The Risk and Compliance Group (RCG) integrates key Second Line of Defence functions to strengthen risk management and ensure UNOPS operations align with UN values. RCG supports the organization in applying best practices across risk management, quality assurance, compliance, internal controls, and due diligence. Core responsibilities include enterprise and corporate risk management, such as secretariat support to the Quarterly Management Review (QMR); corporate insurance; development of compliance and accountability frameworks; oversight of internal controls; and due diligence. RCG also manages the Contracts and Property Committee (CPC) and the bid protest process. Through these functions, RCG helps embed risk management into operational processes, supports the automation of controls, proactively addresses key risks, prevents non-compliance, and ensures robust due diligence. Our group plays a vital role in advancing integrity, accountability, and operational excellence across UNOPS.

The Contracts and Property Committee (CPC) Chair operates within a critical oversight function, ensuring the integrity and compliance of all UNOPS contracts for goods and services above a specified monetary threshold, as well as asset and property disposal, corporate dwelling facilities, and write-off requests. This role is pivotal in upholding UNOPS' Financial Regulations and Rules, established policies, and best practices in procurement and asset management. The CPC Chair reports directly to the Chief, CPC, and is responsible for leading review committees and driving continuous improvement in contract review processes. The CPC Chair may step in as Officer-in-Charge during the Chief's absence if needed. The position requires a seasoned professional capable of originating new approaches and influencing stakeholders to ensure operational excellence and risk mitigation.

The role provides strategic and operational oversight of the Review Committee function, ensuring that procurement and related cases are reviewed objectively, efficiently, and in full compliance with UNOPS Financial Regulations, Rules, policies, and established procedures. It is responsible for managing case reviews, providing recommendations and advisory support to senior management, facilitating Review Committee meetings, and ensuring the quality and integrity of committee outputs. The role also contributes to knowledge management, capacity building, stakeholder coordination, process improvement, and policy development by identifying trends, strengthening guidance, and promoting best practices across review boards. The position further supports effective team coordination and a collaborative, inclusive working environment.

***This position is a maternity cover however unselected qualified candidates from this recruitment cycle may be considered for future openings in identical or similar roles. ***

1. Case Management (all types), including recommendations to the ECPO and RD

• Assume responsibility and ownership for reviewing both regular and Emergency Procurement (EPP) cases.

• Conduct EPP reviews—which are ad hoc and managed upon receipt—including the preparation of minutes and recommendations as required.

• Ensure that all cases proposed for award strictly comply with Financial Regulations and Rules, as well as established policies.

• Provide guidance on provisions, write-offs, asset management, and asset disposal oversight to promote cost-effective lifecycle management and the seamless closure of project cycles.

• As required, act in an advisory capacity to the Executive Chief Procurement Officer (ECPO) and Regional Directors (RDs) regarding relevant areas.

• Support the Chief, CPC in maintaining a contract review program that aligns with the Review Committee's mandate and UNOPS procurement regulations.

• Encourage continuous assessment and renewal of contracting processes to ensure efficient service, integrity, and responsiveness to client business needs.

• Advise on the evolution of contract review procedures while building awareness of requirements to ensure the smooth and timely review and award of contracts.

2. Meeting Facilitation and Management

• Oversee the administrative tasks necessary for the Review Board’s functioning, including performance reporting, and the mapping of member qualifications.

• Support the Chief, CPC in planning, recruiting, and developing committee members with the required competencies, encouraging diverse teams in terms of gender and geography.

• Convene and preside over Review Committee meetings in accordance with the terms of reference and responsibilities agreed upon with the Chief, CPC.

• Promote teamwork and collaboration by providing committee members with clear direction, objectives, and guidance to perform their duties efficiently and responsibly.

• Ensure that all outputs produced by the Review Committee (such as reports and recommendations) maintain high-quality standards, are clear and objective, and accurately reflect deliberations while complying with respective mandates.

3. Knowledge Management (KM) and Capacity Building Across Stakeholders

• Assume direct supervisory responsibility for one team member and actively coordinate with other CPC Chairs to ensure the smooth, timely review of cases across all boards, while fostering a positive, respectful work environment for both men and women that upholds the highest standards of conduct.

• Develop and maintain interactive orientation and training for new committee members in cooperation with Procurement Group (PG) to ensure a consistent understanding of roles, limitations, and responsibilities.

• Support the implementation of regular reporting mechanisms to identify and address submission bottlenecks.

• Identify trends and common issues in Review Committee submissions, collaborate with the Chief, CPC to make appropriate recommendations to mitigate these issues, and suggest policy improvements to relevant practice groups.

• When requested, support the Procurement Group (PG) in its policy formulation process by tracking and reporting procurement patterns.

• Support the Chief, CPC in ensuring effective collaboration between the Review Committee and internal stakeholders throughout UNOPS.

• Coordinate with other UNOPS review boards to continuously identify opportunities for creating and implementing efficiency measures.

• Assist the Chief, CPC with the ongoing research, development, and implementation of best practices and innovative approaches to develop tools and guidelines which can simplify the Review Committee process, reduce workload, and avoid duplication of work.

Required:

A Master’s Degree is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in combination with 2 additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Desired:

Certification in Procurement

Required:

A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in any of the following: procurement, supply chain; project/contract management or logistics support.

Desired:

• Candidates with UNOPS field experience and/or application of UNOPS regulations and rules are encouraged to apply.

• Candidates who have experience as a member of the CPC are encouraged to apply.

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• 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. 
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• 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. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

• 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.