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.
Background Information - Job-specific
Livelihoods and Food Security Fund (LIFT)
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, economic and rural development at a time of 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
The Programme Management Advisor (Food and Agricultural Development Expert) will lead LIFT’s food security and agricultural initiatives. The incumbent will focus on providing technical leadership on the subject matter and developing, implementing, and monitoring programmes that enhance agricultural production, improve food security, and promote rural livelihoods. This includes addressing issues related to climate change adaptation, sustainable farming practices, and financial development opportunities for small holder farmers.
Functional Responsibilities
Key Functions
Programme design and implementation Technical expertise and advisory support Coordination and partnerships Monitoring, reporting & knowledge management Sustainability and climate change adaptation
Education
A Master’s degree preferably in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, or a related field with 7 years of relevant experience is required.
A first-level university degree (Bachelor's) preferably in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, or a related field with 2 additional years of relevant experience could be considered in lieu of the Master´s degree.
Experience
A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience leading agricultural development, rural livelihoods, food security projects or related fields is required.
Proven experience working on climate change adaptation in agriculture and promoting sustainable farming practices is highly desirable.
Experience managing all levels of internal and external stakeholders is required.
Team leadership experience is required.
Experience working in Myanmar, or other Southeast Asian countries, or other conflict-affected contexts is highly desirable.
Demonstrated success in programme management, including the design and delivery of agricultural interventions with measurable outcomes is an asset.
Experience in international organizations and/or international contexts is required.
Language Requirements
Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
Knowledge of Burmese is an asset.
Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement
Contract level: IICA-3
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.
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.
Note that Yangon, Myanmar is currently classified as a non-family duty station.