Director, Global Portfolios

Contract

This is a D-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 16 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 270,944 USD and 326,557 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Background Information - Job-specific

Global Portfolios Group

The Global Portfolios Group (GPG) coordinates UNOPS’ strategy for supporting governments, United Nations agencies, and partners in delivering and implementing their unique global and inter-regional portfolios of projects and programmes which contribute towards achievement of the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As a newly formed function, GPG builds on existing capabilities within UNOPS and is composed of UNOPS’ current global portfolios which are centrally managed across offices in Geneva, Vienna and New York as follows:

• Geneva Office (GVA) specifically supports a number of hosted programmes with a global remit, including the StopTB Partnership, Scaling Up Nutrition, RBM Partnership to End Malaria, the Platform on Disaster Displacement, Global Executive Leadership Initiative, ATscale Global Partnership, and Cities Alliance based in Brussels.
• Water and Energy Cluster (WEC), based in Vienna and reporting into GVA, which manages global initiatives on climate change, sustainable water management, and environmental protection.
• New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) includes the Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) and the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC), and is responsible for providing a range of important operational support services to the UN Secretariat and the whole UN system in New York and around the world. SDC supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations through Grants Management Services (GMS), UNOPS Technology Support Services (UNTSS), and Development and Social Initiatives (DSI), while PSC supports partners in the area of mine action and explosive hazards.

About the Role

Reporting to the Deputy Executive Director (DED) for Delivery and Partnerships, the GPG Director provides strategic guidance and oversight to the GVA and NYPO Directors.

The GPG Director works with the GVA and NYPO Directors to ensure continuous alignment of goals and effective delivery of projects and services which meet the specific needs and expectations of clients and partners while adhering to organizational rules and standards across the global portfolios.

Based in New York, the GPG Director works in concert with HQ Directors, Regional Directors and Directors of Hosted Partnerships to ensure that appropriate levels of ongoing management, policy, operational, and partnerships development support are continuously provided to the global and hosted portfolios.

*** This recruitment process is being facilitated by SRI Executive. If you are considered for the role, you may be contacted by them in the near future.***

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of functions:

1. Strategic Alignment and Direction
2. Global Portfolios Functional Leadership
3. People Leadership
4. Representation and Inter-Agency Partnership

5. Knowledge Management and Innovation

   Strategic Alignment and Direction

- Define overarching strategic and operational priorities for the Geneva (GVA) Office and New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) in line with UNOPS multi-year strategic plan. - Provide guidance and inputs across GPG’s end-to-end strategy formulation activities. Ensure global portfolios are able to identify common challenges and opportunities, synergize efforts and resources where feasible, and leverage cross-cutting capabilities to deliver the distinct range of services offered by each global portfolio to meet the complex and multi-faceted needs and expectations of clients and partners. - Raise visibility of global portfolio priorities in standard-setting and corporate-planning activities driven by UNOPS’ Management and Policy functions. Work with Directors of Finance, Infrastructure and Project Management, Procurement, People and Culture, IT, Risk and Compliance, and Shared Services Centre (SSC) to ensure that centrally-managed policies, processes and procedures enable global portfolios to deliver services effectively and efficiently. - In consultation with GVA and NYPO Directors, work with the Partnerships and Liaison Director, as well as Regional Office Directors, to identify and drive collaboration opportunities at global, regional and country levels. - Contribute to the formulation of UNOPS’ overall strategies and policies by providing relevant advice to the Deputy Executive Director (DED) for Delivery and Partnerships. Participate in senior management deliberations on current and future operations.

Global Portfolios Functional Leadership - Delegate authority and leadership to GVA and NYPO Directors to establish and cascade strategic goals and objectives across their global portfolios. - Monitor the performance of the global portfolios. Oversee progress towards annual objectives and make decisions to ensure the delivery of results as planned and according to clients’ and partners’ expectations. Recommend major changes and/or alignments in operations to the DED-Delivery and Partnerships to enhance and/or maintain efficacy. - Provide the Executive Director, DED-Delivery and Partnerships, and other members of the global leadership team with timely and accurate management reports as well as strategic advice and proposals related to the Global Portfolios function, thereby ensuring implications, opportunities and risks of business decisions are fully considered and aligned with UNOPS’ purpose. - Continuously evaluate overall global portfolio activities and initiatives to ensure alignment with UNOPS strategic plans, frameworks and standards of accountability, ethics and integrity. - Work with direct reports to plan, recruit and develop a flexible workforce with the competencies needed to drive optimal performance while ensuring gender and geographical diversity.

People Leadership - As a member of UNOPS global leadership team, role-model UNOPS values and behavioral competencies. - Promote teamwork and collaboration across GPG, ensuring team members have clear direction, objectives and guidance to enable them perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently. - Foster a positive work environment that is respectful of all. Ensure appropriate focus on team well-being, empowerment, diversity and inclusion and that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

Representation and Inter-Agency Partnerships - Represent UNOPS in senior inter-agency and external meetings/ bodies including Hosted Entities’ Boards and Steering Committees to promote the organization, contribute to policy discussion, and identify potential areas for UNOPS partnership and engagement. - Collaborate with internal and external partners, colleagues and stakeholders to keep abreast of evolving trends, advocate UNOPS services and build partnerships/ alliances to maintain/ enhance UNOPS visibility in project services in development cooperation. - Build and maintain public/ media relations to actively engage interest/ support in promoting and communicating UNOPS achievements, competencies and interest in global development. - Represent UNOPS at key global events (including media and public relations events) and meetings to speak on the organization's goals, priorities and capabilities. Build and maintain alliances to promote and/or advocate UNOPS’ position as a partner of choice in sustainable development.

Knowledge Management and Innovation - Oversee the successful implementation of policies, standards and tools to effectively manage global portfolios and enhance/ maintain UNOPS competitive edge as a provider of effective project services for sustainable results. - Lead the ongoing research, development and implementation of best practice and innovative approaches to maximize performance and sustain achievements. - Drive knowledge sharing and strategic communications with corporate functions, ensuring collaboration and continuous feedback through communications networks and other channels, as appropriate. - Lead the planning, implementation and organization of strategic capacity building of personnel, partners and stakeholders for strategic business development and engagement.

Competencies

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. 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.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• A Master’s degree in a relevant field is required.
• A Bachelor degree (or equivalent) combined with 2 additional years of relevant work experience can be accepted in lieu of the Master’s degree (total of 17 years of experience).

Experience:

• A minimum of 15 years of experience that combines strategic and managerial leadership in public affairs, management, business development planning and operations in a large international and/or corporate organization.
• Proven ability to manage, supervise and lead a team.
• Experience establishing partnerships with UN agencies, international development organizations, governments, foundations, international NGOs or private sector organizations is desirable.
• Experience in the UN system organizations and/or a developing country is desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Full working knowledge of English.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Fixed-term appointment Contract level: D2 / ICS-14 Contract duration: Two years initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.

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

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. 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.