JOB DESCRIPTION

General Information

Position Title

Head of Strategy & Performance

Job Category

Programme

Duty Station(s)

Geneva

Seniority Level

Senior Level

ICS Level

ICS 12

Contract Type

Staff – IP – FTA

Contract Level

IP P-5

Posting Start Date

11-Nov-2025

Posting End Date

25-Nov-2025

Duration

One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.

Job Highlight

The Head of Strategy and Performance is a senior leadership role responsible for guiding SHF’s strategic planning, financial oversight, organizational performance and donor engagement. This role ensures that SHF’s operations, finance, monitoring and reporting systems effectively support its catalytic mandate in sanitation and menstrual health.

About the Region

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) unites the New York Portfolios, including the Peace and Security team (PSC); the Geneva Office; and the Vienna-based Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) teams, to maximize global impact, foster efficiencies and streamline global programmes. Leveraging our collective expertise and networks, GPO supports UNOPS” strategic priorities and the SDGs across over 130 countries. We deliver project management, fund management, advisory services, project implementation, and HR services, working closely with major global partners. Our thematic focus includes sustainable development, climate action, health, peace & security, and humanitarian action.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

From Geneva, UNOPS strives to facilitate the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), by working with governments, other United Nations (UN) agencies and partners. This includes supporting platforms and hosting high-profile, flagship initiatives and funds focusing on health, nutrition, water and sanitation, sustainable cities, environment, and trade.

UNOPS is a recognized resource for the UN system in Geneva – from fund management and oversight and advisory services, to providing hosting solutions to a range of global initiatives, as well as operational support to partner organizations.

UNOPS provides quality services, integrated solutions and management support to UN agencies, initiatives and partners in a strategic, cohesive, cost-effective and results-oriented manner. Geneva is also home to UNOPS Europe and Central Asia Regional Office.

About the Project Office

The Sanitation and Hygiene Fund.

The Sanitation and Hygiene Fund is a UNOPS Trust Fund committed to saving lives and improving the wellbeing of people by improving access to sanitation, hygiene and menstrual health hygiene. The Fund will invest in country led programmes to accelerate progress and sustainable impact toward the achievement of SDG 6.2.

The Fund will maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of international development assistance and national investment. Staff at the Fund manage grants, coordinate with partners, support countries, monitor and evaluate results, report on progress, manage donor relations and raise funds.

At the core of the new architecture is a country funding model designed to be an efficient and effective mechanism that can operate at scale and deliver impact and supported by a suite of policies that define how funding is to be invested. The SHF uses innovative finance mechanisms, including co-financing by recipient countries, to secure sustainable funding and the long term sustainability of its programs.

About the Group

As part of the Global Portfolio Office, UNOPS Geneva provides comprehensive solutions in secretariat hosting, operational support, and fund management. We manage global programmes, including the Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) Portfolio, offering project management, procurement, HR, and financial services. Geneva hosts the secretariats of eight global partnerships focused on health (RBM, Stop TB, ATscale), nutrition (SUN), water/sanitation (SHF), humanitarian leadership (GELI), urban development (Cities Alliance), and disaster displacement (PDD). We also provide fund management for EIF and UN Water, and operational support to Geneva-based partners like the Global Fund and UNHCR. The EU-UNOPS Lives in Dignity (LiD) Grant Facility is also based here.

Job Specific Context

The Sanitation and Hygiene Fund.

The Sanitation and Hygiene Fund is a UNOPS Trust Fund committed to saving lives and improving the wellbeing of people by improving access to sanitation, hygiene and menstrual health hygiene. The Fund will invest in country led programmes to accelerate progress and sustainable impact toward the achievement of SDG 6.2.

The Fund will maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of international development assistance and national investment. Staff at the Fund manage grants, coordinate with partners,support countries, monitor and evaluate results, report on progress, manage donor relations and raise funds.

At the core of the new architecture is a country funding model designed to be an efficient and effective mechanism that can operate at scale and deliver impact and supported by a suite of policies that define how funding is to be invested. The SHF uses innovative finance mechanisms, including co-financing by recipient countries, to secure sustainable funding and the long term sustainability of its programs.

Role Purpose

The role oversees core functions including Operations, HR finance, procurement, resource mobilization, monitoring & evaluation (M&E), risk management and donor relations..The role may be asked to serve as Deputy to the Executive Director or Officer-in-Charge (OIC) when required by organizational needs.

Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the role plays a critical part in supporting strategic decision-making and representing SHF in high-level partnerships and donor engagements. This role serves as SHF’s senior lead for strategy, finance and donor engagement, complementing the technical team to ensure SHF delivers its mission effectively and sustainably

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Strategic Planning and Organizational Performance

• Lead the development and implementation of SHF’s strategic and annual workplans, ensuring alignment with SHF strategy and implementation.
• Design and oversee results-based management frameworks to track and report on impact, leverage and effectiveness.
• Advise senior leadership on operational priorities, risk and resource allocation.
• Advise and assist the Executive Director, from an operational perspective, in developing strategies, policies, processes, and opportunities for ensuring coherence amongst the various work streams and priorities of SHF;
• Leads the preparation of high-quality information for the Board, including reports, analyses, and strategic information ensuring evidence-based decision-making, transparency, and accountability.

2. Operational leadership and advisory

• Provide oversight of budgeting, financial management, and forecasting for SHF, in line with UNOPS policies and procedures, and support financial analysis to inform strategic and programmatic decisions and course corrections.
• Ensure high quality donor and stakeholder reporting and impact alignment with a range of stakeholders including bi-lateral governments and development finance institutions.
• Lead risk management processes and compliance related to finance, operations and donor accountability in collaboration with UNOPS Geneva Office, and UNOPS headquarters.
• Oversee and coordinate the effective management of the Secretariat for the SHF-hosted Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Catalytic Finance in Sanitation, Hygiene, and Wastewater, ensuring its smooth and efficient operation
• Support the Executive Director with the development and implementation of the Secretariat’s work plan and collaborate with colleagues to identify the needs, determine cost, and plan all support services, including human resources, procurement, finance, travel, human resources and administrative services;

3. Donor Relations and Resource Mobilization

• Lead strategic efforts to advance SHF’s resource mobilization by actively managing existing donor relationships, cultivating and sustaining partnerships, and driving the diversification of funding streams.
• Lead donor engagement and stewardship, ensuring proactive communication and reporting.
• Coordinate proposal development and resource mobilization strategies with the Global Lead – Sanitation and Menstrual Health Markets and technical teams.
• Leverage SHF’s experience and reputation and consolidate the organisational niche, specialities and unique value for stakeholders and beneficiaries
• Represent SHF in donor meetings and external partnerships.

4. Monitoring, Evaluation, Impact and Learning (MEL)

• Provide thought leadership for impact, sustainability and transformational approaches to accelerate results
• Design and oversee MEL systems to track programmatic and organizational performance.
• Ensure that diagnostics and data inform strategic decision-making and demonstrate impact.
• Establish goals and metrics to motivate and assess performance and monitor strategy and plans implementation

5. Leadership and Team Management

• Manage, coach and mentor a multidisciplinary team covering operations, finance, M&E and donor relations.
• Foster a team culture of accountability, learning and collaboration.
• Work closely with technical leadership to align operational and programmatic strategies.
• Coordinate and provide oversight for the services provided to SHF by UNOPS globally, ensuring best value, efficiency and effectiveness for SHF operations.
• Facilitate the engagement and provision of high-quality results and services of the team supervised through effective recruitment, work planning, performance management and promotion of learning and development.
• Act as the general focal point between UNOPS and SHF on HR related matters and compliance to ensure smooth planning, performance management, recruitment, workforce planning, learning, culture, HR distribution costs and other HR related matters.

Skills

Business Strategy, Donor Engagement, Operations Management, Organizational Leadership, Performance Analysis, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Planning, Strategy Execution

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.

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. 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 Requirements

Required

• • Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) preferably in public health, international development, economics, business, public administration, or related field.
  • A bachelor’s degree preferably in public health, international development, economics, business, public administration, or related field combined with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree

Experience Requirements

Required

• • A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in strategy, operations, finance, monitoring & evaluation, and/or donor relations within international organizations is required,
  • Demonstrated experience leading high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams and delivering results in complex, multi-stakeholder environments is required
  • Proven experience in impact pathways, results-based management, and Monitoring,Evaluation & Learning (MEL)
  • Proven ability to meet the expectations of donors, governments, and development finance institutions, with a strong record of achieving strategic objectives and ensuring stakeholder confidence.
  • Proven experience in stakeholder engagement, strong advocacy skills, and the ability to represent international organizations such as UNOPS/SHF in external engagements are required.
  • Strong understanding of new approaches to development finance, public-private partnerships, inclusive markets, and gender-transformative approaches is required
  • Experience working within or alongside international organizations, global funds, or large-scale donor-funded programs is required

Desired

• • Demonstrated commitment to human rights, gender equality, and sustainable development is an asset
  • Understanding of market systems development and technical programming in sanitation and/or menstrual health, is an advantage.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirementEnglishFluentRequired

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies 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.
• 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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• For more details about the contract types, please click 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.