Programme Management Specialist

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 - including infrastructure, health, procurement, and project management - supporting the implementation of sustainable development solutions across the region.

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Manager, the Programme Management Specialist will be responsible for:

Coordination of activities across the Fund

• Support the Senior Programme Manager with action tracking and ensuring implementation of Fund decisions, compiling and reporting on KPIs, preparing materials for and responding to donor requests.

• Develop and maintain portfolio management dashboards and analysis covering project delivery, partner performance, financial implementation, risks and management actions, as required by the Senior Programme Manager or Fund Board.

• Support the Senior Programme Manager in the management of activities across the portfolio of projects, including support to development and implementation of strategies, policies, annual work planning, standard operating procedures, briefings, working papers.

• Manage events, meetings, consultants and technical experts as needed by the Senior Programme Manager.

• Ensure strong coordination between the FMO and PMO, particularly across programme, grants and finance functions, to support timely grant implementation, partner performance monitoring, financial oversight and resolution of implementation issues.

• Provide a strategic bridge and liaison to ensure smooth processes and services between UNOPS/IRR’s Fund Management Office/FMO and the UNOPS/Support Services Unit/SSU, which includes finance, HR, procurement, transport, security.

Programme, Grants and Portfolio Management

• Evaluate proposals, including work plans and budgets, submitted by applicants, assessing strategic and technical relevance, implementation feasibility, value for money, partner capacity and risks, and alignment with UNOPS/IRR policies and priorities

• Review implementing partner work plans, budgets, programme and financial reports and other implementation information to assess delivery and partner performance, identify implementation, financial and operational risks, and recommend follow-up or corrective actions where required

• Conduct routine monitoring of project implementation (including regular field visits), assessing results, impact and budget performance. Provide recommendations for adjustments and draw lessons for wider application.

• Ensure timely feedback to and from IPs and beneficiaries, contributing to IRR’s monitoring, evaluation and learning. Synthesize lessons learned to improve project design and implementation.

• Contribute to reporting and the preparation of work plans and briefing materials, including analysis of partner data and development of visual aids for presentations and missions.

• Maintain strong engagement and collaboration with stakeholders, including civil society and partners, to promote effective coordination and exchange of good practices.

• Support implementing partners not only through coordination and capacity building, but also by assessing their institutional systems (e.g., finance, M&E, etc) and co-developing tailored improvement plans to strengthen their structures and service delivery.

• Provide hands-on or advisory support in the design and implementation of systems, tools and internal controls that enhance IPs’ effectiveness, accountability and compliance with donor and UNOPS standards.

• Facilitate structured exchanges and collaboration between IPs and local institutions to promote ownership, sustainability and integration.

• Ensure IRR strategic priorities (conflict sensitivity, gender, localization and risk management) are reflected in partner interventions and that appropriate support is provided.

• Monitor portfolio and project financial performance, including budgets, expenditure, commitments, cash forecasts and delivery variances, in coordination with the PMO and Finance. Identify financial and implementation risks and recommend budget revisions, corrective actions or other management measures as required.

• Support the Senior Programme Manager in identifying and managing risks, including through OneUNOPS systems and coordination with the Fund Board.

• Coordinate implementation of recommendations from the Fund Board and donor reviews.

Project management and maturity improvement

• Support the implementation of P3M3 and lead work packages or adjustments in areas requiring special attention, under the guidance of the PMO.

• Identify training needs and facilitate capacity development for IRR staff.

• Support the institutional development of implementing partners by enabling access to project management tools, strengthening governance systems and promoting peer learning across partners.

• Contribute to knowledge sharing and the dissemination of lessons learned to improve planning and strengthen local capacities.

• Support risk-based oversight of implementing partners, including review of due diligence and capacity assessments, audit and assurance findings, and follow-up of agreed management actions, in coordination with relevant programme and support functions.

Required

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in rural development, economics, social sciences, development studies, public administration, management, or other related fields is required. OR

• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s) in combination with an additional two years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Desired

• Certification in project management such as PRINCE2®, PMP, or equivalent is considered a strong asset.

• Additional training or certifications in organizational development, institutional capacity strengthening or grants management is desirable.

Required

• A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in project or programme management, with demonstrated success in implementation and/or oversight of complex initiatives

Desired

• Proven experience working with implementing partners (IPs), including support to capacity building, coordination, and institutional/system strengthening (e.g., finance, HR, procurement, M&E).
• Ability to assess organizational capacity and support the development of tailored action plans, tools or systems that enhance IPs’ effectiveness, accountability and sustainability.

• Experience in grants management, donor coordination or multi-donor fund environments is desirable.

• Knowledge of UNOPS project management tools, financial and procurement rules and regulations, and financial management systems is an asset.

• Strong experience in data analysis, management reporting and project information systems is desirable.

• Previous experience in complex programme environments, preferably with a regional or multi-country scope is desirable.

• Prior experience working in Asia or with localized implementation models is desirable.

• 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.
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• 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.
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