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.

As part of the Global Portfolio Office, UNOPS Geneva provides comprehensive solutions in secretariat hosting, operational support, and fund management. We manage global programmes, including the Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) Portfolio, offering project management, procurement, HR, and financial services. Geneva hosts the secretariats of eight global partnerships focused on health (RBM, Stop TB, ATscale), nutrition (SUN), water/sanitation (SHF), humanitarian leadership (GELI), energy (SEforALL) urban development (Cities Alliance), and disaster displacement (PDD). We also provide fund management for EIF and UN Water, and operational support to Geneva-based partners like the Global Fund and UNHCR.UNOPS Geneva Office is providing support to a wide range of portfolios, including UNEP, UNICEF, UNHCR, and other partners.

ATscale is a cross-sectoral partnership with the goal of reaching 500 million additional people with assistive technology by 2030 to support them in participating in education, work, and everyday life. This new role provides an opportunity to be a core part of the team that is building and moving forward this partnership to address one of the most significant and underinvested issues of our global development agenda – the need for assistive technology (AT), such as wheelchairs, hearing aids or eyeglasses. 

Today, over 2.5 billion people need at least one form of AT, such as wheelchairs, eyeglasses, or hearing aids, but in low-income countries 90% do not have access to the AT they require. The number of people who need AT is expected to grow to more than 3.4 billion people by 2050. Access to appropriate AT enables people with loss of function, disabilities, non-communicable diseases, and the ageing population to more fully participate in education, work, family, and community life. Lack of access to AT significantly affects individuals, their families, and the wider society. Without AT, individuals may experience isolation and exclusion from education, the labour market, and civic life. Lack of access to appropriate AT causes poorer health outcomes including premature death, deteriorating mental health, and increased risk of chronic health conditions and secondary complications, all of which lead to a higher burden on health systems. Increasing accessibility and affordability of AT unlocks unrealized economic potential and provides socio-economic benefits for individuals, families, and countries by increasing productivity and participation in the workforce.

ATscale is committed to ensuring that its investments have the maximum potential impact on the populations in need and are, at the same time, high-quality, appropriate, cost-effective, and relevant. Monitoring,evaluation and learning is critical for ATscale to collect information on the challenges that exist, in addition to progress being made, to inform ATscale’s plans to invest in the most catalytic and impactful activities. Having high-quality data will also support ATscale’s monitoring of progress towards the ambitious goal of reaching 500 million more people with life-changing assistive technology by 2030. 

The ATscale Secretariat is hosted by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and is based in Geneva, Switzerland. For more information, please visit https://atscalepartnership.org/

As part of the Global Portfolio Office, UNOPS Geneva provides comprehensive solutions in secretariat hosting, operational support, and fund management. We manage global programmes, including the Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) Portfolio, offering project management, procurement, HR, and financial services. Geneva hosts the secretariats of eight global partnerships focused on health (RBM, Stop TB, ATscale), nutrition (SUN), water/sanitation (SHF), humanitarian leadership (GELI), energy (SEforALL) urban development (Cities Alliance), and disaster displacement (PDD). We also provide fund management for EIF and UN Water, and operational support to Geneva-based partners like the Global Fund and UNHCR.UNOPS Geneva Office is providing support to a wide range of portfolios, including UNEP, UNICEF, UNHCR, and other partners.

Background Information – ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology

ATscale is a cross-sectoral partnership with the goal of reaching 500 million additional people with assistive technology by 2030 to support them in participating in education, work, and everyday life. This new role provides an opportunity to be a core part of the team that is building and moving forward this partnership to address one of the most significant and underinvested issues of our global development agenda – the need for assistive technology (AT), such as wheelchairs, hearing aids or eyeglasses. 

Today, over 2.5 billion people need at least one form of AT, such as wheelchairs, eyeglasses, or hearing aids, but in low-income countries 90% do not have access to the AT they require. The number of people who need AT is expected to grow to more than 3.4 billion people by 2050. Access to appropriate AT enables people with loss of function, disabilities, non-communicable diseases, and the ageing population to more fully participate in education, work, family, and community life. Lack of access to AT significantly affects individuals, their families, and the wider society. Without AT, individuals may experience isolation and exclusion from education, the labour market, and civic life. Lack of access to appropriate AT causes poorer health outcomes including premature death, deteriorating mental health, and increased risk of chronic health conditions and secondary complications, all of which lead to a higher burden on health systems. Increasing accessibility and affordability of AT unlocks unrealized economic potential and provides socio-economic benefits for individuals, families, and countries by increasing productivity and participation in the workforce.

