Myanmar is one of UNOPS’ leading offices in Asia, acting as fund manager for some of the largest development Programmes in the country. In addition, UNOPS is Principal Recipient for the Global Fund in Myanmar and for the Global Fund’s regional artemisinin-resistance initiative targeting drug resistant malaria in the greater Mekong sub-region. UNOPS also provides procurement, infrastructure and project management services to a wide range of organizations in the country, including international development partners, other UN agencies, NGOs and INGOs. UNOPS plays a critical role in ensuring that the quality of services provided to its partners meets stringent requirements of speed, efficiency and cost effectiveness.

Project Information

LIFT is embarking on a new strategic period for 2024-2028. The LIFT 2024-2028 Strategy builds on the achievements of LIFT’s experience as well as recent adaptations and learning in the face of a changing and dynamic context. The new Strategy outlines an approach to tackle structural drivers of poverty and vulnerability, while also considering immediate interventions to secure and maintain Myanmar’s previous development gains. LIFT has proven itself as a key delivery partner across Myanmar’s changing contexts – ranging from post-Nargis recovery, a time of political transition, and relief support during COVID-19. LIFT is managed by the United Nations Office for Projects Services (UNOPS) and has received funding from 16 international donors. The current donors are the United Kingdom, the European Union, Switzerland, Australia, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, and Denmark.

Job Specific:

Under the supervision of the Programme Manager, the Programme Manager Senior Officer will contribute to the design and execution of targeted strategies focused on specific regions. The incumbent in this position should support the implementation, adaptation, and sustainability of the deliverables related to LIFT´s mandate across the regions he/she will serve.

The Programme Manager Senior Officer would be part of a team and should be an enabler and capacity builder. He/she will also be accountable to act as the Programme Manager Deputy when necessary to always ensure the highest quality of deliverables and stakeholder engagement/management.

Contribute to Programme Management and Monitoring

• Contribute to program design by analyzing program requirements and proposing modifications or improvements in the design phase, ensuring alignment with the LIFT Strategy and regional context. Provide substantive input to ensure technical soundness and that program objectives are achievable under prevailing circumstances.
• Execute work plans by collaborating with geographic teams and partners. Monitor progress, assess deliverables, and analyze any potential delays or risks and raise complex issues to supervisor.
• Review financial plans, budgets, and cash flow projections, providing advice on reallocation of resources as needed. Conduct periodic assessments to ensure the program is financially sustainable and compliant with UNOPS standards.
• Proactively analyze emerging risks related to program delivery. Recommend appropriate mitigation measures, ensuring timely escalation of issues to the supervisor.
• Monitor programme implementation, analyzing progress against goals and ensuring adherence to timelines.
• Prepare regular reports, reviews, and other required documentation, ensuring that these meet both internal and external reporting standards and align with legal requirements.
• Assess proposals from implementing partners and other stakeholders to ensure they meet LIFT Strategy priorities, are contextually appropriate, and technically sound. Provide feedback and recommendations to improve or adjust proposals as necessary.
• Contribute to the evaluation of implementing partners’ capacities and support the development of improvement plans.
• Support the coordination and oversight of audits of implementing partners, ensuring compliance with program standards and UNOPS guidelines. Analyze audit results and recommend corrective actions as needed.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, partners, and government entities. Engage with stakeholders regularly to keep them informed of program progress, challenges, and developments.
• Lead communication efforts with both internal and external stakeholders. Ensure stakeholders are regularly updated on the program’s progress, aligning their expectations with program deliverables. Proactively engage stakeholders to solicit feedback and foster collaboration.
• Work closely with internal LIFT teams to coordinate activities across various sectors, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and that work is well-integrated across the program.

Knowledge Building and Sharing

• Analyze existing knowledge management practices within the programme, identifying gaps and opportunities for improvement and provide recommendations to enhance knowledge sharing and application across teams and stakeholders, ensuring alignment with program goals and LIFT priorities.
• Support application of concepts, policies, and best practices to drive innovation in program design and delivery.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and reflection by contributing to cross-program knowledge exchange, and participating in regular feedback loops into program activities. Participate in capacity-building initiatives to transfer knowledge and strengthen skills within teams and external partners.
• Stay informed on emerging trends and innovations in the sector, analyzing their potential to improve program outcomes and provide insights to the supervisor.

Education

• A Master’s Degree preferably in Agriculture, Rural Development, Social Sciences, or a related field ) is required.
• A relevant Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in the fields above, and two (2) additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master´s degree.

Experience

• Minimum 4 years of progressive experience in project development, implementation, and evaluation, particularly in humanitarian and development contexts is required.
• Demonstrated expertise in working with UN agencies, NGOs, and civil society organizations is an asset.
• Familiarity with the socio-political and economic context of Myanmar, including conflict-sensitive programming would be an asset.
• Experience working with the UN or international organizations is highly desirable.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (e.g. MS Office newer versions, Google Suite Applications) is required.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English is required.
• Fluency in Burmese is required.

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)
Contract level: LICA-9
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.aspx

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.