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. 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.

Project Information

LIFT is embarking on a new strategic period for 2024-2028. The LIFT 2024-2028 Strategy builds on the achievements of LIFT's experience as well as recent adaptations and learning in the face of a changing and dynamic context. The new Strategy outlines an approach to tackle structural drivers of poverty and vulnerability, while also considering immediate interventions to secure and maintain Myanmar's previous development gains. LIFT has proven itself as a key delivery partner across Myanmar’s changing contexts – ranging from post-Nargis recovery, a time of political transition, and relief support during COVID-19. LIFT is managed by the United Nations Office for Projects Services (UNOPS) and has received funding from 16 international donors. The current donors are the United Kingdom, the European Union, Switzerland, Australia, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, and Denmark.

About the role:

Under the supervision of the M&E Specialist, the Monitoring & Evaluation Officer supports the execution of methodologies and tools to ensure the availability of clear and accurate information for the Programme. The incumbent in this position should follow data management, surveys, and quality processes for Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) applying UNOPS policies and Principles to ensure the highest quality and compliance standards.

The M&E Officer will provide support to teams within the Programme and contribute to building capacity through strengthening learning and knowledge sharing across Lift.

Functional Responsibilities

MEAL planning:

Follow the MEAL Framework and support/execute Work Plan development.

Assists the Programme´s implementation by updating the results framework and MEAL plan, including KPIs for existing and new projects.

Provide inputs into the development and refinement of LIFT MEAL tools, guidelines, and processes - including designing, pilot testing, and finalizing, in coordination with the Sr. M&E Specialist and the M&E Senior Manager.

Supports projects on the development and implementation of their MEAL frameworks and associated tools to ensure that projects meet LIFT MEAL requirements.

Contributes to reviewing project MEAL frameworks and other key M&E deliverables (including reports) to ensure compliance with LIFT MEAL standards, making recommendations for final approval.

Assist project planning processes related to MEAL work plan and budget.

Support the M&E Specialist to organize regular reviews with the team leads and planning sessions to monitor progress.

Support accurate and consistent data entry.

Analyze and produce reports in various formats including maps, graphs, charts, etc. as required.

Partnerships Building and Partner Support:

Become familiar with the Team´s objectives, challenges, and methods to understand and provide relevant information and advice.

Participate when needed in relevant discussions within the teams to learn about their performance and needs on an ongoing basis.

Support ongoing communication processes and fluent interaction with the Programme´s main stakeholders.

Liaise with HQ when necessary for benchmarking, networking, and/or capacity-building purposes.

Contribute to the execution of comprehensive and ongoing assessments of LIFT partner’s MEAL systems to identify areas for capacity development.

Participate in project field visits to review LIFT partner MEAL systems and support conducting data quality reviews.

Become a trusted practitioner for the Lift organization.

Capacity Building and Knowledge Management :

Support training efforts on monitoring procedures and monitoring techniques.

Contribute to the execution of annual re-skilling and up-skilling sessions with the LIFT team.

Support in developing KM mechanisms and processes for the project.

Participate in initiatives related to project studies’ findings, lessons learned, achievements, and gaps, to ensure knowledge management.

Comply with process reviews and lessons learned exercises, including data collected to assess improvement opportunities and act upon them.

Monitoring and Reporting:

Organize and undertake all required quality assurance checks for projects;

Support the consolidation, aggregation, and analysis of performance data collected by projects.

Contributes to reporting exercises for the Programme and works closely with the LIFT programme teams to ensure alignment and quality/reliable data.

Follows the framework for data reporting.

Risk Mitigation:

Contribute to Identifying and mitigating risks related to the programme's performance and proactively communicate them.

Identify issues affecting the implementation of MEAL activities - particularly at the project level, raising these issues and proposing subsequent actions to the M&E Senior Manager in a timely manner.

Contributes to strengthening the risk management culture within the MEAL team, to enhance pro-activity and safeguard the programme's interests.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

A Master´s degree preferably in social sciences, statistics, international development, public administration, sociology, or similar is required.

A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s) in the above fields with an additional 2 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master’s degree.

Experience:

A minimum of 1 year of experience in programmatic MEAL, preferably in food security, health, economic growth, agriculture, climate, or related fields, is required.

Experience in implementing monitoring and evaluation processes is required.

Experience with quantitative and qualitative M&E methodologies is required.

Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (e.g. MS Office newer versions, Google Suite Applications) is required.

Demonstrated data management skills, including the use and maintenance of databases, is required.

Previous experience with electronic data capture, including KOBO Collect, is a distinct advantage.

Experience coordinating with a range of stakeholders is an asset.

Experience in using computer software programmes, particularly statistical software would be an added advantage.

Previous experience designing and implementing gender-sensitive and/or disability-inclusive M&E would be a distinct advantage.

Experience working with the UN or international organizations is highly desirable.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in written and spoken English is essential.

Proficiency in Burmese is required.

Proficiency in other Myanmar languages is an asset.

Competencies
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground. Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA)
Contract level: Local ICA Specialist-8
Contract duration: Open-Ended (subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance) For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
Additional Information

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.

This position is based in Yangon, Myanmar which is a non family duty station.

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.

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