ATscale is committed to ensuring that its investments have the maximum potential impact on the populations in need and are, at the same time, high-quality, appropriate, cost-effective, and relevant. Monitoring,evaluation and learning is critical for ATscale to collect information on the challenges that exist, in addition to progress being made, to inform ATscale’s plans to invest in the most catalytic and impactful activities. Having high-quality data will also support ATscale’s monitoring of progress towards the ambitious goal of reaching 500 million more people with life-changing assistive technology by 2030. 

The ATscale Secretariat is hosted by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and is based in Geneva, Switzerland. For more information, please visit https://atscalepartnership.org/

The Programme Management Support Associate contributes to the efficient and effective delivery of services, ensuring alignment with UNOPS policies and procedures and ATscale's strategic objectives.

1. Travel Support Services

• Liaise with key internal stakeholders to plan and prepare quarterly travel plans 

• Prepare and monitor  travel budget and ensuring planning and actuals

• Prepare regular analytics and statistics in order to find trends and areas of improvements

• Regularly update and enhance travel administration SOPs

• Provide guidance on travel-related matters, including visa requirements, security clearances, cost-savings options and travel insurance.

• Develop and regularly maintain and update a comprehensive travel tracking system, analyzing travel patterns and costs to identify opportunities for efficiency improvements.

• Coordinate with travel agencies to provide the best available options in terms of favorable rates, connections and time of travel

• Process travel authorizations for external travelers and manage flight arrangements, and travel-related payments in accordance with UNOPS policies and the internal SOP.

1. Event and Meeting Management

• Provide support to colleagues in planning and executing external and internal events, including international conferences, workshops, and meetings, ensuring seamless logistical arrangements.

• Support the Programme Support Specialist in preparing and overseeing event budgets and financial aspects of event planning and execution.

• Identify and negotiate with vendors, including venues, caterers, and audio-visual providers, to secure cost-effective and high-quality services.

• Provide logistical details, and participant lists, ensuring effective communication and coordination among all stakeholders.

• Coordinate event-related solicitation processes and contracts, ensuring compliance with UNOPS procurement guidelines

• Provide administrative support on workshops, training, meetings and missions, ensuring timely logistical, financial and travel arrangements.

1. Procurement Support

• Act as the focal point to all procurement processes for goods and services, ensuring compliance with UNOPS procurement rules and regulations, in coordination with the Geneva Procurement team.

• Support the procurement planning with colleagues to optimize value for money and ensure timely delivery of goods and services.

• Support the UNOPS Geneva (GVA) procurement team and colleagues in market research to identify potential suppliers and assess their capabilities.

In coordination with the GVA procurement unit, support the preparation of Requests for Quotations (RFQs)  Invitations to Bid (ITBs), and Requests for Proposals (RFPs), when applicable.

• In coordination with the GVA Procurement unit, support the evaluation of bids and proposals, ensuring technical compliance and value for money.

• Ensure supplier registration, communication with suppliers as needed, support the team in monitoring performance and resolving issues as they arise.

• Create Purchase Orders, Receipts & Requests for Payments in UNOPS ERP

1. CRM System Administration.

• Maintain and improve filing systems, ensuring information is up to date and easily accessible.

• Administration of the ATscale contact management system (CRM), ensuring data integrity and user adoption.

• Support the organization, facilitation and delivery of training and learning initiatives for new personnel on internal travel, administrative, and CRM procedures.

• Conduct data analysis using the CRM to identify trends and insights to inform decision-making.

• Support onboarding and  induction processes for project personnel and consultants.

1. Knowledge Management  and Team Capacity Building

• Support the Programme Support Specialist in the development and implementation of knowledge management strategies and plans to capture, store, and share information effectively across the ATscale Secretariat

• Foster a collaborative and high-performing team environment.

• Provide coordination support in  the  delivery  of learning activities and  capacity building initiatives   for  ATScale  in coordination with relevant  GVA /UNOPS teams 

• Contribute to the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and best practices for administrative and operational functions.

Required

• Secondary school (or equivalent) with 6 years of relevant experience OR 

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Project Management  or equivalent  discipline with 2 years of relevant experience is required

Required:

•  A minimum of  6 years( with a high school certificate) or 2 years ( with a Bachelors degree) progressively responsible experience in programme support, administrative, operations, travel management, asset management, procurement, or related field is required.

• Experience in procurement processes, including support in developing specifications, evaluating bids, and managing contracts, is required.

• Experience in providing support on complex travel arrangements and events is required

• Experience in supporting budgeting and planning is required.

• Demonstrated skills and experience with CRMs is required.

Desired:

• Experience in UN system organizations is desirable.

• Ability to work collaboratively and across teams is a strong asset.

• 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.

• 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.