UNOPS

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.

UNOPS Myanmar is one of UNOPS’ leading offices in Asia, acting as the fund manager for some of the largest development programmes

in the country. In addition, UNOPS is the Principal Recipient for the Global Fund in Myanmar and for the Global Fund’s regional artemisinin-

resistance initiative towards the elimination of Malaria, which works to accelerate progress toward malaria elimination in the Greater

Mekong sub-region. UNOPS provides procurement, infrastructure, and project management services to a wide range of organizations in

the country, including international development partners, other UN agencies 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.

UNOPS Myanmar also hosts the Asia-Pacific Centre for Fund Management, which provides technical advisory, knowledge management,

and surge support in fund management across the region and, upon request, to other UNOPS offices.

Fund Management has become a recognized strength of UNOPS Myanmar and a new potential business model for other country offices in

the region. UNOPS Myanmar Programme Management Office provides support in grants management, budgeting and reporting, capacity

assessment and building of implementing partners and oversight and compliance. UNOPS Myanmar will build on the accumulated

knowledge and expertise and establish a Centre of Excellence in Programme Management to assist UNOPS offices elsewhere to expand

engagements in programme/fund management in a recognized and consistent way. Programmes - if set up and managed well - can

achieve the impact and scale required to make tangible contributions to the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Programmes bring

synergies and sustainable, lasting impact. They provide unique platforms for innovative approaches at scale and value for money.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Programme Management Office / Centre for Fund Management, the Programme Management Senior Advisor will provide senior advisory, quality assurance, and surge support to UNOPS programmes and funds on a needs basis, as defined in specific task notes. The role may support UNOPS Myanmar, other offices in the Asia-Pacific, and other UNOPS offices where relevant and agreed. The Senior Advisor will be expected to have a strong understanding of fund management, programme governance, donor requirements, partner relations, UNOPS policies and procedures, and the respective roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders. The role will support programmes and funds in meeting agreed objectives, complying with UNOPS requirements, and responding effectively to donor, governance, and operational expectations.  The Programme Management Senior Advisor will broadly carry out the following tasks, in accordance with UNOPS policies, procedures and practices based on needs expressed by country offices.

• This is a retainer vacancy / position (multiple positions) for twelve 12 months, maximum of 200 working days, with possibility of an extension depending on satisfactory performance and on availability of funds.

• This vacancy is open to all nationalities. The successful candidate/s shall be offered either local ICA or international ICA based on their home-based location (duty station).

The Programme Management Senior Advisor provides expert advisory, assurance, and surge support to UNOPS-managed funds and programmes. The role focuses on strengthening fund design, governance, programme performance, stakeholder engagement, risk management, and alignment with UNOPS policies and donor requirements. The Senior Advisor may support Myanmar, other Asia-Pacific offices, and other UNOPS offices as requested through defined task notes.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) preferably in law, human rights, social science, international development, political /security/development studies, business administration, public administration,  international relations, finance, economics  or related areas with 12 years of relevant experience OR

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in above mentioned discipline with 10 years of relevant experience is required.

Desired

• PRINCE2® Foundation/Practitioner is an asset.

Required

• Relevant experience is work in responsible programme implementation/fund management is required.

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in design or management or turnaround of single or multi-donor fund is required.

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

• Knowledge of aid architecture, donor coordination, and grant-making or partner-financing models is required. 

Desired

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

• Experience in strategic and development planning and implementation in governance, institutional capacity building, stakeholder and partner management will be considered as asset.

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

• A 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 are strong assets.

• Previous experience in South and/or South-East Asia is also an asset.

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• 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. 
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

• 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.