UNOPS is recruiting a Management Support Senior Officer for its People and Culture Group (PCG) in Copenhagen, a mid-level ICS 09 role on an open-ended IICA 1 contract, with applications closing on 10 November 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we went through the entire vacancy, and this guide sets out the dual executive and operational mandate, the ten functional areas, the requirements and the contract terms.
Key Facts About the Vacancy
🏷️ Position Title: Management Support Senior Officer (People & Culture)
🗂️ Job Category: Strategy & Corporate Services
📍 Duty Station: Copenhagen
📶 Seniority Level: Mid Level
🔢 ICS Level: ICS 09
📄 Contract Type: ICA - IICA - Regular
📑 Contract Level: IICA 1
⏱️ Duration: Open ended
More Than an Executive Support Role
UNOPS invites you to be the driving force behind a well-connected, efficient and forward-looking People & Culture Group. The vacancy is aimed at a proactive problem-solver who thrives on bringing structure to complexity, connecting people and turning priorities into action. As Management Support Senior Officer, you work at the heart of PCG, partnering closely with the Director and leadership team to keep operations running smoothly and priorities moving forward.
The role goes beyond executive support. You act as a trusted analyst, coordinator, facilitator and operational problem-solver who anticipates needs, navigates diverse stakeholders, streamlines processes and finds smarter ways of working. From supporting leadership priorities to strengthening day-to-day operations, your initiative, judgement and ability to make things happen have a tangible impact.
If you enjoy taking ownership, creating clarity and enabling others to succeed, the position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in how PCG operates and delivers on its mission.
Inside the People and Culture Group
The People and Culture Group (PCG) positions UNOPS as a people-centered, high-performing organization by driving the development of HR policies, talent frameworks and inclusive practices aligned with the strategic plan. Through the Integrated People Strategy, PCG empowers personnel, fosters an engaging and inclusive work culture and enables the delivery of sustainable development solutions.
Partnering closely with UNOPS leadership, PCG delivers on the organization's People Goals:
🎭 Shaping culture
🌱 Nurturing leaders
⚖️ Enabling flexibility and fairness
🧩 Building future-ready teams
🚀 Setting people up for success
Its core capabilities include strategic HR partnering, policy integration and process simplification through digitization. PCG prioritizes leadership development, workforce diversity, personnel well-being and innovation in HR practices. By focusing on culture transformation and talent excellence, PCG ensures that UNOPS remains agile, equitable and capable of delivering results in complex operational environments.
Why This Position Matters to PCG
The Management Support Senior Officer plays a critical enabling role in ensuring the efficient, responsive and professional functioning of PCG. Through proactive executive coordination, stakeholder engagement, operational and resource management, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement, the incumbent enables the Director and PCG leadership to focus on strategic People & Culture priorities, while operational requirements are anticipated, coordinated and delivered effectively.
Who You Will Work With
The role requires close collaboration with PCG leadership, People Business Partners and colleagues across the Group, as well as effective coordination with:
💶 Finance
🛒 Procurement
💻 ICT
🌐 Global Shared Services Centre (GSSC)
🔐 Security
🏢 Other corporate services functions
As authorized by the PCG Director, the incumbent may also engage with UN City management, external service providers, vendors and contractors to facilitate seamless operational support. In performing these functions, the officer (also referred to in the vacancy as HR & Management Support Senior Officer) exercises sound professional judgement and maintains confidentiality.
A Dual Mandate: Executive Support and Functional Coordination
The position serves a dual role: proactive executive support to the PCG Director and functional coordination of operational activities across the People & Culture Group.
🧭 Executive support capacity: the incumbent facilitates the effective functioning of the Director's Office by coordinating leadership priorities, commitments, information and decision-making processes, anticipating needs and ensuring timely follow-through.
🔄 Functional coordination capacity: the incumbent supports the planning, monitoring and delivery of PCG operations across financial, administrative, logistical and people-related functions, as well as information management and business continuity, coordinating operational requirements, resolving issues and promoting effective service delivery together with PCG teams and relevant corporate functions.
Beyond day-to-day coordination, the role contributes to operational analysis, resource planning, management reporting and process improvement. Under the guidance of the PCG Director or a designated senior manager, the incumbent assesses operational challenges, develops evidence-based recommendations and leads defined improvement assignments or supports broader initiatives. Through sound professional judgement, initiative and cross-functional collaboration, the officer strengthens operational efficiency, accountability and continuity, enabling PCG leadership to focus on strategic priorities.
