Senior Programme Manager (Strategy lead - Global Data Access Initiative )

** The duty station is listed as either Geneva or Copenhagen where consideration may be given to allow the position to be in one of those locations. 



South East Asia Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO)

The South East Asia and Pacific Multi Country Office (EAPMCO) supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. EAPMCO currently covers 24 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific. With its head office in Bangkok, the Multi-Country Office comprises nine business units: SEMCO Thailand, EAPMCO Indonesia,  EAPMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, EAPMCO Papua New Guinea, EAPMCO China, EAPMCO Vietnam, EAPMCO Lao PDR, EAPMCO Philippines and EAPMCO Cambodia.

In 2022, the UNOPS EAPMCO implemented projects worth more than USD 95.7 million, in the areas of Energy Transition, Digital Transformations, Sustainable Environmental Management, Climate Change, Waste Management, Rule of Law and Access to Justice, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Post Conflict Reintegration, Emergency Relief, Post COVID19 Economic Transformations, and Health, through HR, procurement, construction, contract management, fund and program management services.  

The Multi Country Office head office in Bangkok provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight and assurance of the excellence of business processes and quality standards across all of the entire Multi Country Office locations. It is also responsible for developing, delivering and managing the portfolio of engagements in the country of the MCO location itself. 

UN Global Pulse UN Global Pulse (UNGP) is an initiative of the Executive Office of Secretary-General (EOSG) founded in 2009. We work in support of the Secretary-General’s priorities, in advancement of the UN Charter. UNGP serves as a cross-pillar lead and hub for experimentation and digital innovation. We have a globally distributed team in the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. The teams work with digital innovation, strategic foresight, real-time data and artificial intelligence to further sustainable development, humanitarian and peace outcomes. Our vision is ‘A world in which responsible and inclusive digital innovation serves to empower people and protect the planet’. Our mission is to work at the intersection of digital innovation and science to inform, inspire and support the entire UN and those it serves, 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 that 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. 

Global Data Access Initiative (GDAI)

UNOPS is seeking for the UN Global Pulse network  a Strategy lead for the Global Data Access Initiative (GDAI) . The GDAI strategy lead will guide and oversee the initiative in different areas and ensure alignment with Global Pulse’s strategic objectives and overarching priorities as directed by the UNGP Executive Director. The Strategy Lead  will identify and scope projects and use cases that are a good fit for the initiative and, in coordination with their supervisor and the entire Global Pulse’s senior leadership team, decide to strategically invest in select projects and use cases to foster the strategic positioning and evolution including setting the path to scale of the Global Data Access Initiative to deliver maximum impact in service of the well-being of people and the planet. 

The Strategy lead will provide senior thought leadership in their area and will act as a representative of Global Pulse within and beyond the United Nations. They will participate in panels, working groups, and other relevant forums within and beyond the United Nations to articulate current and future challenges with regards to digital justice. They will serve as an advocate for a fair digital commons to shape current dialogue towards a more just and equitable future including our digital future.

GDAI is a UNGP initiative that brings together UN agencies and private, public, and social sector partners for the development of data and AI products as digital public goods (DPGs). GDAI aspires to catalyze the formation of a cohesive and responsibly open ecosystem of data and AI products and services that reduces inefficiencies in the development of digital solutions for sustainable development and humanitarian action—with an initial focus on natural disaster response and recovery—to accelerate attainment of the sustainable development goals. 

The Strategy lead  will develop and oversee the strategy for GDAI and is accountable for the successful implementation of GDAI and the delivery of impact through this initiative. The incumbent will be responsible and accountable for strategic input leading to the successful delivery of use cases, which is the mechanism to realize the GDAI vision. The incumbent  will work with global partner organizations to ensure that input gained in the development of use cases support the progression and are integrated into the GDAI vision. The incumbent  will ensure the institutional evolution of GDAI. The incumbent will ensure effective communication and liaison with the GDAI steering committee and ensure decisions of the steering committee are effectively incorporated into GDAI’s implementation.

The incumbent of this position will be a personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility. The day to day management and supervision of this position is under the responsibility of the UNGP.

• An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or other relevant disciplines is required. A PhD degree is preferred.
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

• Contract type: Fixed term Appointment (FTA)
• Contract level: ICA11/P4
• Contract duration: 12 months with possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability

• 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.

• Both Geneva and Copenhagen are family duty stations. 
  
  

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.