Senior Programme Manager (Senior Regional Programme Advisor)

The Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC) was established in 2018 for the efficient delivery of Global Fund grants implementation, technical assistance of health initiatives and programmes, and the provision of quality pharmaceuticals and health products in the Asia Region of UNOPS. The ARHC aims to significantly impact the targets of UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 on good health and well-being, by expanding the population benefitting from UNOPS-managed health-related engagements across the Asia Region. 

The ARHC portfolio manages the Principal Recipient (PR) Programme of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund, GFATM) in Asia, currently with grants in Cambodia, Lao, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. ARHC is a technical hub for supporting UNOPS Country Offices in providing transactional procurement services for pharmaceuticals and health products, and offers technical advice in health programming as well as in expanding the AR portfolio in health.

Under the direct supervision of the ARHC Programme Director, the Senior Regional Programme Advisor, based in the ARHC office in Bangkok, Thailand, is the lead technical expert advisor and main technical resource for supporting the Programme Director and the Head of Programme of ARHC and guiding and leading the programme expert teams in programme development, implementation, performance management of UNOPS ARHC programmes. S/he is the chief technical advisor for strategic coordination of programme content development, establishing performance management of implementation, national capacity building, health systems strengthening and technical scientific information analysis. As a senior member of the Regional ARHC Management Team, s/he will assume an active role in advising programme direction and guiding programmatic adaptations to changing circumstances.

Advising the Programme Director and the Head of Programme of ARHC in programme development, implementation management and health system strengthening

• Provide technical advice and guidance in the development of evidence based programming and health system strengthening.

• Provide technical advice in the programmatic discussions and negotiations with donors and governments on issues related to programme and health systems.

• Advise and guide the ARHC Programme Teams, composed of several international and national experts in all countries of implementation, in programme development and implementation work, policy development, M&E and performance management;

• Provide technical advice to ensure effective implementation of grant-programming for investments in HIV, Malaria and TB, in line with international best practices and provide leadership on performance and achievements;

• Maintain a detailed knowledge base of all relevant issues impacting public health, in the context of HIV, TB in Myanmar and Malaria in all the GMS countries;

• Provide technical advice on policies, strategies, best practices and procedures related to GFATM grants;

• PRovide technical advice on UNOPS periodic reporting (Progress Updates) to the Global Fund and provide recommendations to improve performance.

Health system strengthening in programming

• Provide technical advice on the coordination of the implementation of health systems activities so that MOHs’ and donor priorities are met.

• Provide technical advice on health systems strengthening across the GMS.

• Manage knowledge and information dissemination throughout the GMS countries, keeping UNOPS PR and its key partners abreast of important developments. 

Capacity building 

• Identify and advise on potential implementation problems and bottlenecks. 

• Advise the teams in national capacity building activities in all GMS countries.

• Technically support national strategic planning in proposal writing for resource mobilization. 

• Conduct trainings for partners to maintain and operate a smooth programme implementation capabilities and M&E management system. 

Knowledge sharing and management 

• Promote an active learning culture for the PR and its partners and facilitate information sharing on all aspects of the work related to public health in ARHC and in the countries; 

• Advise on strengthening the knowledge base by facilitating lessons learned and feedback sessions with partners;

• Assist SRs to develop the required capacities and competencies in providing health services and implementing their plans.

Impact of Results 

• Context specific best practices are programmed into all ARHC health programmes;

• AR Country Offices are receiving highly evidence based technical advice;

• ARHC health portfolio is expanding;

• All ARHC programmes deliver expected results and grant rating is reflecting good achievements;

• New health programmes are set up swiftly in a context specific and competent fashion.

a. Education 

• Master University Degree in medicine, public health, epidemiology, with 10 years of relevant experience.  

• A Bachelor’s Degree within the same fields with additional two years of relevant experience may also be accepted in lieu of a Master’s degree.

b. Experience 

• At least 10 years of relevant experience (or more depending on academic credentials) in programme management in public health in a developing country is required.

• At least 7 years of experience and expertise with proven track record at a strategic level in public health programmes in particular either with HIV, TB and Malaria is required.

• An in-depth understanding of national and international development issues related to HIV & AIDS, TB & Malaria is required.

• Strong interpersonal, coordination and negotiation skills, as well as sensitivity to culture, gender and the local environment is a significant asset.

• Proven networking, team building and motivational, organizational, leadership and communication skills are a significant asset;

• Prior experience and familiarity with the PR is required;

• Proven ability to handle a complex, multi-dimensional portfolio, particularly in a challenging and complex socio-political environment is an asset;.

• Good writing and analytical skills is an asset;

• Previous experience in South and/or South-east Asia is required; 

• Prior experience of working for challenging operating environments, cross-border and hard to reach areas particularly in the field of Public Health (with emphasis on HIV, TB and Malaria) would be a significant asset; 

• Good knowledge of donor organizations, especially the Global Fund and experience in working with NGOs and civil society is an asset; 

c. Language

• Fluency in both written and spoken English is required; 

Contract type: ICA
Contract level: IICA 4
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.