Programme Management Specialist

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

UNOPS Myanmar is one of UNOPS’ leading offices in Asia, acting as fund manager for four of the largest development programmes in the country, namely the Access to Health Fund, the Livelihood and Food Security Fund (LIFT), The Nexus Mechanisme 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 organizations in the country, including the Ministry of Health, 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 Access to Health Fund aims to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations in conflict-affected areas of Myanmar. The Fund works with national and international NGOs, the United Nations, and other partners to increase people’s access to health-services. 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. The Access to Health Fund is currently implementing the 2019-2023 strategy and for more details visit https://www.accesstohealthfund.org/

Functional Responsibilities

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

1. Provide process support
2. Provide support to project implementation
3. Project management and maturity improvement

1. Provide process support - Help the Fund Management Office, in close collaboration with the Programme Management Office and the Support Services Unit, to find approaches, initiate actions, and implement solutions that (i) move things forward and (ii) are fully aligned with UNOPS rules and guidelines - Help the FMO take forward issues related to (i) donor requests, (ii) procurement, (iii) finance, (iv) grant-making and grant-management, (v) Human Resources, (vi) transport, (vii) security, and (viii) other areas of work, as relevant; - Liaise with the UNOPS HQ as required; - Provide support to the Senior Management Team, to the Heads of Finance and Procurement, and the Fund Board Liaison Officer, and help bring them together around required processes and actions; - Respond to corporate requirements and/or calls for information from HQ, the regional office, or the UNOPS Country Director; - Help Access to Health Fund staff understand and use UNOPS tools and improve their capacity in relation to UNOPS processes; - Identify programme and project management related training needs and support access and engagement of Access to Health staff to capacity building initiatives for UNOPS staff including support on-the-job training to the Access to Health team; - Build capacity within the Access to Health program and strategy team to manage grant making and procurement processes: 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.

2. Provide support to individual units

• Provide guidance to the Board Liaison Officer in action tracking and ensuring implementation of Fund decisions, compiling and reporting on KPIs, and preparing materials for and responding to donor requests;
• Solid contribution to the Board Liaison Officer with the identification and management of risks, including risk management through the OneUNOPS systems and with the Fund Board.
• Support the PMO Finance unit by monitoring budgets, cash flow and reporting on expense obligations to ensure that deliverables are met in liaison with PMO; alert the Senior Management Team on any financial shortfalls and over/under-expenditures, propose budget revision and initiate corrective action when necessary.
• Provide advice as appropriate on procurement and grant making processes related to Call for Proposals/bids, Selection processes and procedures related to signing of contracts and compliance

3. Project management and maturity improvement - Under the overall lead of the UNOPS Myanmar Project Management Office (PMO), support Access to Health 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 Access to Health Fund 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.

4. Other

• Develop and maintain Access-wide dashboards and information analysis as needed by the Senior Management team or Fund Board
• Support the Senior Management team in the management of activities across the teams, including support to development and implementation of strategies, policies, annual work planning, standard operating procedures, briefings and working papers.
• Manage events, meetings, consultants and technical experts as needed by the Senior Management Team
• 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.
• Assist in the Fund Director and Deputy Director with any other tasks as needed

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• A Master’s Degree in Project Management, Law, Finance, Business Administration, Political Science, Development, Communications, Economics 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.

Language

• Fluency in English is 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 Contract level: IICA 2, ICS10 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 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.