UNTIL Programme Management Officer

In adapting to the growing complexity of the 21stcentury, the United Nations need to respond dynamically to ensure it remains instrumental in support of the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and targets for the 2030 agenda. Technological innovation and the role of partnerships across sectors have become increasingly important to accelerate progress in resolving the problems that humanity face.

In close partnership with the Government of Finland, the UN is working on the establishment and operationalization of the United Nations Technology Innovation Lab (UNTIL) in Espoo, Finland.

The key area of priority focus of the UNTIL Finland Lab will be establishing partnerships with UN Funds and Programmes and Government, NGOs and private sector actors around the leveraging of technology in the areas of Education, Health, Circular Economy and Peace and Mediation.

This position is located in the United Nations Technology Innovation Labs (UNTIL) Finland under the Global Services Division (GSD) of the Office of Information and Communication Technology. The Programme management officer reports to the Chief of the UNTIL programme. The incumbent will be responsible to act as the focal point for the establishment and operationalization of the UN lab in Espoo.

Within delegated authority, the programme management officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Oversees the design and operationalization of UNTIL Finland objectives; manages/oversees multiple, concurrent and often disparate tasks for projects that involve cutting-edge innovative applications.

• Reviews project plans, schedules, and budgets on the UNTIL programmes. Identifies appropriate human and technical resources to complete the project. Evaluates project risk factors, escalating project issues, and develops solutions to projects issues.

• Conducts activities around setting up the lab and preparing project briefs and other programme documentation around programme initiation.

• Submits regular reports on the initiation activities of UNTIL Finland to OICT.

• Works on new partnerships and enhances existing partnerships between UNTIL and other stakeholders to strengthen effectiveness and efficiency of the programme deliverables.

• Oversees UNTIL’s communication strategy. Prepares, updates and develops communication material.

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in computer science, information systems, partnership management, international business administration, innovation management or related field.
• A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree

• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in planning, design, development, implementation and maintenance of computer information systems is required. 
• Experience in running partnership programmes with Member States is desirable. 
• Experience at international level is desirable.  
• Experience managing medium to large size heterogeneous engineering teams is also desirable.

• English, and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required; Knowledge of another official UN language is an advantage.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• 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
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS provides its partners with advisory, implementation and transactional services, with projects ranging from building schools and hospitals, to procuring goods and services and training local personnel. UNOPS works closely with governments and communities to ensure increased economic, social and environmental sustainability for the projects we support, with a focus on developing national capacity.

UNOPS vision is a world where people can live full lives supported by appropriate, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, and by the efficient and transparent use of public resources in procurement and project management.

With over 8,000 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.

Based in Geneva, the Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR) supports UNOPS offices throughout the region through: management, financial and programmatic oversight of global and country-specific portfolios, clusters and operations centres, including hosting services; fund and management advisory services; project implementation; procuring goods and services; and managing human resources.

ECR ensures that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between business units and projects across the entire region.

 ECR strategy is to:

• Strengthen UNOPS role in operationalizing the Sustainable Development Goals with particular emphasis on health, environment and economic development.
• Position UNOPS in the Balkan sub-region, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
• Strengthen the implementation of ECR global and regional programmes, with revitalized partnerships in infrastructure, procurement and project management.

ECR operates global portfolios from offices in Geneva, Brussels and New York, and country-specific programmes from its operations and project centres located in Eastern Europe and Central Asian countries.

Based in the New York, the UNOPS Development Group Cluster supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. For example, within the United Nations Development Programme, the Cluster works with the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support and the Office of South-South Cooperation.

The cluster also supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as a broadening community of other New York-based United Nations organizations in the delivery of project management and implementation services