The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Latest Job Vacancies 2026 | Apply Now

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Learning and Scaling Lead, Nigeria

Location: Nigeria
Contract Type: ICA – LICA – Specialist – Regular
Job Category: Programme
Contract Level: LICA 10

Role Purpose

• The Learning and Scaling Lead will  support the Country Lead to develop and implement a learning, scaling, and evidence synthesis agenda that translates programme evidence into operational insights and actionable policy recommendations.

Functions / Key Results Expected
The Learning and Scaling Lead will undertake the following responsibilities:

Design a Learning, Scaling and Evidence Synthesis Agenda:

• Support the Country Lead to design the Learning, Scaling and Evidence Synthesis Agenda by including contributing to defining learning priorities, research questions, decision cycles and validation mechanisms.
• Contribute to the development of tools and systems to track progress against learning and scaling milestones.
• Recommend and help set-up tools to standardize reporting and data collection, to enable real‑time evidence sharing across program partners.
• Design and support the programme’s knowledge management architecture, including repositories, reporting templates, documentation standards, and evidence-sharing workflows, to ensure that learning and evidence are systematically captured, stored, and accessible across partners

Program Learning and Evidence Generation:

• Collect data and generate evidence on what works throughout program delivery and surface lessons learned.
• Facilitating cross-partner knowledge exchange, such as by convening peer-learning workshops and documenting emerging insights, challenges and adaptive practices shared by implementing partners and pre-financers.
• Coordinate drafting reports that consolidate cross-partner evidence into actionable recommendations for EOF strategic decision-making and for government planning, funding strategies and policies, both during and after implementation.
• Lead the dissemination of key evidence and learnings through sector-wide dialogues and help identify opportunities for coordination across related initiatives.
• Support the collection and analysis of data on how outcomes-based contracts influence organizational practices and system collaboration.
• Lead the development and quality assurance of knowledge products, including learning briefs, policy notes, implementation insights, case studies, slide decks, donor-ready summaries, and sector-facing publications, ensuring consistency, clarity, and relevance for different audiences.

Program Scale-Up and and Sustainability:

• Contribute to draft policy briefs, learning notes, and strategic recommendations.
• Support the Country Lead to interpret and apply evidence in planning and decision-making processes.
• Contribute evidence inputs to national policy discussions and technical working groups.
• Support dissemination of findings through national and regional platforms.

Capacity Development:

• Build the capacity of government counterparts on OBF; use of data and evidence in routine decision-making moving the system towards learning outcomes
• Design and facilitate learning forums and peer-learning exchanges.
• Convene stakeholders from government, civil society, donors, research institutions, and implementing partners.
• Capture and disseminate lessons learned across districts and implementation sites.

Requirements
Education Requirements
Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in International Development, Public Policy, Education, Economics, Political Science, or similar.

Desired:

• Master’s degree in International Development, Public Policy, Education, or similar is an asset and may be accepted in lieu of part of the experience.

Experience Requirements
Required:

• Minimum of 7 years experience in education, skills-for-employment, development and/or policy programs.
• Experience working with national and/or sub-national governments, preferably within the education, skills-for-employment or broader development sectors.
• Experince in education and/or skills-for-employment policy and systems strengthening, including pathways for program scale-up and sustainability, or other closely related experience.

Skills:

• Analytical Skills, Problem Solving, Project Planning, Risk Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Effective communication

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 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.

Desired:

• Experience with innovative financing mechanisms (particularly outcomes funds), performance management frameworks or large donor-funded programs is an asset.
• Experience should ideally include evidence generation, policy analysis, system reform or scaling innovative practices
• Proven track record of producing high-quality analytical reports, policy briefs and evidence-based recommendations.

Application Closing Date
30th August, 2026.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Job Title: Special Assistant to the CEO and UN SRSG

Location: Nigeria
Contract Type: ICA – IICA – Regular
Job Category: Programme
Contract Level: IICA 1

Job Specific Context

• This position is located within the Executive Office Team.
• The main objective of the Executive Office is to provide support to the CEO/SRSG, the leadership team and the Governance Board to ensure efficient and effective leadership, implementation of organization’s strategic direction and collaboration across the organization and teams.

