UNOPS

The Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG) provides policy, standards guidance and support in three UNOPS service lines of Project Management, Infrastructure and Financial Management Services (Grant Support and Fund Management). IPMG leads the design and implementation of a project, programme and portfolio management (P3M) system centered around the needs of UNOPS partners, beneficiaries and frontline personnel. IPMG also drives UNOPS efforts to leverage sustainable, resilient and inclusive infrastructure and maximize local capacity through grant support management to achieve sustainable development. Through thought leadership, we aim to position UNOPS with its partners, foster innovative solutions for sustainable and inclusive development, and accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This includes speeding up the implementation of urgent infrastructure and scaling up infrastructure service delivery, particularly in relation to climate action and energy. Our delivery approach to project management, infrastructure and grant support management prioritizes development needs, empowers institutions and communities, builds partners’ capacity, champions gender equality and social inclusion and reduces environmental impact. IPMG translates policy into practice by providing strategic direction, standards and oversight, while facilitating knowledge sharing and capacity-building for UNOPS teams globally.

UNOPS multilateral portfolio has expanded substantially in recent years, with Hosting and Fund Management now representing a significant share of UNOPS delivery and a central channel through which partners mobilise collective action. Hosting and Fund Management have become major engines of multilateral implementation, delivered through a portfolio of hosted engagements and UNOPS-managed funds through which partners channel resources, align governance and drive collective outcomes. This expanding portfolio reflects not only the scale of UNOPS contribution to global, regional and thematic initiatives, but also UNOPS increasingly recognised role as a neutral, accountable and operationally capable platform for multilateral cooperation.

The Specialist is primarily expected to provide support to UNOPS projects, programmes and portfolios by providing technical assistance in Hosting and Fund Management. 

***This vacancy is looking to fill a full-time open-ended position. However, as the contract modality for this Vacancy Announcement is an International Individual Contractor Agreement, UNOPS may also use the results of this recruitment process to offer a full-time short-term, or a retainer (contract for intermittent work, subject to budget availability and business needs) contract.

***This position may either be office-based in Copenhagen, Denmark or home-based in the successful candidate's place of residence. The duty station is to be agreed upon finalization of the recruitment process in accordance with business needs and the candidate's individual circumstances. While this role offers the flexibility of home-based work, the successful candidate will be expected to maintain at least partial overlap with HQ Copenhagen working hours.

The Programme Management Specialist adapts existing policies to meet emerging needs in the area of hosting and fund management. The role provides authoritative advice, adapts policies, solves complex problems, manages a specific portfolio of work, and interacts with clients to maintain relationships and ensure reliable service delivery.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Development Studies, International Relations, Social Science, Business Administration, Finance, Public Administration, Law or related fields with 7 years of relevant experience OR

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with 5 years of relevant experience is required.

Required

• Relevant experience is work in multi-donor funding, trust funds, or UN joint programming. 

• Experience in analysis and report-writing, with the ability to interpret qualitative and quantitative data to develop evidence-based policies and processes is required. 

• Experience in adult-learning and training is required. 

• Experience with Boards/Steering Committees and knowledge of the Donor environment, including private sector entities, is required. 

Desired

• Previous work experience with the UN system, foundations, and civil society is desirable. Experience working and negotiating with civil society and governments is an asset. 

• Excellent strategic planning, analytical skills, and ability to manage complex partnerships is strongly desired.

• Knowledge of business processes and IT systems design is strongly preferred. 

• Experience with and knowledge of outcome based financing is desirable. 

• Knowledge and understanding of UNOPS Rules and regulations is an asset.

• Advisory or consultancy experience is an asset.

• Experience working in fragile states and/or humanitarian contexts is strongly preferred. 

• Experience with Google Workspace is an asset.

Please attach a cover letter highlighting the experience, knowledge and qualifications relevant for the position.

• 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. 
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority 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.