UNOPS is recruiting a home-based Advisor, Portfolio Management for its Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) portfolio, part of the UNOPS Global Portfolios Office. The senior-level retainer role (ICS 11, LICA 11) covers up to 120 working days over a 12-month period and focuses on partnership growth, proposal development and project operationalization. Applications close on 13 November 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy and organised every function, requirement and condition below.
Key Facts About the Vacancy
💼 Position title: Advisor, Portfolio Management
🗂️ Job category: Project & Programme Management
🏠 Duty station: Home based
📶 Seniority level: Senior Level
🔢 ICS level: ICS 11
📝 Contract type: ICA - LICA - Specialist - Retainer
🏷️ Contract level: LICA 11
⏱️ Duration: 120 working days over a 12-month period
⏰ Posting end date: 13 November 2026
The Job in One Line
The role is to drive the strategic growth and operational delivery of the Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) portfolio by identifying partnership opportunities, leading proposal development and guiding project operationalization.
About the UNOPS Global Portfolios Office
The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. Its main features:
🏙️ Hubs in New York, Geneva and Vienna, with expert teams operating globally
🌐 Multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action and peacebuilding, including in some of the world's most challenging environments
🎯 Support for UNOPS' strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries
🤝 Close work with major global partners, including governments, international financial institutions and UN agencies
🧰 A wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services and HR support
Inside the Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) Portfolio
The WEC portfolio is based in Vienna, has offices globally and is part of the UNOPS Global Portfolios Office. WEC has built strong partnerships and has effectively managed a portfolio of over 500 million USD over the last 15 years, supporting key initiatives with fund management, project implementation and administrative support.
What WEC Delivers for Its Partners
WEC operationalizes partners' agendas with global approaches as well as regional and country-specific activities focused on climate action and the protection and conservation of the environment. Partners benefit from WEC's ability to operationalize and scale up their substantive agendas, including in support of:
🌡️ The Paris Agreement
🌊 The Cartagena Convention
🎯 The Sustainable Development Goals
A Home-Based Assignment
This is a home-based assignment, so the selected candidate must make the necessary arrangements, to standards deemed acceptable by UNOPS, for:
🔐 Secure internet connectivity
💻 A laptop
🖥️ Any other equipment required to perform the assignment
The selected candidate must also have the legal right to work in the country from which they will be based throughout the duration of the contract.
How the Retainer Contract Works
📆 The incumbent is engaged on an as-needed basis, depending on operational requirements, for up to a maximum of 120 working days over a 12-month period
📣 Assignments are communicated in advance by UNOPS authorized personnel or the supervisor before any engagement
⚖️ A retainer contract is issued for intermittent services and does not guarantee a minimum number of working hours or days
🧾 Payment is made only upon completion of work and submission of a Certificate of Payment (CoP)
Role Purpose and Reporting Line
The Advisor works under the guidance and supervision of the Head of WEC Portfolio and in close collaboration with the WEC Portfolio Management Team. The role supports WEC's portfolio delivery performance and growth ambitions, translating evolving climate action trends and partner needs into practical operational approaches. It also identifies synergies, replicable models and new service lines so that WEC's growth aligns with UNOPS, GPO and WEC strategic objectives.
Four Functional Areas of the Role
🧭 Strategic Portfolio Development and Positioning
✍️ Concept Note and Proposal Development
⚙️ Project Set-up and Operationalization
📚 Knowledge Management and Capacity Building
Strategic Portfolio Development and Positioning
📊 Evaluate global climate finance, policy and programming trends to identify business growth opportunities and strategic partnership avenues
💡 Translate analytical insights into practical operational approaches, value propositions and innovative service offerings for partner countries, cities, donors and multilateral funds
🗣️ Articulate WEC's value proposition and strategic positioning within the broader climate action and environmental landscape
📢 Support active promotion of WEC's grant management, fund support and implementation services to existing and prospective donors and partners
Concept Note and Proposal Development
🔎 Identify and pursue high-potential opportunities with new and existing partners, leveraging WEC's existing portfolio, partnerships and track record
📝 Lead and support the development of compelling, high-quality concept notes and proposals aligned with UNOPS, GPO and WEC strategic objectives
✅ Ensure proposals adhere to UNOPS policy frameworks and standards while maintaining high feasibility, sustainability and operational standards
🔗 Collaborate across WEC and GPO portfolio and project teams to mobilize relevant technical expertise during project design
Project Set-up and Operationalization
🚀 Guide project teams through the formal setup and initiation phase in full adherence to UNOPS operational policies and procedures
🏛️ Provide advisory support on project setup, including governance structures, recruitment strategies and procurement processes, to ensure transparency and fairness
📋 Support the development of implementation tools, including detailed work plans, budgets, risk logs and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks
🤝 Assist in establishing strong working relationships with partners, donors, host governments and key stakeholders to facilitate smooth implementation
Knowledge Management and Capacity Building
🔬 Extract lessons learned, data and insights from existing projects to identify cross-portfolio synergies and opportunities for scaling and replication
