Programme Management Senior Officer (Programme Support)

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.

About the role

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Specialist (Programme and Operations Coordination), the Programme Management Senior Officer (Programme Support) will support the coordination, implementation, and compliance of the LIFT programmes. The incumbent will be responsible for managing field visits, overseeing risk management and compliance processes, and providing substantive support in programme coordination and documentation. The role will contribute to the smooth implementation of program activities and ensure alignment with LIFT’s strategic goals, UNOPS policies, and donor requirements.

• Provide substantive support in programme coordination by reviewing and analysing emerging issues, trends, and developments relevant to LIFT’s operations and objectives.

• Organise and facilitate discussions on programme activities, outcomes, and lessons learned, fostering cross-team collaboration and the sharing of best practices.

• Identify opportunities for cross-programmatic approaches and support the implementation of initiatives that enhance the overall impact of LIFT-funded activities.

• Coordinate the involvement of programme staff in key studies, such as cost comparison and value-for-money reviews, ensuring effective participation and timely contributions.

• Plan and coordinate the assessment of funding proposals, ensuring alignment with LIFT’s strategic priorities and operating guidelines, and contribute to the preparation of recommendations for the Fund Board.

• Collaborate with programme teams to identify key lessons from LIFT-funded projects, manage the documentation process, and convene discussions to promote learning and knowledge sharing.

• Lead efforts to standardise approaches for project mid-term reviews, ensuring consistency and alignment across various projects.

Operational Support

• Support the Programme Management Specialist (Programme and Operations Coordination) in coordinating smooth processes and services between LIFT and the Security Unit, Support Services Unit (SSU) which includes finance, HR, procurement, and admin, and Programme Management Office (PMO) particularly between programme and grants.

• Coordinate the use of external services, such as consultants and service providers, ensuring compliance with UNOPS policies, procedures, and guidelines.

• Oversee the preparation, quality assurance, and timely submission of Terms of Reference (TORs) for national and international consultants, ensuring they meet LIFT’s needs and project objectives.

• Manage and oversee the planning and organisation of field visits for Fund Board members and other relevant stakeholders, ensuring that all activities are well-coordinated and aligned with programme objectives.

• Oversee the planning and organisation of LIFT team field visits, ensuring smooth execution, effective stakeholder engagement, and alignment with project goals.

• Collaborate with relevant teams to prepare detailed field visit reports, summarising key findings, lessons learned, and providing recommendations for future programme improvements.

• Assist the Programme Management Specialist (Programme and Operations Coordination) in maintaining and updating the LIFT risk register, ensuring that risks related to project implementation are proactively identified, assessed, and mitigated.

• Collaborate with programme teams and stakeholders to develop and implement effective risk mitigation strategies, ensuring that identified risks are appropriately addressed.

• Ensure full compliance with UNOPS policies, donor requirements, and relevant regulations across all programme activities.

• Regularly review partner performance and promptly escalate any compliance issues to the Programme Management Specialist, providing actionable recommendations to resolve them effectively.

• Foster a culture of accountability and transparency by ensuring programme activities and resources are used efficiently and in strict alignment with UNOPS policies, procedures, guidelines, and principles.

Documentation and Reporting

• Draft and contribute to various written outputs, such as background papers, analytical notes, sections of reports, programme presentation materials, spreadsheets or documents.

• Support the Programme Management Specialist in preparing high-quality reports by consolidating and synthesising data from programme teams, ensuring clarity and coherence in the final outputs.

• Assist in the development and preparation of other programmatic documentation as needed, ensuring that all reports are accurate, clear, and submitted on time.

Education 

• Master’s degree preferably in economics, business administration, project management, development studies, social science, or other relevant discipline is required.

• Bachelor’s degree in the above or related field with an additional 2 years of relevant experience could be considered in lieu of a  Master’s degree.

Experience

• Minimum 2 years of progressive experience in project or programme management or coordination is required.

• Demonstrated ability in writing analytical, summative, or similar reports is required.

• Experience in coordinating diverse stakeholders is required. 

• Experience cooperating with development partners, including donors and local partners is 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 written and spoken English is essential.

• Proficiency 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.

• 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.