Programme Management Specialist

Mid Senior Programme & Policy

Overview

Coordinate and manage projects to enhance food security and livelihoods in Myanmar.

You have:

• A Master’s Degree in Project Management, Finance, Business Administration, development studies, International Relations or relevant discipline is required.
• A combination of Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements.
• A minimum of at least 5 years of relevant and progressive professional experience in Project Management is required.
• Knowledge of UNOPS’ project management tools, UNOPS financial and procurement rules and regulations, and financial management tools is desirable.
• Experience in programme management or grants management is desirable.
• Strong experience with data analysis, management reporting and project management tools is desirable.
• Previous experience of working within a complex programme environment is desirable.
• Prior experience working with donors/multi-donor funds is desirable.
• Prior experience working in Asia is desirable.
• Full working knowledge of English is required.
• PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification is highly desirable.
• MSP certification (Foundation and/or Practitioner) is an advantage.

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 three of the largest development programmes in the country, namely the Access to Health, 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, including the Government of Myanmar, 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 Livelihoods and Food Security Fund (LlFT) is a multi-donor fund established in Myanmar in 2009 to address food insecurity and income poverty in Myanmar. LIFT’s designated outcomes are improvements in income, resilience, nutrition, and pro-poor policy developments. So far, LIFT has reached more than 7.2 million people, or roughly 20% of Myanmar’s population; and is active in almost half the country’s townships. LIFT is currently refreshing its strategy to guide the next five years programming from 2019. LIFT is currently implementing the 2019-2023 strategy and for more details visit www.lift-fund.org https://www.lift-fund.org/.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Fund Director, with a secondary reporting line to the PMO unit and other LIFT teams and in accordance with UNOPS policies, procedures and practices, the Programme Management Specialist will be responsible for the following:

1. Coordination of activities across the Fund
2. Project implementation, financial and procurement management
3. Project management and maturity improvement

Coordination of activities across the Fund

• Support the Fund Director with action tracking and ensuring implementation of Fund decisions, compiling and reporting on KPIs, preparing materials for and responding to donor requests.
• Develop and maintain LIFT-wide dashboards and information analysis as needed by the Fund Director or Fund Board
• Support the Fund Director in the management of activities across the teams, including support to development and implementation of strategies, policies, annual work planning, standard operating procedures, briefings, working papers.
• Manage events, meetings, consultants and technical experts as needed by the Fund Director

Project implementation, financial and procurement management

• Ensure strong coordination between UNOPS/LIFT’s Fund Management Office/FMO and the UNOPS/Project Management Office/PMO, particularly between programmes and grants.
• Provide a strategic bridge and liaison to ensure smooth processes and services between UNOPS/LIFT’s Fund Management Office/FMO and the UNOPS/Support Services Unit/SSU, which includes finance, HR, procurement, transport, security.
• Support the Fund Director by monitoring budgets, cash flow and reporting on expense obligations to ensure that deliverables are met in liaison with PMO; alert the Fund Director on any financial shortfalls and over-expenditures, propose budget revision and initiate corrective action when necessary.
• Work with the Fund Director to identify and manage risks, including risk management through the OneUNOPS systems and with the Fund Board.
• Manage and coordinate implementation of recommendations to the Fund, including those from the Fund Board and donor annual reviews.
• Respond to or support inputs to UNOPS corporate requirements from HQ, regional office, MMOC.
• Contribute to expertise in tools and techniques; ensure that local capacities are built at every level.

Project management and maturity improvement

• Under the overall lead of the UNOPS Myanmar Project Management Office (PMO), support LIFT’s engagement and operationalization of P3M3/programme management maturity improvement roadmap, processes and best practices
• Lead or co-lead work in areas requiring special attention or turnaround, initiate and lead/support adjustments when required; manage assigned work packages and take responsibility for progress.
• Identify the programme and project management related training needs assessment and support access and engagement of LIFT staff to capacity building initiatives for UNOPS staff.
• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for planning and knowledge building; ensure that local capacities are built at every level.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• A Master’s Degree in Project Management, Finance, Business Administration, development studies, International Relations or other relevant discipline is required.
• A combination of Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

Experience

• A minimum of at least 5 years of relevant and progressive professional experience, specifically in the field of Project Management with experience of successful implementation and/or oversight of programmes and projects is required.
• Knowledge of UNOPS’ project management tools, UNOPS financial and procurement rules and regulations, and financial management tools, and establishing best practices in Project/ Programme Management is desirable.
• Experience in programme management or grants management is desirable.
• Strong experience with data analysis, management reporting and project management tools and information management systems is desirable.
• Previous experience of working within a complex programme environment is desirable.
• Prior experience working with donors/ multi-donor funds is desirable.
• Prior experience working in Asia is desirable.

Languages

• Full working knowledge of English is required.

Certifications

• PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification is highly desirable. MSP certification (Foundation and/or Practitioner) 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.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement Contract level: IICA 2/ICS10 Contract duration: Open ended (subject to organizational requirements, avaliability 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

National Candidates are also encouraged to apply. In the event that they meet all the requirements and are successful in the recruitment process, the equivalent level of ICS 10 (LICA 10) will be offered.

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.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 5 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: jobs.unops.org