Job Highlight
This is an excellent opportunity to lead a significant health fund in Myanmar, contributing to improved health outcomes for vulnerable populations and providing a platform to influence health policy and program implementation in a challenging and rewarding context.
About the Region
The Asia Pacific Regional Office, based in Bangkok, Thailand, provides strategic leadership and oversight for UNOPS operations across 17 countries, ensuring high performance, operational excellence, and alignment with organizational goals. Operations currently span Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Pacific Islands. Across these countries, we work closely with key stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and maximize impact through five main operating units: Afghanistan (AFCO), Myanmar (MMCO), South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO), East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO), and the Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC). Through these entities, we provide agile, client-focused service delivery across diverse sectors.
About the Country/Multi-Country Office
Established in 1996, UNOPS Myanmar is a key partner in the country’s humanitarian and development efforts, with a strong, long-standing presence on the ground. UNOPS supports both chronic and sudden-onset needs across Myanmar, offering flexible and responsive solutions. UNOPS manages several major development funds, including the Livelihoods and Food Security Fund, the Access to Health Fund, and the Joint Peace Fund. Through the Asia Regional Health Cluster, UNOPS also serves as the Principal Recipient for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and implements the Regional Artemisinin-Resistance Initiative Towards Elimination of Malaria (RAI3E) programme. UNOPS Myanmar's core strengths lie in fund and programme management, infrastructure, and procurement, delivering tailored, high-impact solutions to support the priorities of government and development partners.
Job Specific Context
The Access to Health (A2H) Fund is one of several major development funds managed by the UNOPS Myanmar Country Office. Since its establishment in 2019, A2H has operated as a dynamic and agile multi-donor pooled fund and is known for achieving tangible results for people in need.
Through a consortium model, A2H strengthens and amplifies aid effectiveness by aligning donor contributions towards shared objectives - leveraging funding from donors to maximize impact. This approach enhances investment efficiency by reducing duplication, enabling larger-scale interventions and allowing for more flexible and responsive funding.
The Access to Health Fund manages a diverse portfolio of programmes focused in improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations in Myanmar through delivery of an evidence-based, cost-effective package of essential services spanning from community-based services, via primary care to referral level care.
To achieve this, A2H supports a broad range of primary local partners towards service delivery and system strengthening across the humanitarian-development nexus.
Within this context, and under the guidance of the Myanmar Country Office Director and Representative, the A2H Director implements the Fund’s strategic direction as defined by the Fund Board and in alignment with the UNOPS Myanmar Country Office strategy. As a member of the Myanmar Country Office Senior Management Team, the A2H Director heads the Fund Management Office (FMO), including technical professionals as well as Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E), learning and knowledge management, communication and programme support professionals.
The Fund Director is expected to demonstrate strong leadership and management capabilities, while actively advocating for sustained external support to Myanmar’s vulnerable populations. The role requires demonstrated ability to operate effectively in complex and challenging environments, with experience across development, humanitarian and conflict settings. Success in this position will also depend on exceptional partnership and stakeholder engagement skills, working collaboratively with a diverse range of actors to deliver tangible and impactful results for those in need.
Role Purpose
Under the overall supervision of the UNOPS Myanmar Country Director & Representative, working closely with the Board composed of the Fund’s Donors, and in close coordination with key stakeholders, the Fund Director will be responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction to the Access to Health Fund Management Office, ensuring effective delivery of the Fund’s mission and goals.
**** The staff will be based in Bangkok, Thailand temporarily while awaiting for Myanmar visa. *****
Functions / Key Results Expected
1. Stakeholder Management
- Establish solid working relationships based on trust with the Fund Board, current and potential partners and key stakeholders.
- Manage Access to Health communications with stakeholders regarding Fund activities, progress and exceptions, enabling their ability to accept handover of Fund deliverables.
- Advise partners on issues that may impact the achievement of their outcomes.
- Assist the Country Office Director and Representative to develop and implement strategies to maximize the impact of the Fund's investments.
- Collaborate with the Senior Management Team to build and maintain strong relationships with a broad range of stakeholders, including the A2H Fund Board, donors, civil society organizations, UN agencies, other UNOPS managed funds, and implementing partners.
- Monitor programme progress at a strategic level and ensure regular updates are provided to the Fund Board, including maintaining the Risk Matrix and ensuring the timely identification, management and communication of risks.
- Provide all the necessary and timely information and support to the Fund Board, for its members to be able to take informed decisions related to the A2H performance.
- Represent A2H at meetings and events and support the UNOPS Country Director and Representative in exploring resource mobilization for the Fund.
- Facilitate effective communication and coordination among stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of Fund activities.
- Leverage continuous support across the Country Office portfolio to ensure the Fund strategy is effectively implemented and aligned with the needs of vulnerable populations in Myanmar.
- Seek guidance from the Senior Management Team on the political, social, and economic contexts of Myanmar and support the Country Office Director and Representative in adapting the Fund’s strategies accordingly.
