Programme Management Office (PRMO) Senior Advisor - Retainer

Contract

This is a IICA-4 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 10 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-4 contracts.

Background Information - 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), Nexus Response Mechanism, and the SECO funded UN Trade Cluster Fund. 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.

Background Information - Job-specific

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Programme Management Office/CFM, the Fund Management Senior Advisor will be responsible to advise and support UNOPS Programmes on a need basis, and as defined in the task notes. The Fund Management Senior Advisor will have a thorough understanding of the terms, conditions, and the respective roles and responsibilities of the partners/stakeholders to ensure the programmes managed by UNOPS are capable of meeting the business cases of both UNOPS and its donors.

The Fund Management Senior Advisor will broadly carry out the following tasks, in accordance with UNOPS policies, procedures and practices based on needs expressed by country offices.

Functional Responsibilities

Stakeholder Management

• Working closely with the Fund Board/governance bodies, representing UNOPS towards the relevant stakeholders (including UN Agencies) to promote excellence, good practice and policy dialogue.
• Supporting the funds/programms in future platforms to coordinate external investment
• Advising the Fund Board/Programme board/Fund Manager on architecture and processes to strengthen UNOPS’s policy engagement at all levels
• Advising in issues such as project selection and financial operations such as budgets, cash flow and expenditure

Fund design

• Participate in donor negotiations for designing new funds when requested by country offices
• Develop concept notes/project proposals/budgets for designing financing mechanisms
• Develop fund-related documentation such as operational guidelines, governance architecture, safeguards policies and strategy
• Support offices in designing programme/ fund’s organogram and terms of reference
• Conceptualize innovative financing approaches to meet donor requirements

Fund Management/Programme Management

• Provide surge capacity to offices in senior fund or programme leadership roles at start up stage or during time of leadership change such as acting Fund Director.
• Provide diagnostic assessment of ongoing funds/programmes and provide advice on turnaround, especially with regards to strategy, governance, grants model, risk management etc.
• Provide on-going assurance/peer review on active funds/programmes to country office or regional office
• Propose strategies to attract further funding for ongoing funds
• Coordinate quality reviews of programme documents and deliverables
• Provide quality control for management outputs (documents, reports, etc.)
• Prepare reports in accordance with the funding partner and as required by the organization’s standard procedures
• Lead and design grant making strategy for a fund and advise/assure on grant management process as needed
• Identify and manage risks so that maximum benefit to clients and stakeholders is achieved
• Ensure programme performance, work planning and resource mobilization, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and programmatic operations.
• Any other related tasks on programme management cycle as needed

Knowledge Management

• Understand and manage UNOPS pricing policy and related corporate charges as they apply to the Fund
• Contribute to CFM’s publications and knowledge management initiatives by documenting best practices
• Support UNOPS Myanmar’s efforts in becoming a center of excellence for Fund management
• Actively interact with other stakeholders to share case studies, lessons learned and best practice on UNOPS Communities

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• An advanced university degree (e.g. Masters) in law, human rights, social science, international development, political / security/development studies, business administration, public administration, international relations or related areas is required. A first-level university degree (e.g. Bachelor) in combination with 2 additional years of progressively relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• A project management certification such as PRINCE2® or MSP® or PMP® is an asset.

Work Experience

• A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible programme implementation/fund management is required.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in design or management or turnaround of single or multi-donor fund is required.
• Solid practical experience in working with the UN, donors, non-governmental organizations, public sector and/or civil society is required.
• Solid experience of managing, or having worked in a senior position with a large multi-donor fund or programme is desirable.
• Experience in strategic and development planning and implementation in governance, institutional capacity building, stakeholder and partners management experience will be considered as asset.
• Solid experience managing programmes at a strategic level with financial oversight is desirable.
• Proven track record of humanitarian programming and/or context analysis in a fragile state(s) and complex/protracted crisis is desirable.
• Working experience and knowledge in Myanmar conflict-affected areas is a strong asset. Previous experience in South and/or South-East Asia is also an asset.
• Knowledge of aid architecture is essential with previous experience working in Grants Management is desirable.

Language Requirement

• Fluency in English(both oral and written) is required.
• Working knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.

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: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) Contract level: IICA-4/ICS-12 Contract duration: Not exceeding 150 working days per year (subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance)

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 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.