Programme Manager

* FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY*


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 is a Participating UN Organization under the MOU for the UN Global Pulse multi-donor trust fund administered by the UNDP Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office and recipient of project funding for activities in support of UN 2.0 priorities. UN Global Pulse is the Secretary-General’s Innovation Lab, with a focus on: i) Supporting efforts to advance innovations across the UN family ii) Contributing to the development of global frameworks, and iii) Supporting the transformation of the UN family. 

The incumbent of this position will be a staff member of UNOPS, under its full responsibility. 

The role of the Programme Manager focuses on alignment of the UN Global Pulse Network projects and activities with the priorities of the ‘UN 2.0’ vision outlined in the Secretary-General’s report ‘Our Common Agenda’ and other leadership priorities. As part of the alignment function, the Programme Manager serves in the Technical Secretariat of the UN Global Pulse Network Multi-Partner Trust Fund, providing essential support to the fund’s governance, reporting, and resources processes as defined in the Terms of Reference of the Fund.

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Portfolio Manager, UN Technology Support Services, and in close coordination with the UN 2.0 Programme Lead of the project partner, the UN Executive Office of the Secretary-General, the incumbent will execute the following duties:

1. UN Global Pulse strategic planning and thought leadership

2. UN Global Pulse leadership alignment

3. Technical Secretariat for the UN Global Pulse fund

4. Project and team coordination.

1.     UN Global Pulse Strategic Planning and Thought Leadership

• Coordinate and develop innovative strategic products for the implementation of the UN 2.0 vision, including relevant analyses, testing, and validation of assumptions, e.g. as part of action plans, roadmaps, and starter kits

• Ensure alignment of strategic products with multiple stakeholders across the UN system to validate assumptions and strengthening adoption of UN 2.0

• Proactively identify opportunities for catalytic implementation projects in support of the UN 2.0 vision, including e.g. campaigns, fellowships, or awards

• Liaise with UN 2.0 focal points and UN 2.0 communities of practice across the UN System to support UN 2.0 implementation progress and gather support for joint action across entities

2.     UN Global Pulse leadership alignment

• Serve as liaison between the Operational Steering Committee chair and the UN Global Pulse leadership team, ensuring appropriate flow of information, ongoing strategic alignment, and joint direction

• Prepare, facilitate, and continuously improve team coordination formats, including leadership team meetings, project update meetings, and monthly all-hands Town Hall meetings for the Global Pulse network

• Prepare and facilitate annual Global Pulse leadership team retreat including retrospective, visioning, and alignment on joint priorities

• Increase the visibility of Global Pulse results and offers among UN system senior leaders, especially among participating entities of the UN Global Pulse Network fund

• Actively contribute to partnership coordination and resource mobilization for the network

3.     Technical Secretariat for the UN Global Pulse fund

• Serve as Technical Secretariat focal point for the UN Global Pulse Network fund, ensuring delivery of secretariat functions as defined in the UN Global Pulse Network Terms of Reference

• Support the preparation of all UN Global Pulse governance mechanisms, including the operational steering committee and innovation advisory group

• Coordinate with all UN Global Pulse project teams for the timely delivery of project reports, in close alignment with the UN Global Pulse MEL team

4.     Project and team management

• Work closely with the leadership team and with counterparts at Regional Office to secure sufficient and relevant staffing for the network alignment project team to best deliver on planned activities.

• Supervise team members and support them in advancing their career development.

• Ensure regular team communication and joint activities are in place to foster a positive team spirit and relationships to Global Pulse and UN 2.0 teams. 

• Liaise and manage relationships with relevant senior experts and consultants to ensure delivery of set objectives to achieve the office and network priorities in the area of innovation capability and scaling.

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) preferably in Economics, Sociology,  Political Science or related fields is required.
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in combination with 2 additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. 

Required Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of work experience in strategic advisory and/or programme/portfolio management.
• A minimum of 2 years of work experience in the private sector.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience in international organizations.
•  A minimum of 2 years of experience working in support of initiatives in innovation, data, digital, foresight and/or  behavioural science skills and culture.

• 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.

• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.

• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types.

• 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.

• This position will be based in New York, USA which is a family duty station.

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.