UNOPS is recruiting a Senior Manager, Geneva Digital Inclusion Ecosystem and Portfolio Development, a Partner Personnel role working for UNICEF's Digital Inclusion team in Geneva, Switzerland. The senior-level position (ICS 11, IICA 3) leads the strategy, sourcing and portfolio development of a Geneva-based ecosystem of mission-driven digital public-good organisations, on a 12-month renewable contract. Applications close on 20 November 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy and organised every function, deliverable and requirement below.
Position Details
💼 Position title: Senior Manager, Geneva Digital Inclusion Ecosystem and Portfolio Development
🗂️ Job category: Project & Programme Management
📍 Duty station: Geneva, Switzerland
📶 Seniority level: Senior Level
🔢 ICS level: ICS 11
📝 Contract type: ICA - IICA - Regular
🏷️ Contract level: IICA 3
⏱️ Duration: 12 months renewable, subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds
⏰ Posting end date: 20 November 2026
Why This Role Matters
UNOPS describes the post as a unique opportunity to strengthen Geneva's position as a global hub for organisations working on digital infrastructure, networks and access. The role leads the development of a technical programme that coordinates, quality assures and supports foundations and a range of partner organisations to establish, grow and operate effectively within Geneva's international ecosystem, all aligned with UNICEF's digital inclusion priorities.
The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office
🏙️ Hubs in New York, Geneva and Vienna, with expert teams operating globally
🌍 Multi-regional initiatives advancing 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 governments, international financial institutions and UN agencies
🧰 Services such as project management, fund management, hosting services and HR support
UNOPS in Geneva
From Geneva, UNOPS supports the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), working with governments, other UN agencies and partners by providing quality services, integrated solutions and management support through strategic, cost-effective and results-oriented approaches. This includes supporting platforms and hosting high-profile flagship initiatives and funds focused on health, nutrition, water and sanitation, sustainable cities, environment, energy, climate and trade. UNOPS is a recognised resource for the UN system in Geneva, from fund management, oversight and advisory services to hosting solutions for global initiatives and operational support to partner organisations.
A Partner Personnel Role for UNICEF
The UNOPS Geneva Office supports a wide range of portfolios, including UNICEF. The selected candidate will be hired by UNOPS under its rules and regulations and engaged as UN Partner Personnel for UNICEF Digital Inclusion (DI), working under the effective management and supervision of UNICEF. UNOPS supports UNICEF-DI as a UN Partner, acting on its behalf to provide recruitment and administrative support for this position.
About UNICEF Digital Inclusion
UNICEF works in some of the world's toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children: to save their lives, defend their rights and help them fulfil their potential. Its Digital Inclusion team accelerates access to affordable, sustainable, safe and resilient digital infrastructure for every child by:
🏫 Supporting governments and partners to expand equitable, affordable connectivity across child-facing service locations such as schools, health facilities and social protection locations
🔌 Addressing related infrastructure such as electricity and computers
🌟 Empowering children and their communities through information, opportunity, choice and dignity
📡 Supporting Giga, the joint partnership between UNICEF and ITU to connect every school to the internet
The Digital Impact Division
The Digital Inclusion team is part of UNICEF's Digital Impact Division (DID), which is at the heart of reshaping how UNICEF delivers lasting results for children everywhere and is committed to harnessing emerging digital technologies to advance UNICEF's mission. DID works with colleagues in more than 190 countries and territories at country, regional and headquarters levels to accelerate progress on UNICEF's goals, strengthen community resilience and expand access to essential digital services and information.
The Geneva Ecosystem Behind the Role
UNICEF Digital Inclusion works with a Geneva-based ecosystem of mission-driven digital public-good organisations, in collaboration with internet measurement, open-data and resolver infrastructure organisations. The cluster is expanding.
