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General Information

Position Title
Architect
Vacancy Type
Roster
Job Category
Engineer
Duty Station(s)
Home based
Seniority Level
Associate
ICS Level
ICS 08
Contract Type
ICA - LICA - Specialist - Retainer
Contract Level
LICA 8
Posting Start Date
24-Dec-2025
Posting End Date
06-Jan-2026
Duration
One year, with a maximum of 200 working days per year, with possibility of extensions subject to budget availability and individual performance

Job Highlight

Provide technical assurance and architectural design expertise to ensure high-quality delivery, rigorous adherence to international standards and codes, and optimal spatial sustainability across all project components.

About the Region

The Asia Pacific Regional Office, based in Bangkok, Thailand, provides strategic leadership and oversight for UNOPS operations across 17 countries, ensuring high performance, operational excellence, and alignment with organizational goals. Operations currently span Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Pacific Islands. Across these countries, we work closely with key stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and maximize impact through five main operating units: Afghanistan (AFCO), Myanmar (MMCO), South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO), East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO), and the Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC). Through these entities, we provide agile, client-focused service delivery across diverse sectors - including infrastructure, health, procurement, and project management - supporting the implementation of sustainable development solutions across the region.

About the Project Office

Established in 1996, UNOPS Myanmar is a key partner in the country’s humanitarian and development efforts, with a strong, long-standing presence on the ground. UNOPS supports both chronic and sudden-onset needs across Myanmar, offering flexible and responsive solutions. UNOPS manages several major development funds, including the Livelihoods and Food Security Fund, the Access to Health Fund, and the Joint Peace Fund. Through the Asia Regional Health Cluster, UNOPS also serves as the Principal Recipient for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and implements the Regional Artemisinin-Resistance Initiative Towards Elimination of Malaria (RAI3E) programme. UNOPS Myanmar's core strengths lie in fund and programme management, infrastructure, and procurement, delivering tailored, high-impact solutions to support the priorities of government and development partners.

Job Specific Context

The UNOPS Myanmar 3PI Team is dedicated to building essential infrastructure, including WASH facilities, shelters, and health facilities in remote and hard-to-reach areas. Our interventions also encompass renewable energy solutions aimed at addressing gender and protection issues for marginalised populations in IDP camps. Additionally, the 3PI Team has procured and distributed medical supplies, essential non-food items (NFIs), and hygiene kits to remote hard-to-reach regions and areas in Myanmar. The 3PI Team is also implementing a program designed to assist displaced populations. The program focuses on fostering resilience and self-reliance among internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities.


** IMPORTANT INFORMATION **


This Vacancy Announcement is to establish a roster of qualified retainers available for potential short-term assignments within the UNOPS Myanmar Multi-Country Office (MMCO). Retainer positions are not full-time positions. They constitute a contract under which the Retainer may be requested to provide a specific output/deliverable on short notice within a specified period. When holding a retainer contract, individuals may receive ad hoc requests from UNOPS project teams, and the number of requests will vary depending on current needs. UNOPS shall have no obligation to obtain any minimum quantity of services from the Individual Contractor during the duration of the retainer ICA.


While the contract modality for this Vacancy Announcement is an ICA retainer contract on project or assignment basis, UNOPS may offer on a need basis a full-time employment for a specified consecutive period of time (up to one year maximum) - with the possibility to go back and forth between the two contract modalities, pending acceptance of the incumbent of the assignments proposed to him/her.


This is a local position. Only nationals of Myanmar or persons in Myanmar with a residence and work permit are eligible.

Role Purpose

The retainer will operate under the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Manager or his/her assignees, providing technical expertise to support the design, implementation, supervision, and documentation of 3PI projects.

Responsibilities include providing essential architectural design, quality assurance, and technical coordination for specialised infrastructure projects within the Programme/3PI Unit, ensuring compliance with international best practices and local Myanmar building codes. 

Functions / Key Results Expected

The functions/responsibilities/key results of this job description are generic and may not always be applicable, nor be comprehensive, for all assignments under this job title. The specific tasks and deliverables for each retainer assignment may vary and will be detailed in the terms of reference developed for each assignment. 

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Manager and their assignees, the Architect will support the design, development and implementation of infrastructure components under the portfolio, in full accordance with UNOPS guidelines and procedures and other applicable national and international standards. 

