Change and Transformation Advisor (Retainer), Multiple positions

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 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 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

The Strategy and Transformation Group

The Strategy and Transformation Group (STG) was established in 2024 and reports to the UNOPS Chief of Staff. STG's role is to formulate corporate strategy based on beneficiary, partner and organizational needs and internal capabilities, and supporting the design and implementation of transformation initiatives and other organizational changes in alignment with that strategy. 

Role of the Change and Transformation

Located in the UNOPS HQ in Copenhagen, the Change and Transformation team is part of the STG. UNOPS has committed to a series of strategic and administrative reforms, including a reset of the organizational strategy. The role of our unit is to work globally to enable the strategic transformation and organizational changes within UNOPS. 

Our work can involve internal consulting for solution design, change enablement as well as transformation office management.

We are a small team of experienced organization development, change and transformation professionals, who can manage initiatives and change at all levels. Our team brings experience, energy and partnership to a full range of change management and transformation services including: organization design, organizational development, solution design facilitation, transformation management, as well as facilitation of behavioral change towards new ways of working. 

Role of the Consultants

We are seeking consultants to become part of the roster. Consultants will work under the guidance of STG Lead and support us on a range of projects, producing deliverables and leading on discrete work packages, with the particular focus on consulting, project management, analysis, solution design, organization design, strategy development, strategic communication and  change management.

Under this contract type, the assignments will vary in scope and duration - ranging from short term assignments of a few hours at a time to longer blocks of time (e.g. several months full time, up to a year). Work may also vary with regards to the time zone / location. Whilst most assignments can be delivered working from home, some may require presence in Copenhagen and/or international travel on occasion. Whilst the consultants can be based in different time-zones, they should be able and willing to ensure a degree of time overlap with the team based in our HQ in Copenhagen and/or our internal clients based globally.

The remuneration will vary depending on the assignment and consultant’s location and will range from hour/day rate, though lump sum for specific deliverables, to a set monthly fee. 

Summary of Key Functions:

Depending on the nature of the assignment, the role can encompass a combination of the following functions, with varying emphasis on some more than others.

1. Consulting: Providing expert advice and guidance on complex business issues across departments.

2. Project Management: Leading and managing projects from initiation to completion, ensuring deliverables are met on time and within budget.

3. Analysis: Conducting in-depth analysis of data, processes, and systems to identify opportunities for improvement.

4. Solution Design: Developing and implementing creative solutions to address identified business needs.

5. Organization Design: Assisting with the design and optimization of organizational structures and workflows.

6. Strategy Development: Participating in the development and refinement of departmental and organizational strategies.

7. Strategic Communication: Effectively communicating strategic plans and initiatives through clear, concise and targeted documentation.

8. Change Management: Developing and implementing strategies and plans to manage the people side of organizational change initiatives effectively.

• An Advanced University degree (Master's or equivalent) preferably in  Business Administration or relevant field is required;
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) preferably in Business Administration or relevant field in combination with 2 additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree
• Relevant certification related to the functional areas such as PRINCE 2, Agile, PROSCI Change etc. is a distinct advantage.

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement - ICA
Contract level: International ICA3- ICS11
Contract duration: 1 year, renewable subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

• 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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. 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.