The Programme Management Office (PRMO) Specialist (Grants and Contracts) will be working within the Programme Management Office at MMOC, supporting multiple funds/programmes such as Access to Health Fund, LIFT Fund, Joint Peace Fund, SECO trust fund, Nexus Response Mechanism etc. The PMO has a flat and decentralized structure to continue supporting the specific needs of the individual programmes, while fostering cross pollination of information and knowledge between programmes as well as the implementation of best practices across the programmes.
PRMO Specialist (Grants and Contracts) reports directly to the Head of PMO who provides direction and general supervision. The PRMO Specialist (Grants and Contracts) will ensure close collaboration and engagement with the Programme Units of Funds and MMOC. He/she will manage the contracts and grants management team . She/he will be responsible to ensure timely and quality grant and contract management, standardizing MMOC work in grants management, knowledge and application of UNOPS relevant tools, systems, and processes. S/he is responsible to achieve results in the area/s of following responsibility.
Summary of key results:
Grant Management:
The Programme Management Office (PRMO) - Specialist will supervise and manage his/her team to deliver on following activities:
Timely preparation of grant awards requests, drafting of grant agreements and amendments thereof, using the approved templates ensuring that all agreements and amendments are constructed and issued in line with UNOPS legal and financial rules and regulations.
Monitoring budgets in grant proposals and verification of their consistency with prevailing market rates.
Provision of assistance in discussing/negotiation fee/cost as required.
Verifications of reporting requirements and ensuring adherence to those requirements.
Liaising closely with the Programme and M&E teams on any delays, risks or other difficulties in grant management.
Review of payment requests and supervise processing payments based on the agreed payment schedules.
Coordination of the process of the operational closure of projects.
Contributing to the coordination and follow up on the audits of Implementing Partners (IP).
Manage Call for Proposals.
Capacity assessment and Capacity building
The Programme Management Office (PRMO) - Specialist will ensure the following activities are successfully delivered for respective programmes:
The team contributes to the review and update of the financial and operational capacity assessment approach of the fund managers, incorporating best practices and assessment tools.
Financial and operational capacity assessments/Due Diligence Assessments (DDA) of the IPs are conducted as necessary, and follow-up actions are managed and identified in the assessment reports.
IP capacity development and training in financial and organisational management are organized and delivered.
Day-to-day help and guidance to the IPs is provided and coordinated with Program Unit to ensure IP understanding of, and compliance with, these standards.
IPs receive required assistance in developing or strengthening their internal guidelines and policies to guide their project financial management and organisational activities and to ensure accountability.
Standardization to the extent possible of IP capacity development efforts by UNOPS in Myanmar.
Team Management
Oversee and manage the work of Grants and Contracts team by establishing team objectives, a work plan with key performance indicators and measurements, standards and expected results.
Attract and retain talent and develop an agile and empowered team with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance and ability to respond to changing environment.
Plan and propose to the Head of PMO required resources.
Plan effectively and allocate resources to achieve goals and ensure the cost effective and appropriate use of resources in accordance with UNOPS standards of ethics, integrity and accountability framework.
Promote teamwork and collaboration by providing the team with clear direction, objectives and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.
Continuously assess team and individual performance and effectiveness and recommending changes and/or corrective actions in the team structure and/or operations to enhance and maintain effectiveness in changing environment.
Knowledge management and innovation
Keep abreast of and incorporate latest/best practices, approaches and technology to enhance the programme delivery and results.
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 especially in the field of grant management.
Coordinate with the Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG) for tailoring good practices to meet the specific needs of UNOPS Myanmar.
Other
Establish solid working relationship with key individuals across the range of implementing partners supported by the MMOC Programmes.
Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
Manage the information flows between the implementing partners and team through consistent and consolidated reporting using dashboards to provide a high-level overview of performance.
Ensure smooth workflow and communication with Programme and Finance teams.
Update the Head of PMO on any deviations, outside of established tolerances, from the programme plan and the impact of changes or issues that arise during implementation accompanied by a range of solutions where possible.
Identify and manage risks across all implementing partners to attain a programmatic overview of risk exposure. Education
A Master’s degree in business administration, finance, development studies or 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.
Certification in PRINCE2 or PMP is preferred. **
Work Experience**
A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in project and financial management is required.
Experience in fund / grant management operations is a distinct advantage.
Prior experience in working in Asia would be an asset.
Experience in building and leading successful teams is an advantage.
Good understanding of UNOPS Rules and regulations is an advantage.
Experience in contract or/ and grant management would be an asset.
Experience with G Suite is an asset. Languages
Full working knowledge of English is required. Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset.
This vacancy is archived.