UNOPS

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.

Not Required - part of GPO/NYPO

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the United Nations to implement the activities for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC).

United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is an initiative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, which responds to a broad consensus across nations, cultures, and religions that all societies are interdependent, bound together in their development and security, and in their environmental, economic and financial well-being. The Alliance seeks to forge collective political will and mobilize concerted action at the institutional and civil society levels to overcome the prejudice, misperceptions, and polarization that militate against such a consensus. UNAOC hopes to contribute to a coalescing global movement which, reflecting the will of the vast majority of people, rejects extremism in any society. 

The complex, demanding dialogue of civilizations, cultures, and religions is necessary, possible, and fruitful. It is a critical tool against isolation, mistrust, and confrontation, and it is also the most powerful incentive for understanding and tolerance. History has shown that dialogue is not a simple process. If we fail to teach and cultivate it, the situation can give way to a monologue or to mutism, which is conducive to conflict and violent extremism. 

The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations was created to serve as a soft-power political tool of the United Nations Secretary-General for conflict prevention and conflict resolution. It is a coalition against extremist forces, a movement to advance mutual respect for cultures, traditions, and religious beliefs, and a platform to bridge divides and overcome prejudice, misconceptions, misperceptions, and polarization. The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations was intended to promote collective action in society as a means of addressing the threats that emerge from the hostile perceptions that foment violence, overcoming cultural and social barriers, reducing tensions, and improving relations between societies and communities with diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, and combatting violent extremism.

During its more than twenty years of existence, UNAOC has pioneered a range of approaches and activities across its five priority areas, namely, Youth, Education, Media, Migration, and Women as Peace Mediators. The impact of many of its projects on the ground has been significant and measurable, particularly those implemented with civil society organizations (CSOs) and youth-led organizations. Nonetheless, the context of the current global challenges is more complex than ever before. The multidimensional nature of the scope of today’s conflicts requires a new approach to conflict resolution and conflict prevention. Around the world, there has been a rising wave of violent extremism conducive to terrorism, growing intolerance, hate speech, xenophobia, and discrimination, posing a threat to international peace and security. These new approaches are reflected in the UNAOC Action Plan 2024 - 2026. It builds on and develops existing UNAOC programming activities and suggests new focus areas that strengthen the Alliance’s ability to fulfill its mandate in a more effective and measurable way. The Plan further suggests new approaches for institutional development and political advocacy that should provide a viable framework for the way we respond to the current global challenges. Institutionally, the plan reaffirms the important role played by all stakeholders, including state and non-state actors, in developing and implementing national plans and regional strategies to promote intercultural and interreligious dialogue, the mainstay of the Alliance. The framework aims to expand and consolidate the global scope of UNAOC in Africa, Asia, Europe, MENA, and Latin America.

This is a position in UNOPS for supporting the implementation of UNAOC. The incumbent of this position will be personnel of UNOPS under its full administrative and financial responsibility.

Guided by the principle that youth are key actors in achieving peace and preventing violent extremism—as affirmed in UN Security Council Resolutions 2250, 2419, 2535, and 2807, and the UN Secretary-General’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism—UNAOC develops educational programming to empower young civil society leaders. These initiatives enhance their ability to foster mutual respect, understanding, and long-term positive relationships across diverse cultures and religions.

Young Peacebuilder programme is a peace education initiative designed to support young people in gaining peacebuilding skills and competencies to enhance their positive role in issues of peace and security and in preventing violent conflict. Learning objectives include:

• Exploring diverse cultures and worldviews to foster intercultural cohesion and collaboration.

• Critically analyzing stereotypes to reduce their prevalence and impact.

• Gaining tools to peacefully transform identity-based conflicts at local, national, and regional levels.

• Identifying the push and pull factors conducive to violent extremism.

• Using media and expressive arts to create alternative narratives, reduce polarization, and promote social inclusion.

• Reflecting on strategies to increase meaningful youth engagement.

• Designing and managing impactful peacebuilding projects.

The programme aims to grow networks of young peacebuilders equipped to address prejudice, social exclusion, and polarization, ultimately building more inclusive and peaceful societies globally.

Programme Components:

• Part 1: Online Phase (3-4 months): Participants engage via a collaborative platform to explore core concepts, begin group reflection, and establish relationships with trainers and peers before meeting in person.

• Part 2: Face-to-Face Workshop (7-8 days): Participants complete intensive in-person training and develop specific action plans.

• Part 3: Implementation Phase (3-5 months): Participants execute their action plans with continued mentorship, consolidating the network and ensuring long-term mutual support.

• Part 4: Final Symposium (2-4 days): Participants share lessons learned and project outcomes with practitioners, policymakers, and the public to promote intercultural dialogue during in-person symposium.

Since 2016, the programme has been implemented in West Africa, the Middle East, North Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Following the eighth edition's expansion to the South Caucasus and Central Asia, the ninth edition will continue to focus on this vital region.

UNAOC is currently seeking a Capacity Building Specialist [Lead Trainer] for the 9th edition. This remote position is tentatively scheduled to begin on September 1, 2026. Qualified candidates will undergo an assessment and a competency-based interview. The incumbent will be personnel of UNOPS under its full administrative and financial responsibility.

The Capacity Building Specialist [Lead Trainer] supports the effective implementation, coordination and monitoring of project activities to ensure successful delivery of results within scope, time, cost and quality parameters. The role provides analytical and operational support in project planning, execution and reporting; contributes to risk and performance management; and ensures timely communication with programme lead. 

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) preferably in (peace) education, conflict and development studies, political science, international relations, social and humanitarian sciences, law, public administration, or a related field with five (5) years of relevant experience is required; OR

• A first level university degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) preferably in (peace) education, conflict and development studies, political science, international relations, social and humanitarian sciences, law, public administration, or a related field with seven (7) years of relevant experience is desirable.

Required

• Relevant experience is defined as work experience in peace education and/or designing/facilitating learning trajectories for multicultural youth is required.

Desired

• Experience in online training, intercultural and interfaith dialogue issues, media/communications as a medium for generating positive narratives, and other relevant peacebuilding themes.

• General knowledge or understanding of peacebuilding, youth-led organizations, capacity development, and/or international UN policy frameworks related to these fields.

• Exposure to the South Caucasus and Central Asia region is considered an asset.

• Ability to use a gender and intercultural approach.

• Ability to work in a multicultural team.

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• 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. 
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

• 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.