Programme Management Office Specialist (Grants and Contracts) - Retainer

Contract

This is a IICA-2 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 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-2 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.

Fund Management has become a recognized strength of UNOPS Myanmar and a new potential business model for other country offices in the region and beyond. UNOPS Myanmar is the designated Asia Centre for Fund Management (CFM), which aims to assist UNOPS offices elsewhere to expand and manage pooled funds.

Background Information - Job-specific

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Programme Management Office/CFM, the Programme Management Office Specialist (Grants and Contracts)- Retainer may be requested to support specific work packages/individual assignments, detailed through individual task notes. Support needed will mostly be for programmes in Myanmar.

Programme Management Office Specialist (Grants and Contracts)- Retainer will be responsible to support UNOPS Programmes on a need basis, and as defined in the task notes. The Programme Management Office Specialist (Grants and Contracts)- Retainer will support to ensure timely and quality grant and contract management, standardizing MMCO work in grants management, knowledge and application of UNOPS relevant tools, systems, and processes.

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of key results:

1. Grant management
2. Capacity assessment and Capacity building

3. Knowledge management and innovation

   1) Grant Management:

• Timely preparation of grant awards requests, drafting of grant agreements and amendments thereof, using the approved templates ensuring that all agreements and amendments are constructed and issued in line with UNOPS legal and financial rules and regulations.
• Monitoring budgets in grant proposals and verification of their consistency with prevailing market rates.
• Provision of assistance in discussing/negotiation fee/cost as required.
• Verifications of reporting requirements and ensuring adherence to those requirements.
• Liaising closely with the Programme and M&E teams on any delays, risks or other difficulties in grant management.
• Review of payment requests and supervise processing payments based on the agreed payment schedules.
• Coordination of the process of the operational closure of projects.
• Contributing to the coordination and follow up on the audits of Implementing Partners (IP).

• Quality assurance all request for award to ensure compliance with UNOPS grants policies

  2) Capacity assessment and Capacity building

• The team contributes to the review and update of the financial and operational capacity assessment approach of the fund managers, incorporating best practices and assessment tools.
• Financial and operational capacity assessments/Due Diligence Assessments (DDA) of the IPs are conducted as necessary, and follow-up actions are managed and identified in the assessment reports.
• IP capacity development and training in financial and organisational management are organized and delivered.
• Day-to-day help and guidance to the IPs is provided and coordinated with Program Unit to ensure IP understanding of, and compliance with, these standards.
• IPs receive required assistance in developing or strengthening their internal guidelines and policies to guide their project financial management and organisational activities and to ensure accountability.

• Standardization to the extent possible of IP capacity development efforts by UNOPS in Myanmar.

  3) Knowledge management and innovation

• Keep abreast of and incorporate latest policies especially on grants and finance, best practices, approaches and technology to enhance the programme delivery and results.
• Institutionalise and share best practices and lessons for corporate development planning and knowledge building.
• Recommend policy changes to align operations with changing environments.
• Conduct regular learning reviews with the team on grant topics as part of continuous improvement.

• Lead the planning, implementation and organization of strategic capacity building of personnel, clients and stakeholders especially in the field of grant management.

  Other

• Establish solid working relationships with key individuals across the range of implementing partners supported by the MMCO Programmes.
• Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
• Manage the information flows between the implementing partners and team through consistent and consolidated reporting using dashboards to provide a high-level overview of performance.
• Ensure smooth workflow and communication with Programme and Finance teams.
• Update the Programme Management Office Specialist (Grants and Contracts) - International on any deviations, outside of established tolerances, from the programme plan and the impact of changes or issues that arise during implementation accompanied by a range of solutions where possible.
• Identify and manage risks across all implementing partners to attain a programmatic overview of risk exposure.

The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

3. Qualifications and Experience

1) Education - A Master’s degree in business administration, finance, development studies or relevant discipline is required. - A Bachelor's Degree in combination with 2 additional years of experience relevant to above duties and responsibilities may be accepted in lieu of the Master’s Degree. - Certification in PRINCE2 or PMP is preferred.

2) Work Experience - A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in project and financial management is required. - Experience in fund / grant management operations is a distinct advantage. - Good understanding of UNOPS Rules and regulations is an advantage. - Experience in contract or/ and grant management would be an asset. - Experience with Google workspace is an asset.

3) Languages - Full working knowledge of English is required. - Fluency in one or more additional official UNOPS languages is an advantage.

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.

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.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement Contract level: IICA 2 Contract duration: Not more than 150 days within a 12 months period

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

Please note that we may hire full time or retainer, IICA or LICA at the same equivalent ICS level, depending on the business requirements.