Head of Unit - INGO Forum

Duty Station : Yangon, Myanmar

Report to : Country Director

Overall purpose of the role:

The Head of Unit of the Myanmar INGO Forum provides strategic leadership to strengthen coordination, collective action, and principled engagement of INGO members within Myanmar’s complex humanitarian landscape. The role ensures that INGOs are effectively represented in the humanitarian coordination architecture, enables evidence‑informed joint advocacy, and supports coherent engagement with key stakeholders including the UN, donors, national NGOs, and other humanitarian actors. The Director drives strategic analysis, facilitates collaboration across diverse workstreams, and supports members to navigate operational and programmatic challenges.

Responsibilities

Strategic Coordination & Leadership

• Lead and strengthen coordination mechanisms that enhance INGO collective engagement with the humanitarian system, ensuring platforms are fit‑for‑purpose and responsive to rapid contextual shifts.
• Facilitate strategic discussions on emerging humanitarian trends, access dynamics, and operational risks, enabling timely decision‑making by members.
• Contribute to broader strategic direction of the Forum and ensure alignment with wider humanitarian objectives.

Information Sharing, Analysis & Communication

• Oversee systems for the collection, analysis, and dissemination of timely information to INGO members, supporting contextual understanding and operational relevance.
• Analyze complex political, humanitarian, and programmatic information and communicate it clearly to varied audiences.
• Shape and manage communications that influence internal and external agendas, enhancing the Forum’s credibility and public positioning.
• Serve as a critical link between Humanitarian Country Team, Forum Steering Committee and members of INGO forum.

Strategic Engagement with Humanitarian Stakeholders

• Represent INGO members in Myanmar’s humanitarian coordination structures, including engagement with UN leadership, clusters, donors, national NGOs, and other critical actors.
• Act as a trusted focal point for dialogue on humanitarian access, principled response, and policy issues affecting INGO operations.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including diplomatic missions, UN agencies, coordination bodies, government ministries, and civil society partners.
• Provide background support and strategic advice to enhance INGO participation in influence and advocacy efforts.

Membership Engagement & Joint Positioning

• Engage with members and the Steering Committee to identify Forum priorities and support the development of shared positions and advocacy initiatives.
• Consult across the membership to ensure perspectives are accurately reflected in joint strategies, messages, and humanitarian dialogue.
• Report back to INGOs on discussions, decisions, and developments relevant to collective action.

Coordination Processes & Workstream Support

• Support coordination across multiple thematic and operational workstreams, ensuring coherence, follow‑through, and effective cross‑workstream communication.
• Convene and facilitate regular member meetings, workshops, and ad‑hoc thematic discussions.
• Ensure robust documentation of meetings, decisions, and action points.

Systems Strengthening & Operational Support

• Establish and maintain efficient systems for information management, document storage, and structured member input into policy and coordination discussions.
• Support operational problem‑solving across the membership, facilitating peer‑to‑peer learning and shared solutions.

Project Management & Oversight and Fundraising

• Oversee the planning, implementation, and monitoring of Forum‑related projects, ensuring timely delivery of outputs and quality standards.
• Manage project workplans, budget, timelines, and coordination with implementing partners or consultants.
• Ensure compliance with donor requirements, internal procedures, and reporting obligations.
• Lead risk assessment and mitigation planning for Forum activities.
• Together with the Steering committee, engage in donor mapping and fundraising

Required Experience and Skills

• Master’s degree in a relevant field (development studies, humanitarian affairs, political science or other relevant social sciences etc.).
• At least five years of experience working to support planning, coordination and collaboration of diverse stakeholders with clear sets of deliverables
• Public policy analysis, advocacy and research experience
• Ability to manage internal and external communications, such as newsletters and websites
• Management of diverse partnerships
• Organizational skills and understanding to address INGO priorities relating to development aid effectiveness, cooperation with Civil Society and Government and any other item that is of high importance to the INGO community
• Expert knowledge of relevant communications environment and Programme context.
• Works independently, making decisions and problem solving on routine, new and complex issues/problems
• Experience working in Myanmar or other Southeast Asian contexts
• Ability to work proactively and flexibly, with good problem-solving skills.

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment

Conditions

DRC will offer the successful applicant a DRC’s Regular contract including 3-month probation period. Renewable depends on both funding and performance. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment. The position is in Employment Band E-management.

Application and CV

Interested? Click the button to apply. Please send your application, in English, not later than 20th March 2025.

CV only applications will not be considered.

(Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and shortlisted candidates may be contacted for interview/an offer made before the advertised closing date.)