Supporting the Director's Office Day to Day
The first functional area is executive support:
📅 Proactively support the Director in managing priorities, schedules, deadlines, meetings, missions, retreats, events and other leadership commitments
🔔 Anticipate upcoming requirements and provide timely reminders, information and coordination to enable effective decision-making and preparation
🗓️ Coordinate leadership meetings, missions and engagements, including preparation, documentation, action tracking and follow-up
📌 Maintain systems for tracking decisions, actions, deadlines and commitments arising from meetings and leadership discussions
📝 Prepare and consolidate reports, presentations, correspondence and briefing materials to support leadership activities and decisions
📨 Support the effective flow of correspondence and requests requiring the Director's attention, so that matters are appropriately prioritized and routed
🚪 Facilitate access to the Director in a professional and enabling manner, exercising sound judgement on urgency, relevance, confidentiality and appropriate referral
🗃️ Manage requests requiring the Director's attention with judgement, discretion and initiative in prioritization and referral
🏕️ Own and deliver administrative and logistical support for PCG leadership meetings, retreats, workshops and other organizational engagements
💡 Identify emerging operational issues, assess implications and propose practical solutions for the Director's attention
Turning Data Into Management Recommendations
The second area covers operational and resource analyses:
🔍 Undertake defined analyses of PCG operational performance, expenditure trends, resource requirements and service-delivery challenges to identify risks, variances and opportunities for improvement
📑 Prepare evidence-based briefings, management reports and recommendations that synthesize findings, compare feasible options and highlight assumptions, trade-offs and expected outcomes
🤝 Collaborate with Finance, Procurement and other technical specialists to validate findings, assess feasibility and ensure alignment with organizational requirements
Connecting Stakeholders Across HQ and UN City
The third area is cross-functional coordination and stakeholder collaboration:
🔗 Coordinate operational priorities, requests and initiatives across PCG, HQ functions, UN City and relevant service providers
🧷 Facilitate collaboration among stakeholders by clarifying responsibilities, dependencies, deadlines and expected deliverables
📈 Support implementation of PCG priorities through progress tracking, communication, issue resolution and timely escalation
📬 Make sure requests reach the responsible PCG or corporate focal point and that follow-up is undertaken where required
🌉 Maintain constructive working relationships with stakeholders and promote a responsive, solutions-focused service orientation
🚧 Proactively identify recurring coordination issues, bottlenecks or gaps and bring them to the Director's attention with recommendations for improvement
Budget, Finance and Resource Tasks
The fourth area focuses on financial, budget and resource management:
📊 Assist the HR Coordination & Communications Specialist in monitoring PCG budget utilization and maintaining accurate cost centre and financial records
🧮 Support the consolidation of PCG budget requirements and expenditure information for annual planning and budget revisions
📉 Track expenditure against approved budgets and work plans, flagging variances and emerging issues for further review
🗒️ Compile financial information and prepare routine reports to support the Director's oversight of PCG resources
🧾 Review invoices and supporting documentation, and guide colleagues on cost centres, GLAs and established financial procedures
🏦 Support the monitoring of extra-budgetary resources, agreements and cost plans in line with applicable policies and procedures
💳 Facilitate the timely processing of financial transactions and payments by coordinating with relevant colleagues and service providers
📂 Keep up-to-date records of financial commitments, cost centres, contracts and relevant expiry dates
🔭 Contribute to resource planning by compiling information on expenditure trends, upcoming requirements and potential efficiencies
🎓 Help colleagues understand and apply relevant financial processes, procedures and requirements
📐 Produce periodic resource-performance analyses for management that explain trends, assumptions, uncertainties and possible corrective actions
Travel and Mission Coordination
The fifth area covers travel for the PCG Director and the Group:
✈️ Coordinate PCG Director travel arrangements in line with approved budgets and applicable UNOPS policies, rules and procedures
🗺️ Review travel plans and mission requirements and identify opportunities for efficient use of resources
🖥️ Process travel authorizations, claims, DSA and related documentation through the applicable UNOPS systems
✅ Verify that travel requests and claims are supported by appropriate information and comply with applicable requirements
💹 Monitor PCG travel expenditure and give the Director regular information on actual expenditure against budget
🗄️ Maintain accurate travel records and supporting documentation
🧳 Serve as focal point for coordination with travel service providers and relevant corporate counterparts
👩🏫 Provide training and guidance to PCG colleagues on travel processes, tools and requirements
🛠️ Identify recurring travel-related issues and support improvements to planning, compliance and efficiency
Procurement, Contracts and Vendors
The sixth area is procurement, contracts and vendor management:
🛒 Coordinate procurement activities for vendors and service providers in line with UNOPS procurement rules and procedures