Role Purpose

• Under the overall guidance of the CEO and UN SRSG  and direct supervision of the Chief of Staff, the Special Assistant takes operational responsibility for managing executive workflows, coordinating high-level stakeholder relations, synthesizing analytical briefings, and supporting special projects initiated by the CEO/SRSG.
• The role ensures that the CEO/SRSG is thoroughly prepared for high-level engagements, international summits, and UN-Energy proceedings, while driving systematic follow-up across internal teams and external partner networks.
• In duty stations where the National Professional Officer (NPO) category has been established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), the contract modality (Local ICA or International ICA) may be evaluated based on the nationality and/or permanent residency status of the preferred candidate.

Functions / Key Results Expected
Executive Support & Workflow Coordination:

• Coordinate the day-to-day execution of core workflows, outputs, and strategic priorities for the CEO/SRSG, ensuring the CEO/SRSG is thoroughly prepared for all high-level engagements, UN summits, and international missions.
• Draft and synthesize comprehensive briefing materials, speaking points, analytical notes, and detailed presentations for internal leadership and external engagements.
• Oversee and organize the CEO/SRSG’s daily schedule, evaluating incoming engagement requests, establishing priority alignment, and ensuring effective time allocation.
• Support in taking minutes, tracking decisions and follow-up processes from meetings and interactions, guiding the flow of communication and direction from the CEO/SRSG to the Executive Management Committee (EMC) and ensuring actions are logged in Salesforce.

Mission Management & High-Level Partner Coordination:

• Accompany and support the CEO/SRSG, as and when required, on official international missions, global summits (COP, UN General Assembly etc), and high-level partner meetings, addressing real-time workload priorities while traveling.
• Coordinate mission reporting workflows, leading the drafting, finalization, and distribution of official Back-to-Office Notes (BTONs), meeting summary notes, and executive action logs.
• Serve as operational liaison with counterpart Special Assistants in key stakeholder organizations across UN agencies, government ministries, development banks, and corporate partners.

Research, Analytics & Special Projects:

• Conduct research and analytical tasks on behalf of the CEO/SRSG, gathering data and synthesizing policy on emerging energy transition issues, climate finance trends, and international development frameworks.
• Contribute to executive knowledge-sharing across SEforALL programme teams, ensuring integration and dissemination of data, strategic contacts, and mission outcomes.

Education Requirements
Required:

• A First Level University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in International Relations, Public Policy, Sustainable Development, Energy, Environment, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field is required.

Desired:

• An Advanced degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in International Relations, Public Policy, Sustainable Development, Energy, Environment, Business Administration, Economics or a related field is an asset and may compensate for some years of experience.

Experience Requirements
Required:

• Minimum 2 years of professional work experience at the national or international level in executive management support, administration, partnerships, protocol coordination or diplomatic support.
• Proven experience supporting senior/executive leaders (Directors, CEOs, SRSGs, Ministers, Ambassadors) within international organizations, government, or public sector entities.

Desired:

• Demonstrated experience preparing executive briefing notes, drafting high-level talking points, and organizing international missions or summits.
• Familiarity with energy transition, Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), climate change, or international development frameworks.

Skills:

• Analytics, Diplomacy, Energy Policy, Executive Support, Renewable Energy, Research, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Communications, Strategic Planning.

Competencies:

• 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 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.

Application Closing Date
27th August, 2026.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Job Title: Catalytic Finance Specialist (Anglophone West Africa)

Location: Abuja
Contract Type: ICA – LICA – Specialist – Retainer
Job Category: Programme
Contract Level: LICA 10

