Deputy Fund Director

LIFT is embarking on a new strategic period for 2024-2028. The LIFT 2024-2028 Strategy builds on the achievements of LIFT’s experience as well as recent adaptations and learning in the face of a changing and dynamic context. The new Strategy outlines an approach to tackle structural drivers of poverty and vulnerability, while also considering immediate interventions to secure and maintain Myanmar’s previous development gains. LIFT has proven itself as a key delivery partner across Myanmar’s changing contexts – ranging from post-Nargis recovery, a time of political transition, and relief support during COVID-19. LIFT is managed by the United Nations Office for Projects Services (UNOPS) and has received funding from 16 international donors. The current donors are the United Kingdom, the European Union, Switzerland, Australia, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, and Denmark.

LIFT Fund is currently structured in four teams reporting to the Fund Director: Technical and Strategy; Programme and Operations;  Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning; and Communications. Within the Technical and Strategy team, there are technical leads; within the Programme and Operations team, there are geographic teams and the Programme Management Team, as well as a MEAL Lead and team and a Communications Lead and team. The Deputy Fund Director will play a crucial role in leading the Fund, supporting teams, and enhancing the Fund’s ability to implement the LIFT 2024-2028 strategy. The Deputy Fund Director will directly oversee the Technical and Strategy; Programme and Operations; and Communications Teams.

Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the Fund Director,  the Deputy Fund Director will bring excellent strategic leadership skills, a track record of success achieving results in complex, conflict-affected areas; and strong grounding in food security, livelihoods, and nutrition. They will be expected to address the following key challenges: 

Leadership and Management:

• The Deputy Fund Director will provide strategic leadership to LIFT’s  Fund Management Office;
• Act (ad interim) in the Fund Director’s role when required, e.g. in the absence of the Fund Director;
• In delivering on the LIFT’s strategy, provide the Fund Director, Fund Board, and Fund Board Working Group with strategic analysis, advice and guidance for programme opportunities and associated risks;
• Provide strategic oversight to the portfolio and thematic quality assurance in the implementation of LIFT’s strategy;
• Identify and resolve bottlenecks or issues that prevent the Fund from delivering on its objectives, and initiate and lead or support adjustments or facilitations for improvement when required;
• Take responsibility for risk management, work planning, learning, and knowledge managementOversee and improve programme quality and compliance, including the Fund’s approach to ‘downstream partners’ (sub-grantees)
• Supervise, manage, and coach staff so that team tasks and duties are clearly linked to delivering the LIFT strategic objective and outcomes;
• Manage a cadre of international specialists, based in-country, as well as consultants and technical experts, ensuring the provision of coordinated and consistent expert advice to key stakeholders and teams.
• Identify, share, and build on best practices and lessons learned in programming, policy, and management across the organization

Strategy:

• Lead regular and ongoing strategic reviews of LIFT’s portfolio and approaches to ensure the Fund’s investments maximize results and value for money. Together with relevant Senior Management, oversee the implementation of corrective measures;
• Work with teams to ensure that LIFT delivers on the multi-year strategy
• Ensure embedding of strategic issues – including climate, gender, social protection, and the integration of localization across all of the Fund’s work;
• Support or lead strategic discussions related to LIFT’s work
• Donors-relations and Partnerships
• Under the overall authority of and delegated by the Fund Director, represent LIFT in its relations with donors and other partners, as requested.
• Lead the development of funding proposals to harness new funding sources;
• Ensure partner calls for proposals meet the quality output required for LIFT’s mandate and donor expectations;
• Build and strengthen strategic relations with stakeholders;
• Build and maintain strong relations with partners;

 Education/Experience/Language requirements:

Education:

• Master’s degree preferably in rural development, business administration or management, public administration, or international relations is required.
• Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience is considered an equivalent.

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in programme or /project management in a relevant field is required.
• Experience and/or solid understanding of working (and achieving results) in complex and conflict affected areas is required.
• Solid experience in working on and/or understanding of food security, livelihoods, food systems, agricultural development, and nutrition is an asset.
• Solid practical experience in working with the UN, non-governmental organizations, public sector and/or civil society is an advantage.
• Experience of working for a major donor would be a significant advantage;
• Experience in managing, motivating, and leading a large team of international and national staff would be a significant advantage;
• Knowledge and experience of working in Myanmar and/or Asia is highly desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English required.
• Knowledge of a second UN language is an advantage.

Source: https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=29022#1