Special Advisor

This vision is also reflected in the Secretary-General’s report “Our Common Agenda”, issued in September 2021. It prioritizes the digital space and the need to “protect the online space and strengthen its governance”. It also proposed a Global Digital Compact to be developed through a multistakeholder track. In September 2024, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Global Digital Compact (GDC) as an annex to the Pact for the Future. The GDC includes the first truly universal agreement on the international governance of Artificial Intelligence to give every country a seat at the AI table. Among other commitments, it calls for (a) the establishment of a multidisciplinary Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and (b) the initiation of a lobal Dialogue on AI Governance, both within the United Nations. 

The incumbent of this position will be a staff member of UNOPS, under its full responsibility.

 Functional Responsibilities:

The Special Advisor, coordinating with the Senior Portfolio Manager, will meet the Envoy on Technology to outline planned and ongoing deliverables and ensure that their deadlines are realistic and aligned with relevant workflows.

Summary of Key Functions:

• Contributes to the formulation of the Office’s overall strategies and policies by participating in various committees, preparing documents on policy issues, and acting, as required, in an advisory capacity to the USG; contribute to the overall management of the Office’s activities and operations.
• Coordinates the development of UN system digital cooperation objectives and priorities in the context of intergovernmental deliberations on digital governance.
• Formulates and leads coherent UN engagement in intergovernmental processes related to digital technologies, including through coordinating with other departments, organizations or entities of the United Nations System, donors and agencies as appropriate.
• Coordinates workstreams on the implementation of the Global Digital Compact and participates in related system-wide leadership mechanisms.
• Reports to relevant bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/substantive issues, as appropriate.
• Ensures that the outputs produced by the Office maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the office under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates.
• Convenes meetings, seminars, etc., on substantive-related issues; participates in international, regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars and conference; provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue, or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.
• Perform other tasks and responsibilities relevant to the scope of this position.

Education Experience Language requirements:

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in political science, law, social sciences, international relations or related areas with ten (10) years of relevant experience OR.
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) preferably in political science, law, social sciences, international relations or related areas with twelve (12) years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Required Experience:

• Relevant experience is defined as experience working at international levels in international relations, political affairs and diplomacy.
• At least three (3) years of experience in multilateral negotiations is required
• Desirable:(The following experience is optional. Candidates who do not have it are welcome to apply)
• Recent experience working supporting intergovernmental processes is desirable.
• Experience in coordinating the UN system, including in the digital sphere, is desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English (write, read, speak) is required.

Source: https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=29505#2