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.

Our thematic focus spans climate action and energy, health, peace and security, sustainable development, and humanitarian action, supporting high-impact initiatives across critical global priorities.

UNOPS Development and Special Initiatives team works with UN partners and Member States. This portfolio offers support for various initiatives and priorities of the UN Secretary-General in pursuit of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, it helps the UN Secretariat in implementing global programs in areas such as political affairs, climate, counterterrorism and peacebuilding, among others.

UNOPS implements the Global Center for Climate Mobility, a hosted entity of UNOPS advancing the implementation of regional climate mobility initiatives, including the Rising Nations Initiative. The Rising Nations Initiative (RNI) is a Member States-led initiative, guided by a core group of champions, including the Pacific atoll countries. Officially launched on 28 September 2022 Its objective is to press forward efforts towards protecting the statehood of Pacific atoll countries, preserving their sovereignty and safeguarding the rights and heritage of affected populations. In this regard, the RNI aims to mobilize the needed political momentum for prompt action at all levels to highlight the climate emergency facing the Pacific atoll countries and inspire global and local action, including through intergovernmental processes of the United Nations. 

The Global Centre for Climate Mobility (GCCM) is a global entity at the intersection of climate action and human mobility. Its mission is to enable positive adaptation journeys for people and communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis, upholding their adaptive capacities and “right to stay”. The GCCM is supported by champion countries, UN Agencies, the World Bank, regional organizations, philanthropies, civil society, and research institutions. This position is home based and may require international travel.

The primary purpose of the Senior Programme Manager (ICS 12/IICA 4) is to provide strategic leadership and high-level management for the successful implementation of the GCCM’s core initiatives.  

Required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) preferably in political science, business management, economics, environmental management or related fields or related fields with 12 years of relevant experience OR

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) preferably in any of the above or related fields with 10 years of relevant experience is required.

Required

• Relevant experience is defined as progressively responsible work experience in political advocacy, multilateral diplomacy, intergovernmental affairs, and policy or related areas. 

• Work experience in climate action, migration, humanitarian affairs, development, international law or related fields is required.

Desired

• An understanding of the Global Compact for Migration, the UN sea level rise agenda, the Secretary-General’s Our Common Agenda report, Agenda 2063, AU’s 2018 protocol on the free movement of persons, as well as relevant policy and guidance developed at the United Nations the AU, in Central and Latin America as well as the Pacific will be an asset;

• Practical professional experience in conducting in-depth research and analysis is required; experience in conducting interviews with practitioners for the purpose of research and analysis is desirable; previous experience in project management as well as organizing and presenting at briefings and conferences on relevant topics is desirable.

• 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.