Programme Management Specialist

The Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC) was established in 2018 for efficient delivery of grants and fund management, and the provision of quality pharmaceuticals and health products. The ARHC aims to significantly impact the targets of UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 on good health and well-being, by expanding the population benefitting from UNOPS-managed health-related engagements across the Asia Region. 

The ARHC portfolio manages the Principal Recipient (PR) Programme of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) in Asia. The Global Fund, which has been providing financial support to the Greater Mekong Sub-region for malaria programs since 2003, has selected UNOPS as a PR, responsible for delivering the targets set out in the grant agreements in collaboration with selected sub-recipients from the National Programmes, local and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and UN agencies.

UNOPS is the Principal Recipient of the Global Fund Grants in Myanmar ( HIV and TB) and the Regional malaria Artemisinin Initiative (RAI) Grant in the Greater Mekong Sub-region.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Manager for Myanmar, the Programme Management Specialist shall be responsible for management of the Global Fund financed grants/activities including the management of Sub-recipients.

Summary of Key Functions:

Programme Management

Lead the implementation and coordination of  GFATM grants in Myanmar.

• Provide guidance for and reviewing work plans, training plans and reports submitted by the fund’s beneficiaries and ensuring that they are sound and in line with the national programme and the funding policy and strategies and reflect gender issues as appropriate.
• In coordination with relevant PR units, assist SRs in implementing GF projects and in developing their capacity as required.
• Assist in Progress Update – Disbursement Request and cash forecast exercise of PR. Assist in routine monitoring of project progress, activity, results and implementation cost against planning to ensure the actions supported by the fund are implemented effectively and efficiently and adjusted as needed to reflect changes in the national programme as agreeable to the fund board.
• Coordinate and work together with PSM team in the drugs/commodities forecasting and quantification.
• Support in the grant making and reprogramming exercises of the project.
• Review and analyze routinely on the performance of the SRs and propose relevant interventions as necessary, including catch up plan/adjustment actions to ensure compliance with the fund’s policy and strategies.
• Attend all relevant technical meetings and maintaining excellent contact with all stakeholders, whether in Yangon or in the field and a detailed knowledge of all relevant issues impacting public health.
• Promote information sharing in all aspects related to the Global Fund grants in Myanmar.
• Ensure GFATM protocols and standards are adhered to by UNOPS Partner agencies and SRs.
• Coordinate and manage training activities for SRs as needed.
• Liaise with the concerned National authorities, WHO & Other UN Agencies to present and discuss strategies and issues Perform other relevant duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Conduct needs assessment and participate in surveys and research related to program activities.
• Prepare quality technical reports and submit them in as per the Global Fund Reporting Timeline.
• Explore opportunities for improvement to, and/or expansion of existing initiatives, and/or other initiatives in program implementation.
• Ensure high quality, accessible information about the thematic programme is available for internal and external audiences (including current donors, UNOPS managing and participating member organizations, and potential donors).
• Provide relevant technical inputs to programme and M&E team on programmatic related issues.
• Work closely with the M&E Specialist to track and assess the impact and progress on the performance of SRs.

Personnel Management

• Supervise and mentor the Malaria Program Team.
• Ensure that behavioral expectations of team members are established in accordance with the UNOPS corporate policies and standards.
• Ensure that performance reviews of team members are conducted fairly, accurately and timely as per UNOPS guidelines.
• Create, foster and act as role model for a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harassment.
• The personnel is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

Expected Results

• Good professional relationship with National Programme, SRs and other stakeholders;
• Good performance of the SRs under the Global fund grants managed by the PR and ensuring the implementation arrangements and interventions of SRs are in line with the National Strategic Plan and funding policies and strategies;
• Timely submission of quality progress reports.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• An advance university degree in Medical & Health Sciences, Public Health, Epidemiology or other related field relevant to the above duties is required.
• A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications, and two (2) additional years of experience relevant to the above duties and responsibilities may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in the programme management, public health (Communicable diseases such as HIV, TB, Malaria), surveillance, program management is required.
• Excellent writing and analytical skills are required.
• Coordination with the key stakeholders is an advantage.
• Prior experience in health programme management, implementation with a focus on Malaria including surveillance systems is an asset.
• Prior experience and familiarity with the UN system and the Global Fund rules and regulations are considered as assets.
• Knowledge of Google Suites is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Myanmar is required.

Source: https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=27910#3