Programme Manager (Internal Announcement)

Contract

This is a LICA Specialist-10 contract. This kind of contract is known as Local Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally only for nationals. It's an external contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA Specialist-10 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

Access to Health Fund

The Access to Health Fund aims to improve Health outcomes for vulnerable populations in conflict-affected areas of Myanmar. The Fund works to increase people’s access to health-services (maternal, newborn and child health, combating HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria) and to strengthen health systems.

The Access to Health Fund is supported by the United Kingdom, Sweden, the United States, Switzerland, Canada, Australia and Norway. Takeda, a private donor also provides a dedicated fund to Access to Health with the similar vision of reaching essential health services to marginalized and vulnerable populations in conflict affected and hard-to-reach areas.

The objective of this position will be to support efforts to design, implement and monitor the health sector strategic purchasing initiative in selective geographic areas. The position will work under the overall guidance of the Deputy Director of the Access to Health Fund, the direct supervision of the Director of Strategy, and work closely as part of a collaborative team including technical advisors. The Program Manager will further be supported by an external expert consultant with prior experience in setting up large scale strategic purchasing initiatives in other countries.

Functional Responsibilities

Management of the Strategic Purchasing Team

• Lead the strategic purchasing team to develop and implement the strategic purchasing initiative
• Ensure the team’s close collaboration and impeccable teamwork with the different teams of the Fund and other relevant UNOPS stakeholders
• This will include grant management, performance review, information sharing, joint visioning, joint planning, monitoring, technical support, and working as ‘one team’ in the implementation of programmes under the strategic direction of the Fund
• Provide guidance and support to programme management senior officers in the team and coordinate with programme and M&E colleagues for scale up and operation of strategic purchasing initiative of the Access to Health Fund
• Ensure that the technical and strategic inputs provided by the team aligned with the Access to Health’s strategic direction and needs depends on the country’s political context and working environment
• Ensure that the strategic purchasing initiative reach to the vulnerable population in Myanmar by increasing the number of people with access to these services

Portfolio Management

• Lead in negotiating and contracting with all participating implementing partners
• Oversee the implementation of the scheme, including tools, for supervision, monitoring (quantitative and qualitative), beneficiary feedback, performance evaluations and data analysis
• Oversee both quantitative and qualitative verification of services
• Coordinate with grants team to ensure grants making, reporting from and payments to the health facilities are on time and according to the verification of results
• Facilitate strategies to support private providers in establishing and maintaining quality standards including clinical guidelines, maintenance, facility management, etc.
• Actively track and manage risks, seeking and implementing effective mitigation strategies
• Report any issues impacting the initiative to the the Senior Management Team
• Work in close collaboration with regional programme teams: share information, seek their advice and give due consideration to advice received to move the portfolio forward in a way that is both managerially and technically sound
• As a member of the Access’ Strategy Team, collaborate closely with the Programme Managers, Strategy Director, Programme Director, Fund Director and Deputy Fund Director to assume an active role in defining and steering the Fund’s strategic direction by guiding adaptation of the Fund to changing circumstances, and overseeing a constant learning and transformation agenda which aims to keep the Fund’s support at the forefront of health responses
• In coordination with and under the overall leadership of the Fund Director, Deputy Fund Director, and senior management be able to present Access’ strategy at the highest levels with the Fund Board, and others as required

Information and Knowledge Management

• Oversee the establishment of a functional information system for grants management, verification, validation and payment of services
• Analyze the data and provide technical inputs as necessary for improving quality of the interventions

• Oversee the prepare of reports, learning briefs and presentations for the Senior Management Team of the Access to Health Fund

• Closely work with Monitoring and Evaluation Unit for performance review of the program, result reporting and program evaluation.

• Closely work with the Communication unit for external and internal communication of the project
• Stay in close contact with the partners to understand the state and local level context and share information with the Senior management team on developments that may impact the initiative.

Partnership and coordination

• Inform both internal and external stakeholders on the progress of the initiative on a regular basis
• Participate in national and regional level coordination meetings related to health financing
• Explore new potential partners to improve access for the quality of health care and provide inputs for making appropriate and effective investments

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (for example: public health, economics, health economics, health financing, business administration) with 5 years of relevant experience

• A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (for example: public health, economics, health economics, health financing, business administration) with 7 years of relevant experience is considered equivalent.

Experience

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in the management of health or development programs
• Experience in engaging with the private health sector in Myanmar is preferred
• Prior working experience with strategic purchasing initiative is highly desirable
• Sound understanding of health systems strengthening and recent developments in Myanmar is desired
• Prior experience with people management and team building is highly desired
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including drafting presentations, newsletters, and program memos is desired
• Risk management experience, particularly in conflict sensitive program management is desired
• Demonstrated understanding of development aid, health, and humanitarian aid architecture is desired
• Experience of working with local governance, including but not limited to formal local government structures, local and community based NGOs, traditional governance systems, and informal networks is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to work with minimal supervision in a complex environment is desirable.
• Experience of working sensitively and effectively in a culturally diverse setting required
• Competent use of G-suite applications is desirable.

Language

• Fluency in English and Myanmar 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: LICA10, 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.