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.

From Geneva, UNOPS facilitates the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), working with governments, other United Nations (UN) agencies and partners by providing quality servces, integrated solutions and management support through strategic, cost-effective and results-oriented approches. 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.

The Platform on Disaster Displacement (PDD) which is hosted by UNOPS was established in July 2016 as a State-led initiative to follow-up on the work of the Nansen Initiative and to support States and other stakeholders in implementing the recommendations of the Nansen Initiative Agenda for the Protection of Cross-Border Displaced Persons in the Context of Disasters and Climate Change (Protection Agenda), endorsed by 109 States in October 2015.

The Nansen Initiative started its work in the Pacific in 2013, and many of the recommendations from the Nansen Initiative Pacific Regional Consultation held in May 2013 in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, were included in the Nansen Initiative Protection Agenda, including promotion of regional dialogues and approaches on displacement, migration and planned relocation in disaster and climate change contexts, and development of appropriate normative and policy frameworks to address the protection needs of displaced or relocated populations at the regional and national level. 

From 2019-2023, the PDD and its Secretariat, the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) implemented the Pacific Response to Disaster Displacement project (PRDD). The project aimed to support regional and national efforts to reduce the risk and impact of disaster displacement on persons at risk of being displaced in developing small islands States in the Pacific.

Since 2019, the PDD worked with partners under the overall leadership of IOM as a technical partner in the Pacific Climate Change Migration and Human Security (PCCMHS) Programme, phases I and II, to support Pacific Island Forum Member States to develop a Pacific Regional Framework on Climate Mobility (PRFCM) and corresponding Implementation Plan, the latter being officially endorsed by the Forum Officials Committee (FOC) in August 2025. 

Going forward and acting as an implementing partner in the Pacific Climate Mobility Partnerships Programme 2026-2029 which marks the third phase of the PCCMHS, the PDD Secretariat will engage in and support in all five core areas of action under the PRFCM (Staying in place; Planned relocations; Migration; Displacement; and Stranded migrants) and the five Priority Actions for 2025–2030 of the Implementation Plan:

1. Support Forum member countries with comprehensive risk and vulnerability assessments.

2. Establish a Climate Mobility Action Hub (CMAH).

3. Facilitate peer-to-peer exchange on planned relocation. 

4. Establish appropriate regional governance and coordination mechanism to support rights based, inclusive and culturally appropriate actions. 

5. Financing for national climate mobility action.

A responsibility for the PDD and its Secretariat as implementing partner of the Pacific Climate Mobility Partnerships Programme will be to support activities under Priority Action 3 (Facilitate peer-to-peer exchange on planned relocation) and activities leading to output 1.4 in the Programme: Pacific Island countries actively engage in a Climate Mobility Dialogue, and collaborate on peer-to-peer exchange, particularly for planned relocation. 

A specific responsibility of the the PDD Pacific Region Policy Adviser will be to support the PDD Secretariat in delivering on activities that it is leading as part of the Pacific Climate Mobility Partnerships Programme 2026-2029 and serve as the PDD focal point on disaster displacement for governments and other stakeholders in the Pacific region, including the Government of Fiji. The PDD Pacific Region Policy Adviser will be based in Suva, Fiji and will report to the Head of the PDD Secretariat based in Geneva, Switzerland. Close coordination, meetings and reporting are expected to be maintained between the PDD Secretariat (including the Pacific Region Policy Adviser) and IOM through the IOM Program Lead for the Pacific Climate Mobility Partnerships Programme. 

From Geneva, UNOPS facilitates the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), working with governments, other United Nations (UN) agencies and partners by providing quality servces, integrated solutions and management support through strategic, cost-effective and results-oriented approches. 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.

The Platform on Disaster Displacement (PDD) which is hosted by UNOPS was established in July 2016 as a State-led initiative to follow-up on the work of the Nansen Initiative and to support States and other stakeholders in implementing the recommendations of the Nansen Initiative Agenda for the Protection of Cross-Border Displaced Persons in the Context of Disasters and Climate Change (Protection Agenda), endorsed by 109 States in October 2015.

The Nansen Initiative started its work in the Pacific in 2013, and many of the recommendations from the Nansen Initiative Pacific Regional Consultation held in May 2013 in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, were included in the Nansen Initiative Protection Agenda, including promotion of regional dialogues and approaches on displacement, migration and planned relocation in disaster and climate change contexts, and development of appropriate normative and policy frameworks to address the protection needs of displaced or relocated populations at the regional and national level. 