- Demonstrated experience in conflict-affected and politically complex settings with multiple service delivery actors and experience operating across plural health systems and politically sensitive environments.
2. Fund Office Management
- Oversee the management of budgets, cash flow and expenditures to ensure financial integrity and efficiency, including fiduciary oversight, safeguarding (including SEAH), and management of high operational risks in complex settings, including risks related to aid diversion and delivery in environments with constrained access and monitoring.
- Ensure that work planning processes are aligned with agreed targets and strategic priorities.
- Strengthen M&E systems to effectively track performance, results and impact.
- Ensure effective administrative management, including timely reporting and compliance with audit requirements and recommendations.
- Oversee procurement processes and ensure adherence to organizational policies and standards.
- Foster a collaborative high-performing work environment which promotes professional development and knowledge sharing across A2H and UNOPS.
- Ensure effective resource allocation and overall financial management within the A2H Fund Management Office.
3. Programme Performance and Delivery
- Oversee the performance and delivery of A2H programmes, ensuring that they are implemented effectively, efficiently and aligned within the UNOPS office.
- Authorize, monitor and control work packages to be delivered by the A2H team or by implementing partners, initiating corrective action where necessary. Consult and make recommendations to the Fund Board for approval of budget allocation / reallocation / revisions.
- Promote good practice in programme design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation.
- Lead localisation strategy and partner transition pathways and Ensure implementing partner capacity is commensurate with funding requirements and advise the partners on issues that may impact the achievement of their objectives.
- Identify and address challenges and risks that may affect programme performance, advising the Fund Board and UNOPS Myanmar Country Director and Representative of deviations
4. Portfolio Integration and System Coherence
- Support the Country Office Director and Representative to advance MMCO’s “One Country Office” vision by actively contributing to initiatives which reduce silos across funds and programmes, enhancing cross-portfolio visibility of risks, opportunities and synergies.
- Contribute towards strengthening horizontal contribution across UNOPS funds and programmes in order to improve efficiency, coherence and collective impact for vulnerable populations in Myanmar.
- Promote and support integrated reporting across funds and programmes where required, ensuring consistency, accuracy and timeliness of outputs.
- Foster collaboration across funds and programmes by promoting synergies, joint planning, and a holistic, portfolio-wide approach to implementation.
- Ensure the effective integration of A2H within the broader MMCO portfolio, working closely with other Fund Directors and Senior Programme Managers.
- Contribute to the development of harmonized reporting frameworks and shared systems, ensuring alignment with MMCO and donor requirements and enabling integrated portfolio management internally and externally across sectors and partners.
5. Advocacy and External Support
- With the Country Office, advocate for continued external support to Myanmar’s vulnerable populations, highlighting the importance of investments in maternal and child health, including representing the Fund in high-level donor engagement, negotiation, and replenishment strategy discussions and global and regional financing discussions.
- In coordination with the Country Office communications team, communicate the impact of A2H as relevant.
- Promote the Fund's achievements and lessons learned to inform policy and practice in Myanmar and beyond, including in strategic alignment with global financing mechanisms
- Ability to influence health systems and financing architecture
6. Knowledge Management and Innovation
- Lead the development and introduction of innovation at A2H to ensure UNOPS is continually incorporating best practices and approaches in maternal and child health.
- In collaboration with the MMCO Capacity Strengthening Unit, support the planning, implementation and organization of capacity building of personnel, partners and stakeholders of A2H.
- With the MMCO Country Director and Representative and the Senior Management Team, contribute to the identification and implementation of innovation and continuous improvement.
- Share knowledge with peers across MMCO and beyond to ensure a coordinated corporate delivery of services and synergies. Myanmar Country Office (MMCO) portfolio.
Skills
Networking, Program Management, Public Health, Public Relations, Risk Management, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Planning
Competencies
Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.
Education Requirements
Required
- Masters degree or equivalent with 10 years of relevant experience.
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent with 12 years of relevant experience.
Desired
- Project Management Certification (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2)
Experience Requirements
Required
- At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in programme/project management in public health.
- Solid experience in understanding health systems and managing large health-related programmes at a strategic level with financial oversight.
- Solid practical experience in working with the UN, non-governmental organizations, public sector and/or civil society.
Desired
- Knowledge and experience of working in Myanmar.
- Previous experience in South and/or South-east Asia.
- Experience and understanding of working in conflict-affected areas.
- Knowledge of public sector financial rules, procurement and/or grant-making practices.
- Prior experience in public health policy dialogue/development at a high level.
- Knowledge of aid architecture in health with previous experience working in the context of Fund/Grants Management.
Language Requirements
LanguageProficiency LevelRequirementEnglishFluentRequired
Additional Information
- UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
- UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
- Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments.
- UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
- UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
- We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
- UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
Terms and Conditions
- For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
- For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
- For more details about the contract types, please click here.
- All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
- It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.
