Intergovernmental Affairs Specialist

Background Information – UNOPS 

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development. 

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

Working with us 

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines. 

Diversity 

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates. 

Work life harmonization 

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

Role of the New York Board and External Relations Office 

The New York Intergovernmental Affairs and External Relations Office is responsible for fulfilling UNOPS intergovernmental affairs and external relations functions on behalf of UNOPS. The team manages the arrangements for (a) The UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board governance over UNOPS; (b) The Organization's relationship with components of the UN system entities, including the UN Secretariat, (c) Its interaction with UN Member States and positioning of UNOPS in legislative and other instruments and documents. 

The Office positions UNOPS and its Executive Director with a view to increase or enhance UNOPS’ influence and organisational outreach through various strategic events, initiatives and dialogues. The Office also supports the organization on UN system-side issues and reforms, such as the UN development system reform. The Office further supports liaising with Member States and agencies headquartered in multilateral capitals, as needed, on host country agreements and the accreditation of UNOPS representatives, as well as representing the organization in UN Inter-Agency Working Groups. In close proximity to a number of UN entity headquarters, the Office is also responsible for interaction with the UN Funds and Programmes such as UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF and UN-Women. 

1. Executive Board Governance related Functions 

• Manage the work with the Executive Board, including assisting with organizing Board sessions, preparing and ensuring submission of documents, and acting as a focal point for Board members regarding decisions, negotiations, informals, and executive board briefings. 

• Coordinate UNOPS interaction with Executive Board Member and Observer States, and with other agencies sharing the Executive Board, including through preparing informal consultations and formal sessions of the Executive Board. 

• Attend meetings on behalf of UNOPS, compile materials, and prepare statements and papers, as requested. 

• Manage analysis, mapping and participate in client meetings relating to opportunities with partners in New York such as UN, Governments, foundations, NGOs, academia, think tanks and private sector. 

• Provide guidance to UNOPS Directors in developing the reports, policies and programmes for information and decision-making by the Executive Board.

• Manage the intergovernmental Affairs analyst in the conduct of tasks in relation to supporting UNOPS’ work in connection with the Executive Board sessions.

• A Master’s degree in international affairs, law, political science, communication, economics, business administration or related fields, or 
• Bachelor’s +2 additional years of experience in the same fields

• PRINCE2® Foundation and Prince2® Practitioner an asset.

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience, particularly in intergovernmental affairs, Board secretary roles, engagement in events/initiatives, communications, or coordination roles is required.

• Full working knowledge of English is essential with excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language, particularly French, or Spanish is an asset. 

• 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.