General Information

Position Title
P3M Systems Manager
Job Category
Project
Duty Station(s)
Copenhagen
Seniority Level
Mid Level
ICS Level
ICS 10
Contract Type
ICA - IICA - Regular
Contract Level
IICA 2
Posting Start Date
21-Apr-2026
Posting End Date
05-May-2026
Duration
Intended start date January 1st, 2027. Contract is ongoing subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance.

Job Highlight

This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the transformation of project management within UNOPS, leveraging digital solutions to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. The position offers exposure to a wide range of stakeholders, involvement in strategic decision-making, and the chance to shape the future of P3M systems within the organization.


***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.


***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.

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

Background Information - P3M Transformation and the Process Innovation and Digitalisation Programme (PID)UNOPS has embarked on a Process Innovation and Digitalisation journey. The Programme aims to ensure UNOPS delivers the highest quality projects - sustainably, on time, and within budget - for partners and beneficiaries.  


This Programme aims to enhance UNOPS’ operational efficiency, effectiveness, and agility, overhauling processes and leveraging digital technologies and solutions. It will improve UNOPS’ collection and use of data, capacity for foresight, capacity for planning, knowledge management, and reporting. 


The P3M Transformation, whilst being a separate corporate priority related to a complete overhaul of the project management environment in UNOPS, is aligned as a sub programme to the PID programme for reporting and coordination purposes.The P3M Systems Manager (Deputy Product Owner) will work within the Systems Development team of the P3M Sub-Programme under the Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG). The incumbent will support the development of digital system requirements, and be responsible for systems management within IPMGs control. The P3M Systems Manager manages technical & business alignment; bridging the gap between technical teams and business needs, managing system improvements and User Acceptance Testing (UAT). The incumbent will provide support to & represent the P3M Digitalization lead by assisting in product strategy, supporting user forums, and representing the product development team at meetings as appropriate and needed.

Role Purpose

The P3M Systems Manager (Deputy Product Owner) supports the Product Owner to manage the product backlog, define user stories, and facilitate stakeholder communication. The Manager helps to ensure the development team understands product goals, helps to prioritize features, and represents user needs during sprint planning to ensure that the delivered systems meet their needs and to maximise value of the products. This role involves extensive stakeholder management and collaboration with HQ units as well as project teams across UNOPS. The role also involves managing technical & business alignment; bridging the gap between technical teams and business needs, managing system improvements and User Acceptance Testing (UAT).

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Digital Product Backlog Management


  • Provide support to the P3M Digitalization lead to translate user needs into clear and comprehensive system requirements, user stories and acceptance criteria.


  • Collaborate with stakeholders, including PID, ITG, IPMG, and other HQ units to analyze and prioritize user needs related to the redesigned business processes, systems, and technologies for all areas within the P3M capability mapping.


  • Support effective product backlog management and refinement.


  • Provide support to the P3M Digitalization lead in guiding development and ensuring that delivered features meet user needs.


  • Ensure continuity and effective backlog management when the primary Product Owner is unavailable


  • Understand the product vision and be able to communicate it.


  • Align requirements to the product vision and support management of the corresponding development roadmap.

2. User Acceptance Testing and Feedback


  • Ensure an up-to-date understanding of product development.


  • Manage and review product quality and ensure products are ready for UAT (as applicable).


  • Take a hands-on approach to testing in order to support users and guide development of materials for UAT.


  • Ensure that any migrated data appears as expected.


  • Coordinate UAT, ensure developed product increments are accepted by users and can be signed off for release.

3. Change Management Support & Stakeholder Management


  • Engage stakeholders at all levels to obtain buy-in and support for incremental product development.


  • Act as a key point of contact for the product development team and users.


  • Be able to understand how the different functionalities within the current system (oUP) work and be aware of areas of improvement based on user feedback consultations.


  • Understand and be able to articulate the issue(s) that each increment of the new digital solution is seeking to address, reduce or eliminate, in order for communications to be targeted and relatable to those who it is intended will immediately (or ultimately) benefit.

4. Documentation and Knowledge Management


  • Develop guidance and support materials for project teams, practitioners, and impacted stakeholders in line with incremental releases, to facilitate knowledge transfer and user understanding.


  • Coordinate the development and maintenance of standardized system training and guidance materials.


  • Prepare materials and updates to be shared with the relevant Communities of Practice, and particularly to the Involved User Group for P3M Systems.

5. Personnel Management


  • Lead and motivate the P3M Systems team member(s) reporting to the P3M Systems Manager


  • Ensure that behavioural expectations of team members are established


  • Ensure that performance reviews are conducted.

Skills

Change Management, Documentation, Requirements Analysis, Stakeholder Management, User Acceptance Testing, 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 with 7 years of relevant experience OR

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

Experience Requirements

Required

  • Minimum 5 years of relevant experience including the below:

    • Experience developing, directing enhancements of or using oneUNOPS Projects (all modules) is required.

    • Experience in coordinating design, development and/or management of digital systems and tools is required.

    • Experience with, and/or specific knowledge of infrastructure and project management in a UNOPS context is required.

Desired

  • Experience with Agile methodologies is considered an asset.

  • A globally recognised professional Product Owner certification is required, or must be obtained within 1 year of hire (if not already holding one). 

  • Domain-specific knowledge (e.g., in finance or IT systems) is desirable. 

  • Previous working experience in developing countries in an international environment is considered an asset.

Language Requirements

Language Proficiency Level Requirement
English Fluent Required
Spanish Fluent Desirable
French 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.