The Nexus Response Mechanism is a programme initiated by the EU aimed at contributing to Myanmar lasting peace and national reconciliation, security, stability and sustainable development without missing humanitarian needs. Its actions are focused on providing support to conflict-affected populations, displaced populations, host communities, and returnees by strengthening the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, linking relief with rehabilitation and development.
Myanmar faces both long-standing complex humanitarian emergencies as well as newly emerging humanitarian needs as a result of its ongoing political crisis and the 2021 military takeover. In some areas, new political dynamics are exacerbating pre-existing tensions and conflict, leading to further displacement of individuals in conflict areas including southeast Myanmar, northern Shan and Kachin States. Urban displacement and economic insecurity are also creating increased vulnerability and needs in urban centers and across central Myanmar, including areas that have not historically been affected by conflict. Pre-existing humanitarian emergencies remain grave, including those faced by Rakhine, Rohingya, Kachin, Karen, Shan and other groups throughout the country.
The Nexus Response Mechanism is responding to these needs through local and international implementing partners providing humanitarian, development and peace support. To ensure the technical proficiency of its response and ensure coordination with other actors, the NRM is seeking a Programme Management Advisor (Humanitarian) that can provide guidance and support for the design, development, implementation and monitoring of the NRM’s programming. The advisor will also take a supporting role in development, organization and implementation of field monitoring visits, virtual and in person for all existing and future partners in NRM project areas, ensuring timely and regular implementation of project activities, effective coordination and cooperation among the different partner and sub-partners, advancing the NRM’s localization agenda, identifying opportunities to incorporate nexus approaches into partners’ programming and, together with partners, establishing success stories, challenges and lessons learned across the NRM’s portfolio.
Functional Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the NRM Senior Programme Manager (SPM), the Programme Management Advisor (Humanitarian) will be responsible to support the NRM program by providing guidance and support to the NRM Secretariat on new programme development, particularly on emergency response programing, desk-based scoping of humanitarian needs across Myanmar; participation in humanitarian coordination meetings on behalf of the NRM; support on the design of concept notes, calls for proposals, and program frameworks; support on the evaluation of proposals; providing updates on humanitarian needs; providing support on planning and organizing field monitoring visits and taking the lead on coordination with the partners on identifying their needs, programmatic challenges and entry points and opportunities.
The Programme Management Advisor will broadly carry out the following tasks, in accordance with UNOPS policies, procedures and practices based on needs expressed by the NRM. These may include (but are not limited to):
Conduct scoping reports and provide programming recommendations about emerging humanitarian needs and challenges;
Map response activities by other actors in target areas and identify gaps in thematic/geographic coverage;
Provide guidance and analysis to the NRM Secretariat about long-term humanitarian strategy and orientation;
Coordinate with key stakeholders, including humanitarian donors and other UNOPS-hosted funds
Identify opportunities for integrating NRM humanitarian activities with longer-term development and peacebuilding work;
Build relationships with local response partners on behalf of the NRM;
Provide support on the development of concept notes and calls for proposals;
Provide support on the evaluation of partner-submitted evaluations and monitoring reports;
Provide guidance to the NRM Secretariat on the management of humanitarian projects;
Work together with the NRM Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist on organizing and implementing field monitoring visits;
Support effective coordination and communication between partners working in the NRM’s programmes/projects.
Support in building and maintaining relationships with programme stakeholders, including implementing partners, community beneficiaries, and external organizations.
Participation in humanitarian coordination meetings and other relevant external meetings;
As necessary, ensure coordination among NRM partners implementing humanitarian activities and ensure linkages with NRM development and peacebuilding activities.
The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
Education/Experience/Language requirements:
Education:
Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent), preferably in Law, Human rights, Social Sciences, Political Sciences, Humanitarian/Development Studies, Economics, International Relations, Public Administration or a related field is required.
Additional two years of similar experience with a Bachelor’s Degree is considered equivalent.
Experience:
At least 7 years of relevant experience in humanitarian program management (especially emergency responses), including programme design, monitoring and evaluation, quality assurance, and learning is required;
Experience in development and peacebuilding is desirable;
Robust experience working on humanitarian coordination across local, national and international agencies and mechanisms is highly preferred. Experience working with local first responders and on localization issues is an asset;
Solid practical experience in working with the UN, donors, non-governmental organizations, public sector and/or civil society is required;
In-depth understanding of the Myanmar context, including political, economic, social and conflict dynamics, is highly preferred;
Strong writing and public speaking skills are highly preferred.
Language:
Fluency in both written and spoken English is required.
Fluency in both written and spoken Myanmar is required
Knowledge of other Myanmar languages will be considered an asset.
