Senior Programme Manager (Decent Work and Labour Mobility)

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 fund manager for three of the largest development programmes in the country, namely the Access to Health Fund, 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 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 organisations 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 (LIFT) is a multi-donor fund set up in 2009. LIFT aims to strengthen the resilience and sustainable livelihoods of poor households by helping people to reach their full economic potential. This is achieved through increasing incomes, improving the nutrition of women and children, and decreasing vulnerabilities to shocks, stresses and adverse trends.

LIFT is a significant actor in Myanmar’s development. To date, over 14.5 million people in 82 per cent of Myanmar’s townships have benefitted from LIFT’s programmes. From January 2019, LIFT has been guided by a new five-year strategy that puts ‘leaving no one behind’ at the centre and will in particular focus on social inclusion and cohesion, increased support to areas affected by conflict, bringing displaced people into LIFT’s development programmes and working with Government at all levels on targeted policies that achieve gains in these areas.

LIFT has received funding from altogether 16 international donors since it was established. The current donors are the UK, the European Union, Switzerland, Australia, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and Ireland. For more details, visit www.lift-fund.org.

Within its refreshed strategy for 2019-2023, LIFT has expanded its programming outside the scope of its traditional rural and agrarian focus. The Decent Work and Labour Mobility Programme has been established as one of four core thematic areas. The programme strategy is based on the achievement of three main outcomes: (1) Strengthened policies and legislation on labour and social protection, migration governance, anti-trafficking and skills development; (2) enhanced knowledge and capacity of stakeholders to support decent work, labour mobility and anti-trafficking; and (3) increased access to information, training and support services for women and men migrants and other vulnerable workers.

A Programme Manager is needed to provide technical leadership for the Decent Work and Labour Mobility programme, as well as supervise the work of the Decent Work and Labour Mobility team, which consists of 5 national staff members.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Fund Director and in accordance with UNOPS policies, procedures and practices, the Senior Programme Manager (Decent Work and Labour Mobility) will be responsible for the following duties:

Ensure evidence-based and strategic programming is developed for the Decent Work and Labour Mobility programme.

• Keep abreast of global trends on labour rights, labour migration, skills development, forced labour and human trafficking. Maintain a detailed knowledge of in-country developments on these issues and analyse, synthesize and communicate them to inform programming.
• Conceptualize calls for proposals to seek qualified organizations which can support the implementation of the Decent Work and Labour Mobility programme.
• Lead the proposal appraisal processes for Decent Work and Labour Mobility projects and present recommendations for funding to the LIFT Fund Board.

• Lead the process of negotiation and approval of projects with implementing partners to ensure strategic programming and adherence to LIFT policies and procedures.

• Conceptualize and implement research projects under the Decent Work and Labour Mobility programme to support evidence-based programming.

Lead the effective and efficient implementation of the Decent Work and Labour Mobility programme

• Supervise the technical and financial management of the Decent Work and Labour Mobility projects, adhering to LIFT’s operational guidelines and principles.
• Support LIFT implementing partners by providing technical guidance and advice for project adjustments to reflect new knowledge, lessons learned and good practices.
• Lead coordination among the implementing partners of the Decent Work and Labour Mobility programme and other relevant LIFT programmes.
• Supervise Monitoring and Evaluation for Learning and Accountability (MEAL) for the Decent Work and Labour Mobility programme.
• Comprehensively report progress on the implementation of the Decent Work and Labour Mobility programme in the LIFT annual and semi-annual reports, as well as other ad hoc reporting.
• Actively collaborate, provide advice and contribute inputs to LIFT’s teams and units (programme, communications, MEAL, policy, contract team, etc.).

Enhance the visibility and reputation of the Decent Work and Labour Mobility programme.

• Establish strong networks and relationships with a wide range of relevant local stakeholders and development partners, including government, EAOs, private sector, civil society, academia, media, UN agencies, INGOs and other actors.
• Effectively manage relations with the LIFT Fund Board and respond to their requests in relation to information, advice, visits and other needs and requirements.
• Represent LIFT at partner events, sectoral working groups, inter-agency coordination meetings and other forums.
• Collaborate with the communications team to increase visibility of the interventions and results of the Decent Work and Labour Mobility programme through social media and other channels.
• Prepare policy briefs and Op-Eds to support policy advocacy with key stakeholders.

Contribute to improvements in the knowledge base on Decent Work and Labour Mobility in Myanmar

• Document and share lessons learned and good practices identified during the implementation of the Decent Work and Labour Mobility programme.
• Organize communities of practice, trainings, consultations and other learning events for LIFT partners and key stakeholders.
• Develop knowledge products to build the evidence base for interventions on decent work and labour mobility.
• Provide technical support on decent work and labour mobility for the development of the overall LIFT MEAL system.
• Build the awareness, knowledge and understanding of the LIFT Fund Management Office and Fund Board on decent work and labour mobility issues.

Provide supportive and empowering supervision to the Decent Work and Labour mobility team.

• Create a positive work environment for the Decent Work and Labour Mobility team, based upon trust, empathy and mutual respect.
• Provide guidance and support to Programme Officers and Programme Assistants, including providing coaching and offering constructive feedback.
• Ensure results are effectively and efficiently achieved through judicious delegation of tasks and timely and responsible performance management.
• Maintain adequate staffing levels and manageable workloads for the Decent Work and Labour Mobility team.
• Promote learning and professional growth within the Decent Work and Labour Mobility team.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• Master’s degree in international development, industrial relations, economics, business management, public policy, sociology or a related field is required.

• A Bachelor’s degree in the above fields with an additional two years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master’s degree.

Experience

• A minimum of 7 years of project development, management and monitoring and evaluation with a development organization is required.
• Extensive technical expertise related to labour rights, labour migration, skills development, vocational skills training, forced labour or human trafficking is required.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research and write analytical and summative reports is required.
• Experience with managing programming related to gender equality and women’s empowerment is a strong asset.
• Experience coordinating multi-stakeholder processes and managing donor relations is a strong asset.

Language

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Myanmar languages is required.
• Fluency in other local Myanmar languages is considered an asset.

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: Local Individual Contractor Agreement Contract level: LICA11/ICS11 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

Note that this is a Local position and only Myanmar Nationals are eligible to apply.

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.