Background

The IRC has been working in Myanmar since May 2008, initially supporting emergency response and early recovery interventions for communities affected by Cyclone Nargis. Since then, IRC has broadened its portfolio to include health, water and sanitation, livelihoods, women’s protection & empowerment, and social development programs, while maintaining its commitment to respond to emergencies.  The IRC is committed to a long-term presence in-country with the aim of improving the well-being of vulnerable populations living in the most marginalized and hard-to-reach areas. IRC focuses on the most marginalized areas of the country, including Rakhine, Chin, Kayah, Kachin, Shan Kayin and Mon States.

The Tat Lan Programme, is a complex, $22 million donor-funded multi-year food security and livelihoods project implemented by a consortium of three International NGOs (Save the Children and Oxfam) and one national NGO (Better Life Organisation) and several sub-grantees. The consortium is lead by International Rescue Committee (IRC). The consortium is building on the post-Nargis emergency response and is contributing to the recovery of most severely and moderately cyclone affected communities in the townships of Myebon, Pauktaw, Kyaukpyu and Minbya. The Tat Lan programme strives to sustainably improve the livelihoods and food security of the these communities by implementing a package of mutually-reinforcing interventions.

Scope of Work

The IRC is seeking an experienced senior professional with knowledge and experience in international project management with INGOs to deputize the Project Director and to provide oversight to the implementation of programme activities in Myebon and Minbya to ensure that activities are implemented in a timely fashion, within the budget and that an environment is created where synergies between the different components can take place. The Programme Manager is expected to coordinate closely with the Tat Lan programme managers of the consortium members Save the Children and Oxfam/BLO

Reporting and supervision

It is expected that the Programme Manager, will be based in Sittwe and work in close cooperation with the Field Director as well as the Project Coordinator based in Myebon who (s)he will be supervising remotely. (S)he  will report to the Project Director, and will work as part of a team of international and local programme staff from IRC and the implementing partners, sub-grantees, technical assistance providers and LIFT.

Key Responsibilities:

Programme Management

• Supervise and support the Tat Lan Project Coordinator in Myebon in reviewing achievements against work-plans in order to reach targets within the set timeframe and within the budget
• Support the Project Director in overseeing the management of programme implementation.
• Facilitate / assist in facilitating trainings and workshops as delegated by the Project Director or as requested by technical advisors.
• Participate actively in Project Implementation Committees, monthly coordination meetings and any other project meetings as requested by the Project Director
• Contribute to writing reports, briefing papers and articles to inform relevant stakeholders (communities, Government of Myanmar, UN / NGOs, other) on the project

Operations

• Take responsibility for ensuring Tat Lan operations comply with policies and procedures; provide advises on operational policies pertaining to project implementation and management.
• Ensure effective and accurate financial resource management, focusing on achievement of the programme outputs and outcomes.
• Assist the Project Director in review monthly Budget versus Actuals and support and Myebon Project Coordinator in her monthly BVA review.

Coordination

• Support the Project Director in coordinating a multi-sectoral team spread across 4 townships and 5 organizations
• In close collaboration with the IRC Field Director, represent IRC part of the project and when needed Tat Lan consortium, at relevant steering groups, meetings, trainings, workshops, conferences and other events

Requirements

Basic Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g. rural development, agriculture, public administration, international development, social science, business administration) plus a minimum 4 years experience managing overseas, development projects, preferably related to community-based livelihood, food security and agriculture initiatives

Preferred Skills/Experience:

• Experience implementing development projects in sensitive developing countries in areas such as agriculture; infrastructure, improving quality and access to financial services, development of community participation in the improvement of livelihoods and food security, preferably in South and/or Southeast Asia
• Previous employment with or extensive knowledge of NGOs; and familiarity with international donors’ regulations and policies
• Sensitivity of Southeast Asian cultures, capacity to work well under pressure, and the ability to communicate cross-culturally is critical
• Excellent command of English necessary, basic knowledge of Myanmar language would be a significant advantage

Professional Skills:

• Enjoys providing on the job training to others, enables others to achieve their maximum potential
• Demonstrates trustworthiness and upholds the highest ethical standards.
• Builds commitment, optimizes diversity, inspires others to act, and generates enthusiasm for reaching shared goals.

Work environment: