Programme Management Senior Officer

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 Livelihoods and Food Security (LIFT) Fund is a multi-donor fund established in 2009 to address food insecurity and income poverty in Myanmar. LIFT 2019-2023 is funded by eight donors – the United Kingdom, the European Union, Australia, Switzerland, the United States, Canada, Norway, and New Zealand. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is the Fund Manager for LIFT, administrating the funds and providing monitoring and oversight services. 

The overall goal of the LIFT Fund is to achieve a sustained reduction in the number of people living in hunger and poverty in Myanmar. LIFT strengthens the resilience and livelihoods of poor and vulnerable populations through interventions to raise income, decrease vulnerability, improve nutrition, and support food security.

LIFT works with a broad range of implementing partners, including non-governmental organizations, United Nations agencies, the private sector, civil society, and academic and research institutions. The Fund is active in the four main agro-ecological zones of Myanmar. For more details visit www.lift-fund.org.

Programme Management Senior Officers work under the overall oversight of the LIFT Fund Director and supervision by the LIFT  Senior Programme Manager. The Programme Management Senior Officer will work in the LIFT Programme Department reporting directly to the LIFT  Senior Programme Manager for their team in accordance with UNOPS policies, procedures, and practices. This position will take a leading role in working with projects in a specific geographic regions and liaising with assigned partners and projects working in those contexts.

Programme Management Senior Officer's responsibilities include the following:

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Manager and in accordance with UNOPS policies, procedures, and practices, the Programme Officer  will be responsible for: 

I. Supporting programme design and managing projects funded by LIFT: 

• Evaluating proposals, including work plans and budgets, submitted by applicants and ensuring that proposals are in compliance with LIFT policy and priorities and that proposals take into account work undertaken or planned by other donors.

• Reviewing work plans and reports submitted by LIFT implementing partners and ensuring they are sound, in line with contractual obligations, and with LIFT policy and priorities.

• Contributing to the preparation of the Fund Manager's work plans and reporting through analyzing information from implementing partners (IPs), drafting, and developing visual aids for presentational purposes as deemed necessary;

• Routine monitoring of funded project implementation progress (including regular field visits), activity results and impact, and project budgets. Support IPs by providing recommendations for adjustments to projects that reflect changing circumstances, and learn lessons for wider application.

• Ensuring relevant and timely feedback to/from IPs and beneficiaries that contributes to the wider monitoring and evaluation, and learning function of LIFT. Synthesize lessons and communicate to ensure project learning is translated into improved project design and implementation.

• Preparing briefing material as required for missions and/or discussions on project activities and status. 

•  Being a coordination focal of assigned geographic regions, ensuring  interaction with colleagues, clients, and partners to exchange information on operational activity, ensuring optimal cooperation, regular update on context, resolve routine operational issues, identify good practices and increase effectiveness. 

• Building effective working relationships with relevant stakeholders at the sub-national level, with a focus on civil society organizations, associated with LIFT projects.

• Maintaining excellent contact and working relationships with all implementation partners and other LIFT stakeholders whether in Yangon or in the field.

• Supporting implementing partners with capacity building and coordination initiatives. 

• Ensure LIFT reset strategic priorities (Conflict Sensitivity, Gender, Localization, Risk Management) are taken into account in partner interventions and that partners are supported with FMO available resources.

II. Contribute to effective knowledge management within LIFT. 

The main tasks include:

• Supporting LIFT’s M&E team to (a) develop and implement the Fund's M&E system, (b) ensure adequate feedback to/from LIFT implementing partners and beneficiaries, and (c) advise implementing partners on their own internal M&E systems. 

• Identifying and documenting key lessons of LIFT-funded projects. This includes identifying topics for special studies and conducting cost comparisons and value-for-money reviews where possible and relevant.

• Attending, and where required, leading relevant technical meetings and community of practice for partners.

• Contributing to the preparation of the LIFT work plans and reports.

• Undertaking needs and resource assessments and recommend additional action that may be necessary to ensure the effectiveness of LIFT and contribute to growing the livelihoods knowledge base in Myanmar.

• Maintain detailed knowledge of relevant issues in relation to the livelihoods, and promote information sharing among stakeholders.

• Support the senior programme manager in capturing and managing risks in the FMO risk register.

III. Other

• Draft terms of reference for contracted services on behalf of LIFT;

• Assist the Fund Manager with the translation of documents written in the Myanmar language;

• Other duties as assigned by the Senior Programme manager and Fund Director.

Education

• A Master's degree in rural development, economics, social science,  development studies, or related fields is required. 

• Additional 2 years of similar experience with a Bachelor's Degree is considered equivalent.

Work Experience 

• A minimum of 2 years of experience in project development and implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of humanitarian and development projects in Myanmar is required.

• Previous successful involvement with, and good knowledge of UN, NGOs, and civil society would be a major asset.

• Familiarity with operational contexts and conflicts in Myanmar is a major asset. 

• Knowledge of the political, economic, and social situation of Myanmar Is desirable.

• Computer literacy in Microsoft packages (MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access) is required. Experience with Google Suite is highly preferred.

Language

• Fluency in both written and spoken Myanmar language and English is required.

• Knowledge of other languages spoken in Myanmar, other than the Burmese language would be an asset.

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement
Contract level: LICA - 9
Contract duration: Open-ended (subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance)

• 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.