Myanmar Officer

Jan 23, 2021 | Natural Resource Governance Institute
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For the one billion people living in poverty in resource-rich countries, the oil, gas and mining sectors have failed to deliver on the promise of better quality of life. Instead of fact-based public debate, populist promises dominate many political systems. Corruption and state capture have spread, and democracy is under threat. Those who demand accountability face harassment and violence. The climate crisis looms large and the transition to green energy risks replicating governance misdeeds in the sector. Unless governance improves, half of the world’s poor will live in resource-rich countries by 2030.

The Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) mission is to secure a future where countries rich in oil, gas and minerals achieve sustainable, inclusive development - one where people receive lasting benefits from extractives, and the negative impacts associated with the sector are minimized.  Intelligent data, capacity building, policy analysis and advice are key tools to delivering impact.  Our international staff of more than 90 country and issue experts, lawyers, economists and governance specialists contribute evidence-based knowledge, advocacy, and technical expertise to make gains for the public good.

Job Purpose

The Myanmar Program Officer is responsible for running specific projects, and contributing to projects led by other team members. Project work ranges from research and policy analysis to delivering capacity development initiatives, such as trainings and workshops. Project work is assigned by the Country Manager to different team members.

With direction from their manager, the Program Officer adapts projects and approaches to successfully bring about reform, adoption of leading practices, and greater transparency in Myanmar’s extractive sector.  This requires building productive relationships across government, civil society, private sector, and development partners.  A solid understanding of donor and partner aspirations allows Program Officers to help identify additional and new lines of work that make programs more effective. 

Officers work collaboratively with other team members in the country, as well as with colleagues in Regional and Thematic teams, to enhance NRGI expertise and presence in their geography and influence stakeholders.

The role requires knowledge of Myanmar’s extractive sector, and demonstrated experience carrying out research and analysis, as well as experience delivering training or workshops.  

Major Responsibilities:

Research & Thought Leadership

Advance the learning, expertise, and body of evidence-based knowledge to drive impact in natural resource governance and sustainable, inclusive development.

  • Keep up to date on Myanmar trends, developments and issues in governance and extractives.  Stay informed on relevant research and learnings internally and externally to apply pertinent insights.
  • Ensure assigned research projects generate evidence.  Participate in evidence-translation and grow NRGI body of knowledge in collaboration with internal and external partners.  Contribute innovative ideas for influencing systemic change.  Develop tools and frameworks to apply and localize research and knowledge. 

Publish for impact:

  • · Write, review and publish research findings
  • · Assist team in providing technical assistance, expert opinion, policy analysis
  • · Participate in peer reviews and contribute towards partner events

Ensuring Impactful Implementation

Manage and run a portfolio of projects, engaging NRGI and partner capabilities to maximize impact and capacity for good governance and transparency

Support strategic planning & design:

  • Provide input and support in strategic, program, and annual planning
  • Help identify new lines / additional lines of work that achieve donor objectives
  • Provide / submit data in appropriate systems and formats 
  • Help progress capacity and synergy across state actors, civil society influencers, and private sector leaders.
  • Support team efforts in building relationships and coordinating with various agents of change in government, civil society organizations, the media and private sector
  • Help provide the technical assistance needed to build the case for change and capacity to change (e.g., collating data and reports, conducting and coordinating expert analysis and reviews, etc.)
  • Run specific capacity development events: education & training programs, conferences & workshops; including detail planning and coordination, digital media and content.
  • Apply project management discipline to effectively manage and coordinate projects, including.
  • Procure and manage consultants
  • Communicate data outcomes and results to program/project leads
  • Ensure compliance with technical standards, including data management
  • Draft narrative reporting and participate in reviewing quarterly workplans
  • Manage grants and quarterly report writing
  • Support grant making or the management of consultant contracts
  • Draft dockets and follow up partner’s narratives and financial reports
  • Provide necessary technical support to grantee to increase the impact of their work
  • Participate in MEL activities to ensure learning and improvement.
  • Participate in learning reviews and determining how to adapt future projects
  • Adopt and apply best practices
  • Promote / scale up successful approaches
  • Assess quality of implementations and program designs
  • Design and pilot new tools & approaches

Fundraising & Donor Relations

In coordination with management, contribute to strong donor relations that deliver mutual value and generate sustainable funding.

  • Participate in events and network with donors; seek to understand their values and aspirations.  Present work to donors as requested.
  • Create value for donors and ensure compliance from design through post-implementation.
  • Fully understand and comply with donor requirements
  • Monitor, track and collate data for donor reports
  • Follow up with sub-grant recipients to ensure accountability requirements are met and deliverables achieved on time and to standard
  • Participate in and cooperate with donor audits and implement corrective actions

Influencing & Communicating For Impact

Strengthen NRGI presence and influence with assigned projects and stakeholders to progress governance and benefit realization. 

  • Plan and execute stakeholder & influence management for assigned projects. Participate in broad stakeholder analysis with regional and country teams. 
  • In collaboration with Communications staff, effectively use media and communication platforms/tools to reach targeted audiences and generate awareness and understanding that translates into impactful engagement.  Monitor and evaluate communications and advocacy efforts to ensure they are having the required impact and are implemented to standard.

Roll out advocacy and communication strategies:

  • Meet with stakeholders to progress agendas; tailor materials and approaches
  • Develop and implement innovative approaches to reach target groups
  • Develop information and education campaigns
  • Support dissemination of research and events
  • Help identify and write impact / success stories, insights, and key messages

Personally and proactively engage in advocacy and communication:

  • Participate in networking events and other opportunities to build relationships
  • Effectively engage with media and social media to communicate vital messages
  • Speak at conferences & events; help produce content and presentations

The responsibilities of this role are subject to modifications as required by the needs of the organization.

Job requirements:

Experience & Technical Skills Required

  • Minimum 5 years directly relevant work experience in policy research or analysis, advocacy, and disciplined project management.
  • Ability to manage projects in an international development context
  • Experience in delivering workshops or training programs
  • Effective in multi-cultural settings
  • Experience translating strategy into project and research design; ability to think conceptually and strategically with a 2-3 year horizon.
  • Broad understanding of the natural resource governance sector and the complex ecosystem that results in resource-rich countries failing to achieve sustainable development.
  • Experience working in a complex or pioneering environment, including supporting and developing opportunities for systemic change.     
  • Able to initiate and develop strong, credible relationships and influence stakeholders at a project level
  • Experience managing and allocating resources efficiently
  • Excellent language skills (for Myanmar language and English), both written and spoken

Education

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (development, political science, economics, international affairs, etc.).

Working environment:

Standard Office Working Environment in Yangon (currently staff work at home due to Covid restrictions)

Salary: Competitive

Location:  Yangon, Myanmar

Application deadline: Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis and will close on Friday 29 January 2020.