Background Information - Myanmar
Myanmar UNOPS Myanmar is one of UNOPSโs leading offices in Asia, acting as the fund manager for three of the largest development programmes in the country, namely the Access to Health Fund, the Livelihood and Food Security Fund (LIFT), and the Joint Peace Fund (JPF). In addition, UNOPS is the Principal Recipient for the Global Fund in Myanmar and for the Global Fundโs regional artemisinin-resistance initiative towards the elimination of Malaria, which works to accelerate progress toward malaria elimination in the Greater Mekong sub-region. UNOPS provides procurement, infrastructure, and project management services to a wide range of organizations in the country, including international development partners, other UN agencies, NGOs, and INGOs. UNOPS plays a critical role in ensuring that the quality of services provided to its partners meets stringent requirements of speed, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
Project Information
The Livelihoods and Food Security (LIFT) Fund is a multi-donor fund established in 2009 to address food insecurity and income poverty in Myanmar. LIFT 2019-2023 is funded by eight donors โ the United Kingdom, the European Union, Australia, Switzerland, the United States, Canada, Norway, and New Zealand. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is the Fund Manager for LIFT, administrating the funds and providing monitoring and oversight services. The overall goal of the LIFT Fund is to achieve a sustained reduction in the number of people living in hunger and poverty in Myanmar. LIFT strengthens the resilience and livelihoods of poor and vulnerable populations through interventions to raise income, decrease vulnerability, improve nutrition, and support food security.
LIFT works with a broad range of implementing partners, including non-governmental organizations, United Nations agencies, the private sector, civil society, and academic and research institutions. The Fund is active in the four main agro-ecological zones of Myanmar. For more details, visit www.lift-fund.org.
Job Specific Information
The Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT), managed by UNOPS, is a multi-donor fund that aims to improve the lives of vulnerable communities in Myanmar. LIFT addresses challenges related to food security, rural livelihoods, and poverty, strongly integrating gender equity, diversity, and inclusion.
The Gender, Diversity, Equity, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Specialist provides technical expertise and thought leadership in mainstreaming GEDSI principles across all LIFT programmes and projects. This role is crucial for ensuring that all initiatives are designed and implemented to integrate gender, equity, social inclusion, and the empowerment of marginalized groups and capacity strengthening of partners in GEDSI.
Functional Responsibilities
Key Functions
GEDSI Mainstreaming in Programme Design and Implementation
Lead the integration of GEDSI principles into the design, planning, and execution of LIFT projects. Conduct gender and social inclusion analyses to ensure that all programmes are inclusive and responsive to the needs of marginalized groups, including women, youth, people with disabilities, and ethnic minorities. Recommend adapting projects to ensure compliance with national and international GEDSI standards. Collaborate with programme managers and technical teams to embed GEDSI-impactful indicators into project frameworks and reporting mechanisms. Capacity Strengthening and Knowledge Sharing
Develop and deliver capacity strengthening sessions for LIFT staff and implementing partners on GEDSI mainstreaming. Create tools, resources, and training materials to enhance understanding and application of GEDSI principles across the organization. Facilitate knowledge exchange on GEDSI best practices within LIFT and among external partners. Policy Advocacy and Partnership Building
Provide technical support for policy advocacy efforts related to gender, equity, social inclusion, and diversity at national and local levels within the LIFT strategy. Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to promote LIFTโs GEDSI-related initiatives. Support the development of strategic partnerships with organizations working on gender, diversity, and inclusion to support LIFTโs objectives. Monitoring and Reporting on GEDSI
Together with the MEAL team, contribute significantly in developing monitoring frameworks to track progress on GEDSI-related outcomes and ensure results are aligned with LIFTโs overall goals. Regularly review and update GEDSI indicators to reflect changing conditions and emerging priorities within the programme context. Prepare high-quality reports, policy briefs, and case studies on LIFTโs contributions to GEDSI objectives for internal and external stakeholders. Risk Mitigation and Social Safeguarding
Identify and mitigate risks related to gender, equity, and social exclusion across the programmes. Ensure that safeguarding mechanisms are in place to prevent sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (PSEA), and all LIFT initiatives comply with UNOPS social safeguarding principles and policies. Provide technical input on developing social mechanisms to protect vulnerable populations and promote equity in project outcomes. Competencies
Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational 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/Experience/Language requirements
Education:
A Masterโs degree preferably in Gender Studies, Social Inclusion, Sociology, Public Policy, International Development is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelorโs degree) with an additional 2 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of a Masterโs degree. Experience:
A minimum of 5 years of experience in intersectionality and GEDSI in project design, implementation, and technical assistance preferably in the following sectors: food security, livelihoods, nutrition, economic growth, agriculture, climate, or other related fields, is required. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (e.g. MS Office newer versions, Google Suite Applications) is required. Experience contributing to or developing GEDSI strategies and operationalizing them in donor-funded programs and projects is a significant asset. Experience in project management is an asset. Experience working with the UN or international organizations is highly desirable. Language Requirements:
Fluency in written and spoken English is essential. Proficiency in Burmese is required. Proficiency in other Myanmar languages is an asset. Contract type, level and duration
Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)
Contract level: LICA Specialist-10
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance. For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
Additional Information
Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
The position is stationed in Yangon, Myanmar, which is a non-family duty station.
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.
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.