Deputy Executive Director - D2

Geneva Com; Genf; Hybrid; CHF 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

UNITAR in Geneva seeks a Deputy Executive Director (D2) to lead operations across finance, human resources, legal, ICT, procurement and facilities, and oversee post-merger integration with UNSSC, including Turin Campus and offices in Bonn, Hiroshima, Madrid and New York. The role will deputize for the Executive Director and serve as Officer-in-Charge.

The successful candidate will have an advanced degree and 15+ years of senior executive experience in international organizations, with at least 7

Qualifications

• Master's or equivalent in a relevant field is required or a first-level degree with additional years of experience accepted.
• 15+ years of progressively responsible executive experience in organizational management or governance in international contexts.
• 7+ years of senior managerial experience overseeing multi-disciplinary portfolios.
• Fluency in English; working knowledge of another UN official language desirable.

Responsibilities

• Organisational leadership as a senior member of the leadership team.
• Executive deputization and acting as Officer-in-Charge and overseeing continuity.
• Strategic governance, risk management, compliance, fraud prevention and oversight focus.

Skills

Leadership

Governance

Strategic planning

Change management

Executive communication

English fluency

Education

Master's degree or equivalent in public administration, business administration, international relations, law, finance, management

Job description

UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research)

Apply by: 25 Nov 2026

Administration, HR, Management, Accounting/Finance

Deputy Executive Director - D2

Vacancy S/P/2026/010. Fixed-term regular staff position (2 years), Office of the Executive Director, Geneva. As part of the UN80 Initiative, UNITAR and the United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC) are merging into the United Nations Institute for Capability and Learning Innovation (UNICLI), effective 1 January 2027. This position is recruited under UNITAR in 2026 and will transition to UNICLI.

Key responsibilities:

• Organisational leadership, stewardship and culture as a member of the senior leadership team;
• Executive deputization and operational continuity, acting on behalf of the Executive Director and serving as Officer-in-Charge;
• Strategic governance and risk management, including enterprise risk management, compliance, fraud prevention, safeguarding, and serving as focal point for oversight bodies (Board of Auditors, OIOS, JIU);
• Organisational transformation and performance, leading post-merger integration between UNITAR and UNSSC and oversight of the Turin Campus and offices in Bonn, Hiroshima, Madrid and New York;
• Strategic leadership of operations and management across finance, human resources, legal, ICT, procurement and facilities, and oversight of third-party service providers and shared service centres.

Requirements:

Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in public administration, business administration, international relations, law, finance, management or a related field (a first-level degree with two additional years of experience may be accepted). At least 15 years of progressively responsible executive experience in organizational management, corporate administration, strategic planning, financial stewardship or governance in an international organization, public sector institution or large NGO; at least 7 years of senior managerial experience overseeing multi-disciplinary operational portfolios; proven track record leading large-scale organizational change within the UN common system or international public sector. Fluency in English is required; working knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Closing date: 25 November 2026