Senior Programme Manager - Climate Action

Organizational Context

The Executive Office (EO) at UNOPS provides strategic direction and oversight, ensuring the organization fulfills its mandate to support Member States and the UN system. It drives the implementation of the Strategic Plan, promotes robust governance, and fosters organizational transformation for agile and cost-effective deployment. The EO represents UNOPS, ensuring accountability to the Executive Board and leading engagement with stakeholders to advance UN objectives through practical solutions for sustainable development.

Job Purpose

The Senior Programme Manager will spearhead the successful implementation and management of the Climate Action Programme, leveraging proven programme and project management expertise alongside technical knowledge of climate action within UN entities and development partner contexts. This role is crucial for coordinating efforts across practice groups and office teams, ensuring program alignment with UNOPS' strategic priorities and Climate Strategy. The incumbent will act as a key resource, supporting the Chief Climate Officer in engaging external partners and promoting climate-compatible services, thereby contributing significantly to UNOPS' global climate agenda and the 2030 Agenda.

Responsibilities

The Senior Programme Manager is responsible for translating the 5-year Programme Implementation Plan into actionable annual plans, including work plans, KPIs, and resource mobilization strategies, while managing the entire programme lifecycle from planning to completion. This includes setting timelines, managing budgets, allocating resources, and integrating workstreams across practice units and country offices. The role involves supervising data collection and reporting for environmental inventories and advising on system requirements for monitoring. Additionally, the manager will lead, mentor, and develop the Climate Action Programme team, oversee recruitment and performance management, and serve as the primary contact for internal and external stakeholders. Coordination with technical experts, contractors, and partners to ensure timely and budget-compliant deliverables is essential, as is developing and supporting the programme's communication strategy. Proactive risk and issue management, along with providing specialized knowledge in decarbonization and preparing high-level briefing notes for senior engagements, are also key duties.

Work Experience

Required experience includes work in climate science, international climate policy, intergovernmental climate agreements, and engaging with scientific and policy communities. Leadership experience in change management, preferably in an international context, is also mandatory. Desired experience includes working in multicultural environments, UN system organizations, or developing countries, as well as experience in development or humanitarian contexts.

Skills

Climate Change, Leadership, Policy Analysis, Program Management, Project Management, Risk Management

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