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General Information

Position Title
Programme Management Advisor
Job Category
Programme
Duty Station(s)
New York
Seniority Level
Senior Level
ICS Level
ICS 11
Contract Type
ICA - IICA - Regular
Contract Level
IICA 3
Posting Start Date
23-Jan-2026
Posting End Date
08-Feb-2026
Duration
Open-ended subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and/or satisfactory performance

Job Highlight

This role serves as the strategic and operational cornerstone of the UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS) portfolio, ensuring that global partnerships are managed with precision, that organizational growth is aligned with the UNOPS 2026-29 strategy, and that high-level stakeholder engagements within the UN Secretariat and beyond are translated into sustainable, high-impact results. By bridging business development intelligence with rigorous performance monitoring and quality assurance, the Advisor ensures the portfolio remains agile, compliant, and positioned for long-term growth.

About the Region

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) unites the New York Portfolios, including the Peace and Security team (PSC); the Geneva Office; and the Vienna-based Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) teams, to maximize global impact, foster efficiencies and streamline global programmes. Leveraging our collective expertise and networks, GPO supports UNOPS' strategic priorities and the SDGs across over 130 countries. We deliver project management, fund management, advisory services, project implementation, and HR services, working closely with major global partners. Our thematic focus includes sustainable development, climate action, health, peace & security, and humanitarian action.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

Not Required - part of GPO/NYPO

Job Specific Context

UNOPS UNTSS and its project teams based at multiple locations around the world engage with UN System partners to support the implementation of their mandated activities in the realm of innovation and technology. 

Role Purpose

This is a position in UNOPS for supporting partnerships and projects under the UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS) portfolio. The Programme Management Advisor will advise and support the UNTSS Senior Portfolio Manager in the following areas:

  • Overall strategic management and direction of TSS, ensuring readiness for alignment to new UNOPS strategy 2026-29 and in support of UNOPS transformation initiatives;

  • Strengthening of existing TSS partnerships with the UN Secretariat, in particular their governance, implementation compliance for ongoing engagements (including 2025 UNBOA audit), and adjustments to reflect emerging opportunities and threats (including arising from UN80 Initiative); and

  • Development of new partnerships within the UN Secretariat and UNDP MPTFO (including for UN Office of Outer Space Affairs) and with other UN entities headquartered in New York (including UNFPA in the area of supply chain management).


The incumbent will report to the UNTSS Senior Portfolio Manager. The incumbent of this position will be a UNOPS personnel and is under its full responsibility.

Functions / Key Results Expected

The Programme Management Advisor will undertake the following activities/responsibilities:

Portfolio Management, Continuity, Growth and Diversification:

  • Advises and supports the UNTSS Senior Portfolio Manager on strategic issues regarding the development and implementation of the UNTSS strategy on business continuity and growth, including on outreach and engagement with partners;

  • Reports on UNTSS quality and performance metrics; and

  • Advises UNTSS Senior Portfolio Manager on mainstreaming lessons learnt and best practices.


Partnership and Stakeholder engagement:

  • Establishes solid working relationships with partner/donor representatives, governance bodies and other key stakeholders;

  • Collects and synthesizes background information about potential partners and opportunities, advises and supports on development and maintenance of stakeholder profiles and on formulation and update of stakeholder engagement strategies;

  • Formulates engagement communication plans and coordinates related internal communications;

  • Monitors the effectiveness of engagement communications and advises on necessary measures to ensure that stakeholders are informed about activities, progress, exceptions, and other information relevant to their role; and

  • Coordinates stakeholder engagement and communication, ensuring effective timing and interdependency management of communications and advises on issues that may impact the achievement of outcomes, including sustainability.


Business Development:

  • Advises on and supports in updating the UNTSS strategy to enhance and grow the portfolio;

  • Conducts business development intelligence for potential new partnerships/engagements (facilitate assessments of partners' needs, UNOPS value proposition, etc.);

  • Supports analysis of corporate trends and guidelines regarding their relevance for partnerships development processes;

  • Generates content (information/images) for promotional activities;

  • Oversees and advises UNTSS Project Managers on the preparation of project initiation documents (PIDs), legal agreements, and develops a thorough understanding of the terms, conditions, and respective roles and responsibilities of the partners/stakeholders to ensure that project deliverables meet the business cases for both UNOPS and the client;

  • Supports negotiations with partners and consultations with beneficiaries by facilitating the finalization of concept notes and project proposals in a context-sensitive and results-oriented manner.

