Job: Accountability Programme Officer

Location: Yangon
Closing Date: Tuesday, 19 November 2013

Background Information

UNOPS 'UNOPS plays a critical role in providing management services for our life-saving, peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations.' -Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General UNOPS mission is to expand the capacity of the UN system and its partners to implement peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need.

Working in some of the world's most challenging environments, our vision is to always satisfy partners with management services that meet world-class standards of quality, speed and cost effectiveness. UNOPS provides services in sustainable infrastructure, sustainable procurement and sustainable project management, with projects ranging from building schools, roads, bridges and hospitals to procuring goods and services and training local personnel. By assisting UN organizations, international financial institutions, governments and other development partners, UNOPS makes significant, tangible contributions to results on the ground. We employ more than 6,000 personnel annually and on behalf of our partners create thousands more work opportunities in local communities. Through our headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark and a network of regional and country offices, we oversee activities in more than 80 countries. UNOPS is committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce.

Background Information

Myanmar Myanmar UNOPS Myanmar develops, supports and oversees a portfolio of programmes and projects in Myanmar which focus on post-disaster recovery, health programmes and food security. UNOPS Myanmar ensures that synergies between programmes and projects are effectively developed. UNOPS is also expanding its infrastructure and procurement services in Myanmar. The UNOPS Myanmar portfolio currently includes fund management of the multi-donor Three Millennium Development Goals Fund (3MDG) and the Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT). In addition, UNOPS is the Principal Recipient of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria grants to Myanmar (PR-GFATM). UNOPS Myanmar plays a critical role in ensuring quality services to UNOPS' partners that meet stringent requirements of speed, efficiency and cost effectiveness. It is also responsible for liaison with Government counterparts, Donors and UN Agencies.

Background Information - Job-specific

The Three Millennium Development Goal Fund (3MDG) supports the provision of health services in Myanmar and will contribute towards the country's efforts to achieve the three health-related Millennium Development Goals. These goals include reducing child mortality, improving maternal health and combating HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. 3MDG places a special emphasis upon provision of maternal, new-born and child quality health services.

3MDG provides support to the Ministry of Health in order to contribute towards the development of a more effective and responsive health system. Established in 2012, the US$ 300 million, five-year Fund is supported by seven international donors. The Description of Action of the 3MDG outlines a number of principles which serve to frame how health service delivery will be supported through a focus upon wider contextual issues and which are acknowledged to be important within the Myanmar context.

These include commitments to:

• 'Support institutional development and sub-systems strengthening, including strengthening stewardship, voice and accountability [and] to promote voice and accountability both through the structures that are directly linked to the Fund and through support to increase the transparency and accountability of national and local structures'.
• 'Fund support for civil society will emphasize capacity development for increased transparency and accountability'
• 'The Fund will ensure that human rights principles are applied. The right to health implies that all individuals are entitled to basic health services without discrimination [and] equal access to health facilities, goods and services, as well as the right to active, free and meaningful participation in decisions that directly affect them are key commitments of the Fund'. In order to address these commitments, the Fund Management Office of 3MDG has recently concluded the design of its Accountability, Equity and Inclusion (AEI) Framework.
• This was undertaken through a process of consultation with a wide range of stakeholders and builds upon work previously undertaken by the Three Diseases Fund (3DF) as well as work being undertaken by other stakeholders in Myanmar. The strategy articulates how a set of accountability practices can contribute towards ensuring that 3MDG adequately addresses barriers that otherwise prevent the population accessing quality health care both through 3MDG's own funded programme but also through the wider health care system. The Framework will be applied across all Components of the 3MDG Fund:

a. Component

1: MNCH programme delivery is based around a Coordinated Township Planning approach and where leadership is assigned to Township Health Authorities supported by State/Region Health Authorities and 3MDG funded partners. Delivery of the AEI Strategy will be achieved both by integration of accountability within the elements of 3MDG funded health activities but also through the award of grants to partners that will promote and support accountable practices.

b. Component

2: The HIV-AIDS/ TB/malaria component of 3MDG will be structured through a programmatic approach in coordination with National Disease Control Programmes. The AEI Strategy will both support national policy as it relates to the three diseases as well as through a focus upon quality of service delivery by a range of partners including NGOs as well as the National Programmes.

c. Component

3: Through technical support to the Ministry of Health, and under the AEI Component of Programming, 3MDG will address through advocacy and policy platforms the inclusion of relevant accountability commitments and practices across the wider health system. The AEI Framework is available at www.3mdg.org/ In summary, the 3MDG Accountability, Equity and Inclusion commitments include:

I. Accountability, including anti-corruption - essential services are available, accessible, acceptable and of a high quality.

