The ongoing crisis in Myanmar is a complex mix of political and economic crises that is exacerbating, and escalating humanitarian and human development needs and has already placed basic needs of the people at risk. After a decade of strong economic growth, the recent political setbacks coupled with the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic, threaten Myanmar’s chances of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A recent UNDP report (April 2021) warns that up to 25 million people (48.2% of the population) may end up below the poverty line by early 2022. These estimates were further confirmed in UNDP’s latest survey that shows that urban poverty will triple, and rural poverty increase by a third. Furthermore, after a period of relative peace, contested ethnic areas— in particular Chin, Kayah, Kachin and Shan states and Sagaing region—have witnessed a resumption in armed conflict. The formal peace process is considered stalled, and 295,000 people have been displaced by insecurity since February 2021, adding to the 370,000 people already displaced by conflict before 2021 (UNOCHA Myanmar Humanitarian Snapshot, December 2021). The consequences of these trends are catastrophic. Major gains over the past 10 years on good governance and economic inclusion are at risk. This context, and the uncertain political situation in Myanmar is driving a simultaneous humanitarian and development crisis that threatens hard-won socio-economic gains.

While meeting critical and immediate humanitarian needs where they appear is vital, these actions must be underpinned by simultaneous efforts to address rapidly growing multi-dimensional vulnerabilities, enhance resilience to shocks, protect development gains and invest in local capacities of civil society as an important agent of change in sustainable development. Furthermore, urgent efforts are needed to protect basic human rights like education, health, work, housing and food, to address exclusion, intergenerational poverty that will further exacerbate the crises. In response to the current context and challenges UNDP has launched a number of initiatives under the “Community First Programme” that aims to enhance resilience of vulnerable communities by working directly at the community level.

Position Purpose

Under the overall guidance of the RR/DRR and the direct supervision of the Risk & Strategic Management Specialist, the Teams Associate provides leadership in execution of services in the Risk & Strategic Management Unit by coordinating the activities of results reporting, corporate reporting and compliance, planning and budget forecasting, donor reporting, strategic communication and risk management including audit follow up. The Teams Associate promotes a client-oriented approach in UNDP. The Teams Associate works in close collaboration with all teams of the RSMU, and Programme and Operations staff of the CO. The purpose of the position is to coordinate the execution of services in the Risk & Strategic Management Unit. UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Ensures effective support to all sub-areas within the unit including Risk Management, Strategic planning and Compliance, M&E, Programme Finance and Communications

• Full compliance of all operational and administrative activities of the whole unit in line with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies.
• Provision of inputs to the unit business processes mapping and implementation of the internal standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Research and retrieval of statistical data from internal and external sources; preparation of statistical charts, tables and reports.
• Compilation and preparation of briefing and presentation materials, speeches, background information and documentation for meetings and missions
• Organization with full responsibility of events, workshops, multistakeholder meetings, partnerships building
• Presentation of researched background information on potential new development and implementing partners for mapping of partnership opportunities.
• Support team leader in effective management of the unit.
• Supports compliance in Programme and Operations requirements
• Routinely monitors financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions, and conduct preliminary investigates anomalies to bring to attention of supervisor.
• Supports formulation of internal guidance on corporate programme quality standards.
• Supports the strategic planning and integrated business planning for the country office through coordination of the CO Integrated Work Planning process (IWP) and support to the compliance sub-team
• Supports preparation and implementation of the integrated team workplan and budget
• Coordinates with each sub-team to develop an integrated, cohesive workplan with clear milestones for the whole unit.
• Supports development of budget for the unit and track closely budget usage and expenditure.
• Supports cross functional activities by coordinating among various sub-teams ensuring timely input and engagement.
• Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management in the CO
• Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country goals and activities.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice and conduct training and workshops in relevant areas of work.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: None