Senior Programme Manager (Takeda) - Internal candidates only

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 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 organisations 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 strengthens the health system at all levels, extending access for poor and vulnerable populations to quality health services. The Access to Health Fund has a particular focus on improving health equity in Myanmar, with emphasis on the hardest-to-reach and most vulnerable populations, many in conflict-affected areas. Focus areas of the Fund include maternal, newborn and child health, combating HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, and health system strengthening to deliver sustainable, efficient and responsive healthcare across Myanmar.

In 2021, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment, Takeda, a new private donor 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 and for health system improvement in Shan State. The Takeda Project aims to sustainably improve the health and well-being of people in Shan by working on three pillars: infrastructure and equipment (assets), people, and health systems strengthening.

The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

Functional Responsibilities

The Programmes Department is organized into four geographical teams and one additional team which manages a project funded by a private-sector donor, Takeda Global CSR Programme (Takeda). The Senior Programme Manager (Takeda) manages the Takeda project and team, under the supervision of the Deputy Director of the Fund.

The Senior Programme Manager (Takeda) is responsible for the following:

Conflict Sensitive Project Management and Coordination

• Management of the Takeda project in line with the Access to Health Fund strategy
• Oversee the implementation of the Takeda project including both elements of grants, communication, infrastructure and synergies with the Access to Health Fund
• Oversee management of the portfolio of grants within the Takeda project
• Work closely with Programme and Strategy colleagues to ensure coordination, information sharing, alignment and synergies across Access to Health Fund geographies and thematic areas
• Engage and assist the 3PI (UNOPS Myanmar Infrastructure, Project Management, Procurement Unit) to ensure progress in the infrastructure component of the programme ( building and refurbishing health facilities) in ethnic areas
• Identify and mitigate risks to support implementation of project activities and progress towards programme outcomes. Develop, implement, and update mitigation plan(s) for identified risks.
• Oversee the project budget
• Liaise with government, development partners, UN agencies, INGOs, NGOs and EHOs on developments in the project geographical areas given geography
• Ensure delivery through the most efficient approach (number and nature of Implementing Partners, work through existing/sustainable structures, etc.)
• Pursue other efficiency gains wherever possible
• With the support from the M&E team and the Programme Management Office, conduct timely reviews of program deliverables and of technical and financial reports.
• Maintain a clear understanding of grant outcomes, in particular as they relate to the strengthening of health systems and the improved health situation of vulnerable communities. Regularly communicate on these outcomes with partners and stakeholders.
• In partnership with the Health for All Team, ensure that programme activities are aligned to the Access to Health Fund cross cutting themes, which include gender equality, accountability, disability inclusion, conflict sensitivity, emergency response
• In partnership with the Gender and PSEA team, ensure project activities have mainstreamed the UNOPS PSEA Minimum Requirements
• Maintain commitment to localization, seeking opportunities to enhance autonomy and power of local partners wherever possible

Communications, Information and knowledge management

• Coordinate with the Takeda Communications Manager to implement the Takeda Communications Strategy
• Maintain relations with private sector donor through regular communication and reporting
• Ensure delivery of the reporting requirements, including contributions to Access to Health Fund reports and specific donor reports
• Keep the Access to Health Fund and its key partners abreast of developments in the relevant geographic area

Other

• Represent Takeda Project at coordination meetings on developments in the geography/area
• Coordinate program visits from the donors as required
• Coordinate with local organizations for effective management of the three main pillars of the Takeda program namely asset (infrastructure), people (human resource for health and community demand generation) and health system strengthening.
• Support and manage new initiatives under the Access to Health Fund as per donor interests

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (for example: international development, public health, public administration, sociology, political science) with 7 years of relevant experience.
• A Bachelor’s degree with 9 years of relevant experience is considered as equivalent

Work Experience

• At least 7 years of experience managing grants or projects is required
• At least 3 years of working experience in the health sector is required
• Experience of working sensitively and effectively in a culturally diverse setting
• Previous experience with the Access to Health Fund desirable
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including drafting policy and program memos desirable
• Strategic planning, including the use of the logical framework approach and other planning activities desirable
• Risk management experience, particularly in conflict sensitive areas desirable
• Understanding of development aid, health, and humanitarian aid architecture desirable
• Experience working in local governance, including but not limited to formal local government structures, local and community based NGOs, traditional governance systems, and informal networks desirable

Languages

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Myanmar
• Knowledge of other languages spoken in Myanmar would be an advantage

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: 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

This vacancy is for Myanmar National only.

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.