UN Cluster International Coordinator

UNOPS 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. Within these three core areas of expertise, UNOPS provides its partners with advisory, implementation and transactional services, with projects ranging from building schools and hospitals, to procuring goods and services and training local personnel. UNOPS works closely with governments and communities to ensure increased economic, social and environmental sustainability for the projects we support, with a focus on developing national capacity. Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices in development, humanitarian and peacebuilding contexts, always satisfying or surpassing partner expectations.

The SECO-UN Trade Cluster Myanmar Project was signed between the Government of the Union of Myanmar through the Ministry of Commerce (Myanmar Trade Promotion Organisation) and the Government of Switzerland (Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs) signed in mid-2018 and current phase is expected to run until May 2022. Financed by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), the Project is implemented by the UN Trade cluster of agencies (UNCTAD (lead), ILO, ITC, UNIDO) and aims to enhance horticultural productive capacity, and improve tourism development, management and promotion, for the Southern Shan State. UNOPS is the SECO Trust Fund manager and provides coordination support to the fund.  UNOPS is managing the trust fund of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) for Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The SECO-UN Trade Cluster Project is an EIF Tier 2 bi-lateral project funded by Government of Switzerland and targeted to specific LDCs chosen by the donor.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Head of SECO-UNCTAD Global Management Board and the Head of PMO, MMOC, the UN Cluster International Coordinator's shall be responsible for, but not limited to, the following:

A.      Overall program design, implementation, coordination and management:

●        Promote and support poverty reduction, responsible tourism, organic production, social inclusiveness, women’s economic empowerment, environmental protection,      public/private sectors partnership, interagency coordination, and national ownership as the SECO and UN overarching values guiding this project.

●        Be responsible for managing and coordinating all stages of the UN Trade Cluster Project      (i.e. design, implementation and monitoring) in Myanmar and ensure its overall quality and coherence.          Work in close cooperation and coordination with the EIF-Aid for Trade National Project National Implementation Unit and Government / Donors Steering Committee led by the Ministry of Commerce in order to:

●        contribute to the implementation of the national priorities provided by the Medium-Term Programme for Aid For Trade and other national development strategies plans in the areas targeted by this intervention;

●        by disseminating the information on the project, as appropriate, and consulting with relevant Ministries, Shan State’s authorities, Governmental officers, contribute to enhancing national ownership and inter-ministerial coordination in the areas addressed by the project in view of an integrated and coherent approach to the projects’ goals, and in line with the general goals of EIF Tier 2 projects;

●        avoid duplications, identify complementarities and synergies, share information and lessons learnt, and facilitate coordination with other development partners intervening in areas related to this project and organise and develop mechanisms required for social dialogue and public/private sector partnership;

●        In close coordination with National Coordinator, support the Government authorities, particularly the Ministry of Commerce, with any  technical support relevant for this Project        in the overall coordination of trade-related technical assistance;

B.       Lead the Project Management Unit in Taunggyi

Providing information and suggestions to the UN Trade Cluster implementing agencies, and particularly identifying possible joint activities, coordinating closely between implementation agencies’ Head Quarter and field offices, coordinate and facilitate in country work of agencies, therefore contributing to their coherent and well-sequenced work without interfering with their expertise and their own internal processes.

●        Prepare the draft Annual Work Plans and budgets of the project in collaboration with the Project Management Board, the relevant Government units and national / local stakeholders, the UN Trade Cluster implementing agencies in view of adjusting the project components to the country needs and to the progress gradually achieved by the intervention.

●        Ensure the project’s progress and implementation plan is updated and reflected in the Myanmar UN Development Assistance Framework, provide advice to participating UN agencies on this, and cooperate with the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in this regard.

●        Lead and motivate the project management unit team

●        Ensure that behavioural expectations of team members are established

●        Ensure that performance reviews are conducted

●        Identify outstanding staff and bring them to the attention of the OC Director

●        Select, recruit and train team as required by project plans

●        Perform the Team Manager role, unless appointed to another person(s)

●        Ensure safety and security for all personnel and comply with UNDSS standards

●        Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into project life cycle.

