General Information

Position Title
Programme Management Specialist
Job Category
Programme
Duty Station(s)
Copenhagen
Seniority Level
Mid Level
ICS Level
ICS 10
Contract Type
ICA - IICA - Regular
Contract Level
IICA 2
Posting Start Date
05-Mar-2026
Posting End Date
19-Mar-2026
Duration
Ongoing, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance.

Job Highlight

This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the enhancement of project and programme management practices within UNOPS. The position offers exposure to a wide range of projects and programmes, cross-cultural collaboration, and professional development opportunities in programme management, assurance, and capacity building.

About the Group

The Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG) provides policy, standards guidance and support in three UNOPS service lines of Project Management, Infrastructure and Financial Management Services (Grant Support and Fund Management). IPMG leads the design and implementation of a project, programme and portfolio management (P3M) system centered around the needs of UNOPS partners, beneficiaries and frontline personnel. IPMG also drives UNOPS efforts to leverage sustainable, resilient and inclusive infrastructure and maximize local capacity through grant support management to achieve sustainable development. Through thought leadership, we aim to position UNOPS with its partners, foster innovative solutions for sustainable and inclusive development, and accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This includes speeding up the implementation of urgent infrastructure and scaling up infrastructure service delivery, particularly in relation to climate action and energy. Our delivery approach to project management, infrastructure and grant support management prioritizes development needs, empowers institutions and communities, builds partners’ capacity, champions gender equality and social inclusion and reduces environmental impact. IPMG translates policy into practice by providing strategic direction, standards and oversight, while facilitating knowledge sharing and capacity-building for UNOPS teams globally.

Job Specific Context

The Programme Management Specialist within the Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG) provides technical, advisory and capacity-building support to programmes and projects implemented across field offices. The role contributes to the strengthening of programme, project and portfolio management practices by supporting governance, assurance, risk management, integration and maturity improvement initiatives in alignment with UNOPS standards and organisational requirements.


The role supports field-based programme and project teams, as well as their PMO functions, by promoting good practices in project and programme management, facilitating alignment across projects and programmes, and strengthening organizational maturity using recognized frameworks, including P3M3. The Programme Management Specialist works closely with project and programme members across multiple locations, providing support and expert advice to select projects and programmes, in addition to designing and delivering training


***This vacancy is looking to fill a full-time open-ended position. However, as the contract modality for this Vacancy Announcement is an International Individual Contractor Agreement, UNOPS may also use the results of this recruitment process to offer a full-time short-term, or a retainer (contract for intermittent work, subject to budget availability and business needs) contract.


***This position may either be office-based in Copenhagen, Denmark or home-based in the successful candidate's place of residence. The duty station is to be agreed upon finalization of the recruitment process in accordance with business needs and the candidate's individual circumstances. While this role offers the flexibility of home-based work, the successful candidate will be expected to maintain at least partial overlap with HQ Copenhagen working hours.

Role Purpose

The Programme Management Specialist works on strengthening project, programme and portfolio delivery across field operations by enhancing project and programme management capability, maturity and coherence through governance, assurance, training and the development of organisational wide project management systems.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Project and Programme Support


  • Provide remote and in-country advisory support to IPMG and field offices on programme and project management practices, governance frameworks and delivery approaches.


  • Support the structuring, design and refinement of programmes to ensure alignment between strategy, benefits, outcomes and constituent projects.


  • Advise on programme-level planning, prioritisation, resourcing and sequencing across multiple projects.


  • Support recovery of select programmes and projects using the UNOPS back-on-track approach, tailored to context.


  • Support identification and analysis of risks, interdependencies and constraints, providing recommendations to field and management teams.


  • Act as a technical interface between IPMG and field-based programme, project and PMO staff to promote consistent interpretation and application of standards.

2. Project and Programme Assurance and Improvement


  • Support consolidation and analysis of project-level plans, reports and data into integrated programme or portfolio-level views to enhance oversight and decision-making.


  • Provide delivery assurance by reviewing management products and identifying systemic issues, trends and improvement opportunities.


  • Advise field teams on performance monitoring across benefits, scope, cost, schedule, quality and risk dimensions, including alignment with SDG targets where applicable.


  • Support the application of the P3M3® framework and other risk-based assessment approaches to assess project and programme management maturity across field offices.


  • Assist in documenting assessments, analysing findings and developing prioritised, practical improvement roadmaps tailored to field contexts.


  • Monitor progress of agreed improvement actions, linking capability development to delivery performance.


  • Coordinate with HQ, regional oversight advisors and corporate functions to ensure coherent assurance and follow-up.

3. Standards, Quality and Continuous Improvement


  • Promote compliance with UNOPS programme and project management standards, policies and governance requirements.


  • Support quality reviews of programme and project documentation and management products to ensure clarity, consistency and alignment with expectations.


  • Contribute to harmonisation of terminology, templates and practices across field offices.


  • Collaborate with corporate functions (FG, PG, PCG, RG and others) to ensure alignment with internal control and accountability frameworks.


  • Contribute to organisational continuous improvement initiatives aimed at strengthening programme, project and portfolio management capability.


  • Advocate and promote the application of recognised programme and project management best practices, tailored to UNOPS and field operational contexts.

4. Capacity Building and Knowledge


  • Support the design and delivery of training and learning activities related to programme management, project management, PMOs and maturity models (including P3M3®).


  • Develop and adapt guidance materials, templates and practical tools to support field implementation.


  • Provide coaching and advisory support to programme managers, project managers and PMO staff.


  • Capture and disseminate lessons learned, policies and good practices across offices.


  • Produce mission reports following local or remote missions, documenting scope of support, findings, recommendations and agreed follow-up actions.

5. Personnel Management (as applicable)


  • Contribute, as applicable, to supervision, mentoring and performance feedback processes.


  • Support recruitment and onboarding processes where required.


  • Promote an inclusive, respectful and safe working environment in line with UNOPS standards.


  • Ensure compliance with UNDSS safety and security requirements during missions.

Skills

Data Analysis, Portfolio Management, Project Implementation, Project Management, Project Planning, Reporting, Stakeholder Management, Effective communication

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational 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.

Education Requirements

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any relevant discipline or related fields with 7 years of relevant experience OR

  • Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any relevant discipline with 5 years of relevant experience is required

  • A globally recognized professional certification in Project Management (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) is required. The successful candidate will be required to obtain the PMP certification within 1 year of hire, if not already certified.

  • A globally recognized professional certification in Programme Management (e.g., MSP, PgMP) is required. The successful candidate will be required to obtain the MSP Foundation certification within 6 months of hire, if not already certified.

Experience Requirements

Required

  • Relevant experience is work in programme management, project management and in advisory roles.

  • Demonstrated experience supporting or working with multiple projects and/or programmes across different operational contexts is required. 

  • Strong analytical skills and proficiency in collaboration, reporting and productivity tools (e.g. MS Office, G-Suite, web-based management systems) is required.

  • Experience designing or delivering training, workshops or capacity-building activities is required.


Desired

  • Experience working with maturity models or improvement frameworks (e.g. P3M3® or similar) is desired

  • Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.

  • Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.

Language Requirements

Language Proficiency Level Requirement
English Fluent Required
Spanish Fluent Desirable
French Fluent Desirable
Russian Fluent Desirable
Chinese, Mandarin Fluent Desirable
Arabic 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. 
  • UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse 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.
At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.