Administration Specialist, Local Liaison

UNOPS is in the process of establishing a Sustainable Infrastructure Impact Investments (S3I) Office in Helsinki, Finland. The S3I Office is a dedicated and integrated subsidiary within UNOPS with a significant degree of operational independence. The S3I Office bolsters UNOPS’ current business model by enhancing UNOPS’ brand as an innovative player in inclusive infrastructure, providing forward-looking strategic advisory services to UNOPS’ existing clients, and drawing new partners from the private sector to expand UNOPS’ portfolio of initial investments while catalyzing resources to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

The S3I Office activities focus on enhancing private sector engagement in target markets, crowding in commercial investment into regions of the world that historically have had trouble attracting capital. These activities help S3I develop a strong track record of commercially viable projects, build a new set of inclusive investment capabilities, and secure project implementation roles. Through this endeavor, S3I will also convene a broad range of investment partners, including donors, development finance institutions (DFIs), multilateral development banks (MDBs), and private institutional investors to drive progress toward the SDGs.  

The goal of S3I is to catalyze investments in inclusive infrastructure by developing, brokering, managing, and investing in high-quality, socially and environmentally responsible, and commercially viable transactions, in the domains of affordable housing, renewable energy and health infrastructure. 

• In the short-term, S3I makes minority investments in infrastructure projects best aligned with UNOPS’ mission and serves as a pipeline for UNOPS-led deal management services. Deal management, in this context, is the fee-based provision of project management and procurement services toward inclusive infrastructure projects. By engaging with the private sector, UNOPS uses its investing activities to address the lack of bankable infrastructure projects, while diversifying and expanding its deal management portfolio.   

• In the long-term, the S3I Office could bolster its self-sustainability by developing and scaling other revenue streams that would complement its investing and deal management functions. These could include fund management, development impact advisory, and due diligence advisory work, and would enable S3I to operate more broadly with private sector participants and projects in a way that UNOPS cannot currently.  

The incumbent will act according to the S3I management framework and related annexes, as well as to the UNOPS legislative framework, including where relevant, delegations of authority applicable to the role.

The responsibilities will include:

• Builds strong relationships with key Finnish Government contacts and local entities; acts as an advisor to the Chief Executive on all matters related to Government of Finland (and local Finnish organizations, including Development Financing Institutions) engagement vis a vis S3I activities;

• Helps organize local meetings and conferences; co-creates workshops and trainings as needed and alongside other S3I colleagues; organizes and prepares official visits to Helsinki as needed;

• Collaborates with S3I team and external local stakeholders for the purpose of building effective communication, enhancing relationships, and ensuring high quality client engagement to achieve mutual goals and interests; 

• Recommends responses and action plans as a result of interacting with external stakeholders;

• Regularly updates the Government of Finland on progress of S3I activities;

• Prepares and delivers written and verbal  communication to external and local stakeholders in consultation with the Communications and Training Advisor;

• Attends meetings, working groups and tasks forces with local partners. Identifies potential risk/issues, assists in troubleshooting.

• Builds and/or enhance relationships with key stakeholders ensuring correct and timely sharing of information between stakeholders;

• Contributes to the analysis, mapping and identification of potential opportunities with partners;

• Develops materials (e.g. factsheets, brochures, presentations) for meetings, briefings and other events;

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent), preferably in Communications, Public Affairs, International Relations, Marketing/Business or related areas..

• 2 additional years of relevant work experience, in combination with a relevant first level university (bachelor’s degree or equivalent), may substitute for the requirement of a master’s degree

• Holds at least five years of relevant experience in the field of liaison and public affairs work with a government.  

• Experience in conveying complex messages succinctly and diplomatically.  

• Shows sensitivity when delivering politically sensitive communication to large group/public forums and/or strategic parties.

• Understanding of the financial services industry and private equity-style investing.

• Proven ability to work collaboratively and collegially with a wide range of stakeholders.

• Experience in interfacing with senior executives and developing a reputation as a trusted advisor.

• Anticipates problems and opportunities; with potential problems, surfaces contributing factors and resolves them before there is negative impact.

• Exceptional quality standards and an ongoing desire to push for new approaches and insights.

• Experience in working with international organizations is highly desirable. 

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement Contract level: IICA 2
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

The selected candidate will be offered a highly competitive and tax-free (in Finland) remuneration package.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  
• Due to the COVID19 outbreak, starting dates may be extended.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.