Summary
Leads UNOPS’ global climate action initiatives, managing a programme to reduce emissions and align operations with the 2030 Agenda while coordinating with stakeholders and reporting progress.
UNOPS Vacancy: Senior Programme Manager - Climate Action, Copenhagen, Denmark | UNjobs
Senior Programme Manager - Climate Action, Copenhagen, Denmark
General Information
Position Title: Senior Programme
Manager - Climate
Action
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Job Category: Programme
Duty Station(s): Copenhagen
Seniority Level: Senior Level
ICS Level: ICS 11
Contract Type: ICA - IICA - Regular
Contract Level: IICA 3
Posting Start Date: 31-Jul-2026
Posting End Date: 16-Aug-2026
Duration: Ongoing
Job Highlight
Hiring Management Consultants
This pivotal role offers a unique opportunity to drive UNOPS'
global climate action agenda, leading a dedicated team and
influencing strategic partnerships. You will be instrumental in
shaping and delivering impactful initiatives, contributing directly
to the organization's mandate and the 2030 Agenda, while working in
a dynamic international environment.
About the Group
The Executive Office (EO) leads and is accountable for the
strategic direction, performance, and integrity of UNOPS, ensuring
the organization implements its mandate in support of Member States
and the UN system. Providing strategic leadership, the Office sets
and oversees the implementation of the 4-year Strategic Plan,
ensuring alignment on corporate priorities across the organization.
The Office ensures robust governance, and accountability for
resources and results while driving culture change and the
transformation of the organization for cost-effective agile
deployment in collaboration with sister agencies of the United
Nations, and other partners.
The Executive Office represents UNOPS and ensures accountability
to the Executive Board. The Office leads UNOPS engagement with
Member States, UN partners, and other stakeholders to advance
United Nations objectives by bringing practical solutions to bridge
the implementation gap so that all people can live peaceful and
dignified lives, where human rights are respected, and where
countries and communities are on a path to sustainable
development.
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Role Purpose
The Senior Programme Manager will lead the successful
implementation and
management of the Climate Action Programme. The
role requires proven
programme and project management expertise,
and technical knowledge of climate action, particularly in the
context of UN system entities and development partners. The
incumbent will serve as a key resource and coordinator across
practice groups and office teams, ensuring the programme aligns
with the strategic priorities of UNOPS and the Climate Strategy.
The Programme Manager will support the Chief Climate Officer to
engage with external partners and promote climate compatible
services for UNOPS.
Functions / Key Results Expected
Programme Execution:
Translates the 5-year Programme Implementation Plan into
coherent and actionable annual plans, including work plans, key
performance indicators (KPIs), and resource mobilization
strategies.
Manages the full lifecycle of the programme from planning and
design to implementation and completion.
Sets timelines, manages budgets, allocates resources
Integrates the workstreams within the programme and ensures
that CAP is integrated within relevant practice units and country
offices.
Supervises the data collection and reporting for the
Environmental Inventory, and other required public reporting.
Advises the Chief Climate Officer on system requirements for
supporting data collection, monitoring and reporting.
Team Leadership:
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Leads, mentors, and motivates the dedicated Climate Action
Programme team, fostering a culture of high performance,
collaboration, client-orientation, and continuous improvement.
Oversees recruitment, performance management, and capacity
development of programme staff and consultants.
Stakeholder Coordination:
Serves as the primary point of contact for internal and
external project stakeholders.
Supports the CCO to connect UNOPS with the broader climate
agenda including partnerships.
Coordinates with technical experts, contractors, and partners
to ensure deliverables are met on time and within budget.
Develops and supports the programme's communication strategy,
ensuring the visibility of UNOPS' climate action results and
lessons learned, in close collaboration with the UNOPS
communications team.
Risk and Issue Management:
Proactively identifies and manages risks and issues that could
impact a programme's success. Responsible for finding solutions and
reporting progress to senior leadership.
Technical and Subject Matter Expertise:
Hiring Management Consultants
Specialised knowledge in decarbonisation of operations,
including scope 3 emissions and reporting.
Prepares high-level briefing notes, policy papers, and
technical inputs for the CCO's engagements with Member States, the
UN system, multilateral financial institutions, and private sector
partners.
Acts as a technical resource to the regions to support their
delivery of reduction targets.
Skills
Climate Change, Leadership, Policy Analysis,
Program Management,
Project Management, Risk Management
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.
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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 Requirements
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Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Environmental
Science, Climate Change or related discipline with 9 years of
relevant experience OR Master's degree (or equivalent) in any of
the above or related fields with 7 years of relevant experience is
required.
Experience Requirements
Required:
Relevant experience is work in climate science, international
climate policy, intergovernmental agreements on climate change, and
engaging with the scientific and policy communities on climate
change.
Leadership experience of change
management, preferably in an
international context, is required.
Desired:
Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN
system organizations in a developing country is desired.
Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is
desired.
Language Requirements
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Language: English
Proficiency Level: Fluent
Requirement: Required
Language: French
Proficiency Level: Fluent
Requirement: Desirable
Language: Spanish
Proficiency Level: Fluent
Requirement: Desirable
Additional Information
UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
UNOPS will at no stage of the
recruitment process request
candidates to make payments of any kind.
Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight
Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.
Applications received after the closing date will not be
considered.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to
proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may
include various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment
opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of
nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities,
sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and
strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working
environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have
equal access to opportunities.
UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills,
qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement.
We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and
welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous
and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender
identities and sexual orientations, and persons with
disabilities.
We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their
best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and
require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any
assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving
your invitation.
UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse
(SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct,
including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To
uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all
final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of
such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS,
candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification
processes.
Terms and Conditions
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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.
For more details about the contract types, please click
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.
The recruiting organization, UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services, has not specified a closing date for this vacancy or continues to list jobs after their stated closing date.
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