Programme Management Officer (Nexus)

Contract

This is a IICA-1 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 2 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-1 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). 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 project management services to a wide range of organisations in the country, including the 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

The European Union Nexus Response Mechanism (NRM) is an EU-funded programme designed to operationalize what has largely been a theoretical concept through the funding and implementation of innovative, tailor-made, flexible, and rights-based activities along the humanitarian-development- peace (H-D-P) spectrum in Myanmar. The NRM’s overall objective is to contribute to lasting peace and national reconciliation, security, stability and sustainable development in Myanmar by reducing vulnerabilities and building the resilience of communities affected by conflict or natural disasters.

NRM’s interventions are designed to pilot new ways of working and are aimed at contributing to systemic change. Both its short-term and long-term interventions incorporate rights objectives and pathways for advocacy and policy dialogue, ensuring that programming is accompanied by substantive efforts to address rights and structural challenges in Myanmar. To ensure its projects are holistically designed, the NRM utilizes a three-pillared approach focused on the integration of H-D-P sectors and the incorporation of a rights-based approach, the transformation of power dynamics and imbalances through greater localization and inclusion, and accountability to both donors and communities through adaptive project design and a robust learning agenda.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment The Programme Management Officer (Nexus) role is to support the NRM Secretariat through the development, management, coordination, and monitoring of NRM grants across the humanitarian-development- peace spectrum. The NS’s roles are two–fold: first, they will function as a key member of the NRM’s Grant Management team, supporting the Programme Manager and her team in administering the NRM’s grants and ensuring the smooth implementation of NRM-funded activities. They will be specifically responsible for 6-8 grants, overseeing them during all aspects of the grant cycle. As part of this, they will lead the NRM’s implementation of its inter-grant linkage process, linking the NRM’s thematic and area-based projects and ensuring that joint activities are carried out effectively.

The second aspect of this role is to provide technical guidance and support on key programmatic areas to the NRM. These include cash transfers, humanitarian assistance, and participatory humanitarian response and development, among other issues. The Programme Management Officer will be responsible for developing programmatic ideas and drafting concept notes, terms of reference, theories of change, scoping reports, calls for proposal, and other programmatic documents as needed. The Programme Management Officer will also provide technical inputs to the NRM Steering Committee, Senior Management, and partners as needed on programmatic issues.

The Programme Management Officer (Nexus) role requires a thorough grounding in the key principles that underpin the NRM’s approach, including an understanding of power, gender and conflict analysis, commitment to the NRM’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 in managing contractual and programmatic processes, including budgeting, activity planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL), and relationship management.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Manager and in accordance with the UNOPS policies, procedures and practices, the Programme Management Officer shall carry out the following duties:

Programme Management - Lead the implementation of the NRM’s interlinkages process, creating a system connecting the NRM’s thematic programming (cash transfers, mine action, etc) with its area-based projects. This includes ensuring clear channels of communications, funding for new activity and coordination lines in partner grants, and effective coordination to ensure the smooth implementation of cross-grant activities. - Support the Programme Manager in the proposal evaluation process and engage with selected partners to refine proposals into programmes/projects aligned with the NRM overall strategy and MEAL framework, including by: ensuring the inclusion of gender transformative project activities; the use of participatory methods and community feedback mechanisms for project design and monitoring; and prioritizing implementation by communities and local civil society partners. - In collaboration with the Programme Manager, lead grant contracting processes with support from UNOPS Programme Management Office’s Grants team and ensure that planned activities are feasible and impactful and follow a realistic work plan; that proposal budgets are appropriate and cost-efficient, and that due diligence processes are followed in line with UNOPS rules and procedures. - In collaboration with the Programme Manager, manage implementing partners and ensure that NRM programmes/projects are implemented effectively and achieve their intended outcomes. Ensure that all programmes/projects are high quality and adhere to NRM and UNOPS systems, processes and guidelines. - Support the Programme Manager in managing partner performance in the areas of finance (budget/cash flow/expenditure), work planning and resource mobilization, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), programmatic/administrative (including audit results) and procurement operations. - Support the Programme Manager in ensuring that principles of human rights, conflict sensitivity, gender equality, peace, voice and accountability, ‘doing no harm’ and aid effectiveness in all activities associated with the programme. - Support the Programme Manager in overseeing audits and evaluations of implementing partners in line with the NRM MEAL Framework and Operational Guidelines. - Support the Programme Manager and MEAL Specialist in assessing and tabulating results from partner MEAL frameworks and organising partner meetings, reflection workshops, and other learning events as needed. - Support the Programme Manager in maintaining critical programme records / documents on the UNOPS Google Shared Drive (online audit / record retention folder) - Support the Senior Programme Manager in ensuring that all Programme activities comply with UNOPS Financial Regulations and Rules (FRR)

Partner Management and Representation - Participate in communications with implementing partners at all stages of the project cycle. - Ensure effective coordination and communication between partners working in the NRM’s programmes/projects. - Build and maintain relationships with programme stakeholders, including implementing partners, community beneficiaries, and external organizations. - Ensure that partner relations are equitable and that power imbalances, particularly between national and international partners, are mitigated. - As necessary, develop a capacity support system to assist local partners in applying for NRM funding and project implementation. - When delegated, act as UNOPS Myanmar focal person for NRM-related matters towards the Government, UN partners, donors, civil society and implementing partners.

Technical Support

• Provide technical guidance and support to NRM Steering Committee, Senior Management, and implementing partners Steering Committee on the development and implementation of humanitarian, development and/or peacebuilding activities, specifically including: cash transfer programming, humanitarian assistance, participatory development, and/or other forms of emergency nexus response.
• Support and lead the development of scoping reports, concept notes, terms of reference, and other grant development documents as required by the NRM Secretariat and Steering Committee.
• Review and provide substantive feedback on scoping reports, concept notes, proposals and other documents prepared by current and prospective NRM partners and the NRM CAR Facility.
• Participate technical input evaluation appraisals meetings and support in the completion of all relevant documentation.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Work Experience - Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent), preferably in law/human rights, social science, international development, humanitarian aid, gender analysis, 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. - PM Certification such as PRINCE2® or MSP® or PMP® is an asset.

Work Experience - A minimum of 2 years of relevant working experience is required and out of this at least 1 year in humanitarian response, cash transfer programmes, or humanitarian-development- peace nexus 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. - Demonstrated experience providing technical advisory support on humanitarian response and cash transfer issues with diverse teams and organizations is highly preferred. - Demonstrated experience working with local and national civil society organizations, and of effective relationship management 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. - Experience supporting monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning processes and innovations in complex settings is desirable. - Knowledge of aid architecture is essential with previous experience working in Grants Management is desirable. - Solid experience of managing, or having worked in a senior position with large national or international NGOs, especially at field level, is an asset.

Language Requirement- Fluency in English is required. - Knowledge of an additional UN language is desirable. - Knowledge of Myanmar language is desirable.

Competencies

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 (Individual Contractor Agreement) Contract level: ICS8/IICA-1 Contract duration: Open ended ( 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 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.