Programme Management Advisor (Conflict Sensitivity), Multiple positions

The Livelihoods and Food Security (LIFT) Fund is a multi-donor fund established in 2009 to address food insecurity and income poverty in Myanmar. LIFT 2019-2023 is funded by seven donors – the United Kingdom, the European Union, Australia, Switzerland, the United States, Canada and Ireland. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is the Fund Manager for LIFT, administrating the funds and providing monitoring and oversight services.

The overall goal of the LIFT Fund is to achieve a sustained reduction in the number of people living in hunger and poverty in Myanmar. LIFT strengthens the resilience and livelihoods of poor and vulnerable populations through interventions to raise income, decrease vulnerability, improve nutrition and support pro-poor policy development.

LIFT works with a broad range of implementing partners, including non-governmental organizations, United Nations agencies, the Government of Myanmar, the private sector, civil society, academic and research institutions. The Fund is active in the four main agro-ecological zones of Myanmar and to date has reached more than 11.6 million people or roughly 26 per cent of rural Myanmar’s population; and is active in two-thirds of the country’s townships. For more details visit www.lift-fund.org.

LIFT’s refreshed strategy for 2019-23 has at its heart ‘leaving no one behind’ in Myanmar’s rural transition, with a greater focus on inclusion and social cohesion, intensified commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment, increased geographical focus on ethnic/border states and conflict-affected areas, enhanced efforts to bring displaced persons and returnees into LIFT’s development programmes, expanded support for underserved urban and peri-urban areas and broader engagement with Government at all levels on targeted policies that achieve gains in these areas

With the new LIFT focus in conflict affected areas, it is vital that programme frameworks are underpinned by a set of conflict sensitive principles and a thorough communication and consultation strategy. LIFT’s programme  aims to lay the groundwork for and catalyse, where possible, inclusive, conflict sensitive, climate-resilient and sustainable development in the region that addresses food, nutrition and  livelihood security of the most vulnerable.

Therefore, LIFT is seeking an advisor on peace and conflict dynamics in Myanmar as well as the social, political and institutional context in conflict-affected areas. Ongoing analysis and advice is required to ensure that LIFT’s programmes remain relevant and appropriate as the context changes. 

Purpose and scope of assignment

The purpose of the assignment is to provide strategic and operational advice to the LIFT  Fund Management Office (FMO) and, on request/coordinated by the FMO, to the FB and  implementing partners regarding peace and conflict dynamics in Myanmar, conflict sensitive programming, as well as the social, political and institutional context in conflict-affected areas of the country.

The advisor will focus on the following areas:
A. Operationalisation of LIFT’s conflict strategy:
Review the LIFT Conflict Strategy https://www.lift-fund.org/lift-conflict-framework. and support the action-plan to implement and guide locally customized approaches in conflict areas, adhering to international standards and good practice related to ‘do no harm’ practices;

B. Contextual analysis of conflict-affected areas:
The analysis will include the institutional (armed groups, government and donor/ implementing agencies) and activities landscape in conflict-affected areas.

C. Relationship building and partnering options:
Bringing and building relationships between LIFT (FB, FMO, IPs) and key actors and stakeholders in conflict affected areas.  Engaging with other key groups with expertise (such as JPF, PSF) and convening and supporting interactions with LIFT’s groups and networks on conflict (including critical friends). Support and advise on the development of LIFT’s partnerships with different types of partners (e.g., INGOs, LNGOs, NSAGs, and local community groups) and support partner selection processes.

D. Monitoring:
Develop and advise on approaches and methods for collecting, verifying and reporting data in conflict-affected areas aligning with LIFT’s Logframe;

E. Communication and consultation with stakeholders:
This should include advice on initial dialogue with key stakeholders and communication with stakeholders as LIFT’s activities in conflict-affected areas develops.

F. Continuing analysis & learning:
Ensure that LIFT’s programmes remain relevant and appropriate as the context changes and, provide the FMO/ Fund Board with monitoring and learning plans for LIFT’s work in conflict-affected areas, support and ensure a continued applied political economy analysis and further discussions of implications in FMO and FB;

G. Risk management:
Advice should include the identification of risks that LIFT is likely to face as well as options for management of the identified risks.

H. Programme reviews and impact assessments:
This will include advising on the design project appraisals as well as on-going monitoring and learning plans for LIFT’s work in conflict-affected areas.

The retainer will be expected to carry out the following tasks:

i. Remain updated on the evolution of the conflicts and the formal and informal peace processes in Myanmar.
ii. Prepare written advice on any of the above on request and pro-actively as required..
iii. On request, prepare comments on draft documents associated with any of the above.
iv. On request, facilitate meetings and workshops with staff of the Fund Management Office and the Fund Board.
v. In collaboration with the Fund Board and the Fund Management Office, make occasional visits to LIFT-funded projects in conflict-affected areas of Myanmar.

Monitoring and progress controls                     
                                        
Progress of the consultancy will be monitored by the LIFT Fund Director and Senior Programme staff.

Deliverables

1. Written products as requested
2. Field visit reports
3. Specific written deliverables as requested in the task note
4. Workshop and meeting facilitation as requested
5. Written inputs on LIFT’s risk matrix before every LIFT Fund Board meeting (3x per year)
6. Programmes risk assessment matrix (PRAM) and regular updated versions.
7. An annual report of work performed

Education

• A Master’s Degree or PhD in Social Sciences, Political Sciences, Development Studies or a related field is required.  Additional two years of similar experience with a Bachelor’s Degree is considered as equivalent.

Work Experience

• At least 7 years’ experience in advising development agencies in conflict-sensitive approaches is required.
• Familiarity with operational contexts and conflicts in South-East Asia and/or Myanmar is required.
• Knowledge of the political, economic and social situation of Myanmar’s conflict-affected areas is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in knowledge management, including knowledge generation and using knowledge to influence policy development is preferable.
• Previous successful involvement with, and good knowledge of, the UN system, NGOs and civil society is an advantage.
• Computer literacy in Microsoft packages (MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access) is required. Experience with Google Suite is highly preferred.

Language: 

• Fluency in both written and spoken English is essential.
• Knowledge of one of the languages spoken in Myanmar is an advantage.

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement(ICA) Contract level:  ICS 11/ IICA 3 
Contract duration: 1 year - Retainer not exceeding 80 days per year (possible extension subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability) 

• 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.