Portfolio Advisor Vacancy Type Internal candidates only

UNOPS; New York (NY); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

UNOPS, through the Global Portfolios Office (GPO), seeks a Portfolio Advisor to align the global portfolio with corporate strategy and strengthen internal controls, risk management, and executive reporting. The role supports Support Services teams and enhances GPO’s delivery and financial viability.

The position emphasizes strategic advisory, risk mitigation, and portfolio analytics within a complex, international development environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 9 years of relevant experience or Master's with 7 years of relevant experience.
• Experience in finance, risk management, internal controls, project management, and operations.
• Proficiency in Google Suite and BigQuery; UN system experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Oversee formulation of GPO Annual Targets and ensure alignment with strategy.
• Lead portfolio KPI performance analysis to identify gaps and advise senior management.
• Drive risk management processes and mitigation of strategic, financial, and operational risks.
• Monitor issues logs, bottlenecks, and implement corrective actions.
• Prepare high-level executive reports and strategic briefings.
• Develop BI dashboards and automated oversight tools.
• Provide financial advisory for budget cycles, resource allocation, and reporting.
• Ensure data quality and compliance with UNOPS regulations.
• Monitor high-risk projects and support audit readiness.
• Lead capacity-building in portfolio management, compliance, and risk.

Skills

Communication

Crisis Management

Relationship Building

Strategic Thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration/ Finance/ Project Management

Master's degree in related field

Tools

Google Suite

BigQuery

Job description

Organizational context: The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) operates globally, with hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, supporting sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding. GPO collaborates with governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies, providing project management, fund management, and HR support. It acts as a central resource for the UN, implementing peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects worldwide through sustainable project management, procurement, and infrastructure services.

Job purpose: The Portfolio Advisor is a senior role reporting to the GPO Deputy Director, responsible for aligning the global portfolio with corporate strategy, operational excellence, and risk management. This position drives the alignment of internal controls and compliance with UNOPS policies, directs risk mitigation, and manages portfolio intelligence and executive reporting. The advisor serves as a key advisory focal point for Support Services teams. By providing strategic advice, rigorous internal controls, and proactive risk management, the role significantly enhances GPO's global delivery, operational efficiency, and financial viability, reinforcing its reputation as an agile and accountable partner.

Responsibilities: Oversee the formulation of GPO Annual Targets, ensuring alignment with operational strategy and delivery standards. Lead portfolio KPI performance analysis to identify gaps and advise senior management. Drive risk management processes, proactively identifying, analyzing, and mitigating strategic, financial, and operational risks. Monitor issues logs, analyze bottlenecks, and implement corrective actions. Lead the preparation of high-level executive reports and strategic briefings. Drive innovation by developing business intelligence dashboards and automated oversight tools. Provide comprehensive financial advisory for GPO Management Teams, overseeing the budget cycle, resource allocation, and financial reporting. Establish and enforce financial data quality, coordinating with finance teams. Monitor financial targets and expenditures, ensuring compliance with UNOPS regulations. Enforce quality assurance reviews of operational documents. Direct monitoring of high-risk projects and lead audit preparedness and response. Design and lead capacity-building initiatives on portfolio management, compliance, and risk management.

Education: A Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Business Administration, Finance, Project Management, or a related field with 9 years of relevant experience is required. Alternatively, a Master's degree (or equivalent) in a related field with 7 years of relevant experience is acceptable.

Work experience: Required experience includes finance, risk management, internal controls, project management, and operations. Proficiency in Google Suite applications and working with BigQuery is essential. Experience in international organizations, particularly the UN system, report preparation, financial data analysis, multicultural teams, and development/humanitarian contexts is desirable. Project Management certification (e.g., PRINCE2, PMI) is an asset.

Skills: Communication, Crisis Management, Relationship Building, Strategic Thinking

Required languages: English

Desired languages: French, Spanish