Government and Industry Engagement Manager (Spectrum Certificates)

UNOPS; Genf; Vor Ort; CHF 120.000 - 160.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

UNOPS Geneva Office seeks a Government and Industry Engagement Manager for Spectrum Certificates. You will convert regulator demand into formal partnerships, oversee sandbox pilots, and coordinate with UNICEF-DI and other stakeholders to drive deployment and standards development.

The role involves high-level engagement with governments and regulators, developing partnerships, and managing multi-country pilots in a dynamic, open-source spectrum initiative.

Qualifikationen

• Advanced degree required as listed above.
• Experience closing agreements with governments or regulators is essential.
• Proven ability to engage credibly with governments, regulators and partners.

Aufgaben

• Governmment Engagement and Closing: manage regulator pipeline end to end, outreach, clarifications, negotiation, and signatures of sandbox letters of intent and pilot agreements.
• Convert pipeline into signed, bounded pilots and extend to new markets.
• Leverage bilateral and multilateral channels to access target authorities in coordination with portfolio lead and senior stakeholders.
• Manage pilot relationships through 90-day cycles to published findings notes and continuation decisions.
• Industry and Operator Demand: build relationships with terrestrial operators for dynamic sharing and pilot opportunities.
• Standards and Ecosystem: push certificate protocol through IEEE and standards bodies; participate in white papers and talks.
• Communications and Sustainability: produce external material, collaborate with partners on budget and cost-recovery models.

Ausbildung

Advanced university degree in Telecommunications, Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, Policy, Public Administration, International Relations, Business Administration, Economics, Law, Development Studies

Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in government/regulator engagement or ICT policy

Jobbeschreibung

Government and Industry Engagement Manager (Spectrum Certificates)

Job Category

Duty Station(s)

Geneva

Seniority Level

ICS 10

Contract Type

ICA - IICA - Regular

IICA 2

Posting Start Date

22-Oct-2026

Posting End Date

12-Nov-2026

Duration

Until 31 December 2027, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availbility of funds.

Job Highlight

This role is an exciting opportunity to work with governments, regulators and industry leaders to advance connectivity through new approaches to spectrum managemen

About the Region

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, and expert teams operating globally, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding - including in some of the world’s most challenging environments. By leveraging our collective expertise and global networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries. We work closely with major global partners - including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies - to deliver a wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

From Geneva, UNOPS facilitates the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), working with governments, other United Nations (UN) agencies and partners by providing quality servces, integrated solutions and management support through strategic, cost-effective and results-oriented approches. This includes supporting platforms and hosting high-profile, flagship initiatives and funds focusing on health, nutrition, water and sanitation, sustainable cities, environment, energy, climate and trade. UNOPS is a recognized resource for the UN system in Geneva – from fund management and oversight and advisory services, to providing hosting solutions to a range of global initiatives, as well as operational support to partner organizations.

Job Specific Context

UNOPS Geneva Office is providing support to a wide range of portfolios, including UNICEF.

This position is a Partner Personnel role . The selected candidate will be hired by UNOPS under its rules and regulations and will be engaged as UN Partner Personnel for UNICEF - Digital Inclusion (DI) and will operate under the effective management and supervision of UNICEF. UNOPS is supporting UNICEF-DI as a UN Partner and acting on its behalf to provide recruitment and administrative support for this position.

About UNICEF Digital Inclusion

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

UNICEF’s Digital Inclusion team accelerates access to affordable, sustainable, safe and resilient digital infrastructure for every child. We do so by supporting governments and partners to expand equitable and affordable connectivity across child-facing service locations such as schools, health facilities, and social protection locations, and addressing related infrastructure such as electricity and computer. Our work empowers children and their communities through information, opportunity, choice and dignity. The Digital Inclusion team includes functions that support Giga, the joint partnership between UNICEF and ITU to connect every school to the internet.

Digital Inclusion team is part of the Digital Impact Division (DID), which is at the heart of reshaping how UNICEF delivers lasting results for all children everywhere, and is committed to harnessing the full potential of emerging digital technologies to advance UNICEF’s mission. DID works in close collaboration with a network of colleagues in more than 190 countries and territories at country, region and headquarters levels to leverage technologies and capabilities that accelerate progress on UNICEF’s goals, strengthen community resilience, and expand access to essential digital services and information.

