Programme Manager

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 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. Additionally, 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.

The European Union Nexus Response Mechanism (NRM) is an EU-funded programme designed to operationalize what has largely been a theoretical concept through the funding and implementation of innovative, tailor-made, flexible, and rights-based activities along the humanitarian-development- peace (H-D-P) spectrum in Myanmar. The NRM’s overall objective is to contribute to lasting peace and national reconciliation, security, stability and sustainable development in Myanmar by reducing vulnerabilities and building the resilience of communities affected by conflict or natural disasters.

NRM’s interventions are designed to pilot new ways of working and are aimed at contributing to systemic change. Both its short-term and long-term interventions incorporate rights objectives and pathways for advocacy and policy dialogue, ensuring that programming is accompanied by substantive efforts to address rights and structural challenges in Myanmar. To ensure its projects are holistically designed, the NRM utilizes a three-pillared approach focused on the integration of H-D-P sectors and the incorporation of a rights-based approach, the transformation of power dynamics and imbalances through greater localization and inclusion, and accountability to both donors and communities through adaptive project design and a robust learning agenda. 

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Manager and in accordance with the UNOPS policies, procedures and practices, the Programme Manager shall carry out the following duties: 

• Support the Senior Programme Manager through the day-to-day management of the NRM’s programmes and projects

• Support the design process of programmes and projects mandated by the Steering Committee by commissioning joint assessments by the Due Diligence and Conflict Analysis Facility(DDCAF) and leading consultations with communities for the selection of priority areas and collective outcomes.

• Coordinate the proposal evaluation process and engage with selected partners to refine proposals into programmes/projects aligned with the NRM overall strategy and MEAL framework, including by: ensuring the inclusion of gender transformative project activities; the use of participatory methods and community feedback mechanisms for project design and monitoring; and prioritizing implementation by communities and local civil society partners.

• In collaboration with the Senior Programme Manager, lead grant contracting processes with support from UNOPS Programme Management Office’s Grants team and ensure that planned activities are feasible and impactful and follow a realistic work plan; that proposal budgets are appropriate and cost-efficient, and that due diligence processes are followed in line with UNOPS rules and procedures.

• In collaboration with the Senior Programme Manager, manage implementing partners and ensure that NRM programmes/projects are implemented effectively and achieve their intended outcomes. Ensure that all programmes/projects are high quality and adhere to NRM and UNOPS systems, processes and guidelines.

• Support the Senior Programme Manager in managing the performance in the areas of finance (budget/cash flow/expenditure), work planning and resource mobilization, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), programmatic/administrative (including audit results) and procurement operations.

• Support the Senior Programme Manager in ensuring that principles of human rights, conflict sensitivity, gender equity, peace, voice and accountability, ‘doing no harm’ and aid effectiveness in all activities associated with the programme.

• Oversee programmatic advisors and consultants engaged to support programme implementation.

• Maintain the NRM’s risk register relating to its programming and ensure that risks are adequately identified and mitigated.

• Oversee audits and evaluations of implementing partners in line with the NRM MEAL Framework and Operational Guidelines.

• In collaboration with the Senior Programme Manager and MEAL Advisor, work with selected implementing partners have a coherent and well-considered, actor-centred theory of change.

• With support from the MEAL Advisor and MEAL Specialist, lead the formulation of programmatic MEAL frameworks in consultation with implementing partners at the outset of programmes.

• Coordinate the intermediate-level MEAL system and ensure the NRM MEAL Framework is appropriately implemented by the Due Diligence and Conflict Analysis Facility(DDCAF) and implementing partners, including the implementation of the NRM’s Vulnerability and Resilience Index.

• Ensure that partner MEAL systems adequately incorporate community feedback mechanisms and utilize the information to adapt project activities accordingly.

• Ensure periodic check-ins on the NRM’s programmes/projects, utilizing MEAL data to inform changes in programmatic direction.

• Develop and maintain an information and knowledge management system with assistance from the NRM MEAL Specialist, including a system for aggregating MEAL results from implementing partners, and a database of lessons learned that can be shared with project stakeholders.

• Remain up to date on national and international literature on the Nexus and humanitarian-development-peace programming best practices that can be incorporated in the NRM’s approach.

• Participate in UNOPS and external communities of practice and contribute to broader discussions on best practices.

• Support the Senior Programme Manager in the drafting of programme reporting for NRM donors.

• Participate in communications with implementing partners at all stages of the project cycle.

• Ensure effective coordination and communication between partners working in the NRM’s programmes/projects.

• Build and maintain relationships with programme stakeholders, including implementing partners, community beneficiaries, and external organizations.

• Ensure that partner relations are equitable and that power imbalances, particularly between national and international partners, are mitigated.

• As necessary, develop a capacity support system to assist local partners in applying for NRM funding and project implementation.

• When delegated, act as UNOPS Myanmar focal person for Nexus-related matters towards the Government, UN partners, donor, civil society and implementing partners.

• Ensure compliance with UNOPS organizational policy

• Ensure all reporting requirements as per legal agreement as well as internal UNOPS rules are met 

• Support the Senior Programme Manager in maintaining critical programme records / documents on the UNOPS Google Shared Drive (online audit / record retention folder)

• Support the Senior Programme Manager in ensuring that all Programme activities comply with UNOPS Financial Regulations and Rules (FRR)

• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for corporate development planning and knowledge building 

• Plan, implement and organise capacity building of personnel, partners and stakeholders.

• Manage the Programme Management Specialist supporting programme management and MEAL Specialist carrying out day-to-day functions on MEAL, as well as programmatic advisors , consultants, and interns through the development of TORs, work plans, and delivery of deliverables with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance.

• Ensure that personnel behaviour is consistent with UN values.

• Ensure that performance reviews are conducted

• Take part in selection, recruit and assure training of the team as required by programme plans

• Ensure safety and security for all personnel and comply with UNDSS standards

The Programme Manager will report to the Senior Programme Manager and make contributions as per these TOR. A work plan will be formulated and agreed between the Senior Programme Manager and the Programme Manager with clearly defined outputs, milestones and reporting requirements.

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent), preferably in law/human rights, social science, international development, business administration, gender analysis, public administration,  international relations or related areas is required.
• Bachelor’s Degree with Additional 2 years of relevant work experience to the above duties and responsibilities may be accepted in lieu of Master Degree.
• PM Certification such as PRINCE2® or MSP® or PMP® is an asset. 

• A minimum of 5 years of progressively relevant working experience is required and out of this at least 3 years in conflict analysis, peace building and reconciliation, recovery and livelihoods, humanitarian response or humanitarian-development- peace nexus or related areas is required.

• Solid experience managing programmes at a programmatic level with financial oversight is required.

• Significant experience in designing, implementing and maintaining innovative MEAL systems is required.

• Solid practical experience in working with the UN, donors, Non-governmental organizations, public sector and/or civil society is required.

• A background in power and/or gender analysis, conflict analysis, conflict sensitivity and do no harm, and localization is a strong asset.

• Working experience in and knowledge of Myanmar’s conflict affected areas will be a strong asset. 

• Knowledge of aid architecture is essential with previous experience working in Grants Management is desirable.

• Solid experience of managing, or having worked in a senior position with large national or international NGOs, especially at field level, is an asset.

• Fluency in English is required.

• Knowledge of an additional UN language is desirable.

• Knowledge of Myanmar language is desirable.

Contract type:     International Individual Contractor Agreement 
Contract level:    IICA 2/ICS10
Contract duration:   Open ended (subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance)

• 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.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• 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 (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• 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.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.