UNOPS

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, and expert teams operating globally, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding - including in some of the world’s most challenging environments. By leveraging our collective expertise and global networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries. We work closely with major global partners - including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies - to deliver a wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.

From Geneva, UNOPS facilitates the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), working with governments, other United Nations (UN) agencies and partners by providing quality servces, integrated solutions and management support through strategic, cost-effective and results-oriented approches. This includes supporting platforms and hosting high-profile, flagship initiatives and funds focusing on health, nutrition, water and sanitation, sustainable cities, environment, energy, climate and trade. UNOPS is a recognized resource for the UN system in Geneva – from fund management and oversight and advisory services, to providing hosting solutions to a range of global initiatives, as well as operational support to partner organizations.

The Global Platform for Action on Sustainable Energy in Displacement Settings (GPA) is the global initiative aiming to ensure SDG 7—access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all—is inclusive of displacement and fragile contexts. The GPA enables collective action for delivery at scale by generating shared intelligence, shaping policy and funding agendas, mobilising resources, and orchestrating collaboration among humanitarian, development, government, private sector, financing, and community actors. It is guided by a Board and Advisory Group of key energy, climate, humanitarian and development partners. Hosted by the UNOPS, the GPA Secretariat implements its shared objectives by collaborating with a global network of over 100 partners.  

From Geneva, UNOPS facilitates the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), working with governments, other United Nations (UN) agencies and partners by providing quality servces, integrated solutions and management support through strategic, cost-effective and results-oriented approches. This includes supporting platforms and hosting high-profile, flagship initiatives and funds focusing on health, nutrition, water and sanitation, sustainable cities, environment, energy, climate and trade. UNOPS is a recognized resource for the UN system in Geneva – from fund management and oversight and advisory services, to providing hosting solutions to a range of global initiatives, as well as operational support to partner organizations.

The Global Platform for Action on Sustainable Energy in Displacement Settings (GPA) is the global initiative aiming to ensure SDG 7—access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all—is inclusive of displacement and fragile contexts. The GPA enables collective action for delivery at scale by generating shared intelligence, shaping policy and funding agendas, mobilising resources, and orchestrating collaboration among humanitarian, development, government, private sector, financing, and community actors. It is guided by a Board and Advisory Group of key energy, climate, humanitarian and development partners. Hosted by the UNOPS, the GPA Secretariat implements its shared objectives by collaborating with a global network of over 100 partners.  

Reporting to the Head of the Secretariat, the Senior Communications Advisor will strengthen GPA’s communications and advocacy function to increase the visibility, influence and impact of its work on sustainable energy solutions in displacement and fragile settings. The role will refine GPA’s messaging, audience targeting and strategic positioning, ensuring communications are clearly linked to policy, partnership, fundraising and programme objectives. The role will lead the development of compelling narratives, advocacy campaigns, digital content, case studies, speeches, briefings, newsletters, event materials and partner toolkits that translate technical and field evidence into persuasive messages for governments, donors, funders and financiers, humanitarian and development agencies, private sector partners and wider audiences. 

The role will also support GPA partners to use shared evidence and messaging for advocacy purposes, coordinate communications around key moments and campaigns, build GPA’s profile through media, events and thought leadership, strengthen brand consistency and editorial quality, and track performance to improve reach, engagement and demonstrable advocacy impact.

Required

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in energy, environment, international development or humanitarian studies, international relations, public policy, or a related field is required

• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s) with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

  
  

Required:

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in advocacy and communications, of which 3 years has been at senior management level is required. 

• Proven experience of 5 years in strategic advocacy or strategic communication with a focus on energy, environment, climate or sustainability is required.

• Documented high-level advocacy or other experience with national and energy-sector leaders is required. 

• Experience working in challenging and politically complex situations is required.

Desirables:

• Work experience in a developing country or displacement affected country, including Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya and/or wider Sub-Saharan Africa would be an asset. 

• Proven experience managing staff located in other geographical locations.

• Experience working on sustainable energy in humanitarian contexts, and with multi-stakeholder partnerships (UN, NGOs, private sector, governments, or donors) is an asset.

• 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.
  

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.