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. With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

The Santiago network for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage

The Santiago network was established in December 2019 at COP25, as part of the Warsaw International Mechanism, for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, to catalyze the technical assistance of relevant organizations, bodies, networks and experts, for the implementation of relevant approaches at the local, national and regional level, in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.(decision 2/CMA.2, para 43, noted by 2/CP.25)

• A hosted secretariat that will facilitate its work, to be known as the Santiago network secretariat;
• An Advisory Board, to provide guidance and oversight to the Santiago network secretariat on the effective implementation of the functions of the network; and
• A network of organizations, bodies, networks and experts (OBNEs) covering a wide range of topics relevant to averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage.

At COP28 in 2023, Parties selected the consortium of UNOPS and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) as co-hosts of the Santiago network secretariat for an initial term of five years, with five-year renewal periods.

Organizational structure of the secretariat

The Santiago network secretariat, co-hosted by UNOPS and UNDRR, is responsible for facilitating the implementation of the functions of the network and managing its day-to-day operations in accordance with decision 12/CMA.4.

While UNOPS will provide the necessary administrative and infrastructural support for the effective functioning of the secretariat, UNDRR will provide the secretariat with technical backstopping and expertise in the domain of averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage consistent with the guidelines for preventing potential and addressing actual and perceived conflicts of interest in relation to the Santiago network. Accordingly, UNDRR will annually submit a review of the management of technical issues within the Secretariat to the Advisory Board for consideration.

The position of the Director is located in Geneva, Switzerland. The Director will be recruited and appointed by UNOPS in consultation with UNDRR, subject to the endorsement of the Advisory Board and pursuant to the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations, and may be provided with technical guidance by UNDRR. The Director will provide strategic leadership to the Santiago network and manage its secretariat, serve as secretary to the Advisory Board and facilitate timely recruitment of the staff of the secretariat in line with the terms of reference.

The incumbent of this position will lead the Santiago network secretariat to drive strategy development and implementation on behalf of the Advisory Board, and oversee the day-to-day operations of the Santiago network secretariat according to the roles and responsibilities determined by the governing body/bodies of the Warsaw International Mechanism on Loss and Damage (WIM).

The incumbent will ensure that activities are developed and implemented in a timely manner and is responsive to past and future decisions made by the governing body/bodies of the WIM, and the Advisory Board of the Santiago network.

In accordance with COP and CMA decisions (12/CMA.4 and 6/CMA.5), as well as the MOU between UNFCCC, UNOPS and UNDRR regarding the hosting of the Santiago network secretariat, which define the roles and functions of the Secretariat and the Director, the incumbent shall be accountable to the Executive Director of UNOPS, or their delegate, for administrative issues relating to the administrative effectiveness and efficiency of the Secretariat in accordance with relevant UNOPS regulations, rules and procedures, and to the Advisory Board for the effective implementation of the functions of the Santiago network. UNDRR may provide technical advice to the Director, as needed.

The performance of Director of the Santiago network secretariat will be appraised through the performance management process of UNOPS by the Executive Director of UNOPS in relation to the administrative effectiveness and efficiency of the Secretariat in accordance with relevant UNOPS regulations, rules and procedures, and by the Advisory Board on the substantive work of the Santiago network secretariat, to implement the functions of the Santiago network.

More specifically, the incumbent, with the support of the Secretariat team, will have the following responsibilities:

