Programme Manager

Background Information – Job-specific

Access to Health Fund

The Access to Health Fund aims to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations in conflict-affected areas of Myanmar. The Fund works with local and international partner organizations and other key stakeholders to increase people’s access to health services (maternal, newborn and child health, sexual and reproductive health and rights, combating HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria) and to strengthen health systems.

The Access to Health Fund is supported by the United Kingdom, Sweden, the United States, Switzerland, Canada, Australia and Norway. Takeda, a private donor also provides a dedicated fund to Access to Health with a similar vision of reaching essential health services to marginalized and vulnerable populations in conflict-affected and hard-to-reach areas and for health system improvement in Shan State.

The objective of this position will be to support efforts to lead a team in the grants and fund management, stakeholders collaboration and performance management of the implementing partners. The position will work under the direct supervision of Senior Program Manager (Head of Strategy) and work together with different program, M&E and grants teams.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Head of Strategy, the programme manager is responsible for the following:  

• Management of the ACCESS’ Program in one of the Fund’s geographies
• Manage existing portfolio of grants throughout the Funding period.
• Through consultations (Regional/State Partners, national programs, EHOs and other Partners as relevant,) identify and pursue ways to expand populations’ access to the EPHS
• Close teamwork with the Health, HSS, and Health for All teams within the Strategy unit, including seeking advice, taking it on board, sharing information, and working as ‘one team’ in the implementation of programs
• Liaise with government, development partners, UN agencies, INGOs, NGOs and EHOs on developments in the given geography
• Ensure delivery of health programmes’ implementation through the most efficient approach (number and nature of Implementing Partners, work through existing/sustainable structures, etc.)
• Pursue other efficiency gains wherever possible during grant making process, grant negotiation and setting new engagement with partners
• With the support from the M&E team and the Programme Support Unit, conduct timely reviews of program deliverables and of technical and financial reports 6 monthly in order to track the performance of partners and support to make Funding decisions based on their performance ( performance based Funding).
• Maintain a clear understanding of grant outcomes, in particular as they relate to the strengthening of health systems and the improved health situation of vulnerable communities. Regularly communicate on these outcomes with partners and stakeholders.

Information and knowledge management  

• Keep the ACCESS Fund and its key partners abreast of developments in the relevant geographic area
• Draft bi-annual lessons-learned reports and/or case studies that highlight key developments in the area
• On a regular basis, critically analyze risks to ACCESS investments in the area. Develop, implement, and update mitigation plan(s) for identified risks.
• In partnership with the existing Conflict Sensitivity partner, ensure that program activities are aligned with ACCESS conflict sensitivity principles.

Other

• Attend coordination meetings on developments in the geography/area on behalf of Access
• Coordinate program visits from the ACCESS Fund Management Office and/or the Fund Board

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline preferably in international development, public health, public administration, sociology, political science with 5 years of relevant experience is required.
• A Bachelor’s degree with 7 years of relevant experience is considered as equivalent

Work Experience

• At least 5 years of experience managing grants or projects is required
• At least 3 years of working experience in the health sector is required
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (e.g. MS Office newer versions, Google Suite Applications) is required.
• Experience of working sensitively and effectively in a culturally diverse setting is an advantage
• Previous experience with the 3MDG Fund desirable
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including drafting policy and program memos desirable
• Strategic planning, including the use of the logical framework approach and other planning activities desirable
• Risk management experience, particularly in conflict sensitive areas desirable
• Understanding of development aid, health, and humanitarian aid architecture desirable
• Experience working in local governance, including but not limited to formal local government structures, local and community based NGOs, traditional governance systems, and informal networks desirable

Languages

• Fluency in English and Myanmar  is required.
• Knowledge of other languages spoken in Myanmar would be an advantage

Source: https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=28591