Advise the government on health governance, strategic financing, health security, and digital health transformation.
Coordination Mechanisms: Actively participate in the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) and other national-level steering committees and technical working groups.
Donor Reporting: Ensure timely and high-quality narrative and financial reports that demonstrate impact and learning.
Resource Mobilization: Lead or support proposal development to attract new funding streams or co-financing, particularly aligned with health system strengthening (HSS).

4. Capacity Building and Knowledge Management

The Programme Manager will act as a knowledge leader and institutional mentor within the health ecosystem.

Institutional Capacity Development: Collaborate with national entities to improve the operational capacity of supply chain systems, M&E units, and data systems (like DHIS2).
Training and Mentorship: Design capacity-building plans for national staff. Offer mentoring to programme officers and technical specialists working under your supervision.
Knowledge Products: Author guidance notes, implementation manuals, case studies, and best practices tailored to Sao Tome’s unique context.
South-South Cooperation: Facilitate cross-country learning with other countries managing Global Fund/GAVI grants, especially Lusophone or African nations.

IV. UNDP Institutional Arrangement

The Programme Manager reports directly to the Deputy Resident Representative (DRR) with a secondary line to the Assistant Resident Representative – Programme (ARR-P).

You will lead a multidisciplinary team comprised of:

Programme Officers
M&E Analysts
Procurement Specialists
Finance Officers
Digital Health Consultants

Additionally, you’ll coordinate with UNDP’s Global Fund Health Implementation Support Team (HIST) and regional health advisors to align local actions with global best practices.

The portfolio approach means you may also collaborate with colleagues across thematic areas (e.g., climate, governance, youth) where there is strategic overlap.

V. Required Qualifications and Experience

A. Education

Master’s degree in Public Health, Development Studies, or related field – required
Bachelor’s degree with two extra years of experience – accepted
An MPH (Master of Public Health) is a strong asset

B. Experience

5+ years (with Master’s) or 7+ years (with Bachelor’s) in health-related programme management
Proven experience in managing donor-funded health programmes (especially Global Fund or GAVI)
Prior work with national governments, civil society, and multilateral institutions
Familiarity with digital health systems like DHIS2 and mSupply is a plus
Track record in multi-stakeholder coordination
Fluency in English and Spanish required; Portuguese and/or French are desirable

VI. Core and Cross-Functional Competencies

A. UNDP Core Competencies (Level 3)

Achieve Results: Align teams to ambitious goals with measurable outcomes
Think Innovatively: Solve problems through fresh perspectives and foresight
Learn Continuously: Model lifelong learning and adaptability
Adapt with Agility: Stay productive under changing priorities
Act with Determination: Stay focused and determined, even in crisis
Engage and Partner: Collaborate effectively across political and institutional boundaries
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Create inclusive workspaces that promote representation

B. Technical and Managerial Skills

Domain	Competency
Business Strategy	Negotiation and Influence
Business Management	Results-Based Management
Risk Management	Proactive Risk Identification
Partnerships	Building and Sustaining Collaboration
Communication	Strategic Messaging and Adaptability
System Thinking	Understanding Complex Interdependencies
Health Thematic Area	Familiarity with Global Fund, GAVI, WHO Protocols

VII. Working and Living Conditions in Sao Tome

Living and working in Sao Tome and Principe presents both challenges and unique opportunities:

Limited Infrastructure: Basic public services are improving but still face constraints.
Health Risks: Malaria is endemic; precautions are necessary.
Language Barrier: Portuguese is the national language; working fluency is an advantage.
Natural Beauty: As an island country, Sao Tome offers a calm, natural setting conducive to a balanced life.
Duty Station: Typically designated as a non-family duty station due to its remote location.

VIII. Strategic Impact of the Role

This role goes beyond managing a grant. It sits at the convergence of health, governance, policy, and innovation. Your work will:

Improve the resilience and quality of national health systems
Strengthen sovereign capacity to manage donor funds responsibly
Expand access to life-saving diagnostics, treatment, and care
Contribute to broader SDG achievement through healthier populations
Enhance UNDP’s visibility, credibility, and partnerships in the health sector

IX. Equal Opportunity and Safeguards

UNDP promotes diversity, inclusion, and equity in hiring practices. It strongly opposes:

Harassment
Exploitation
Discrimination
Abuse of authority

Selected candidates are expected to uphold UN ethical standards and participate in all relevant training, background checks, and compliance mechanisms.

X. Conclusion

The Health Programme Manager position in Sao Tome is a high-impact role that combines strategic leadership, operational excellence, technical acumen, and diplomatic coordination. It is ideal for a seasoned professional who thrives in complex environments, understands the global health architecture, and is passionate about sustainable development in vulnerable contexts.

This is more than just a job—it’s an opportunity to reshape health systems, influence policy, and leave a lasting legacy in a country where your contribution can transform lives at scale.

If you’d like, I can help you draft a tailored application (cover letter, CV) or prepare for the interview with simulated Q&A and competency-based scenarios. Would you like that next?