●        Liaise with any external suppliers or account managers

●        Identify and manage risks so that maximum benefit to client and stakeholders is achieved

●        Manage and review product quality and ensure products are accepted

●        Identify and report threats to business case to supervisorPerform other related duties as required.

C.       Stakeholder Management: 

●        Manage communications and ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover products 

●          Advise the client on issues that may impact the achievement of their outcomes (including issues of sustainability and post project requirements such as maintenance).

D.      Project monitoring and reporting:

• Prepare and regularly update Result Measurement Plans for the project to effectively monitor results; provide recommendations and lessons learnt to enhance the delivery for subsequent Annual Work Plans;
• Working with National Coordinator, closely monitor the implementation of the activities, identify problems and deficiencies, and initiate and propose corrective actions when necessary;
• Carry out missions to the targeted areas in the context of the implementation of the Program;
• Support and coordinate external Result Oriented Monitoring missions;
• Co-chair the Project Management Board and participate in the SECO-UN Global Management Board meetings, prepare relevant inputs as required and ensure appropriate follow-up to relevant decisions;
• Prepare monitoring and progress reports, bi-annual and annual reports for the SECO-UN Global Management Board, and for the Ministry of Commerce / EIF-Aid for Trade Steering Committee, as required. Similarly prepare handover report and end project report during project closure.

E.      Knowledge Management:

• Working closely with National Coordinator, develop an overall framework that guides knowledge management for this project;
• Co-develop a webpage      to facilitate sharing and exchange of information, and facilitate the dissemination on the project’s goals and activities among interested national and international audiences;

F.       Capacity Building:

• In order to ensure a regular transfer of skills to the national counterparts, i.e. the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Coordinator will work closely with National Coordinator to support           and participate, as necessary, the implementation of a training plan for key Ministry officials and representatives of other partner and beneficiary institutions.                          

Core Values and Principles: 

Understand and respect UNOPS sustainability principles 

• Look for ways to embed UNOPS sustainability principles in day to day project management 
• Seek opportunities to champion gender equality at work place 
• Champion and communicate project’s sustainability aspects with key stakeholders 

Understand and Respect National ownership and capacity 

• Understand the principles of the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness and mainstream them into the project plans 
• Seek opportunities to recruit qualified local staff 
• Look for ways to build capacity of local counterparts 

Partnerships and Coordination Understand the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and UNOPS, the project’s place in the UN system 

• Strive to build strong partnerships and effective coordination among relevant project actors (e.g. United Nations, governments, and non-governmental organizations or other relevant partners)  

Accountability for results  and the use of resources 

• The project management processes are designed to deliver maximum accountability, transparency and results. If a project or processes is not in line with this, it is the responsibility of the PM to raise the issue with  a supervisor 

Excellence 

• Contribute to innovation and the adaptation of best practice standards of sustainability and quality.  

Monitoring and Progress Controls

The incumbent will report to the UNCTAD Global Management Board representative for substantive supervision and the Head of PMO, MMOC, UNOPS for administration.

• Strategic thinking and coordination, organization skills;
• Strong leadership and management skills;
• Building alliances/partnerships skills;
• Strong planning, monitoring and report writing skills;
• Substantive knowledge of political, social and economic development issues of the Region;
• Capacity to promote knowledge sharing and familiar with Results-based Management (RBM).

• Minimum advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, International Relations, Business Administration or any related areas with a speciality in Project Planning, Management, Economic or Trade Policy field is required.
• First university degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) with an additional 2 years of relevant experience is considered as equivalent.

Certification

• PRINCE2 foundation is preferred.

Work Experience

• At least 5 years progressively responsible experience in project/program planning, programming, implementation and evaluation, preferably within the UN System or in relation to UN development operations, is required;
• Experience in the field of program/project management and coordination in the international economic or trade sector is preferred;
• Experience with international development organizations is preferred;
• Experience working in Myanmar or South-East Asia and good knowledge of the region is preferred;
• Knowledge of Making Markets Work for the Poor approach to sustainable development as endorsed by the Government of Switzerland is preferred;
• Good understanding of the One UN process and mechanisms of joint implementation of programmes from the UN is preferred.

Languages

• Fluency in English is required. Basic Burmese language proficiency desirable.

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement  Contract level: IICA 2
Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’

• 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.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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 is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.