Fund Director, Livelihoods and Food Security Fund (LIFT)

UNOPS Myanmar

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 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. 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.

Livelihoods and Food Security Fund (LIFT)

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, a time of political 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.

The Fund Director will provide leadership, and strategic direction and promote good practice in the performance and delivery of the LIFT Fund. The Fund Director is the head of the LIFT Fund Management Office, a team of 50 personnel, including technical professionals as well as M&E, policy, knowledge management, and programme support professionals. 

This role represents a unique and exciting opportunity to lead a major investment in livelihoods, food security, and nutrition, at a fragile yet dynamic time in Myanmar. He/she will need to demonstrate strong management skills and be an advocate of continued external support to Myanmar’s vulnerable populations. The incumbent must have demonstrated ability to support work in challenging environments, and have experience working in development, humanitarian, and conflict environments. He/she will also need excellent partnership skills, working with a broad range of stakeholders to achieve tangible results for people in need.

*** While the duty station for this position is Yangon, Myanmar, the incumbent is expected to be based in Bangkok, Thailand temporarily until an appropriate Myanmar visa can be obtained.***

Under the overall supervision of the UNOPS Myanmar Director & Representative and working closely with the LIFT Fund Board, the Fund Director will be responsible for:  

1. Stakeholder Management

• Work closely with the Fund Board, represents LIFT with the private sector, civil society, and other relevant stakeholders (including UN agencies) to promote excellence, good practice, and coordination. 

• Manage LIFT communications with stakeholders regarding Fund activities, progress and exceptions, enabling their ability to accept handover of Fund deliverables. 

• Advise the partners on issues that may impact the achievement of their outcomes. 

• Manage the information flows between the Fund Board, the UNOPS Myanmar Director and Representative and the UNOPS team dedicated to LIFT. 

• Represent LIFT and UNOPS at external events and meetings.

• Represent LIFT in the UNOPS Management Group (MG) to ensure coordination, effective delivery and information sharing.

• Support the LIFT Donor Consortium, other potential donors, and UNOPS to explore future platforms to coordinate external investment in Myanmar’s agriculture, rural development, and nutrition sectors. 

• Seek new donors for the LIFT if required.

2. Delivery and Performance

• Oversee the implementation of approved programme plans, manage the delivery of the programme’s outputs, and initiate corrective action where necessary.

• Authorize, monitor and control work packages to be delivered by the UNOPS team or by implementing partners.

• Advise the Fund Board on architecture and processes to strengthen LIFT’s engagement at all levels

• Identify and manage risks, advising the Fund Board and UNOPS Myanmar Director and Representative of deviations that have or will exceed set tolerances as approved in the programme plan.

• Ensure principles of gender equity, peace, voice and accountability, ‘doing no harm’, and aid effectiveness in all activities associated with the LIFT. 

• Monitor and evaluate performance of service providers. 

• Representing UNOPS (The Fund Manager, as reflected in LIFT Joint Collaboration Agreement) vis-à-vis all other stakeholders and in the Fund Board as ex officio, non-voting member. 

• Monitor progress of the programme at a strategic level and ensure periodic progress and updates are made to the Fund Board. 

3. Procedures

• Ensure compliance with UNOPS organizational policy and UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations, and in line with the Delegation of Authority received from the UNOPS Executive Director. 

• Manage the LIFT Fund Management Office to ensure performance of the Fund in the areas of programmatic/technical results delivery, financial management (budget/cash flow/expenditure), work planning and resource mobilization, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), administrative (including regular reporting and audit results) and procurement operations.

• Manage budgets, cash flow and obligations, taking accountability for expenditures against the budget; ensure that deliverables are met and payments to contractors, grantees/ implementing partners and personnel are received on time.

• Understand and manage UNOPS pricing policy and related corporate charges as they apply to LIFT.

• Ensure implementing partner capacity is commensurate with funding requirements. 

4. Knowledge Management

• Provide feedback to Practice Leads on policy, supporting guidance with an aim towards continuous improvement of UNOPS policies complete lessons learned as per reporting format.

• Support UNOPS Myanmar’s efforts in being a centre of excellence for programme management.

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Knowledge Management and Learning 

• In-depth knowledge of rural development-related issues. 

• Ability to advocate and provide strategic policy advice. 

• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas of UNOPS, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills. 

• Ability to build partnerships with the public sector, UN Agencies, civil society organisations, and non governmental organisations. 

• Promotes a learning culture for LIFT and its partners 

Development and Operational Effectiveness 

• Excellent ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting. 

• Ability to lead implementation, M&E of development programmes and projects. 

• Ability to lead implementation of new systems and affect personnel behavioral/ attitudinal change. Excellent conceptual and analytical abilities and an analytic approach to information management 

Management and Leadership 

• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback. 

• As a UNOPS MG member, ensures that LIFT activities are effectively integrated and benet from internal synergies. 

• Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills. 

• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude. 

• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors. 

• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities. 

• Ability to go beyond established procedures and models, creation of new approaches.

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent), preferably in a subject related to rural development, business administration, public administration or international relations is required; 
• First level university degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) with a minimum of 12 years of relevant experience is accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

• 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.