Spectrum Certificates is an open-source solution for issuing temporary spectrum-use authorizations under existing regulatory frameworks. It enables the creation of cryptographically signed, machine-readable authorizations that define frequency, geographic area, duration and operational parameters, with transparent verification and auditability. A working prototype has been developed, and regulators in multiple countries are engaged at various stages of exploration and implementation. The project is incubated within UNICEF's Digital Inclusion portfolio, while open-source assets and standards are stewarded by the Connect and Compute Foundation in Geneva. The open-source protocol and platform is free to regulators with services developed by a range of vendors.

Role Purpose

The Manager will build on existing technical assets, including a working prototype, regulator engagement materials and implementation frameworks, to convert regulator demand into formal partnerships, signed sandbox agreements and operational deployments, and establish the framework in the standards ecosystem.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Government Engagement and Closing (approx. 50%)

• Manage the regulator pipeline end to end, including outreach, follow-up, clarifications, negotiation, and signature of sandbox letters of intent and pilot agreements.
• Convert the current pipeline (~4 countries) from engagement to signed, bounded pilots, then extend to new markets.
• Leverage bilateral and multilateral engagement channels to facilitate access to target authorities, in coordination with the portfolio lead and other senior stakeholders.
• Manage each pilot relationship through its 90-day cycle to a published findings note and a continuation decision by managing expectations and coordination with the CTO/Development team to scope these to deliverables/delivery.

Industry and Operator Demand (approx. 20%)

• Build relationships with terrestrial operators in target markets that want dynamic, short-duration, or shared spectrum access, so that operator demand reaches regulators before and during pilot conversations.
• Sequencing guardrail: ensure pilots are opened with regulators on issuance speed, auditability, and sovereignty. Transferability and secondary markets are not part of any opening pitch and enter scope only at a regulator’s documented request.
• Develop partnerships with technology providers in dynamic sharing, LEO and non-terrestrial systems, and unmanned systems, in coordination with the space track.

Standards and Ecosystem (approx. 15%) in coordination with the CTO/Dev to push/create a certificate protocol telecom standards moving forward:

• Execute the standards ladder (IEEE and comparable bodies), including membership, working-group participation, and formal positioning of the certificate specification, building on the engineering lead’s ecosystem map.
• Coordinate white papers and conference talks; place the framework in at least two recognized industry or standards venues per year.

Communications and Sustainability (approx. 15%)

• Coordinate the production and export of external material: blog posts, media, and public documentation
• Coordinate within the team and with partners to develop the sustainability model published cost-recovery fee schedule, budget, and the analysis underpinning any future operating structure.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

Deployment is measured on a four-rung ladder: (a) signed letter of intent; (b) sandbox live with test issuances; (c) certificates issued against real spectrum under existing authority; (d) production use by operators.

Item

Outputs/Deliverables

Month/Year

1

One government at rung (b) or higher, and the current pipeline converted to signed paper at rung (a) or above.

Within 6 months of start

2

Five governments at rung (b) or higher, at least one at rung (c).

By end of December 2027

3

The specification formally lodged in at least one standards process, and two published white papers with associated talks.

By end of December 2027

Skills

Information Technology Governance, Stakeholder Engagement, Technical Writing

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required:

Advanced university degree in Telecommunications, Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, Policy, Public Administration, International Relations, Business Administration, Economics, Law, Development Studies, or another relevant field.

A first University degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced University degree.

Experience Requirements

Required

• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience working in one or more of the below areas:
• Spectrum or wholesale leadership in an operator active in emerging markets
• National regulator or ministry with deal execution
• Government or infrastructure business development at a technology or satellite company
• Development-finance transaction teams in connectivity
• Demonstrated record of closing agreements with governments or regulators: signed contracts, licenses, concessions, or pilot agreements under personal accountability
• Experience working effectively within public-interest, open-source or digital public goods initiatives. Ability to engage credibly with governments, regulators and partners in support of the adoption of non-commercial solutions.
• Experience with spectrum policy and licensing practice, and technical fluency to work with an engineering lead on product decisions without translation
• A track record of independently navigating and executing multi-country pipelines in highly ambiguous environments.

Additional Information

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here .
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.