Senior Programme Manager - retainer

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.

New York Service Cluster (NYSC) 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

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 implements the Global Center for Climate Mobility, a global hub advancing the implementation of regional climate mobility initiatives.

The Global Centre for Climate Mobility (GCCM)

The GCCM is a global hub advancing the implementation of regional climate mobility initiatives, including the Africa Climate Mobility Initiative, the Caribbean Climate Mobility Initiative and the Rising Nations Initiative. The GCCM works closely with all relevant actors to support relevant regions in addressing climate-forced displacement and migration while harnessing climate mobility to advance its development agenda and political & economic integration. The GCCM’s people-centered & evidence-based approach aims to generate political momentum, a common policy agenda, and resources to advance comprehensive and locally anchored solutions for climate mobility. The GCCM will lead efforts in 3 regions Africa, the Greater Caribbean and the Pacific with the aim to:

Build Knowledge

• Develop pioneering Mobility Model projecting climate displacement and migration as far as 2050 through cutting-edge modeling and field research, both validated through comprehensive Consultations with regional and global experts & policymakers.
• Establish a Standing Modeling & Research Capacity in collaboration with regional academic institutions and centers of excellence to support local data ownership, evidence-based policymaking and an regional policy ecosystem on climate mobility. 
• Build a Digital Platform providing access to GCCM’s data, research and analysis, including visuals and interactive tools to advance public awareness-raising and education as well as evidence-based decision-making, planning and programme design.  

• Build a common Agenda for Action that distills knowledge into clear policy priorities for the next decade and milestones for action at various levels of governance. 
• Mobilize international partners and relevant stakeholders around the Agenda for Action.

• Establish an Africa-wide Community of Practice that networks change agents to further the goals of the ACMI and advance the implementation of the Agenda for Action.  
• Build Cities, Knowledge, and Partnerships Forums into the Community of Practice to enable the implementation and scaling of innovative local solutions.
• Establish dedicated Youth and Women Forums to inform the GCCM’s work in the respective regions and drive common advocacy and action as integral parts of the Community of Practice.

• Promote strategic partnerships by establishing an Accelerator for Action that pools resources for implementing the Agenda for Action, addressing the risks and harnessing the opportunities that climate mobility presents for the respective regions. 

This position is home based and may require international travel. The incumbent of this position will be a personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

Under the supervisor of the Head of Cluster, the position supports the work of the Caribbean Climate Mobility Initiative (CCMI) and will be responsible for the following:

Programme implementation and monitoring:

• Establish and execute implementation plans of the CCMI in collaboration with the team and relevant partners, including the development of the CCMI concept design, objectives, performance measurements, and  standards
• Monitor and supervise the timely and cost-effective implementation of the programme according to UNOPS goals and partner expectations, agreed quality standards, approved budget and full cost recovery, and in line with signed Legal Agreements
• Lead the strategic growth of the CCMI and its contribution to regional and global efforts, advising on opportunities for synergy and sharing of good practices;

Programme development and planning:

• Provide strategic advice on CCMI’s engagements on climate-forced migration & displacement;
• Draft speeches, remarks and briefing notes in connection to CCMI events and official meetings;
• Organize strategic events supporting the work of the CCMI in multilateral fora (i.e. COP28).
• Head the development and execution of analytical and research work for the CCMI’s climate mobility initiatives;
• Manage and oversee the preparation of programme documents (including business cases/strategies, policy briefs, programme plans, and risk assessments).

Stakeholder Management:

• Coordinate partnership efforts and stakeholders engagements through active networking, advocacy, and effective communication
• Lead communication and outreach efforts, including but not limited to, UN partners, donors, civil society and implementing partners

Resource Mobilization:

• Lead on resource mobilization to ensure viability of the CCMI and the larger GCCM portfolio
• Identify opportunities and execute actions to improve operational efficiency
• Ensure smooth communications among the staff members within the team, facilitating the inclusion of team inputs in written materials and speeches and ensuring close team collaboration

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in political science, business management, economics, environmental management or related fields is required. 
• A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;

• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible work experience in political advocacy, multilateral diplomacy, intergovernmental affairs, and policy is required.
• Practical professional experience in conducting in-depth research and analysis is required
  
  

• Work experience in climate action, migration, humanitarian affairs, development, international law or related field is desirable.
• An understanding of the Global Compact for Migration, the Secretary-General’s Our Common Agenda report, Agenda 2063, AU’s 2018 protocol on the free movement of persons, as well as relevant policy and guidance developed at the United Nations the AU, in Central and Latin America as well as the Pacific will be an asset;
• Experience in conducting interviews with practitioners for the purpose of research and analysis is desirable; 
• Previous experience in project management as well as organizing and presenting at briefings and conferences on relevant topics is desirable.

• Fluency in oral and written English and French are required. 
• Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an asset.

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement  - ICA retainer modality. A retainer contract is issued for a period of time during which the services of the individual contractor are required intermittently. The individual contractor agreement on retainer basis will specify a “unit price” per day worked. For budgetary purposes, a monetary cap will be determined when the contract is awarded and issued. Please note that the retainer contract will not provide for a minimum, and payment will be made only after completion of work

Contract level: IICA-4/ICSC-12
Contract duration: 12 months - retainer

• 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.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and it is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or disability.
  
• 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
• 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 (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, 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 recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management, and human resources.

Working with us

We are proud of our people. With a wealth of knowledge and skills in various disciplines – engineering, finance, human resources, ICT, leadership, project management, procurement, and more – they help tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time. Their work around the world supports progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At UNOPS, we offer a range of short- and long-term opportunities in various environments and duty stations – from Denmark and Kenya to Mexico, Switzerland, Myanmar, Senegal, Uganda, and many more.

Diversity

With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners, spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced and diverse labor force — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We continually strive to maintain our gender-balanced workplace. We encourage qualified underrepresented groups as per UNOPS Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy to apply for our vacancies.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Background Information - Sustainable Development Cluster 

Based in New York, the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations.

The SDC’s services include grants management, development and special initiatives support, and technology support to the UN and UN agencies.

The SDC is part of the New York Service Cluster that supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as a broadening community of 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.