Programme Manager

Background Information - Asia Regional Health Cluster

The Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC) was established in 2018 for efficient delivery of grants and fund management, and the provision of quality pharmaceuticals and health products. The ARHC aims to significantly impact the targets of UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 on good health and well-being, by expanding the population benefitting from UNOPS-managed health-related engagements across the Asia Region. 

The ARHC portfolio manages the Principal Recipient (PR) Programme of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) in Asia. The Global Fund, which has been providing financial support to the Greater Mekong Sub-region for malaria programs since 2003, has selected UNOPS as a PR, responsible for delivering the targets set out in the grant agreements in collaboration with selected sub-recipients from the National Programmes, local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and UN agencies.

Background Information - Job-specific

Following the successful completion of RAI2E, UNOPS is selected as the Principal Recipient for RAI3E Global Fund grant (2021-2023). Under this grant UNOPS will be implementing nearly USD230 million for malaria elimination activities in the Greater Mekong Sub region, covering five Mekong countries most affected by artemisinin resistance: Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam,  (Vietnam component  is nearly 31M USD) 

UNOPS is now searching for experienced Programme Manager in Vietnam in order to secure quality of programming.

Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types.

Under the overall supervision of the Programme Director and under the direct supervision of the, Head of Programme, the Programme Manager based in Vietnam shall be responsible for Liaising and supporting the SRs in Vietnam under RAI3E grant. S/he will be overseeing the programme planning and monitoring and evaluation, quality assurance and strategic technical support to the National Malaria Control Programme (National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology) in Vietnam. 

Programme Management, monitoring and evaluation 

• Providing substantive timely inputs in the overall implementation of all Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) grant(s) including budgets, work-plans and reporting on progress vis-à-vis planned activities and expected outputs 

• Periodically reviewing and updating work plan and detailed budgets, Performance Framework, M&E plan;

• Providing close support and guidance to the Monitoring and Evaluation Team to develop and implement the project internal M&E system and risk matrix for SRs;

• Supporting and carrying out regular monitoring of implementing partners’ performances and verify the implementation status of the programme and the progress towards reaching set programme targets;

• Maintaining the strategic overview of Malaria in Vietnam, and be aware of state-of-the-art technical approach in Malaria prevention, treatment and control;

• Providing close support  to the PSM Team in getting quarterly procurement reports, stock reports and any other PSM related clarifications/documents including assumptions for the quantification;

• Assisting on coordination with ensuring timely submission of financial and programmatic reports to GFATM PR by all relevant implementing partners;

• Ensuring logistic arrangement for UNOPS PR team if it is required;

• May be asked to supervise a team or Unit as the Office responsibilities grow

Stakeholder engagement 

• Guiding and supervising contractual procedures and processes related to partnerships with Sub Recipients of the GFATM, and leading the negotiations between SRs and National Malaria Programme (NIMPE)

• Ensuring optimum participation and promotion of collaborative efforts with the SRs and the national public health structures at all levels in the implementation of the GFATM grants.

• Ensuring timely adequate feedback to/from the GFATM's SRs on data obtained from the Fund's internal M&E system;

• Attending all relevant technical meetings and maintaining excellent contacts with all stakeholders, whether in Vientiane or in the field and maintaining a detailed knowledge base of all relevant issues impacting public health, in the context of Malaria in Vietnam;

• Acting as focal person and coordinating with NIMPE and other implementing partners and the UNOPS-PR and ensure that programmatic and financial reports are compiled and submitted on time

Programme delivery and quality assurance  

• Assessing reasonableness of the types and quantities (forecasted needs) of medicines and other health products that are planned to be procured;

• Analyzing programme results and incorporate lessons learned into the decision making process of recipients;

• Organizing and leading the assessments of project coverage areas and provide technical and programmatic advice to  NIMPE and partners

• Supporting the development, finalization and continuing review of key project documents; work plan and detailed budgets, Performance Based Framework, M&E plan and Procurement and Supply Chain Management (PSM) plan with the support of the technical teams in NIMPE and other implementing partners in Vietnam. 

• Ensuring the consistent and standard technical approach in line with relevant guidelines for UNOPS –Principal Recipient (PR), whilst making the necessary changes taking into consideration of the country specifics and government requirements;  

Knowledge sharing and management

• Strengthening the knowledge base by facilitating lessons learned and feedback sessions to all the SRs and NIMPE;

• Conducting trainings for partners to maintain and operate smooth M & E management system;

• A Master’s degree in health, public health and/or other related field is required. 

• A Bachelor’s degree in areas mentioned above or related field with 2 additional years of experience is considered as equivalent .

• At least 5 years of relevant experience (or more depending on academic credentials) preferably in health, development and/or social sectors is required.

• Strong experience in monitoring and evaluation of health programmes is desirable.

• Sound knowledge of relevant UN financial rules, contracting and procurement modalities and procedures would be an asset.

• Knowledge of UNOPS and GFATM rules and policies would be an asset. 

• Prior experience in managing Principal Recipient programmes would be highly advantageous. 

• Previous experience in South and/or South-east Asia will be an asset.

• Prior experience of Vietnam and the Mekong sub-region particularly in the field of Public Health (with emphasis on Malaria) would be a significant asset.

• Good knowledge of donor organizations, especially the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and experience in working with NGOs and civil society is an asset. 

• Full competency in the usage of computers and office software packages is required;

Language

• Fluency in both written and spoken English is required.

• Knowledge of Vietnamese language would be an asset.

Contract type: ICA

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• 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.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• 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 (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• 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.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.