Senior Programme Manager

The Asia Pacific Regional Office, based in Bangkok, Thailand, provides strategic leadership and oversight for UNOPS operations across 17 countries, ensuring high performance, operational excellence, and alignment with organizational goals. Operations currently span Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Pacific Islands. Across these countries, we work closely with key stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and maximize impact through five main operating units: Afghanistan (AFCO), Myanmar (MMCO), South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO), East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO), and the Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC). Through these entities, we provide agile, client-focused service delivery across diverse sectors - including infrastructure, health, procurement, and project management - supporting the implementation of sustainable development solutions across the region.

The South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO) supports UNOPS operations across six countries: Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. SAMCO delivers a broad range of services and technical expertise in climate change, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), infrastructure, procurement, human resource management, and fund management. Each country office is staffed with local technical experts and maintains strong partnerships with national governments, ensuring context-specific solutions and effective project implementation.

Under the oversight of the SAMCO Director and the SAMCO Head of Programme for programmatic matters—and in coordination with the SAMCO Head of Support Services on operational requirements—the role provides strategic leadership and direction for a diverse and high-impact portfolio in Sri Lanka. The incumbent ensures effective performance and delivery of complex programmes, guiding project teams to meet legal obligations, Steering Committee guidance, and UNOPS’ legislative framework, while promoting best practices and achieving defined project success criteria.

1. Stakeholder Management

• Establish a solid working relationship with the Project Board/Steering Committee, current and potential partners and other key stakeholders to ensure effective delivery, as well as partner and issue/risk management.
• Manage the programmes’/projects’ communications and ensure stakeholders are aware of the programme activities, progress, exceptions.
• Advise the partners on issues that may impact the achievement of their outcomes and outputs.
• Manage the information flows between the Project Board/Steering Committee, MCO Director as the Engagement Authority, and Head of Programme as the Project Executive, as well as UNOPS’ respective portfolio/programme/project teams.
• Represent UNOPS at external events and meetings, and act as a focal point with respective national authorities, donors, UN partners and other stakeholders, in the respective portfolio/programme/project areas of focus, and as assigned by the MCO Director. 

2. Programme management

• Implement approved programme/project plans (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the Project Board/Steering Committee. 
• Advise and be guided by the Project Board/Steering Committee periodically on matters including delivery progress and outputs, as well as financial operations such as budgets, cash flow and expenditure.
• Manage delivery of the programmes’/projects’ outputs, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary.
• Manage the programmes/projects to ensure performance in the areas of finance (budget/cash flow/expenditure), work planning and resource mobilization, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), programmatic/administrative (including audit results) and procurement operations.
• Authorize, monitor and control work packages to be delivered by the UNOPS team or by implementing partners.
• Advise the Project Board and MCO management of deviations that have or will exceed set tolerances as approved in the respective plans.
• Identify and manage issues and risks so that maximum benefit to clients and stakeholders is achieved.
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of service providers from a fiduciary and contract management perspective.
• Control risks to UNOPS’ internal business case and take corrective actions.
• Represent UNOPS at programme/project related working level meetings on a periodic basis in order to discuss key issues and propose solutions to fiduciary and operational challenges that arise.
• Ensure that mainstreaming of principles of human rights, conflict sensitivity, gender equity, and accountability, ‘doing no harm’ and aid effectiveness in all activities associated with the programme.

3. Procedures

• On behalf of UNOPS, lead the development of the respective implementation plans for approval by the Project Board/Steering Committee, in full adherence with UNOPS’ project management manual.
• In consultation with the MCO HoSS, ensure compliance with UNOPS organizational policy, including UNOPS’ Financial Regulations and Rules.
• Ensure all reporting requirements as per legal agreement as well as ensuring internal UNOPS rules are met. 
• Maintain critical programme records/documents on the UNOPS Google Shared Drives (online audit/record retention folder).
• Manage budgets, cash flow and obligations to ensure that deliverables are met and payments to contractors, grantees/ implementing partners and personnel are received on time.
• Understand and manage UNOPS policy and related corporate charges as they apply to the Programme.
• Ensure supplier and/or implementing partner capacity is commensurate with funding requirements.
• Develop an understanding of the structure and approaches of the UN and manage operations and finances under the respective programmes/projects accordingly.
• Manage and remain accountable for expenditures against the approved plans and budgets (based on accurate financial reports).
• Ensure appropriate measures have been documented in the respective closure plans to facilitate the transition of operations in the final stage of delivery.

4. Monitoring and reporting

• Establish and continuously implement solid reporting mechanisms in the programmes/projects against set targets and indicators.
• Prepare and issue regular reports by coordinating the work of the respective teams in accordance with the funding partner and UNOPS requirements for reporting.
• Regularly review programmes’/projects’ status, evaluating performance criteria (scope, cost, schedule and quality).
• Maintain progress and highlight reports as required by the organization’s standard procedures.
• Provide routine oversight and analysis of delivery data.
• Ensure all team members track and regularly update milestones and targets.
• Coordinate quality reviews of programme documents and deliverables.
• Provide quality control for management outputs (documents, reports, etc.).

5. Knowledge building and knowledge sharing

• Establish a framework for monitoring, learning and knowledge management under the respective programmes/projects that is aligned to the country context.
• Build and share knowledge with regards to the development and implementation of the programmes/projects, synthesis of lessons learnt/best practices, and sound contributions to UNOPS Communities of Practice and knowledge management initiatives.
• Provide technical guidance and on-the-job training to ensure work standards are achieved, both in terms of quality and quantity of inputs/outputs processed.
• Support UNOPS’/SAMCO’s efforts in becoming a center of excellence for infrastructure, procurement, project and fund management, particularly in Sri Lanka.

6. Personnel management and leadership

• Plan, recruit, manage and develop portfolio/programme/project 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 portfolio/programme/project teams 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, harassment, sexual harassment, 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 portfolio/programme/project implementation, recommending changes and/or corrective actions in the team structure and/or financial operations to enhance and maintain effectiveness in the changing environment.

Required

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in project management, public administration, social sciences or related fields with 7 years of relevant experience is required.

OR 

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with 9 years of relevant experience.

Desired

• A globally or nationally recognized professional certificate in project management is desired.

Required

• Minimum 7 years of experience, including work in one or more of the following areas: oversight of multi-stakeholder initiatives, delivery against legal agreements, governance structures, and/or performance frameworks.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in stakeholder engagement and partnership management, particularly with government entities, donors, UN agencies, and implementing partners.
• Experience in one or more: financial and operational management, budgeting, cash flow oversight, procurement processes, risk management, and/or performance monitoring in compliance with organizational policies.
• Experience managing programmes or projects within UNOPS, in line with UNOPS policies and operational frameworks.

Desired

• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.
• Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.
• Experience in managing projects related to solid waste management, biodiversity, grants management, infrastructure, or similar areas is highly desirable.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. 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.

• 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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click 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.