Programme Support and Operations Manager, Santiago network

Organizational Context/Background Information

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  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.  With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it.  By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

The Santiago network for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage

The Santiago network was established in December 2019 at COP25, as part of the Warsaw International Mechanism, for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, to catalyze the technical assistance of relevant organizations, bodies, networks and experts, for the implementation of relevant approaches at the local, national and regional level, in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.(decision 2/CMA.2, para 43, noted by 2/CP.25) 

The Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Convention and the Paris Agreement subsequently decided on the functions of the Santiago network at COP26 and on the institutional arrangements to enable its full operationalization. Parties agreed the structure would comprise:

• A hosted secretariat that will facilitate its work, to be known as the Santiago network secretariat;

• An Advisory Board, to provide guidance and oversight to the Santiago network secretariat on the effective implementation of the functions of the network; and

• A network of organizations, bodies, networks and experts (OBNEs) covering a wide range of topics relevant to averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage. 

At COP28 in 2023, Parties selected the consortium of UNOPS and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) as co-hosts of the Santiago network secretariat for an initial term of five years, with five-year renewal periods. 

Organizational structure of the secretariat 

The Santiago network secretariat, co-hosted by UNOPS and UNDRR, is responsible for facilitating the implementation of the functions of the network and managing its day-to-day operations in accordance with decision 12/CMA.4. 

While UNOPS will provide the necessary administrative and infrastructural support for the effective functioning of the secretariat, UNDRR will provide the secretariat with technical backstopping and expertise in the domain of averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage consistent with the guidelines for preventing potential and addressing actual and perceived conflicts of interest in relation to the Santiago network. Accordingly, UNDRR will annually submit a review of the management of technical issues within the Secretariat to the Advisory Board for consideration.

Relevant decisions on the Santiago network can be consulted here.

Role of the Programme Support and Operations Manager

The position of the Programme Support and Operations Manager is located in Geneva, Switzerland. 

The Programme Support and Operations Manager manages the overall operations and administration of the Santiago network secretariat and its activities. Reporting to the Santiago network Director, the duties of the incumbent encompass contributing to strategy development and implementation from an operational perspective, operations management, donor relations and partnerships building, and grant management. Additionally, The Programme Support and Operations Manager maintains daily working relations with UNOPS, ensuring co-hosting terms and standard operating procedures are upheld, and collaborate closely with the relevant UNOPS teams on the management of the Santiago network operations.

1. Programme and Financial Management Support
2. Operational leadership and advisory

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant field preferably in finance, business management, project management, public administration or other relevant related field is required.
• A Bachelor's degree with a combination of two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the master's degree.

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional management experience is required. 
• From overall seven (7) years of experience, a minimum of five (5) years of experience in project/programme management support and/or project/programme operations management is required.
• From overall seven (7) years of experience, a minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in financial management and/or grant support is required. 
• From overall seven (7) years of experience, a minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in working with developing countries is required.
• Experience of working effectively within UN/UNOPS regulations, rules and policies is highly desired.
• Experience in the areas of climate change adaptation and/or disaster risk reduction is desired.

• Fluency in oral and written English is required. 
• Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

• 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.