Monitoring & Evaluation Advisor (Value for Money) - Retainer

Contract

This is a IICA-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-3 contracts.

Background Information - Myanmar

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), and acting as the Principal Recipient for the Global Fund in Myanmar. UNOPS provides procurement, infrastructure, and project management services to a wide range of organisations 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.

Background Information - Job-specific

Access to Health Fund

The Access to Health Fund aims to improve Health outcomes for vulnerable populations in conflict-affected areas of Myanmar. The Access to Health Fund is supported by 8 donors - the United Kingdom, Sweden, the United States, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, Norway and the corporate responsibility department of Takeda Pharmaceuticals .

Access to Health Fund strengthens the health system at all levels, extending access for poor and vulnerable populations to quality health services. The Access to Health Fund has a particular focus on improving health equity in Myanmar, with emphasis on the hardest-to-reach and most vulnerable populations, many in conflict-affected areas. Focus areas of the Fund include maternal, newborn and child health, combating HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, and health system strengthening to deliver sustainable, efficient and responsive healthcare across Myanmar.

Value for Money (defined as maximizing the impact of each dollar spent on the Fund’s pursued goals, on shaping key health sector actors’ behavior, and on the health sector’s cost-efficiency, to prepare the country for Universal Health Coverage) is an important consideration both in the Fund’s operations and in the implementation of Access-supported health activities.

The Access to Health Fund’s predecessor (the 3MDG Fund) undertook a number of Value for Money assessments and special studies; Value for Money was also integrated into 3MDG Fund’s operations from the grant management and procurement perspectives. What was lacking was a consistently operationalized Value for Money Framework at all levels, executive responsibility for Value for Money, and sufficient technical capacities in this area within the Fund Management Office. Review of 3MDG Value for Money implementation will provide useful lessons learnt for ACCESS.

Value for Money Framework for Access to Health fund was first developed in 2020, and the report was submitted in 2021 to the Fund Board. In 2022, the framework was adjusted and updated. The Value for Money Framework for the Fund, aligned with DFID’s 4E framework, clearly set out how Value for Money will be assessed (indicators and data requirements). The framework took into account the Fund’s more complex scope and a more resource-constrained situation, both in terms of human and financial resources, as well as all of the following:

1. The focus of the Fund’s Strategy on vulnerable populations in conflict-affected areas
2. Extensive geographic coverage of the Fund and greater coverage of EHO-served areas
3. Limitations in availability and quality of routinely-collected program data on health services, Limitations of Implementing Partners in financial reporting capacities
4. Challenges of conducting surveys and special studies, particularly in conflict-affected areas.

Functional Responsibilities

Assessment and report writing

Using the Value for Money Framework, the advisor is expected to

• Advise on methods and indicators to measure the different dimensions (4Es) of VfM including Health System strengthening, Social Cohesion and Emergency responses
• Contribute to the preparation of an implementation plan with milestones for assessment and report writing
• Support the development and implementation of a plan for data collection and analysis
• Support the development a plan for capacity building and learning
• Develop templates for the Fund’s VfM report
• Support the FMO in preparing the Fund’s VfM report, inputs to the Fund’s Annual Report, and inputs to the Annual Review by FCDO
• Provide capacity building support as appropriate
• Provide general technical support as needed throughout the process

Dissemination and learning

• Prepare and present the key findings of the Value for Money Report to the donors, key stakeholders, Fund Management Office and Implementing Partners.
• Develop information sheet of the Value for Money findings after annual reporting
• Identify ways Identify ways for the Access to Health Fund to continuously learn (including from failure) and improve its Value for Money proposition.
• Support the development a plan for capacity building and learning

Updating the framework

• Review the Value for Money Framework which was used in previous reporting to see if the methods, indicators, data collection and the ratings are still relevant for the current context
• Finalize the revised framework based on inputs of internal and external stakeholder consultations
• Present the key changes in the update framework to the donors, key stakeholders and FMO.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• A Master degree in Health Economics, Health Finance, or other relevant area is required.
• A Bachelor’s degree in combination with additional two years of similar experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master’s degree.

Experience

• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience at senior level in the health sector. Breadth of experience (e.g work in different roles as a program implementer, funds manager and technical advisor) would be considered a strength.
• Within these 7 years, a minimum 5 years of experience in developing and/or advising on development of Value for Money Frameworks and mechanisms.
• Experience with multi-donor health funds is a significant asset.
• Experience developing Value for Money or cost-effectiveness approach in other conflict-affected low-resource settings is desirable.
• Understanding of Myanmar’s context, and experience with Myanmar’s health system is a significant asset.

Language

• Excellent skills in English are required.

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.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: ICA (Retainer)

Contract level: I-ICA 3, ICS11 Contract duration: Maximum 25 days/ year

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• 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 (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.