Programme Director - Digital Transformation (INTERNAL CANDIDATES ONLY) - Re-advertisement

UNOPS has operated as a self-financing entity within the UN system since 1994.  Throughout this time, UNOPS has successfully delivered services to other UN entities as well as a variety of partners.  UNOPS has, over the years, undertaken the delivery of increasingly complex engagements such as project implementation services for large physical infrastructure projects, multifaceted public health projects, and highly complex procurement assignments.

Recent years have seen a transformational shift within UNOPS in all areas.  Together with the steadily increasing size of UNOPS portfolio, UNOPS leadership structures, management practices, oversight mechanisms, as well as UNOPS ability to collaborate and manage knowledge have all made giant strides forward.  

The Programme Director reports to the Deputy Executive Director, Operations and Policy, and works closely with the UNOPS Management Team as key stakeholders and the Digitalisation Subgroup as the governance body to ensure strategic alignment and direct engagement with corporate priorities. The Programme Director will work in close partnership with the Chief Information Officer and field office managers and directors to define the Digital vision for UNOPS and develop appropriate and sustainable solutions that meet UNOPS needs, especially within field operations.  The Programme Director will also work closely with the Head of Change & Transformation to structure the transformation effectively. The Programme Manager will also engage effectively across Digital Transformation initiatives led across Practices, to coordinate deliverables and benefits realisation.

The  Programme Director provides business driven leadership for and support to UNOPS digital/business transformation. The  Programme Director acts as the Architect of the Digital Transformation through deep understanding of the business, both at the strategic as well as the operational levels.  The Programme Director acts as the key Integrator, bringing the programmatic and operations side together with a consultative and facilitative approach, including to process re-engineering, development of interfaces and reporting. 

The  Programme Director will support and monitor execution, learning and transformation across UNOPS; will lead the development of processes that ensure adequate tracking of strategic initiatives and serve as a thought leader for digital strategy development and implementation and ensure timely completion of projects. The Programme Director will identify critical capabilities, project resources, budgets and critical path issues to ensure effective and efficient programme implementation.

This role will lead the Digital Transformation programme, which is expected to last three (3) years.

Summary of functions:

1. Strategic Leadership

2. Stakeholder Management

3. Programme Management

4. Knowledge sharing and knowledge building

5. Leadership

• A Master’s Degree is required preferably in Business Management or other relevant disciplines.
• A Bachelor’s Degree in combination with additional two (2) years of highly relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master's Degree.

• A minimum of  ten (10)  years of progressively responsible experience working for a global organization, preferably within the UN or similar contexts, including at least  five (5) years of strategically managing various complex programmes and/or projects is required.

• Leadership experience from leading a UNOPS country office, a complex programme in UNOPS or a large scale project in UNOPS is highly desired.

• Experience supporting a large-scale Change Management Initiative is required. 

• Strong knowledge of process optimization is required.

• Excellent interpersonal communication and negotiation skills required.

• PRINCE 2 Practitioner or similar Project Management Certification is an asset.

• 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. 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.