Back Programme Management Office (PRMO) Specialist

Fund Management has become a recognized strength of UNOPS Myanmar and a new potential business model for other country offices in the region. UNOPS Myanmar Programme Management Office provides support in grants management, budgeting and reporting, capacity assessment and building of implementing partners and oversight and compliance. UNOPS Myanmar will build on the accumulated knowledge and expertise and establish a Centre of Excellence in Programme Management to assist UNOPS offices elsewhere to expand engagements in programme/fund management in a recognized and consistent way. Programmes - if set up and managed well - can achieve the impact and scale required to make tangible contributions to the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Programmes bring synergies and sustainable, lasting impact. They provide unique platforms for innovative approaches at scale and value for money.

Reporting to the Head of the Programme Management Office, the PRMO Specialist will drive the process of project and programme management maturity to enable UNOPS Myanmar to become a centre of excellence and to contribute to the strategic goals of the Asia Region in fund management. S/he will work closely with internal stakeholders such as the Fund Directors, UNOPS Myanmar Director & Representative, the Head of Programme and regional entities.

Functional Responsibilities

1) Maturity improvement

The PRMO specialist will manage the programme maturity improvement initiative.

• Review and implement maturity roadmap based on baseline assessments and recommendations
• Draft necessary programme strategies and SOP’s covering risk management, stakeholder management, issue management etc.
• Consolidate process improvement suggestions from assessments and audits and implement them systematically
• Review and harmonise PMO templates and roll out
• Identify, design and roll out necessary systems and processes to strengthen programme management
• Support in piloting corporate initiatives on project and programme management standards and tools.**

2) Training and capacity building

The PRMO Specialist will ensure the following activities are successfully delivered for respective programmes:

• Identify the programme and project management related training needs assessment and roll out various capacity building initiatives for UNOPS staff.
• Implementing Partners (IPs) capacity development and training in programme and project management are organized.
• IPs receive required assistance in developing or strengthening their internal guidelines and policies to guide their project management activities and to ensure accountability.
• Standardization to the extent possible of IP capacity development efforts by UNOPS in Myanmar.

3) Knowledge management and innovation

• Keep abreast of and incorporate latest/best practices, approaches and technology to enhance the programme management practices across different programmes.
• Institutionalise and share best practices and lessons for corporate development planning and knowledge building.
• Draft policy papers and/or recommend policy changes to align operations with changing environment.
• Lead the planning, implementation and organization of strategic capacity building of personnel, clients and stakeholders such as Implementing Partners especially in the field of programme management.
• Share lessons learned and best practices from Myanmar

4) Other

• Providing surge capacity in UNOPS Myanmar and in the Region when requested.
• Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Ensure smooth implementation of UNOPS Myanmar Maturity roadmap and PMO workplan which further defines clear milestones
• Ensure smooth implementation of training and capacity building plan
• Completion of all PMO strategy documents, SOP’s and templates as detailed in PMO workplan

**Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• A Master’s degree in business administration, project management, development studies or other relevant discipline is required.
• A Bachelor's Degree in combination with 2 additional years of experience relevant to above duties and responsibilities may be accepted in lieu of the Master’s Degree.

• Advanced level certification in PRINCE2 or MSP or other equivalent programme certifications is an advantage.**Work Experience**

• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in project and/or programme management is required.

• Experience in Project / Programme maturity assessments and establishing best practices in Project/ Programme Management is a distinctive asset.

• Experience in PMO operations and capacity building is desirable.

• Prior experience in working in Asia would be an asset.

• Experience in building and leading successful teams is an advantage.

• Experience in grants management or audit is desirable.

• Good understanding of UNOPS Rules and regulations is an advantage.**Languages**

• Full working knowledge of English is essential.

• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language or Myanmar language is an asset.