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Head of Programme

Yangon

  • Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
  • Location: Yangon
  • Grade: Mid/Senior level - Mid/Senior - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Development Cooperation and Sustainable Development Goals
    • Programme Management
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background Information - Job-specific

UNOPS Myanmar

Myanmar is one of UNOPS leading offices in Asia, acting as fund manager for three of the largest development programmes in the country, namely the Three Millennium Development Goal Fund (3MDG), the Livelihood and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT) and the Joint Peace Fund (JPF). Also, UNOPS Myanmar is Principal Recipient for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Myanmar and Cambodia, and for the Global Fund¹s Regional Artemisinin-resistance Initiative targeting drug-resistant malaria 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 Government of Myanmar, international development partners, other UN agencies, NGOs and INGOs. UNOPS Myanmar plays a critical role in ensuring that the quality of services provided to its partners meets stringent requirements of speed, efficiency and cost effectiveness.

Job Specific

The 3MDG Fund was launched in 2012 and is set to continue until the end of 2018. By pooling over $283 million through the contributions of seven bilateral donors – Australia, Denmark, the European Union, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America – 3MDG promotes the efficient use of development funds.  3MDG accelerates progress towards the health Millennium Development Goals and the achievement of Universal Health Coverage in Myanmar. In close partnership with the Government of Myanmar and others, it strengthens the national health system at all levels, helping poor and vulnerable people access quality health services.

A new structure for the 3MDG Fund

In 2016 the Ministry of Health and Sports (MOHS), in consultation with Health Partners, developed the 2017-2022 Myanmar National Health Plan (NHP) – a roadmap for the country’s response to health challenges in the next five years.  The 3MDG Fund, now extended until the end of 2018, aims at supporting the NHP and fully aligning with its approach. This entails:

-        Focusing efforts on the delivery of an Essential Package of Health Services (EPHS) to all populations in Myanmar;

-        Focusing on equity and on access to Health for the most underserved populations (remote and conflict areas, marginalized populations)

-        Ensuring that all interventions – including through support to service-delivery – contribute to capacity building and Health Systems Strengthening (HSS).

As part of this transformation, the Fund Management Office (FMO) is being reorganized, moving away from a vertical structure by components[1] and towards an organigram in which a Strategy Department provides cross-cutting support (Health, HSS, Civil Society, Conflict Sensitivity) while a Programmes Department manages grants and interventions in selected geographies.

[1] Component 1: Mother, Newborn and Child Health; Component 2: HIV, Harm Reduction, TB, Malaria; and Component 3: Health Systems Strengthening

Functional Responsibilities

The Programmes Department is composed of geographical teams reporting to the Head of Programmes .   The  Head of Programmes works in close collaboration with the  Head of Strategy to ensure the 3MDG Fund delivers excellent results through sound grant and programme management.  The Head of Programmes is a key member of the 3MDG Senior Management Team. Under the supervision of the Fund Director, the Programmes Director is responsible for the following:

Management of the Programmes Department

  • Ensure the Department’s close collaboration and impeccable teamwork with the Strategy Department, the M&E Team, the Programme Support Unit, the Procurement Team, the LIFT Fund, the Global Fund Principal Recipients, and other relevant UNOPS stakeholders
  • This will include information sharing, joint visioning, joint planning, and working as ‘one team’ in the implementation of programmes
  • Provide guidance and support to Regional Team Leaders in all aspects of their work, including grant-making, grant management, liaison with government and non-government stakeholders, programme reviews, reporting, and all other aspects as relevant.
  • Ensure that the 3MDG’s programmes actively pursue ways to deliver more health per dollar by expanding the set of essential health services available to people in Myanmar and increasing the number of people with access to these services
  • Constantly adapt the portfolio and delivery-modalities to ensure efficiency and value-for-money
  • In partnership with the Strategy Department, and in close collaboration with the MOHS and other relevant Ministries, ensure that programme activities are aligned with the National Health Plan, with Ministry priorities, with EHOs’ priorities when relevant, with 3MDG’s conflict sensitivity principles, with approaches to civil society engagement, and with other key principles of the Fund
  • Create and maintain strong partnerships with relevant external stakeholders, including major donors in health, in a spirit of supporting and facilitating each other’s work and aligning towards shared goals.
  • 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.

Management of the Fund

  • As a senior member of the 3MDG Management Team, collaborate with the Fund Director and assume an active role in defining programme direction by guiding adaptation of the Fund to changing circumstances and overseeing a constant learning and transformation agenda which aims to keep the Fund’s support at the forefront of the Myanmar Health response.
  • In coordination with and under the overall leadership of the Fund Director, be able to present 3MDG’s Programme to the highest levels with the MOHS, 3MDG Board, and others as required.

Information and knowledge management

  • Ensure that the Programmes Department adequately manages knowledge and information – keeping the 3MDG Fund and its key Partners abreast of important developments and capturing and sharing lessons learned
  • On a regular basis, critically analyze risks to 3MDG investments and develop, implement, and update mitigation plan(s) for identified risks.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

a.      Education

  • A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (for example: international development, public health, public administration, sociology, political science) with 10 years of relevant experience.
  • A Bachelor’s degree with 12 years of relevant experience is considered as equivalent

b.     Work Experience

  • At least 10 years of experience managing grants or projects is required
  • At least 5 years of working experience in the health sector is required
  • Full competency in the usage of computers and office software packages 
  • Experience of working sensitively and effectively in a culturally diverse setting would be an asset
  • Previous experience with the 3MDG Fund is 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

c.      Languages

  • Fluency in written and spoken English and Myanmar

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.
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: Local Individual Contractor Agreement
Contract level: LICA 11
Contract duration: 1 year (renewable subject to performance and budget availability)



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 


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.
  • For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
  • 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.

This is a Local Internal Position and Only Myanmar Nationals Working Currently in UNOPS are Eligible to Apply.
UNOPS may consider allowing current holders of FTA contracts who are successful to keep their FTA contracts.


Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

This vacancy is now closed.