Senior Programme Manager

Job Specific

The Senior Programme Manager Role will help address critical health needs in Myanmar and those which impact regional and global health security. The programme aims to help poor and vulnerable people especially from conflict affected areas for improving access to quality health services.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Head of Programme, the Senior Programme Manager is responsible for the following:

Portfolio Development and Management

• Develop a coordinated and effective portfolio of grants, aligned to the strategy, principles and theory of change
• Oversee development of clear and efficient portfolio management system
• Oversee simplification of processes and procedures to ensure accessibility and support to localization
• Implement adequate systems of monitoring and evaluation for the programme
• Ensure adequate fund flow and financial management systems are in place

Partnerships and Coordination

• Build partnerships with relevant actors in areas of operation to support improved health outcomes for poor and vulnerable populations of Myanmar
• Work closely with colleagues and support activities as per need and request of the Head of Programme
• Attend relevant coordination meetings and forums
• Support and encourage field-level coordination activities for implementing partners
• Maintain strong partnerships with donor agencies, including timely information sharing and strategic overview

Reporting

• Ensure establishment and maintenance of reporting systems (narrative, financial and results) as per donor requirements
• Ensure safe information flows between key partners given the sensitive political situation in Myanmar

Oversight and Compliance

• Ensuring alignment to the Strategy and Theory of Change
• Ensure compliance of implementing partners with UNOPS policies and procedures
• Ensure compliance of implementing partners with Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse minimum requirements through engagement with UNOPS Gender and PSEA Unit
• Ensure safe procedures and practises are in place for staff safety

Mainstreaming of key principles

• Mainstream and promote key principles including:

  • Ensure principles of localization are upheld wherever possible, encouraging autonomy and building local partnerships
  • Mainstream gender equality throughout the work of the fund, including improved health for people of all genders and encouraging women’s voice and representation
  • Adopt a context and conflict-sensitive programme management approach, including mainstreaming social cohesion wherever possible
  • Maintain flexibility and prioritize responsiveness and adaptations as necessary

Risk Management, Lessons Learned and Documentation

• Oversee risk management and the implementation of mitigation actions and related UNOPS activities, including the maintenance of risk register
• Document and share lessons learned from the Fund’s activities
• Ensure reporting deadlines are met, including narrative and financial reports
• Oversee the work plan and key performance indicators
• Maintain strong systems of document and digital security

The Senior Programme Manager will further assist with any other tasks as per agreement with the Head of Programme.

a. Education

• A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (for example: international development, public health, public administration, sociology, political science) with 7 years of relevant experience.
• A Bachelor’s degree with 9 years of relevant experience is considered as equivalent

b. Work Experience

• At least 7 years of experience managing grants or projects is required
• At least 3 years of working experience in the health sector is required
• Previous work experience in the health field in Myanmar is an asset.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including drafting policy and program memos desirable
• Strategic planning, including the use of the logical framework approach and other planning activities desirable
• Risk management experience, particularly in conflict sensitive areas desirable
• Understanding of development aid, health, and humanitarian aid architecture desirable
• Experience working in local governance, including but not limited to formal local government structures, local and community based NGOs, traditional governance systems, and informal networks desirable

c. Languages

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.