Director, Multi Country Office (UN Global Pulse Head of Finland/Europe Office)

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.

The 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 the UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.

The 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), and the 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.  SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the United Nations to implement the project activities for UN Global Pulse.

UN Global Pulse

UN Global Pulse (UNGP) is an initiative of the Executive Office of Secretary-General (EOSG) founded in 2009.  UNGP works in support of the Secretary-General’s priorities, in advancement of the UN Charter.  It serves as a cross-pillar lead and hub for experimentation and digital innovation with globally distributed Network in the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia.

UNGP works with digital innovation, strategic foresight, real-time data and artificial intelligence to further sustainable development, humanitarian and peace outcomes.  UNGP’s vision is ‘A world in which responsible and inclusive digital innovation serves to empower people and protect the planet’.  UNGP’s mission is to work at the intersection of digital innovation and science to inform, inspire and support the entire UN and those it serves, and to anticipate and respond to the challenges of today and tomorrow. 

The goals of the UNGP Network are: i) to generate knowledge, capabilities and approaches that support the transformation of the United Nations into a more agile and resilient ‘next-generation’ institution; ii) to create and accelerate the development of globally accessible approaches which help communities and partners anticipate and address emerging global challenges; and iii) to advocate for the global transformation of policies, practices and culture required to maximize the impact of digital innovation, minimize its risk of harm, and ensure pathways to scale and sustainability. 

The incumbent of this position will be personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility. 

To achieve its goals, UNGP is recruiting a Head of Europe office based in Helsinki, Finland.  The role contributes to i) UNGP’s leadership team; ii) the management of the regional office; iii) UNGP representation in Finland and the region; iv) UNGP/UN coordination, security focal point and staff welfare. 

UNGP launched a new strategy and operating model in 2022.  In addition to driving the UN Secretary General’s innovation agenda, UNGP plays a key role in supporting the implementation of Our Common Agenda and transforming the UN in to ‘UN 2.0’ - an organization better placed to tackle the complex challenges of the 21st Century.  The Head of Europe office will play a key leadership role in implementing the strategy and operating model, supporting the commitments of Our Common Agenda, and modelling UNGP as ‘UN 2.0’.

The incumbent will be a role model for, and drive culture / behaviour change which reflects both an agile and responsive innovation office, as well as the aspirations of ‘UN 2.0’: a transformed UN which is better equipped to tackle the challenges of the 21st Century.  Regional heads of office are ‘Ambassadors for Change’, promoting a culture of innovation and transformation. 

The role requires experience in managing innovation and digital development/transformation; strong organizational and people management skills; solid UN experience and a very good understanding of the UN’s role and mandates.  It requires regular interaction with UN headquarters staff, country/regional directors of UN agencies, and with UN Resident Coordinators/UN Country Teams.

The ability to build, maintain and improve relationships and partnerships is critical to this role.  At the national, regional and global levels, the role will support expanding and strengthening UNGP’s shared value partnerships with UN agencies, Member States, academia/think tanks, NGOs/CSOs and the private sector. 

The Head of Europe office will promote the continuous improvement of: 

• The role and function of the team and office;

• The way in which teams collaborate across the network; 

• Cross team, border and regional sharing of knowledge; and

• The capacity and skills of the UNGP network to function as the UNSG’s cross pillar hub for experimentation and digital transformation.

The ideal candidate will be driven by values, be people-centred, and seek to improve UN processes in order to drive greater and faster impact.  The ideal candidate is able to orientate individuals, teams and a network in a way that accelerates UNGP in achieving a UN family that shapes responsible and inclusive digital innovation to serve people, advances their sustainable development, and protects the planet.  The Head of Europe office will play a pivotal role in UNGP’s transformation to a more performance, results and impact-driven organization.  

The role is based in Helsinki, Finland.  Occasional travel and field missions will be required.

The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Deputy Director and execute the following duties:

• Leadership Team / Strategic Direction

• Management & Coordination

• Representation

• Security, Welfare & Wellbeing

Leadership Team / Strategic Direction

• Provide leadership and strategic direction to staff, office and partners.  

• Participate and contribute to UNGP’s Leadership Team seeking to continuously improve UNGP Leadership as a service to the UNGP Network.

• Act as the focal point with UNOPS NYSC on all UNGP implementation matters.

• Provide guidance, expertise and experience to programmatic, capability and operational teams/staff to further the implementation of the UNGP ToR and Strategy, while maintaining continuous improvement in support of organizational excellence and world-class performance. 

• Keep UNGP leadership informed/advised on opportunities, challenges and risks. Regularly identify, update and report on operational risks associated with delivery to senior UNGP management.

• Act as lead secretariat role for office/region to facilitate UNGP governance boards/committees.

Representation

• Act as the UNGP focal point for donors in the region. Maintain, promote and evolve UNGP’s donor partnerships.  Ensure donors and partners in the region are regularly updated on UNGP activities, results and impact.

• Utilize UNGP results and impact to influence the decisions, behaviours and outcomes of UNGP partners including policies and frameworks for innovation and digital development. 

• Where applicable, represent UNGP in the UN Country Team (UNCT) / UN Coordination Group. Contribute, collaborate and influence UN programming and advocacy, promoting joint UN initiatives as far as possible. 

• Maintain regular contact with relevant UN Resident Coordinators, keeping the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office up to date on UNGP activities, results and outcomes. Contribute to and report progress on the implementation of UNSDCF where applicable.

• Regularly assess and report to UNGP leadership on the needs of collaborating member states and other partners, particularly on developments which may impact on the mission and reputation of UNGP / the wider UN. 

• Working with the Partnerships Specialist, build and strengthen strategic partnerships in the geographical area through active networking, advocacy and effective communication of UNGP’s work and results. 

• Report directly to the UNGP Director when necessary in matters relating to inter alia representation, donor liaison, UN coordination and partnerships.

• Represent UNGP in external meetings and forums, promoting UNGP and the UN where possible.  Represent UNGP in inter-agency meetings as required. 

• Carry out other representational duties as required.

Management & Coordination

• An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) is required.

• A first level university degree (Bachelor's degree) with an additional two years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
  
  

• 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.
• 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.  

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 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
peace and 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 our partners, spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a range of
nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced and diverse labour force — a
strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We
continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that
encourage the recruitment of qualified female candidates.

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.