Senior Policy Advisor

Job Posting Organization:
UNOPS, the operational arm of the United Nations, was established to help the UN, governments, and partners execute peace, humanitarian, and development projects with a strong focus on on-the-ground implementation. As a self-financed organization, UNOPS recovers its costs through fees charged for specific projects. The organization operates globally, supporting various initiatives aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda. UNOPS is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within its workforce, which consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, and backgrounds.

Job Overview:
The Senior Policy Advisor position is a strategic role within UNOPS that involves providing high-level political and diplomatic advice to the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Executive Director. This role requires a deep understanding of geopolitical, multilateral, policy, and finance landscapes, as well as strong analytical skills. The advisor will support the Executive Director in navigating complex political environments and multilateral reforms, particularly in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The position entails conducting research and analysis, preparing strategic briefs, and collaborating with various UNOPS teams and external stakeholders to advance the organization's mandate and strategic objectives. The advisor will also represent UNOPS in high-level meetings and international events, ensuring that the organization maintains a strong presence and influence in global discussions.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Policy Analysis and Strategic Advisory: Provide high-level political analysis to inform executive decision-making and organizational positioning. Offer substantive policy advice on development and humanitarian issues, financing for development, and multilateral reform processes, including the UN80 reform agenda. Monitor and analyze global development trends relevant to UNOPS missions and prepare strategic briefs and assessments for the Executive Director's engagements.
• Multilateral Affairs and External Engagement: Monitor key intergovernmental and international policy processes relevant to UNOPS. Support strategic engagement in UN-wide reform processes and ensure consistency in external messaging. Represent UNOPS in high-level meetings and international events as required.
• People Leadership: Foster a culture of trust, empowerment, and accountability within the Executive Office and across UNOPS teams. Promote diversity and inclusion, ensuring the highest standards of conduct are observed.
• Knowledge Management and Innovation: Contribute to knowledge management and institutional learning. Support UNOPS thought leadership on sustainable development and identify emerging global trends and opportunities relevant to the organization.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in international relations, political science, economics, sustainable development, business administration, or a related discipline with at least 9 years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in the same fields with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience. Extensive experience in providing strategic policy advice, engaging with senior-level interlocutors, and conducting political and policy analysis is essential. Candidates should also have experience in drafting substantive briefing materials for senior leaders and working within inter-governmental, international, or UN system organizations.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in international relations, political science, economics, sustainable development, business administration, or a related discipline is required, along with significant relevant experience. Alternatively, a Master’s degree in the same fields is acceptable with fewer years of experience. The educational background should reflect a strong foundation in the principles of international development and policy analysis.

Experience:
Candidates should have extensive experience in providing strategic policy advice and engaging with senior-level stakeholders in government, multilateral organizations, and bilateral donors. Experience in conducting political and policy analysis, drafting documents for executive discussions, and working in inter-governmental or UN organizations is crucial for this role.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, while proficiency in French and Spanish is desirable. Candidates should demonstrate strong communication skills in both written and spoken forms, with the ability to engage effectively in multilingual environments.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified at the senior level (P-5) and is a full-time staff position under a fixed-term appointment (FTA) for an initial duration of one year, subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability. The role requires frequent travel to New York and involves high-level engagement with various stakeholders. UNOPS emphasizes diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging applications from underrepresented groups.