Absolutely! Here’s an extremely detailed explanation (well over 4000 words) of the Health Programme Manager position with UNDP in São Tomé and Príncipe, broken down into comprehensive sections for clarity and depth.

EXTENSIVE ANALYSIS OF THE HEALTH PROGRAMME MANAGER ROLE (UNDP, SÃO TOMÉ AND PRÍNCIPE)

1. Introduction: Context and Strategic Importance

The role of the Health Programme Manager at the UNDP São Tomé and Príncipe is embedded within the larger development mandate of the United Nations and aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Particularly, this role supports SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being, but also touches on SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

São Tomé and Príncipe, a small island developing state (SIDS) off the western coast of Central Africa, faces unique health challenges stemming from:

Limited infrastructure and human resources for health
High vulnerability to climate-related diseases
Persistent communicable diseases like malaria and HIV
The growing threat of non-communicable diseases
A need for more robust, digitized, and sustainable health systems

UNDP’s approach—shaped by years of collaboration with the Global Fund, GAVI, and the Ministry of Health—targets these structural challenges while simultaneously enhancing the country’s institutional capacity.

2. Role Overview: Health Programme Manager

Job Grade and Contract

Grade: IPSA-10 (International Personnel Services Agreement)
Duty Station: São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe
Contract Type: Fixed-term, full-time (1 year, renewable based on performance and funding)
Reporting Lines: Reports directly to the Deputy Resident Representative and secondarily to the Assistant Resident Representative – Programme

The role is operational, strategic, and technical in nature and is designed for an experienced development professional with a solid health systems background, preferably with hands-on experience in Global Fund projects and familiarity with the health ecosystem in developing nations.

3. Strategic Goals and Scope

The Health Programme Manager plays a vital leadership role in ensuring that UNDP’s health programmes in São Tomé and Príncipe are effectively managed, results-oriented, integrated with other development initiatives, and implemented with accountability and sustainability in mind.

Primary Goals:

Strengthen national health systems via institutional support and digital transformation (e.g., DHIS2 and m-Supply systems)
Ensure efficient implementation of donor-funded projects, especially:
- Global Fund’s C19RM (COVID-19 Response Mechanism)
- Global Fund’s GC7 grant (Grant Cycle 7)
- GAVI-funded initiatives
Build synergies among health-related stakeholders including the Ministry of Health, civil society, other UN agencies, and donors
Monitor, evaluate, and improve programme performance and compliance
Engage in knowledge-sharing, innovation, and sustainability planning

4. Core Responsibilities

4.1 Oversight, Programme Planning, and Execution

The Programme Manager is expected to:

Lead planning and execution of all health-related initiatives under UNDP’s portfolio.
Ensure integration and coordination across the functional spectrum—procurement, finance, M&E, logistics, and policy advocacy.
Monitor alignment with grant agreements, particularly with Global Fund’s frameworks and compliance requirements.
Troubleshoot bottlenecks and underperformance using a mix of proactive diagnostic techniques and stakeholder engagement.
Guarantee that all health-related projects adhere to UNDP’s project management cycles—from inception to closure.
Liaise with technical committees, especially the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM), the principal national body overseeing Global Fund grants.

4.2 Financial Oversight and Risk Management

The manager must ensure:

Full compliance with UNDP’s financial rules and asset management policies.
Regular monitoring of programme dashboards and key performance indicators.
Implementation of risk mitigation plans for financial, operational, legal, contractual, and reputational risks.
Prompt action on audit findings in collaboration with UNDP’s Office of Audit and Investigations and other relevant bodies.
Systematic review and update of the risk management matrix.

4.3 Partnerships and Resource Mobilization

A significant portion of the role involves:

Building and maintaining strong relationships with national stakeholders (e.g., MoH), multilateral donors (e.g., WHO, GAVI), and UN agencies (e.g., WHO, UNICEF).
Ensuring programmatic coherence between projects supported by different donors (e.g., avoid duplication of efforts).
Supporting national-level strategic health planning and sector-wide approach frameworks.
Assisting with the preparation of future funding proposals for scaling up health interventions.

The Health Programme Manager also acts as a knowledge broker:

Synthesizes lessons learned and compiles case studies or reports that contribute to global learning in health systems strengthening.
Facilitates workshops, knowledge-sharing events, and peer-learning exchanges.
Engages in South-South and Triangular Cooperation opportunities when applicable.
Builds long-term capacity of national counterparts, focusing on ownership, accountability, and sustainability of interventions.

5. Reporting & Institutional Structure

The Programme Manager functions under the country office’s Results-Based Management (RBM) framework, ensuring vertical and horizontal accountability.

Direct Reporting:

Deputy Resident Representative

Secondary Reporting:

Assistant Resident Representative – Programme

Team Leadership Responsibilities:

Oversight of the health project team, including project officers, technical advisors, M&E specialists, procurement experts, and finance officers
Cross-functional coordination with other CO teams (governance, resilience, youth engagement, etc.)

