Senior Programme Manager (Senior Adviser)

New York Service Cluster (NYSC) 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 has signed an agreement with the Executive Office of the Secretary General (EOSG) of the United Nations to implement the activities of the Climate Action Team (CAT) Project.

Following COP26 in Glasgow, there is less than a decade to prevent a climate breakdown. Without deep emissions cuts, the world is heading towards 2.4-degrees Celsius of warming with catastrophic consequences. At current levels of warming the world is experiencing unprecedented climate impacts. An increase in global average temperature above 1.5 degrees would mean extreme weather and climate disasters increasing in frequency and intensity, putting billions of people at immediate risk with significant parts of Africa becoming unlivable and whole countries ceasing to exist. The Secretary-General’s call to all countries, cities, companies and institutions to go into emergency mode on climate is needed more than ever.

While climate change risks undermining the 2030 Agenda, as well as the social, economic, and environmental pillars of sustainable development, climate action also presents an opportunity. Green investments boost growth and jobs; just transitions are inclusive and help to eradicate poverty; and enhancing carbon sinks strengthen biodiversity and resilience. It will be essential to ensure that the transformation of economies and societies takes place to enable accelerated climate action in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during this decade of action.

The objective of the Secretary-General’s climate action strategy throughout his second term will be to accelerate the pathway towards a resilient, low carbon world, that keeps the 1.5 degrees goal alive, and to secure the alignment of public and private finance to enable the necessary transitions to take place while leaving no one behind. COP26 made progress on mitigation, adaptation and finance.

It will be critical to build on progress made at COP26. The two-year period from Glasgow in November 2021 to the Global Stocktake in November 2023 will be essential to meeting this goal and is aligned with the complementary push for accelerated efforts during the Decade of Action to deliver the SDGs by 2030. This will require enhanced coordination and collaboration across the UN System especially at the country level.

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

Functional Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Climate Ambition Team Lead (Director), the incumbent will provide substantive senior-level support on member state engagement. The responsibilities of the Senior Programme Manager (Senior Adviser) include:

Program Development:

• Lead on liaison with the COP27 Presidency
• Assume the responsibility to develop regular policy briefs and technical reports for senior management on climate action, including trends and gaps related to climate science, NDC ambition, climate finance and the 100 billion commitment, and resilience and adaptation.
• Identify strategic policy entry points for climate action that the UN can advocate for in selected countries and propose innovative ways to build momentum for climate action involving a broad-array of stakeholders.
• Act as focal point for Our Common Agenda, working across the team to deliver on the climate related commitments.

Policy research and advisement:

• On an ongoing basis, conduct research and analysis related to climate policy and commitments, identifying and assessing emerging policy and research priorities and gaps and quantifying environmental and economic market trends.
• With guidance and direction of the Assistant Secretary-General and in collaboration with the team, initiate a knowledge management system that acts as a one stop shop for policy and research knowledge, publications including major reports, data analysis, infographics and other visuals.

Public communication

• Quality control of written products from the Climate Action Team for the SG, DSG and ASG.
• Coordinate speechwriting, working with relevant members of the team, for SG, DSG and ASG.
• Develop a monitoring matrix to measure team progress and results.
• Conduct other research and analytical functions as needed to support the Assistant Secretary-General.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Female Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply Candidates with no United Nations or UNOPS experience are strongly encouraged to apply
Education Requirements:

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

Required Experience

• At least ten (10) years of experience in public policy/policy analysis and advisory roles is required.**Desirable experience** (the following experience is optional candidates who do not have it are welcome to apply)

• Desired experience working with climate and economic analytical tools as well as major data sources of climate science, environmental, and economic information (e.g. IPCC, World Bank, IMF).

• Experience working in the United Nation, particularly in regional and country offices, is considered an asset.

• Experience working in economic development, particularly in developing country context is desired.
  Language Requirements:

• Fluency in oral and written English is required.

• Knowledge of another official UN language is an advantage.

Competencies

-Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.**(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)**

-Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

-Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

-Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

-Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

-Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

-Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

-Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

1. Contract type : Staff
2. Contract level : P5
3. 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

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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
• 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 (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

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.