Role Purpose and Reporting
The Senior Manager supports the technical development, coordination and quality assurance of this Geneva-based ecosystem of mission-driven partners, including measurement, open data, resolver and network organisations, helping align their specialised capabilities with UNICEF's digital inclusion priorities. The role also represents the cluster credibly in public. The position works under the supervision of the Deputy, Digital Inclusion, and in close cooperation with the Manager, Geneva Digital Inclusion Ecosystem Building and Governance.
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Ecosystem Strategy, Sourcing and Portfolio Development
🧭 Lead the development and implementation of the Geneva ecosystem strategy for mission-driven organisations that can contribute discrete, high-value capabilities towards a fair, safe and inclusive internet for every child
🔎 Identify, map and cultivate relationships with prospective organisations, founders, funders, technical communities, research institutions and other actors aligned with UNICEF Digital Inclusion priorities
📥 Develop a structured pipeline of potential ecosystem participants, including outreach, initial assessment, relationship management and clear recommendations on suitability
🧪 Lead the substantive assessment of prospective organisations' strategic relevance, technical and programme fit, public-good orientation, potential portfolio contribution and rationale for a presence in Geneva
🗺️ Help define and periodically update the portfolio thesis: priority capability areas, ecosystem gaps and complementarities that guide recruitment and catalytic support
Selection, Due Diligence and Catalytic Support Design
⚖️ Lead the design and implementation of a transparent process for identifying and qualifying prospective Gazelles, within UNICEF-cleared governance, legal, fiduciary, safeguarding and partnership requirements
📑 Prepare concise assessment materials and recommendations for decision-making, covering mission alignment, capability, readiness, sustainability pathway, risks, proposed contribution and potential support package
🤝 Work with the Manager, Geneva Digital Inclusion Ecosystem Building and Governance so candidate organisations receive institutional, legal, fiduciary and establishment guidance; the Head retains responsibility for strategic and technical qualification, while the Manager leads operational follow-through
🎁 Shape tailored catalytic support packages that may combine strategic advice, network access, mentoring, workspace facilitation, convening opportunities, support to access Geneva innovation pathways and, where approved, milestone-based catalytic funding
🛡️ Ensure all support reinforces the independence, sustainability and public-good contribution of participating organisations, without creating an entitlement to UNICEF procurement, staffing, contracting or programme-delivery roles
Programme Leadership, Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation
🎯 Serve as overall programme lead, translating UNICEF Digital Inclusion priorities and country needs into a coherent, credible and fundable ecosystem proposition
🏛️ Build and maintain senior relationships with philanthropic, public-sector, multilateral, technology, academic and civil-society partners
💹 Lead strategic partnerships and resource-mobilisation opportunities for the ecosystem and the Gazelles Catalytic Fund, in coordination with UNICEF colleagues and in line with UNICEF policies and approvals
📣 Develop programme narratives, investment cases, partnership materials and strategic briefings for funders, partners and senior stakeholders
🔄 Convene prospective and selected participants around shared priorities, encourage collaboration and create practical pathways for learning, visibility and joint problem-solving
Technical and Strategic Quality Assurance
🔬 Provide strategic and technical leadership on the relevance, quality and contribution of organisations working in areas such as connectivity, internet measurement, online safety, data infrastructure, responsible AI, digital public infrastructure or other public-good capabilities
📚 Maintain a current understanding of technology, policy and implementation developments to identify opportunities, assess partners credibly and guide portfolio evolution
🛠️ Facilitate access to technical expertise, peer networks and specialist advice for selected organisations, without managing their technical operations, developing standards, running pilots or delivering reference implementations
🎤 Represent the ecosystem credibly in high-level forums while participating organisations retain their own identity, governance and operational accountability
📈 Capture portfolio-level insight on gaps, opportunities, risks and emerging capability needs to refine strategy, selection criteria and partnership development
Programme Oversight, Learning and Division of Roles
