Senior Programme Management Officer

Contract

This is a LICA Specialist-9 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 2 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA Specialist-9 contracts.

Background Information - Myanmar

Myanmar Country Office

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.

Joint Peace Fund

The Joint Peace Fund (JPF) is a multi-donor fund, established by international donors in 2015 to support Myanmar on the path to sustainable peace. The purpose of the JPF was to support national efforts to achieve a final and lasting settlement of ethnic armed conflict in Myanmar. Activities were focused on making the peace process itself more effective, supporting a more inclusive process, and paving the way to long-term peace by supporting political solutions to resolve decades of conflict. This holistic focus – supporting a broad range of actors in the peace process from the negotiation of the top level leadership to community leaders working in villages in remote parts of the country - made it a unique project in terms of global peace support. With ten donors – Australia, Canada, European Union, Finland, Germany, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, UK and the United States, it represents a strong commitment to a peaceful future for all the many peoples of Myanmar.

The Myanmar peace process has been severely affected by the military coup of February 2021 and its aftermath, which saw an ever-increasing spiral of violence descending upon the country, the appearance of numerous new armed actors, and a generalised civilian resistance to the military.

The JPF is adapting to these evolving circumstances and will implement a revised strategy that will guide our work over the next few years.

Background Information - Job-specific

Job Specific

The Programme Management - Senior Officer will supervise the Programme Management Officer, while working alongside the M+E Unit and the Grants Unit to move the JPF programmatic portfolio forward. The Programme Management - Senior Officer will report to the Senior Programme Manager, and will be the focal person for individual projects and implementing partners from the JPF pipeline. The Programme Management Senior Officer, supported by other senior programme team members and specific advisors/resource persons, will review/appraise and develop project proposals with the implementing partner that fit into the JFP strategy, while also carrying out key technical and relationship-building functions associated with grant management after grants have been approved and projects are operational.

*** Only Myanmar nationals are eligible for this position***

Functional Responsibilities

The Programme Management Senior Officer will work under the supervision of the Senior Programme Manager. The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS Myanmar Country Office. S/he will collaborate closely and engage actively with other JPF and UNOPS team members for managing grants and assisting in programme activities.

Specific tasks will include:

1. Facilitate and provide technical support to Programme activities

• To be the focal lead on projects that are funded, under consideration for funding and/or under development feeding into outcomes/results of the JPF strategy.
• Supporting applicants and implementing partners from a diverse range of sectors and in a variety of geographical locations in Myanmar, relaying technical support as well as monitoring grants for compliance and results.
• Bring technical expertise to the Programme Team based on direct peacebuilding, programming in conflict-affected communities and/or other sectors of work in the Myanmar contexts that intersect with the peace pathways.
• Ensure that the implementing partners/projects within the portfolio apply appropriate international and/or national best practice/s, as well as innovative and locally relevant approaches in support of national peace pathways, while being appropriate/fitting to the JPF strategy.
• Enable responsive and flexible programming by applying JPF policies and procedures, being relevant to the needs and dynamic context of the peace pathways.
• Provide technical and contextualised project support, advice and coaching to funded implementing partners and externally to applicants.
• Assess, appraise and develop project proposals relating to the approved JPF strategy.
• Manage a portfolio of projects ensuring that timely solutions posed and decisions are made in a consultative and evidence-based manner, and are implemented efficiently and effectively.

2. Manage and integrate Programme relationships

• Build and maintain strong technical working relationships, and interlinking projects in order to demonstrate complementarity and interconnection between thematic areas.
• Oversee Implementing Partners’ use of JPF resources and project deliverables, verify that JPF funds are used to meet the Fund’s objectives and no other purposes, and ensure there is optimum value for money in investments made.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders, including parties to the peace process and JPF donors as required.

3. Monitoring, reporting and process improvement

• Identify and respond to expressions of demand and/or need for technical assistance in a timely manner.
• Provide contextual analysis and contribute to the preparation of reports on the projects being implemented, contributing to reporting results to the JPF results framework.
• Contribute to the development, revision and implementation of JPF programming tools, frameworks, procedures and guidelines, as required.
• Contribute to the refinement of systems that support effective development and appraisal of proposals alongside other JPF units and teams.

4. Team Management

• Supervise the Programme Officer, leading by example in both managerial and grants management approaches and practices, with a central focus on relationship-building.

  5. Knowledge building and knowledge sharing

• Ensure efficient documentation, data management and effective communication of results in collaboration with other JPF units and teams.

• Contribute to the JPF’s learning culture, documenting and applying lessons learned for more effective funding and implementing partner management.
• Contribute to the revision of programme strategy and JPF results framework as required.
• Document “success stories” for use by the JPF in M+E and communications, assisting with communications as required.
• Work closely with Programme Team colleagues to mainstream gender, conflict sensitivity and risk mitigation efforts into projects and JPF systems, strategies and approaches.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Peace and Conflict Studies, Social Sciences, International Development Studies/Human Security, Management or related field is required.
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor's Degree or equivalent) combined with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

• Required Experience

  • Minimum 3 years’ professional experience in the field of programme development in an international institution, donor agency, NGO or INGO is required.
  • Within these 3 years, a minimum of 2 years of program implementation experience in conflict-affected settings, peace processes and/or governance transitional environments, is required.

• Desired Experience

  • Direct experience with applying gender mainstreaming, conflict sensitivity/DNH, risk assessments/mitigation measures and gender inclusion into project design and implementation is highly desirable.
  • Budget development and sub/grant management experience (even if small micro-grants at community levels) is highly desirable.
  • Knowledge of peacebuilding and peace promoting programming and ability to work with peace process stakeholders is highly desirable.
  • Work experience in Southeast Asia is a distinct advantage.
  • Experience with programme-driven M&E practices, data collection and management is an advantage.

Language

• Fluent spoken and written Burmese required.
• Professional level in written and spoken English is required.

Travel - Willingness to travel within Myanmar for technical support, partnership-building and programmatic guidance for implementation purposes is required.

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: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA) Contract level: LICA9, ICS-9 Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

*** Only Myanmar nationals are eligible for this position***

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.