Head of Programme Management Office

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). In addition, UNOPS is Principal Recipient for the Global Fund in Myanmar and for the Global Fund’s 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 organizations in the country, including the Government of Myanmar, international development partners, other UN agencies, NGOs and INGOs. UNOPS plays a critical role in ensuring that the quality of services provided to its partners meets stringent requirements of speed, efficiency and cost effectiveness.

Over 90% of UNOPS Myanmar’s expected delivery in 2017 will come from UNOPS’ fund management role of GFATM, LIFT, 3MDG and JPF. The first three of these “programmes” started as completely autonomous units in separate locations. In 2013, they moved to the same premises and in the interest of cost savings and efficiency, agreed to establish a centralized support services unit to provide common services. While each programme was encouraged to take advantage of the common services in human resources, information and communication technology, safety and security, facility and transport administration, procurement and finance, they also continued to maintain their own internal structure and processes in grants and programme management.

In order to gain additional efficiencies as well as strive for excellence in provided services, UNOPS Myanmar is creating a Programme Management Office (PMO) to replace the current Programme Support Units within some of the Funds. 

The PMO will have a flat and decentralized structure to continue supporting the specific needs of the individual funds, while fostering cross-pollination of information, knowledge and implementation of good practices across the Funds.

The Head of PMO reports directly to the UNOPS Myanmar Director and Representative, who provides direction and general supervision. The Head of PMO is responsible to work towards the results as outlined below, in the areas of the following functional responsibilities:

• Budgeting and financial reporting (donors, and other clients)
• Grants / Contracts management
• Programme specific operational support
• Audit and oversight of programmes under the PMO, performance and coordination
• Project management and management of programme support

The role contributes, as part of the UNOPS Myanmar team, to the development and implementation of strategies to enhance the competencies and position of UNOPS in sustainable project management and services to partners, stakeholders and UN system partners.

Summary of key results:

1. PMO governance, implementation and coordination
2. Management and Leadership
3. Knowledge management and innovation
4. Centre of Excellence

1)      PMO governance, implementation and coordination

• Responsible for all PMO service areas including budgeting and financial reporting, grant/ contract management, programme specific operational support, audit, output analysis and oversight, in accordance with the PMO charter, UNOPS Rules and Regulations, and under delegation of the UNOPS Myanmar Director and Representative;
• Responsible for effective coordination of PMO activities with all PMO stakeholders and across UNOPS Myanmar, especially with Fund Directors, Support Services, and programme teams, in order to ensure overall success of Programmes;
• Foster clear communication within the PMO team and with the other PMO stakeholders;
• Establish and execute the PMO implementation plans in collaboration with the team and stakeholders, including setting objectives, performance measurements, standards and results expected to ensure timely and cost effective client oriented services and efficient application of UNOPS tools, systems, and processes in accordance with UNOPS Myanmar goals;
• Identify, assess and manage risks and opportunities for the PMO.  
• Collaborate with the UNOPS Myanmar Partnership Unit to provide expertise in project/programme start-up, and prepare proposals and partnerships engagement by providing technical expertise and relevant inputs;
• Work closely with the Fund Directors and Partnerships Unit to build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, in particular, donors and Government.  

2)     Management and Leadership

• Attract and retain talent in the PMO to develop an agile and empowered team with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance and ability to respond to changing environment;
• Lead the different teams of the PMO, facilitate and foster a solution-focused culture, and promote teamwork and collaboration, providing clear direction, objectives and guidance to enable the teams to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently, ensuring the highest standards of conduct are observed;
• Develop innovative approaches and continuously assess team and individual performance and effectiveness, making changes and/or taking corrective actions in structure and/or operations to enhance and maintain effectiveness in changing environment;
• Lead the planning, implementation and organization of strategic capacity building of personnel, and knowledge sharing with clients and stakeholders;

3)      Knowledge management and innovation

• Keep abreast of and incorporate good practices, approaches and technology to enhance programme delivery and results;
• Institutionalise and share good practices and lessons for corporate development planning and knowledge building;
• Develop policy papers and/or recommend policy changes to align PMO operations with the changing business environment;
• Coordinate with the Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG) for tailoring good practices to meet the specific needs of UNOPS Myanmar.
• At the request of the UNOPS Myanmar Director and Representative participate and/or represent the Operations Centre in inter-agency discussions and planning to ensure UNOPS position, interests and priorities are fully considered;

4)      Centre of Excellence

• Through leadership and support, build a recognized centre of excellence in programme management by setting and attaining high standards, defining and encouraging consistent practices and procedures, and delivering reliable quality services.
• Contribute to documenting UNOPS Myanmar fund management and programme management experience and in making that expertise available to other business units within UNOPS.

Other duties as assigned by the UNOPS Myanmar Director and Representative.

Impact of Results

The effective and successful performance of the Head of PMO directly impacts achievement of programme results and consequently reinforces the visibility and image of UNOPS Myanmar as a partner of choice and preferred service provider in project services and fund management.

• A Master’s degree in project management, public administration, social science or other relevant related field is required. 
• A Bachelor's Degree in combination with 2 additional years of experience relevant to above duties and responsibilities may be accepted in lieu of the Master’s Degree.
• Certification in PRINCE2, PMP or equivalent is preferred 

• A minimum of 7/10 years’ experience in project or programme management that combines strategic and managerial leadership in social development, business development, grant management, executive management or programme management planning and operations in a large international and/or corporate organization. 
• Experience in building and leading successful teams is required.
• Prior experience working in a developing country is required.
• Prior experience in working in Asia would be an asset.
• Experience in UN system organizations preferably in a developing country is desirable.
• Good understanding of UNOPS Rules and regulations is an advantage.

• Full working knowledge of English is essential.
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset.

• 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.