Senior Programme Advisor

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of Senior Programme Manager, in close coordination with other MHAP personnel, and in accordance with UNOPS policies, procedures and practices, the Senior Programme Advisor will be responsible for the provision of strategic policy advice and support for the MHAP programme. The Senior Programme Advisor will lead MHAP’s strategy development and value positioning within Myanmar’s humanitarian landscape. This will involve active engagement with the implementation partners and with the wider humanitarian community and coordination architectures in Myanmar ensuring that MHAP is closely coordinated. The position is also responsible for supporting the quality of programmes implemented by partners and providing technical capacity building of partners.

Summary of Key Functions

1. Development, maintenance, and review of MHAP strategy and strategic vision
2. Development of MHAP thematic/geographic strategies and plans
3. Support the quality of programmes implemented by partners
4. Personnel management and leadership
5. Knowledge management and innovation

1. Development, maintenance, and review of MHAP strategy and strategic vision

• Lead the development of coherent and well-conceived overall MHAP strategy/policies for MHAP’s strategic positioning in addressing humanitarian needs throughout the local humanitarian networks and building up local leadership, coordination and accountability.
• Prepare analytical work products that lead to a better understanding of the policy agenda underpinning MHAP, including effective delivery and target prioritization to adapt to the situation with a view to driving value for money (VfM, effectiveness, efficiency, equity) and ensuring humanitarian impact
• Ensure that MHAP policy/strategy development is linked closely with lessons from others funds and programmes, studies and evaluations, as well as global evidence.
• Contribute to the development of MHAP programme design to ensure learning and policy influence objectives are provided for and deliver effective results.
• Contribute in establishment of framework for monitoring, learning, evidence and knowledge management to contribute to the localization approach in Myanmar
• Engage with the wider humanitarian community to ensure MHAP learning and knowledge, and informs and supports MHAP-relevant policy development initiatives.
• Contribute to effective coordination and coherence of humanitarian assistance policy activities by donors, humanitarian partners, civil society and the private sector, as relevant.
• Submit mandated reports and critical issues to Senior Programme Manager to drive future process improvement and business development planning.
• Manage and oversee the preparation of programme documents (including business cases/strategies, policy briefs, programme plans and risk assessments).
• Ensure the accurate and timely completion of programme/business recommendations for the review.
• Consult and collaborate with internal and external colleagues and partners to ensure linkages, consistency, and harmonization of approaches and compliance with guidelines, framework and standards of accountability, integrity and performance.
• Facilitate timely and accurate project tracking, analysis of outputs, and reporting.
• Establish a system for the assessment and management of risk, and to promote conflict sensitivity in all aspects of the Programme governance and operations.

2. Development of MHAP thematic/geographic strategies and plans

• Lead the technical team in developing MHAP thematic/geographic strategies, as needed, and plans and ensuring coordination of all technical input to strategy, Calls for Proposals, and other reports.
• Oversee and coordinate the work of the technical team. Ensure that they provide input into proposals and proactively and regularly communicate planned requirements for program design and implementation to others within the MHAP Programme Management Office.

3. Support the quality of programmes implemented by partners

• Represent MHAP policies to local actors such that agreed key policy and regulatory reforms are supporting the services of humanitarian needs, including but not limited to; protection, support to survivors of gender-based violence, food and nutrition, cash assistance, and WASH.
• Establish solid working relationships with key stakeholders (especially with donors and partners based in Bangkok, as applicable) and represent UNOPS in engagement and discussions with the private sector, civil society and other relevant stakeholders (including UN agencies) to promote excellence, good practice and policy dialogue.
• Support the project management team and continue to liaise with key actors to ensure a sound understanding of the project objectives and implementation modalities.
• Provide support to the Senior Programme Manager in the coordination of stakeholder engagement and communication as required and ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover outputs.
• Regular travel to the field, including field visits under difficult conditions.

4. Personnel management and leadership

• Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity by providing the programme team with clear direction, objectives and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.
• Ensure principles of human rights, gender equity, peace, voice and accountability, ‘doing no harm’ and aid effectiveness in all activities.
• Create, foster and role model a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harrassment, sexual harrassment, sexual exploitation and abuse. Ensure accountability for actions and perform duties in accordance with protection mechanisms and action plans, as expected by UNOPS policies, standards and commitments.
• Continuous assessment of the performance and effectiveness of the programme implementation, recommending changes and/or corrective actions in the team structure and/or financial operations to enhance and maintain effectiveness in the changing environment.

5. Knowledge management and innovation

• Keep abreast of and incorporate best practices, approaches and technology to enhance the programme delivery and results.
• Operationalise and share best practices and lessons learned for corporate development planning and knowledge building.
• Recommend policy changes to align operations with changing environments.
• Lead the planning, implementation and organization of strategic capacity building of personnel, clients and stakeholders within the programme.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

a. Education

• An advanced university degree (e.g. Masters), preferably in law/human rights, Development Studies, Economics, Political Science, Social Science, international development,international relations or other relevant discipline is required. A first-level university degree (e.g. Bachelor) in combination with 2 additional years of progressively relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

b. Work Experience

• A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in programme management, project development and implementation, field related to conflict analysis, peace building and reconciliation, humanitarian response or humanitarian-development is required
• Four years of this experience should be professional-level field experience in developing countries.
• Significant experience in the review, formulation and negotiation of policy is essential. Significant professional experience in more than one country context is essential. At least one should have been a developing country.
• Knowledge and understanding of the political, social and economic context of Myanmar is required.
• Ability to build strong, trusted relationships and operate in an influential manner to assist in driving key initiatives is essential.
• Experience working and/or cooperating with multiple development partners, including donor governments, would be an asset.
• Previous experience in the humanitarian and development sector is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience managing multidisciplinary teams is an advantage.
• Knowledge of the UN system and familiarity with UNOPS procedures is an advantage.
• Experience in an international organization and/or UN agencies is an asset.
• Ability to consistently exercise discretion and confidentiality with sensitive information is essential.

c. Language Requirements

• Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.
• Knowledge of spoken Myanmar language is an asset.