Senior Programme Manager - Climate Action

UNOPS; København; On-site; DKK 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

UNOPS is seeking a Senior Programme Manager to lead the Climate Action Programme, shaping and delivering initiatives that advance the 2030 Agenda in a dynamic international setting.

You will coordinate across practice groups, engage with external partners, and ensure delivery on time and within budget, while guiding data collection, reporting, and system requirements to support climate action across the organization.

Qualifications

• Experience in climate science, policy, and engagement with climate communities.
• Leadership experience in change management within international contexts.

Responsibilities

• Translate strategy into annual work plans with KPIs and budgets.
• Lead the Climate Action Programme team and manage performance.
• Coordinate with internal and external partners to meet deliverables on time and budget.
• Develop communication strategies to raise visibility of climate results.
• Identify risks and report progress to senior leadership.

Skills

Programme management

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Data reporting

Climate policy

Decarbonisation knowledge

Education

Bachelor's or equivalent in Engineering/Environmental Science

Master's degree in relevant field

Job description

Functions / Key Results Expected

Programme Execution:

Job Highlight

This pivotal role offers a unique opportunity to drive UNOPS' global climate action agenda, leading a dedicated team and influencing strategic partnerships. You will be instrumental in shaping and delivering impactful initiatives, contributing directly to the organization's mandate and the 2030 Agenda, while working in a dynamic international environment.

About The Group

The Executive Office (EO) leads and is accountable for the strategic direction, performance, and integrity of UNOPS, ensuring the organization implements its mandate in support of Member States and the UN system. Providing strategic leadership, the Office sets and oversees the implementation of the 4-year Strategic Plan, ensuring alignment on corporate priorities across the organization. The Office ensures robust governance, and accountability for resources and results while driving culture change and the transformation of the organization for cost-effective agile deployment in collaboration with sister agencies of the United Nations, and other partners. The Executive Office represents UNOPS and ensures accountability to the Executive Board. The Office leads UNOPS engagement with Member States, UN partners, and other stakeholders to advance United Nations objectives by bringing practical solutions to bridge the implementation gap so that all people can live peaceful and dignified lives, where human rights are respected, and where countries and communities are on a path to sustainable development.

Role Purpose

The Senior Programme Manager will lead the successful implementation and management of the Climate Action Programme. The role requires proven programme and project management expertise, and technical knowledge of climate action, particularly in the context of UN system entities and development partners. The incumbent will serve as a key resource and coordinator across practice groups and office teams, ensuring the programme aligns with the strategic priorities of UNOPS and the Climate Strategy. The Programme Manager will support the Chief Climate Officer to engage with external partners and promote climate compatible services for UNOPS.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Programme Execution:

• Translates the 5-year Programme Implementation Plan into coherent and actionable annual plans, including work plans, key performance indicators (KPIs), and resource mobilization strategies.
• Manages the full lifecycle of the programme from planning and design to implementation and completion.
• Sets timelines, manages budgets, allocates resources
• Integrates the workstreams within the programme and ensures that CAP is integrated within relevant practice units and country offices.
• Supervises the data collection and reporting for the Environmental Inventory, and other required public reporting.
• Advises the Chief Climate Officer on system requirements for supporting data collection, monitoring and reporting.

Team Leadership

• Leads, mentors, and motivates the dedicated Climate Action Programme team, fostering a culture of high performance, collaboration, client-orientation, and continuous improvement.
• Oversees recruitment, performance management, and capacity development of programme staff and consultants.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Serves as the primary point of contact for internal and external project stakeholders.
• Supports the CCO to connect UNOPS with the broader climate agenda including partnerships.
• Coordinates with technical experts, contractors, and partners to ensure deliverables are met on time and within budget.
• Develops and supports the programme's communication strategy, ensuring the visibility of UNOPS' climate action results and lessons learned, in close collaboration with the UNOPS communications team.

Risk and Issue Management

• Proactively identifies and manages risks and issues that could impact a programme’s success. Responsible for finding solutions and reporting progress to senior leadership.

Technical and Subject Matter Expertise

• Specialised knowledge in decarbonisation of operations, including scope 3 emissions and reporting.
• Prepares high-level briefing notes, policy papers, and technical inputs for the CCO's engagements with Member States, the UN system, multilateral financial institutions, and private sector partners.
• Acts as a technical resource to the regions to support their delivery of reduction targets.

Education Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Environmental Science, Climate Change or related discipline with 9 years of relevant experience OR Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with 7 years of relevant experience is required.

Experience Requirements

Required:

• Relevant experience is work in climate science, international climate policy, intergovernmental agreements on climate change, and engaging with the scientific and policy communities on climate change.
• Leadership experience of change management, preferably in an international context, is required.

Desired:

• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.
• Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.