UNAIDS Myanmar Vacancy Announcement: National Liaison Officer (ADB Project)

Title: National Liaison Officer (ADB Project)
Duration: 6 months
Period: 12th October 2015 to April 8th 2016.
Location: Nay Pyi Taw 80% and Yangon 20%
Contract type: Consultant Contract

Background
In 2014, UNAIDS Myanmar signed an agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to help develop the institutional capacity of the National AIDS Programme (NAP) to mitigate the impact of infrastructure development projects along the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) economic corridor in Myanmar. This project (SP11) aimed to increase connectivity, mobility, and trade across GMS countries, but also mitigate vulnerability and risk of HIV transmission to key affected populations (KAPs), including mobile and
migrant populations and local communities along the economic corridor.
The SP11 project is now followed by a larger scale ADB-­‐‑funded project (2015-­‐‑2017) called the ‘Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS): Capacity Building for HIV/AIDS Prevention Project’, which is financed by the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR). Under the umbrella of the Myanmar National Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS (2011-­‐‑2016). The activities will build on results achieved under the SP11 that aimed to strengthen local response to address HIV risk along the economic corridors in Myanmar. The geographic focus of the project are in the states of Mon, Shan and Kayin. In 5 townships of: Hpa-­‐‑an,
Kawkareik, Mawlamyine, Myawaddy and Tachileik. The institutional development needs of the National AIDS Programme (NAP) have been
assessed at different levels and a costed institutional capacity development plan has been developed for 2015-­‐‑ 2017. The focus of this new project is to implement the plan to strengthen health systems and structures, to more effectively plan and manage HIV responses at national and sub-­‐‑national levels. The project also seeks to contribute to the ongoing mapping of HIV risk in the project areas to improve understanding of the epidemic.

UNAIDS Myanmar has agreed to accomplish under the project, the following priorities:
1. Set up of Project Management Unit (PMU) office in Nay Pyi Taw and procure
furniture and equipment.
2. Development of five township capacity development plans and technical support for the implementation of the plans.
3. Training of NAP staff in leadership, programme and project management, M&E and other areas identified through capacity assessment.
4. Organisation of workshops to integrate HIV prevention programmes into wider health programmes. The Project Team will normally be based in Yangon with frequent travel to Nay Pyi Taw and to the 5 townships. However, at the initiation of the Project it has become necessary to have an ongoing Project presence in Nay Pyi Taw to facilitate the initial scale up of Project activities. As such the position of, ‘Liaison Officer (ADB Project)’ has been created to help liaise with the NAP and other departments in Government to expedite project activities.

Purpose of the consultancy
The key objective of the ‘Liaison Officer (ADB Project)’ position is to help facilitate the progression of key actions in support of project deliverables. In particular the consultant is expected to:
1. Develop and maintain relationships with the NAP and other relevant stakeholders.
2. Follow-up and provide progress reports on all project requests (letters, plans, budgets, concept notes and others) with the NAP or other relevant departments in Nay Pyi Taw at the request of the Project Team in Yangon.
3. Facilitate communication between UNAIDS, ADB (both in country and at HQ), the Yangon Project Team and the NAP, and others as required.
4. Advise the Yangon Project Team on any developments relevant to the Project.
5. Secure meeting appointments; organize meeting and meeting logistics, preparation of meeting agendas and other supporting documents.
6. Keep quality records of all meetings, communications and engagement with the NAP and other departments where relevant.
7. Assist in the development of information materials and briefings for the project, where directed by the Project Team in Yangon.
8. Draft reports outlining actions taken in response to the demands of the project.
9. Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and
backstopping for others.

Reporting
The consultant will work closely with the International and National Institutional Development Consultants under the direct supervision of the Investment and Efficiency Adviser and overall supervision of the UNAIDS Country Director. (S)he will work closely with staff of the PMU and the NAP and collaborate closely with members of the UNAIDS Country Office, ADB and other key stakeholders.

Required qualifications
o A university degree in public administration, public health, social science,
management, health or similar academic background.
o Minimum of 6 years professional experience in a field, which demonstrates an ability to negotiate and coordinate programmes or projects.
o Programme or project management experience would be an asset.
o A good understanding of the Ministry of Health structures and experience in
extensive communication with government departments is essential.
o Demonstrate leadership, ability to engage and work constructively with Government and NGO partners.
o Excellent interpersonal, presentation, facilitation, oral and written communication skills in English and Myanmar.
o Proficiency in all standard Microsoft Office applications.

o Strong management and organisational skills.

o Strong report writing skills.

Duration of the assignment 6 months.
Duty Stations To be based in Nay Pyi Taw 80% of the time with occasional presence in Yangon 20%.

Interested candidates are requested to send their application to:
The Country Director, UNAIDS Myanmar, No. 137/1, Thanlwin Road, Kamayut Township, Yangon (Tel: +95 1 534498, 504832, 503816, 538087, 538938) or by email to htwey@unaids.org.

Your application should contain the following:
1. UN P11 (Personal History Form).
2. An updated curriculum vitae and recent passport photo.
3. Covering letter, which addresses each of the required qualifications above.
4. Proposed budget and consultancy fees for the assignment.

Applications will be reviewed as received; due to large volume of applicants only those seriously under consideration will be contacted. Please note that the deadline for application submission is the 25th September 2015.