UNOPS

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.

From Geneva, UNOPS strives to facilitate the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), by working with governments, other United Nations (UN) agencies and partners. 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.

UNOPS provides quality services, integrated solutions and management support to UN agencies, initiatives and partners in a strategic, cohesive, cost-effective and results-oriented manner. Geneva is also home to UNOPS Europe and Central Asia Regional Office

UN organizations are required to implement the UN System-wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation (‘UNSWS’). The UN-Water Expert Group on Water and Climate Change is responsible for leading the UNSWS Collaborative Implementation Plan 2025-2028 (CIP) priority on mainstreaming water and sanitation across the UN Rio Conventions (Priority Collaborative Action 3 – PCA3).

Under PCA3, the Expert Group’s mandate is to support the systematic integration of water and sanitation considerations within the UNFCCC, UNCCD, and CBD processes. This includes strengthening the visibility and treatment of water issues in global policy negotiations, implementation mechanisms, and decision-making across all three Conventions, thereby contributing to better climate, biodiversity, land, and water outcomes at global, regional, national, and local levels.

Building on the ongoing work related to mainstreaming of Water within UNFCCC processes, the current Terms of Reference therefore places particular emphasis on strengthening engagement with UNCCD. Success in this mission requires that UN organizations have access to expert knowledge on water policy and management at the global level, as well as a strong understanding of the institutional and negotiation processes of the UNCCD.

As part of the Global Portfolio Office, UNOPS Geneva provides comprehensive solutions in secretariat hosting, operational support, and fund management. We manage global programmes, including the Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) Portfolio, offering project management, procurement, HR, and financial services. Geneva hosts the secretariats of eight global partnerships focused on health (RBM, Stop TB, ATscale), nutrition (SUN), water/sanitation (SHF), humanitarian leadership (GELI), urban development (Cities Alliance), and disaster displacement (PDD). We also provide fund management for EIF and UN Water, and operational support to Geneva-based partners like the Global Fund and UNHCR. The EU-UNOPS Lives in Dignity (LiD) Grant Facility is also based here.

UN organizations are required to implement the UN System-wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation (‘UNSWS’). The UN-Water Expert Group on Water and Climate Change is responsible for leading the UNSWS Collaborative Implementation Plan 2025-2028 (CIP) priority on mainstreaming water and sanitation across the UN Rio Conventions (Priority Collaborative Action 3 – PCA3).

Under PCA3, the Expert Group’s mandate is to support the systematic integration of water and sanitation considerations within the UNFCCC, UNCCD, and CBD processes. This includes strengthening the visibility and treatment of water issues in global policy negotiations, implementation mechanisms, and decision-making across all three Conventions, thereby contributing to better climate, biodiversity, land, and water outcomes at global, regional, national, and local levels.

Building on the ongoing work related to mainstreaming of Water within UNFCCC processes, the current ToR therefore places particular emphasis on strengthening engagement with UNCCD. Success in this mission requires that UN organizations have access to expert knowledge on water policy and management at the global level, as well as a strong understanding of the institutional and negotiation processes of the UNCCD.

To provide expert advice on opportunities, processes and initiatives that will enable UN Water to contribute to achieving the mainstreaming of water into the Rio Conventions in 2026 with a focus on UNCCD.

Required

• Advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent) preferably in sustainable development, public policy, public administration, natural resources management, environment Engineering or a related field. 

• A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with an additional 2 years of experience may be considered in lieu of the advanced degree.

Required

• At least 7 years of experience (or more based on educational requirements) in water and sanitation.

• Experience working in climate, biodiversity and or desertification/drought issues at the global level. 

• Experience working with treaty instruments and processes.

• Experience in providing advisory services in water policy issues.

  
  

Desired

• Knowledge and experience from working with SDG 6.

• Experience in report-writing for water and sanitation-related publications.

• Excellent interpersonal and partnership management skills.

  
  

• 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.