Regional Transformation and Change Management Advisor

*** This position is being established in multiple duty stations that are the re...

Panama (LCR RO)

Bangkok (AR RO)

Geneva/Amman (ECR/ MR RO)

Nairobi (AFR RO)

New York (GPO RO)

UNOPS Transformation

UNOPS is continuously focused on building a stronger, more agile and more responsive UN agency to better support the wider UN family and partners, advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To this end, and to deliver on the restated Strategic Plan (2022-2025), UNOPS embarked on a large-scale transformation. This transformation includes several interdependent, multi-year initiatives that affect multiple stakeholders across people, process and technology dimensions. Most notable is the Process Innovation & Digitalization programme.

Office of the Regional Director

Regional Directors are responsible for aligning UNOPS activities in their respective regions with the organization’s Strategic Plan and leadership priorities set by the Executive Director. This includes management and oversight of projects implemented in the countries that UNOPS operates in, aligning projects with the Sustainable Development Goals, and supporting the UNOPS transformation to ensure that ways of working in the region are fit-for-purpose.

UNOPS operates in 5 regions and a Global Portfolio Office. Africa, Asia, the Global Portfolio Office, and Latin & Central America will each have their own Regional Transformation and Change Management Advisor who will be based in the office of the respective Regional Director. Our Europe and Middle Eastern regions will together share 1 Regional Transformation and Change Management Advisor; the duty station for this shared resource is currently being agreed, with Geneva and Amman as possible options.

The Strategy and Transformation Group

The Strategy and Transformation Group (STG) was established in 2024 and reports to the UNOPS Chief of Staff. The role of STG is to formulate corporate strategy based on beneficiary, partner and organizational needs and internal capabilities, and support the design, planning and implementation of transformation and organizational change in alignment with that strategy. Anchored in STG is a newly established Transformation Office, which will provide a holistic view of transformation to support the management of aggregated risk, key interdependencies and transformation-level change management.

Role of the Regional Transformation and Change Management Advisor

The Regional Transformation and Change Management Advisor is responsible for acting as a strategic connector between the UNOPS transformation and the Region to ensure that the transformation is successfully delivered in alignment with strategic plans, while taking specific regional needs and priorities into account. 

In this coordinating role, the Advisor will balance the needs of multiple senior stakeholders as it relates to transformation management, change management and communications. Key stakeholders include the Regional Director of the relevant region, the Process Innovation & Digitalization programme (PID), and the Transformation Office and Board.

This strategic and senior stakeholder alignment will require the Advisor to advocate for organizational change approaches, facilitate constructive conversations and manage multiple priorities in a way that supports the changes required while not impacting on the delivery of projects for partners.

To reflect the importance of supporting both regional and transformation-related stakeholders in achieving their strategic objectives, the Advisor has a dual reporting line - with one reporting line into the Regional Director (or RMOA) and the other into the UNOPS Chief of Staff.

Summary of Functions Strategic Coordination of Regional Inputs Transfor...
Summary of Functions
Strategic Coordination of Regional Inputs Transformation Management Change Management Communication Capability Development and Knowledge Management
1. Strategic Coordination of Regional Inputs

Develop and execute on a strategy for identifying, assessing and prioritizing regional needs primarily related to the UNOPS transformation, but also, as applicable, for other organizational change initiatives.

Support the Regional Director in ensuring effective coordination with the Transformation Office and PID by collecting, organizing, analyzing and presenting regional feedback on transformation efforts.

Collaborate closely with Transformation Initiatives owners PID) to mobilize regional and country-level stakeholders for initiative-specific consultation processes in order to inform both solution design and implementation.

Facilitate the generation of strategic alignment between regional and transformation needs to enable an accelerated, consistent, coherent and successful implementation of transformation objectives.

Manage multiple competing priorities simultaneously and advocate for strategically aligned organizational change approaches.

2. Transformation Management

Develop and execute on a strategy for tracking, monitoring and reporting on regional transformation progress to the Regional Director, the RMOA, Transformation Office, Transformation Board and other relevant stakeholders PID).

Proactively identify, report and manage interdependencies by advocating for strategically aligned transformation approaches.

Leverage the Transformation Risk Management Framework to identify and support the RD in addressing region-specific risks.

If relevant, support the scoping, prioritization, sequencing and wider planning of future Transformation Initiatives reflecting regional needs and UNOPS strategic priorities.

3. Change Management

Support the Regional Office and the Transformation Office in developing and implementing transformation- and initiative-level change management strategies and plans.

Leverage UNOPS Change Management Framework and the Structured Approach to Change for the Transformation to lead regional transformation and change management activities.

In collaboration and in alignment with the Transformation Office, strategize, coordinate and support change readiness activities in the region.

Build a change network across the respective regions and coordinate change impact analysis and readiness assessments, conduct stakeholder analysis, and design targeted change activities to enhance adoption rates and minimize change disruption.

In collaboration with relevant stakeholders, measure the adoption of new ways of working in the region and drive continuous improvement in the region as needed.

4. Communication

Serve as primary liaison within the region to continuously update on all transformation-related initiatives.

Promote engagement and participation in the transformation journey by supporting the development of internal region-specific communications as required, working in collaboration with other colleagues with communications tasks, as applicable.

Collaborate in shaping transformation-level communication strategies and plans, and updating on regional activities at the monthly engagement meeting on transformation alongside the Internal Communication team, Transformation Initiatives PID) and the Transformation Office - all to ensure coordination and consideration of timely communications.

Work in partnership with the Communications Group on relevant global transformation-related communications.

Measure the effectiveness of transformation-related communications within the region and drive continuous improvement.

5. Capability Development and Knowledge Management

Develop and implement a change capability development strategy in the respective region, in alignment with the Transformation Office.

Support the enhancement of change management capabilities within the regions through support to targeted training sessions and workshops facilitated by the Change and Transformation team and support to any follow up activities.

Lead and support the development of transformation-related inter-regional and cross-regional networks for knowledge sharing and collaboration through active participation in relevant networks Regional Focus Groups for PID).

Capture lessons learned in the region from transformation efforts to drive continuous improvement and capability building.

Impact of Results

Effective and successful performance of the Regional Transformation and Change Management Advisor will enable the successful delivery of UNOPS transformation at the regional level, which will equip UNOPS with the capabilities necessary to deliver planned services that meet the needs of beneficiaries and partners as defined by the strategic priorities and objectives set out in UNOPS Strategic Plan.

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and ex...
Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization. (for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational 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.
Education An advanced degree preferably in Economics, Management, Public ...
Education

An advanced degree preferably in Economics, Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, Change Management or other related fields.

A combination of a Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

Certification in change management is a strong asset.

Certification in Project-, Programme-, Portfolio Management PMI, PRINCE2, MSP, MoP) is an asset.

Experience

A minimum of 7 years of relevant and progressive professional experience is required.

Experience working in the development and humanitarian sector is required.

Experience with change management and project management is required.

UNOPS experience is an asset.

Experience working in the regions / country office / field level is an asset.

Strong networking skills, and experience with stakeholder management and facilitation techniques is an asset.

Language Requirements

Full working knowledge of English is essential.

Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

For LCR, full working knowledge of Spanish is essential.

For Africa, full working knowledge of French is desired.

Contract type: ICA Contract level: I-ICA 3

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