Myanmar: Programme Management Advisor (WASH)

Jun 15, 2020 | UN Office for Project Services
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UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peace building, 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.

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 Access to Health Fund, 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 towards elimination of Malaria, which works to accelerate progress towards malaria elimination in the greater Mekong sub-region. UNOPS provides procurement, infrastructure and project management services to a wide range of organisations 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

UNOPS is the Fund Manager (FMO) for the Livelihoods and Food Security Fund (LIFT) in Myanmar. LIFT is a multi-donor fund (2009 – 2023) to address food insecurity and income poverty in Myanmar. The current Fund Board is made up of Australia, Canada, the European Union, Ireland, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The overall goal of LIFT is to sustainably reduce the number of people living in poverty and hunger. LIFT’s purpose is to increase the incomes, resilience and nutrition status of the most marginalised and hard to reach, those affected by conflict and displacement, by means of interventions that increase income, food availability, utilization and stability of access to food. Its designated outcomes are income, resilience, nutrition, and pro-poor policy developments.

LIFT works with and through support to implementing partners (IPs) such as international NGOs, national NGOs, United Nations agencies, international organisations (CGIAR, IFIs), academic and research institutions and the Government of Myanmar. LIFT is currently funding projects at Union level and in Chin, Kachin, Shan, Peri-Urban Yangon, Kayin, Kayah and Rakhine states.

The Fund Management Office, which is based at UNOPS in Yangon, has delegated authority for the management of LIFT under the rules and regulations of UNOPS, and in accordance with the strategy approved by the Fund Board. Read more about LIFT on www.lift-fund.org.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

WASH will continue to have an increasing significance in LIFT’s work as part of supporting vulnerable communities to become more resilient and food and nutrition secure and especially in the context of COVID-19. LIFT requires strategic and ad hoc support advising on WASH related topics for strategic planning, implementation and monitoring of LIFT projects.  The Programme Management Advisor will need to support programming within the humanitarian - development nexus with a specific focus on reaching the most vulnerable in sustainable and lasting interventions through innovative approaches and public-private partnerships. The main LIFT programmes where the Programme Management Advisor will engage are in Rakhine, Kayah, Kayin, Northern Shan, Kachin States and in peri urban Yangon.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the LIFT Fund Director, the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Manager and in accordance with UNOPS policies, procedures and practices, Programme Management Advisor (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)) will:

  1. ensure that WASH activities supported by LIFT grants meet recognised technical standards;
  2. work with partners to develop achievable implementation plans, schedules and targets that can be supervised, monitored and reported against;
  3. monitor and report on the quality of WASH infrastructure constructed; and
  4. advise partners, other actors and the WASH cluster on quality issues contributing to the delivery of high quality, functional and effective WASH infrastructure and hygiene promotion to beneficiary communities.

Support the technical quality and effectiveness of LIFT-supported interventions

  • Provide general WASH technical oversight and support needs to ongoing and future LIFT programming.
  • Provide technical inputs and assist partners to develop and maintain strong technical approaches, systems and structures.
  • Identify areas for cross-learning between LIFT, Access to Health Fund and HARP-F partners and facilitate this.
  • Analyse current and future programs taking into account priority public health risks, minimum appropriate standards, sustainability, community ownership, gender equity and social inclusion.
  • Provide strategic guidance and facilitate partners to take a long-term strategic perspective and develop plans accordingly.
  • Support the preparation of appraisals of proposals to LIFT which have a WASH component including COVID-19 Response and support in the new projects starting in the South East Myanmar
  • Support LIFT’s implementing partners to address WASH in the preparation, implementation and evaluation phases of projects;
  • Support LIFT-funded projects to integrate WASH into monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning plans;
  • Provide advice and training as required to LIFT staff and partners.
  • Work with LIFT FMO M&E team to provide support for MEAL related to WASH indicators

Policy engagement, research and advocacy

  • Contribute to the development and implementation of LIFT’s policy engagement in Myanmar specifically related to WaSH within the MS-NPAN  ( Multisector National Plan of Action for Nutrition) and the ADS (Agriculture Development Strategy);
  • Contribute to the development, implementation, and/or review of LIFT-supported research on WasH in relation to nutrition;
  • Support the development and dissemination of key nutrition-related lessons for key stakeholders based on LIFT’s portfolio of projects which have WaSH components.
  • Provide on request an update to the Fund Management Office and Fund Board on WaSH related trends and support the strategic planning for LIFT’s work in WaSH
  • Engage with YCDC and other relevant Government departments for the implementation of WASH related interventions and policies
  • Explore possible private sectors partnership for piloting co-financing model for WASH  sustainable interventions.

Methodology and Deliverables

The retainer will receive a task note each time a requirement is identified. The Task note will specify the dates, duration and deliverables.

Education

  • A Master’s Degree or PhD in Water Engineering ,  or a related field is required.
  • Additional two years of similar experience with a Bachelor’s Degree is considered as equivalent.

Work Experience

  • A minimum of 7 years professional experience in WASH is required.
  • Experience and expertise in both WASH hardware (engineering, construction) and WASH software (community engagement, behaviour change, accountability) both in humanitarian and development contexts is required.
  • Proven track record of producing high quality written reports and other materials pertaining to WASH-related activities is required.
  • Ability to develop and maintain good relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders with a commitment to constructive collaboration and coaching is highly desirable.
  • Knowledge and experience of cash programming opportunities in WASH and private sector engagement is desirable.
  • Proven experience in capacity building and training counterparts and staff is desirable.
  • Experience in Planning, monitoring, and evaluation is desirable.
  • Demonstrated experience in knowledge management, including knowledge generation and using knowledge to influence policy development is preferable.
  • Significant professional experience in South-east Asia, with professional experience in Myanmar or another transitioning economy an asset.

Language

  • Excellent skills in both written and spoken English are essential. Knowledge of Myanmar language is an advantage.

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
  • 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.