Deputy Programme Manager

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.

Project information

The World Bank (WB) has established the Myanmar Strengthening Community Resilience (SCORE) Project with a project duration of 3.5 years, starting in the latter half of 2025. The SCORE project aims to help targeted communities in 5-6 states to cope with and recover from the various on-going crises in the country, and to prepare for and strengthen their ability to withstand future shocks. The project will strengthen the capacity of vulnerable communities to address short- to medium-term development priorities through training, facilitation support, community-based infrastructure, and livelihoods assistance provided through block grants.

SCORE will be managed by UNOPS and delivered through a network of experienced Implementing Partners (IPs), through two components. The first component will finance the repair or renovation of small-scale, climate-resilient social and economic infrastructure (roads or irrigation canals, water and sanitation structures, schools or health clinics) and basic livelihoods support (seeds and tools for agriculture production, community revolving funds, and basic training). All needs will be identified through a participatory process. It also includes emergency top-up grants to the targeted townships in the event of a natural disaster or human-made crisis. The second component will support capacity strengthening of the communities, which includes training and assistance in participatory problem analysis and planning, household and community vulnerability mapping (including climate change and disaster risks), simple financial management and procurement procedures, application of simplified environmental and social risk standards, inclusion of women and marginalized groups, and technical training and guidance.

Job specific

The Deputy Programme Manager’s role supports the Senior Programme Manager (SPM) by overseeing the day-to-day administration and implementation of the SCORE Project. This responsibility requires a thorough grounding in the key principles that underpin the SCORE Project’s approach, in line with the SCORE Project’s localization agenda, and experience with developing participatory approaches and downward accountability. This principled foundation must be accompanied by sharp programme management skills, an eye for detail and planning, and solid experience managing contractual and programmatic processes, including activity planning, and relationship management. The DPM will manage the SCORE Project’s Livelihood & Capacity Building Programme Unit and oversee the work of the Infrastructure Unit. In addition, SPM will report to, and work closely with, the SPM who directly oversees Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL), Environmental and Social Safeguarding, and Grant /operational activities.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent), preferably in social science, international development, business administration, 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. 

• Programme Management Certification such as PRINCE2® or MSP® or PMP® is an asset.

Experience 

• A minimum of 7 years of progressively relevant project or programme management experience is required and out of this at least 3 years of experience in any of the fields, community driven development, infrastructure, livelihoods, or related areas is required.

• Solid experience managing programmes at a programmatic level with financial oversight 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 with previous experience working in Grants Management is desirable.

• Experience with participatory, multi-sectoral community-driven development projects is an asset.

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

• Previous experience with World Bank-funded projects would be an asset.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English and Myanmar is required.

• Knowledge of an additional UN language is desirable.

• Knowledge of other languages spoken in Myanmar would be an advantage.

• 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.