About UN Global Pulse
UN Global Pulse is the Secretary-General’s Innovation Lab. We work at the intersection of innovation and the human sciences to inform, inspire, and strengthen the ability of the United Nations family and those it serves to anticipate, respond and adapt to the challenges of today and tomorrow.
We support some of the UN’s highest-priority, system-wide innovation efforts, helping teams apply data science, responsible AI and digital solutions to accelerate impact across initiatives such as the UN Global Pulse Accelerator Programme, UN80 priorities and the DISHA programme.
Our teams are spread across the world, with hubs in Uganda, Indonesia, Finland and the United States. Drawing on more than a decade of experience with digital innovation in the UN family, UN Global Pulse unites specialists from the digital and social sciences in search of solutions to the world’s most pressing problems, from conflict to climate change.
We aim to reduce the risks that innovation involves and move towards the opportunities. We restore public trust in technology by making it inclusive, accessible and ethical. Our input brings value to the work of the UN and external partners in protecting the vulnerable and defending human rights.
The goals of the UN Global Pulse Network are: i) Support efforts to advance innovations ii) Contribute to the development of global frameworks, and iii) Support the transformation of the UN family.
The incumbent of the position will be a staff member of UNOPS under its full responsibility.
Under the supervision of the Head of Office, the incumbent will translate Global Pulse Europe’s strategic direction into coherent execution—building the systems, metrics, financial discipline, and evidence pipelines that ensure the hub delivers credible, accountable, and scalable innovation results across its portfolio.
To achieve its goals, UNOPS is recruiting a Deputy Head of Office for the UN Global Pulse Europe project.
The incumbent will serve as the operational and analytical backbone of UN Global Pulse Europe - translating the hub’s portfolio strategy into systems, metrics, and insights that keep the team focused on performance and accountability, while helping them to learn and deliver better with each project cycle. The role ensures that innovation work across the Accelerator, AI/data pilots, and partnerships is targeted at product output and delivered with measurable impact and operational excellence.
Acting as the hub’s core integrator, the incumbent connects strategic direction with execution, embeds AI-enabled tools and practices across operations, and ensures the financial and evidentiary discipline needed for maximum impact.
The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:
Strategy Execution
Prepare materials for hub-level governance mechanisms for decision-making, risk oversight, and resource alignment.
Design and manage structured surge capacity and resource planning models to deliver hub priorities, drawing on private sector, academia, and UN partners.
Performance, Evidence & Learning
Drive UN Global Pulse Europe portfolio-wide performance tracking and results management, ensuring clear milestones, data pipelines, and delivery metrics.
Translate evidence into executive-level briefs and recommendations, real-time dashboards, and investment cases for leadership and partners.
Build routines for team learning, feedback, and adaptive working — strengthening a culture of innovation and accountability.
Maintain documentation and audit trails to support internal/external reporting.
Facilitate continuous learning cycles within the hub and contribute to knowledge-sharing across the Global Pulse network.
Systems & Tools
Identify and operationalize cutting-edge, lean management systems and digital tools, including AI-driven automation, analytics, and monitoring solutions.
Lead the evolution of the office’s digital delivery toolkit and promote adoption of AI for internal efficiency and tracking.
Financial Stewardship & Resource Performance
Oversee financial planning and expenditure reviews and link spending to results and impact delivery.
Provide actionable recommendations for efficiency and reinvestment across the portfolio.
Provide analytical support to resource mobilization and donor reporting efforts.
Impact of Results
The Deputy Head of Office ensures that Global Pulse Europe delivers credible, measurable, and scalable results, enabling effective decision-making, resource alignment, and confidence from partners and leadership. This position is critical for continuity in implementing the Accelerator model and in strengthening innovation scaling capabilities across the UN system.
