Programme Management Specialist (Cyber and AI Specialist - Counter Terrorism) - Retainer

UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of peacebuilding, 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 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 headquartered in New York. The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the United Nations Office for Counter Terrorism (UNOCT) to implement the project activities of the project for Counter-Terrorism Early Warning Network (EWN) for Central Asia.

The incumbent of this position will be a personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility. 

• Develop and adapt training curricula and materials on data management, use of new communication technologies, cybersecurity, and AI applications in early warning systems in counter-terrorism;
• Co-facilitate five two-day national cascading trainings and one regional training across Central Asia and support the design of session plans and evaluation tools;
• Provide technical input to regional and national CT EWN events by advising on cybersecurity and AI content;
• Prepare summary reports and recommendations following each roundtable and training event;
• Draft technical guidance on the use of AI in early warning systems for counter-terrorism, emphasizing risk assessment, threat indicators, and human rights safeguards;
• Develop best practice briefs and materials on AI applications to counter online radicalization;
•  Provide substantive input in the design and delivery of community-level trainings for local governments and border communities on threat assessment, indicator development, and the use of new technologies and AI to address online radicalization and related challenges emanating from Afghanistan;
• Liaise with the UNOCT Global Counter-Terrorism Programme in Cybersecurity and New Technologies and other relevant UN entities to ensure coherence and coordination of all activities.

• Training curricula and presentations on cybersecurity, data management, and AI;
• Technical input to one regional and five national training’ reports and recommendations sets;
• One consolidated technical guidance note on AI in early warning for counter-terrorism;
• Contributions to community-oriented training materials;
• Brief report summarizing challenges and lessons learned;
• Brief report on recommendations for future programming (approx.10 pages long);
• Five post-training evaluation summaries (one per country).

• A Master`s degree or equivalent in cybersecurity, computer science, data science, international security, or a related field with five (5) years of relevant professional experience is required.
• A Bachelor's degree with seven (7) years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master's degree.

• Relevant professional experience is defined as experience in cybersecurity, AI applications, or counter-terrorism.
• Experience in capacity-building and curriculum development is required.

• Knowledge of counter-terrorism, human rights, and PCVE principles is desired.
• Knowledge of Central Asia and/or experience in fragile or conflict-affected settings is desired.

• Fluency in English and Russian (write, read, talk) is required.
• Knowledge of French is an asset.
• Knowledge of an additional UN language is an asset. 

• Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) - Retainer modality.
• Contract level: International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA-2) or Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA-10).
• Contract duration: Until February 28, 2026, with the possibility of extension subject to good performance, availability of funds, organizational requirements and the duration of the project. 

• 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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. 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.