Senior Nurse

job Description

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
UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our people are united by a common call to action: building a fairer and more inclusive world for those in need through sustainable development. The Nurse NSPA 7 position will support the health and wellbeing of UN staff and their dependents in Zimbabwe through effective medical care, emergency management, and health promotion activities, ensuring high standards of healthcare services in collaboration with local health authorities and other UN agencies. The Nurse NSPA 7 will provide high-quality nursing care, manage emergency cases, assist in health promotion, ensure clinic operational efficiency, and support the UN Physician in all medical services. This role is integral to facilitating health and wellbeing within the UN community. UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. This is a recognition of the interconnected nature of development risks & crises that the world is facing and that call for assembling multidisciplinary teams for an integrated & systemic response. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across issues, units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

(i) General communication and assistance of patients :
• Reception and assistance of patients for treatment by the UN Physician.
• Reception and assistance of clients for attention by the UN Counsellor.
• Assisting visitors, responding to patient bookings and other enquiry calls.
• Giving advice to International and local UN staff and their dependants on available medical services in the country.
• Translation to doctor / patient into English / local language of Shona / Ndebele
• Networking with other Health Professionals including referrals for specialist Services.

(ii) Treatment and care of patients :
• Management of emergency cases at the clinic.
• Treatment of minor ailments through nurse consultation including dressings.
• Dispensation of doctor’s prescriptions including injections and immunizations.
• Basic counselling on psycho-social issues and referrals to UN Counsellor.
• Collection of laboratory samples from clients / patients, handing them to the laboratory scientist and subsequent follow of results as need be.

(iv) Administrative work attached to clinic :
• Planning, organizing and conducting Health Promotions among UN Agencies in Zimbabwe.
• Production of patient medical reports, clinic mid-year and end of year reports.
• Supervisory duties as designated by the UN Physician.
• Mentoring and coaching of other clinic staff members.
• Ensuring the smooth running of the clinic processes.
• Administration of petty cash.

(v) Assisting the UN Physician with procedures and other delegated duties and responsibilities:
• Processing of medical examinations: entry, periodic and exit.
• Referral of patients to other UN Doctors and professional management of emergency cases in the absence of the UN Physician.
• Referrals of patients for other medical services which are not offered at the clinic such as family planning, child immunizations, women’s health etc.
• Attending to emergencies after hours as requested by the UN Physician.
• Escorting patients for specialised treatment at local major hospitals and subsequent evacuations to South African Hospitals as necessary.
• Planning and implementation of the Health Promotion program for all UN Agencies in Harare and Sub-offices outside Harare.
• Ensuring smooth running of the UN Doctor’s Outreach Program, Doctor’s Conferences, Health meetings and other meetings in and outside the country.
• Ensuring professional and up to standard Clinic Services and Part-time counselling Services in the absence of the UN Physician and UN Counsellor.
• Any other administrative duties as requested by the UN Physician.

Institutional Arrangement
The Senior Nurse will report to UN Physician and work closely with the UN Clinic staff, UN Common Services and the operations team to ensure provision of efficient medical emergency care and nursing services to UN staff and their eligible dependents.

Qualifications and Experience

Education:
State Registered Nurse Diploma or Degree in Nursing with further qualification in either :
Anesthesia/ICU/Midwifery/Theater training.
Critical Care and Trauma Certificate.
Certificate in Advanced Cardiac Life support.

Experience:
-A minimum of 7 years’ experience in Critical Emergency Care and administration for diploma holders or a minimum of 4 years for degree holders.
-Experience in capacity development on health matters at international level is desirable.
-Prowess to produce internationally acceptable reports.
-Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and knowledge of another UN language is an added advantage.
-Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) is desirable.

Language:
Fluency in English Language and Shona and/ or Ndebele 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.