🗓️ Establish a clear programme-management rhythm, including portfolio reviews, progress reporting, risk tracking, decision logs and learning products for UNICEF and governance bodies
📊 Track progress against ecosystem outcomes: pipeline quality and diversity, organisations qualified and supported, resources mobilised, partnerships developed and portfolio maturity
🔗 Work closely with the Manager, Geneva Digital Inclusion Ecosystem Building and Governance, who leads the operational and institutional backbone: establishment processes, governance, compliance, funder administration, host-country navigation and day-to-day communications
🧩 Keep a clear division of responsibilities: this role leads strategy, sourcing, qualification, portfolio development, programme direction and external positioning, while the Manager enables organisations to establish, govern, fund and operate in Geneva
📨 Report to the Deputy, Digital Inclusion, on progress, risks, strategic decisions and recommendations for scaling, adapting or discontinuing support to individual organisations
Deliverables and Timeline
1️⃣ A clear ecosystem strategy and portfolio thesis (priority capability areas, selection criteria, prospective partner profiles and the value proposition for a Geneva presence): end of Month 3
2️⃣ A structured, actively managed pipeline of mission-aligned organisations with documented outreach, assessment and recommendations: ongoing, first portfolio review by Month 6
3️⃣ A transparent qualification and selection process with assessment templates, decision materials and procedures coordinated with the Manager's due-diligence, governance and establishment functions: end of Month 4
4️⃣ A first cohort of qualified organisations supported through tailored strategic and catalytic support packages, each keeping an independent governance and sustainability pathway: first cohort by Month 9, ongoing thereafter
5️⃣ Senior partnerships and resource-mobilisation opportunities that strengthen the ecosystem and, subject to clearance, support the Gazelles Catalytic Fund or other approved mechanisms: ongoing, first partnership and funding pipeline by Month 6
6️⃣ A credible external profile and regular convening rhythm bringing together organisations, funders, Geneva-based institutions and technical communities: first convening by Month 6, ongoing
7️⃣ Portfolio-level reporting and learning against pipeline, selection, support, partnership, resource-mobilisation and ecosystem-maturity indicators, with recommendations for adaptation and scale: quarterly, first annual review at Month 12
Key Skills
🕊️ Diplomacy
💼 Investment Portfolio Management
🏗️ Project Governance
🤝 Relationship Building
👥 Stakeholder Management
🌐 Strategic Partnerships
UNOPS Competencies
🔭 Develops sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally, and anticipates the impact of decisions on other parts of the organisation
🙌 Treats everyone with respect, upholds ethical norms, maintains high trustworthiness and is a role model for diversity and inclusion
🤗 Contributes to team spirit and supports the development of others; people managers motivate, direct and inspire others with appropriate leadership styles
🎯 Understands the impact of the role on all partners, puts the end beneficiary first and builds strong external relationships
🏁 Establishes an appropriate course of action, delivers with concern for quality, takes initiative and uses resources responsibly
🌀 Is open to change, adapts to changing circumstances, reflects on experience and performs consistently under pressure
🧠 Evaluates data to reach logical, pragmatic decisions with calculated risks, and applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving
💬 Communicates clearly and openly, listens actively, shares knowledge and handles conflict by finding common ground
Education Requirements
🎓 An advanced university degree in international development, public policy, international relations, business administration, management, innovation, technology policy, economics, social sciences or a related field, with 7 years of relevant experience, or
📜 A first university degree in a relevant field combined with 9 years of experience
Required Experience
📈 Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience building and scaling multi-stakeholder initiatives, partnership platforms, accelerators or catalytic funds within international development, technology policy, philanthropy or venture building
🪙 A proven track record of identifying, evaluating and securing strategic relationships and mobilising capital or resources from public, private, philanthropic and technology-sector partners to build credible, high-impact portfolios
🛰️ Technical functional knowledge of digital public infrastructure (DPI), digital public goods (DPGs), internet connectivity/infrastructure, child online safety or responsible technology in development contexts
