Knowledge Management Senior Analyst (Policy Analyst)

UNOPS strategic focus places increased emphasis on national capacity development and sustainable approaches to project management, procurement and infrastructure services. A key objective is to be recognized as an organization that delivers world-class infrastructure and project management, which is both economically and socially sustainable, even in the most challenging environments. To achieve this goal, UNOPS has established the Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG). 

Within UNOPS, it is IPMG’s objective to serve the organization’s personnel and partners by broadening their infrastructure and project management capabilities, while disseminating best practices in both of these areas. Through this work, the group helps facilitate the successful delivery of programs and projects around the world.

To achieve its objectives, IPMG has established six interrelated and interdependent technical streams, namely, Strategic Initiatives, Standards, Engagement Assurance, Gender Equality and Inclusion (GESI), Grant Support and Transformation, that are supported by the Portfolio Support team.

The Strategic Initiatives (SI) team works to develop methodologies and tools to improve development outcomes as well as assist in the positioning of UNOPS at the highest levels in related fields, including various global agenda focus areas, such as resilience and sustainability.

In addition, SI hosts the Secretariat for UNOPS Mission Hubs. The Mission Hubs are thematic hubs, intended to drive cross-regional engagement, peer learning, and promote knowledge management at all levels in order to reinforce UNOPS capacity to implement the Strategic Plan 2022-2025 and contribute to the 2030 Agenda and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Background information - Job specific

Under the overall management of the Head of Strategic Initiatives and direct supervision by the Knowledge Management Specialist in IPMG, the Policy Analyst (Mission Hubs) will be responsible for conducting research and policy analysis to support substantive objectives in the Mission Hubs. Mission Hub thematic areas include climate, energy, small island developing states (SIDS), healthcare, digital transformation, social protection and equality, and humanitarian development work. 

The successful candidate will have strong research and communication skills. They must be client/service-oriented as well as structured, organized and detail-oriented. In addition, the incumbent is expected to have a strong interest across all SDGs and the UN system as well as a willingness to learn all relevant online tools and systems that are used by the Mission Hubs and IPMG.

Functional responsibilities 

The incumbent will be responsible for the following: 

Research and analysis

• Conduct research across all Mission Hub thematic areas. Research will focus on relevant developments across UN agencies as well as in academia, think tanks, etc.

• Analyze reports, policies, etc. with an eye for new findings relate to UNOPS service lines and Mission Hub thematic areas.

• Identify relevant external experts and organizations that can support development of UNOPS capacity in Mission Hub thematic areas.

• Identify high-level events that are relevant for UNOPS participation (attendance, submission of papers/reports, presentations, etc.) in alignment with Mission Hub thematic areas.

• Analyze strategic foresight reports with an eye for how future global and/or regional changes will impact UNOPS delivery capacity, in alignment with Mission Hub thematic areas.

• Support Mission Hubs by responding to specific research requests as needed.

Knowledge building and knowledge sharing 

• Develop internal content (including but not limited to blog posts, fact sheets, and report contributions) that share key analysis and insights from research.

• Support Mission Hubs by sharing analysis and insights through reports and/or presentations.

• Support Mission Hubs by collaborating with technical experts to identify how external research findings and best practice can be applied in the UNOPS context to improve project and programme delivery.

•  Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice by synthesizing analysis and insights from research.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Responsible for meeting and setting goals, targets and performance standards; reporting on own progress against the Mission Hub work plans.

• Responsible for supporting the timely delivery of products and work packages..

• Ongoing assessment of task completion, which meets quality expectations.

• Regular monitoring and reporting on Mission Hub research activities.

Education/Experience/Language Requirements

Education 

• An Advanced University Degree or a Master's Degree in any field related to international development is required; relevant fields may include public health, public policy, international affairs, conflict studies, and social science

• An Advanced University Degree or a Master's Degree may be accepted if combined with a relevant Certification or relevant applied research experience in any field related to the Hub thematic areas; 

• A first-level University degree or Bachelor's or equivalent in a related field of study with 2 additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of Master's Degree requirement.

Work Experience 

Required:

• A minimum of 2 years of experience in applied research is required; 

• Strong English communication skills (including writing reports and presenting) are required;

• Knowledge of Google Workspace, including Google Sheets, Docs, and Slides, is required.

Asset:

• Experience in the UN system is considered an asset;

• Experience in a developing country is an asset;

• Experience working with a variety of institutions, including UN, government/public institutions, private sector, and or research/academia, is an asset.

Languages 

• Fluency in English required. 

• Fluency in French and/or Spanish is highly desired. 

• 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 

• 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.