📋 Support the preparation and processing of procurement requests, quotations, bids, purchase orders and related documentation
📞 Liaise with Procurement and other technical counterparts where specialist advice or intervention is required
👁️ Maintain an accurate overview of PCG contracts, vendors, service providers, commitments, invoices and payments
⏰ Monitor contract timelines, deliverables and administrative requirements, flagging upcoming expiries or issues
💷 Support timely processing of invoices and other contractual payments
🧑🏫 Give practical guidance to PCG colleagues on procurement processes and requirements
🔎 Keep records that support transparency, accountability and effective contract management
✂️ Identify opportunities to streamline procurement and vendor-management processes
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🌍 All opportunities in Denmark →
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Facilities and Operational Infrastructure
In the seventh area, the officer serves as the focal point for PCG facility-related matters:
🏢 Liaise with UN City management, HQ Administration, ICT and other relevant service providers on matters affecting PCG
🪑 Coordinate requirements relating to office space, equipment, access, supplies and other operational infrastructure
🪪 Facilitate the processing of relevant UN forms, grounds passes, access arrangements and other administrative requirements
🔧 Monitor recurring facilities or infrastructure issues and coordinate their resolution
♻️ Promote efficient and effective use of available PCG infrastructure and resources
🗂️ Maintain records of operational arrangements and requirements
Onboarding New PCG Colleagues
The eighth area covers people operations and onboarding:
👋 Coordinate onboarding activities for new PCG personnel with hiring managers and relevant corporate stakeholders, including Administration, IT, HR, BSSC and Security
✏️ Develop, maintain and update onboarding guidance, checklists, information and communication materials
🎖️ Coordinate onboarding requirements for senior personnel, including personnel at P5 level and above, as appropriate
🛂 Support colleagues with information on visas, relocation and other administrative requirements, referring specialist matters to the appropriate expert
📘 Maintain and continuously improve the PCG Handbook and onboarding materials
🎯 Work with PCG stream leads so that onboarding is consistent while allowing for role-specific requirements
👥 Support the onboarding of JPO cohorts and other groups of personnel where required
🔑 Make sure access, systems, group mailboxes, shared drives and operational arrangements are set up in a timely manner
💬 Gather feedback from new colleagues and stakeholders and use it to improve the onboarding experience
Information, Knowledge and Business Continuity
The ninth area combines information management, knowledge sharing and continuity planning:
🗃️ Maintain PCG repositories, records and information-management systems
📁 Keep key documents, correspondence, decisions, procedures and operational records organized and accessible
🚨 Maintain PCG's business continuity plan, emergency protocols and relevant personnel contact information on behalf of the Director
🔁 Coordinate periodic review and updating of business continuity and emergency arrangements
🔐 Manage access and permissions for PCG group mailboxes, shared drives and other information repositories
🧑💻 Ensure that new personnel receive the system and information access required for their roles
📜 Develop, maintain and update Standard Operating Procedures and process documentation for key PCG operational processes
🏅 Support quality management system updates and other relevant organizational documentation
📚 Promote effective knowledge sharing and continuity of institutional knowledge across PCG
🧹 Identify opportunities to simplify, standardize and improve information-management practices
⚠️ Support the assessment of operational risks affecting PCG service delivery, resource availability and business continuity
🧪 Review operational data, continuity arrangements and identified vulnerabilities using established organizational methodologies
🛡️ Prepare risk summaries and proposed mitigation measures for management review
📍 Monitor implementation of agreed corrective actions and report on outstanding issues
Continuous Improvement and Operational Effectiveness
The tenth area is about making PCG work better over time:
🔬 Regularly review PCG administrative and operational processes to identify opportunities for simplification and improvement
🧠 Use data, feedback and operational experience to identify recurring issues and propose practical solutions
⚙️ Develop or improve tracking tools, workflows, templates, checklists and other mechanisms that improve visibility and follow-through
📓 Document lessons learned and translate them into improved procedures and ways of working
🏗️ Support the implementation of agreed improvements across PCG
🧭 Promote consistent application of agreed processes while staying responsive to changing organizational requirements
🌻 Contribute to a culture of learning, collaboration, responsiveness and continuous improvement
🙋 Take initiative to resolve issues within the scope of the role and escalate matters appropriately where decisions or specialist expertise are required
Skills the Vacancy Lists
💰 Budget Management
🚑 Business Continuity Planning
🤐 Confidentiality
👔 Executive Support
🛍️ Procurement
🧩 Project Coordination
🤝 Stakeholder Management
🧳 Travel Management
🔄 Process Improvement
Competencies UNOPS Looks For
🙏 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 and is a role model for diversity and inclusion.