II. Transparency - 3MDG will ensure that the risk of corruption is minimized; fiduciary risk assessment and monitoring partner performance are a key part of risk management. Reporting on the Fund's activities will be made public.

III. Civil Society Participation - Local NGOs and CBOs often have greater access to hardto-reach and underserved communities. Consequently, strategic partnerships with these organisations for service delivery are a feature of the 3MDG Fund. Local NGOs and other civil society organisations will play an important role in efforts to strengthen accountability and in independent monitoring.

IV. Gender equality – 3MDG ensures that implementation is consistent with rights-based approaches and advances gender equality, including the representation of women in decision-making roles at all levels.

V. Child protection–3MDG will incorporate safeguards regarding child protection and environment in line with donor requirements.

VI. Conflict sensitivity – including Do No Harm - Areas of the country are poorly served by health services. Delivery of essential services is hindered by difficult terrain, geographical remoteness, conflict and cultural diversity. 3MDG reflects the OECD DAC principles of engagement in fragile states, which aim to build effective and responsive institutions capable of promoting sustained development More information on the commitments of 3MDG can be found on the 3MDG website: www.3dfund.org/images/stories/Newsevents/3MDG/FINAL_DRAFT_Description_of_Action_3MDG_Fund.pdf

Functional Responsibilities

The Accountability Programme Officer will be responsible for the implementation of the AEI Strategy and as detailed above in relation to the three Components of 3MDG programming.

• S/he is expected to represent 3MDG in key for a on the subject matter and to be able to engage and support Ministry of Health (MoH) counterparts as well as, partners and relevant wider stakeholders in relation to 3MDG's AEI policy and activities in this field.
• S/he will provide AEI technical assistance for 3MDG programme and M&E specialists by providing direct policy and technical support, including developing guidelines and tools;
• and supporting the national network of experts and institutions to commission AEI research, develop policy guidance and provide technical assistance that are relevant to the practical needs of 3MDG.
• S/he will be responsible for identification and selection of partners who will be responsible for the delivery of AEI Strategy elements and will play a key role in providing substantive leadership to strengthen 3MDG partnerships between International and National NGOs and civil society in Myanmar and support national advocacy and awareness on AEI.
• S/he will be responsible for providing leadership and quality assurance of the 3MDG AEI team.
• S/he will manage and supervise the AEI team members to ensure that AEI outputs and outcomes contribute to achieve 'Output 5' of 3MDG's Description of Action (DOA) as well as deliver on any subsequently agreed framework(s) with the 3MDG Fund Board.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

Under the overall supervision of the 3MDG Fund Director and under the direct supervision of the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, the incumbent of the post will carry out the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Oversee the delivery of 3MDG AEI Framework including the identification and selection of partners

• Operationalize the 3MDG AEI Framework: develop annual AEI costed work plans mainstream AEI issues into the full range of 3MDG Fund activities (from research, planning, policy to operations)
• define and plan the AEI programmatic approach and specifically formulate both an operational plan for identification and selection of partners to deliver upon objectives within the AEI Strategy
• Support the development and implementation of a National Framework for Accountability and Equity in National Health Policy (contributing to both enabling environment and health accountability & equity system)
• Foster the establishment of township level AEI mechanisms With the 3MDG Performance Management Unit, support the development, where required, of partner AEI proposals, activities, targets, budgets and log frames.

