Programme Manager (Programme and M&E)

Background Information – Project Background

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

Work life harmonization – UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types.

The Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC) was established in 2018 for efficient delivery of grants and funds management, and the provision of quality pharmaceuticals and medical equipment. The ARHC aims to significantly impact the targets of UN Sustainable Development Goal #3 on good health and well being by expanding the population benefitting from UNOPS-managed health-related engagements across the Asia Region. The ARHC portfolio manages the Principal Recipient (PR) Programme of the Global Fund in Asia. The Global Fund, which has been providing financial support to the Greater Mekong Sub-Region for malaria programs since 2003, has selected UNOPS as a PR, responsible for delivering the targets set out in the grant agreements, in collaboration with selected Sub-Recipients (SRs) from the National Programmes, international and local non-governmental organizations and United Nations agencies.

Role Specific

Following the successful completion of RAI2E, UNOPS is selected as the Principal Recipient managing the RAI3E Global Fund grant (2021-2023). Under this grant UNOPS will be implementing nearly USD 230 million for malaria elimination activities in the Greater Mekong Sub region, covering five Mekong countries: Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. The Lao PDR component is nearly USD 15 million.

Under the direct supervision of the Program Coordinator, the Programme Manager (Programme and M&E)shall be responsible for overseeing the programme planning and monitoring and evaluation, quality assurance and strategic technical support to the Centre for Malaria Parasitology and Entomology – CMPE, to the Department of Communicable Disease Control – DCDC, and to other implementing partners in Lao PDR.

Functional Responsibilities

The Programme Manager (Programme and M&E) will work closely with the Sub Recipients (SRs) in Lao PDR for the development and continuing review of key project documents; work plan and detailed budgets, Performance Based Framework, M&E plan and Procurement and Supply Chain Management (PSM) plan.

S/ he will work in close liaison and be guided by the technical standards of the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit team- the Regional Senior Programme, M&E and Health System Specialist is the Secondary Supervisor.

• Providing substantive timely inputs in the overall implementation of GFATM grant(s) including capacity building in the areas of budgets, work-plans and reporting on progress vis-à-vis planned activities and expected outputs;

• Periodically reviewing and updating work plan and detailed budgets, Performance Framework, M&E plan;Acting as focal person and coordinating with CMPE and all other SRs to ensure that the programmatic reports are compiled and submitted on time and high quality;

• Providing close support and guidance to the Monitoring and Evaluation Team to develop and implement the project internal M&E system and risk matrix for SRs;

• Ensuring the consistent and standard technical approach in line with relevant guidelines for UNOPS –Principal Recipient (PR), whilst making the necessary changes taking into consideration of the country specifics and government requirements;

• Organizing and leading the assessments of project coverage areas and provide technical and programmatic advice to CMPE and DCDC;

• Supporting and carrying out regular monitoring of implementing partner performances and verify the implementation status of the programme and the progress towards reaching set programme targets;

• Conducting trainings for partners to maintain and operate smooth M & E management system;

• Ensuring timely adequate feedback to/from the GFATM’s SRs on data obtained from the Fund’s internal M&E system;

• Providing close support to the PSM Team in getting quarterly procurement reports, stock reports and any other PSM related clarifications/documents including assumptions for the quantification;

• Assessing reasonableness of the types and quantities (forecasted needs) of medicines and other health products that are planned to be procured;

• Analyzing programme results and incorporate lessons learned into the decision making process of recipients; Strengthening the knowledge base by facilitating lessons learned and feedback sessions with the teams;

• Ensuring optimum participation and promotion of collaborative efforts with the national public health structures in the implementation of the GFATM grants.

• Attending all relevant technical meetings and maintaining excellent contacts with all stakeholders, whether in Vientiane or in the field and maintaining a detailed knowledge base of all relevant issues impacting public health, in the context of Malaria in Cambodia;

• Maintaining the strategic overview of Malaria in Laos, and be aware of state-of-the-art technical approach in Malaria prevention, treatment and control;

• May be asked to supervise a team or Unit as the Office responsibilities grow;

• Other duties as may be assigned by the supervisors.

Education

• Advanced University Degree (Master) in health, public health, health economics, epidemiology and/or other related fields is required.

• A bachelor’s degree with a combination of two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the master’s degree.

Experience

• At least 5 years of relevant experience preferably in health, development and/or social sectors is required.

• Strong experience in monitoring and evaluation of health programmes is desirable.

• Prior experience in managing Principal Recipient programmes would be highly advantageous.

• Prior experience of Lao and the Mekong sub-region particularly in the field of Public Health (with emphasis on Malaria) would be a significant asset.

• Good knowledge of donor organizations, especially the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and experience in working with NGOs and civil society is an asset.

• An excellent communication and presentation skill is desired.

• Full competency in the usage of computers and office software packages is desired.

Language

• Fluency in both written and spoken English is required.

• Knowledge of the Laotian language would be an asset.