Head of Secretariat - RIISE

The Head of the Secretariat leads the RIISE Secretariat hosted by UNOPS, responsible for establishing and operationalizing the Secretariat to enhance climate resilience of Caribbean countries through effective delivery of climate-resilient infrastructure initiatives. The role involves strategic leadership, operational management, stakeholder engagement, and technical advisory coordination to ensure successful implementation of the Facility's objectives across participating Caribbean countries.

Responsibilities

• Design and advance relevant strategies, frameworks and operational guidelines for the successful achievement of RIISE’s objectives, outcomes and overall mandate.
• Achieve strategic positioning of RIISE through meaningful engagement with relevant regional stakeholders, including the Regional Steering Committee, the Technical Advisory Panel and participating Caribbean countries.
• Champion RIISE external visibility and communications initiatives, ensuring all stakeholders are aware of RIISE activities and proactively support its objectives.
• Meaningfully engage and outreach to countries to ensure continuous alignment with country needs and promote RIISE to relevant stakeholders and decisions makers.
• Oversee the implementation of the Secretariat’s work plans, and associated objectives. Define standards, manage performance, and ensure the achievement of planned results in line with the objectives established by the Regional Steering Committee.
• Manage resources, operational systems, governance processes, and performance delivery. Ensure alignment with RSC objectives and UNOPS requirements.
• Anticipate implementation challenges and emerging needs across participating countries.
• Analyze policy implications and recommend strategic responses.
• In close coordination with the Technical Advisory Panel and relevant experts, ensure the appropriate technical and subject-matter expertise is incorporated in all secretariat activities.
• Ensure technical excellence, quality standards, and incorporation of expert advice throughout Facility operations.
• Lead and motivate the team of the Secretariat.
• Ensure that behavioural expectations of team members are established.
• Ensure that performance reviews are conducted fairly, accurately and timely.
• Select, recruit and train the team as required and take into account gender parity and diversity objectives.
• Ensure safety and security for all project personnel and comply with UNDSS standards.
• Create, foster and role model a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual exploitation and abuse.
• Ensure accountability for actions and perform duties in accordance with protection mechanisms and action plans, as expected by UNOPS policies, standards and commitments.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree) preferably in Public Administration, International Relations, Business Administration or other relevant fields is required OR Bachelor's degree or equivalent in the above-mentioned fields or other relevant field with two (2) additional years of relevant experience.
• At least seven (7) years of relevant professional experience in programme/project management in senior position within international or regional institutions is required.
• Proven relevant experience in converting strategies into actionable programme plans in a multi-stakeholders environment is required.
• Experience in identifying, strengthening, and leveraging relationships with high level stakeholders to support the effective implementation of large scale programmes is required.
• Experience of working with Caribbean institutions across the region.
• Experience in people management or supervisory experience is required.
• Demonstrated track record of coalition building and coordination of partnerships and initiatives, preferably in climate, environmental or sustainable development.
• Experience in intergovernmental processes, including with bi-lateral cooperation, multilateral development banks, IFIs and/or the UN, with a track record of working in multilateral negotiations.

Skills

• Programme Management
• Project Management
• Strategic Planning
• Stakeholder Engagement
• People Management
• Coalition Building
• Partnership Coordination
• Climate Resilience
• Sustainable Development
• Intergovernmental Processes
• Multilateral Negotiations
• Bi-lateral Cooperation
• Multilateral Development Banks Governance
• International Financial Institutions
• UN System Knowledge
• Operational Management
• Technical Advisory Coordination
• Caribbean Regional Experience

Languages

English, Spanish, French, Dutch