Background Information - Job-specific
UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partnersโ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.
UNOPS services cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.
Working With Us
UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines. UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.
Diversity
With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce โ a strength that helps us better understand and address our partnersโ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.
The Strategy and Transformation Group
Located in UNOPS Headquarters in Copenhagen, the Strategy and Transformation Group (STG) reports to the UNOPS Chief of Staff. The STG leads the development of UNOPS corporate strategy and supports transformation and organizational change to meet the needs of our partners and the people we serve.
Within the STG, the Change and Transformation Team (CTT) is a small team of experienced transformation and change management professionals.
Transformation Management
In 2023, UNOPS initiated a large-scale transformation. To support this effort, the Transformation Office was established, with personnel provided by the CTT.
Collaborating closely with senior executives, initiative leads and managers, and colleagues across the organization, the Transformation Office provides a holistic view of the transformation to enable strategic decision-making, portfolio management, aggregated risk management, interdependency management, structured change management, and more - to ensure effective transformation.
Furthermore, UNOPS organizational reform portfolio is evolving based on the new demands and priorities as set by the Executive Office. New initiatives will warrant advisory expertise and execution support.
Senior Manager - Transformation & Org Design
The role reports to the Head of Change and Transformation.
The Senior Manager - Transformation & Org Design will be a key enabler for strategic organizational change, specializing in the leadership and evolution of the UNOPS Transformation Office mechanisms, and the coordination and alignment of a comprehensive and diverse organizational reform portfolio. The role will also involve specific organizational design and other assignments related to emerging Executive Office priorities. The Senior Manager is expected to balance advisory responsibilities with hands-on deliverables and milestones execution. This role demands exceptional business partnering and executive stakeholder management skills to navigate a complex landscape characterized by large-scale change, and operational demands in a fast-paced work environment.
Functional Responsibilities1. Transformation portfolio coordination and alignment:
Lead and evolve the Transformation Office mechanisms to best accommodate the shifting organisational needs of the transformation portfolio. In doing so, guide and oversee a small team of Transformation Office personnel, as well as produce deliverables directly.
Partner with the Transformation Board members and other senior stakeholders in charge of other global initiatives to ensure scope and prioritisation are aligned with UNOPS strategic plan and leadership priorities.
Ensure the Transformation Board operates effectively with clear and appropriate terms of reference and the necessary support for informed decision-making through regular updates and reports, including preparation of Transformation Board meetings.
Lead the development and implementation of robust project management methodologies and tools, providing initiatives with advice and guidance on project and programme management disciplines to promote best practices in areas such as planning, governance, risk management, and KPIs that complement a structured approach to change management.
Develop and evolve a comprehensive overview of the organization's reform portfolio and its progress, mapping interdependencies, identifying potential conflicts, assessing organizational change readiness and providing advice to Transformation Board members on the best ways to consolidate the global portfolio of change into a manageable and well coordinated effort:
Work with transformation initiatives, Regional Transformation Advisors and global programmes of change, to shape high-level plans that consider interdependencies, potential milestone conflicts, and change impact.
Oversee progress of initiatives against plan and portfolio level risks and issues, and support Transformation-level budget planning and management, providing reports and escalating matters to the Transformation Board as necessary.
Ensure effective communication and collaboration across the Transformation Office, Regional Transformation Advisors, project teams, and a wider range of senior stakeholders.
Partner with stakeholders involved in communications including the Communications Group, and initiative and regional communications focal points to draft and deliver coherent transformation level communications
2. Organisational design and change assignments
As part of the wider effort around the operating model redesign, provide input to this project, both on the project set up, structuring of the project governance and its delivery mechanisms but also also on the substantive side of the solution design and operating model options, for leadership consideration.
As needed, lead on the discrete work packages for the operating model review and/or other organisational design efforts, adapting best practice in solution design and change management implementation to organizational needs.
Scope and deliver work packages or lead on other internal organizational design assignments, as needed. Ensure practical and tailored solutions to specific problems.
As needed, support and/or manage the implementation of solutions, mitigating risks, ensuring minimal disruption to business operations and minimising change resistance.
3. Stakeholder engagement
Build and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders across the organization, including HQ and the regions.
Establish a partnering relationship with the Regional Transformation Advisors and the project leads.
Use varied influencing and relationship building techniques to navigate complex stakeholder dynamics, in geographically dispersed and operationally challenged environments.
Build alliances and momentum for driving change and generating support towards new ways of working e.g. coordinating and delivering the reform portfolio, implementing the operating model changes etc.
Communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels, providing regular relevant updates and addressing any concerns in a timely manner.
4. Team management
Supervise, mentor and develop highly motivated team members in a matrix team setting.
Provide clear direction and guidance to enable team members to perform their duties responsibly, effectively, efficiently and flexibly in a dynamic context.
Foster a positive team spirit where every member lives up to UNOPS values (integrity, respect, transparency and accountability) and where every member is performing to their fullest potential while preserving well-being.
5. Knowledge management
Contribute to the development of intellectual capital by bringing and applying knowledge and experience of relevant disciplines including transformation; project, programme and portfolio management as part of the Transformation Office; organisational design and change management.
Education/Experience/Language requirementsEducation:
An advanced degree preferably in Economics, Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, or other related field. A combination of a Bachelorโs degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above. Certification in Project-, Programme-, Portfolio Management (e.g. PMI, PRINCE2, MSP, MoP) is an asset. Certification in change management is an asset.
Experience:
Minimum 7+years of experience in management consulting or a similar role, with a proven track record of leading complex transformation initiatives is required.
Experience in Transformation Office management, operating model design, and portfolio management is required.
Experience influencing and managing stakeholders including senior leaders is required.
Experience in driving project benefits realisation via use and integration of change management approaches into project planning and implementation is required.
A minimum of 2 years in a people leadership role is required.
Experience working in a geographically dispersed organization with multiple stakeholders would be an asset.
UN experience would be an asset
Language Requirements:
Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground. Contract type, level and duration
Contract type: ICA Contract level: I-ICA-3 Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
UN City in Copenhagen - short presentation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oF25xfMW0KQ
Additional Information
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. 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.
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.