UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

The New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.

The Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) It provides Services to partners’ programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York. The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the UN Digital Cooperation Multi-Partner Trust Fund (Administered by UNDP MPTFO) to implement project activities for the Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Technology.

The Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Tech Envoy (OSET) is dedicated to advancing the United Nations’ digital cooperation agenda, ensuring that technological advancements benefit all of humanity while mitigating associated risks. The office serves as a bridge between the UN system, member states, the tech community, and other stakeholders, promoting partnerships and harnessing technology for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Building on the work of the High-Level Panel on Digital Cooperation and consultations of multi-stakeholder roundtable groups, the United Nations Secretary-General issued a Roadmap for Digital Cooperation (A/74/821) which addresses how the international community can better harness the opportunities presented by digital technologies while addressing their challenges. OSET leads the implementation of the Secretary-General’s vision on digital cooperation by working closely with various UN entities and multi-stakeholder groups, facilitating dialogue to accelerate global digital cooperation.

This vision is also reflected in the Secretary-General’s report “Our Common Agenda”, issued in September 2021. It prioritizes the digital space and the need to “protect the online space and strengthen its governance”. It also proposed a Global Digital Compact to be developed through a multistakeholder track. In September 2024, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Global Digital Compact (GDC) as an annex to the Pact for the Future. The GDC includes the first truly universal agreement on the international governance of Artificial Intelligence to give every country a seat at the AI table. Among other commitments, it calls for (a) the establishment of a multidisciplinary Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and (b) the initiation of a lobal Dialogue on AI Governance, both within the United Nations.

The Special Advisor, coordinating with the Senior Portfolio Manager, will meet the Envoy on Technology to outline planned and ongoing deliverables and ensure that their deadlines are realistic and aligned with relevant workflows.

Summary of Key Functions:

• Contributes to the formulation of the Office’s overall strategies and policies by participating in various committees, preparing documents on policy issues, and acting, as required, in an advisory capacity to the USG; contribute to the overall management of the Office’s activities and operations.
• Coordinates the development of UN system digital cooperation objectives and priorities in the context of intergovernmental deliberations on digital governance.
• Formulates and leads coherent UN engagement in intergovernmental processes related to digital technologies, including through coordinating with other departments, organizations or entities of the United Nations System, donors and agencies as appropriate.
• Coordinates workstreams on the implementation of the Global Digital Compact and participates in related system-wide leadership mechanisms.
• Reports to relevant bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/substantive issues, as appropriate.
• Ensures that the outputs produced by the Office maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the office under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates.
• Convenes meetings, seminars, etc., on substantive-related issues; participates in international, regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars and conference; provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue, or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.
• Perform other tasks and responsibilities relevant to the scope of this position.

Impact of Results

The Special Advisor plays a central role in advancing OSET’s strategic initiatives related to digital cooperation and governance. By coordinating on system-wide priorities, leading engagement in digital technology deliberations, and propelling the implementation of the Global Digital Compact, this role is essential for OSET’s mandate. Furthermore, the Special Advisor ensures high-quality outputs, participates in key forums, and provides advisory support to senior leadership, contributing to the broader objectives of the Office and the UN system as a whole.

*FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY*

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in political science, law, social sciences, international relations or related areas with ten (10) years of relevant experience OR.
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) preferably in political science, law, social sciences, international relations or related areas with twelve (12) years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Required Experience:

• Relevant experience is defined as experience working at international levels in international relations, political affairs and diplomacy.
• At least three (3) years of experience in multilateral negotiations is required

Desirable:(The following experience is optional. Candidates who do not have it are welcome to apply)

• Recent experience working supporting intergovernmental processes is desirable.
• Experience in coordinating the UN system, including in the digital sphere, is desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English (write, read, speak) is required.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
• This position is stationed in New York, USA which is a family duty station.

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.
• 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.

• Contract type: Temporary Appointment (TA)
• Contract level: D2
• Contract duration: 364 days

For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.aspx