Executive Associate

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, and expert teams operating globally, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding - including in some of the world’s most challenging environments. By leveraging our collective expertise and global networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries. We work closely with major global partners - including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies - to deliver a wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.

From Geneva, UNOPS facilitates the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), working with governments, other United Nations (UN) agencies and partners by providing quality servces, integrated solutions and management support through strategic, cost-effective and results-oriented approches. This includes supporting platforms and hosting high-profile, flagship initiatives and funds focusing on health, nutrition, water and sanitation, sustainable cities, environment, energy, climate and trade. UNOPS is a recognized resource for the UN system in Geneva – from fund management and oversight and advisory services, to providing hosting solutions to a range of global initiatives, as well as operational support to partner organizations.

From Geneva, UNOPS facilitates the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), working with governments, other United Nations (UN) agencies and partners by providing quality servces, integrated solutions and management support through strategic, cost-effective and results-oriented approches. This includes supporting platforms and hosting high-profile, flagship initiatives and funds focusing on health, nutrition, water and sanitation, sustainable cities, environment, energy, climate and trade. UNOPS is a recognized resource for the UN system in Geneva – from fund management and oversight and advisory services, to providing hosting solutions to a range of global initiatives, as well as operational support to partner organizations.

About the Region

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, and expert teams operating globally, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding - including in some of the world’s most challenging environments. By leveraging our collective expertise and global networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries. We work closely with major global partners - including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies - to deliver a wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office (if applicable)

Education is one of the most powerful drivers of progress, yet seven out of ten children in low- and middle-income countries cannot read with understanding by age 10. Meanwhile, half of education programmes show no measurable impact on learning or employment. Global spending on education is falling short by an estimated $100 billion each year. Traditional approaches have not delivered the transformation required to meet Sustainable Development Goal 4. The Education Outcomes Fund (EOF) was created to address these challenges — by shifting how education is funded, how success is measured, and how systems are held accountable. We are part of a global movement to turn education financing into real learning and employment outcomes, especially for the most disadvantaged children and youth.pplicable)

Job Specific Context

The Education Outcomes Fund (EOF) is a global initiative transforming how education and skills are financed and delivered. We partner with governments, donors, investors, and implementers to make education systems more effective, equitable, and accountable. Through our Outcomes Partnership model, funding is tied to measurable results, aligning incentives across all actors to ensure that resources lead to real improvements in learning and employment outcomes. EOF’s approach is grounded in systems change - we align incentives, strengthen data and delivery capacity, and foster collaboration across public, private and social sectors. By embedding results-based principles within national systems, we help governments shift from inputs to outcomes, ensuring that every investment leads to a measurable, lasting impact for learners.

The Executive Assistant will work closely with, and under the supervision of, the EOF Director to support the effective functioning of the CEO’s Office. This includes a range of operational and coordination activities.

Administrative, Operational and Executive Support  

• Supports the Director’s time management by overseeing the calendar, coordinating with the Secretariat, scheduling meetings, prioritising requests, resolving conflicts, and ensuring timely preparation of briefs and talking points.

• Brings urgent or sensitive matters to the Director’s attention, identifies issues requiring action, and follows up as needed.

• Manages the Director’s travel arrangements.

• Coordinates logistics and administration for internal and external meetings and events.

• Helps prepare agendas for staff meetings.

• Participates in meetings, takes notes, and ensures timely circulation and follow-up.

• Prepares materials for the Director, including briefing notes, presentations, slides, and background documents.

• Researches and summarises information for reports, briefs, and speeches.

• Drafts and prepares correspondence and compiles documents for meetings and travel.

• Ensures quality control of outgoing documents, including proofreading and editing for accuracy and style.

• Supports the Director’s external communications.

• Prepares and tracks the Director’s expenses, ensuring accuracy and proper documentation.

Coordination and events

• Coordinates meetings and travel with relevant personnel, preparing complete briefing packages for accompanying colleagues.

• Supports the Director in drafting and reviewing email communications and maintains electronic filing, minutes, and contact reports.

• Assists with the organisation and logistics of EOF governance meetings.

• Organises team-building events, including logistical arrangements and liaison with facilitators, caterers, and hosts.

• Supports administration of virtual and in-person events, including logistics, external communications, and minute-taking.

• Schedules meetings by coordinating availability with participants.

• Prepares and maintains agendas for meetings and events related to work-group commitments.

Required

• Secondary education combined with 6 years of relevant experince, or,

• Bachelors degree in  Education, International Development, Public Policy, Social Sciences, Project Management, or a related combined with 2 years of relevant experience

Desired

• Masters degree in Education, International Development, Public Policy, Social Sciences, Project Management, or a related field is an asset and may be accepted in lieu of requisite years of experience 

Required

• A minimum of six (6) years relevant professional experience combined with secondary education, or two (2) years of relevant experience combined with a Bachelors degree.  

• Relevant professional experience includes executive support, event management, and/or coordination roles.

• Experience supporting a senior leader with administrative, operational and/or coordination activities.

Desired

• Experience conducting research to support management activities.

• Experience in event management, preferably multi-day and international events.

• Experience coordinating international travel.

• Experience working in the international development sector. 

• Experience in the global education sector.

• Experience working in the innovative finance sector.

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• 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. 
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

• 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.