Programme Management Specialist

Job Description

Dutystation: Multiple duty stations, Thailand

Functional responsibilities

1. Coordination of activities across the Fund
2. Project Implementation, Financial, and Procurement Management
3. Project Management and Maturity Improvement

• Support the Senior Programme Manager with action tracking and ensuring implementation of Fund decisions, compiling and reporting on KPIs, preparing materials for and responding to donor requests;
• Develop and maintain dashboards and information analysis as needed by the Senior 1 Programme Manager or Fund Board;
• Support the Senior Programme Manager in the management of activities across the portfolio of projects, including support to development and implementation of strategies, policies, annual work planning, standard operating procedures, briefings, working papers;
• Manage events, meetings, consultants and technical experts as needed by the Senior Programme Manager;
• Ensure strong coordination between UNOPS/IRR’s Fund Management Office/FMO and the UNOPS/Project Management Office/PMO, particularly between programmes and grants;
• Provide a strategic bridge and liaison to ensure smooth processes and services between UNOPS/IRR’s Fund Management Office/FMO and the UNOPS/Support Services Unit/SSU, which includes finance, HR, procurement, transport, security.

• Evaluate proposals, including work plans and budgets, submitted by applicants, ensuring alignment with UNOPS/IRR policy and priorities and taking into account activities by other donors;
• Review work plans and reports submitted by implementing partners, verifying soundness and compliance with contractual obligations;
• Conduct routine monitoring of project implementation (including regular field visits), assessing results, impact and budget performance. Provide recommendations for adjustments and draw lessons for wider application;
• Ensure timely feedback to and from IPs and beneficiaries, contributing to IRR’s monitoring, evaluation and learning. Synthesize lessons learned to improve project design and implementation;
• Contribute to reporting and the preparation of work plans and briefing materials, including analysis of partner data and development of visual aids for presentations and missions;
• Maintain strong engagement and collaboration with stakeholders, including civil society and partners, to promote effective coordination and exchange of good practices;
• Support implementing partners not only through coordination and capacity building, but also by assessing their institutional systems (e.g., finance, M&E, etc) and co-developing tailored improvement plans to strengthen their structures and service delivery;
• Provide hands-on or advisory support in the design and implementation of systems, tools and internal controls that enhance IPs’ effectiveness, accountability and compliance with donor and UNOPS standards;
• Facilitate structured exchanges and collaboration between IPs and local institutions to promote ownership, sustainability and integration;
• Ensure IRR strategic priorities (conflict sensitivity, gender, localization and risk management) are reflected in partner interventions and that appropriate support is provided;
• Monitor budgets and cash flow, reporting on obligations to ensure deliverables are met, in coordination with the PMO. Alert the Fund Director on financial risks and propose budget revisions or corrective actions as needed;
• Support the Senior Programme Manager in identifying and managing risks, including through OneUNOPS systems and coordination with the Fund Board;
• Coordinate implementation of recommendations from the Fund Board and donor reviews.

• Support the implementation of P3M3 and lead work packages or adjustments in areas requiring special attention, under the guidance of the PMO;
• Identify training needs and facilitate capacity development for IRR staff;
• Support the institutional development of implementing partners by enabling access to project management tools, strengthening governance systems and promoting peer learning across partners;
• Contribute to knowledge sharing and the dissemination of lessons learned to improve planning and strengthen local capacities.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

• A Master’s Degree in rural development, economics, social science, development studies or other relevant discipline is required.
• A combination of a Bachelor’s Degree with an additional two (2) years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.
• Certification in project management such as PRINCE2®, PMP, or equivalent is considered a strong asset.
• Additional training or certifications in organizational development, institutional capacity strengthening or grants management is desirable.

• A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in project or programme management, with demonstrated success in implementation and/or oversight of complex initiatives is required.
• Proven experience working with implementing partners (IPs), including support to capacity building, coordination, and institutional/system strengthening (e.g., finance, HR, procurement, M&E) is required.
• Ability to assess organizational capacity and support the development of tailored action plans, tools or systems that enhance IPs’ effectiveness, accountability and sustainability is required.
• Experience in grants management, donor coordination or multi-donor fund environments is desirable.
• Knowledge of UNOPS project management tools, financial and procurement rules and regulations, and financial management systems is an asset.
• Strong experience in data analysis, management reporting and project information systems is desirable.
• Previous experience in complex programme environments, preferably with a regional or multi-country scope is desirable.
• Prior experience working in Asia or with localized implementation models is desirable.

• Fluency in English is required.
• Fluency in a Myanmar language is considered an advantage.

About the Organization

TOGETHER, WE BUILD THE FUTURE

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.

Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

We are proud of our people and embrace diversity and are committed to equal employment opportunities. Our workforce brings together approximately 160 nationalities, represented by over 5,000 UNOPS personnel as well as some 7,800 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners. Spread across 80 countries from a range of backgrounds, and languages and have different gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities.

We encourage women and candidates from underrepresented groups in UNOPS to apply. These include candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.