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.

Access to Health Fund

The Access to Health Fund aims to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations in conflict-affected areas of Myanmar. The Fund works with local and international partner organizations and other key stakeholders to increase people’s access to health services (maternal, newborn and child health, sexual and reproductive health and rights, combating HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria) and to strengthen health systems. The Access to Health Fund is supported by the United Kingdom, Sweden, the United States, Switzerland, Canada, Australia and Norway. 

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

***** This VA is only for internal candidates.

The Senior Programme Manager (Special Projects) manages the special project teams, under the supervision of the Deputy Fund Director (Programme).

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

Conflict Sensitive Project Management and Coordination

• Oversee the implementation of the special projects in line with the strategy of  the Access to Health Fund

• Ensure that the special projects and the pooled fund projects complement each other and synergise to deliver efficient and better results and outcomes

• Manage the portfolio of grants within the special projects

• Work closely with Regional Programme Teams to ensure coordination, information sharing, alignment and synergies across Access to Health Fund geographies and thematic 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.

• Collaborate with Finance Unit in planning, tracking and revising project budgets in compliance with requirements of UNOPS and respective donor agencies

• Ensure delivery through the most efficient approach (number and nature of Implementing Partners, work through existing/sustainable structures, etc.)

• 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

• Maintain relations with respective donors through regular communication and reporting

• Coordinate with Learning Unit in documenting and reviewing the milestones and lessons learned under special projects, aligned with the Fund’s overall learning agenda

• 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 Special  Projects at coordination meetings on developments in the geography/area

• Coordinate program visits from the donors as required

• Lead and organize forums and workshops for implementing partners and local organizations for better coordination and regular review of project progress

• Support and manage new initiatives under the Access to Health Fund as per donor interests

Required

• A Master’s degree preferably in 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

Required

• 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

Desired

• Experience of working sensitively and effectively in a culturally diverse setting

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including drafting policy and program memos desirable

• Experience in 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

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• 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. 
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

• 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.