2. Partnerships on AEI: Coordination and engagement with relevant policy forums and external partners

• Implement the Comprehensive Partnership Plan as per the AEI Framework by engaging and advocating with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Social Welfare (at all levels) and other relevant partners to support the implementation of national commitments on gender, transparency and equity both within as well as outside the scope of 3MDG programming;
• Coordinate with other donor and relevant development partners, such as the Ministry of Health, the Gender Equity Network, the Global Fund and Livelihoods Trust Fund, UNFPA and UNDP to establish a national steering committee for AEI;
• Develop and implement a 3MDG Civil Society Partnership Plan; Write reports, analyze findings and provide recommendations. Ensure easy public access to AEI reports and data and support wide distribution. 3. Capacity building and training for 3MDG personnel and AEI Focal Points within partner organizations
• Ensure training curricula, guidelines and AEI tools are developed and utilized; Improve the capacity of the Ministry of Health, 3MDG partners, including relevant Myanmar civil society organizations, targeted communities and media to participate effectively in 3MDG AEI reform programmes. Include an emphasis on building skills, coalition-building, monitoring of reform agenda implementation, and providing access by civil society, including the voices of especially vulnerable women in accountability mechanisms;
• Ensure 3MDG partners are trained in AEI principles and practices;
• Mentor 3MDG Fund Management personnel in their understanding and application of AEI principles and practices.

4. Monitoring and evaluation of AEI commitments as well as of 3MDG AEI programmes

• With M&E specialists, oversee AEI data collection and analysis processes to measure progress and achievements according to the M&E plan. Develop and oversee the AEI data clearing house, including review of data with the relevant teams prior to publication;
• Support routine collection of value for money case-studies, ensuring equity analysis is conducted;
• Facilitate the evaluation of social determinants of health and approaches to address barriers preventing access to health care;
• Develop and support participatory action research and community based technical support that focuses on poor and underserved populations, civil society, gender equity and accountability;
• Organize meetings, workshops and other discussion forums to establish a dialogue on AEI (recommendations/ lessons learned) and issues; and

5. Leadership and management of AEI team

• Provide technical oversight and quality assurance, coach and supervise the members of the AEI team and oversee day-to-day operations of the team. Prove regular and constructive feedback and professional development to team members;
• Coordinate with 3MDG Fund Programme Support Unit to ensure financial accountability practices and processes are included in broader AEI approaches;
• Mobilise relevant AEI technical assistance in a timely manner, with clearly demarcated responsibilities that are based on the participatory and equity principles of the 3MDG Fund;
• Create and maintain within the office a team spirit of mutual collaboration and respect with due regard to gender and cultural sensitivities;
• Monitor and manage individual performance based on clear objectives and judicious delegation in accordance with UNOPS policies.

6. Other duties as assigned by the supervisor

Competencies Respect for Diversity

• Works effectively with people from all backgrounds Treats all people with dignity and respect Treats men and women equally Shows respect for and understanding of diverse points of view and demonstrates this understanding in daily work and decision-making
• Examines own biases and behaviours to avoid stereotypical responses Does not discriminate against any individual or group

Planning and Organising

• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary Uses time efficiently

Management and Leadership

• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
• Ability to go beyond established procedures and models, creation of new approaches.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

• Masters' degree in social sciences, humanities or public health or a related field of study is required.
• PhD in social sciences or in public health is desirable. At least five years of experience (of which at least 2 years at the international level) is essential.
• Proven experience in managing accountability programmes including those which have a focus upon gender and equity.
• Understanding of current evidence and approaches relates to tackling social determinants of health and health equity through approaches articulated within the AEI Strategy.
• Proven ability to understand and translate complex conceptual frameworks and evidence into understandable language, including presentations, written documents, and policy relevant Technical Assistance for non-specialists.
• Proven ability in approaches to capacity building suitable for policy makers, planners and practitioners in the areas of gender, equity and accountability.
• Demonstrated experience in mentorship, training and capacity building. Experience in relevant grants management preferred.
• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English is essential. Working knowledge of Myanmar language is desirable.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA)

Contract level: IICA-2 Contract duration: 12 months with the possibility of extension subject to performance and budget availability For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: http://www.unops.org/ENGLISH/WHOWENEED/CONTRACT-TYPES/Pages/IndividualContractor-Agreements-ICAs.aspx

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET) Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified. Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For staff positions UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS. It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks. Apply Now

More Info and Application