General Information

Publication for

Partner

Partner Name

WFP United Nations World Food Programme

Position Title

UN Advisory Alliance Consultant

Job Category

Programme

Duty Station(s)

Geneva, Home based, New York, Rome

Seniority Level

Mid Level

ICS Level

ICS 09

Contract Type

ICA – IICA – Regular

Contract Level

IICA 1

Posting Start Date

15-Dec-2025

Posting End Date

14-Jan-2026

Duration

Six months, renewable subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance, and continued business needs.

Job Highlight

This consulting role provides exposure to strategic projects within the UN system. The incumbent will gain hands-on experience in business innovation, process optimization, and other initiatives while working alongside senior consultants and UNAA leadership. It is an excellent opportunity to refine analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills in a global, mission-driven environment. Ideal for candidates with consulting experience seeking exposure to the UN system and international development projects

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

As part of the Global Portfolios 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.

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.

Job Specific Context

UN Advisory Alliance (UNAA) is an in-house management consulting and advisory unit that provides strategic and operational consulting services, offering end-to-end solutions to support the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of United Nations entities and other international development stakeholders. Comprising personnel with top-tier management consulting and strong UN experience, the UNAA team has executed more than 140 projects across 15 different UN entities (WFP, WHO, UNHCR, IOM, UN Secretariat, UNFPA, FAO, UNMAS, UNIDO, IAEA, and many other entities). UNAA key capabilities and offerings include efficiency improvement, strategy development, organizational redesign, data & analytics, etc.

UNAA executes projects on behalf of Executive Directors, Assistant Secretary Generals, and Directors across the UN system, and has become a trusted advisor to various UN entities (e.g. WFP, UN Women, UNFPA). UNAA focuses on providing end-to-end solutions, including problem assessment, data analysis, operational model design, change plan and implementation monitoring.

Duty Station: The role maybe located in either NY, Geneva, Rome or Home-Based, depending on the evolving process and final decision of the UNAA.

Role Purpose

The Consultant supports project workstreams by conducting research, analyzing data, preparing presentations, and assisting in the implementation of recommendations. The role is designed for a motivated professional eager to learn and contribute to improving operational efficiency and innovation across UN entities. The incumbent will work under guidance from senior team members and UNAA leadership.

Functions / Key Results Expected

The consultant will support the delivery of a project workstream under guidance. As part of the UNAA team, the incumbent will report to UNAA leadership to ensure accountability. Under the direct supervision of UNAA Project Manager, the consultant will be responsible for the full delivery of a project work stream. Examples of specific deliverables include:

1. UN System Senior Leadership Support

• Collaborate with senior leadership on prioritization of key organizational initiatives

• Provide analytical and project management support

• Coordinate with initiative owners in driving implementation forward

1. UN Reform: Support UN Reform implementation and be part of an inter-agency project team

• Explore benefits for potential global / local collaboration with sister agencies

• Identify Business Operations Strategy best practices for collaboration and support cross-COs knowledge transfer

• Engage in the UN Reform initiatives by performing internal analysis on service delivery effectiveness and efficiency, reviewing current service approaches at global and country levels and supporting pilot launches as needed

• Contribute to the communication efforts on UN Reform

1. Additional support for UNAA

• Provide additional support to the UNAA team as required, in alignment with evolving project and organizational needs.

Skills

Analytical Skills, Communication, Innovation Management, Management Consulting, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Strategy

Competencies

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in business Administration, management, economics, social sciences or engineering is required.

• A first-level university degree (Bachelor`s degree or equivalent) in the related fields with an additional two (2) years of additional experience related to the nature of the position may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience Requirements

Required

• A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in Business Innovation, change management, management consulting or finance is required.

Desired

• Experience with an international organization is an advantage.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirementEnglishFluentRequiredChinese, MandarinFluentDesirableArabicFluentDesirableRussianFluentDesirableSpanishFluentDesirableFrenchFluentDesirable

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.