UNDP has been providing development assistance to the people of Myanmar since the 1950s. UNDP operated under a restricted mandate from 1993 until 2012 implementing the Human Development Initiative programme which provided assistance directly to communities and individuals for improving their lives and livelihoods. In 2013, UNDP began working through two country programmes, and between 2018 and 2020 the focus shifted to direct support to the Myanmar Government. Following the military takeover in 2021, UNDP Myanmar pivoted to directly target the extremely vulnerable by meeting their basic needs and supporting community recovery, through the Community First Programme: 2021-2025. We have and extensive presence with 4 field offices covering 11 states and regions, with offices in Mon State - covering Mon and the southeastern regions including Bago – and Kachin and Shan states. UNDP also has a field office in Rakhine State and a sub-office in northern Rakhine.

UNDP Myanmar works with an extensive network of local CSO, CBO, grassroots partners and community leaders established by UNDP under the Human Development Initiative which started in 1993. These networks remain operational, and UNDP has been able to quickly connect and deliver support through them despite rapid changes in Myanmar’s political and social landscape.

The ENCORE Project (Enhaning Community Resilienc) project aims to strengthen the resili-ence of vulneratble communities to climate change and natural disasters through the promo-tion of inclusive, sustainable, and locally driven development solutions. Rooted in the princi-ples of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the project supports national and local capacities in climate adaptation, disaster preparedness, and community empowerment.

The project contributes to the achievement of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 11 (Sustainable Citiies and Communities), and SDG 1 (No Poverty). As part of its regional implementaytion, ENCORE also expores new modalities of volunteer engagement, including international and national UN Volunteers, to drive innovation, build capacity, and ensure a people centered approach to resilience-building.

Under the direct supervision of ENCORE Project Manager and in close collaboration with UNDP’s team of technical experts, the UN Volunteer will take the following key responsibilities:
1. Design and Ensure the Quality and Technical Soundness of Small Basic Social Infrastructure Projects
• Needs Assessment and Resilient Design
Assess infrastructure facility needs in consultation with the community, ensuring inclusive participation, especially of vulnerable groups.
Design infrastructure using Build Back Better principles, incorporating climate and disaster resilience features.
Integrate green infrastructure and nature-based solutions where feasible.

• Technical Documentation
Provide complete and technically sound designs, cost estimates, BOQs, and specifications that meet international standards.
Ensure all infrastructure is disaster-resilient, climate-adaptive, and aligned with local context and materials.
• Implementation Modality and Community Engagement
Advise on implementation modalities that incorporate Cash for Work (CfW) schemes to engage local labor, especially women and youth.
Develop a community mobilization plan to ensure local ownership, participation, and sustainability of the infrastructure.

2. Ensure Quality of Civil Works and Technical Supervision
• Monitoring and Supervision Plan
Design a monitoring and supervision plan tailored to remote or hard-to-reach areas, including practical tools and community-based monitoring mechanisms.
Provide recommendations for inclusive and safe worksite practices, ensuring community safety and post-construction site cleanliness.
• Supervision and Reporting
Supervise civil works with both technical and non-technical personnel, including community members engaged through CfW.
Provide regular updates and recommendations to UNDP, including:
Quality checks of civil works and materials, ensuring compliance with UNDP standards.
Verification of gradient and drainage for roads, canals, and other infrastructure.
Documentation of monitoring reports with dates, photos, and site-specific notes.
Immediate reporting of issues requiring UNDP intervention.
Facilitate communication among project teams and provide technical guidance.

• Community Participation and Capacity Building
Ensure community members involved in CfW receive basic orientation on safety, quality, and environmental standards.
Promote skills transfer and local capacity building through on-the-job training during implementation.