Background Information - Myanmar
Myanmar is one of UNOPS’ leading offices in Asia, acting as fund manager for some of the largest development programmes in the country, namely the Access to Health, the Livelihoods and Food Security Fund (LIFT), the Joint Peace Fund (JPF), and the Nexus Response Mechanism. In addition, UNOPS is Principal Recipient for the Global Fund in Myanmar and for the Global Fund’s regional artemisinin-resistance initiative targeting drug resistant malaria in the greater Mekong sub-region. UNOPS also provides procurement, infrastructure and project management services to a wide range of organizations in the country, including 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.
Background Information - Job-specific
Livelihoods and Food Security Fund (LIFT) LIFT has a strategy and Plan of Action which sets out core and complementary food and nutrition security, and livelihoods objectives for 2024-2028. It hones achievements of LIFT's experience in the face of a changing and dynamic context. It also aims to tackle structural drivers of poverty and vulnerability, while also considering immediate interventions to secure and maintain Myanmar's development gains. LIFT has been a pioneering force behind localisation and empowerment of national partners and has proven itself as a key delivery partner across Myanmar’s changing contexts – ranging from post-Nargis recovery, political transition, and relief support during COVID-19 and repeated natural disasters. LIFT is managed by the United Nations Office for Projects Services (UNOPS) and has received funding from numerous donors, including the United Kingdom, the European Union, Switzerland, Australia, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, and Denmark.
LIFT is currently restructuring to ensure Fit for Purpose delivery, maximising impact and cost effectiveness. The Deputy Fund Director will play a crucial role in leading the Fund, coordinating and supporting teams, and enhancing the Fund’s ability to implement LIFT’s strategic direction. The Deputy Fund Director will directly oversee the technical teams and overall; Monitoring & Evaluation and Learning (MEAL), programme coordination; and the Communications Team.
Functional Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Fund Director, the Deputy Fund Director will bring excellent strategic leadership skills, a track record of success in managing diverse teams to achieve results in complex, conflict-affected areas; and strong grounding in food security, livelihoods, and nutrition. They will be expected to address the following key challenges:
Leadership and Management
The Deputy Fund Director will provide strategic leadership to LIFT’s Fund Management Office;
Act (ad interim) in the Fund Director’s role when required, e.g. in the absence of the Fund Director;
In delivering on the LIFT’s strategy, provide the Fund Director and Fund Board with strategic analysis, advice and guidance for programme opportunities and associated risks;
Provide strategic oversight to the portfolio and thematic quality assurance in the implementation of LIFT’s strategy;
Identify and resolve bottlenecks or issues that prevent the Fund from delivering on its objectives, and initiate and lead or support adjustments or facilitations for improvement when required;
Take responsibility for risk management, work planning, learning, and knowledge management;
Oversee and improve programme quality and compliance, including the Fund’s approach to ‘downstream partners’ (sub-grantees)
Supervise, manage, and coach a large number of staff who may be geographically dispersed so that team tasks and duties are clearly linked to delivering LIFT’s strategic objectives and outcomes;
Lead innovation in the development sphere with a particular focus on technology and private sector; fostering strategic relationships and alliances to incubate context-specific ideas for scale-up across diverse environments;
Manage a cadre of international specialists as well as consultants and technical experts, ensuring the provision of coordinated and consistent expert advice to key partners, stakeholders and teams;
Identify, share, and build on best practices and lessons learned in programming, policy, and management across the organization.
Strategy
Lead regular and ongoing strategic reviews of LIFT’s portfolio and approaches to ensure the Fund’s investments maximize results and value for money. Together with relevant Senior Management, oversee implementation;
Work with teams to ensure that LIFT delivers on its multi-year strategy;
Embed the breadth of LIFT’s technical power and diverse sources of analysis for decision-making - including food and nutrition security, climate change, GEDSI, social protection, rural development and agriculture, and the integration of localization across all of the Fund’s work;
Support or lead strategic discussions related to LIFT’s work, including in international fora when required.
Donors-relations and Partnerships
Under the overall authority of and delegated by the Fund Director, represent LIFT in its relations with donors and other partners, as requested.
Lead the development of funding proposals to harness new funding sources;
Ensure partner calls for proposals meet the quality output required for LIFT’s mandate and donor expectations;
Build and strengthen strategic relations with stakeholders;
Build and maintain strong relations with partners;
Education
Master's degree preferably in rural development, business administration or management, public administration, or international relations is required.
Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience could be considered in lieu of a Master´s degree.
Experience
Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in programme or project management in a relevant field is required.
At least 7 years of experience leading and managing diverse teams working (and achieving results) in complex and conflict affected areas is required.
Solid experience in working on and/or understanding of food security, livelihoods, food systems, agricultural development, and nutrition is an asset.
Solid practical experience working within the UN system is highly desirable.
Experience of working for a major donor would be a significant advantage.
Experience of working in innovation space of a private sector entity is a significant advantage.
Knowledge and experience of working in Myanmar and/or Asia is highly desirable.
Language Requirements
Fluency in English required.
Knowledge of a second UN language is an advantage.
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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. 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.