Senior Advisor - Policy and Compliance Programme and Operations Manual Development Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UNOPS, established as a central resource of the United Nations, supports partners in building a better future through efficient, effective, and sustainable project management, procurement, and infrastructure services. UNOPS operates in approximately 125 countries, providing services to governments, donors, and UN organizations. The New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) specifically supports the UN Secretariat and other New York-based UN organizations in project management and procurement management. The Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) combines various portfolios to support peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development operations, and has a significant global footprint.

Job Overview:
The Senior Advisor position involves working under the supervision of the Senior Programme Manager of the Spotlight Initiative 2.0 Fund Secretariat. The consultant will conduct a comprehensive review of foundational documents related to the Spotlight Initiative, analyze operational manuals from other UN pooled funding instruments, and engage in stakeholder consultations to develop the Programme and Operations Manual (POM). The role requires synthesizing insights from various stakeholders to improve the POM's structure and content, ensuring it aligns with UN reforms and operational needs. The consultant will also lead the quality assurance process for the POM and develop visual representations of key business processes to enhance user navigation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct a comprehensive review of foundational documents related to the Spotlight Initiative 2.0 Fund, including Terms of Reference and agency-level MoUs.
• Analyze thematic evaluation reports and operational manuals from other UN funding instruments to identify best practices.
• Review and propose revisions to the Spotlight Initiative 2.0 Fund POM, ensuring it covers essential topics such as governance, financial management, and civil society engagement.
• Conduct stakeholder consultations to gather insights and refine the POM's content and structure.
• Lead the finalization of the POM, integrating feedback from stakeholders and developing visual aids to facilitate understanding.
• Perform additional duties as required to support the objectives of the Spotlight Initiative.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in relevant fields such as Public Administration or International Affairs, with at least ten years of relevant experience. Alternatively, a Bachelor’s degree with twelve years of experience may be accepted. Required qualifications include experience in development cooperation project management, demonstrated ability to develop comprehensive operational manuals, and in-depth knowledge of UN policies and pooled funding instruments. Excellent writing skills and the ability to manage stakeholder consultations are also essential.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Public Administration, Business Administration, International Affairs, Law, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) may be accepted with additional relevant work experience.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least ten years of relevant experience in development cooperation programme/project management, operations, or business change management, preferably within the UN context. Experience in developing operational manuals and knowledge of UN funding instruments is essential. Desirable experience includes programme management at the country or regional office level.

Languages:
Fluency in English (reading, writing, speaking) is required for this position. Additional language skills may be advantageous but are not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The contract type is ICA, level I-ICA 4, with a duration of 6 months. The position is home-based, but some international travel may be required. UNOPS encourages applications from qualified women and underrepresented groups, and emphasizes diversity and inclusion in its workforce. The organization offers flexible working options and values work-life harmonization.