Programme Coordinator

UNOPS was selected by the Regional Steering Committee and Global Fund to Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) as a regional Principal Recipient (PR) of the Regional Artemisinin-resistance Initiative grant (RAI).  The implementation of the grant commenced in January 2014 and in November 2016, GFATM approved new funding allocations to PR-GFATM in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Vietnam, Myanmar and Thailand) to extend RAI into 2017, bridging the gap until the next three years funding cycle begins in 2018.  This new grant under negotiation in 2017 is known as the Regional Artemisinin-resistance Initiative for Malaria Elimination (RAI2E) 2018 – 2020.  Substantial amounts of the funds will continue to be allocated to building resilient and sustainable health systems, particularly in Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia.

UNOP delivers PR services on behalf of the Global Fund by providing health services to the communities through a versatile landscape of partnerships, working closely with the Ministries of Health (MoH) and civil society organisations as well as UN partners, providing health system strengthening services in a sustainable fashion and often times in the form of an advisor on building systems and capacities in planning, budgeting, implementation management, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, financial management, as part of the advisory services built into the Programme.      

UNOPS is PR for the Regional Artemisinin-resistance Initiative 2 - Malaria Elimination (RAI2E) grant in Lao PDR.  In order to ensure prudent financial and programmatic mechanisms, UNOPS is looking for a Programme Coordinator with expertise in programme financial management to establish a small PR-Program Management Unit (PMU) in Lao PDR MoH. 

UNOPS as Principal Recipient (PR) in Lao PDR is dedicated to building capacity.  The MOH functional teams and their programmes are used to one model of operation. PR aims to strengthen the functional teams of the Laos Principal Recipient Management Unit within the Ministry of Health.  The work of the PR with the Department of Planning and International Coordination (DPIC), Department of Finance (DOF) and Health Information Unit (HIU) will increasingly align with the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) structure, defining a mechanism to transfer capacity to line management functions of existing MoH staff.

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Director, and in accordance with UNOPS policies, procedures and practices, the Programme Coordinator is responsible for start-up and on-going performance of the RAI-2E grant in Lao PDR, managing overall operations, and assisting in negotiations with Global Fund and Laos - Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM).

Overall Responsibilities

• Provide managerial and programmatic leadership to the UNOPS PR unit in Lao PDR for effective communications, coordination, and human resources management.
• Design and implement financial systems controls for grant management.
• Design and implement capacity building and support to the Programme Management Unit of the MOH, which are the national PR in Laos.
• Manage grant funds and cash flow management and disburse funds to Sub-Recipients (SRs) where applicable.
• Provide reports to stakeholders and coordinate activities with other grants in Lao PDR.
• Ensure the development and implementation of an effective programme and financial M&E system including the Performance Frameworks meeting donor requirements, as well as ensuring that systems are in place for effective monitoring of the beneficiaries’ actions and of funds disbursed.
• Lead the development of capacity building plans and coordinate with other Sub-Recipients to ensure activities are undertaken at the province and district levels.
• Work closely with the CCM and the technical strategic committees of the CCM in managing grants.
• Support UNOPS in promoting knowledge management, especially relating to grants and public health initiatives.
• Lead an effective communications strategy and ensure effective relations with stakeholders.
• Implement effective risk management practices in all GF grants managed by UNOPS Lao PDR.
• Contribute to preparatory inception activities for new GFATM RAI 2E grant, develop SOPs, manuals, plans, reporting templates and all necessary programme support devices and toolsets required.
• Ensure activities for ongoing grants are monitored, analyzed and reported on and lead the preparation and timely submission of progress reports to the GFATM,
• Ensure proper planning, expenditure tracking and audit of financial resources for the GFATM grants; Monitor financial exception reports for unusual activities and transactions, and lead investigation of irregularities.
• Coordinate the preparation of project’s budgets: review budget submissions, analyse and report on budget approvals and delivery situation, monitor expenditures against approved budgets, and reporting on variances;
• Review, analyse and revise data with respect to the finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements submitted by the programme team, procurement team and the Support Services team covering GFATM grants;
• Ensure timely submission of financial reports to the Global Fund and other stakeholders in accordance with UNOPS rules, and in line with the established procedures;
• Ensure timely review of cash positions on hand.
• Ensure establishment of proper document control system.
• Provide professional advice and regular progress update to the Programme Director on the implementation of the UNOPS action plan to the Global Fund in Laos.

Education

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or related field or a Bachelor’s Degree with two years of additional relevant experience.

Experience

• Minimum 7 years of relevant, progressively responsible, job-related experience in the area of operation, administration, finance, or program implementation is required.
• At least 3 years of experience managing programme finance functions is required.
• Proficient in office software packages (MS Office 2010 or newer versions) is required.
• Experience working in coordination with donors, INGOs and civil society is desirable.
• Professional work experience in South East Asia is desirable.
• Previous experience with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis would be an asset.
• Sound knowledge of UNOPS regulations and rules would be an asset.

Language

• Fluency in written and spoken English is essential.

• 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.

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.