About this role
UNOPS Vacancy: Senior Programme Manager - Climate Action, Copenhagen, Denmark | UNjobs Senior Programme Manager - Climate Action, Copenhagen, Denmark General Information Management Position Title: Senior Programme Manager - Climate Action 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 Project Management Job Highlight 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. Tourist Destinations 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. Role Purpose Multilateral Organizations 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 Management 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: Physical Asset Management 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: Project Management 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. Multilateral Organizations 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 Management 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 Recruitment & Staffing 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 Physical Asset Management 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. Because such positions may remain open, they are listed here until removed from the recruiting organization's website. Click the button below to verify its current status. 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