Myanmar: Livelihoods and Food Security Specialist

Dec 12, 2018 | UN Office for Project Services
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UNOPS 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 Three Millennium Development Goal Fund (3MDG), the Livelihood 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 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 

UNOPS is Fund Manager for the Livelihoods and Food Security Fund (LIFT), a multi-donor fund established in 2009 to address food insecurity and income poverty in Myanmar.  LIFT has reached more than 9.4 million people, or roughly 26 per cent of Myanmar’s population and is active in almost half the country’s townships. For more details visit http://www.liftfund.org/. 

Following a conflict sensitive and inclusive approach, LIFT pursues a comprehensive approach for Rakhine and pursues all of its four purpose-level outcomes: aiming for improved policies and public expenditures, increased income of rural households, decreased vulnerability, and improved nutrition.

The violence after August 2017 changed Rakhine’s landscape and LIFT’s way of working. LIFT’s ongoing work in northern Rakhine has been stalled since August and no resumption of work was permitted since then. With the large exodus of the Muslim population and lack of access, LIFT started to reprogramme operations in northern Rakhine. In addition, LIFT issued a new call for proposal in October 2017 to ensure that humanitarian and development needs of all people in Rakhine are addressed in a coordinated way for greater stability, interdependence, prosperity and growth. Furthermore, LIFT prepared a concept note for restoration of livelihoods and solutions for Internally Displaced People in Rakhine to identify partners and design projects around camp closures and dignified solutions.

Most of LIFT’s projects in central and southern Rakhine, which represents the majority of LIFT’s portfolio in Rakhine, could progress without major interruptions throughout 2017. For most of these projects, 2018 is the final year of operations.

The programme team is responsible for: a) designing new programmes; b) identifying appropriate projects; c) monitoring and learning from the implementation of these projects; d) feeding lessons into programme design and policy dialogue. 

The position will be located in the programme team of the LIFT Fund Manager’s Office which consists of over 50 national and international staff organised into programme, MEAL, policy communications and programme support.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The Livelihood and Food Security Specialist (Rakhine) will contribute to the implementation of the LIFT strategy through the management of the programmes and projects assigned to him/her. The primary purpose of the position will be to lead and deliver on LIFT Rakhine programme. 

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Officer and in accordance with UNOPS policies, procedures and practices, the Livelihoods and Food Security Specialist (Rakhine) will be responsible for:

Providing technical leadership on livelihoods and food security issues within the LIFT Fund Manager’s Office by

  • Keep LIFT  FMO and donors abreast with ongoing dialogues and developments in Rakhine. Maintain a detailed knowledge of in-country developments and analyse, synthesize and communicate lessons and knowledge. Ensure that this learning is translated into improved project design and implementation.
  • Be aware and up-to-date with the socioeconomic and political context, and the development and dynamics of the conflict in Rakhine state.
  • Ensuring the work and activities of the Fund are aligned with international good practice.
  • Organising technical meetings and contributing to policy dialogue, including drafting position papers on the implications of government policies.
  • Providing technical guidance to project staff on key thematic and crosscutting issues, including gender and conflict-sensitivity.
  • Preparing terms of reference for national and international consultants as needed.
  • Prepare Call for Proposals as required by the Fundboard and the FMO.
  • Ensure capacity building efforts of national staff within the Fund Manager’s office through regular feedback and guidance coaching, and interaction to further develop their skills
  • Maintaining a detailed knowledge of in-country developments and lessons learned by others.
  • Line management for a team of two project officers.
  • Engage non-traditional LIFT partners to explore new partnerships which can add value and new strategic alliances for LIFT’s work in Rakhine.

Lead programme design and oversee the projects funded by LIFT by:

  • Leading the programme design requirements for Rakhine State are aligned with LIFT’s strategy and according to agreed design approaches.
  • Lead the final design and contracting process of successful projects to LIFTs call for proposal as well as costed extensions.
  • Conceptualize new calls for proposal to seek for qualified organizations which can support LIFT engagement in Rakhine.
  • Actively coordinating LIFT activities in Rakhine with implementation partners and other stakeholders (including government, donors, and financial institutions) to ensure complementarity and synergy with the work of other development partners.
  • Ensure that programme design and approach is gender, conflicy-sensitive and, is implemented in a do-no-harm approachWorking closely with government institutions to ensure effective engagement in LIFT activities and to contribute to policy development for a wider influence of change in the agriculture and rural development sectors.
  • Assessing and negotiating proposals including work plans and budgets submitted by applying organizations. Ensure that proposals are in compliance with the LIFT strategy as well as in line with existing national frameworks and work undertaken or planned by the government and others.
  • Prepare and provide input to proposal appraisals as required
  • Reviewing MEAL plans and reports submitted by implementing partners and ensuring they are sound, in line with contractual obligations and with Fund policy and priorities.
  • Supporting staff with their project management, ensuring the technical aspects are fully addressed and meet acceptable standards.
  • Undertaking regular field visits to LIFT funded projects to monitor implementation and progress.
  • Proposing and managing any initiative that may be necessary, including amendments or termination of partner projects.
  • Contributing to the preparation of the Fund Manager's annual work plan and progress reports.

Contribute to effective knowledge management within LIFT by:

  • Identifying and documenting key lessons of LIFT funded projects in Rakhine. This includes identifying topics for special studies and conducting cost comparisons and value-for-money reviews where possible and relevant. Develop Terms of reference for such studies.
  • Collaborating closely with the LIFT communications and knowledge management teams in the preparation of briefing notes and case studies.
  • Building and maintaining strategic linkages with a wide range of stakeholders including: government ministries, departments and agencies; development coordination mechanisms, private sector stakeholders; and other organizations contributing to agricultural and rural development sector development.
  • Support the representation of the LIFT Rakhine Programme at meetings and events.
  • Support actively the preparation of briefing notes, reports and knowledge products. 

Other duties as assigned by the supervisor or Fund Director

Required Competencies

Education

  • Master's degree in development studies, agriculture, development economics, rural development, agricultural economics, political sciences, business administration or related field is required. 
  • A Bachelor’s degree in the above mentioned areas in combination with an additional 2 years of similar relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master’s with a Bachelor Degree is considered as equivalent.

Work Experience

  • A minimum of seven years experience in a field related to rural development, planning or project management, of which five years professional level field experience in livelihoods and food security is required. 
  • Knowledge of the political, economic and social situation in Myanmar is preferable.
  • Experience with proposal writing and evaluation and contract management would be an asset.
  • Experience in managing rural development prgrammes is desirable.
  • Significant professional experience in South-east Asia is preferable.
  • Demonstrated experience in planning, programming, monitoring and evaluating projects in developing countries is desired.
  • Demonstrated operational field experience is required.
  • Previous successful involvement with, and good knowledge of, NGOs and civil society is required.
  • Willingness to undertake regular field visits in difficult conditions is required.

Language

  • Fluency in both written and spoken English is essential.