🔄 Contribute to continuous improvement by capturing operational feedback to refine UNOPS tools, guidelines and corporate frameworks
🎓 Develop knowledge products and deliver advisory sessions and trainings to strengthen capacity across WEC portfolio teams
🌐 Connect project teams with broader UNOPS organizational networks, publications and external climate sector best practices
Skills UNOPS Lists for This Role
🏗️ Capacity Building
🌍 Climate Change
💹 Investment Portfolio Management
🗃️ Project Portfolio Management
📑 Proposal Management
👥 Stakeholder Management
🤝 Strategic Partnerships
🗺️ Strategic Planning
Competencies Expected
🔭 Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally to positively shape the organisation, and anticipates the impact of future decisions on other parts of the organisation
🙌 Treats all individuals with respect, responds sensitively to differences, 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; people managers also motivate, direct and inspire others using appropriate leadership styles
🎯 Understands the impact of their own role on all partners, always puts the end beneficiary first, and builds and maintains strong external relationships
🏁 Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action to accomplish a goal, with concern for quality in all areas, takes initiative on opportunities and uses resources responsibly to maximise impact on beneficiaries
🌀 Is open to change and flexible in a fast-paced environment, adapts their approach to changing circumstances, reflects on experiences and keeps performance consistent under pressure while pursuing 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, listens actively, proactively shares knowledge and handles conflict effectively by finding common ground
Education Requirements
One of the following is required:
🎓 A Master's degree (or equivalent), preferably in International Relations, Political Science, International Development, Public Administration, Environmental Studies or a related field, with 7 years of relevant experience
📜 A Bachelor's degree (or equivalent), preferably in any discipline, with 2 additional years of relevant experience
Experience Requirements
Required:
🗂️ Relevant experience in project or programme management, fund management and/or grant support within the international development sector
🌳 Demonstrated experience in managing or advising multi-stakeholder climate or environmental initiatives
Desired:
🇺🇳 Familiarity with UNOPS/UN organizational policies, project management tools and operational procedures
Language Requirements
🗣️ English: Fluent, required
🥐 French: Intermediate, desirable
💃 Spanish: Intermediate, desirable
Application Rules and Selection Process
🕛 Applications must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date; applications received after the closing date will not be considered
📭 UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes
🚫 UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind
📞 Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments
🧩 Shortlisted candidates who need support or reasonable accommodation to complete an assessment should inform the UNOPS human resources team upon receiving their invitation
Mandatory Courses for Retainer Contracts
Before providing services to UNOPS under a retainer contract, you must complete a few mandatory courses, which take around 4 hours, in your own time. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during the contract. UNOPS notes that no compensation is paid for taking the courses and refreshers.
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
📘 All UNOPS personnel must perform 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
🔍 UNOPS conducts background checks on all potential personnel, and recruitment is contingent on the results of these checks
Diversity and Equal Opportunity at UNOPS
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. UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement, and welcomes diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
Zero Tolerance for Abusive Conduct
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. Background checks are conducted for all final candidates, and by applying, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the UNOPS Advisor, Portfolio Management role remote?
Yes. The duty station is home based, and the selected candidate must arrange secure internet connectivity, a laptop and other required equipment. They must also have the legal right to work in the country they are based in for the whole contract.
How many days does the retainer contract cover?
The incumbent is engaged on an as-needed basis for up to a maximum of 120 working days over a 12-month period. A retainer contract does not guarantee a minimum number of working hours or days.
How is payment made under the retainer?
Payment is made only upon completion of work and submission of a Certificate of Payment (CoP).
What education and experience are required?
Candidates need a Master's degree (or equivalent) with 7 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) with 2 additional years of relevant experience. Experience in project or programme management, fund management or grant support in international development, and in managing or advising multi-stakeholder climate or environmental initiatives, is required.
Which languages are needed?
Fluent English is required. Intermediate French and intermediate Spanish are desirable.
Who does the Advisor report to?
The role works under the guidance and supervision of the Head of WEC Portfolio, in close collaboration with the WEC Portfolio Management Team.
What is the deadline and time cut-off?
The posting end date is 13 November 2026, and applications must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on that day.
Are there any mandatory trainings before starting?
Yes. Retainer contract holders must complete a few mandatory courses, taking around 4 hours, in their own time before providing services, and these are not compensated.
Deadline
⏳ 13 November 2026
Links
Vacancy page: https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/JobDetail/Advisor-Portfolio-Management/5044
Apply online: https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/Login?jobId=5044
