Programme Management Advisor (Humanitarian) - Retainer

UNOPS 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 Access to Health Fund, the Livelihoods and Food Security 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 towards elimination of Malaria, which works to accelerate progress towards malaria elimination in the greater Mekong sub-region. UNOPS provides procurement, infrastructure and project management services to a wide range of organisations in the country, including the 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. 

The Nexus Response Mechanism is a programme initiated by the EU aimed at contributing to Myanmar lasting peace and national reconciliation, security, stability and sustainable development without missing humanitarian needs. Its actions are focused on providing support to conflict-affected populations, displaced populations, host communities, and returnees by strengthening the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, linking relief with rehabilitation and development.

Myanmar faces both long-standing complex humanitarian emergencies as well as newly emerging humanitarian needs as a result of its ongoing political crisis and the 2021 military takeover. In some areas, new political dynamics are exacerbating pre-existing tensions and conflict, leading to further displacement of individuals in conflict areas including southeast Myanmar, northern Shan and Kachin States. Urban displacement and economic insecurity are also creating increased vulnerability and needs in urban centers and across central Myanmar, including areas that have not historically been affected by conflict. Pre-existing humanitarian emergencies remain grave, including those faced by Rakhine, Rohingya, Kachin, Karen, Shan and other groups throughout the country. 

The Nexus Response Mechanism is responding to these needs through local and international implementing partners providing humanitarian, development and peace support. To ensure the technical proficiency of its response and ensure coordination with other actors, the NRM is seeking a Programme Management Advisor (Humanitarian) that can provide guidance and support for the design, development, implementation and monitoring of the NRM’s programming. The advisor will also take a supporting role in development, organization and implementation of field monitoring visits, virtual and in person for all existing and future partners in NRM project areas, ensuring timely and regular implementation of project activities, effective coordination and cooperation among the different partner and sub-partners, advancing the NRM’s localization agenda, identifying opportunities to incorporate nexus approaches into partners’ programming and, together with partners, establishing success stories, challenges and lessons learned across the NRM’s portfolio. 

Under the direct supervision of the NRM Senior Programme Manager (SPM), the Programme Management  Advisor (Humanitarian) will be responsible to support the NRM program by providing guidance and support to the NRM Secretariat on new programme development, particularly on emergency response programing, desk-based scoping of humanitarian needs across Myanmar; participation in humanitarian coordination meetings on behalf of the NRM; support on the design of concept notes, calls for proposals, and program frameworks; support on the evaluation of proposals; providing updates on humanitarian needs; providing support on planning and organizing field monitoring visits and taking the lead on coordination with the partners on identifying their needs, programmatic challenges and entry points and opportunities. 

The Programme Management Advisor will broadly carry out the following tasks, in accordance with UNOPS policies, procedures and practices based on needs expressed by the NRM. These may include (but are not limited to):

• Conduct scoping reports and provide programming recommendations about emerging humanitarian needs and challenges;

• Map response activities by other actors in target areas and identify gaps in thematic/geographic coverage;

• Provide guidance and analysis to the NRM Secretariat about long-term humanitarian strategy and orientation;

• Coordinate with key stakeholders, including humanitarian donors and other UNOPS-hosted funds

• Identify opportunities for integrating NRM humanitarian activities with longer-term development and peacebuilding work;

• Build relationships with local response partners on behalf of the NRM;

• Provide support on the development of concept notes and calls for proposals;

• Provide support on the evaluation of partner-submitted evaluations and monitoring reports;

• Provide guidance to the NRM Secretariat on the management of humanitarian projects;

• Work together with the NRM Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist on organizing and implementing field monitoring visits; 

• Support effective coordination and communication between partners working in the NRM’s programmes/projects. 

• Support in building and maintaining relationships with programme stakeholders, including implementing partners, community beneficiaries, and external organizations. 

• Participation in humanitarian coordination meetings and other relevant external meetings;

• As necessary, ensure coordination among NRM partners implementing humanitarian activities and ensure linkages with NRM development and peacebuilding activities.

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

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent), preferably in Law, Human rights, Social Sciences, Political Sciences, Humanitarian/Development Studies, Economics, International Relations, Public Administration or a related field is required. 

• Additional two years of similar experience with a Bachelor’s Degree is considered equivalent.

Experience

• At least 7 years of relevant experience in humanitarian program management (especially emergency responses), including programme design, monitoring and evaluation, quality assurance, and learning is required;

• Experience in development and peacebuilding  is desirable;

• Robust experience working on humanitarian coordination across local, national and international agencies and mechanisms is highly preferred. Experience working with local first responders and on localization issues is an asset;

• Solid practical experience in working with the UN, donors, non-governmental organizations, public sector and/or civil society is required;

• In-depth understanding of the Myanmar context, including political, economic, social and conflict dynamics, is highly preferred;

• Strong writing and public speaking skills are highly preferred.

Language

• Fluency in both written and spoken English is required.

• Fluency in both written and spoken Myanmar is required

• Knowledge of other Myanmar languages will be considered an asset.  

Contract type:  Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA) Contract level: LICA-11/ICS-11
Contract duration: Not exceeding 100 working days per year (subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance)

Please note that the position requires frequent travel to NRM field sites, as necessary

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 

• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.