This includes but is not limited to supporting the development and review of infrastructure designs, liaising with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the quality of designs, monitoring and assuring infrastructure quality during the construction phase, providing independent technical evaluation and recommendations to uphold the integrity of infrastructure implementation and participating in business development efforts as necessary. More specifically, the Architect will be accountable for the following: 


1. Technical Responsibilities

  • Support the Senior Programme Manager and his/her assignees in ensuring the compliance of both the design development and implementation/construction phase with UNOPS regulations, as well as Myanmar national codes and standards, as necessary and oversee this process.
  • Contribute to producing the requisite project deliverables, including comprehensive risk assessments on design documents, identify potential issues, and collaborate closely with project teams to formulate mitigation strategies that ensure project success.
  • Foster effective communication and collaboration among diverse design disciplines, including architecture, structural engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering, to ensure a harmonious, integrated design approach.
  • Play a pivotal role in coordinating with design consultants and their performance during the design development phase, particularly in the domains of architectural, spatial sustainability, energy building efficiency disciplines, operations and maintenance, and Health and Safety considerations.
  • Assist the Senior Programme Manager and their assignees, in providing technical expertise to the team in monitoring quality assurance design implementation/construction phase.
  • Review equipment and material technical specifications to ensure adherence to quality standards.
  • Explore and assess cost-effective design alternatives and opportunities for value engineering, aiming to optimise project outcomes in terms of cost, performance, and sustainability.
  • Support the Senior Programme Manager and their assignees in coordinating technical design review approvals and in continuously evaluating and enhancing the design review process, streamlining workflows, and identifying potential areas for efficiency improvements to improve the overall efficacy of the design review function.
  • Provide impartial technical evaluations and recommendations, devoid of any conflicts of interest, and uphold the integrity of technical opinions in the face of project pressures.
  • Actively participating in progress reviews and project coordination meetings, and subsequently creating meeting minutes.
  • When necessary, collaborate with the procurement team to assess bids and contribute to evaluation reports.
  • Support business development efforts as necessary, including liaison with potential clients, preparation of preliminary cost estimates, preliminary design documentation, and other tasks as necessary.
  • Undertake travels outside Yangon to other Duty Stations and projects sites in Myanmar, as required
  • Execute any other responsibilities as assigned by the Supervisor.


2. Technical Documentation and Reporting

  • Developing technical documentation and guiding projects in creating their designs.
  • Generating comprehensive and accurate bills of quantity while keeping estimating rates up to date.
  • Assist the Supervisor in preparing monthly and quarterly progress reports.
  • Cooperating with fellow Infrastructure practitioners to collect and maintain construction data.


3. Knowledge sharing and management

  • Engage in the project evaluation process by identifying and highlighting project-related challenges and actively participating in a continuous improvement cycle.
  • Support in delivering training and knowledge transfer to national/contractor personnel, offering guidance on sound design, construction, and engineering practices, as well as promoting environmental management practices, sustainability and resilience measures and appropriate health and safety standards.
  • Contribute to the dissemination and exchange of best practices and lessons learned to enhance development planning and knowledge development.
  • Participate in relevant Communities of Practice, fostering interaction with fellow Infrastructure practitioners and the broader community to share case studies, lessons learned, and best practices through the Knowledge System.
  • Provide constructive feedback to Practice Leads on policies and supporting guidelines to enhance UNOPS policies continuously.


The incumbent may be assigned additional relevant tasks as necessary to support project objectives and organisational goals.


Final Product


Deliver tasks delegated by the supervisor on time and as per the required cost and quality parameters. Ensure that the assigned project(s) are designed and implemented with high quality, adhering to applicable local, international, and organisational standards. Ensure adherence to relevant Health, Safety, Security, and Environmental procedures, as well as Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) measures throughout the project implementation, in line with the country’s PSEAH action plan.

Skills

Application Architecture, Architectural Design, Architectural Drawings, Architecture, AutoCAD Architecture, Sustainable Architecture
Respect
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Collaboration
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Partnerships
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Excellence
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Adaptability
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Decision-making
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Communication
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Architecture or related fields with 2 years of relevant experience OR

  • Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with 0 years of relevant experience is required.


Desired

  • A globally or nationally recognised professional certificate in Architecture or a related field is desired.

Experience Requirements

Required

  • Relevant experience is work in Architecture or related areas. 

  • Knowledge of construction norms and standards of Myanmar. 
  • Knowledge of CAD software (AutoCAD or an alternative).


Desired

  • Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organisations in Myanmar is desired.

  • Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirement
EnglishFluentRequired
BurmeseFluentRequired

Additional Information

  • Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
  • Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
  • Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
  • Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments. 
  • UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 
  • Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities. 
  • We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
 
Terms and Conditions
 
  • For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
  • For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
  • For more details about the contract types, please click here.
  • All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
  • It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.