Programme Management Office (PRMO) - Senior Officer

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 Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC) was established in 2018 to efficiently deliver grants and manage funds, and to provide quality pharmaceuticals and medical equipment.  The ARHC aims to significantly impact the targets of the UN Sustainable Development Goal on good health and well-being by expanding the population benefiting from UNOPS-managed health-related engagements across the Asia Region.

The ARHC portfolio manages the Principal Recipient (PR) Programme of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Asia, currently with grants in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. UNOPS, as a PR, is responsible for delivering the targets set out in the grant agreements in collaboration with selected sub-recipients from the National Programmes, local and international and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and United Nations agencies.

The Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC) is a dedicated UNOPS unit focused on delivering health programmes and procurement across the Asia Pacific region. Headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand, ARHC operates through a network of personnel in UNOPS country offices, leveraging local support services. ARHC's mission is to improve health outcomes and contribute to SDG 3 by providing tailored solutions and advisory services. Its expertise encompasses programme and fund management, pharmaceuticals and health sector procurement, and technical expertise in the health sector. Since 2011, ARHC has managed over US$1.68 billion in Global Fund grants for HIV, TB, and malaria programmes in the Greater Mekong Subregion, supporting national programmes, NGOs, and multilateral organizations. ARHC also extends its capabilities and services to UNOPS multi-country and country offices in the region, promoting regional collaboration and impact in the health sector.

Serving as the Global Fund Principal Recipient (PR) since 2011, UNOPS manages grants for Myanmar’s HIV, TB, and Malaria programs through its Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC) with full transparency and accountability. UNOPS has also been selected as the PR for the upcoming 2027–2029 HIV, TB, and RAI5E grants. Under the overall supervision of the Programme Director and the direct supervision of the Head of Programme Management Office, the Programme Management Office Senior Officer (Compliance) is responsible for evaluating and supporting the enhancement of the internal control systems of Sub-recipients/Implementation Partners (SR/IP).. S/he will also provide recommendations on financial tools used for our Sub-recipients (SRs) and Implementing Partners (IPs).

The Programme Management Office (PMO) Senior Officer (Compliance) provides coordination and analytical expertise for the oversight and internal control systems within the ARHC. Reporting to the Head of PMO, the incumbent is responsible for the systematic assessment, monitoring, and strengthening of financial management practices among Sub-recipients (SR) and Implementation Partners (IP). The role holder  coordinates compliance review processes and ensures strict adherence to UNOPS financial regulations and donor requirements, managing audit follow-ups, financial risk mitigation, and the continuous optimization of oversight tools to guarantee full transparency and accountability in grant management.

Compliance and Assurance:

• Under the guidance of the Head of PMO, prepare and implement the annual compliance and capacity building work plan, taking into account the most effective use of resources.

• Assess newly appointed SR/IPs capacities in financial management systems and practices, before the first disbursements. 

• Assess SR/IPs capacity within the areas of financial management, budgeting, accounting, and treasury and asset management and Internal control system based on the risk matrix.

• Document, evaluate and test systems and controls to determine SR/IPs adequacy and effectiveness toward (i) compliance with rules and regulations, (ii) accomplishment of project objective, (iii) reliability and integrity of information, (iv) efficient use of resources and (v) safeguarding of assets.

• Provide sound analyses and contributions to implement the effective internal control, proper design and functioning of the financial resources management system.

• Monitor risks of SR/IPs related threats to the internal control system and review processes, templates, and procedures, including those associated with monitoring and evaluation to mitigate the risk of misuse of donor funds and determine the best course of action.

• Provide analytical contributions and guidance to SR on developing and executing control and monitoring plan

• Conduct regular briefings to Programme Director and Programme Team regarding SR/IPs’ financial management and internal controls matters.

• Provide support in planning, coordination, and feedback during the Sub-recipient internal audits.

• Follow-up on SR/IP audit findings and make sure all are resolved in a timely and appropriate manner.

• Ensures the full compliance of the internal procedures and controls mechanism with the UNOPS policies and procedures and donors requirements.

• Respond to Local Fund Agent (LFA) queries during SR expenditure verification by LFA.

• Conduct independent and objective verifications of SRs expenditures. 

• Conduct field monitoring visits and sample expenditure testing to verify the validity, accuracy, and compliance of disbursements 

• Ensure regular and thorough spot-checks are conducted to verify that supporting documentation and operational procedures are complete and consistent. 

 Knowledge building and knowledge sharing

• Contribute to the development of capacity building plans for SRs/IPs, organize and undertake SRs/IPs capacity building in Financial Management as well as training in close cooperation with the Programme Management Unit and external specialists. Organize and facilitate training or workshops on lessons and good practices in various reviewed areas for SRs/IPs.

• Assist the SRs/IPs to develop/refine finance manuals or/and SOPs to guide their financial management activities and ensure staff accountabilities.

• Develop and continue to refine SRs/IPs finance capacity building tools based on new emerging issues.

• Maintain and update PR/ARHC Operational Guidelines for SRs/IPs

• Propose improvements on financial tools developed by UNOPS ARHC used for donor reporting.

• Organize and/or facilitate internal training to increase capacity and strengthen project support on financial management and compliance.

• Provide guidance to ARHC Finance Team to ensure a consistent approach for handling compliance issues.

Required:

• A Master’s degree in accounting, finance, audit or other field related to the duties above is required. 

• First level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in the above mentioned areas in combination with an additional 2 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Desired:

• Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is an asset.

Required:

• A minimum 2 years of professional-level experience in project accounting and preparation of financial statements in an international organization is required.Experience with MS Office or Google Suite is required. 

Desired:

• Knowledge of UNOPS financial rules and regulations is an asset

• Experience working with ERP and using financial management electronic systems is desired

• Experience in the UN system organizations is 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. 
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