Senior Programme Manager

Contract

This is a LICA Specialist-11 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 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA Specialist-11 contracts.

Background Information - Myanmar

UNOPS Myanmar is one of UNOPS’ leading offices in Asia, acting as the fund manager for three of the largest development programmes in the country, namely the Access to Health Fund, the Livelihoods and Food Security Fund (LIFT), and the Joint Peace Fund (JPF). In addition, UNOPS is the Principal Recipient for the Global Fund in Myanmar and for the Global Fund’s regional artemisinin-resistance initiative towards the elimination of Malaria, which works to accelerate progress toward 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 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

Project Information

The Livelihoods and Food Security (LIFT) Fund is a multi-donor fund established in 2009 to address food insecurity and income poverty in Myanmar. LIFT 2019-2023 is funded by eight donors – the United Kingdom, the European Union, Australia, Switzerland, the United States, Canada, Norway, and New Zealand. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is the Fund Manager for LIFT, administrating the funds and providing monitoring and oversight services.

The overall goal of the LIFT Fund is to achieve a sustained reduction in the number of people living in hunger and poverty in Myanmar. LIFT strengthens the resilience and livelihoods of poor and vulnerable populations through interventions to raise income, decrease vulnerability, improve nutrition, and support food security.

LIFT works with a broad range of implementing partners, including non-governmental organizations, United Nations agencies, the private sector, civil society, and academic and research institutions. The Fund is active in the four main agro-ecological zones of Myanmar. For more details visit www.lift-fund.org.

Job-Specific Information

Under the supervision of the Senior Programme Coordinator, the Senior Programme Manager will contribute to the implementation of the LIFT strategy through the management of the programmes and projects assigned to them. The primary purpose of the position will be to lead and deliver one of the LIFT Geographic Portfolios. The post holder will also be expected to lead and coordinate with other LIFT’s teams, such as the Technical Team, MEAL and Communications.

The Programme Manager will lead a team to monitor and manage LIFT partners under a particular Geographic Portfolio. This team is responsible for: a) designing new programmes; b) identifying appropriate projects; c) monitoring and learning from the implementation of these projects; d) feeding lessons into programme design.

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions

1. Lead programme design and oversee the projects funded by LIFT
2. Contribute to effective knowledge management within LIFT
3. Represent LIFT with its important stakeholders
4. Other duties as assigned
5. Personnel management and leadership

1. Lead programme design and oversee the projects funded by LIFT

• Lead the programme design requirements for the Geographic Portfolio, ensuring they are aligned with LIFT’s strategy and according to agreed design approaches.
• Lead the final design and contracting process of successful projects to LIFTs call for proposal as well as costed extensions.
• Conceptualize new calls for proposal to seek for qualified organizations which can support LIFT engagement in the particular the Geographic Portfolio.
• Actively coordinate LIFT activities in the Geographic Portfolio with implementation partners and other stakeholders (including local authorities, donors, and financial institutions) to ensure complementarity and synergy with the work of other development partners.
• Ensure that the programme design and its approach is gender, conflict-sensitive, and is implemented in a Do-No-Harm approach.
• Assessing and negotiating proposals including work plans and budgets submitted by applying organizations. Ensure that proposals are in compliance with the LIFT strategy as well as in line with existing development and humanitarian frameworks and work undertaken or planned by other stakeholders.
• Prepare and provide input to proposal appraisals as required.
• Reviewing MEAL plans and reports submitted by implementing partners and ensuring they are sound, in line with contractual obligations and with LIFT policy and priorities.
• Supporting staff with their project management, ensuring the technical aspects are fully addressed and meet acceptable standards.
• Undertaking regular field visits to LIFT funded projects to monitor implementation and progress.
• Proposing and managing any initiative that may be necessary, including amendments or termination of partner projects.
• Contributing to the preparation of the LIFT’s annual work plan and progress reports.
• Proactively engage non-traditional LIFT partners to explore new partnerships which can add new strategic alliances, innovation, and value for money to LIFT’s work.
• Ensuring the work and activities of the Fund are aligned with international good practice.

2. Contribute to effective knowledge management within LIFT

• Keep LIFT abreast of global trends in conflict sensitivity and Do-No-Harm approaches. Maintain a detailed knowledge of in-country developments and analyze, synthesize and communicate lessons and knowledge. Ensure that this learning is translated into improved project design and implementation.
• Coordinate and collaborate with the technical team throughout the full programme lifecycle.
• Identifying and documenting key lessons of LIFT-funded projects in the Geographic Portfolio. This includes identifying topics for special studies and conducting cost comparisons and value-for-money reviews where possible and relevant. Develop Terms of reference for such studies.
• Collaborating closely with the LIFT communications and knowledge management teams in the preparation of briefing notes, case studies, reports, and other knowledge products.
• Supervise and guide a team of Programme Officers. Empower staff through sensible delegation of responsibility, coaching, and regular feedback and training opportunities.

3. Represent LIFT with its important stakeholders

• Build and maintain strategic linkages with a wide range of stakeholders including development coordination mechanisms, private sector stakeholders; and other organizations contributing to agricultural and rural development sector development.
• Actively support the Fund Board in relation to national strategies and programmes whenever they exist or inputs are requested.

• Proactively lead strategic engagement with relevant authorities, civil society, private sector,

  media, and academia.

• Coordinate with the technical team to support the presence of LIFT in the priority strategic areas: at sectoral working groups or inter-agency coordination efforts.

4. Other duties as assigned to support the LIFT Fund

5. Personnel management and leadership

• Plan, recruit, manage and develop programme personnel with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance and encourage the formation of diverse teams.
• Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity by providing the team with clear direction, objectives and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.
• Ensure principles of human rights, gender equity, peace, voice and accountability, ‘doing no harm’ and aid effectiveness in all activities.
• Create, foster and role model a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harrassment, sexual harrassment, sexual exploitation and abuse. Ensure accountability for actions and perform duties in accordance with protection mechanisms and action plans, as expected by UNOPS policies, standards and commitments.
• Continuous assessment of the performance and effectiveness of the programme implementation, recommending changes and/or corrective actions in the team structure and/or financial operations to enhance and maintain effectiveness in the changing environment.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

a. Education

• An advanced university degree (e.g. Masters) in Agriculture, Rural Development, Natural Resource Management, Political or Social Sciences, or other related fields from an accredited academic institution is required.
• A first-level university degree (e.g. Bachelor's) in the above fields with an additional two years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master’s degree.

b. Work Experience

• A minimum of 7 years of relevant technical experience in managing rural development projects is required.
• Out of these 7 years, a minimum of 4 years of field experience in developing countries is required.
• Significant professional experience in Southeast Asia is preferred.
• Expertise, experience and/or understanding of conflict-sensitive programming is required.
• Previous successful involvement with, and good knowledge of the UN, NGOs, and civil society is a major asset.
• Familiarity with operational contexts and conflicts in Myanmar is a major asset.
• Knowledge of the political, economic, and social situation of Myanmar is a major asset.
• Computer literacy in Microsoft packages (MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access) is required. Experience with Google Suite is highly preferred.

c. Language

• Fluency in both written and spoken English and Burmese is essential.

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.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA) Contract level: LICA - 11 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.