Programme Manager

The Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC) was established in 2018 for efficient delivery of Global Fund grants implementation, technical assistance of health initiatives and programmes, and the provision of quality pharmaceuticals and health products in the Asia Region of UNOPS. 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, currently with grants in Cambodia, Lao, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. UNOPS as a PR, is 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), academic and private sector institutions and UN agencies.

UNOPS is selected as the Principal Recipient for RAI4E Global Fund grant (2024-2026). Under this grant UNOPS will be implementing activities related to malaria elimination, health systems strengthening and integrated health service packages in hard to reach areas along the borders of the 5 GMS countries UNOPS is now searching for an experienced Programme Manager in order to secure quality of programming, implementation, coordination and M&E for an integrated response and related health packages under the RAI4E grant.

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Senior Specialist (Programmes, M&E & Health System) and overall management of ARHC Programme Director, the Programme Manager based in ARHC office in Thailand, shall be responsible for liaising and supporting the ARHC work and programmes in the hard to reach and border areas under the regional malaria grant (RAI Grant).

Programme management, monitoring and evaluation

• Managing the overall planning and implementation of Global Fund funded integrated health response package under RAI4E grant(s) and its performance. This includes budgets, work-plans, targets, procurement plans and reporting on progress vis-à-vis planned activities and expected outputs;

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

• Develop and implement the project internal M&E system and risk matrix for SRs;

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

• Maintain the strategic overview of health service delivery context along the cross-border and hard to reach areas and adapt the programmes according to the changing context;

• Assist in coordination with all relevant stakeholders to ensure timely and smooth implementation and submission of financial and programmatic reports to the Global Fund;

• Supervise a team of programme, M&E personnel responsible for managing the integrated health response package;

• Guide and support contractual procedures and processes related to partnerships with Sub Recipients of the Global Fund, and lead the negotiations between SRs, PRs, donors and other stakeholders;

• Ensure optimum participation and promotion of collaborative efforts among all stakeholders at all levels in the implementation of the Global Fund grants;

• Ensure timely adequate feedback to/from the Global Fund/SRs on data obtained from the Fund internal M&E system;

• Attend all relevant technical meetings and maintain excellent contacts with all stakeholders, at the central level or in the field and maintain a detailed knowledge base of all relevant issues impacting implementation and service delivery in cross-border and hard to reach areas.

Programme delivery and quality assurance

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

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

• Organize and lead the assessments of project coverage areas and provide technical and programmatic advice to partners;

• Support the development, review and finalization of key project documents; work plan and detailed budgets, Performance Framework, M&E Plan and Procurement and Supply Chain

• Management (PSM) plan with the support of the technical teams and other relevant implementing partners;

• Ensure the consistent and standard technical approach in line with relevant guidelines for UNOPS –Principal Recipient (PR), whilst making the necessary changes taking into consideration the challenging operating environment.

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

Knowledge sharing and management

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

• Conduct trainings for partners to maintain and operate a smooth M&E management system.

• Assist SRs to develop the required capacities and competencies in providing health services and implementing their plans.

• Good professional relationship with all stakeholders;

• Successful grant implementation in hard to reach areas under RAI4E grant’s integrated health response package.

Education

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

• A Bachelor’s degree in areas mentioned above or related field experience 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 GF 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 working for challenging operating environments, cross-border and hard to reach areas particularly in the field of Public Health (with emphasis on HIV, TB and Malaria) would be a significant asset; 

• Good knowledge of donor organizations, especially the Global Fund 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. 

• Fluency in English is required

• Knowledge of Thai and Myanmar languages would be an asset.

Contract type: ICA

• 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. 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.