Head of Programme Support At UNOPS

Functional Responsibilities

1. Leadership and management
2. Fund management support unit governance, implementation and coordination
3. Knowledge management and innovation
4. Procurement unit management and strengthening

1. Leadership and Management

• Under the supervision of the Fund Director, provide strategic oversight and leadership to the Access to Health Fund. Act as Fund Director’s OIC when required, e.g. in the absence of the Director;
• Under the supervision of the Fund Director, represent the Fund to high-level stakeholders in aspects related to the operations management of the Access to Health Fund;
• Support the Fund Director to maintain an oversight of the Funds Operations, Finances, Grants and Procurement activities;
• Lead or co-lead work in areas requiring special attention or turnaround, initiate and lead/support adjustments when required;
• Establish excellent collaboration with Support Services and the UNOPS Myanmar Country Office Programme Management Office (PMO). collaborate closely with the Programme Management Office to identify roles, responsibilities and communication lines between the PMO and the Fund as a means to maximise effectiveness, efficiency, avoid duplications, and reduce administrative burdens for the Fund and its implementing partners;
• Lead simplification processes, including improving the Fund’s approach to contractual and financial management and requirements for grant recipients as well as UNOPS overall process innovation and digitalisation initiative;
• Support the conceptualization of an organizational structure suited to reducing costs while maximizing results aligned with the Fund’s strategy;
• Ensure effective staffing; mentor, coach, and support the Fund’s staff to support the development of others;
• Acts as a positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles;

2. Fund Management Support Unit governance, Implementation and Coordination

• Establish and maintain a functional operations function with all appropriate support functions (grants, procurement, audit, contracts, admin and finance); liaise with relevant functions and departments within the Myanmar Country office and wider UNOPS, and other UN organisations;
• Responsible for all Fund-related operations service including budgeting and financial reporting, grant/ contract management, Due Diligence Assessment (DDA), risk management, programme-specific operational support, audit, procurement, output analysis and oversight, in accordance with UNOPS Rules and Regulations;
• Foster clear communication amongst the Fund Operational Support staff and with the other programme support stakeholders;
• Establish and execute the programmes operational implementation (finance, grants and procurement) in collaboration with the team and stakeholders. This includes defining objectives, performance measurements, standards and expected results to deliver timely, cost-effective, and client-focused services. Ensure the efficient use of UNOPS tools, systems, and processes aligned with the Fund’s objectives;
• Identify, assess and manage risks and opportunities for the Programme Operational Support in alignment with the Fund’s overall goal and objectives;
• Revise and simplify existing and/or develop Access to Health Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), manuals, plans, budgets, reporting templates and all necessary programme support devices and tools aligned with UNOPS and MMCO policies and procedures, as may be required for the Fund’s grant implementation;
• Lead the development of funding proposals from a finance and operations perspective, working closely with the Fund’s programmatic functions, as well as donors, partners and beneficiaries;
• Support the Fund in further developing systems for identifying and selecting implementing partners in accordance with UNOPS’ Rules and Regulations;
• Oversee effective due diligence processes for downstream partners, including conducting assessments and implementing improvement plans;
• Work closely with the UNOPS Myanmar Programme Management Office and Support Services to maintain and simplify operations as feasible while ensuring that funds are held, disbursed and accounted for in a timely, transparent and efficient manner;
• Work in collaboration with the UNOPS Myanmar Programme Management Office to guide the Fund in preparations for and during the audit processes;
• Work closely with the UNOPS Myanmar Programme Management Office to ensure compliance with the relevant policies to address fiduciary risk and fraud, while continuing to maintain the space to operate in Myanmar;
• Support simplification and optimising implementing partners’ results and financial reporting aligned with donor reporting systems enabling timely and accurate annual reporting while reducing bureaucratic burdens on implementers and streamlining processes within the Fund;
• Support the Fund Director in the engagement with new and existing donors and stakeholders, for the negotiations and review of legal agreements, fund flow and related appropriate UNOPS processes;
• Oversee implementation of efficient administrative systems, policies, and procedures to ensure smooth daily operations and compliance with UNOPS rules and regulations incl analyse work processes within the Fund to develop streamlined procedures,and identify possible areas for simplification;
• Work closely with the UNOPS Programme Management Office throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring compliance with donor and UNOPS rules and regulations while maintaining a focus on simplification and reducing bureaucratic burden;
• Oversee budget planning, forecasting, and resource allocation, ensuring adequate fund flow and tracking spending. Support the Access to Health Finance personnel to adjust financial plans based on operational needs and funding changes;
• Prepare accurate and timely financial reports for internal and external stakeholders, including donors. Analyze financial data to provide insights into programme performance and cost efficiency;
• Develop and support the capacity of the Access to Health finance team to ensure high performance, providing training and support on relevant policies and practices, as needed;

3. Knowledge management and innovation

• Lead the development and introduction of innovation to ensure continuous incorporation of best practice approaches;
• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for Institutionalise and share good practices and lessons for the Funds development and knowledge building;
• Lead the introduction of new technologies and artificial intelligence as appropriate to gain operational efficiencies, effectiveness and oversight;

4. Procurement team management and strengthening

• Oversee and lead the direction of the Access to Health procurement team in the new context of Myanmar to ensure procurement processes are in line with UNOPS’ procurement policy, guidelines and QA standards whilst maintaining operational feasibility in the country context and coordinating with procurement units of MMCO and Asia Regional Health Cluster as relevant;
• Support and guide tax exemption process and guide the team as required;
• Coordinate with Access to Health programme and strategy teams for the annual procurement forecasting exercises and technical inputs;
• Support the team for supply chain assessment and tracking Procurement Supply Chain Management;