Role Purpose

• Reporting to the MH Markets Specialist, and working closely with the wider team, the role will support SHF’s Capital M initiative and its goal of advancing country – and regional-level – pipeline opportunities for catalytic financing in the menstrual health (MH) market by identifying and analysing high-impact enterprises and strategic partners to unlock additional investment.
• The role of the Catalytic Finance Specialist will be to assist the SHF technical team with scoping of potential pipeline opportunities/targets (in particular enterprises in a first step) and partners for catalytic financing in SHF’s priority countries (with an initial focus on Anglophone West Africa) by drawing on relevant experience in the private sector, impact investing and/or development finance space.
• The Catalytic Finance Specialist will help map out key private sector players, potential SHF/Capital M partners, investors and other relevant organisations in the market.
• The role also includes meeting with enterprises and potential partners to explore opportunities, understand challenges and assess financing needs – supporting strategy and efforts to unlock more investment through catalytic finance.
• The role will support Capital M to identify, assess and advance catalytic financing opportunities for market-based menstrual health solutions. The initial focus will be Nigeria, with broader support across Anglophone West Africa as the programme grows.

Functions / Key Results Expected
Market and pipeline assessment:

• Identify and assess enterprises, financial institutions, investors and strategic partners that could support catalytic financing for market-based menstrual health solutions.
• Assess enterprises across the menstrual health value chain, including manufacturers, distributors, retailers and e-commerce platforms.
• Review their development stage, geographic presence, business model, market position, financial performance, fundraising status, financing needs and investment readiness, subject to data availability.
• Identify relevant incubation and acceleration programmes supporting menstrual health enterprises.

Financing ecosystem mapping:

• Map local financial institutions and intermediaries that provide, or could provide, local-currency financing for menstrual health enterprises.
• Identify relevant blended finance funds, impact investors, development finance institutions and other financing partners.
• Assess their mandates, investment criteria, financing instruments, sector priorities and alignment with Capital M.

Pipeline analysis and prioritisation:

• Develop and apply criteria to screen and prioritise direct and indirect pipeline opportunities, including enterprises, financial institutions and investment vehicles.
• Assess opportunities based on their potential impact, feasibility, scalability, financing needs and alignment with SHF objectives.
• Recommend priority opportunities for technical assistance, catalytic financing, partnership development or further assessment.
• Support the development of suitable catalytic financing instruments, structures and partnership models.

Stakeholder engagement and partnerships:

• Contribute market intelligence and technical content to Capital M’s engagement strategy.
• Build and maintain relationships with potential Capital M partners and pipeline opportunities.
• Prepare technical briefs, presentations, assessment profiles and other agreed outputs.
• Represent SHF at selected meetings, conferences and sector events, as agreed with the technical team.

Geographic Focus:

• The assignment will initially focus on Nigeria. As the programme grows, the role may provide broader support across Anglophone West Africa, including Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.
• The specific countries and sequencing of activities will be agreed with the SHF technical team.

Key Deliverables:
The detailed work packages and timelines will be agreed during onboarding. Key deliverables will include:

• An agreed workplan setting out the methodology, activities, timelines and expected outputs.
• A desk review of existing SHF work, relevant documentation and market intelligence, using the MH Market Maturity Assessment Tool as a baseline.
• A stakeholder and financing ecosystem map covering enterprises, financial institutions, investors, funds, accelerators and other potential partners.
• A regularly updated pipeline database covering identified opportunities, financing needs, investment readiness, potential SHF support and recommended next steps.
• A summary of stakeholder consultations and key market insights.
• Recommendations on priority pipeline opportunities, partnerships and catalytic financing approaches.
• Technical inputs to Capital M’s engagement strategy with finance and investment partners.

Requirements
Education Requirements:
Required:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in development finance, corporate finance, economics, business administration, international development or a related field
• A Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline in combination with additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree

Experience Requirements:
Required:

• Minimum of 5 years work experience in the private sector/development finance/corporate finance related area is required
• Experience in programme financing (related to development finance/impact investing in LMIC) is required

Desired:

• Experience in working in menstrual health (MH) related to markets and value chain concepts from the perspective of the industry, enterprises, investors and/or development finance actors is desirable
• Knowledge of regional (Anglophone West Africa) sector specific enterprise environment and financial actors is desirable.

Skills:

• Market Analysis, Project Coordination, Research, Stakeholder Engagement, Prioritization

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 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.

Application Closing Date
19th August, 2026.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online