Director, UN System and Intergovernmental Affairs Office (SIGA), UNOPS

### General Information Position Title Director, UN System and Intergovernmental Affairs Office (SIGA), UNOPS Job Category Leadership Duty Station(s) New York Seniority Level Executive Level ICS Level ICS 13 Contract Type Staff - IP - FTA Contract Level IP D-1 Posting Start Date 30-Sep-2026 Posting End Date 21-Oct-2026 Duration 2 years initially, renewable, subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability ### Job Highlight This is a highly political position involving interactions with the highest levels of government and foreign diplomacy within the UN context. ### About the Group Based in New York, the UN System and Intergovernmental Affairs Office (SIGA), UNOPS, manages the organization's relationships with the Executive Board of UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS, UN Member States and the broader UN system in New York. The Office positions UNOPS on a variety of strategic initiatives and represents the organization on UN system-wide issues that require inter-agency collaboration and coordination. Its work ensures effective engagement and alignment with the broader UN system, and enables accountability and transparency towards the Executive Board. ### Job Specific Context Role of the Director of theUN System and Intergovernmental Affairs Office (SIGA), UNOPS The Director reports to the Executive Director and works in close collaboration with the Executive Office, the Partnerships and Futures Group, the Communications Group, the Independent Offices of UNOPS and with all members of the Management Team. The Director  represents UNOPS in New York and is the strategic link between the UNOPS Executive Office in Copenhagen and the UN Headquarters in New York. The Director is responsible for promoting a mutually effective relationship between: - the Executive Board of UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS on behalf of the Executive Director; - Governance and oversight bodies of the United Nations system and UNOPS; - Member States and UNOPS; - other UN entities and UNOPS. The role is also responsible for ensuring that the organization of, preparation for, management and servicing of Executive Board sessions are effectively and efficiently carried out. ### Role Purpose The Director, SIGA, provides leadership and strategic direction on all inter-governmental affairs and relations with Member States, and UN system-wide engagement, advising and supporting the Executive Director of UNOPS, and collaborating with teams across the organization on all matters related to the Executive Board, and all matters requiring coordination with Member States and UN-wide processes. ### Functions / Key Results Expected 1. Organizational Leadership and Strategic Direction - As a senior organizational leader and member of the Management Team, contribute to the strategic direction of the organization through the 4-year strategic plan. Contribute to the achievement of the leadership priorities set by the Executive Director. - Strategically position UNOPS in inter-governmental and inter-agency processes and mechanisms, as appropriate, ensuring the UNOPS value proposition is well communicated and understood. - Advise the Executive Director and senior management on emerging trends, risks and opportunities across the UN system. - Advise the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Directors on UN reform processes, such as UN80, representing UNOPS as requested by the Executive Director in related fora, providing strategic guidance and preparing key documents. 1. Executive Board and External Relations - As UNOPS Executive Board Secretary, represent UNOPS at the Executive Board Bureau. - Advise the Executive Director on all matters relating to the Executive Board, as well as governance and oversight bodies of the UN system. - Liaise closely with Permanent Missions to the United Nations, especially members of the Executive Board. Undertake or arrange briefings for Board members on the work of UNOPS and participate in field visits of the Executive Board. - Lead and coordinate all preparations for the annual and regular sessions of the Executive Board, ensuring Board decisions are well understood and acted on, and that HQ colleagues are supported by the SIGA team responsible for maintaining all records, deliberations and decisions of the Executive Board. - Oversee and position UNOPS in relation to key inter-governmental fora, including those related to the General Assembly (GA), the Security Council and ECOSOC. - Advise the Executive Director on preparations for the UN Chief Executives Board (CEB) and the UN Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG), ensuring close collaboration with the two Deputy Executive Directors representing UNOPS on the High Level Committee on Management and the High Level Committee on Programmes. - Represent UNOPS, at the request of the Executive Director, at high-level meetings in New York, coordinating closely with the Executive Office and the Partnerships and Futures Group. - Lead UNOPS participation in New York-based forums of Member States such as Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs), G77 etc. - Support advocacy, public information and communication activities in collaboration with the Communications  Group, Partnerships and Futures Group and other relevant corporate units, managing co-ordination on high profile events related to the GA and ECOSOC, such as the High Level Week and High Level Political Forum. - Engage with Member States on behalf of regional and country offices, as needed, including in relation to Host Country Agreements and Designation of UNOPS representatives. 3. People Leadership, Culture and Organizational Capacity - As a member of the UNOPS global leadership team, role-model UNOPS values and behavioural competencies. - Drive leadership development and talent pipelines. Promote teamwork and collaboration across the organization, ensuring team members have clear direction, objectives and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently. - Foster a positive working 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. - Champion organizational learning, continuous improvement, and a high-performance culture. - Manage resources within budgetary parameters and delegated authority. ### Skills Diplomacy, Document Drafting, Foreign Policy, Intergovernmental Affairs, International Relations, Partnerships, Strategic Thinking ### Competencies 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 re