Civil Society Expert ( Retainer Consultant )

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 Three Millennium Development Goal Fund (3MDG), the Livelihood and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT) and the Joint Peace Fund (JPF). In addition, UNOPS Myanmar is Principal Recipient for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Myanmar and Cambodia, and for the Global Fund¹s Regional Artemisinin-resistance Initiative targeting drug resistant malaria in the Greater Mekong sub-region. UNOPS provides procurement, infrastructure and project management services to a wide range of organizations in the country, including the Government of Myanmar, international development partners, other UN agencies, NGOs and INGOs. UNOPS Myanmar plays a critical role in ensuring that the quality of services provided to its partners meets stringent requirements of speed, efficiency and cost effectiveness.

Under the direct supervision of LIFT Program Coordinator,the consultant will design and pilot both studies.

For the “Indirect Cost” study most of the data-collection will be done by the small-grants Fund’s teams as part of their end-of-grant Participatory Learning Exercises with each CSO partner. Communication/publication is a key element of the concept. It is likely that the wider audience of CSOs will be able to draw new ideas from the study’s findings.

For the first study, a tentative plan of all tasks is outlined below: 

The consultant will be working closely with partners of LIFT, such as the current small grant fund managers, and the 3MDG programme (another multi-donor fund working with CSOs). 

Note: The design and piloting of the “Indirect cost study” would take 4-6 consulting days. For 3-4 of these days, a local consultant (or possibly an FMO staff-member) would be required. The arrangement of this support will be the responsibility of LIFT. The detailed methodology for the second study on “Learning the effectiveness of LIFT’s civil society strengthening initiatives” will be developed next year.

 Activities / Tasks include to the following: 

A detailed work plan will be elaborated with the consultant at the onset of the contract. The number of days will be agreed during this period, currently, total time required is estimated to be around 50 days, with half of this working remotely. 

The Consultant will be required to travel in Myanmar. Travel logistics will be arranged by the LIFT Fund Manager Office.   

Monitoring and Progress Controls

The Civil Society Expert will work in close coordination with local and International Programme Officers under the direct supervision of the LIFT Programme Coordinator. He/she will be expected to report in a timely fashion on the agreed workplan. 

Deliverables for the assignment: 

The following documents / events will be required at the agreed times:

For the two studies (3.1 and 3.2), following deliverables are expected for each:

• Design the study and have the design approved by LIFT
• Inception reports, including refined study objectives, major questions, sampling strategy, data collection instruments (i.e., FGD and KII topic guides), and work plan
• Debriefing workshop with IPs and LIFT to discuss the findings, lessons, and proposed recommendations (one week after completing the field trip)
• A single Draft Final Report for each study (one week after the briefing presentation)
• A single Final Report for each study (up to seven days after receiving final written feedback from LIFT)

For the support to CSO (3.3) following deliverables are expected:

• Design and organize civil society learning workshop with CSPO
• Other documents as requested by LIFT FMO

For the entire consultancy, following deliverables are expected:

-          Inception report with agreed workplan

Education

• A Master’s degree in Development Policy, Community Development and or any subject relevant to the TOR is required. Additional two years of similar experience with a Bachelor’s Degree is considered as equivalent.

Work Experience

• A minimum 5 years of professional experience in the field of civil society strengthening is required. 
• Experience in conducting qualitative research in social and economic development is required. 
• Proven understanding of the socio-economic and political situation in Myanmar is desirable.
• Extensive experience of working with civil society organizations in Myanmar would be an asset.
• Proven ability in establishing good working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders with different cultural backgrounds is preferable.
• A sound understanding of livelihoods and food security issues in South-East Asia and/or Myanmar is an advantage.

Language: 

• Fluency in both written and spoken English is required. Excellent report writing skills are required.  

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Applicants are requested to:

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.