Senior Programme Manager

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.

New York Portfolio 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 their 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 that are headquartered in New York. The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

UNOPS hosts the Global Centre for Climate Mobility (GCCM), a global entity advancing regional Climate Mobility Initiatives (CMIs) and the Rising Nations Initiative (RNI):

The CMIs currently consist of the Africa Climate Mobility Initiative (ACMI) and the Greater Caribbean Climate Mobility Initiative (GCCMI).  The ACMI is a joint undertaking of the African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations, and the World Bank to support the African continent in addressing climate-forced displacement and migration while harnessing climate mobility to advance its development agenda and political & economic integration. The ACMI’s people-centered & evidence-based approach aims to generate political momentum, a common policy agenda, and resources to advance comprehensive and locally anchored solutions for climate mobility. The GCCMI pursues similar objectives and is a joint undertaking of the Association of Caribbean States, the United Nations and the World Bank. 

The RNI is a Member States-led initiative, guided by a core group of champions, including the Pacific atoll countries. Its objective is to press forward efforts towards protecting the statehood of Pacific atoll countries, preserving their sovereignty and safeguarding the rights and heritage of affected populations. In this regard, the RNI aims to mobilize the needed political momentum for prompt action at all levels to highlight the climate emergency facing the Pacific atoll countries and inspire global and local action, including through intergovernmental processes of the United Nations. 

The Senior Programme Manager has the primary responsibility to lead the project to build White Papers assessing and projecting the impacts of the climate crisis; and providing recommendations and options on a wide range of policy and programme areas for adaptation and resilience. The Senior Programme Manager will focus on Tuvalu as the first pilot country for the project.

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

Under the supervision of the Head of the RNI Secretariat, the incumbent will carry out the following activities: 

Strategy development & coordination 

• Designs and advances comprehensive scientific and expert assessments of the subsidence rate and climate impacts of rising sea level and extreme weather on Tuvalu, including on livelihood, culture, and heritage.
• Coordinates public consultations in Tuvalu to assess and incorporate the opinions, views, and the preferences of the people vis-à-vis the climate impacts on the population and their livelihoods, existing infrastructure, and the social and economic fabric of the nation state. 
• Leads consultations with national, regional, and global experts and practitioners to review the findings and generate policy recommendations.
• Consolidates the outcomes of the above activities into the White Paper for Tuvalu
• Ensures the knowledge and good practices are applied to other countries supported by the RNI as well as the relevant CMIs.

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree) preferably in Public Policy, Governance, Economics or other relevant fields is required.
• Two (2) additional years of relevant experience, in combination with a relevant first-level university (bachelor’s degree or equivalent), may substitute for the requirement of a Master’s degree.

• At least seven (7) years of relevant professional experience in environment, migration, economic and social affairs, public policy, climate mobility, and/or programme/project management and/or strategy is required. 
• Proven track record of active participation and engagement in UN and other multilateral processes related to climate change and/or migration
• Proven track record of effectively managing a team of colleagues of varied cultural and professional backgrounds

• Experience in evidence-based approach to assessing vulnerabilities of populations preferably in the context of climate, environment or sustainable development is desired.
• Experience effectively synthesizing, communicating and presenting technical and policy findings in a clear and concise manner to colleagues internally and to external non-technical audiences, including through producing briefing, speeches and strategy papers for seniors is desired. 
• Experience in global climate mobility projects that span multiple regions (ideally including the Pacific region) will be given special consideration 
• Demonstrated expertise through academic or professional publications related to climate change impacts and/or climate change and migration on the Pacific region is considered advantageous

• Fluency in oral and written English is required.
• Knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.

Contract type:  Fixed-term staff contact 
Contract level: P4
Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability

For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.aspx

• 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.
• 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.
• This position is stationed in Barcelona, Spain, which is a family duty station.
  
  

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. 
• 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.