Trust Director

Job Description

UNOPS Myanmar

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations. With over 8,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

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 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 also 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.

1. General Background on the Assignment

Joint Peace Fund

The Joint Peace Fund is a multi-donor fund, set up by a large group of international donors to support Myanmar on the path to sustainable peace. It supports all sides to the formal peace process currently underway, as well as a broad range of peace building, research and innovation projects. These are focused on making the peace process itself more effective and paving the way to long term peace in a country that has suffered many decades of conflict. This holistic focus – it supports a broad range of actors in the peace process from the negotiation of the top level leadership to community leaders working in villages in remote parts of the country - makes it a unique project in terms of global peace support. With eleven donors – Australia, Canada, Denmark, European Union, Finland, Italy, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, UK and the US – it represents a strong commitment to a peaceful future for all the many peoples of Myanmar.

Under the structure of the Joint Peace Fund the roles of Trustee, Contract Manager and Technical Secretariat have been separated. UNOPS acts as the Trustee and Contract Manager and the Nordic International Support Foundation (NIS) is acting as Technical Secretariat. Both organizations work closely together as a single team to ensure the smooth operations of the JPF with oversight from the Fund Board.

1. Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The Trust Director will have overall responsibility of the Trustee and Contract Management component (TCM). The Trust Director will be ultimately responsible for implementing the Agreement on behalf of UNOPS and have a thorough understanding of the terms, conditions, and the respective roles and responsibilities of the partners / stakeholders to ensure the programme is capable of meeting the business cases of both UNOPS and the JPF Fund Board.

1. Functional Responsibilities:

Stakeholder Management:

• Establish solid working relationship with the Fund Board, Technical Secretariat, current and potential partners and key stakeholders
• Manage TCM communications and ensure stakeholders are aware of Fund activities, progress, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover of Fund deliverables
• Advise the partner on issues that may impact the achievement of their outcomes
• Manage the information flows between the Fund Board, the UNOPS Director and Representative and the UNOPS team dedicated to the JPF
• Represent the TCM and UNOPS at external events and meetings
• Seek new donors when required
• Act as UNOPS Myanmar focal person for peace-related matters

Delivery and Performance:

• Implement approved programme plans (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the Fund Board
• Manage delivery of the programme’s outputs, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary (in collaboration with the Technical Secretariat)
• Authorize, monitor and control work packages to be delivered by the UNOPS team or by implementing partners
• Advise the Fund Board and UNOPS Director and Representative of deviations that have or will exceed set tolerances as approved in the programme plan
• Identify and manage risks so that maximum benefit to client and stakeholders is achieved
• Monitor and evaluate performance of service providers from a fiduciary and contract management perspective
• Control risks to UNOPS internal business case and take corrective action
• Represent UNOPS at Fund Board meetings as JPF Trustee and Contract Manager on a periodic basis in order to discuss key issues and propose solutions to fiduciary and operational challenges that arise
• Monitor progress of the programme at a strategic level and ensure periodic progress and updates are made to the Fund Board (in collaboration with the Technical Secretariat)

Procedures:

• Ensure compliance with UNOPS organizational policy.
• On behalf of UNOPS, contribute to the development of the Annual Work Plan for approval by the Fund Board:
• As well as being responsible for the reporting as stipulated in the agreement the Trust Director and his / her team shall prepare the following reports:
  1. Quarterly Reports
  2. Annual Reports

• Final Report

1. Operational Closure Checklist
2. Handover Report

• Maintain critical programme records / documents via the Electronic Blue File (online audit / record retention folder)
• Ensure that all Fund activities comply with UNOPS Financial Regulations and Rules (FRR).
• Manage budgets, cash flow and obligations to ensure that deliverables are met and payments to contractors, grantees/ implementing partners and personnel are received on time.
• Understand and manage UNOPS pricing policy and related corporate charges as they apply to the Fund
• Ensure implementing partner capacity is commensurate with funding requirements
• Understand the structure and approaches of the UN and budget appropriately for personnel
• Manage and remain accountable for expenditures against the budget (based on accurate financial reports)
• Ensure appropriate measures have been documented in a Closure Plan to facilitate the transition of operations in the final stage of delivery
• Participate as a member of the UNOPS Myanmar Management Group
• Ensure the development and maintaining of smooth and effective relations with the newly created UNOPS Myanmar Programme Management Unit
• Support UNOPS Myanmar’s efforts in becoming a centre of excellence for programme management.

Knowledge Management:

• Participate in relevant UNOPS Communities of Practice
• Actively interact with the PM community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practice
• 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.
• Further duties may be identified throughout the implementation period

Monitoring and Progress Controls

The Trust Director will report to the UNOPS Director and Representative and make contributions as per these TOR. The Trust Director will also work collaboratively with the JPF Technical Secretariat team. A work plan will be formulated and agreed between the Trust Director, the Technical Secretariat Director, and the JPF Fund Board, with clearly defined outputs, milestones and reporting requirements.

1. Qualifications and Experience

The candidate should have a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of fiduciary and contract management matters as well as the knowledge on UN rules and procedures for programme management. Experience in the context of peace building would be an additional asset.

Education

• Master’s Degree in International Relations, Political / Security / Development Studies, Business / Public Administration or other relevant discipline is required
• Bachelor’s Degree with Additional 2 years of relevant work experience to the above duties and responsibilities may be accepted in lieu of Master Degree.
• PM Certification such as PRINCE2® or PMP® – preferred

Work Experience

• A minimum of 10 years (or more based on academic credentials) of progressively responsible programme implementation and management with increasing independence and decision-making authority is required
• Among them at least 5 years of experience in managing government and donor relations while working for an international organizations or related experience is required.
• Demonstrable project management and fiduciary management skills are required.
• Experience in conflict analysis, conflict sensitivity, peace building and reconciliation is desirable
• Regional experience (i.e. Asia) is an advantage; experience in Myanmar would be considered as a strong asset.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills are desired.
• Prior experience in supporting or managing implementation of multi-donor fund supported projects would be a strong asset.
• Prior related experience in the UN system is an asset
• Experience in the usage of computers and in office software packages (MS Office 2010 and/or newer versions) is required.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is essential (must be able to effectively communicate in both oral and written form).
• Full Knowledge of another UN working language is desirable.

About the Organization

About us

UNOPS mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner. Working in more than 80 countries, UNOPS supports partners in the implementation of approximately 1,000 projects, which range from managing the construction of roads in South Sudan to building shelters in Haiti to procuring educational computers in Argentina.UNOPS works closely with governments and communities to ensure increased economic, social and environmental sustainability for the projects it supports.

Working with UNOPS

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We’re looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in many disciplines, from project management, to procurement, infrastructure, finance and human resources. The work we do is fulfilling and offers opportunities for professional and personal development.

Watch this video to learn more about working with UNOPS

Diversity

With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce as a means of better understanding and addressing the needs of our partners, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage the recruitment of qualified female candidates. Moreover, the vast majority of our personnel are nationals, working in their own country and developing local capacity.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options, such as flexi-time, compressed work schedules and telecommuting. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types across the globe.

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