Programme Manager (AI Governance Research and Partnerships)
Valencia
- Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
- Location: Valencia
- Grade: Mid level - ICSC-10
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Occupational Groups:
- Development Cooperation and Sustainable Development Goals
- International Relations
- Democratic Governance
- Information Technology and Computer Science
- Public Policy and Administration
- External Relations, Partnerships and Resource mobilization
- Scientist and Researcher
- Project and Programme Management
- Innovations for Sustainable Development
- Managerial positions
- Closing Date: 2025-12-03
General Information
Job Highlight
The incumbent of this position will be UNOPS personnel under its full responsibility.
About the Region
The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) unites the New York Portfolios, including the Peace and Security team (PSC); the Geneva Office; and the Vienna-based Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) teams, to maximize global impact, foster efficiencies and streamline global programmes. Leveraging our collective expertise and networks, GPO supports UNOPS' strategic priorities and the SDGs across over 130 countries. We deliver project management, fund management, advisory services, project implementation, and HR services, working closely with major global partners. Our thematic focus includes sustainable development, climate action, health, peace & security, and humanitarian action.
About the Country/Multi-Country Office
Not Required - part of GPO/NYPO
Job Specific Context
UNOPS has signed an Implementing Partner Services Agreement with the United Nations Secretariat to implement AI Governance for Humanity Lab Initiative operations for the United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies (ODET).
The United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies (UNODET). UNODET was established on 1 January 2025, with a mandate to: (a) advise the senior leadership of the United Nations on key trends in technology, so as to guide the strategic approach taken by the Organization on such issues; (b) serve as advocate and focal point for digital cooperation, through engagement with Member States, the technology industry, civil society and other stakeholders; (c) facilitate multi-stakeholder policy dialogue on digital and emerging technologies; (d) strengthen system-wide coordination within and across the United Nations system on digital and emerging technologies; (e) support the follow-up and implementation of the Global Digital Compact (A/RES/79/1 Annex 1).
Through the Under-Secretary-General and Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies, UNODET also leads the implementation of the Secretary-General's vision on digital cooperation by working closely with various UN entities and multi-stakeholder groups, facilitating dialogue to accelerate global digital cooperation, seizing on the opportunities that are presented by technology – while mitigating the risks – so that progress towards achieving the Goals by 2030 can be made collectively, as well as carrying out other related duties and responsibilities assigned by the Secretary-General, including follow up actions from the Secretary-General's Roadmap for Digital Cooperation and the report "Our Common Agenda".
The AI Governance for Humanity Lab, based in Valencia, Spain, is part of an initiative in support of the mandate of ODET, including realization of the vision put forward by the Secretary-General’s High-level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence. Its objectives include mobilizing multistakeholder networks around agile and networked international AI governance as AI technologies evolve, establishing and catalysing new norms of information-sharing between key nodes in these networks and supporting informed and impactful AI cooperation at the global level.
This role provides intellectual leadership and builds communities that could contribute to the international dialogue on AI governance in the context of the United Nations.
The incumbent of this position will be personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.
Even though the level of the position is indicated as IICA 2, depending on the incumbent's personal situation (candidate with national ID or resident permit in duty station), a local fee scale (LICA-10) might be applied in determining the contractor's fee.
Role Purpose
The role will provide intellectual leadership of all research activities related to the AI Governance for Humanity Lab Initiative, including thematic briefs and research outputs, including by building a community around specific focus areas for international dialogue on AI governance.
Functions / Key Results Expected
Function 1 - Lead Research and Thematic Analysis
Conduct in-depth academic and policy research on AI governance, ethics, and emerging technology frameworks.
Produce high-quality thematic briefs and foresight papers to inform the work of the AI Governance for Humanity Lab Initiative.
Ensure research outputs are policy-relevant, evidence-based, and accessible to non-technical audiences.
Function 2 - Academic and Institutional Partnerships
Build and maintain partnerships with universities, think tanks, and research institutions, including in the region.
Coordinate joint studies and knowledge-sharing events.
Function 3 - Integration and Knowledge Translation
Integrate research findings into events hosted by the AI Governance for Humanity Lab Initiative, ODET reports, and intergovernmental processes.
Support synthesis of academic outputs for high-level briefings and dialogues.
Function 4 - Cross-cutting Dimensions
Uphold gender equality, inclusion, ethics, and PSEA standards across research and engagement.
Apply foresight and horizon-scanning methodologies to identify policy gaps and opportunities.
Skills
Competencies
Education Requirements
Required:
- PHD degree (or equivalent advanced degree) preferably on AI Policy, Ethics, International Law, Technology Governance, or related interdisciplinary field with 5 years of relevant experience.
Desired:
- Additional specialization in foresight, data governance, or bibliometric analysis.
Experience Requirements
Required:
- Relevant experience is defined as experience in academic or policy research related to digital governance or emerging technologies.
Desired:
- Experience with foresight studies, bibliometric analysis, or research coordination in multilateral contexts.
Language Requirements
| Language | Proficiency Level | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| English | Fluent | Required |
| Spanish | Fluent | Desirable |
Additional Information
- Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
- Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
- Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. 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. 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.
- For more details about the contract types, please click 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.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.