🫱 Acts as a positive role model contributing to team spirit, collaborates and supports the development of others; for people managers only, acts as a positive leadership role model who motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed using appropriate leadership styles.
🎯 Understands the impact of their 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, with actions leading to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas; sees opportunities, takes the initiative to act on them and understands that responsible use of resources maximizes impact on beneficiaries.
🌊 Open to change and flexible in a fast-paced environment; effectively adapts their approach to changing circumstances or requirements, reflects on experiences and modifies behavior, performs consistently under pressure and always pursues continuous improvement.
🧮 Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions, takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks and applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
🗣️ Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner, with communication that considers the feelings and needs of others; actively listens, proactively shares knowledge and handles conflict effectively by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.
Education Requirements
🎓 A Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Management or other disciplines with 4 years of relevant experience is required, OR
🎓 A Master's degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or other disciplines with 2 years of relevant experience.
What Experience Do You Need?
Required:
🗂️ Relevant experience in administration, executive support, operations, coordination or a related field
👔 Experience supporting senior leadership or a senior management office
🔗 Experience working across multiple functions and coordinating with corporate service providers
Desirable or an asset:
💶 Experience with financial administration, budgeting, procurement, travel and/or contract administration
🛠️ Experience developing procedures, tracking systems, knowledge-management tools or operational improvements
🌐 Experience working in an international, multicultural or UN environment
📘 Experience using UNOPS policies, rules, procedures and systems
Language Requirements
🇬🇧 English: fluent, required
🇫🇷 French: fluent, desirable
🇪🇸 Spanish: fluent, desirable
Closing Time and Shortlisting
⏰ Applications 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 the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments.
📭 UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
🛡️ UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process ask candidates to make payments of any kind.
Equal Opportunity and Assessment Support
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Its workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations and abilities, and UNOPS strives to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
All applications are evaluated based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. UNOPS is committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcomes diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
UNOPS aims to enable all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and need support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, inform the human resources team when you receive your invitation.
Conduct Standards and Background Checks
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. It is UNOPS policy to conduct background checks on all potential personnel, and recruitment is contingent on the results of such checks.
Contract 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 (around 4 hours) in your own time before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during the contract, and no compensation is paid for taking courses and refreshers.
📖 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.
🌟 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.
Browse more international roles in the jobs section of Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the UNOPS Management Support Senior Officer based?
The duty station is Copenhagen, Denmark. The officer coordinates with UN City management, HQ functions and service providers on matters affecting the People and Culture Group.
What grade and contract come with this role?
It is a mid-level position at ICS 09, offered as an ICA - IICA - Regular contract at contract level IICA 1. The duration is open ended.
Who does the Management Support Senior Officer report to?
The role provides executive support to the PCG Director and works under the guidance of the Director or a designated senior manager on analysis and improvement assignments. It also works closely with PCG leadership and People Business Partners.
Is this purely an assistant position?
No. UNOPS describes it as more than an executive support role: alongside supporting the Director's Office, the officer coordinates PCG operations across finance, travel, procurement, facilities, onboarding, information management and business continuity, and leads defined improvement assignments.
What degree and how much experience are required?
You need a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Management or another discipline with 4 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree with 2 years of relevant experience. Experience supporting senior leadership and coordinating across multiple functions is required.
Which languages do I need?
Fluent English is required. Fluent French or Spanish is desirable.
Is UN experience mandatory?
No. Experience in an international, multicultural or UN environment and familiarity with UNOPS policies, rules, procedures and systems are listed as assets, not requirements.
When do applications close?
Applications must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on 10 November 2026. Late applications will not be considered.
Will I hear back if I am not shortlisted?
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to the next stage, which may include various assessments.
Does UNOPS charge an application fee?
No. UNOPS states that it will never request payments of any kind at any stage of the recruitment process.
Deadline
⏳ 10 November 2026
Links
Apply online: https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/Login?jobId=5036
Official job posting: https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/JobDetail/Management-Support-Senior-Officer-People-Culture/5036
