Senior Programme Manager (VA extend)

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Programme (HoP), the Senior Programme Manager will provide leadership, strategic direction and promote best practice in the performance and delivery of this innovative and challenging programme. The Senior Programme Manager leads the MHAP programme team which includes professionals in monitoring and evaluation (M&E), grants, programme management and support. The Senior Programme Manager works closely with the MHAP Steering Committee, UNOPS Myanmar Programme Management Office, and other UNOPS Funds.

Summary of Key Functions

1. Stakeholder management
2. Programme management
3. Procedures
4. Monitoring and reporting
5. Knowledge sharing and knowledge building
6. Personnel management and leadership
7. Stakeholder Management

• Establish a solid working relationship with the Steering Committee, current and potential partners and key stakeholders.
• Manage the Secretariat communications and ensure stakeholders are aware of the Programme activities, progress, exceptions.
• Advise the partners on issues that may impact the achievement of their outcomes.
• Manage the information flows between the Steering Committee, the HOP and the UNOPS team dedicated to the Programme.
• Represent MHAP and UNOPS at external events and meetings.
• Act as UNOPS Myanmar focal person for MHAP-related matters towards the Authorities, UN partners, donor, civil society and implementing partners.

2. Programme management

• Implement approved programme plans (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the Steering Committee
• Advising the Steering Committee on issues such as project selection and financial operations such as budgets, cash flow and expenditure.
• Support design and formulation of bankable projects in line with FCDO Due Diligence Criteria and assure projects are transformative.
• Ensuring principles of human rights, conflict sensitivity, gender equity, and accountability, ‘doing no harm’ and aid effectiveness in all activities associated with the programme.
• Manage delivery of the programme’s outputs, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary.
• Managing the programme to ensure performance in the areas of finance (budget/cash flow/expenditure), work planning and resource mobilization, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), programmatic/administrative (including audit results) and procurement operations.
• Authorize, monitor and control work packages to be delivered by the UNOPS team or grants by implementing partners.
• Advise the Steering Committee and HOP of deviations that have or will exceed set tolerances as approved in the programme plan.
• Identify and manage risks so that maximum benefit to clients and stakeholders is achieved.
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of service providers from a fiduciary and contract management perspective.
• Control risks to UNOPS internal business case and take corrective action.
• Represent UNOPS at Steering Committee meetings as MHAP Secretariat on a periodic basis in order to discuss key issues and propose solutions to fiduciary and operational challenges that arise.
• Monitor progress of the programme at a strategic level and ensure periodic progress and updates are made to the Steering Committee.

3. Procedures

• Ensure compliance with UNOPS organizational policy.
• On behalf of UNOPS, contribute to the development of the Annual Work Plan for approval by the Steering Committee.
• Ensure all reporting requirements as per legal agreement as well as ensuring internal UNOPS rules are met.
• Maintain critical programme records/documents on the UNOPS Google Shared Drive (online audit/record retention folder).
• Ensure that all Programme activities comply with UNOPS Financial Regulations and Rules (FRR).
• Manage budgets, cash flow and obligations to ensure that deliverables are met and payments to contractors, grantees/ implementing partners and personnel are received on time.
• Understand and manage UNOPS pricing policy and related corporate charges as they apply to the Programme.
• Ensure implementing partner capacity is commensurate with funding requirements.
• Understand the structure and approaches of the UN and budget appropriately for personnel.
• Manage and remain accountable for expenditures against the budget (based on accurate financial reports).
• Ensure appropriate measures have been documented in a Closure Plan to facilitate the transition of operations in the final stage of delivery.

1. Monitoring and reporting

• Puts in place and continuously implements solid reporting mechanisms in the programme on a regular basis against set targets and indicators.
• Prepare and issue regular reports in accordance with the funding partner and UNOPS requirements for reporting.
• Regularly review programme status, evaluating performance criteria (scope, cost, schedule and quality).
• Maintain diaries and progress reports as required by the organization’s standard procedures.
• Provide routine oversight and analysis of delivery data.
• Ensure all team members track and regularly update milestones and targets.
• Coordinate quality reviews of programme documents and deliverables.
• Provide quality control for management outputs (documents, reports, etc.).

1. Knowledge building and knowledge sharing

• Establishment of a framework for monitoring, learning, evidence and knowledge management to contribute to the localization approach in Myanmar.
• Knowledge building and sharing with regards to the development and implementation of the programme, synthesis of lessons learnt/best practices, and sound contributions to UNOPS Communities of Practice and knowledge management initiatives.
• Provide technical guidance and on-the-job training to ensure work standards are achieved, both in terms of quality and quantity of inputs/outputs processed.
• Support UNOPS Myanmar’s efforts in becoming a center of excellence for Fund management.

6. Personnel management and leadership

• Plan, recruit, manage and develop programme personnel with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance and encourage the formation of diverse teams.
• 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.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

a. Education

• An advanced university degree (e.g. Masters) in law, human rights, social science, international development, business administration, public administration, international relations or related areas 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.
• A project management certification such as PRINCE2® or MSP® or PMP® is an asset.

2. Work Experience

• A minimum of 10 years of progressively relevant working experience is required. Out of these 10 years,

  • A minimum of 5 years of experience in conflict analysis, peace building and reconciliation, recovery and livelihoods, humanitarian response or humanitarian-development- or related areas is required.
  • A minimum of 5 years of experience managing government and donor relations, preferably for an international organization is required.

• Experience working in conflict-affected and highly political contexts is highly desirable.

• Solid experience managing programmes at a strategic level with financial oversight is desirable.

• Solid practical experience in working with the UN, donors, non-governmental organizations, public sector and/or civil society is required.

• Proven track record of humanitarian programming and/or context analysis in a fragile state(s) and complex/protracted crisis is desirable.

• Working experience and knowledge in Myanmar conflict affected areas is a strong asset. Previous experience in South and/or South-East Asia is also an asset.

• Knowledge of aid architecture is essential with previous experience working in Grants Management is desirable.

• Solid experience of managing, or having worked in a senior position with a large multi-donor fund or programme is desirable.

3. Language Requirements

• Fluency in English(both oral and written) is required.
• Working knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.