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.

The New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) manages UNOPS' New York-based portfolios, delivering project and programme management, procurement, HR, and financial services to global partners, from the UN Secretariat to Member States. NYPO strategically positions UNOPS with these partners, fostering collaboration to achieve growth and leveraging expertise in global portfolio design and implementation. We support the broader SDGs and 2030 Agenda, primarily assisting the UN Secretariat and other New York-based UN entities with a global reach. NYPO encompasses the Peace and Security Cluster (PSC), focusing on explosive threat management, and the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC), providing diverse operational support to the UN system in New York.

The Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) is a team within the New York Portfolios Office (NYPO). For over 25 years, PSC has provided portfolio, programme and project management services in the area of the delivery of gender-responsive humanitarian mine action and the broader area of explosive threat management. PSC currently operates Project Units in about 18 countries and territories. Each PSC Project Unit operates as an integral part of the overall PSC structure, and is directed and managed by a Head of Project Unit (HPU).

Under the supervision of the Strategic Lead or Project Director, the Advisor will provide expert services on a retainer basis, focusing on:

• Strategic Design & Stakeholder Facilitation
• Expert Consultation & Quality Assurance
• Executive Advisory & Change Management

Required

• Master’s degree or equivalent with7 years of relevant experience OR
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with 9 years of relevant experience. 

Desired

• Professional Certifications: to support a high-impact, sprint-based delivery model, candidates should demonstrate proficiency in one or more of the following frameworks:
• Project & Program Management: Advanced credentials such as PRINCE2, PMP, or MSP (Managing Successful Programmes).
• Agile & Iterative Delivery: Experience with Scrum (PSM/CSM), Kanban, or Lean methodologies to facilitate rapid prototyping and strategic Sprints.
• Governance & Strategy: Professional recognition in Corporate Governance, Risk Management (IRM), or Design Thinking from a recognized global institution.

Required

• Relevant experience is defined as experience steering high-level strategic planning and program delivery for complex, multi-sectoral initiatives.

• Systems Thinking: Proven track record of using Design Thinking or Systems Engineering methodologies to solve "wicked problems" at a national or international level.

• Institutional Reform: Extensive experience in fragile or transitioning contexts, acting as a primary advisor to senior government officials, ministers, or executive boards.

• Global Exposure: Demonstrated ability to operate across diverse cultural and political landscapes, translating complex technical needs into strategic organizational mandates.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• Please note that 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. 
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

• 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.