From 2019-2023, the PDD and its Secretariat, the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) implemented the Pacific Response to Disaster Displacement project (PRDD). The project aimed to support regional and national efforts to reduce the risk and impact of disaster displacement on persons at risk of being displaced in developing small islands States in the Pacific.

Since 2019, the PDD worked with partners under the overall leadership of IOM as a technical partner in the Pacific Climate Change Migration and Human Security (PCCMHS) Programme, phases I and II, to support Pacific Island Forum Member States to develop a Pacific Regional Framework on Climate Mobility (PRFCM) and corresponding Implementation Plan, the latter being officially endorsed by the Forum Officials Committee (FOC) in August 2025. 

Going forward and acting as an implementing partner in the Pacific Climate Mobility Partnerships Programme 2026-2029 which marks the third phase of the PCCMHS, the PDD Secretariat will engage in and support in all five core areas of action under the PRFCM (Staying in place; Planned relocations; Migration; Displacement; and Stranded migrants) and the five Priority Actions for 2025–2030 of the Implementation Plan:

1. Support Forum member countries with comprehensive risk and vulnerability assessments.

2. Establish a Climate Mobility Action Hub (CMAH).

3. Facilitate peer-to-peer exchange on planned relocation. 

4. Establish appropriate regional governance and coordination mechanism to support rights based, inclusive and culturally appropriate actions. 

5. Financing for national climate mobility action.

A responsibility for the PDD and its Secretariat as implementing partner of the Pacific Climate Mobility Partnerships Programme will be to support activities under Priority Action 3 (Facilitate peer-to-peer exchange on planned relocation) and activities leading to output 1.4 in the Programme: Pacific Island countries actively engage in a Climate Mobility Dialogue, and collaborate on peer-to-peer exchange, particularly for planned relocation. 

A specific responsibility of the the PDD Pacific Region Policy Adviser will be to support the PDD Secretariat in delivering on activities that it is leading as part of the Pacific Climate Mobility Partnerships Programme 2026-2029 and serve as the PDD focal point on disaster displacement for governments and other stakeholders in the Pacific region, including the Government of Fiji. The PDD Pacific Region Policy Adviser will be based in Suva, Fiji and will report to the Head of the PDD Secretariat based in Geneva, Switzerland. Close coordination, meetings and reporting are expected to be maintained between the PDD Secretariat (including the Pacific Region Policy Adviser) and IOM through the IOM Program Lead for the Pacific Climate Mobility Partnerships Programme.

Under the supervision of the Head of the Secretariat of PDD and  in close coordination with IOM, the Pacific Region Policy Adviser will provide strategic technical guidance and facilitate the implementation of the Pacific Climate Mobility Partnerships Programme (Programme) and implementation of relevant regional policy frameworks such as the Pacific Regional Framework on Climate Mobility (PRFCM) and its Implementation Plan. The priority of the Policy Adviser will be to lead the  technical delivery of Output 1.4 in the program: Pacific Island countries actively engage in a Climate Mobility Dialogue, and collaborate on peer-to-peer exchange, particularly for planned relocation, and support the delivery of the following activities under Output 1.4. 

Working under the guidance of the PDD Secretariat and in collaboration with IOM, the Pacific Regional Policy Adviser delivers high-level technical expertise and implementation support for the Pacific Climate Mobility Partnerships Programme.

Key Impact Areas:

• Policy Alignment: Translates the Pacific Regional Framework on Climate Mobility (PRFCM) into actionable regional support.

• Strategic Facilitation: Leads Output 1.4 by driving Climate Mobility Dialogues and peer exchange around planned relocation across Pacific Island countries.

Required

• An advanced degree (e.g. Master) preferably in International Development, Environment Studies, International Law, International Relations or Political Science or related fields from an accredited academic institution is required.

• A first-level university degree (e.g. Bachelor) in the above fields with two additional years of relevant professional work experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.

  
  

Required

• At least 7 years of progressively relevant professional experience in government, diplomatic or international civil service, with significant work experience in the area of migration, displacement, climate change and humanitarian affairs is required.

• Experience in working with Pacific countries is required.

• Demonstrated experience developing a diverse range of communications products, including knowledge products, donor visibility materials and programme documentation is required

  
  

Desired

• Knowledge of, and experience with, the Nansen Initiative process and the PDD work is a strong advantage.

• Experience working on planned relocation processes both in practice and at policy level is desired.

• Experience in the areas of policy development, negotiations in a multilateral setting is desirable.

• Experience in organising and supporting international conferences, policy dialogues, workshops and consultations is desirable.

  
  

• 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.