Programme Management Senior Officer (Conflict affected areas)

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.https://www.lift-fund.org/lift-strategy-2019-2023

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.
The post will be located in the LIFT Fund Manager’s Office, a team of  approx. 65 people organised in the following teams: programme, M&E, communications and support (contract and budget management). The incumbent will work within one of the LIFT Fund Management Office programme team with focus on the programme in  conflict affected areas. 

Programme Management Senior Officers work under the overall oversight of the LIFT Fund Director and supervision by the LIFT  Senior Programme Manager. The Programme Management Senior Officer will work in the LIFT Programme Department reporting directly to the LIFT  Senior Programme Manager for their team in accordance with UNOPS policies, procedure and practices. This position will take a leading role in working with projects in conflict affected areas and liaising with partners working in those contexts.

Programme Management Senior Officer responsibilities include the following:

Under the direct supervision of the international  Senior Programme Manager Officer and in accordance with UNOPS policies, procedures and practices, the Programme Officer  will be responsible for: 
I. Supporting programme design and managing projects funded by LIFT. The main tasks include: 

1. Evaluating proposals, including work plans and budgets, submitted by applicants and ensuring that proposals are in compliance with Fund policy and priorities as well as in line with national frameworks where they exist, and that proposals take into account work undertaken or planned by the government or other donors.

2. Reviewing work plans and reports submitted by Fund implementing partners and ensuring they are sound, in line with contractual obligations and with Fund policy and priorities.

3. Contributing to the preparation of the Fund Manager's work plans and reporting through analyzing information from implementing partners (IPs), drafting, and developing visual aids for presentational purposes as deemed necessary;

4. Routine monitoring of funded project implementation progress (including regular field visits), activity results and impact, and project budgets. Support IPs by providing recommendations for adjustments to projects that reflect changing circumstances, and learn lessons for wider application.

5. Ensuring relevant and timely feedback to/from IPs and beneficiaries that contributes to the wider monitoring and evaluation, and learning function of the Fund. Synthesize lessons and communicate to ensure project learning is translated into improved project design and implementation.

6. Preparing briefing material as required for missions and/or discussions on project activities and status; 

7. Interacting with colleagues, clients and partners to exchange information on operational activity, ensure optimal cooperation, resolve routine operational issues, and identify good practice and increase effectiveness. 

8. Building effective working relationships with relevant government departments and local government administrations  as well as with Ethnic Service Providers (ESPs) and civil society organizations, associated with LIFT projects.

9. Maintaining excellent contact and working relationships with all implementation partners and other LIFT stakeholders whether in Yangon or in the field ( in conflict affected areas) .

10. Supporting implementing partners working in conflict affected areas, with capacity building and coordination initiatives. 

1. Supporting LIFT’s M&E team to (a) develop and implement the Fund's M&E system, (b) ensure adequate feedback to/from LIFT implementing partners and beneficiaries, (c) advise implementing partners on their own internal M&E systems. 

2. Identifying and documenting key lessons of LIFT-funded projects. This includes identifying topics for special studies and conducting cost comparisons and value-for-money reviews where possible and relevant.   

3. Building and maintaining strategic linkages with a wide range of stakeholders including government ministries, departments and agencies, private sector stakeholders, ethnic service providers, civil society  organizations and others.

4. Attending, and where required, leading relevant technical meetings and community of practice for partners working in conflict affected areas..

5. Contributing to the preparation of the Fund Manager's work plans and reports.

6. Undertaking needs and resource assessments and recommend additional action that may be necessary to ensure the effectiveness of the Fund and contribute to growing the livelihoods knowledge base in Myanmar.

7. Maintain detailed knowledge of relevant issues in relation to the livelihoods, and promote information sharing among stakeholders.

8. Provide regular updates on the evolution of  conflicts and the formal and informal peace processes in Myanmar.

1. Draft terms of reference for contracted services on behalf of the Fund;

2. Assist the Fund Manager with the translation of documents written in the Myanmar language;

3. Other duties as assigned by the Senior Programme manager and Fund Director.

• A Master degree in rural development, economics, social science ,  development studies or related fields is required. Additional 2 years of similar experience with a Bachelor Degree is considered as equivalent.

• A minimum 2 years’ experience in project development and implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development  projects in Myanmar is required.

• Demonstrated operational field experience in the Upland areas of Myanmar is required

• Previous successful involvement with, and good knowledge of UN, NGOs and civil society would be a major asset.

• Familiarity with operational contexts and conflicts in Myanmar is a major asset. 

• Knowledge of the political, economic and social situation of Myanmar’s conflict-affected areas is desirable.

• Computer literacy in Microsoft packages (MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access) is required. Experience with Google Suite is highly preferred.

• Fluency in both written and spoken Myanmar language and English is required.

Contract type:  Local Individual Contractor Agreement  Contract level:  LICA 9
Contract duration: Ongoing ICA - ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’

THIS IS A LOCAL POSITION. ONLY MYANMAR NATIONALS ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY. ALL OTHER APPLICANTS WILL BE REJECTED.

• 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.