Nutrition Specialist (Mission Travel to Myanmar)

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

The UNOPS Myanmar office develops, supports and oversees UNOPS portfolio of projects in Myanmar which focus on post-disaster recovery, health programmes and food security.

UNOPS Myanmar is under the UNOPS Asia Regional Office and was established to support, develop and oversee UNOPS’ portfolio of programmes and projects in Myanmar which focus on health programmes and livelihoods and rural development. UNOPS Myanmar ensures that synergies between programmes and projects are effectively developed.

The UNOPS Myanmar portfolio currently includes fund management of the multi-donor Three Millennium Development Goals Fund (3MDG) and the Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT). In addition, UNOPS is the Principal Recipient of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria grants to Myanmar (PR-GFATM), as well as the Regional Artemisinin Resistance Containment Initiative (RAI). UNOPS is also expanding its infrastructure and procurement services in Myanmar, including advisory services in these areas.

UNOPS Myanmar plays a critical role in ensuring quality services to UNOPS’ partners that meet stringent requirements of speed, efficiency and cost effectiveness. It is also responsible for liaison with Government counterparts, Donors, NGOs and UN Agencies.

UNOPS is the Fund Manager (FMO) for the Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT) in Myanmar. LIFT is a multi-donor fund (2010 – 2018) to address food insecurity and income poverty in Myanmar. The donors to LIFT are Australia, Denmark, the European Union, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. From the private sector, the Mitsubishi Corporation is also a donor.

The overall goal of LIFT is to sustainably reduce the number of people living in poverty and hunger. LIFT’s purpose is to increase the incomes and nutrition status of poor rural people by means of interventions that increase income, food availability, utilization and stability of access to food. Its designated outcomes are in income, resilience, nutrition, and pro-poor policy developments.

LIFT works with and through support to implementing partners (IPs) such as international NGOs, national NGOs, United Nations agencies, international organisations (CGIAR, IFIs), academic and research institutions and the Government of Myanmar. LIFT is currently funding projects at Union level and in Ayeyarwaddy Delta, Dry Zone and Chin, Kachin, Shan, and Rakhine states.

The Fund Management Office, which is based at UNOPS in Yangon, has delegated authority for the management of LIFT under the rules and regulations of UNOPS, and in accordance with the strategy approved by the Fund Board. Read more about LIFT on www.lift-fund.org.

1.      Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The Fund Manager Office (FMO) implements its projects through different programmes, such as the Dry one, Delta, Uplands etc. Potential partners submit proposals either through open or closed call for proposals. Once selected, the successful organizations sign a grant agreement with LIFT.

LIFT requires ad hoc support advising on various nutrition related topics for the planning, implementation and monitoring of the LIFT programmes and projects. The Nutrition Specialist will work on following tasks: 

1.     Review of proposals in relation to the nutrition component

a)     Assess activities proposed in regards to their coherence with the other components and relevance to LIFT nutrition approach

b)     Prepare reviews of proposals listing strengths and weaknesses of the proposals in relation to nutrition, and propose recommendations on how 
        to improve the proposals to make them more relevant.

c)     Meet with LIFT staff and IPs to discuss findings when required.

2.     Provide advice on nutrition related questions in regard to LIFT strategy and implementation. 

2.     Methodology and Deliverables

        The retainer will be receiving a task note each time a requirement is identified. The Task note will specify the dates, duration and deliverables.

a.      Education

• A Master's degree in nutrition or related field is required. Additional two years of similar experience with a Bachelor’s Degree is considered as equivalent.

b.      Work Experience

• A minimum of 5 years professional experience in nutrition is required.
• Proven track record of producing high quality written reports and other materials would be an asset.
• Professional experience and an understanding of nutrition issues in Myanmar is preferable.

c.       Language

• Excellent skills in both written and spoken English are essential. Knowledge of Myanmar language is an advantage.

• Professionalism – Ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identify issues, analyze options and recommend solutions. Ability to work systematically, accurately and under pressure.
• Planning and organizing - Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan in relation to other stakeholders and actors in the evaluations.
• Client orientation - Ability to identify clients' needs and appropriate solutions; ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with clients and related parties.
• Analytical skills – Strong skills in methodology and analysis.
• Communication - Proven ability to present and write English in a clear and concise manner, and be adaptable to participants with other languages.
• Self-reliance: Ability to act independently with a minimum of supervision.
• Technological awareness - Excellent computer skills and ability to use software tools to present data clearly and concisely

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Other considerations

Applicants are requested to:

• Submit a CV specifying experience and skills.
• Include the names and contact details of three recent, professional referees.
• Indicate your daily fee expectations in USD.
• Note that this is a home-based contract. Reimbursement of travel and payment of Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) will be paid according to UN rules and regulations (e.g. economy fare for air travel, DSA Yangon 193 USD per night)