Director, UN System and Intergovernmental Affairs Office (SIGA), UNOPS

Global Roles; New York (NY); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Global Roles seeks a Director of the UN System and Intergovernmental Affairs Office (SIGA) to lead inter-governmental engagement and strategic relations with UN Member States, the Executive Board, and UN system-wide processes. The role is based in New York and involves advising the Executive Director and representing UNOPS in high-level UN forums.

The successful candidate will coordinate with the Copenhagen office, manage Executive Board services, and guide governance engagement with multiple UN

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Public Administration, International Development, Political Science, International Relations or related studies.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in multilateral organizations or bilateral diplomacy, including 5 years in governance, policy, or liaison functions.
• Experience with development partners, governing bodies, and donors.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and strategic direction on inter-governmental affairs and relations with Member States and UN system-wide engagement.
• Advise and support the Executive Director on matters related to the Executive Board and coordination with Member States and UN-wide processes.
• Represent UNOPS in New York and act as the strategic link between the UNOPS Executive Office and the UN Headquarters in New York.
• Promote relationships between governance and oversight bodies, Member States, and other UN entities.
• Ensure effective organization, preparation, management, and servicing of Executive Board sessions.
• Contribute to the 4-year strategic plan and leadership priorities.
• Lead UNOPS participation in New York-based forums of Member States; engage with missions.
• Advise on emerging trends, risks, and opportunities across the UN system.
• Lead preparation for Executive Board sessions and ensure Board decisions are acted upon.
• Oversee positioning in UN inter-governmental fora including GA, UNSC, ECOSOC.

Skills

Governance Policy

Liaison Functions

Multilateral Diplomacy

Development Partner Engagement

UN System Knowledge

UN Rules and Procedures

Political Diplomacy

Stakeholder Influence

Briefing Material Preparation

Intergovernmental Affairs

Strategic Leadership

UNOPS Mandate Understanding

Executive Board Relations

UN Member States Engagement

Education

Master's degree in relevant field

Job description

The Director of the UN System and Intergovernmental Affairs Office (SIGA) at UNOPS provides leadership and strategic direction on inter-governmental affairs and relations with Member States and UN system-wide engagement. The role involves representing UNOPS in New York, advising the Executive Director, and managing relationships with the Executive Board, UN Member States, and other UN entities.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and strategic direction on all inter-governmental affairs and relations with Member States and UN system-wide engagement.
• Advise and support the Executive Director of UNOPS on matters related to the Executive Board and coordination with Member States and UN-wide processes.
• Represent UNOPS in New York and act as the strategic link between the UNOPS Executive Office in Copenhagen and the UN Headquarters in New York.
• Promote effective relationships between the Executive Board of UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS, governance and oversight bodies of the UN system, Member States, and other UN entities.
• Ensure effective organization, preparation, management, and servicing of Executive Board sessions.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the organization through the 4-year strategic plan and achievement of leadership priorities.
• Strategically position UNOPS in inter-governmental and inter-agency processes and mechanisms.
• Advise the Executive Director and senior management on emerging trends, risks and opportunities across the UN system.
• Represent UNOPS at the Executive Board Bureau and liaise with Permanent Missions to the United Nations.
• Lead and coordinate preparations for Executive Board sessions and ensure Board decisions are understood and acted upon.
• Oversee UNOPS positioning in key inter-governmental fora including the General Assembly, Security Council and ECOSOC.
• Advise on preparations for the UN Chief Executives Board and the UN Sustainable Development Group.
• Represent UNOPS at high-level meetings in New York as requested by the Executive Director.
• Lead UNOPS participation in New York-based forums of Member States such as SIDS, LDCs, G77.
• Support advocacy, public information and communication activities related to the GA and ECOSOC.
• Engage with Member States on behalf of regional and country offices including Host Country Agreements and Designation of UNOPS representatives.
• Role-model UNOPS values and behavioural competencies as a member of the global leadership team.
• Drive leadership development and talent pipelines, promote teamwork and collaboration.
• Foster a positive working environment respectful of all and ensure focus on well-being, empowerment, diversity and inclusion.
• Champion organizational learning, continuous improvement, and a high-performance culture.
• Manage resources within budgetary parameters and delegated authority.

Requirements

• A Master's degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Public Administration, International Development, Political Science, International Relations or related studies.
• A minimum of 15 years of experience working in multilateral organizations or bilateral diplomacy, including 5 years in a governance, policy, or liaison function is required.
• Experience working with a network of development partners, governing bodies, and donors.
• Demonstrated understanding of UN system organizations, rules and regulations.
• Demonstrated experience in navigating complex political dynamics with diplomacy and ability to influence.
• Demonstrated ability to craft politically sensitive briefing material and documents.
• Broad understanding of UNOPS, its mandate and its partners, and its positioning within the UN (desired).

Skills

• Governance Policy
• Liaison Functions
• Multilateral Diplomacy
• Development Partner Engagement
• UN System Knowledge
• UN Rules and Procedures
• Political Diplomacy
• Stakeholder Influence
• Briefing Material Preparation
• Intergovernmental Affairs
• Strategic Leadership
• UNOPS Mandate Understanding
• Executive Board Relations
• UN Member States Engagement

Languages

English, French, Spanish