Myanmar is one of UNOPS’ leading offices in Asia, acting as fund manager for some of the largest development programmes in the country, namely the Access to Health, the Livelihoods and Food Security Fund (LIFT), the Joint Peace Fund (JPF), Nexus Response Mechanism, and the SECO funded UN Trade Cluster Fund. 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 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.
Joint Peace Fund
The Joint Peace Fund (JPF) is a multi-donor fund, established by international donors in 2015 to support Myanmar on the path to sustainable peace. The purpose of the JPF was to support national efforts to achieve a final and lasting settlement of ethnic armed conflict in Myanmar. Activities were focused on making the peace process itself more effective, supporting a more inclusive process, and paving the way to long-term peace by supporting political solutions to resolve decades of conflict. This holistic focus – supporting 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 - made it a unique project in terms of global peace support. With ten donors – Australia, Canada, European Union, Finland, Germany, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, UK and the United States, it represents a strong commitment to a peaceful future for all the many peoples of Myanmar.
The Myanmar peace process has been severely affected by the military coup of February 2021 and its aftermath, which saw an ever-increasing spiral of violence descending upon the country, the appearance of numerous new armed actors, and a generalised civilian resistance to the military.
The JPF is adapting to these evolving circumstances and will implement a revised strategy that will guide our work over the next few years.
Background Information
The Programme Management Officer will be working alongside other Programme Officers, the M+E Unit and the Grants Unit. They will report to the Programme Management Senior Officer, and will be a focal person for individual projects and implementing partners from the JPF portfolio/pipeline. Being guided by the Senior Programme Manager, other senior programme team members and specific advisors/resource persons, the Programme Management Officer will review/appraise and develop project proposals with the implementing partner which fit into the JFP strategy, while also carrying out key technical and relationship-building functions associated with grant management after grants have been approved and projects are operational.
Education/Experience/Language requirements
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Peace and Conflict Studies, Social Sciences, International Development Studies/Human Security, Management or related field is required.
A first-level university degree (Bachelor's Degree or equivalent) combined with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience
Required Experience
Minimum 2 years’ professional experience in the field of programme development in an international institution, donor agency, NGO or INGO is required.
Within these 2 years, a minimum of 1 year of program implementation experience in conflict-affected settings, peace processes and/or governance transitional environments, is required.
Desired Experience
Direct experience with applying gender mainstreaming, conflict sensitivity/DNH, risk assessments/mitigation measures and gender inclusion into project design and implementation is highly desirable.
Budget development and sub/grant management experience is highly desirable (even if small micro-grants at community levels).
Knowledge of peacebuilding and peace promoting programming at state/regional levels with diverse stakeholders is an advantage.
Language
Fluent spoken and written Burmese required.
Professional level in written and spoken English is required.
