Humanitarian Programme Manager At Oxfam

Employment Term: Fixed term (1 year) with a possibility of extension

Level: International C1 (Unaccompanied Posting)

Location: Yangon, Myanmar

Closing Date: 11 July 2021

Early application is encouraged as the recruitment process will be done on a rolling basis and Oxfam reserves the right to appoint a suitable candidate as soon as they are identified.

The Role:

Oxfam is looking for Humanitarian Programme Manager.

Job Purpose:

To oversee all aspects of Oxfam’s humanitarian programmes and the smooth functioning and linkage to operations in Rakhine, Kachin and Shan (Northern) State The position will provide strategic leadership and support to the humanitarian portfolio of Oxfam in Myanmar. S/he will provide technical support and ensure delivery of high-quality programs that meet the needs of people displaced by conflict and natural disasters. The position will work closely with local partners, promote localization approaches, coach and mentor staffs and partners. The position will engage closely with donors, including relevant humanitarian coordination mechanism, technical working groups and donor meetings. external stakeholders lead in the development of new humanitarian projects including support in developing new proposals. S/he will coordinate projects and programmes that contribute to all of Oxfam’s strategic goals in Myanmar ensuring a coordinated and holistic approach to the programme. S/he will ensure high quality monitoring and effective accountability systems – internal and external – to ensure the relevance and quality of all programme interventions. S/he will ensure high level representation and coordination with other humanitarian actors in country, region and globally. S/he will lead in the development of new humanitarian projects, engage with donors and upscale humanitarian interventions in country.

Key Responsibilities:

Humanitarian Leadership, Management and Representation

• Oversee implementation of all humanitarian projects and provide necessary principled, technical and management support to field teams.
• Provide strategic leadership, innovative solutions and promote localization approaches in humanitarian response
• Embed strong gender and conflict analysis in all of Oxfam’s programming to ensure interventions adhere to ‘do no harm’, support equity and inclusion, and strengthen the protection of human rights for all target population. Ensure this ongoing analysis continually informs and drives programme quality and strategy, and programmatic adaptations as required.
• Ensure the humanitarian program adhere to Oxfam’s Safe Programming approach including adherence and respect for humanitarian principles and Oxfam values.
• Support principled humanitarian action in our work with partners and communities and ensure strong focus on risk management across the project cycle. Work closely with partners, field teams and other colleagues in designing new relevant humanitarian projects based on the needs of the local communities
• Represent Oxfam at key Humanitarian forums in Myanmar including relevant humanitarian coordination mechanism, technical and cluster working groups and donor meetings.
• Act as an Oxfam Humanitarian Response Manager if/when need arises and provide immediate leadership for the humanitarian response at field level – support the design of interventions, mobilise teams and resources; produce Situation Reports; coordinate with other agencies, etc.
• Guide and oversee technical support to the programme, to drive continual quality improvement and innovation and ensure that Oxfam is driving change for and with the communities it works with.
• Support timely and effective humanitarian influencing strategies and plans and work with key stakeholders.
• Link with the Global Humanitarian Team to facilitate appropriate support for the Myanmar programme, based upon request. Where applicable, support the Oxfam global effort in spreading awareness and capacities within the safe programming approach and principled humanitarian action.
• Act as a country humanitarian focal point in all communication with the Global Humanitarian team, region office and Oxfam affiliates.
• Ensure that gender equality and women’s leadership is fully integrated into Oxfam’s humanitarian approaches and work. This includes ensuring gender and protection analysis is conducted and mainstreamed in any humanitarian action and monitoring and adapting actions accordingly.
• Identify and document current good practices in Oxfam’s humanitarian programming and capture learning / lessons learned.
• Support in the development of humanitarian and country strategies.
• DISASTER PREPAREDNESS and response
• Ensure Contingency Plan (Disaster Preparedness Plan) are reviewed and updated regularly in close coordination with Humanitarian Program Coordinator (HPC) and other colleagues.
• Provide technical support to local partners and Oxfam staff on strengthening disaster preparedness system and structures.
• Ensure all tools, guidelines and procedures required in emergencies are in place and well socialised among Oxfam humanitarian staff.
• To ensure Oxfam field bases have adequate contingency plans in place contextualised for each location (Rakhine, Kachin, N. Shan) as required.
• Engage in global preparedness initiatives such as Start Network and lead on identifying relevant projects in Myanmar to ensure collective response in emergencies.
• If required, lead emergency response in case of emergencies as a member of Country Emergency Management.
• Support Head of Programmes for adequate mobilization and use of human and financial resources throughout the first phase of emergency response

