Project Lead - Capacity Enhancement

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.

The New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) manages UNOPS' New York-based portfolios, delivering project and programme management, procurement, HR, and financial services to global partners, from the UN Secretariat to Member States. NYPO strategically positions UNOPS with these partners, fostering collaboration to achieve growth and leveraging expertise in global portfolio design and implementation. We support the broader SDGs and 2030 Agenda, primarily assisting the UN Secretariat and other New York-based UN entities with a global reach. NYPO encompasses the Peace and Security Cluster (PSC), focusing on explosive threat management, and the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC), providing diverse operational support to the UN system in New York.

Background Information - Peace and Security Cluster

The UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) is a principal service provider in the field of mine action with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), UNDP, UNICEF, Governments of mine-affected countries and other mine action partners. It is led by the Director, who has overall authority and accountability for the performance of PSC on behalf of its clients. The Director is responsible for administering and providing oversight of the day-to-day management of the Project Field offices, both according to the client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations.

Background Information - UNMAS occupied Palestinian territory Response

The PSC Jerusalem Project Unit operates as an integral part of Peace and Security Cluster structure. The Head of the PSC Jerusalem Project Unit reports to the PSC Director who provides direction and guidance. S/he is responsible for planning, implementing, monitoring, supervising and closing all projects in the country in order to support substantive partners in delivering its mandate.

In the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), PSC’s partner is the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), and UNMAS’ representative in-country is the Chief of Mine Action Programme (CMAP). The CMAP is therefore the Head of Project Unit’s (HPU) primary stakeholder. UNOPS PSC and UNMAS have developed a delineation of responsibilities, using a responsibility matrix to define who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted and Informed. The HPU is expected to work in close cooperation with the CMAP, ensuring that, in substance, the oPt mine action programme operates as one integrated team.

PSC operates within UNOPS broader commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), and the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (PSEAH), as set out in the UNOPS DEI Strategy and Accountability Plan 2026-2029. Within the mine action context, these commitments are operationalised through the PSC GEDSI Strategy 2026-2029 which sets expectations for inclusive recruitment, workforce representation, and the integration of GESI and PSEAH into programme delivery and implementing partner oversight. All PSC roles, including this position, are expected to contribute actively to these commitments 

The Capacity Enhancement Project Lead is responsible for providing technical expertise and leadership in the design, planning, and implementation of capacity building initiatives. This role focuses on strengthening national ownership and sustainability of mine action programs by supporting institutional development, policy enhancement, and resource mobilization strategies. The Project Lead ensures alignment with UNMAS strategic objectives and national priorities, while fostering a collaborative environment with stakeholders and promoting best practices in capacity enhancement.

Operations – Design and planning 

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Operations (HOO), support the Head of Project Unit, Head of Operations, and CMAP  in providing input to programme and project design documents from a capacity enhancement or capacity building standpoint, such as: 

• Ensure that implementation plans have viable timelines, are assigned appropriate resources, and that implementation options reflect the knowledge of the context, as well as UNOPS’ mechanisms and policies; key implementation documents include:

• UNMAS / UNOPS Project Agreements

• Solicitation documents used to contract third-parties (i.e. contractors and grantees)

• Human resources plan

• Contribute to the preparation of donor reports and participate in donor meetings as required. 

• Identify risks that may affect capacity enhancement activities, including risks to equitable access and inclusive participation in capacity activities and PSEAH concerns, and propose mitigation measures to the HOO.

• Ensure capacity enhancement activities are aligned with UNMAS strategic objectives and national mine action priorities.

• Ensure compliance with UNOPS/UNMAS policies, standards, and accountability frameworks.

Capacity Building Technical Role 

• Facilitate agreed interventions aimed at strengthening national ownership by supporting PMAC in institutional development and governance including organizational mandate and policy development, mine action prioritization and resource mobilization strategies, including the integration of GESI considerations into institutional policies, prioritization and resource mobilization.

• Monitoring performance and reporting/tracking to the Head of Operations and Head of Project Unit on third-party contracts and grants in the West Bank to ensure they are delivered in accordance with contractual / grant terms and conditions, including in accordance with mine action technical, operational and quality assurance processes (Implementation Plan, SOPs, task orders issuance, accreditation).

• Support integration of GESI and PSEAH compliance requirements and reflect in monitoring of third-party contractors and grantees. Capture progress in performance reports and internal monitoring mechanisms.

• Support in advising, in cooperation with the Head of Operations, Technical counterparts and the Support Services, whether IP performance reports are adequate, provide advice on management of contract or grant implementation issues and populate internal monitoring and reporting mechanisms for the Workplan

• Advise the Head of Operations, Head of Project Unit and CMAP on capacity enhancement activities and best practices and verify the alignment with UNMAS strategic objectives. 

• Contribute to continuous improvement of capacity building approaches

• Liaise with subject matter experts, partners, and internal teams to ensure relevance and consistency of learning, training and capacity development initiatives, ensuring equitable access and participation in learning and capacity development activities.

• Provide inputs on measurable indicators to track progress of capacity enhancement activities, including disaggregated participation and outcome indicators where relevant.

• Be responsible for the knowledge management for all matters pertaining to capacity enhancement related to West Bank interventions

Advocacy and Policy Engagement 

• Support the HOO in promoting integration of mine action into broader humanitarian and development frameworks in the West Bank.

• Work closely with and support the National Liaison Officer, HOO, CMAP and other Coordination colleagues on advice as relates to legal or policy aspects of the local governance structures in the West Bank

• Advise the HoO/HPU on ways to strengthen our approach and practice in relation with our work with local authorities

• Provide recommendation in identifying key barriers and challenges to meaningful progress in capacity enhancement and ownership in the sector, including barriers to women’s participation and leadership in the national mine action sector.

People management

• Guide the HOO, HPU and CMAP in managing stakeholder engagement in the West Bank on a day to day basis

• Support in mentoring and advising West Bank personnel in planning, execution and delivery of allocated projects, ensuring incorporation of best operational processes.

• Assist the HOO in promoting teamwork, collaboration and diversity by coordinating and mentoring and collaborative support to the Operations team to ensure clear direction, objectives and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.

• Collaborate with the HOO in overseeing, coordinating the HMA national technical and non technical team members supporting the West Bank capacity development activities on behalf of the UNMAS OPT programme, ensuring timely execution of activities, appropriate timeline planning and good performance and reporting of results

• Support the HOO in coordinatingWest Bank-based personnel in a multicultural team, ensuring a professional, ethical and well-managed team, and report back to the HOO on any related matters. 

• Foster a positive, inclusive and enabling work environment, respectful of all team members , and ensure that the highest standards of conduct, including full compliance with PSEAH standards and zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, are consistently upheld.

• Uphold safety, security, and ethical standards in all operations.

Required

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience.

• In lieu of an Advanced University Degree, a First Level University Degree (Bachelor’s degree) with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience may be accepted;

Required

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in project management in a humanitarian, conflict, post-conflict, or development context. 

• Within relevant erxperience, a minimum of 2 years of proven and applicable experience is required in capacity enhancement or capacity building. 

Desired

• Experience working in policy advice and/or working with national authorities and/or Ministries is desirable.
• Experience  working in humanitarian mine action is desirable.
• Knowledge and/or experience integrating GESI or gender mainstreaming into capacity development, institutional strengthening or policy advisory work is desirable.

• 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.