Senior Programme Manager (Programme & M&E)

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 organisations (NGOs) and UN agencies.

• Lead Myanmar Programme Unit and provide strategic/technical guidance in developing the grants to be suiting the context and its operations of the Global Fund Principal Recipient (PR) towards optimal performance.

• Lead the policy development towards optimising the health system strengthening impact of the grants.

• Advise the Programme Managers of National AIDS/TB and Malaria Programmes on policies, strategies, practices and procedures related to Global Fund grants. 

• Provide policy advice, process management and programme advisory support to stakeholders.

• Continuously update his/her strategic knowledge of HIV & AIDS, TB & Malaria epidemics in Myanmar in order to analytically support the development of Performance Frameworks, work plans and budgets. 

• Ensure Value for Money of UNOPS-Principal Recipient programmes. 

• Coordinate project activities with UNOPS SRs and with other development partners. 

• Participate in relevant technical meetings and develop professional networks amongst all stakeholders and maintain a detailed knowledge base of all relevant issues impacting public health, in the context of HIV, TB, Malaria and Health Systems Strengthening in Myanmar.

• Coordinate with the Global Fund Country Team (GF CT) and ensure that programmatic and financial reports are compiled and submitted on time. 

• Collaborate with the PSM unit to finalise the HPMTs and get final specifications for all products at the time of procurements.

• Collaborate with the Managed Cash Flow Unit in the development of work plans and in the regularly required update/amendment/training on the MCF SOPs.   

• Liaise with the Local Fund Agent as required. 

• Lead the  UNOPS Programme Team in the GFATM grant negotiations including submission of quality inputs required to ensure the grant agreement signature.

• Develop and ensure effective implementation of grant-programming for investments in HIV, Malaria and TB, in line with international best practices and provide leadership on Fund performance and achievements. 

• Guide and supervise contractual procedures and processes related to partnerships with Sub recipients (SRs) of UNOPS PR. 

• Manage and oversee closure activities of the Global Fund grants as and when they end. 

• Develop Performance Frameworks for the three diseases and contribute to updating the national disease M&E Plans, where required. 

• Ensure the development and maintenance of a functioning monitoring, evaluation and reporting system for UNOPS as Principal Recipient in Myanmar, which will be coherent with national M&E systems, and will generate data that allow for programme analysis and which ensures that all Sub-Recipients (SR) submit timely, regular and structured monitoring reports.

• Direct data auditing and verification and programmatic spot checks to assure internal consistency and validity of programme activity monitoring data reported by all SRs, through period data verification and auditing and spot check visits to SRs at all levels.

• Routinely monitor risks, project progress, activity results and implementation costs against planning to ensure that actions supported by the GF are implemented effectively and efficiently and adjusted as necessary.

• Maintain the GF M&E database; review incoming data (for quality and programmatic); ensure the quality of the database and that M&E data are readily available.

• Review and verify M&E findings by national officers and follow-up the recommendations.

• Assess SRs capacity in M&E systems; ensure adequate feedback to/from the SRs on data obtained from the GFATM’s internal M&E system; review partners’ DQA systems, conduct data audits.

• Support the implementation of the MOH e-Health Plan including the rollout of DHIS, Master patient Index and report on the progress of the GF financed activities in the plan.

• Ensure timely completion of the Progress Update and Disbursement Request (PU&DR) Global Fund Forms and subsequent submission to the Local Fund Agent, including reviewing overall performance of the whole grants and individual indicators against achieved cumulative results and making recommendations to improve performance.

• Prepare quarterly and annual/or ad hoc programmatic progress updates on Global Fund programmes.

• Promote an active learning culture for GF and its partners, enable information sharing on all aspects related to public health in Myanmar and strengthen the knowledge base by facilitating lessons learned and feedback sessions with SRs. 

• Analyse results of projects, and incorporate lessons learned into the decision making process of recipients. 

• Develop and lead the implementation of capacity building activities for the SRs.

• Perform other programme related duties as assigned by the supervisor. 

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

• Master’s degree or equivalent - preferably in Health Sciences, Public Health, Epidemiology, or related area is required. 

• A Bachelor’s Degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and 2 additional years experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• At least 7 years of progressive responsibility in programme management in Public Health with focus on planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and coordination in a developing country is required. 

• Minimum 3 years’ experience and expertise with proven record of accomplishment at a strategic level in Public Health programmes in either HIV, TB or Malaria is required. 

• Strong Monitoring and Evaluation experience, including experience in health data systems is required. 

• Prior experience working with donors/multi-donor funds is an asset.

• Solid practical experience in Fund/Grant management is an asset. 

• Proven experience in providing policy advice would be an asset.

• Previous work in a similar position with the UN or NGO system would be a major asset. 

• Experience with and/or knowledge of Myanmar and/or GFATM is an asset. 

• An in-depth understanding of national and international development issues related to HIV & AIDS, TB, Malaria, Health Systems Strengthening is an asset. 

• Prior experience and familiarity with the PR would be a significant asset. 

• Willingness to undertake field visits in difficult conditions. 

• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Office 2007 and/or newer versions) is required.

• Fluency in English is required

Contract type: staff

• 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.