Programme Management Advisor (Food Security and Agricultural Development Expert)

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.

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, economic and rural development at a time of 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

The Programme Management Advisor (Food and Agricultural Development Expert)  will lead LIFT’s food security and agricultural initiatives. The incumbent will focus on providing technical leadership on the subject matter and developing, implementing, and monitoring programmes that enhance agricultural production, improve food security, and promote rural livelihoods. This includes addressing issues related to climate change adaptation, sustainable farming practices, and financial development opportunities for small holder farmers.

Key Functions

1. Programme design and implementation
2. Technical expertise and advisory support
3. Coordination and partnerships
4. Monitoring, reporting & knowledge management
5. Sustainability and climate change adaptation 

• Lead the design and oversee implementation of agricultural development programs under LIFT’s  strategy, focusing on food security, climate resilience, and sustainable rural livelihoods - ensuring a bespoke approach when required.
• Develop methodologies for assessing the effectiveness of agricultural and development interventions and propose improvements based on findings.
• Ensure alignment of the projects under your scope with national priorities and global best practices for sustainable agriculture.
• Manage programme resources in accordance with UNOPS standards of ethics, integrity and accountability framework, and financial sustainability.
• Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity by providing the team with clear direction, objectives, and guidance to enable them to perform, effectively and efficiently.

• Provide technical guidance and advisory on food security, climate change adaptation, and agricultural development to LIFT teams and implementing partners.
• Collaborate with relevant ministries, NGOs, and private sector actors to foster innovation in agricultural production and value chains.
• Promote the adoption of climate-resilient agricultural practices among smallholder farmers, including the use of new technologies and sustainable farming approaches.
• Continuously update key stakeholders on trends and opportunities in food and agricultural development. 
• Coordination and partnerships
• Attend external food security and agricultural development initiatives on behalf of LIFT, maintaining strong relationships with relevant stakeholders.
• Facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogues on agricultural policies, food security strategies, and rural development to drive collaboration and knowledge sharing.

• Develop systems to monitor the impact of LIFT’s agricultural programmes and ensure that they meet established goals and deliverables.
• Lead the preparation of high-quality reports, policy briefs, and presentations to communicate programme achievements to donors and stakeholders.
• Capture lessons learned and promote knowledge exchange on best practices in agricultural development and food security internally and externally.

• Ensure that LIFT’s programmes incorporate sustainability and climate change resilience strategies, particularly for smallholder farmers.
• Promote sustainable practices and advise on measures to mitigate the impact of climate change on agricultural production.
• Design and implement KPI´s to measure the impact of the different initiatives on sustainable practices within the projects. 
• Lead the design and oversee implementation of agricultural development programs under LIFT’s  strategy, focusing on food security, climate resilience, and sustainable rural livelihoods - ensuring a bespoke approach when required.
• Develop methodologies for assessing the effectiveness of agricultural and development interventions and propose improvements based on findings.
• Ensure alignment of the projects under your scope with national priorities and global best practices for sustainable agriculture.
• Manage programme resources in accordance with UNOPS standards of ethics, integrity and accountability framework, and financial sustainability.
• Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity by providing the team with clear direction, objectives, and guidance to enable them to perform, effectively and efficiently.

Education

• A Master’s degree preferably in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, or a related field with 7 years of relevant experience is required.

• A first-level university degree (Bachelor's) preferably in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, or a related field with 2 additional years of relevant experience could be considered in lieu of the Master´s degree.

Experience

• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience leading agricultural development, rural livelihoods, food security projects or related fields is required.

• Proven experience working on climate change adaptation in agriculture and promoting sustainable farming practices is highly desirable.

• Experience managing all levels of internal and external stakeholders is required. 

• Team leadership experience is required. 

• Experience working in Myanmar, or other  Southeast Asian countries, or other conflict-affected contexts is highly desirable.

• Demonstrated success in programme management, including the design and delivery of agricultural interventions with measurable outcomes is an asset.

• Experience in international organizations and/or international contexts is required. 

Language Requirements

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

• Knowledge of  Burmese is an asset.

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement
Contract level: IICA-3
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.

• Note that Yangon, Myanmar is currently classified as a non-family duty station.