Capacity building

• Lead on identifying capacity and gap analysis among humanitarian team members and key humanitarian partners. Lead on designing and implementation of the capacity development plan.
• Support the continual professional development of the humanitarian team through a combination of approaches – on-the-job support and guidance; training; technical advice etc.
• Take an active lead in ensuring that colleagues and partners are fully aware about humanitarian principles and our safe programming approach, and that these are integrated fully in project implementation.

Humanitarian funding

• Work closely with funding team to map out humanitarian donors including private sector. Meet with key donors to advocate for Oxfam programming. Contribute and lead on funding proposals with PSIT team as and when required.
• Donor liaison, networking and regular consultation as required.
• Participate actively in seeking and developing new business opportunities, including proposal development and strategic coalition formation.

For more information regarding the position, please have a look at the Job Profile here*.*

What we are looking for:

Skill and Competence:

• Excellent track record of working on humanitarian programmes especially in conflict and fragile setting.
• Strong background, and technical skills on protection, partnerships, gender and/or conflict as cross cutting issues
• At least seven years of experience in humanitarian sector in a leadership role, the majority of which should be in a context of conflict and displacement.
• Experience of working in Myanmar and understanding of the local context strongly desirable
• Master’s degree in international relations, humanitarian assistance, social science, or other relevant fields
• Strong understanding and respect for human rights and humanitarian principles, with a proven track record of implementing these principles in a humanitarian setting.
• Proven experience and commitments ensuring safeguarding and protection mainstreaming in projects and programmes.
• Strong understanding of risk management and risk-based approaches.
• Demonstrated capacity for strategic thinking and ability to respond effectively to changing contexts and new challenges.
• An ability to play an active external influencing role, communicate effectively and build consensus among a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong experience in capacity building and mentoring of others. Demonstrated high level facilitation, coaching and mentoring skills
• Ability to create space and collaboration for strategic programming in high pressure environment
• Strong skills in turning ideas into fundable proposals
• Excellent written communication skills including experience in proposal writing, donor reporting and advocacy briefs
• Sensitivity to cultural differences, and the ability to work effectively and respectfully with people from a range of background and experiences.
• Evidence of knowledge on conflict sensitivity and Do No Harm approaches and how to apply these to humanitarian programming.
• Experience of working with local partners and practical knowledge of good partnership principles
• A strong commitment to Gender equality and women’s empowerment and knowledge of how to apply these to humanitarian project
• Highly developed analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience of working in highly complex socio-political environments and with adaptive management.

What we offer:

Oxfam aims to recruit and retain diverse, passionate people who have the necessary skills, knowledge and commitment to meet our vision. We offer a competitive salary and a range of additional benefits to staff including flexible working options, generous pension scheme, annual leave, additional leave allowances, company sick pay, life assurance and a range of other benefits.

Find out more about our pay & benefits, please click here

Our values and commitment to safeguarding:

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom Oxfam GB engages. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Oxfam GB also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organisation and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Note to candidates: Shortlisted candidates will be assessed on our organisational values and attributes at the interview stage. The successful candidate(s) will be expected to adhere to our code of conduct. We encourage candidates to read and understand our code of conduct here.

About Us

Oxfam is a global community who believe poverty isn’t inevitable. It’s an injustice that can be overcome. We are shop volunteers, women’s right activists, marathon runners, aid workers, coffee farmers, street fundraisers, goat herders, policy experts, campaigners, water engineers and more. And we won’t stop until everyone can live life without poverty for good.

Oxfam GB is a member of international confederation of 19 organizations working together with partners and local communities in the areas of humanitarian, development and campaigning, in more than 90 countries.

Only short-listed candidates will be notified.