Programme Manager (Geographic Portfolio), Multiple positions

Myanmar is one of UNOPS’ leading offices in Asia, acting as fund manager for some of the largest development Programmes in the country. 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, including 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.

Project Information

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.

Job Specific

Under the supervision of the Programme Management Specialist (Programme Operations and Coordination), the Programme Manager (Geographic Portfolios) will contribute and lead the design of targeted strategies focused on specific regions and ensure the implementation, adaptation, and sustainability of the deliverables related to LIFT´s mandate across their assigned portfolio.

The Programme Manager will lead a team to ensure the efficiency and quality of deliverables, and stakeholder engagement and management. 

• Contribute to the development of programme design requirements to effectively implement LIFT Strategy.

• Establish, execute, and monitor the work plan in collaboration with the geographic team and partners.

• Oversee evaluation and ensure proposals are in line with LIFT Strategy priorities,  based on need, adapted to the context,  and are technically sound. 

• Monitor implementation of activities including reviewing budgets, cash flow, and obligations to ensure that deliverables are met on time. 

• Ensure proactive risk identification, assessment, and implementation of mitigation measures and escalation of issues to the supervisor.  

• Manage and oversee regular reports, briefs, and other relevant documentation and reporting requirements as per UNOPS procedures and legal requirements are met.

• Facilitate implementing partners’ capacity assessment and development efforts,  including ensuring follow-up actions are implemented, incorporating best practices and assessment tools.

• Consolidate lessons learned and best practices sharing knowledge within the Fund and implementing partners.

• Monitor the coordination and follow-up of the audits of implementing partners. 

• Build and maintain a solid working relationship with the programme's key stakeholders.

• Lead communications with stakeholders to ensure they are aware of the Programme´s activities, progress, and other relevant information.

• Coordinate with internal LIFT teams to support appropriate and effective networking or presence of LIFT in relevant priority and complementary areas according to LIFT Strategy.

• Manage programme resources following UNOPS polices, standards of ethics, integrity and accountability framework, and financial sustainability.

• Understand and map the programme's needs to recruit the most suitable talent to comply with the donor's expectations.

• Actively participate or lead capacity strengthening sessions to continuously update and upskill the team´s competencies and to ensure scaling performance.

• Foster a positive work environment, respectful of every individual, and ensure that the highest standards of ethics and behaviors are observed within the team. 

• Ensure a quality and comprehensive execution of the performance management processes.

• Manage and track resource management ensuring alignment with UNOPS policies and processes. 

• Assess and facilitate improvement of existing knowledge management practices and frameworks within the program, identifying key gaps, challenges, and areas for improvement,  ensuring alignment with program goals and LIFT priorities.

• Synthesize and consolidate insights from internal and external sources—such as research, sectoral trends, and lessons learned—into potential actions for program improvement. 

• Oversee application of established concepts, policies, and sector best practices to refine and drive innovation in program design and delivery. 

• Foster a culture of knowledge sharing, continuous learning, and reflection across the program by facilitating initiatives to enhance cross-program knowledge exchange. 

• Oversee implementation of applicable insights on emerging sector trends, innovations, and best practices, to enhance program performance and impact.

Education:

• A Master’s Degree preferably in Agriculture, Nutrition, Natural Resource Management, Political or Social Sciences, or a related field is required. 

• A relevant Bachelor’s Degree preferably in the fields above, and two (2) additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master´s degree. 

Certifications:

• PRINCE2® Foundation or Practitioner is an asset. 

• Programme or Project Management Professional (MSP® or PMI-PgMP/PMI-PMP) is highly desirable. 

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in programme or project management is required.

• A minimum of 3 years of experience in programme implementation focusing on the following thematic areas: food security, livelihoods, agriculture, nutrition, or similar fields relevant to LIFT is required. 

• Experience managing a team is required.

• Experience in coordinating or managing diverse stakeholders is required. 

• Knowledge and experience in project management methodologies such as Prince 2, Agile, or Six Sigma is an advantage.  

• Experience working with the UN or international organizations is highly desirable.

• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (e.g. MS Office newer versions, Google Suite Applications) is required.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English is required.

• Proficiency in Burmese is required.

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)
Contract level: LICA-10
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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. 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.