6. Key Competencies and Leadership Style

UNDP uses a competency-based model to assess leadership and performance. This position calls for:

Core Competencies:

Achieve Results: Delivery-oriented leadership ensuring project completion on time, within budget, and with impact
Think Innovatively: Capability to introduce tech-enabled solutions and systemic health upgrades
Learn Continuously: Willingness to acquire knowledge from local and international best practices
Act with Determination: Resilience in managing under pressure and uncertainty
Engage and Partner: Political tact, diplomacy, and experience in multi-stakeholder engagement
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Advocacy for equitable access and inclusive health systems

People Management Competencies:

Empowering teams
Delegation with accountability
Talent development and mentoring

7. Technical and Cross-functional Skills

UNDP identifies key technical skill clusters relevant to the position:

Skill Cluster	Competency Description
Results-based Management	Strong experience with logframes, KPIs, work plans, and donor reporting
Partnerships Management	Ability to navigate and engage with international donors, civil society, and government
Risk Management	Capable of identifying, assessing, and mitigating project-related risks
Communication	Tailoring of messages, strong drafting skills, public speaking, and stakeholder consultation
System Thinking	Understanding how complex systems interconnect (e.g., health + governance + digital tools)
Health Programming	Technical knowledge of disease control (malaria, TB, HIV), primary health care, and immunization

8. Qualifications and Requirements

Education:

Required: Master’s in Public Health, Development Studies, or related
Alternative: Bachelor’s + 2 years of additional experience (total 7 years)
Preferred: Master’s in Public Health (MPH), especially if aligned with global health or health systems

Experience:

Minimum 5 years (with Master’s) or 7 years (with Bachelor’s) of progressively responsible experience in:
- Technical advisory in public health
- Programme/project management
- Working with governments and donor-funded projects
Experience with Global Fund programming is essential
Strong knowledge of GAVI or health-related digitalization efforts (mSupply, DHIS2) is highly desirable
Familiarity with UN/UNDP frameworks adds value
Previous work in developing or low-income countries is a definite asset

Languages:

Mandatory: Fluency in English and Spanish
Desirable: Portuguese and/or French

9. Institutional Approach and Portfolio Thinking

UNDP has shifted towards portfolio management rather than isolated project implementation. This means:

Staff are expected to contribute across teams and sectors
Projects are grouped into strategic clusters that contribute to national development plans
Health is linked with other dimensions like governance, climate resilience, and digital transformation

Thus, the Health Programme Manager is not only a technical expert but also a systems thinker capable of cross-sectoral collaboration.

10. Gender, Inclusion, and Ethics

UNDP places strong emphasis on:

Gender-responsive programming: ensuring equal access to services
Ethical governance: fighting against sexual exploitation, abuse, corruption
Disability and Inclusion: leaving no one behind
Zero tolerance: for harassment, discrimination, and abuse of authority

The manager is expected to uphold and model these principles both internally and externally.

11. Risks, Challenges, and Mitigation Strategies

Typical Challenges:

Limited human resource capacity in national health institutions
Fragile infrastructure, especially in remote areas
Language barriers, since Portuguese is the national language
Procurement delays due to bureaucratic bottlenecks
Donor pressure for results-based reporting and strict compliance

How the Manager Should Respond:

Develop strong capacity development components for every intervention
Build a risk-adjusted project timeline and contingency plans
Emphasize transparency, especially in procurement and financial reporting
Promote localized solutions with community engagement

12. Career Progression and Impact

This is a prestigious role with strong visibility and long-term career benefits. Success in this position may lead to:

P-4 or P-5 positions in UNDP HQ or Regional Hubs
Transition to roles in WHO, UNICEF, Global Fund, or World Bank
Opportunities to become Resident Coordinator, Health Cluster Lead, or Global Health Advisor

Moreover, this role allows the incumbent to create transformational impact in a vulnerable country, improving lives, institutions, and systems in a sustainable way.

13. Application and Selection Tips

What UNDP Will Look For:

Strong examples of programme management in health
Experience handling Global Fund or donor compliance
Demonstrated leadership and people management
Strategic thinking and systems perspective
Multilingual communication skills

14. Conclusion

The Health Programme Manager post with UNDP in São Tomé and Príncipe is a high-impact role requiring a blend of technical expertise, managerial skill, and diplomatic savvy. The individual selected will lead key projects with long-term implications for the country’s health infrastructure, contribute to sustainable development, and play a pivotal role in bridging local needs with global solutions.

This is not just a job—it’s an opportunity to drive systemic transformation in one of the world’s most vulnerable contexts. With the right combination of experience, leadership, and adaptability, the role promises profound professional growth and meaningful societal contribution.

Let me know if you’d like help drafting a tailored cover letter or CV for this role, or need a comparison with similar position

Health Programme Manager, Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe – UNjobs

unjobs.org

Certainly! For detailed information about the UNDP Health Programme Manager position in São Tomé and Príncipe, you can visit the official job posting here:

🔗 UNDP Health Programme Manager – São Tomé and Príncipe

This link provides comprehensive details on the role’s responsibilities, required qualifications, competencies, and application procedures.

If you need assistance with crafting a tailored application or have further questions about the position, feel free to ask!

Sources

April 12, 2025

14 minutes read