UNOPS UNTSS and its project teams based at multiple locations around the world engage with UN System partners to support the implementation of their mandated activities in the realm of innovation and technology.
This is a position in UNOPS for supporting partnerships and projects under the UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS) portfolio. The Programme Management Advisor will advise and support the UNTSS Senior Portfolio Manager in the following areas:
Overall strategic management and direction of TSS, ensuring readiness for alignment to new UNOPS strategy 2026-29 and in support of UNOPS transformation initiatives;
Strengthening of existing TSS partnerships with the UN Secretariat, in particular their governance, implementation compliance for ongoing engagements (including 2025 UNBOA audit), and adjustments to reflect emerging opportunities and threats (including arising from UN80 Initiative); and
Development of new partnerships within the UN Secretariat and UNDP MPTFO (including for UN Office of Outer Space Affairs) and with other UN entities headquartered in New York (including UNFPA in the area of supply chain management).
The incumbent will report to the UNTSS Senior Portfolio Manager. The incumbent of this position will be a UNOPS personnel and is under its full responsibility.
The Programme Management Advisor will undertake the following activities/responsibilities:
Portfolio Management, Continuity, Growth and Diversification:
Advises and supports the UNTSS Senior Portfolio Manager on strategic issues regarding the development and implementation of the UNTSS strategy on business continuity and growth, including on outreach and engagement with partners;
Reports on UNTSS quality and performance metrics; and
Advises UNTSS Senior Portfolio Manager on mainstreaming lessons learnt and best practices.
Partnership and Stakeholder engagement:
Establishes solid working relationships with partner/donor representatives, governance bodies and other key stakeholders;
Collects and synthesizes background information about potential partners and opportunities, advises and supports on development and maintenance of stakeholder profiles and on formulation and update of stakeholder engagement strategies;
Formulates engagement communication plans and coordinates related internal communications;
Monitors the effectiveness of engagement communications and advises on necessary measures to ensure that stakeholders are informed about activities, progress, exceptions, and other information relevant to their role; and
Coordinates stakeholder engagement and communication, ensuring effective timing and interdependency management of communications and advises on issues that may impact the achievement of outcomes, including sustainability.
Business Development:
Advises on and supports in updating the UNTSS strategy to enhance and grow the portfolio;
Conducts business development intelligence for potential new partnerships/engagements (facilitate assessments of partners’ needs, UNOPS value proposition, etc.);
Supports analysis of corporate trends and guidelines regarding their relevance for partnerships development processes;
Generates content (information/images) for promotional activities;
Oversees and advises UNTSS Project Managers on the preparation of project initiation documents (PIDs), legal agreements, and develops a thorough understanding of the terms, conditions, and respective roles and responsibilities of the partners/stakeholders to ensure that project deliverables meet the business cases for both UNOPS and the client;
Supports negotiations with partners and consultations with beneficiaries by facilitating the finalization of concept notes and project proposals in a context-sensitive and results-oriented manner.
Prepares presentations and supporting documents for partner meetings;
Facilitates the organization of promotional events and high-level meetings;
Ensures monitoring of partner meeting action points and pipeline engagements opportunities; and
Participates in negotiating cost-effective and mutually beneficial terms for UNOPS services with prospective clients and partners.
Delivery, Performance and Quality Assurance:
Oversees and advises UNTSS Project Managers on the development, completion, and updates of implementation plans and on embedding of sustainability dimensions (including social and gender inclusion, environmental, and economic aspects) throughout the project lifecycle;
Oversees and advises on change controls, risk registers and issue management;
Monitors relevant UNTSS delivery and performance metrics and advises UNTSS Senior Portfolio Manager on trends, risks and advises on options for relevant action; and
Collaborates with internal stakeholders to advise and support UNTSS Project Managers to ensure projects comply with audit requirements.
Procedures:
Complies with all organizational policies;
Advises UNTSS Project Managers on preparation and adaptation of relevant plans for approval by the governance boards;
Assesses and advises on project financial management guidelines and control mechanisms in compliance with applicable UNOPS policies;
Supports project audit activities, including planning, preparation, coordination during audits, and follow-up on audit observations/recommendations;
Advises UNTSS Project Managers on preparing project reports and documents, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations and UNOPS policies, processes and procedures; and
Provides advice to ensure relevant procedures are embedded into UNTSS project management and are applied consistently across all projects as per UNOPS corporate guidelines, procedures, and policies,
Knowledge Management:
Encourages the routine and effective conduct of capacity-building activities to build the long-term and sustainable capacity of UNTSS personnel;
Actively engages with other Portfolio, Programme, and Project Managers, and the wider PM community to share case studies, lessons learned, and best practices;
Contributes to the oversight of lessons learned procedures, ensuring timely and appropriate sharing of lessons learned and participates in relevant Communities of Practice;
Contributes to recommendations on policy and tools to Practice Groups and HQ, and contributes to the development of guidance material and tools that advance UNTSS strategic project management goals;
Coordinates and oversees the implementation of requests or initiatives relevant to project management from the Regional Office and HQ Teams, as required;
Contributes to expertise in tools and techniques; and
Supports the compilation of lessons learned
