Programme Management Senior Officer

UNOPS Myanmar

The European Union Nexus Response Mechanism (NRM) is an EU-funded programme designed to operationalize the humanitarian-development- peace  nexus in Myanmar. The NRM's objectives are to contribute to reducing the vulnerability, building resilience, and protecting the rights of conflict affected communities across the country.

NRM’s interventions are designed to pilot new ways of working and are aimed at contributing to systemic change. To ensure its projects are holistically designed, the NRM utilizes a three-pillared approach focused on the integration of H-D-P sectors and the incorporation of a rights-based approach, the transformation of power dynamics and imbalances through greater localization and inclusion, and accountability to both donors and communities through adaptive project design and a robust learning agenda.

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Manager and in accordance with UNOPS policies, procedures and practices, the Programme Management Senior Officer will be responsible for:

Supporting programme design and managing projects funded by the NRM. The main tasks include:

• Evaluating proposals, including work plans and budgets, submitted by applicants and ensuring that proposals are in compliance with programme policy and priorities as well as in line with national frameworks where they exist, and that proposals take into account work undertaken or planned by the government or other donors.
• Reviewing of work plans and reports submitted by programme implementing partners and ensuring they are sound, in line with contractual obligations and with programme policy and priorities.
• Contributing to the preparation of the Programme Manager's work plans and reporting through analyzing information from implementing partners (IPs), drafting, and developing visual aids for presentational purposes as deemed necessary;
• Routine monitoring of funded project implementation progress (including regular field visits), activity results and impact, and project budgets. Support IPs by providing recommendations for adjustments to projects that reflect changing circumstances, and learn lessons for wider application.
• Ensuring relevant and timely feedback to/from IPs and beneficiaries that contributes to the wider monitoring and evaluation, and learning function of the programme. Synthesize lessons and communicate to ensure project learning is translated into improved project design and implementation.
• Preparing briefing material as required for missions and/or discussions on project activities and status; 
• Interacting with colleagues, clients and partners to exchange information on operational activity, ensure optimal cooperation, resolve routine operational issues, and identify good practices and increase effectiveness. 
• Building effective working relationships with relevant government departments and local government administrations associated with NRM projects.
• Maintaining excellent contact and working relationships with all implementation partners and other NRM stakeholders whether in Yangon or in the field.

Contribute to effective knowledge management within NRM. The main tasks include:

• Supporting NRM’s MEAL team to (a) develop and implement the programme's MEAL system, (b) ensure adequate feedback to/from NRM implementing partners and beneficiaries, (c) advise implementing partners on their own internal MEAL systems, (d) analyse MEAL results and support compilation of MEAL data. 
• Identifying and documenting key lessons of NRM-funded projects. This includes identifying topics for special studies and conducting cost comparisons and value-for-money reviews where possible and relevant. 
• Building and maintaining strategic linkages with a wide range of stakeholders in programme areas including with civil society, private sector stakeholders, and other organizations.
• Attending, and where required, leading technical and coordination meetings within UNOPS and in relevant clusters/sectoral groups.
• Contributing to the preparation of the Programme Manager's work plans and reports.
• Undertaking needs and resource assessments and recommend additional action that may be necessary to ensure the effectiveness of the NRM and contribute to growing the livelihoods knowledge base in Myanmar.
• Maintain detailed knowledge of relevant thematic and contextual issues and promote information sharing among stakeholders.

Other

• Draft terms of reference for contracted services on behalf of the programme;
• Assist the Programme Manager with the translation of documents written in the Myanmar language;
• Other duties as assigned by the Programme Manager and NRM Senior Management.

Education:

• A Master’s degree in  international development, law, /human rights, business management, peace studies, sociology or a related field or a related field is required.
• A Bachelor’s degree in combination with additional 2 years of experience is considered as equivalent.

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years of professional experience in project or programme and project management and implementation, monitoring and evaluation of humanitarian or development projects/ programmes  is required.
• Experience working and/or cooperating with development partners includingCSOs, UN agencies and/or INGOs is required.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent analysis, identify issues, evaluate options, recommend solutions and write analytical or summative reports is required.
• Demonstrated experience working with or analyzing the political, economic and social situation and trends in Myanmar  is highly desirable.
• Computer literacy in Microsoft packages (MS Word, MS Excel) is required, along with the ability to use software tools to present data clearly and concisely.
• Project or programme management certifications like PRINCE2 and MSP are highly desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in both written and spoken English and Myanmar language is required.

Contract type:  Local  ICA Specialist
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.