Deputy Fund Director (Fund Management)

UNOPS Myanmar is one of UNOPS’ leading offices in Asia, acting as the fund manager for some of the largest development programmes in the country. In addition, UNOPS is the Principal Recipient for the Global Fund in Myanmar and for the Global Fund’s regional artemisinin-resistance initiative towards the elimination of Malaria, which works to accelerate progress toward malaria elimination in the Greater Mekong sub-region. UNOPS 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.

The Access to Health Fund (2024-2028) is the fourth round of multi-donor financing for health in Myanmar, building on the work of the Three Diseases Fund (2007-2012), the 3MDG Fund (2013-2018) and the first phase of the Access to Health Fund (2019-2023). To improve health equity in Myanmar, Access to Health focuses on the most underserved and vulnerable populations under a rights-based approach, bringing health services where they are most needed, in hard-to-reach and conflict-affected areas. The Fund works with local and international partner organizations and other key stakeholders to increase people’s access to health services (maternal, newborn and child health; sexual and reproductive health and rights; combating HIV, tuberculosis and malaria; emergency health services) and to strengthen local health systems.

The Fund is driven by the conviction that pooling donor resources enables programme coherence and leads to greater impact. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is contracted as the Fund Manager, to administer the funds and provide monitoring and oversight. In addition to the donors to the pooled fund, Access to Health receives funding from the company Takeda Pharmaceutical Limited through its Global CSR Program, to improve health services in ethnic areas in Shan State.

The Access to Health Fund is structured in five departments reporting to the Fund Director: Programmes (Deputy Director (Programme) and three Regional Team Leaders), Strategy (Head of Strategy and Four Team Leaders working on Immunization, Cross-cutting themes, Health Systems Strengthening, and Strategic Purchasing), Monitoring and Evaluation (Senior Officer and two Team leaders), Special programs (managing earmarked funds from donors that do not contribute to the pooled fund but align with the overall strategy of the Fund) and Communications. The Deputy Fund Director (Fund Management) will play a crucial role in leading the Fund, supporting teams, and enhancing the Fund's ability to provide access to health to vulnerable populations in conflict-affected areas in Myanmar as well as activities outside of Myanmar. The Deputy Fund Director (Fund Management) will interact and collaborate closely with the UNOPS Myanmar Program Management Office which is a joint structure across the UNOPS funds handling compliance, contractual management as well as financial disbursements. 

1. Leadership  and Management

• Under the supervision of the Fund Director, provide strategic oversight and  leadership to the Access to Health Fund. Act (ad interim) in the Fund Director's role when required, e.g. in the absence of the Director

• Under the supervision of the Fund Director represent the Fund at the high-level stakeholders in aspects related to Access to Health fund. 

• Lead or co-lead work in areas requiring special attention or turnaround, initiate and lead/support adjustments when required.

• Help identify, share, introduce and build on best practices and lessons learned, leading simplification processes ensuring an organisational structure suited to reduce costs while maximising results aligned with the Funds Strategy

• Continue to adapt and position the Fund within the Myanmar context as a key vehicle for achieving improved health outcomes for vulnerable populations in Myanmar

• Oversee the Fund’s work and integration of cross-cutting themes across the Fund’s work

• Together with relevant teams, take responsibility for risk management, work planning, learning, and knowledge management

• Oversee and improve programme quality and compliance, including the Fund’s approach to ‘downstream partners’ (sub-grantees) 

• Oversee the Fund's activities outside of Myanmar in collaboration with the Fund Director

• Ensure effective staffing; mentor, coach, and support the Fund's staff to support the development of others. 

• Acts as a positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

• Lead implementation of simplification and optimization process for the Fund to excel in all aspects of Fund Management

• Under the overall authority of (and delegated by) the Fund Director, represent the Fund in its relations with donors and other key stakeholders and partners

• Play a key role in the Fund's work on financing opportunities and risks, meeting donor expectations, and harnessing new sources of funding for the Access to Health Fund

• Build and strengthen strategic relations with all stakeholders e.g. donors, implementers, private sector as well as internally within UNOPS and other UN agencies.

• Support the the Fund in analysing and keeping on top of the funding landscape for health in Myanmar, and seize opportunities for collaboration/coordination with other donors and stakeholders

• Oversee partnerships, reporting, communications, and visibility in the FundEnsure reporting requirements are high quality and meet deadlines and donor specifications

3. Strategy

• Lead regular and ongoing strategic reviews of the Fund’s portfolio and approaches to ensure the Fund’s investments maximize results and value for money. Together with relevant Senior Management Team members, oversee the implementation of corrective measures 

• In particular, work with teams to ensure that the Fund’s investments focus on vulnerable populations in conflict-affected areas

• Support teams on strategic issues - at the moment that would encompass reviewing the Fund’s approach to sustainability.

• Support or lead strategic discussions related to the Fund’s work and orientation - for example in relation to working in conflict, targeting vulnerable populations, Gender transformative approaches and strengthening Health Systems.

4. Operations

• Establish and maintain a functional office with all appropriate support functions; liaise with relevant functions and departments within the Myanmar Country office and wider UNOPS, and other UN organisations

• Support the Fund in further developing systems for identifying and selecting implementing partners in accordance with UNOPS’ Rules and Regulations.

• Work closely with the UNOPS Myanmar joint Program Management Office and Support Services to maintain and simplify as feasible financial systems to ensure that funds are held, disbursed and accounted for in a timely, transparent and efficient manner.

• Work in collaboration with the UNOPS Myanmar joint Program Management Office to guide the Fund in preparations for and during the audit processes.

• Work closely with the UNOPS joint Program Management Office to ensure compliance with the relevant policy to address fiduciary risk and fraud, while continuing to maintain the space to operate in Myanmar.

• Support simplification and optimising IP results, narrative and financial reporting aligned with donor reporting systems enabling timely and accurate annual reporting while reducing bureaucratic burdens on implementers and streamline processes within the Fund. 

• In the engagement with new and existing donors and stakeholders, lead the negotiations and review of legal agreements and related appropriate UNOPS processes.

• Analyze work processes within the Fund to develop streamlined procedures,

• and identify possible areas for simplification.

• Work closely with the UNOPS Program Management Office throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring compliance with donor and UNOPS rules and regulations while maintaining a focus on simplification and reducing bureaucratic burden. 

• Oversee and lead the direction of the procurement unit in the new political context of Myanmar to ensure procurement process are in line with UNOPS’ procurement policy, guidelines and QA standard but maintains being fit for purpose in the country context. Liaise and coordinate with procurement units of MMCO and ARHC as relevant. 

• A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline preferably in  international development, public health, public administration, sociology, political science, or similar fields of studies.
• A Bachelor’s degree with 12 years of relevant experience is considered as an equivalent.

• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in project or programme management, donor engagement and communication  or fund management is required. 
• Experience in setting up and managing programs in conflict settings is an asset.
• Knowledge of UN or UNOPS policies and procedures is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in directly managing large teams and complex programs is an advantage.
• Experience of working sensitively and effectively in a culturally diverse setting would be an asset.
• Experience in Myanmar is highly desirable.
• Previous experience with fund management and management of complex projects and processes is highly desirable.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (e.g. MS Office newer versions, Google Suite Applications) is required.
• Willingness to travel regularly is required.

• Fluency in English is required. 

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement
Contract level: IICA4, ICS12
Contract duration: Open-ended (subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance)

• 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.