Strategic leadership and management

• Provides strategic leadership to the Santiago network and manages its Secretariat.
• Serves as the secretary to the Advisory Board, and provides support and facilitates its work, in accordance with the roles and responsibilities of the Advisory Board.
• Oversees the disbursement of funds provided for the Santiago network in accordance with UNOPS financial rules and regulations fiduciary standards, legal and ethical integrity policies, and in accordance with relevant guidelines approved by the Advisory Board.
• Provides leadership to ensure cohesive and effective day-to-day operations of the Santiago network as per the terms of reference of the Santiago network.
• Develops and manages the network of member organizations, bodies, networks and experts (OBNEs) with expertise in topics related to averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage approaches. Coordinates the work of the network with other relevant constituted bodies of the UNFCCC, particularly the Executive Committee (ExCom) of the WIM.
• Facilitates collaboration, coordination, coherence and synergies to accelerate action by organizations, bodies, networks and experts (OBNEs), across communities of practice.
• Leads the development and oversees processes for Santiago network to catalyze provision of demand-driven technical assistance in developing countries and communities particularly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change.
• Coordinates the network’s technical assistance with other relevant UN and non-UN OBNEs, , organizations and experts, including the fund and funding arrangements for responding to loss and damage and maximizes collaboration opportunities of these with the Santiago network.
• Oversees the execution of the work programme approved by the Advisory Board.
• Oversees the development and maintenance of a monitoring and evaluation system to assess the timeliness, appropriateness and outcomes of technical assistance.
• Leads the effective implementation of all the functions of Santiago network.
• Facilitates the consideration in the work of the Santiago network of a wide range of topics related to averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage approaches at national, regional and international levels.
• Leads the development and implementation of a resource mobilization strategy, under the guidance of the Advisory Board, for the Santiago network to secure long-term, sustainable financing for the technical assistance into the developing countries particularly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change and the operations of the network.
• Oversees the preparation and delivery of reports for endorsement, approval or guidance of the Advisory Board and/or the co-hosts, including but not limited to, annual, progress and performance reports, financial reports, etc.
• Facilitates the commissioning of an independent review of the performance of the Santiago network based on the parameters outlined by the governing body/bodies of the WIM.
• Represents the Santiago network and participates in meetings, conferences, expositions, knowledge fora, and training activities as well as sessions of the Subsidiary Bodies (SBs) and governing body/bodies of the WIM, as required.

People Leadership

• Provides leadership to the Santiago secretariat’s professional and administrative staff to support them in meeting its responsibilities and performing its functions efficiently and effectively.
• Role-models UN values and behavioral competencies.
• Promotes teamwork and collaboration across the Santiago secretariat, ensuring team members have clear direction, objectives and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.
• Fosters a positive work environment that is respectful of all. Ensures appropriate focus on team well-being, empowerment, diversity and inclusion and that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

Knowledge Management and Innovation

• Drives knowledge sharing and strategic communication with a broad range of stakeholders across the Santiago network and beyond, ensuring collaboration and continuous feedback as appropriate.
• Facilitates the development, provision and dissemination of knowledge and information on averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage.
• Promotes and raises awareness of the Santiago network.
• Leads the planning, implementation and organization of strategic capacity building of personnel, partners and stakeholders for strategic business development and engagement.
• Leads the ongoing development and implementation of best practice and innovative approaches to maximize performance and sustain achievements.

In addition, the incumbent will conduct any other assignment that is required for the effective operation of the Santiago network secretariat, including giving effect to the decisions of the Advisory Board and of the governing body/bodies of the WIM

• An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in development studies, international relations, political science, economics, social sciences, or related areas is required.
• A first level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

• A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible professional management experience is required.
• From overall fifteen (15) year experience, a minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in building and managing multidisciplinary and multicultural teams is required.
• From overall fifteen (15) year experience, a minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in building and managing multi-stakeholder partnerships is required.
• From overall fifteen (15) year experience, a minimum of three (3) years of professional management experience working on climate change adaptation and/or disaster risk reduction and climate change processes is required.
• From overall fifteen (15) year experience, a minimum of three (3) years of experience working with developing countries is required.
• Professional experience dealing with topics relating to averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage associated with the effects of climate change and familiarity with the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement is required.

• Fluency in oral and written English is required.
• Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Contract type: Staff contract
Contract level: D1 / ICS 13
Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• 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. For more information on a retainer contract 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.