Programme Officer (Uplands and Conflict Sensitive Programming)

The Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT) is a multi-donor fund established in Myanmar in 2009 with the purpose of increasing the livelihoods' resilience and nutrition of poor people in Myanmar by focusing on interventions that increase income, food availability, utilization and stability of access to food. LIFT has received funding from 14 donors to date[1]. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is the Fund Manager (FM) to administer the funds and provide monitoring and oversight.

LIFT is active in the four main agro-ecological regions of Myanmar, including the central dry zone (Dry Zone), the Ayeyarwaddy Delta (Delta), Rakhine and the upland areas of the country (Uplands).  Read more about LIFT on www.lift-fund.org.

The LIFT Fund Management Office (FMO) has a substantial programme unit with teams responsible for LIFT’s work in each agro-ecological zone (see above for these zones) as well as teams for each of LIFT’s main cross-cutting themes (financial inclusion, private sector & inclusive value chains, and civil society strengthening).  The FMO also has teams responsible for communications, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL), policy, learning and knowledge management and for support services.  

The programme team is responsible for: a) designing new programmes; b) identifying appropriate projects; c) monitoring and learning from the implementation of these projects; d) feeding lessons into programme design and policy dialogue. 

The position will be located in the programme team of the LIFT Fund Manager’s Office which consists of over 50 national and international staff organised into programme, MEAL, policy communications and programme support.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The Programme Officer will contribute to the implementation of the LIFT strategy through the management of the programmes and projects assigned to him/her. The primary purpose of the position will be to lead and deliver on LIFT Uplands programme.   The post holder will also be expected to lead and coordinate with others LIFT’s work in areas emerging from conflict.   

Under the direct supervision of the LIFT Programme Coordinator, in close coordination with other LIFT personnel, and in accordance with UNOPS policies, procedures and practices, the Programme Officer will be responsible for the following:

Lead the planning and implementation of the LIFT programme in Uplands and conflict affected areas:

• Keep LIFT abreast of global trends in conflict sensitivity and Do-No-Harm approaches. Maintain a detailed knowledge of in-country developments and analyse, synthesize and communicate lessons and knowledge. Ensure that this learning is translated into improved project design and implementation.
• Finalize the related strategy and programme framework by facilitating discussions among LIFT Fund Board members, Fund Management Team, and external stakeholders. Manage this multi-stakeholder environment to set parameters for LIFT’s strategic vision on working in conflict affected areas, conflict sensitivity and developing a programme inclusive of Internally Displaced Peoples and returnees.
• Ensure that the programmes are consistent with LIFT’s gender strategy.

Lead programme design and manage programmes funded by LIFT:

• Conceptualize new calls for proposal to seek for qualified organizations which can support LIFT.
• Proactively engage non-traditional LIFT partners to explore new partnerships which can add new strategic alliances, innovation, and value for money to LIFT’s work.
• Lead proposal appraisal processes, present recommendations for funding to the Fund Board, and contract approved project proposals.
• Supervise efficient and effective grant management for projects financed by LIFT by adhering to LIFT’s operational guidelines and principles.
• Support LIFT implementing partners by providing guidance for project adjustments to reflect new knowledge, lessons learned and international good practice.
• Lead on Monitoring and Evaluation for Learning and Accountability (MEAL) at project and programme level, and contribute to assessment of value for money.
• Contribute to the coordination and collaboration between LIFT’s different programme teams and units (communications; MEAL; policy; programme support).

In close collaboration with the Fund Director and Programme Coordinator, represent LIFT with its important stakeholders:

• Actively support the Fund Board in relation to national policies, strategies and programmes whenever they exist or inputs are requested.
• Proactively lead strategic engagement with relevant government departments, civil society, private sector, media, and academia
• Coordinate relevant technical meetings and contribute to policy dialogue in the LIFT priority areas.
• Represent LIFT at sectoral working groups or inter-agency coordination efforts. 

Contribute to effective knowledge management within LIFT:

• Identify and document key lessons and good practices identified in LIFT-funded projects.
• Collaborating actively with the communications team in the preparation of briefing notes, reports and knowledge products.
• Building and maintaining strategic linkages with a wide range of stakeholders including: government ministries, departments and agencies; development coordination mechanism, private sector stakeholders; and other organizations.
• Supervise and guide a team of project officers. Empower staff through sensible delegation of responsibility, coaching, and regular feedback and training opportunities.

Other duties as assigned by the Programme Coordinator or Fund Director.

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

Deliverables

Ensure that the programme produces the required products within the specified tolerance of time, cost, quality, scope, risk and benefits. The post holder is also responsible for the project producing a result capable of achieving the benefits defined in the Business Case. Contribute to the overall business targets and needs. Details deliverables will be agreed in annual work plans.

Education

• Master’s degree in Agriculture, Rural Development, Natural Resource Management, Political or Social Sciences, or a related field from an accredited academic institution is required.
• University degree in the above fields with additional two years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master’s degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum 7 years of relevant technical experience in managing rural development projects is required.
• Four years of this experience requires to be field experience in developing countries.
• Significant professional experience in Southeast Asia is preferred.
• Expertise, experience and/or understanding of conflict sensitive programming is required.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research and analysis, and write analytical or summative reports is required.
• Experience in natural resource governance and working with government systems is a strong asset.
• Experience working and coordinating multi-stakeholder processes and facilitating multi-donor dialogues is a strong asset.
• Computer literacy in Microsoft packages (MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access) is required, along with the ability to use software tools to present data clearly and concisely.

 Language

• Fluency in both written and spoken English is essential.

Work-life harmonization 

We value our people and recognize the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. UNOPS has a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offers flexible working options. This applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types across the globe.

• 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.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• 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.