Senior Policy Advisor

Giga; København; On-site; DKK 1,000,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

UNOPS in Copenhagen seeks a Senior Policy Advisor to support the Executive Director in navigating complex political environments and multilateral reforms. The role involves high-level policy analysis, strategic advisory, and close collaboration with UN System and Intergovernmental Affairs Office.

You will report to the Executive Director, be based in Copenhagen, and travel frequently to New York. A solid network across international organizations and think tanks is required.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience providing strategic policy advice for senior leaders.
• Experience engaging with senior interlocutors in government, multilateral organizations, and donors.
• Extensive experience in conducting political and policy analysis and drafting briefing materials.
• Experience working in inter-governmental, international and/or UN system organizations.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level political analysis to inform executive decision-making and organizational positioning.
• Offer substantive policy advice on development, humanitarian issues, and multilateral reform processes including UN80.
• Monitor global trends and prepare strategic briefs and talking points for senior engagements.
• Coordinate inputs and support UNOPS external engagement and reform processes.

Skills

Policy advice

Stakeholder engagement

Policy analysis

UN/international experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in international relations or related field with 9 years experience

Master’s degree or equivalent with 7 years experience

Job description

General Information

Position Title

Senior Policy Advisor

Job Category

Leadership

Duty Station(s)

Copenhagen

Seniority Level

Senior Level

ICS Level

ICS 12

Contract Type

Staff - IP - FTA

Contract Level

IP P-5

Posting Start Date

29-Sep-2026

Posting End Date

20-Oct-2026

Duration

1 year initially, renewable, subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability

Job Highlight

UNOPS is seeking a highly experienced Senior Policy Advisor to support the Executive Director in navigating complex political environments and multilateral reforms including within the UN system. The position requires political acumen, analytical strength, and critical judgement.

As an operational arm of the United Nations, UNOPS helps the UN, governments, and partners execute peace, humanitarian, and development projects with a strong focus on on-the-ground implementation. UNOPS is a self-financed organization which recovers its costs through fees charged for specific projects.

The Senior Policy Advisor will report to the Executive Director, be based in Copenhagen (UNOPS Headquarters), and will be expected to travel frequently to New York.

About the Group

The Executive Office provides overall leadership and direction for UNOPS, ensuring strategic alignment, operational integrity, and delivery of the organization’s mandate in support of Member States and the UN system. It drives the development and implementation of the 4-year strategic plan, overseeing organizational transformation and performance, delivery, and financial accountability.

The Executive Office represents UNOPS to the Executive Board, Member States, UN partners, and key stakeholders, positioning the organization as a trusted partner in advancing the 2030 Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals, and UN80 related reforms. Through strategic leadership, transparent governance, and effective communications, the Executive Office enhances organizational impact, visibility, and trust, ensuring UNOPS remains fit-for-purpose in a dynamic global environment.

Job Specific Context

The Senior Policy Advisor is a strategic role that ensures substantive contributions, representation and co-ordination on priorities set by the Executive Director. The Senior Policy Advisor will support the Executive Director on substantive policy issues across the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Senior Policy Advisor will provide thought leadership and support on - and further UNOPS strategic positioning in relation to - high priority events and processes, including those related to the SDGs such as the 2027 SDG Summit, the post-2030 agenda and UN reform (e.g. UN80).

The person will have a solid understanding of the geopolitical, multilateral, policy and finance landscape, combined with empirical research and analytical skills, and well-established networks across member-led intergovernmental and international organisations, diplomatic communities, thinktank and research institutes.

Role Purpose

The Senior Policy Advisor will conduct research and analysis to provide high-level political and diplomatic advice through briefings, key messages, and talking points on strategic policy issues to advance implementation of the UNOPS mandate and 4-year strategic plan.

The Senior Policy Advisor will collaborate closely with the UNOPS UN System and Intergovernmental Affairs Office (based in New York), the Partnerships and Futures Group, and the Communications Group.

1. Policy Analysis and Strategic Advisory

• Provide high-level political analysis to inform executive decision-making and organizational positioning.
• Provide substantive policy advice on development and humanitarian issues, financing for development, multilateral reform processes, including the UN80 reform agenda, and other emerging topics relevant to UNOPS.
• Monitor and analyze global development, geopolitical and multilateral trends relevant to UNOPS missions, priorities and operations.
• Prepare strategic briefs, talking points, analytical papers, and assessments for the Executive Director’s bilateral and multilateral engagements.

2. Multilateral Affairs and External Engagement

• Monitor and analyze key intergovernmental, multilateral and international policy processes relevant to UNOPS, including evolving discussions on UN system reform and the UN80 reform agenda.
• Support UNOPS strategic engagement in UN-wide reform processes, including by providing analysis, coordinating internal inputs, and identifying opportunities and implications for UNOPS within the changing multilateral landscape.
• Support UNOPS participation in major international conferences and development cooperation events.
• Strengthen engagement and collaboration with United Nations entities, international organizations and other multilateral stakeholders.
• Contribute to ensuring consistency and coherence in external messaging and stakeholder engagement.
• Represent UNOPS in high-level meetings and international events, when required.

3. People Leadership

• Create, foster and role model a culture of trust, empowerment and accountability across the Executive Office team and other UNOPS teams.
• Build engagement and foster a diverse and inclusive work environment, respectful of all, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
• Create, foster and role model a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual exploitation and abuse. Ensure accountability for actions and perform duties in accordance with protection mechanisms and action plans, as expected by UNOPS policies, standards and commitments.

4. Knowledge Management and innovation

• Contribute to knowledge management, innovation and institutional learning.
• Support UNOPS thought leadership on sustainable development, development and humanitarian issues, and the future of the multilateral system.
• Contribute to strategic foresight initiatives by identifying emerging global trends, risks and opportunities of relevance to UNOPS.
• Carry out other tasks as required.

Skills

Diplomacy, Document Drafting, Humanitarian Assistance, Intergovernmental Affairs, International Development, International Relations, Policy Analysis, Strategic Thinking

Competencies

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

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in international relations, political science, economics, sustainable development, business administration, or any related discipline with 9 years of relevant experience OR
• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in international relations, political science, economics, sustainable development, business administration, or any related discipline with 7 years of relevant experience is required.

Experience Requirements

Required

• Extensive experience providing strategic policy advice, engaging with senior level interlocutors in government, multilateral organizations, and bilateral donors.
• Extensive experience in conducting political and policy analysis, in drafting substantive briefing materials for senior leaders, and in drafting documents that support executive level discussions on international development.
• Experience of working in inter-governmental, international and/or UN system organizations.

Language Requirements

English: Fluent (Required)

French: Intermediate (Desirable)

Spanish: Intermediate (Desirable)

Additional Information

• 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.