🏛️ A demonstrated ability to engage credibly with senior leaders across governments, UN/multilateral entities and industry while navigating complex governance, reputational risk, safeguarding and conflict-of-interest considerations
Desired Experience
🚀 Establishing, leading or supporting an accelerator, incubator, venture fund, innovation fund, philanthropic portfolio, technology ecosystem or comparable catalytic-support mechanism
🌱 Working in, with or alongside small mission-driven organisations, start-ups, foundations, associations, open-source communities or digital public-good organisations
🏙️ Familiarity with the Geneva international ecosystem, including public authorities, international organisations, philanthropic actors, academic institutions, technology networks and innovation-support mechanisms
🌏 Experience in low- and middle-income country contexts, particularly in connectivity, public-interest technology, digital transformation or child-focused services
📘 Familiarity with UNICEF, UN-system partnership modalities, or comparable governance, due-diligence, fiduciary and safeguarding requirements
Languages
🗣️ English: Fluent, required
🥖 French: Fluent, required
💬 Spanish: Basic, desirable
📖 Arabic: Basic, desirable
🀄 Chinese, Mandarin: Basic, desirable
Before You Apply: UNOPS Application Rules
🕛 Applications must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date; late applications are not considered
📭 UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes
🚫 UNOPS never asks candidates to make payments of any kind at any stage of recruitment
📞 Only shortlisted candidates are contacted and invited to the next stage, which may include various assessments
🧩 Shortlisted candidates who need support or reasonable accommodation for an assessment should inform the HR team upon receiving their invitation
Terms and Conditions
📉 For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than advertised
⏳ For retainer contracts, a few mandatory courses (around 4 hours) must be completed in your own time before providing services, without compensation, and refreshers may be required
📘 All personnel must perform their duties in line with the UN Charter, UNOPS Policies and Instructions and other accountability frameworks, and demonstrate an understanding of the SDGs 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
Diversity, Inclusion and Safeguarding
UNOPS embraces diversity and equal employment opportunity, with a workforce spanning many nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations and abilities. Applications are evaluated on the skills, qualifications and experience in the vacancy announcement, and UNOPS welcomes perspectives from women, indigenous and racialised communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities. UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other abusive conduct, and background checks are run for all final candidates, who consent to these checks by applying.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who employs the Senior Manager, Geneva Digital Inclusion Ecosystem?
The candidate is hired by UNOPS under its rules and regulations and engaged as UN Partner Personnel for UNICEF Digital Inclusion, working under UNICEF's effective management and supervision in Geneva.
What is the contract type and duration?
It is an ICA - IICA - Regular contract at IICA 3 level (ICS 11), for 12 months renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds.
What experience is required?
An advanced degree with 7 years of relevant experience, or a first degree with 9 years, plus at least 7 years building and scaling multi-stakeholder initiatives, partnership platforms, accelerators or catalytic funds, and knowledge of DPI, DPGs, connectivity, child online safety or responsible technology.
Which languages do I need?
Fluent English and fluent French are both required. Basic Spanish, Arabic or Mandarin Chinese is desirable.
Who does the role report to?
The Senior Manager works under the supervision of the Deputy, Digital Inclusion, and in close cooperation with the Manager, Geneva Digital Inclusion Ecosystem Building and Governance.
What are the Gazelles?
Gazelles are the prospective organisations the role identifies and qualifies for the ecosystem, through a transparent process within UNICEF-cleared requirements; the role also helps mobilise resources for the Gazelles Catalytic Fund.
What is the first deliverable?
A clear ecosystem strategy and portfolio thesis is due by the end of Month 3, followed by a transparent selection process by the end of Month 4 and a first cohort of supported organisations by Month 9.
When does the vacancy close?
The posting end date is 20 November 2026, and applications must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET).
Deadline
⏳ 20 November 2026
Links
Apply (UNOPS login): https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/Login?jobId=4962
