Deputy Fund Director, LIFT Fund

UNOPS Myanmar

Myanmar is one of UNOPS’ leading offices in Asia, acting as fund manager for some of the largest development programmes in the country, namely the Access to Health, the Livelihoods and Food Security Fund (LIFT), the Joint Peace Fund (JPF), and the Nexus Response Mechanism. 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.

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.

LIFT Fund is structured in four teams reporting to the Fund Director: Technical and Strategy; Programme and Operations;  Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning; and Communications. Within the Technical and Strategy team, there are technical leads; within the Programme and Operations team, there are geographic teams and the Programme Management Team, as well as a MEAL Lead and team and a Communications Lead and team. The Deputy Fund Director will play a crucial role in leading the Fund, supporting teams, and enhancing the Fund’s ability to implement the LIFT 2024-2028 strategy. The Deputy Fund Director will directly oversee the Technical and Strategy; Programme and Operations; and Communications Teams.  

Under the direct supervision of the Fund Director,  the Deputy Fund Director will bring excellent strategic leadership skills, a track record of success achieving results in complex, conflict-affected areas; and strong grounding in food security, livelihoods, and nutrition. They will be expected to address the following key challenges: 

Leadership and Management

• Under the supervision of the Fund Director, provide leadership to LIFT Fund Management Office.

• Act (ad interim) in the Fund Director’s role when required, e.g. in the absence of the Fund Director.

• In delivering on the LIFT’s strategy, provide the Fund Director, Fund Board, and Fund Board Working Group with strategic analysis, advice and guidance for programme opportunities and associated risks.

• Provide strategic oversight to the portfolio and thematic quality assurance in the implementation of LIFT’s strategy.

• Identify bottlenecks or issues that prevent the Fund from delivering their objectives, and initiate and lead or support adjustments or facilitations for improvement when required.

• Together with relevant teams, take responsibility for risk management, work planning, learning, and knowledge managementOversee and improve programme quality and compliance, including the Fund’s approach to ‘downstream partners’ (sub-grantees).

• Supervise, manage, and coach the technical and programme teams so that the task and duties are clearly linked to delivering the LIFT strategic objective and outcomes.

• Manage consultants and technical experts, ensuring the provision of coordinated and consistent expert advice to key stakeholders and their teams. 

• Help identify, share, and build on best practices and lessons learned in programming, policy, and management across the organization.

• Lead regular and ongoing strategic reviews of LIFT’s portfolio and approaches to ensure the Fund’s investments maximize results and value for money. Together with relevant Senior Management Team members, oversee the implementation of corrective measures. 

• Work with teams to ensure that LIFT delivers on the multi-year strategy.

• Ensure embedding of strategic issues - including climate, gender, social protection, and localization - in the Fund’s work.

• Support or lead strategic discussions related to LIFT’s work. 

Donors-relations and Partnerships

• Under the overall authority of and delegated by the Fund Director, represent LIFT in its relations with donors and other partners. 

• Play a key role in LIFT’s work on financing opportunities and risks, meeting donor expectations, and harnessing new sources of funding. 

• Build and strengthen strategic relations with stakeholders.  

• Build and maintain strong relations with partners.

• Master's degree preferably in rural development, business administration or management, public administration, or international relations is required. 
• Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience is considered an equivalent.

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA)
Contract level: IICA-3
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.


For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:

• 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.

• This position is stationed in Yangon, Myanmar which is a non-family duty station.

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.