Intergovernmental Affairs Senior Analyst

Background Information – UNOPS 

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development. 

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources. 

Working with us 

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines. 

Diversity 

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates. 

Work life harmonization 

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. 

Role of the New York Board and External Relations Office 

The New York Intergovernmental Affairs and External Relations Office is responsible for fulfilling UNOPS intergovernmental affairs and external relations functions on behalf of UNOPS. The team manages the arrangements for (a) The UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board governance over UNOPS; (b) The Organization's relationship with components of the UN system entities, including the UN Secretariat, (c) Its interaction with UN Member States and positioning of UNOPS in legislative and other instruments and documents. 

The Office positions UNOPS and its Executive Director with a view to increase or enhance UNOPS’ influence and organisational outreach through various strategic events, initiatives and dialogues. The Office also supports the organization on UN system-side issues and reforms, such as the UN development system reform. The Office further supports liaising with Member States and agencies headquartered in multilateral capitals, as needed, on host country agreements and the accreditation of UNOPS representatives, as well as representing the organization in UN Inter-Agency Working Groups. In close proximity to a number of UN entity headquarters, the Office is also responsible for interaction with the UN Funds and Programmes such as UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF and UN-Women. 

Role of the Intergovernmental Affairs Senior Analyst

Reporting to the Intergovernmental Affairs Specialist in the Executive Board Unit of the Office, the Intergovernmental Affairs Senior Analyst provides intergovernmental affairs support to the UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board and supports in positioning UNOPS through events and initiatives that have a direct impact on intergovernmental matters. The role supports the implementation of strategies and approaches to maximize the effectiveness of UNOPS’ interactions with the Executive Board and with a view to advancing UNOPS mandate and positioning. (S)he will have strong communications skills, especially written ones, and relationship management skills through a proven track record in supporting the arrangement of events and initiatives and an ability to work and act under pressure and with discretion in a politically sensitive and challenging environment.

1. Executive Board Governance related Functions 

• Support the management of the work with the Executive Board, including assisting with organizing Board sessions, preparing and ensuring submission of documents, and acting as a focal point for Board members regarding decisions, negotiations, informal, and executive board briefings. 

• Support the coordination of UNOPS interaction with Executive Board Member and Observer States, and with other agencies sharing the Executive Board, including through preparing informal consultations and formal sessions of the Executive Board. 

• Coordinate closely with the UNOPS Executive Office, sharing information, documents, papers and be responsive towards the needs and queries of the Executive Office and other Offices within UNOPS. 

• Support the participation of meetings, compile materials, and prepare statements and papers, as requested. 

• Analyze, map and participate in client meetings relating to opportunities with partners in New York such as UN, Governments, foundations, NGOs, academia, think tanks and private sector. 

• Support the provision of services and guidance to UNOPS Directors in developing the reports, policies and programmes for information and decision-making by the Executive Board.

• Support all tasks in relation to supporting UNOPS’ work in connection with the Executive Board sessions.

2. Support to Intergovernmental Matters 

• Conduct in-depth research and local based networking to support the on-going projects undertaken within the Office including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies.

• Preparation of briefing notes as required. 

• Contribute to the preparation and/or participation in various international and regional events, coordination and stakeholder meetings, as needed. 

• Contribute to the promotion and branding for UNOPS projects at global level by producing presentations and communication materials relevant to the intergovernmental affairs work. 
• Develop concept notes and identify new strategic initiatives/events for new development collaboration and negotiate with new partners. 

• Work with Protocol matters. Note verbale, Host country agreements, Cooperation agreements, Accreditation, as required and in liaison with other relevant UNOPS´ units. 

• Contribute to the provision of timely, high quality, and strategic advice and support on Executive Board relations to the Intergovernmental Affairs Specialist and other senior leaders in UNOPS as required.

• Identify and coordinate meetings within the permanent missions in New York, including supporting the preparation of CVs, background documents and talking points and support the development of the agenda of senior management in relation to such meetings

3. Multilateral conferences, processes, meetings and events 

• Analyze and support participation within multilateral intergovernmental conferences, international processes, meetings and events of relevance to UNOPS and its mandate.

• Analytical support to the organization of events, dialogues and other platforms for exchange to advance the work of UNOPS as identified within the UNOPS Strategic Plan.  

• Support the nurturing of relationships with member states through their Permanent Representations in New York.

4. Capacity Building innovation and strategic engagement  

• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for planning and knowledge building in the context of intergovernmental affairs.

• Research support in identifying and participation in multilateral intergovernmental forums and platforms that facilitate UNOPS’ deeper engagement on issues of key relevance in delivering impactful results on the 2030 Agenda. 

• Provide regular feedback on existing systems, tools and resources to ensure their relevance and prepare standards operating procedures and other guidance documents and templates, as required.

• A Master’s degree in international affairs, law, political science, communication, economics, business administration or related fields, or
• Bachelor’s +2 additional years of experience in the same.

• Minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience, particularly in intergovernmental affairs, Board secretary roles, engagement in events/initiatives, communications, or coordination roles is required. 

• Full working knowledge of English is essential with excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language, particularly French, or Spanish 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.