The Position:
The Programme Manager is located in UNFPA Country Office in Yangon, Myanmar. S/he will provide overall strategic advice and direction in the management of the Initiative and ensures delivery of resources and results according to planned targets. The incumbent will be based in Yangon with frequent backstopping missions to the field offices. In all activities, the Programme Manager fosters collaboration within the UNFPA Country Office, particularly with the different outcome pillars Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) and Population Development) providing integrated programme and technical support; as well as facilitates communication and information exchange between WGF team members and other teams.
The position will report directly to the UNFPA Representative.
How you can make a difference:
UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s new strategic plan (2018-2021), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices.
In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.
Job Purpose:
In 2019, UNFPA successfully launched the phase II of the multi-year, multi-donor programme “Women and Girls First Initiative” (2019-2022). Under the Women and Girls First programme, UNFPA is committed to leading the international community and supporting national stakeholders in addressing gaps in gender equality, improving reproductive health services, responding to and preventing gender based violence (GBV) and integrating gender equality and women's human rights perspectives into national policies, development frameworks and laws. Through these key outcomes, UNFPA will also be seeking to achieve improved and strengthened access to justice and increased participation of women in the peace process, through economic and political empowerment.
The WGF is an integrated and complex nexus initiative that addresses humanitarian needs, while strengthening technical capacities and policy measures in a development context. It also addresses the social and community cohesion element, thus contributing to peace outcomes win Myanmar. The degree of complexity has further increased with the advent of COVID-19 and the need for the WGF programme to reposition itself to deliver its mandate within the evolving COVID-19 situation. The WGF programme has also become the central vehicle for UNFPA’s response to COVID-19 in Myanmar, in terms of developing and adapting SOPs for SRHR, GBV referral; supporting the delivery of SRHR and GBV services in quarantine facilities, retraining of volunteers, front-line health workers, and strengthening Mental Health and Psychosocial (MHPSS) services in the country.
The position of the Programme Manager will be responsible for the overall implementation of the WGF (Phase II) programme, including programme planning, programme implementation, fund management, technical support and guidance, coordination of donors and partnerships and communication. S/he provides overall strategic advice and direction in the management of the Initiative and ensures delivery of resources and results according to planned targets.
Key results expected of the Programme Manager include:
• Effective co-ordination and delivery of WGF Phase II within the overall country programme context;
• Support to UNFPA COVID-19 response;
• Assistance in advocacy and positioning of ICPD in policy dialogue; and
• Support to resource mobilization efforts by the country office
The primary activities of the Programme Manager are:
• Programme Management Support, including day-to-day coordination of the WGF team and activities
• Support to Policy and Programme Development and Implementation
• Capacity Development
• Knowledge Management
Requirements:
Qualifications and Experience
Education:
Advanced University degree in public health, sociology, demography, gender, economics, international relations, international development, public administration, management or other related field.
Knowledge and Experience:
• 7 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in management and development relevant to population and development, sexual and reproductive health, and gender, including three at the international level
• Substantive knowledge and practical experience in population and development, sexual and reproductive health, and gender
• Experience in programme and/or technical assistance with the UN System
• Field experience is required
Languages:
Fluency in English is required; Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.
Other Desirable Skills:
Initiative, strong conceptual and analytical abilities, sound judgment, liaison skills, negotiation skills, administrative and management skills, strong interest in development work, especially the mission of the United Nations Population Fund and dedication to the principles of the United Nations.