Programme Coordinator

 Background Information – Job-specific

UNOPS is the Principal Recipient managing the RAI grant (RAI4E 2024-2026), established by Global Fund in 2018, providing financing for malaria elimination activities in the Greater Mekong Sub region. 

UNOPS as Principal Recipient (PR) in Lao PDR is dedicated to building capacity.  The  PR aims to strengthen the functional teams within the Ministry of Health and CMPE (Centre for Malariology, Parasitology and Epidemiology), with a focus on the sub-national (provincial) level.  The work of the PR with the Department of Communicable Diseases Control (DCDC) and Department of Finance (DOF) will increasingly align with the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) structure, defining a mechanism to transfer capacity to line management functions of existing MoH staff.

Functional Responsibilities

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Programme of ARHC, and in accordance with UNOPS policies, procedures and practices, the Programme Coordinator is responsible for the on-going performance of the RAI grant in Lao PDR, managing overall operations, working closely with the Sub Recipients (SRs) and assisting in negotiations with Global Fund and Laos – Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM).

Managerial and Programmatic Leadership 

• Provide managerial and programmatic leadership to the UNOPS PR unit in Lao PDR for effective communications, coordination, and human resources management.
• Oversees the development and continuous review of key programme documents; including but not limited to work plans and detailed budgets, Performance Based Framework and Procurement and Supply Chain Management (PSM) plan.

Grant Management 

• Design and implement financial systems controls for grant management.
• Manage grant funds and cash flow management and disburse funds to Sub-Recipients (SRs) in accordance with the sub grant agreements and with the fund flow structure of the grant (based on quarterly disbursement requests through the MOH and WHO).
• Coordinate the preparation of programme’s budgets: review budget submissions, analyse and report on budget approvals and delivery situation, monitor expenditures against approved budgets, and reporting on variances.
• Ensure activities for ongoing grants are monitored, analysed and reported on.

Programme Monitoring and Implementation 

• Support and carry out regular monitoring of implementing partner performances and verify the implementation status of the programme and the progress towards reaching set programme targets.
• Lead the timely submission of quality and complete key deliverables including but not limited to Progress Update Reports, quarterly reviews, pulse checks and risk matrix.
• Ensure the development and implementation of an effective programme and financial M&E system meeting donor requirements, as well as ensuring that systems are in place for effective monitoring of the beneficiaries’ actions and of funds disbursed.
• Lead the development of capacity building plans and coordinate with other Sub-Recipients to ensure activities are undertaken at the province and district levels.
• Analyse programme results and incorporate lessons learned into the decision making process;  strengthening the knowledge base by facilitating lessons learned and feedback sessions with the teams.
• Work closely with the CCM and the technical strategic committees of the CCM in managing grants, prepare the country for RSC presentations and any pending issues raised by the Independent Monitoring Panel, and coordinate activities with other grants in Lao PDR.
• Lead an effective communications strategy and ensure effective relations with stakeholders.
• Implement effective risk management practices in all GF grants managed by UNOPS Lao PDR.
• Contribute to preparatory inception activities for new GFATM RAI grant, develop SOPs, manuals, plans, reporting templates and all necessary programme support devices and toolsets as required.
• Ensure proper planning, expenditure tracking and audit of financial resources for the GFATM grants; Monitor financial exception reports for unusual activities and transactions, and lead investigation of irregularities.
• Support CMPE and technical partners in procurement planning, and assess reasonableness of the types and quantities (forecasted needs) of medicines and other health products that are planned to be procured.

Knowledge sharing and management

• Support UNOPS in promoting knowledge management, especially relating to grants and public health initiatives.
• Ensure establishment of a proper document control system.
• Provide professional advice and regular progress updates to the Head of Programme of ARHC on the implementation of the UNOPS action plan to the Global Fund in Laos.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Advanced degree (Master’s) in  Health, Public Health, Health Economics,  Business Administration, or related field is required.
• A Bachelor degree with two (2) additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive responsible experience in the area of  program/ project implementation, operations, and/or  administration  in combination with an advanced degree is required.
• Three (3) years of experience managing public health programmes  is an advantage.
• Proficiency in office software packages (MS Office 2010 or newer versions) and Google Suite is desirable.
• Experience working in coordination with donors, INGOs and civil society is desirable.
• Professional work experience in South East Asia is desirable.
• Previous experience with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis would be an asset.
• Sound knowledge of UNOPS regulations and rules would be an asset.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS:

• Full working knowledge of English is required.

Source: https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=29221