Programme Management Advisor (Localisation and Civil Society partnerships, with Conflict Sensitivity) – Retainer, Multiple positions

Background Information – Myanmar

Myanmar is one of UNOPS’ leading offices in Asia, acting as fund manager for three of the largest development programmes in the country, namely the Access to Health Fund, the Livelihoods and Food Security Fund (LIFT) and the Joint Peace Fund (JPF). 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 the Government of Myanmar, 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

The Livelihoods and Food Security Fund (LIFT) is a multi-donor fund set up in 2009. LIFT aims to strengthen the resilience and sustainable livelihoods of poor households by helping people to reach their full economic potential. This is achieved through increasing incomes, improving the nutrition of women and children, and decreasing vulnerabilities to shocks, stresses and adverse trends.

LIFT is a significant actor in Myanmar’s development. To date, over 12 million people in 75% of Myanmar’s townships have benefitted from LIFT’s programmes. LIFT is guided by our 2019-2023 strategy that puts ‘leaving no one behind’ at the centre and in particular focuses on social inclusion and cohesion, increased support to areas affected by conflict and bringing displaced people into LIFT’s development programmes.

LIFT has received funding from altogether 15 international donors since it was established. The current donors are the UK, the EU, Australia, Switzerland, the US, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway.

Background Information – Job Specific

LIFT’s support to civil society in recent years has been delivered through:

• Thematic partnerships in LIFT’s four thematic areas where CSOs contribute to LIFT’s thematic results and ensure legacy beyond the fund;

• Strategic partnerships with national CSOs, based on their history of engagement in improving livelihoods, their common strategic goals with LIFT, their reach and their credibility among civil society;

• Small grants funds to support township level CSOs working in the livelihoods system, and to strengthen the social layer between national and village/communities levels;

• CSO Learning and Networks to support the integration and application of research and to promote the learning produced by LIFT’s civil society partners.

In 2021, LIFT also designed a Localization Window aiming at strengthening civil society organizations for their sustained provision of critical services to vulnerable communities and, at the same time, contributing to protect and maintain civic space and rights-based approaches for inclusion, gender equality, representation, accountability and efficiency.

LIFT has renewed and accelerated its commitment to localisation, seen in essence as a transfer of power from international to local actors. LIFT’s overall localisation goal is to proactively contribute to a strong civil society in Myanmar, where civic engagement and development activities are locally led and sustained.

LIFT aims to progress this localisation agenda through:

1. Increasing funding for local partners – in overall amount, to an increasing number of partners and in an increased number of direct contracts.

2. Understanding and promoting the added value that international agencies can and should provide to civil society organisations with whom they partner.

3. Reviewing and revising LIFT’s administrative processes to ensure these are beneficial and enabling for civil society partners, while still meeting donor requirements.

4. Seeking to promote the sustainability of innovative programme efforts such as the strategic partnership initiatives, research, advocacy and civil society learning fora.

5. Promoting increased leadership, voice and influence by LIFT’s national personnel.

LIFT is seeking specialist retainers (consultants) to provide strategic and technical support for LIFT’s Localization Strategy and conflict sensitive programming with civil society.

Objectives of the Assignment
The role of the specialist retainer/s is to work with the Fund Management Office (FMO) to progress and operationalise our localisation agenda, in a conflict-sensitive way. Strategic support starts with LIFT’s localisation goals and LIFT’s civil society strengthening approaches, and is operationalised through partnerships and programmes across the country.

The retainer will work closely with LIFT’s Civil Society Partnerships Officer, to ensure initiatives are connected and coherent. The retainer may also undertake work directly commissioned by other LIFT personnel. This will include assessing the effectiveness, impact and learning of LIFT’s efforts to support CSOs. Retainers will assist LIFT to undertake studies, organize learning events, and scoping missions for assessing the most appropriate modalities to support the Localization Strategy. S/he will participate in proposals appraising and identification of suitable CSO partners or intermediary organizations.

The retainer will also provide on-demand organisational development or other technical support as requested by LIFT strategic partners, Small Grants Fund facilitators, and any other localization initiatives. The retainer will support a revision of partnership models as needed between international and national/local organizations.

This will be a retainer contract with details defined in task notes whenever the consultant’s services are required.

Functional Responsibilities

Strategic support to LIFT’s Civil Society Partnerships Officer

• Support the finalisation/revision and implementation of LIFT’s civil society strategy.

• Support the planning and progress of LIFT’s localisation agenda and five areas of work.

• Support the development of MEAL processes for civil society partnerships.

• Advise on strengthening conflict sensitivity and gender sensitivity of LIFT’s localization agenda.

• Support in the design of studies on the impact of LIFT civil society strengthening support.

• Advise and support with preparation/ presentation of documents/papers for the Fund Board related to civil society strengthening and approval of new civil society partnerships

Technical support to the Fund Management Office (FMO)

• Support and facilitate scoping exercises when necessary.

• Support the design of new programmes and call for proposals with focus on the localization approach.

• Advise and support the proposal appraisal processes for conflict sensitive localization approaches.

Strategic and Technical support to CSOs

• Advise the civil society partnerships officer in organizing learning events among civil society stakeholders and LIFT partners

• Provide on-demand/as requested technical assistance and Organizational Development (OD) support, including MEAL support, Core Cost policy development, strategic plan development, administrative/financial management support etc

• Provide on-demand/as requested support to CSOs on risk management and other capacity development needs.

The Consultant will be required to travel in Myanmar for certain tasks. Domestic travel logistics will be arranged by the LIFT Fund Management Office.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

The retainer will work in close coordination with local and International Programme Officers under the direct supervision of the LIFT Senior Program Officer. He/she will be expected to report in a timely fashion based on the agreed work plan.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• A Master’s degree in Development Policy, Community Development, Social science, anthropology and/or any relevant academic discipline relevant to the TOR is required.

• Additional two years of similar experience with a Bachelor’s Degree is considered equivalent.

Work Experience

• A minimum 7 years of professional experience in humanitarian/development work with civil society actors is required.

• Experience in conducting qualitative research in social and economic development is required.

• Proven understanding of the socio-economic and political situation in Myanmar is significant assets.

• Extensive work experience and established relationships with civil society organizations in Myanmar is significant assets.

• Experience in working in fragile contexts is an asset.

• Proven ability in establishing good working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders with different cultural backgrounds is preferable.

• Excellent report writing skills are required.

• A sound understanding of livelihoods and food security issues in South-East Asia and/or Myanmar is an advantage.

Language

• Fluency in both written and spoken English is required.

• Understanding and communication in Myanmar language/s is an asset

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.**(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)**

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: IICA – Home based retainer

Contract level: IICA – 3

Contract duration: Maximum 150 days in a 12 months period (renewable 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 Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization – UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• 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 (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Background Information – UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.