Director, UN System and Intergovernmental Affairs Office (SIGA), UNOPS

Based in New York, the UN System and Intergovernmental Affairs Office (SIGA), UNOPS, manages the organization's relationships with the Executive Board of UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS, UN Member States and the broader UN system in New York. The Office positions UNOPS on a variety of strategic initiatives and represents the organization on UN system-wide issues that require inter-agency collaboration and coordination. Its work ensures effective engagement and alignment with the broader UN system, and enables accountability and transparency towards the Executive Board.

Role of the Director of the UN System and Intergovernmental Affairs Office (SIGA), UNOPS

The Director reports to the Executive Director and works in close collaboration with the Executive Office, the Partnerships and Futures Group, the Communications Group, the Independent Offices of UNOPS and with all members of the Management Team.  

The Director  represents UNOPS in New York and is the strategic link between the UNOPS Executive Office in Copenhagen and the UN Headquarters in New York.  

The Director is responsible for promoting a mutually effective relationship between:

• the Executive Board of UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS on behalf of the Executive Director; 

• Governance and oversight bodies of the United Nations system and UNOPS; 

• Member States and UNOPS;

• other UN entities and UNOPS.

The role is also responsible for ensuring that the organization of, preparation for, management and servicing of Executive Board sessions are effectively and efficiently carried out.

The Director, SIGA, provides leadership and strategic direction on all inter-governmental affairs and relations with Member States, and UN system-wide engagement, advising and supporting the Executive Director of UNOPS, and collaborating with teams across the organization on all matters related to the Executive Board, and all matters requiring coordination with Member States and UN-wide processes.

1. Organizational Leadership and Strategic Direction

• As a senior organizational leader and member of the Management Team, contribute to the strategic direction of the organization through the 4-year strategic plan. Contribute to the achievement of the leadership priorities set by the Executive Director.

• Strategically position UNOPS in inter-governmental and inter-agency processes and mechanisms, as appropriate, ensuring the UNOPS value proposition is well communicated and understood.

• Advise the Executive Director and senior management on emerging trends, risks and opportunities across the UN system.

• Advise the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Directors on UN reform processes, such as UN80, representing UNOPS as requested by the Executive Director in related fora, providing strategic guidance and preparing key documents. 

1. Executive Board and External Relations

• As UNOPS Executive Board Secretary, represent UNOPS at the Executive Board Bureau.

• Advise the Executive Director on all matters relating to the Executive Board, as well as governance and oversight bodies of the UN system.

• Liaise closely with Permanent Missions to the United Nations, especially members of the Executive Board. Undertake or arrange briefings for Board members on the work of UNOPS and participate in field visits of the Executive Board.

• Lead and coordinate all preparations for the annual and regular sessions of the Executive Board, ensuring Board decisions are well understood and acted on, and that HQ colleagues are supported by the SIGA team responsible for maintaining all records, deliberations and decisions of the Executive Board. 

• Oversee and position UNOPS in relation to key inter-governmental fora, including those related to the General Assembly (GA), the Security Council and ECOSOC.

• Advise the Executive Director on preparations for the UN Chief Executives Board (CEB) and the UN Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG), ensuring close collaboration with the two Deputy Executive Directors representing UNOPS on the High Level Committee on Management and the High Level Committee on Programmes.  

• Represent UNOPS, at the request of the Executive Director, at high-level meetings in New York, coordinating closely with the Executive Office and the Partnerships and Futures Group.

• Lead UNOPS participation in New York-based forums of Member States such as Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs), G77 etc.

• Support advocacy, public information and communication activities in collaboration with the Communications  Group, Partnerships and Futures Group and other relevant corporate units, managing co-ordination on high profile events related to the GA and ECOSOC, such as the High Level Week and High Level Political Forum.

• Engage with Member States on behalf of regional and country offices, as needed, including in relation to Host Country Agreements and Designation of UNOPS representatives.

3. People Leadership, Culture and Organizational Capacity

• As a member of the UNOPS global leadership team, role-model UNOPS values and behavioural competencies.

• Drive leadership development and talent pipelines. Promote teamwork and collaboration across the organization, ensuring team members have clear direction, objectives and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.

• Foster a positive working environment that is respectful of all. Ensure appropriate focus on team well-being, empowerment, diversity and inclusion and that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

• Champion organizational learning, continuous improvement, and a high-performance culture.

• Manage resources within budgetary parameters and delegated authority.

Required:

• A Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Public Administration, International Development, Political Science, International Relations or related studies.

Required:

• A minimum of 15 years of experience working in multilateral organizations or bilateral diplomacy, including 5 years  in a governance, policy, or liaison function is required.

• Experience working with a network of development partners, governing bodies, and donors.

• Demonstrated understanding of UN system organizations, rules and regulations.

• Demonstrated experience in navigating complex political dynamics with diplomacy and ability to influence. 

• Demonstrated ability to craft politically sensitive briefing material and documents.

Desired:

• Broad understanding of UNOPS, its mandate and its partners, and its positioning within the UN.

• 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.