  • Prepares presentations and supporting documents for partner meetings;

  • Facilitates the organization of promotional events and high-level meetings;

  • Ensures monitoring of partner meeting action points and pipeline engagements opportunities; and

  • Participates in negotiating cost-effective and mutually beneficial terms for UNOPS services with prospective clients and partners.

  • Delivery, Performance and Quality Assurance:  

  • Oversees and advises UNTSS Project Managers on the development, completion, and updates of implementation plans and on embedding of sustainability dimensions (including social and gender inclusion, environmental, and economic aspects) throughout the project lifecycle;

  • Oversees and advises on change controls, risk registers and issue management;

  • Monitors relevant UNTSS delivery and performance metrics and advises UNTSS Senior Portfolio Manager on trends, risks and advises on options for relevant action; and

  • Collaborates with internal stakeholders to advise and support UNTSS Project Managers to ensure projects comply with audit requirements.

 

Procedures:

  • Complies with all organizational policies;

  • Advises UNTSS Project Managers on preparation and adaptation of relevant plans for approval by the governance boards;

  • Assesses and advises on project financial management guidelines and control mechanisms in compliance with applicable UNOPS policies;

  • Supports project audit activities, including planning, preparation, coordination during audits, and follow-up on audit observations/recommendations;

  • Advises UNTSS Project Managers on preparing project reports and documents, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations and UNOPS policies, processes and procedures; and

  • Provides advice to ensure relevant procedures are embedded into UNTSS project management and are applied consistently across all projects as per UNOPS corporate guidelines, procedures, and policies,

 

Knowledge Management:                                               

  • Encourages the routine and effective conduct of capacity-building activities to build the long-term and sustainable capacity of UNTSS personnel;

  • Actively engages with other Portfolio, Programme, and Project Managers, and the wider PM community to share case studies, lessons learned, and best practices;

  • Contributes to the oversight of lessons learned procedures, ensuring timely and appropriate sharing of lessons learned and participates in relevant Communities of Practice;

  • Contributes to  recommendations on policy and tools to Practice Groups and HQ, and contributes to the development of guidance material and tools that advance UNTSS strategic project management goals;

  • Coordinates and oversees the implementation of requests or initiatives relevant to project management from the Regional Office and HQ Teams, as required;

  • Contributes to expertise in tools and techniques; and

  • Supports the compilation of lessons learned

Skills

Innovation Management, Leadership, Organizational Leadership, Partner Management, Portfolio Management, Risk Management, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Thinking
Strategic Perspective
Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.
Respect
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Collaboration
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Partnerships
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Excellence
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Adaptability
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Decision-making
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Communication
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required


  • An advanced university degree (Masters Degree) preferably in Project Management, Business Administration, Political Studies, Development Studies, International Relations, Supply Chain Management, or another relevant discipline with 7 years of relevant experience is required OR

  • A first level university degree (Bachelor's Degree) preferably in Project Management, Business Administration, Political Studies, Development Studies, International Relations, Supply Chain Management, or another relevant discipline with 9 years of relevant experience.


Certifications:

PRINCE2 Foundation certification or equivalent, as well as the completion of the UNOPS Project Management Foundation course and the UNOPS Procurement Operations Training are an asset, but required completion within the first 6 months of onboarding.



Experience Requirements

Required

  • Relevant experience is defined as experience in project management, with focus on project implementation, partner management, monitoring and reporting.

  • At least years (2) years of progressive stakeholder/partner engagement experience including lead role in joint programming is required.


Desired:

  • Experience working with UN System entities and ideally including at both UN HQ and non-HQ locations is desirable



Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirement
EnglishFluentRequired

Additional Information

  • 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.
 
Terms and Conditions
 
  • 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.