Programme Management Advisor (CVA and Social Protection) - Retainer

UNOPS Myanmar is one of UNOPS’ leading offices in Asia, acting as fund manager for three of the largest development programmes in the country, namely the Access to Health Fund, the Livelihood and Food Security Fund (LIFT) and the Joint Peace Fund (JPF). In addition, UNOPS is Principal Recipient for the Global Fund in Myanmar and for the Global Fund’s regional artemisinin-resistance initiative towards elimination of Malaria, which works to accelerate progress towards malaria elimination in the greater Mekong sub-region. UNOPS provides procurement, infrastructure and project management services to a wide range of organizations in the country, including the 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. 

The Nexus Response Mechanism is a programme initiated by the EU aimed at contributing to Myanmar lasting peace and national reconciliation, security, stability and sustainable development without missing humanitarian needs. Its actions are focused on providing support to conflict-affected populations, displaced populations, host communities, and returnees by strengthening the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, linking relief with rehabilitation and development.

As part of its response efforts to the deteriorating economic situation in Myanmar in light of the COVID-19 emergency and the military takeover, the EU and the Nexus Response Mechanism (NRM) have mobilized a continuation of funding for cash transfer programming. Following the successful implementation of its Myan Ku program in 2020-2022 the NRM is seeking to expand its cash transfer programming to other parts of the country. The Programme Management Advisor (CVA and Social Protection) will provide technical guidance and monitoring support to the NRM Secretariat and NRM implementing partners on the implementation of the second phase of Myan Ku and other ongoing and future  cash transfer and social protection programming carried out by the NRM. 

Under the direct supervision of the NRM Senior Programme Manager (SPM), the Programme Management  Advisor will be responsible to advise and support the NRM Secretariat  on as needed basis, and may be requested to support specific work packages/individual assignments, detailed through individual task notes. Such assignments may be home-based or require travel to NRMoperational sites, including Yangon and other project areas (conditions permitting).

These can include, but are not limited to, regular participation in relevant grant update meetings and the provision of technical guidance to the EU, SPM, NRM team and implementing partners on ongoing cash transfer and social protection programming; in-person and/or remote monitoring missions to relevant projects; participation on behalf of the NRM in cash transfer working groups and meetings; review of programme monitoring reports and quality assurance of existing programming; and the design and development of new cash transfer programmes. 

The Programme Management Advisor will broadly carry out the following tasks, in accordance with UNOPS policies, procedures and practices based on needs expressed by country offices. These may include (but are not limited to):

• Provide technical support and advice on the implementation of NRM cash transfer and social protection programming, including participation in update meetings with programme partners and a review of programme monitoring reports.

• Provide advice and technical support on quality assurance of NRM cash transfer and social protection  programming, including review of programme documentation and implementation and site monitoring visits.

• Taking the lead in organizing the conducting meetings and discussions with NRM partners on cash programming and its aspects

• Provide advice and technical support  in the review and finalization of the initial phase of the NRM cash transfer and social protection  programme

• Participation in cash transfer working group meetings with other national and international partners and other relevant external meetings.

• Leading monitoring missions (in person and/or remote) and writing monitoring mission reports.

• Take a lead role and provide technical support in review of project reporting, documentation and compliance.

• Provide guidance and technical support on the development of any new cash transfer programming, identification of cash transfer funding opportunities, and the development of a cash transfer programmatic strategy.

• Lead in preparation of concept notes, proposals and presentations for possible new cash transfer programmes for the NRM.

• Advice and support on the development and review of communications materials relating to cash transfers.

• Advice on monitoring and evaluation of NRM cash transfer projects and social protection programming, with a specific focus on implementing partner performance monitoring.

• Advice and provide support to different related evaluations, studies, and assessments as needed.

The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in law/human rights, Social Sciences, Political Sciences, Development Studies, Economics, International Relations or a related field is required.

• Additional two years of similar experience with a Bachelor’s Degree is considered as equivalent.

Experience

• At least 7 years of relevant experience in development, peacebuilding or humanitarian response is required. 

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in cash transfer programming, including programme design, monitoring and evaluation, quality assurance, and learning is required.

• Solid practical experience in working with the UN, donors, non-governmental organizations, public sector and/or civil society is strongly preferred.

• Experience working in Myanmar, preferably in cash transfer programming would be an asset.

• Solid understanding of the Myanmar context, including political, economic, social and conflict dynamics, is strongly preferred.

• Experience in humanitarian and development work relating to cash transfers is considered an asset.

• Strong writing and public speaking skills are strongly preferred.

• Strong interpersonal skills in a multicultural environment, including communication skills and the ability to work independently, as well as in a team setting will be an asset.

Language

• Fluency in both written and spoken English is required.

• Myanmar language skills will be considered an asset.

Contract type: ICA (Individual Contractor Agreement) 
Contract level: ICS11 - International - Specialist ICA, Level I-ICA 3 (Retainer)/Home based with mission travel to Yangon, including field support
Contract duration:   1 year (100 working days) - Renewable subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

• 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.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and it is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or disability.
  
• 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.  
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, 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 recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

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With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners, spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced and diverse labor force — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We continually strive to maintain our gender-balanced workplace. We encourage qualified underrepresented groups as per UNOPS Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy to apply for our vacancies.



Work life harmonization

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