Project Management Support - Specialist

UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations. 

The New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management. 

The Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) It provides Services to partners' programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York.  The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the UN Digital Cooperation Multi-Partner Trust Fund  (Administered by UNDP MPTFO) to implement the project activities for the Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Technology.

The Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Tech Envoy (OSET) is dedicated to advancing the United Nations' digital cooperation agenda, ensuring that technological advancements benefit all of humanity while mitigating associated risks. The office serves as a bridge between the UN system, member states, the tech community, and other stakeholders, promoting partnerships and harnessing technology for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Secretary-General's report "Our Common Agenda" issued in September 2021 prioritizes the digital space and the need to "protect the online space and strengthen its governance". It also proposes a Global Digital Compact to be developed through a multistakeholder track. OSET leads the implementation of the Secretary-General's vision on digital cooperation by working closely with various UN entities and multi-stakeholder groups, facilitating dialogue to accelerate global digital cooperation, seizing on the opportunities that are presented by technology, while mitigating the risks. The Secretary-General, in his policy brief providing input for the Global Digital Compact, advocated for a unified framework for digital public infrastructure (DPI). Also, the Roadmap for Digital Cooperation illustrates how society-wide digital systems, now termed as digital public infrastructure, bolstered resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic and hold significant potential to enhance socio-economic development. The roadmap underscores the importance of robust human rights and governance structures to bolster trust in technology and ensure inclusivity. To enable the objectives set forth in the Roadmap for Digital Cooperation and the Secretary-General’s Policy brief, OSET and UNDP initiated the "Universal Safeguards for DPI" project. The focus of this role is to support the implementation of the DPI Initiative workstreams. 

The incumbent of this position will be personnel of UNOPS, under its full responsibility.

The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:


Project Planning & Execution: Coordinate the co-design of objectives, scope, and strategies with UNDP. Monitor progress, allocate resources, and ensure timely completion while adhering to quality standards

• Actively co-design project activities and milestones with UNDP. Ensure inclusivity by integrating inputs from diverse stakeholders, recognizing the pivotal leadership roles of both UNDP and OSET.
• Clearly delineate the project's boundaries to maintain its relevance and feasibility. Harmonize the diverse interests of stakeholders, acknowledging that strategic trade-offs will be inevitable.
• Direct a high-stakes initiative with an ambitious timeline, striving to achieve exceptional outcomes that resonate positively with a wide array of stakeholders.

Team Leadership & Communication: Assemble and guide various project teams, ensuring clear communication with all stakeholders, including team members, UN and non-UN project partners, and senior management.

• Direct teams across diverse workstreams, recognizing the unique reporting structures. Prioritize engagement based on expertise and subject matter, ensuring cohesive collaboration even when direct authority is absent.
• Act as the pivotal conduit, seamlessly connecting project operations with senior management within the UN framework and external entities. Ensure timely and transparent information flow to foster alignment and collaboration.
• Cultivate strong, trust-based relationships with all project partners, both within and outside the UN. Prioritize clear, timely, and effective communication to maintain stakeholder buy-in and collaborative momentum.

Risk Management: Identify potential project risks, develop mitigation strategies, and manage changes effectively to ensure the initiatives completion until the Summit for the Future.

• Assume a leadership role in the initiative's risk management, taking early action on foreseeable challenges. Prioritize transparent communication about these risks with all partners, ensuring they are well-informed and prepared.
• Craft and refine mitigation mechanisms by closely collaborating with all stakeholders, ensuring a united and coherent approach to potential challenges.
• Efficiently and effectively implement the devised strategies, regularly reviewing and adjusting as necessary to navigate the dynamic landscape of the project and ensure successful outcomes.

Fundraising & Partnership management: Contribute to the fundraising from government and civil society organizations, cultivate relationships with all stakeholders in the DPI Ecosystem, ensuring the initiative’s financial sustainability and growth

• Aim to secure a medium six-figure sum for project funding, leveraging proposals and pitches tailored to potential donors and organizations.
• Forge and nurture global partnerships, engaging stakeholders from diverse sectors.
• Channel funds and resources to not only meet immediate project needs but also lay a foundation for the initiative's enduring success and scalability in the future.

Monitoring and Progress Controls: 

• Monitor project activities and regularly update stakeholders on project status
• Implement systematic and periodic checks on all project activities, ensuring alignment with set milestones and objectives.
• Maintain open channels of communication, providing stakeholders with timely, accurate, and comprehensive updates on project progression and any deviations

FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• 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. For more information on a retainer contract 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.