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.

The Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC) is a dedicated UNOPS unit focused on delivering health programmes and procurement across the Asia Pacific region. Headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand, ARHC operates through a network of personnel in UNOPS country offices, leveraging local support services. ARHC's mission is to improve health outcomes and contribute to SDG 3 by providing tailored solutions and advisory services. Its expertise encompasses programme and fund management, pharmaceuticals and health sector procurement, and technical expertise in the health sector. Since 2011, ARHC has managed over US$1.68 billion in Global Fund grants for HIV, TB, and malaria programmes in the Greater Mekong Subregion, supporting national programmes, NGOs, and multilateral organizations. ARHC also extends its capabilities and services to UNOPS multi-country and country offices in the region, promoting regional collaboration and impact in the health sector.

Under the overall /direction of the Head of Programme and direct supervision of the Programme Manager, the Programme Management Specialist shall be responsible for managing the health programmes and coordinating between UNOPS, implementing partners and other stakeholders.

This position is open for UNOPS internal candidates.

The Programme Management Specialist provides strategic, technical, and operational leadership for the planning, implementation, monitoring, and performance management of health programmes, ensuring the achievement of results within approved scope, time, budget, quality, and risk parameters. The role oversees the full programme lifecycle, coordinates multidisciplinary teams and key stakeholders including National Programmes, implementing partners, donors, and other partners, and ensures compliance with UNOPS policies, donor requirements, and national strategies.

The Programme Management Specialist is responsible for programme performance, financial and operational planning, risk management, monitoring and reporting, while promoting evidence-based decision-making, continuous improvement, institutional capacity strengthening, and the sustainability and accountability of programme results.

1. Programme Delivery and Performance

The Programme Management Specialist is responsible for the effective management and delivery of one or more health programmes, ensuring implementation is aligned with approved Grant Agreements, national strategic priorities, donor requirements and UNOPS policies.

The incumbent will:

• Facilitate the planning, implementation, coordination and monitoring of assigned programme portfolios, ensuring timely delivery of outputs and achievement of programme objectives, leveraging adaptive modalities and technological tools.

• Coordinate implementation with cross-functional teams within UNOPS and with various implementing partners, technical entities and other stakeholders to ensure activities remain aligned with approved workplans, budgets and performance frameworks.

• Monitor programme implementation against scope, schedule, budget, quality and risk parameters, utilising real-time digital dashboards and advanced data analytics to proactively identify implementation challenges and recommend timely corrective actions.

• Facilitate planning, reprogramming and grant closure processes, ensuring alignment with donor guidance and country priorities.

• Promote gender equality, equity, community engagement, safeguarding, environmental sustainability and human rights principles throughout programme implementation.

• Identify opportunities for programme innovation, operational efficiencies and continuous improvement to strengthen programme performance and maximize impact.

2. Financial, Grant and Procurement Management

The Programme Management Specialist supports effective financial and grant management throughout the programme lifecycle.

Key responsibilities include:

• Facilitate annual planning, budgeting and forecasting processes.

• Monitor programme expenditures, commitments and burn rates against approved budgets.

• Review financial reports and expenditure trends to identify implementation risks and recommend mitigation measures.

• Support preparation of cash forecasts and disbursement planning.

• Coordinate programmatic revisions, budget reallocation exercises.

• Work closely with Procurement and Supply Management teams on forecasting, quantification and procurement planning for health products and programme commodities.

• Support internal and external audits and ensure implementation of agreed audit recommendations.

3. Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Management

The Programme Management Specialist plays a coordination role between UNOPS and national and international stakeholders.

Responsibilities include:

• Develop and maintain strong partnerships to foster a cohesive, integrated public health strategy with various partners including national authorities, donors, governance bodies, technical agencies, UN agencies, civil society organizations, development partners and implementing partners.

• Participate in relevant meetings and maintain strong working relationships with all stakeholders.

• Facilitate effective communication and collaboration between different units within UNOPS, implementing partners, technical partners and other stakeholders.

• Promote knowledge sharing and dissemination of programme achievements, lessons learned and best practices.

4. Programme Monitoring, Reporting and Quality Assurance

The Programme Management Specialist ensures effective monitoring of programme performance and compliance with donor requirements.

Responsibilities include:

• Review programme performance data and work closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation team to identify implementation gaps, risks and opportunities for improvement.

• Ensure timely preparation and submission of various reports including management reports, donor reports and other programme deliverable in a quality manner.

• Coordinate routine implementation reviews, field monitoring missions and supportive supervision visits.

• Ensure compliance with donor policies, UNOPS procedures and national programme requirements.

• Support implementation of recommendations arising from audits, external reviews, technical assistance missions and programme evaluations.

5. Technical Leadership and Capacity Development

The Programme Management Specialist supports initiatives to improve technical and operational capacities to strengthen programme implementation.

The incumbent will:

• Provide technical and project management support to implementing partners on programme implementation, grant requirements and operational planning.

• Support development and revision of implementation guidelines, operational tools and standard operating procedures.

• Identify institutional and technical capacity gaps and coordinate appropriate capacity strengthening initiatives.

• Organize and facilitate workshops, technical meetings and learning events.

• Mentor programme personnel and contribute to strengthening programme management capacity across partners.

• Promote organizational learning by documenting lessons learned, innovations and good practices.

6. Digitization, Data Governance and Analytics

• Support the M&E function in the development, implementation and continuous improvement of databases, digital dashboards, digital health platforms, reporting tools to monitor programme performance, identify emerging trends and provide timely information for management decision-making.

• Assess existing and proposed digital tools and system enhancements, identify opportunities for automation and improved analytics, and recommend fit-for-purpose, sustainable and cost-effective solutions.

7. Personnel Management

The Programme Management Specialist will:

• Supervise Programme Officers, Assistants and other assigned personnel.

• Manage staff performance, development and coaching in accordance with UNOPS policies.

• Foster an inclusive, respectful and collaborative working environment.

• Promote staff wellbeing, diversity, inclusion and safeguarding.

• Ensure compliance with UNDSS security requirements and organizational duty of care responsibilities.

8. Knowledge Management and Continuous Improvement

The Programme Management Specialist contributes to organizational excellence through:

• Developing programme briefs, analytical reports, briefing notes and presentations for senior management, donors and other stakeholders.

• Supporting strategic planning, portfolio analysis and resource mobilization efforts.

• Documenting lessons learned and contributing to Communities of Practice and organizational knowledge-sharing initiatives.

• Driving the creation of digital knowledge repositories to document and disseminate best practices across integrated public health programming.

• Monitoring developments in global health financing, donor policies and disease programme strategies to inform programme implementation.

• Identifying opportunities to strengthen programme effectiveness, operational efficiency and sustainability.

Required:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Medical & Health Sciences, public health, epidemiology, health economics, health management, health social science, social science or other related discipline with five years of relevant experience. OR

• Bachelor’s degree in the above listed subjects combined with additional two years of relevant experience

Required:

• Relevant experience in working for complex projects/ programmes, public health or related areas.

• Experience in programme planning, implementation, control and reporting is required.

• Experience of managing programmes in a multi-stakeholder context is required.

• Proficiency in project management tools for tracking deliverables, timelines, and resource allocation across integrated health portfolios.

Desired:

• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country.

• Experience in cross-border, migration and conflict contexts.

• Advanced use of enterprise collaboration tools to manage cross-functional communication and document control.

• 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.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

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