Job: Project Manager (Public Health care Planning and Financing)

Location: Yangon, Myanmar
Closing Date: Monday, 18 November 2013

Vacancy cod: VA/2013/B5506/4185

Position titl: Project Manager (Public Health care Planning and Financing)

Leve: ICS-12

Department/offic: AEMO, Myanmar

Duty statio: Yangon, Myanmar

Contract typ: International ICA

Contract leve: IICA-4

Duratio: 6 months

Application period: 05-Nov-2013 to 18-Nov-2013

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

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

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

UNOPS Myanmar is the Fund Manager for the Three Millennium Development Goals Fund (3MDG Fund) and the Principal Recepient of the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS,TB and Malaria (GFATM-PR) grants to Myanmar. The 3MDG activities and the Global Fund grants to Myanmar are being implemented in line with aid effectiveness principles, ensuring harmonization with the initiatives of other donors such as the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), UN partners, and bilateral donors, taking steps to further strengthen adherence to the principles of country ownership, alignment and mutual accountability. In this respect, UNOPS will build on 3DF, JIMNCH, LIFT progress in supporting wider sector coordination, transparency and accountability.

The 3MDG Fund component 3 (Health Systems Strengthening) and Global Fund grants to Myanmar aim to support long-term sustainability. The 3MDG Fund's detailed programme description is outlined in 3MDGF Description of Action (www.3mdg.org). Relevant documents for the Global Fund grants can be found on the Global Fund PR website (pr.org.mm). Until 2013 Myanmar was under international sanctions, and direct international financial aid to health and social services reached the public health system and beneficiaries through three funding windows: disbursement or reimbursement directly to beneficiaries, advance funding to UN funds and programmes, and advance funding to NGOs. The Global Fund, through the UNOPS Managed Cash flow Unit, delivers funding to the public health system through a team of approximatly 50 financial analysts who provide advance funding for or reimbursement of individual activities being implemented in over 300 out of Myanmar's 330 townships. In light of the recent transformations and reforms in Myanmar, many international sanctions have been either suspended or lifted, and 3MDG donors, the Global Fund and the Government of Myanmar, Ministry of Health (MoH) are now interested in exploring the possibility of channeling advance funding directly to the MoH on state/region and township levels. A study of the advance funding scheme has been conducted, and the required systems, processes and operating procedures have been identified, but have not yet been implemented and made operational. Purpose and Scope of Assignment The Project Manager will be responsible for ensuring that agreements, systems, processes and operating procedures are implemented and operationalized by both the MoH and UNOPS, allowing for transfer of advance funding directly to MoH state/region and township offices in support of 3MDG programme as well as the support of activities funded by the Global Fund. The incumbent shall abide by security policies, regulations and rules, organizational directives, administrative instructions, and processes and procedures of the UN Security Management System, the United Nations and UNOPS.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the UNOPS Director and Representative in his capacity as Chairman of the internal Project Board on Public Health care Planning and Financing, and in close collaboration with the Project Board, the Financial Management Officer of UNOPS Myanmar, and the performance management units of the 3MDG Fund and the Global Fund PR, the Project Manager will carry out the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Develop and implement a project plan, including the establishment of milestones, within the tolerances and time limits set by the project board, for the rollout of the advance funding scheme.
2. Establish a solid working relationship with the MoH Department of Health, relevant health authorities on state/region and township levels, the World Bank, donors and other key stakeholders.
3. Manage information flows and communication, and advise the project board and relevant stakeholders on issues that may impact the rollout of the advance funding scheme.
4. Coordinate negotiations and drafts agreements between UNOPS and stakeholders.
5. Identify and manage risks so that maximum benefit to stakeholders is achieved.
6. Perform the project team manager role and lead and motivate the project team.
7. Collaborate with the MoH, the performance management units of the 3MDG Fund and the Global Fund PR and other relevant stakeholders in the development of Comprehensive Township Health Plans and Budgets (CTHPBs).
8. In collaboration with relevant stakeholders, ensure that the MoH state/region and township financial management structures are strengthened to enable the direct transfer of advance funding from UNOPS to the MoH township offices. This includes development and implementation at the MoH of the necessary governance, planning, budgeting, financial management and internal control mechanisms as well as accountability, transparency, assurance and risk management systems which ensures that corrective measures are taken as and when needed.
9. Assist the Financial Management Officer in proposing and implementing a change process within the UNOPS Managed Cash flow Unit which will allow for the direct transfer of funding to MoH township offices. This includes a revision of the existing organizational structure for the unit, development of revised terms of references and identification of required resources, implementation of revised operating procedures, risk management procedures and assurance procedures.
10. Develop and/or revise policies, standard operating procedures, manuals and training material as needed.
11. Build the capacity of the MoH on state/region and township levels as well as the capacity of the UNOPS Managed Cash flow Unit through training and other capacity building measures.
12. Oversee effective start-up of the advance funding activities with KPIs clearly designed to track progress and lessons learnt.
13. Transfer ownership of the advance funding scheme to the MoH and develop a culture of constant improvement where lessons learnt by the MoH and recommendations made by stakeholders are captured and incorporated in future iterations of the scheme.
14. Other related tasks as required by the Director & Representative of UNOPS Myanmar.

Competencies

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Promotes a knowledge-sharing and learning culture in the office
• In-depth knowledge of development issues
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
• Development and Operational Effectiveness
• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
• Ability to lead implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects,
• Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change
• Excellent conceptual and analytical abilities and an analytic approach to information management.

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 humoured 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

Education

1. Master's Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Public Health, Economics, Finance and Accounting, Development studies or related discipline; or a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience in areas such as financial management, public planning, budgeting and financing or healthcare planning, or a Bachelor's Degree in related fields combined with extensive experience in similar responsible position.
2. Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA) or equivalent is and asset.

Work Experience

1. At least 10 years, progressively responsible, working experience in economics, financial management, public sector planning, budgeting and financing or healthcare planning, budgeting and finance is required.
2. Previous work experience from a similar position or consultancy with governments, UN organizations, Bretton Woods institutions, Non-governmental organizations or bilateral donors is required.
3. Excellent writing, presentation and analytical skills are essential.
4. Strong diplomatic skills and solid managerial experience is required.
5. Experience in grants management, familiarity with the Paris Declaration and experience with the fiduciary risk assessments practices of the UN (e.g. HACT) will be an asset.
6. Previous experience in South and/or South East Asia will be an asset.
7. Fluency in English required. Knowledge of an additional UN language is an asset.

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.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement

Contract level: IICA-4

Contract duration: 6 months

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

More Info and Application