Programme Management Office Advisor (Head of Project Support Office)

Job categories Programme Management

Vacancy code VA/2025/B5506/30067

Level ICS-11

Department/office APR, MMCO, Myanmar

Duty station Yangon (Non-Family Duty Station), Myanmar

Contract type International ICA

Contract level IICA-3

Duration Open-ended (subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance)

Application period 25-Apr-2025 to 09-May-2025

Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.

Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.

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Background Information - Job-specific

UNOPS 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 is Principal Recipient for the Global Fund in Myanmar and for the Global Fund’s regional artemisinin-resistance initiative towards elimination of Malaria, which works to accelerate progress towards malaria elimination in the greater Mekong sub-region. UNOPS provides procurement, infrastructure and programme management services to a wide range of organizations in the country, international 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. UNOPS Myanmar Programme Management Office support includes, but not limited to grants management, budgeting and reporting, capacity assessment and building of implementing partners and oversight and compliance.

Functional Responsibilities

The primary role of the Programme Management Office Advisor (Head of Project Sup...

The primary role of the Programme Management Office Advisor (Head of Project Support Office) is to provide facilitation, guidance, advice and oversight to ensure the effective portfolio management, including towards the development, delivery and closure of projects in line with UNOPS standards and contribution goals, as well as the respective legal agreements and stakeholder expectations. This includes the rollout of the respective structures, tools and techniques to facilitate project implementation, governance, monitoring and quality assurance.

Under the supervision of the Head of Programme, the Programme Management Office Advisor (Head of Project Support Office) is responsible for the following:

Strategic Planning/Portfolio Support: Ensuring UNOPS is focused on doing the right projects by supporting management decision-making.
Delivery Support: Ensuring UNOPS is doing projects the right way, through the effective delivery of the programme and projects.
Best Practices: Applying UNOPS standards in project management, encouraging consistent working practices and ensuring appropriate application.

The primary role of the Programme Management Office Advisor (Head of Project Support Office) is to ensure that project management policies, processes and methods are followed and practised according to the organization standards, while acting as the overall Project Assurance capacity within the business unit on behalf of the MMCO Director and Representative (Executive). The Programme Management Office Advisor (Head of Project Support Office) directly impacts on achievement of project results by assisting the Head of Programme, Fund Directors, Senior Programme Managers to implement effective project management methods and strategies, reduce risks, cut costs and improve success rates. This consequently reinforces the visibility and image of the UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services.

Under direct supervision of the Head of Programme, the Programme Management Office Advisor (Head of Project Support Office) will be responsible for the following:

Summary of Key Functions

Development and planning
Set-up and closure
Monitoring and reporting
Stakeholder engagement
Quality assurance
Knowledge management and innovation
Personnel management
Training and Capacity Building
Centre of Excellence

1. Development and planning

In conjunction with the PSO team, provides appropriate levels of programmatic management and administrative support to the Head of Programme and to the MMCO Director regarding all ongoing project activities, while maintaining and implementing appropriate standards and best practices in line with UNOPS policies and procedures.
Provide advice and support to potential and current engagement of high value and/or risk, supporting Engagement Authorities in strengthening project governance structures and processes to enable achievement of high standards and consistency in line with UNOPS success criteria.
Directly contribute to strategic oversight, advice and direction on programme and project management activities in line with service agreements and project documents.
Ensure proper development, implementation and, as and when appropriate, amendments, of project budgets and staffing resources, ensuring synergies across the MMCO.
Develops and establishes resource tracking systems for use within the PSO, complementary to UNOPS' online tools, to ensure effective planning, forecasting and tracking of delivery across the MMCO.
Identify, and anticipate in a timely manner, potential risks and issues and advise mitigating measures to the Head of Programme.
Support the drafting of budget, budget revision, submission of EAC and drafting of LA for new projects and amendments.

2. Set-up and closure

Facilitate the development of high-level programme/project plans, including the collation of lower-level plans into programme/project-level milestones.
Develop, track and maintain dependencies and provide advice to management to ensure quality of delivery throughout the project lifecycle.
Liaise closely and support the Head of Programme and Head of Support Services in all project assets and finance related issues.
For project closure purposes, it acts as (or nominates and supervises) a focal point between the MMCO Units, working in close collaboration with Fund Directors(FDs)/Senior Programme Managers (SPMs)/Project Managers(PMs), Head of Support Services and Head of Finance, and donors throughout the process.
Oversee and coordinate all project closure activities, ensuring appropriate disposal of project assets, timely and effective final (operational) reporting, initiation of financial disbursements as appropriate during Defects Liability Periods, updating of information on the UNOPS Management Workspace (MWS), and effective handover of closed projects to UNOPS HQ for financial closure processes.

