Senior Policy Advisor, Copenhagen, Denmark

## Senior Policy Advisor, Copenhagen, Denmark - Organization:UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services - Office:UNOPS HQ Copenhagen Position Title:Senior Policy Advisor Job Category:Leadership Duty Station(s):Copenhagen Seniority Level:Senior Level Contract Type:Staff - IP - FTA Contract Level:IP P-5 Posting Start Date:29-Sep-2026 Posting End Date:20-Oct-2026 Duration:1 year initially, renewable, subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability UNOPS is seeking a highly experienced Senior Policy Advisor to support the Executive Director in navigating complex political environments and multilateral reforms including within the UN system. The position requires political acumen, analytical strength, and critical judgement. As an operational arm of the United Nations, UNOPS helps the UN, governments, and partners execute peace, humanitarian, and development projects with a strong focus on on-the-ground implementation. UNOPS is a self-financed organization which recovers its costs through fees charged for specific projects. The Senior Policy Advisor will report to the Executive Director, be based in Copenhagen (UNOPS Headquarters), and will be expected to travel frequently to New York. The Executive Office provides overall leadership and direction for UNOPS, ensuring strategic alignment, operational integrity, and delivery of the organization's mandate in support of Member States and the UN system. It drives the development and implementation of the 4-year strategic plan, overseeing organizational transformation and performance, delivery, and financial accountability. The Executive Office represents UNOPS to the Executive Board, Member States, UN partners, and key stakeholders, positioning the organization as a trusted partner in advancing the 2030 Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals, and UN80 related reforms. Through strategic leadership, transparent governance, and effective communications, the Executive Office enhances organizational impact, visibility, and trust, ensuring UNOPS remains fit-for-purpose in a dynamic global environment. The Senior Policy Advisor is a strategic role that ensures substantive contributions, representation and co-ordination on priorities set by the Executive Director. The Senior Policy Advisor will support the Executive Director on substantive policy issues across the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Senior Policy Advisor will provide thought leadership and support on - and further UNOPS strategic positioning in relation to - high priority events and processes, including those related to the SDGs such as the 2027 SDG Summit, the post-2030 agenda and UN reform (e.g. UN80). The person will have a solid understanding of the geopolitical, multilateral, policy and finance landscape, combined with empirical research and analytical skills, and well-established networks across member-led intergovernmental and international organisations, diplomatic communities, thinktank and research institutes. The Senior Policy Advisor will conduct research and analysis to provide high-level political and diplomatic advice through briefings, key messages, and talking points on strategic policy issues to advance implementation of the UNOPS mandate and 4-year strategic plan. The Senior Policy Advisor will collaborate closely with the UNOPS UN System and Intergovernmental Affairs Office (based in New York), the Partnerships and Futures Group, and the Communications Group. Functions / Key Results Expected 1. Policy Analysis and Strategic Advisory - Provide high-level political analysis to inform executive decision-making and organizational positioning. - Provide substantive policy advice on development and humanitarian issues, financing for development, multilateral reform processes, including the UN80 reform agenda, and other emerging topics relevant to UNOPS. - Monitor and analyze global development, geopolitical and multilateral trends relevant to UNOPS missions, priorities and operations. - Prepare strategic briefs, talking points, analytical papers, and assessments for the Executive Director's bilateral and multilateral engagements. 2. Multilateral Affairs and External Engagement - Monitor and analyze key intergovernmental, multilateral and international policy processes relevant to UNOPS, including evolving discussions on UN system reform and the UN80 reform agenda. - Support UNOPS strategic engagement in UN-wide reform processes, including by providing analysis, coordinating internal inputs, and identifying opportunities and implications for UNOPS within the changing multilateral landscape. - Support UNOPS participation in major international conferences and development cooperation events. - Strengthen engagement and collaboration with United Nations entities, international organizations and other multilateral stakeholders. - Contribute to ensuring consistency and coherence in external messaging and stakeholder engagement. - Represent UNOPS in high-level meetings and international events, when required. - Create, foster and role model a culture of trust, empowerment and accountability across the Executive Office team and other UNOPS teams. - Build engagement and foster a diverse and inclusive work environment, respectful of all, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed. - Create, foster and role model a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual exploitation and abuse. Ensure accountability for actions and perform duties in accordance with protection mechanisms and action plans, as expected by UNOPS policies, standards and commitments. 4. Knowledge Management and innovation - Contribute to knowledge management, innovation and institutional learning. - Support UNOPS thought leadership on sustainable development, development and humanitarian issues, and the future of the multilateral system. - Contribute to strategic foresight initiatives by identifying emerging global trends, risks and opportunities of relevance to UNOPS. - Carry out other tasks as required. Diplomacy, Document Drafting, Humanitarian Assistance, Intergovernmental Affairs, International Development, International Relations, Policy Analysis, Strategic Thinking Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation. Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational 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 deci