Executive Coordinator

UNV; Bonn; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

UNV (United Nations Volunteers) seeks an Executive Coordinator to provide strategic vision and leadership for the programme, reporting to the UNDP Administrator. You will translate policy directives into organizational priorities and partnerships while guiding resource mobilization, modernization of volunteer management, and high-level advocacy.

The role requires an advanced degree, 15+ years of senior leadership experience, and fluency in English, with a preference for additional UN language

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in a relevant field (Master’s or equivalent).
• Bachelor’s degree with two additional years of relevant experience may be considered.
• Fluency in English is mandatory; proficiency in another official UN language is an asset.
• Over 15 years of progressive senior management experience in policy, partnerships, programme leadership and strategic resource management.
• Experience with international organizations or public service, high-level diplomatic engagement, and driving institutional change.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership, planning and management for UNV.
• Align with UN General Assembly resolutions and Executive Board decisions.
• Design and implement strategic frameworks for agile, people-centered service.
• Represent UNV externally and advocate for volunteerism in SDGs.
• Oversee results and resource management, ensuring financial, human, and digital oversight.
• Champion people, innovation and organizational effectiveness, including leadership development.

Skills

Achieve Results

Think Innovatively

Learn Continuously

Adapt with Agility

Act with Determination

Engage and Partner

Enable Diversity and Inclusion

System Thinking

Business Acumen

Effective Decision Making

Portfolio Management

Communication

Partnership Management

Finance (Development Finance Expertise

Education

Master’s degree or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree with 2 additional years of relevant experience

Job description

Organizational context: The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme, administered by UNDP, mobilizes volunteers to support UN mandates in development, peace, human rights, and humanitarian action, promoting volunteerism for the 2030 Agenda. Operating globally with over 17,000 volunteers, UNV connects the UN system with communities. The organization is adapting to enhance agility, efficiency, digital maturity, and resilience.

Job purpose: The Executive Coordinator provides strategic vision, direction, and leadership for the UNV programme, reporting to the UNDP Administrator. This role is responsible for fulfilling UNV's mandate by translating policy directives into organizational priorities, strategies, and partnerships. The incumbent leads resource mobilization, represents UNV globally, and ensures operational integrity, efficiency, and accountability. Key functions include modernizing UNV's service offerings, promoting volunteerism's relevance within the UN system and beyond, and positioning UNV as a trusted, innovative service provider. Additionally, the role involves coordinating common premises and services at the UN Bonn campus and liaising with German authorities.

Responsibilities: The Executive Coordinator provides strategic leadership, planning, and management for UNV, aligning with UN General Assembly resolutions and Executive Board decisions. This includes designing and implementing strategic frameworks, fostering an agile and people-centered service model, and promoting a culture of integrity and innovation. The role involves external relations, representation, and advocacy, serving as the principal spokesperson for UNV, advocating for volunteerism's role in SDGs, and sustaining high-level partnerships. Responsibilities also encompass results and resource management, ensuring effective financial, human, and digital resource oversight, safeguarding financial sustainability, and strengthening data-driven management. Finally, the incumbent champions people, innovation, and organizational effectiveness, ensuring high-quality volunteer assignments, overseeing modernization of volunteer management, and fostering continuous improvement and leadership development across UNV structures.

Education: An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in a relevant field is required. A bachelor’s degree with two additional years of relevant experience may be considered. Fluency in English is mandatory, and proficiency in another official UN language is an asset.

Work experience: Over 15 years of progressive senior management experience in policy, partnerships, programme leadership, and strategic resource management is required. Experience with international organizations or public service, high-level diplomatic engagement, and driving institutional change is essential. Proven leadership of teams, partnership acumen, and strong communication/advocacy skills are necessary. Experience in sustainable development, UN system operations, and managing global operations is advantageous.

Skills: Core Competencies: Achieve Results, Think Innovatively, Learn Continuously, Adapt with Agility, Act with Determination, Engage and Partner, Enable Diversity and Inclusion. Cross-Functional/Technical Competencies: System Thinking, Business Acumen, Effective Decision Making, Portfolio Management, Communication, Partnership Management, Finance (Development Finance Expertise).

Required languages: English

Desired languages: