Fund Director, Access to Health Fund

Contract

This is a P-6 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 10 years of experience, depending on education. More about P-6 contracts.

Background Information - Myanmar

UNOPS Myanmar

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 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. 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.

Access to Health

The Access to Health Fund aims to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations in conflict-affected areas of Myanmar. The Fund works with key stakeholders to increase people’s access to health services (maternal, newborn and child health, sexual and reproductive health and rights, combating HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria) and to strengthen health systems.

The Access to Health Fund is supported by the governments of the United Kingdom, Sweden, the United States, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Norway. Two other donors support the Fund’s activities, including Takeda, a private donor, provides dedicated funding to Access, with a focus on health services for marginalized and vulnerable populations in conflict-affected and hard-to-reach areas, and on health system strengthening.

Background Information - Job-specific

The Fund Director will lead the Access to Health Fund Management Office by providing leadership and strategic direction, and promoting best practice in performance and delivery of the Fund’s mission and goals. The Fund Director will need to demonstrate strong management skills and be an advocate of continued external support for health in Myanmar. The incumbent will have exceptional ability to support health work in challenging environments, including conflict areas. They will also need excellent partnership skills, working with a broad range of stakeholders to achieve tangible results for people in need.

*** While the duty station for this position will be Yangon, Myanmar, the incumbent is expected to be based in Bangkok, Thailand temporarily until an appropriate Myanmar visa can be obtained.***

Functional Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the UNOPS Myanmar Country Director & Representative, working closely with the Board composed of the Fund’s Donors, and in close coordination with key stakeholders, the Fund Director will be responsible for:

1. Stakeholder Management

• Establish solid working relationships based on trust with the Fund Board, current and potential partners and key stakeholders.
• Manage Access to Health communications with stakeholders regarding Fund activities, progress and exceptions, enabling their ability to accept handover of Fund deliverables.
• Advise the partners on issues that may impact the achievement of their outcomes.
• Manage the information flows between the Fund Board, the UNOPS Myanmar Director and Representative and the UNOPS team dedicated to Access to Health.
• Represent Access to Health and UNOPS at external events and meetings.
• Represent Access to Health in the UNOPS Management Group (MG) to ensure coordination, effective delivery and information sharing.
• Seek new donors for the Access to Health Fund, if required.

2. Delivery and Performance

• Oversee the implementation of approved programme plans, manage the delivery of the programme’s outputs, and initiate corrective action where necessary.
• Authorize, monitor and control work packages to be delivered by the UNOPS team or by implementing partners.
• Advise the Fund Board on architecture and processes to strengthen Access to Health’s engagement at all levels
• Identify and manage risks, advising the Fund Board and UNOPS Myanmar Director and Representative of deviations that have or will exceed set tolerances as approved in the programme plan.
• Monitor and evaluate performance of service providers.
• Represent UNOPS at Fund Board meetings on a periodic basis as ex officio, non voting member in order to discuss key issues and propose solutions to challenges that arise.
• Monitor progress of the programme at a strategic level and ensure periodic progress and updates are made to the Fund Board.

3. Procedures

• Ensure compliance with UNOPS organizational policy and UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations.
• Manage the Access to Health Fund Management Office to ensure performance of the Fund in the areas of programmatic/technical results delivery, financial management (budget/cash flow/expenditure), work planning and resource mobilization, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), administrative (including regular reporting and audit results) and procurement operations.
• Manage budgets, cash flow and obligations, taking accountability for expenditures against the budget; ensure that deliverables are met and payments to contractors, grantees/ implementing partners and personnel are received on time.
• Understand and manage UNOPS pricing policy and related corporate charges as they apply to Access to Health.
• Ensure implementing partner capacity is commensurate with funding requirements.
• Ensure appropriate measures have been documented in a Closure Plan to facilitate the transition of operations in the final stage of delivery.

4. Knowledge Management

• Provide feedback to Practice Leads on policy, supporting guidance with an aim towards continuous improvement of UNOPS policies complete lessons learned as per reporting format.
• Support UNOPS Myanmar’s efforts in being a centre of excellence for programme management.

Impact of Results

The Fund Director will ensure that the Access to Health Fund continues to improve access to health for vulnerable populations in Myanmar, continues to deliver value for money, and continues to nurture constructive relationships with the Fund’s partners - including donors, implementing partners, the UN, and others.

Competencies

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. Functional Competencies Knowledge Management and Learning

• In-depth knowledge of public health, economic and social development issues, and maternal, newborn and child health, sexual and reproductive health and rights, communicable diseases, and health systems strengthening.
• Ability to advocate and provide strategic policy advice.
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.
• . Promotes a learning culture for Access to Health Fund and its partners.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting.
• Ability to lead implementation and M&E of health programmes and projects.
• Ability to lead the implementation of new systems
• Excellent conceptual and analytical abilities

Management and Leadership

• Focuses on impact and results and responds positively to feedback.
• As a UNOPS MG member, ensures that Access to Health Fund activities are effectively integrated and benefit from internal synergies.
• Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Builds strong relationships with key stakeholders
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
• Ability to go beyond established procedures and models, and create new approaches.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education - Master's degree preferably in public health, medicine, epidemiology, health economics, sociology/anthropology and health, or related disciplines, business administration, public administration, international relations or related subjects. - A Bachelor's degree in these areas with a minimum of 12 years of relevant experience is considered as an equivalent.

Experience - At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in programme/project management is required in public health. - Solid experience in understanding health systems and managing large health-related programmes at a strategic level with financial oversight is a great asset. - Solid practical experience in working with the UN, non-governmental organizations, public sector and/or civil society is required. - Knowledge and experience of working in Myanmar is a strong asset. Previous experience in South and/or South-east Asia is an asset. - Experience and understanding of working in conflict- affected areas is a great asset. - Knowledge of public sector financial rules, procurement and/or grant-making practices is an asset. - Prior experience in public health policy dialogue/development at a high level is an asset. - Knowledge of aid architecture in health is essential with previous experience working in the context of Fund/Grants Management is an asset.

Language - Fluency in English required. - Knowledge of an additional UN language or a Myanmar language is an asset.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Staff

Contract level: P6 Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability

For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.aspx

Additional Information

• 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.