Project Management Support Advisor (Financial Management and Procurement Consultant)

Job Description

Title: Project Management Support Adviser

(Financial Management and Procurement Consultant)

Project: Eastern States Agribusiness Project

Duty station: Naypyitaw

Section/Unit: Programme & Partnerships

Contract/Level: IICA - 3/ICS 11

Duration: (3) months

Supervisor: Project Management Advisor

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 Three Millennium Development Goal Fund (3MDG), the Livelihood and Food Security Trust 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 targeting drug resistant malaria in the greater Mekong sub-region. UNOPS provides procurement, infrastructure and project management services to a wide range of organizations 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.

UNOPS Myanmar has been selected by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation (MOALI) to provide “Project Management and Technical Assistance” for the implementation of Eastern States Agri-business Project (ESAP) which is financed by IFAD and implemented by IWUMD. The project’s goal is to improve the economic status of poor rural women and men in selected areas of Kayin and Shan states. Its objective is to increase the incomes of smallholder and agroforestry households in these areas in an environmentally sustainable manner. It will promote commercial smallholder agriculture linked to agribusiness, improve living standards of the rural communities, and reverse the environmental degradation. Economic benefits will be generated for 62,400 households consisting of 315,000 people of Karen, Shan, Pa-oh, Inn and Mon ethnic groups.

The Project components are (1) Strategic Investment (2) Enabling Investment and (3) Project Management. Under the Strategic Investment Component, there are two sub components namely Land Development and Agro-forestry. Under the Enabling Investment Component, there are two sub components namely Investment in Knowledge and Micro Finance Services. The lead project implementing agency is the Irrigation and Water Utilization Management Department (IWUMD) of the Ministry of Agriculture Livestock and Irrigation (MOALI) Myanmar. The Project Implementation cooperating agencies are the Department of Agriculture (DOA), Department of Rural Development (DRD), Department of Agriculture Land Management and Statistic (DALMS), Department of Agricultural Mechanization (DAM), Department of the Agriculture Research (DAR) under the Ministry of Agriculture Livestock and Irrigation. ESAP Project Management Unit (PMU) is located in Naypyitaw while the Project Implementation Offices (PIOs) are located in Taunggyi (Shan State) and Pha-an (Kayin State).

The total project cost is USD 65.2 million over a six-year implementation period.

The Project Management Support Adviser (Financial Management and Procurement) will be assigned to the Sub-Component 3 Project Management. He/she will be working with the National Financial Manager and the Procurement Specialist of the Project Management Unit, the Financial and Procurement Section of the IWUMD.

Functional Responsibilities

The Project Management Support Adviser (Financial Management and Procurement) is accountable for the smooth operation of Financial Management and Procurement of the Project which will contribute directly to the overall project performance.

The Project Management Support Adviser (Financial Management and Procurement) will guide the project National Finance Manager and National Procurement Specialist and the Government Officials responsible for project financial management and procurement in complying with the Financial Management guidelines and the Procurement guidelines of the donor and enable them to perform the duties timely and efficiently.

The details of the duties and responsibilities are;

Financial Management

1. To produce the Project Financial Management Manual for internal use based on the Project Financing Agreement, Letter to the Borrowers, Project Design document, IFAD Guidelines and manual. The Project Financial Management Manual for internal use will be the main part of the Project Implementation Manual.
2. Conduct the capacity need assessment on financial management skill of the Government finance staffs and officials and produce the capacity building plan including the experience exchanges and study tours.
3. To work with the micro fiancé specialist and the micro finance service providers in establishing the micro finance fund management (Saving and credit fund, Matching Grant Fund, Credit Guarantee) for efficient fund management and smooth fund flows.
4. Review the operation and management of the project Designated account, Other Accounts (project Operation Accounts) assigned to the Project Offices and the Project Implementing Agencies and provide advises for efficient fund flows.
5. Review the processing of the Budget plan and provide necessary advice for preparation and processing of Annual Work Plan and Budget, Semi-Annual Budget Revision, Budget Re-allocation.
6. To review and provide necessary advises for preparation of financial reports, preparation of the Withdrawal Applications in accordance with the Financing Agreement, Letter to the Borrower, IFAD Financial Guidelines and the International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS), application of the efficient Accounting Computer Software.
7. To assess the Risks for the financial management and provide the risk management advises.

Procurement

1. To produce the Procurement Hand book for internal use based on the IFAD Procurement guidelines, Financing Agreement and the Letter to the Borrower. Procurement planning
2. To prepare the templates for Bidding documents, Bid Evaluation, Service Agreement/Contracts (Civil works and Goods)
3. To advise and provide system for office filing/book keeping and inventory.
4. To provider the on-the job training to the staffs in documentation of the bidding documents, bid processing, evaluation, contracting and contract monitoring, Management of the liabilities.
5. To assess the procurement ricks and advise the risk management.
6. Other duties assigned by the Project Management as required.

Type of Assignment and Duration

The assignment is intermittent for 4 person months, 3 visits to the project over the period of initial 2 years of the project.

• Study the Project documents such as Financing Agreement, Letter to the Borrower, Project Design Report, IFAD Financial Management Guidelines/Hand book and Procurement Guidelines.
• Meeting with the Project Officials responsible for the Financial Management and Procurement.
• Meeting with the officials of the Ministry of Planning and Finance (MOPF) and the Office of the Auditor General of Myanmar (OAG).
• Meeting with the Finance managers of the OA accounts, Project Director and the Project Coordinators of the Project Implementation Office.
• To conduct the workshop to test and finalize the templates, handbooks for internal use, fund flows and procurement flows proposed.

• Actively interact with other Project personals and groups to share case studies, lessons learned and best practice on the Knowledge System.
• Provide feedback to Practice Leads on policy, supporting guidance with an aim towards continuous improvement of UNOPS policies
• Complete lessons learned as per reporting format
• Incorporate lessons learned from others as per planning format

• Understand and respect UNOPS sustainability principles

Look for ways to embed UNOPS sustainability principles.

Seek opportunities to champion gender equality at work place.

• Understand and Respect National ownership and capacity

Understand the principles of the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness and mainstream them into the project plans

Look for ways to build capacity of local counterparts

• Partnerships and Coordination

1. Understand the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and UNOPS, the project’s place in the UN system
2. Strive to build strong partnerships and effective coordination among relevant project actors (e.g. United Nations, governments, and non-governmental organizations or other relevant partners)

• Accountability for results and the use of resources

1. Service agreements, contracting, procurement of the works are in line with the role and regulation of the donor and transparent. To report to the project management in case of any doubt arisen.

• Excellence

1. Contribute to innovation and the adaptation of best practice standards of sustainability and quality.

Financial Operation Handbook for internal use has been produced (trial, testing, approving), the staffs trained for application.

Procurement operation handbook (Internal use) including the formats for Annual procurement planning, Bidding documents, Service Agreements, Contracts, Bid monitoring, Bid evaluation reports, Contract monitoring, Managing Liabilities, etc.

Capacity building plan/Training plan based on the training need assessment

• Master’s Degree in Financial Management, Accounting, Business Administration.

• Minimum 10 years of Financial Management experience with the International Organization especially with the Loan Projects.
• Working experience with the Governments of Southeast Asia.
• Experience in Financial Auditing.

• Fluency in both written and spoken English is required.

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

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, utilising appropriate leadership styles

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

• International organisations experience

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA) - Retainer
Contract level: IICA 3
Contract duration: 3 months

Duty Station: Naypyitaw, Myanmar

About the Organization

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, 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.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

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