Programme Management Specialist - Retainer

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

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), the Greater Caribbean Climate Mobility Initiative (GCCMI), and the Pacific Climate Mobility Initiative.  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 and the PCMI pursue similar objectives and are joint undertakings of the Association of Caribbean States and the Pacific Islands Forum Member States, respectively, together with 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. In particular, the RNI aims to advance partnerships that empower the agency of frontline communities, support adaptation plans and promote better strategic planning and informed policymaking for Pacific atoll countries. This project will also focus on the empowerment of Tuvaluan stakeholders, particularly the youth of Tuvalu, to fully engage in global discussions and contribute to the advocacy campaign. It will also build their capacity to engage with their own communities to contribute to other RNI efforts and build the resilience of future generations

The Programme Management Specialist will have the primary responsibility of managing the RNI workstream to build partnerships to empower the agency of frontline communities. 

The incumbent of this position will be a personnel 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 

• Contribute to the development of partnerships to undertake outcome-oriented short-term and medium-term adaptation efforts in line with goals of RNI as well as better policy-making
• Consult with youth stakeholders to inform the project activities for supporting youth empowerment for the Pacific atoll countries
• Provide support to build a dedicated Pacific atoll youth forum platform that will ensure that youth voices are heard by the international community
• Support and engage the youth to engage on issues of climate justice and climate action globally, by building capacity for youth, including through training opportunities 

Project coordination

• Ensures the alignment of the project efforts to build partnerships for advancing the agency of frontline communities with the overall programmatic efforts of the RNI.  
• Ensures all operational structures, systems, and processes are in line with UNOPS policies and procedures. 
• Prepare updates on key progress and project developments for other RNI project activities that have interlinked deliverables. 

Expert approach

•  Prepares and implements the substantive agenda and operations for strategic engagements, including the Conference of the Parties (COPs) and other conferences, meetings, and activities. 
• Engage with partner institutions, including relevant UN agencies, to map existing efforts in support of the youth of the Pacific atoll countries and prepare proposals to address any shortfall or gap. 
• Identify opportunities for engaging youth forums in other regions for cross-regional agenda-setting and opportunities for joint advocacy. 

Communications

• Coordinates relevant website content, social media activities, and publication activities, including outreach materials, to raise global awareness and build global momentum for the RNI. 
• Drafts relevant speeches and statements for the RNI’s high-level public appearances, media engagements, and publications. 

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree) preferably in International Economics, Political Science, International Affairs 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 five (5) 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 the UN related to climate change and/or migration is required.

• Experience in youth engagement and empowerment, including supporting the youth advocacy in international fora such as the COP, 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.

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

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) Retainer - A retainer contract is issued for a period of time during which the services of the individual contractor are required intermittently. The individual contractor agreement on retainer basis will specify a “unit price” per day worked. For budgetary purposes, a monetary cap will be determined when the contract is awarded and issued. Please note that the retainer contract will not provide for a minimum, and payment will be made only after completion of work

Contract level: International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA-2) or Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA-10)

Even if the level of the position is indicated as IICA-2, depending on the incumbent's personal situation (candidate with national ID or resident permit), a local fee scale (LICA-10) might be applied in determining the contractor's fee.

Contract duration:  One year initially, renewable 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.

Terms and Conditions 

• 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.