Programme Management Specialist (Diversity)

UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of peacebuilding, 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 Portfolios Office (NYPO) 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.

 The Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with 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 headquartered in New York.  The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the United Nations to implement the activities for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)

United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is a United Nations initiative, launched in 2005 by the United Nations Secretary-General. The status and mandate of UNAOC have been recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in its Resolutions A/RES/64/14 of 10 November 2009 and A/RES/69/312 of 6 July 2015. UNAOC serves as a soft-power political tool of the United Nations Secretary-General for conflict prevention and conflict resolution. It aims to improve understanding and cooperation among nations and peoples across cultures and to reduce polarization at local and global levels. It helps develop more inclusive societies, in which diversity is experienced as an asset.

The UNAOC Plan of Action 2019-2023 defined three strategic priority areas for UNAOC prevention, mediation, preventing and countering violent extremism conducive to terrorism. In each of those priorities, UNAOC implements targeted projects that will have an impact on the ground and new approaches and initiatives that are measurable and results- oriented. Under the strategic priority area of prevention, sport has been identified as one of the new action areas.

Recognizing the importance of sport as a tool to foster social inclusion and cohesion, understanding and diversity, UNAOC has focused on deepening collaboration with a variety of United Nations Agencies and entities and promoting joint programming in the areas of sport for peace, youth and education. UNAOC has also been developing new partnerships and collaborations with the private sector to promote new initiatives, where UNAOC also acts as the knowledge partner.

Embarking on new partnerships in the area of sport for peace, UNAOC is collaborating with the private sector on a new initiative entitled “Sport for One Humanity”. Sport for One Humanity Initiative is proposed as an international awareness- raising and capacity building initiative within the context of the sport for development and peace agenda. The initiative will highlight noteworthy sports activities that promote peace, mutual respect and inclusion, and provide capacity-building training to civil society and other non-profit organizations engaging in the fields of sport, peace and development.

This is a position in UNOPS for supporting projects carried out for UNAOC. The incumbent of this position will be personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

• Design and develop projects and initiatives in line with UNAOC mandate in advancing intercultural and interreligious dialogue and promoting diversity and countering all forms of racism and xenophobia based on religion or belief
• Conceptualize a policy guide on combating all forms of racism and xenophobia based on religion or belief including (anti-Muslim hatred, antisemitism, Christianiophobia)
• Implement existing programs and activities within the same area of work.
• Establish new and maintain existing institutional working partnerships with regional and international organizations.
• Establish new partnerships with civil society organizations with relevant activities.
• Develop tailored policies and or action plans for the inclusion of youth living in diverse communities (multiethnic, multi religious and multicultural)
• Organize in-person and/or virtual training/workshops and/or study tours demonstrating good practices in social cohesion and social inclusion in diverse communities. 
• write concept notes and project documents, project management duties for execution of projects, including tracking overall project progress, communicating with partners and stakeholders, donor reporting and project review.
• Develop donor’s report for the project(s) in timely fashion
• Provide Support to senior management in the organization of major events and conferences (proposing agenda topics, drafting concept notes, identifying panelists, preparing necessary documents etc relevant to the portfolio
• Contribute to the overall work of the Secretariat and take on additional tasks as and when needed.

• Masters or equivalent) preferably in international relations, management  or in a related area is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• A minimum of 5 years experience of professional work experience in managing and coordinating portfolios of projects, including managing projects related to UNAOC’s mandate is required
• Experience in managing multi-donor portfolio of projects and programmes is required

• In depth knowledge of intersectionality between human rights and freedom of religion and belief, countering racism, discrimination and xenophobia based on religion or belief is highly desirable. 
• Experience in building successful partnerships and networking with a wide range of external partners including the private sector and civil society organizations is desirable 
• In depth knowledge and understanding of interfaith and cultural diversity -related issues.
• Track record in strong Interpersonal skills working in a diverse environment desirable

• Excellent presentation and communication skills with demonstrated ability to condense information and communicate it in a well-structured way.
• Excellent writing skills in drafting background or research papers, speeches and op-eds

• Fluent written and spoken English is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is an advantage.

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) 
Contract level: International Individual Contractor Agreement (I-ICA 2- ICSC10)
Contract duration: Open-ended (renewable subject to funds availability 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 

• 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.