3. Monitoring and reporting

Support the UNOPS MMCO Head of Programme/Fund Directors/Senior Programme Managers/Programme Managers in regular review of project status, evaluating performance criteria (scope, cost, schedule and quality).
Prepare and issue regular project reports in accordance with donor guidelines for reporting.
Regularly review project status, evaluating performance criteria (scope, cost, schedule and quality).
Maintain diaries and progress reports as required by UNOPS standard procedures.
Identify and anticipates in a timely manner, potential risks and issues specific to delivery forecasts, and advises mitigating measures to the Project Executive (HoP/FDs/SPMs/MMCO Director)
Provide routine oversight and analysis of delivery data within the dashboard system, using UNOPS ERP system as required.
Perform routine maintenance and implementation of effective monitoring and evaluation systems of programme and project activities, in line with logical frameworks.
Within the context of monitoring and evaluation, ensure all projects submit and regularly update specific milestones and targets for the duration of projects' life-cycles, and track progress, or otherwise, against such information.
Provide editorial support to programmes and projects, ensuring effective and timely dissemination of reports, in line with project documentation and clients' expectations.
Provide the Head of Programme and Head of Support Services with necessary project analysis reports and information to support areas relevant to the project management team (i.e. Local Shared Services Costs, projections etc.).
Coordinate and oversee the implementation of requests or initiatives relevant to project management from the Regional Office, IPAS, and HQ Teams, as required.
Monitor the implementation of the MMCO Strategies.

4. Stakeholder engagement

Develop stakeholder profiles and facilitate the formulation of stakeholder engagement strategies.
Enable the formulation of programme and project communications plans.
Coordinate stakeholder engagement and communication, ensuring effective timing and interdependency management of communications across programmes and projects.
Coordinate internal programme/project communications.
Monitor the effectiveness of programme/project communications.

5. Quality assurance

Support the UNOPS MMCO HoP so that the monitoring of projects is carried out regularly in order to ensure accomplishment of set targets and results for projects/portfolios, delivery of services as per the agreed terms and conditions and in a timely manner.
Work with internal audit and finance to ensure the programme complies with audit requirements.
Work with procurement/purchasing staff to ensure effective interface with suppliers' quality systems.
Ensure compliance with UNOPS defined standards for programme/project management.
Coordinate quality reviews of programme/project documents and deliverables.
Ensure adequate quality management procedures are applied across MMCO projects/portfolios and provide quality control for management products (project documents, reports, etc.).
Forecast and track benefits (outcomes) to be realised based on the EAPMCO Benefit Management system and future corporate guidance.
Represent the Head of Programme in supporting key stakeholders to continuously identify and improve operational processes relevant to project implementation.
Support the Head of Programme to ensure there is adequate risk-based internal control system and mechanisms in place which are exercised on a regular basis as per the appropriate guidelines, MMCO SoPs and corporate policies and procedures.
Represent MMCO HoP in supporting key stakeholders to continuously identify and improve operational processes relevant to project implementation.

6. Knowledge management and innovation

Act as a focal point for the MMCO maturity enhancement initiatives.
Make recommendations on policy and tools and contribute to the development of guidance material and tools that advance MMCO strategic project management goals
Ensure routine and effective capacity building activities are conducted in order to build the long-term and sustainable capacity of national staff.
Participate in, and advocate PMs' participation in, relevant Communities of Practice.
Actively interact with PMs and the wider PM community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practices in the Knowledge System.
Provide feedback to Practice Leads on policy and supporting guidance working to achieve continuous improvement of UNOPS policies.
Contribute to the oversight of lessons learned procedures, ensuring that lessons learnt are shared in a timely and appropriate manner.

7. Personnel Management

Exercise control of all staffing issues within the PSO team including recruitment, on-boarding and staff performance reviews.
Directly contributes to the development and maintenance of budget and resource availability tables in conjunction with project managers and relevant project staff.
Promote and support a learning culture by empowering individuals and teams to identify critical learning needs and plan/provide easy access to learning opportunities to maintain personnel competency and flexibility.
Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

8. Training and capacity building

Provide advice and support to project management practitioners on how to embed best practices of project and programme governance, risk management, project and programme management

Support and provide training and internal consulting in project and programme management and provide project and programme development advice and assistance to EAPMCO personnel, as required, in support of IPMG initiatives and roll-outs

Strengthen the knowledge, skills and career development of project management practitioners

People and skills – identify skills and competence shortages to deliver the portfolio of changes and recommend suitable development.

9. Centre of Excellence

Through leadership and support, build a recognized centre of excellence in programme management by setting and attaining high standards, defining and encouraging consistent practices and procedures, and delivering reliable quality services.

Contribute to documenting UNOPS Myanmar fund management and programme/Project management experience and in making that expertise available to other business units within UNOPS.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education Postgraduate (Advanced) accredited university degree (Master&rsqu...

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and ex...

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International Individual Contract Agreement Contract level: IICA-...

Additional Information

Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. Applic...

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.

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