Country: Myanmar
Closing date: 16 Jun 2017
SUMMARY OF JOB RESPONSIBLITIES:
The Project Manager is responsible for the overall management of the Burma Investing in Community Security project. This project, ending March 30, 2019, aims to improve community safety in Myanmar’s urban areas by strengthening community involvement as well as government oversight and accountability. The Project Manager will have significant experience working on governance and/or development programs. He/she will also have significant management experience and will be responsible for project administration, financial and grant management, donor reporting and representation of The Asia Foundation to government agencies, donors, partner organizations, diplomatic missions, and national and international institutions, as required.
Specifically, the Project Manager will:
1) Be responsible for the overall management and implementation of the project in terms of project direction, core deliverables, finances and donor reporting;
2) Be in charge of the project team, comprising a Senior Program Officer and two Program Officers.
Internal Extensive interaction with: members of the Burma Investing in Community Security team, governance partners, consultants, other program units within the Foundation, as well as with the Administration and Finance & Grants units of the Foundation.
External Regular contact with government officials and agencies in Myanmar, bilateral and multi-lateral development agencies, implementing partners, business sector and civil society organizations, professional organizations, community groups and leaders, and academic and other local institutions.
REQUIREMENTS:
Experience Minimum seven years or more of relevant professional experience of negotiating and delivering governance programming in conflict-affected or other transition countries. At least eight years management experience. At least five years of relevant professional experience, or the equivalent, in international development or foreign affairs with private, public, bi-lateral or multi-lateral development institutions and/or non-profit organizations. Significant experience working on governance, urbanization and/or community security and peacebuilding programs. At a minimum the Project Manager must have a strong track record of facilitating partnerships across governing authorities, community groups and members of the public. A high level of comfort in engaging high level government officials. Strong political awareness, knowledge of the evolving governance environment, excellent analytical skills and solid networking with a range of political and social actors in Myanmar. Gender programming and mainstreaming experience.
Education Advanced degree in law, policy studies, political science, economics, social sciences, public policy, public administration, international relations, women’s education/development, economics, foreign affairs or Asian studies.
Skills Strong analytical and problem solving skills; excellent verbal and written communication skills; proven interpersonal and intercultural skills. Experience in proposal and report writing, financial and grants management and budget control, strategic planning, fundraising and managing international donor-funded projects
JOB FUNCTIONS:
Project Management • Ensure that project activities in designated sites (townships) are implemented according to the project work plan, that program officers maintain productive working relationships with government authorities (township, district and State/Region levels, including the security sector) and community organizations and leaders to understand and respond to old and new emerging threats to urban safety. Ensure productive working relationships with State/Region and Union levels. • Ensure the team develops a deep understanding of old and emerging formal and informal local urban decision-making that impact community perceptions of their safety and security (for example, local security committees, urban planning processes, informal dispute resolution). • Ensure the team keep up to date and contribute best practices in relevant thematic areas that impact urbanization and community safety and security (examples may include migration and slums, organized crime and trafficking). • Ensure substantive inputs, coaching and assistance to partners/grantees as they plan for, design, and implement project activities, and ensure that timely updates and reports are received from partners/grantees. • Track on-going developments with the government at both national and subnational levels and provide regular feedback to supervisors of broader context impacting project implementation. • Track the activities of other organizations/development partners that are also implementing governance-related activities both at the union and subnational levels. • Lead the development, and ensure high quality, of any research and information materials that will be produced by TAF/Myanmar office. • Ensure the team manage regular field visits by Foundation and partner staff to sites, and draft letters of grants, letter of contracts, presentation materials, speech, etc. • Manage the project monitoring, evaluation and learning framework, and draft periodic reports either for the purpose of Foundation’s internal reporting or for project donors. • Follow all Foundation administrative and logistical policies, rules and practices when carrying out all activities.
Financial Management • Following Foundation policies and practices, ensure that all financial documentation related to project activities is prepared, updated and settled, including supporting documents. • Approve due diligence to potential partners/grantees conducted by the project team and Finance & Grants unit, and ensure that all due diligence documents are completed/submitted by potential partners/grantees. • Manage relationships with potential partners/grantees, oversee development of their budget proposals, monitor their expenditures, and ensure that they are within approved budgets, and that spending targets are met.
Representation • Participate in meetings and events with development partners, governments, and civil society organizations as assigned. • Contribute to articles, written materials, and documentation for publication. • Participate in Foundation meetings and other relevant professional forums and events.
Other Responsibilities • Provide support to other on-going programs and activities of the Foundation as may be necessary. • Other duties as assigned by the Country Representative and the Deputy Country Representative.
How to apply:
HOW TO APPLY:
Applications should be submitted by visiting our website: www.asiafoundation.org and selecting “Careers/Regular Employment.” To be considered, please upload your cover letter, resume, and answer the assessment questions provided. The application deadline is Wednesday, June 16, 2017.