Director, UN System and Intergovernmental Affairs Office; SIGA)

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

Job Category

Leadership

Duty Station(s)

New York

Seniority Level

ICS 13

Contract Type

Staff - IP - FTA

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

This is a highly political position involving interactions with the highest levels of government and foreign diplomacy within the UN context.

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.

Role of the Director of the UN 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.

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.

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.

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…