Director, Washington Liaison Office
About
Role purpose
The Director, Washington Liaison Office (ICS13) provides strategic leadership for UNOPS’ engagement with Washington-based stakeholders, including the U.S. Government, WBG, and other key partners. This role ensures that UNOPS is effectively positioned as a trusted implementation partner, influencing funding, policy, and strategic alignment at the highest levels. The incumbent leads partnership development, oversees the execution of engagement strategies, and advises senior UNOPS leadership.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Functions / Key Results Expected
Summary of functions:
- Strategic Representation
- Alliance Building, Networking and Advocacy for Partnerships
- People Leadership
- Knowledge Management and Innovation
Strategic Representation
- Lead institutional-level representation of UNOPS with U.S. Government leadership, WBG executives, and senior officials of major foundations and multilateral institutions, influencing funding and policy frameworks relevant to UNOPS’ vision and mission while fostering trust, establishing networks and enhancing partnership dialogue.
- Represent UNOPS at a senior level and strategically position UNOPS vis-à-vis the different branches of the U.S. Administration, WBG, foundations, philanthropies and other Washington-based partners.
- Drive the long-term partnership vision for UNOPS' presence in Washington, DC ensuring it reflects and anticipates shifts in global financing, public policy, and donor priorities.
- Coordinate Washington-based UNOPS engagement across multiple stakeholder groups, including public, private, and philanthropic sectors, ensuring coherent and unified representation of organizational priorities across events, consultations, and institutional platforms.
- Support the PLG Director in establishing mechanisms for tracking and analyzing evolving development, climate, procurement and infrastructure priorities among Washington-based institutions, feeding insights into UNOPS global planning and innovation processes.
- Champion UNOPS’ capabilities in high-level global platforms (e.g. WB Spring/Annual Meetings, donor summits, UN Financing for Development fora), aligning organizational messaging with the priorities of US-based funders and policy shapers.
- Collaborate with other PLG and HQ teams to refine partnership frameworks, standardize engagement protocols with multilateral and bilateral institutions and promote cross-regional consistency in how partnerships are cultivated and maintained.
- Contribute to developing and maintaining governance mechanisms for high-risk portfolios funded by or linked to Washington-based partners.
- Serve as a strategic advisor to the PLG Director on implications of Washington, DC-based partners’ decisions on global partnership trends, geopolitical shifts, and emerging opportunities for financing, advocacy and organizational positioning.
Alliance Building, Networking and Advocacy for Partnerships
- Engage senior officials and counterparts on the new UNOPS Strategic Plan and new business/operating model, ensuring the UNOPS value proposition and drive for efficiency is integrated into partnership engagements.
- Elevate the UNOPS presence in Washington, DC and drive the formulation of a partnership vision and development and implementation of the UNOPS-US partnership strategy, pursue partnership growth and diversification.
- Facilitate and/or lead senior-level consultations with the U.S. Administration to institutionalize a dialogue that allows a deeper understanding of priorities, synergies and strategic partnership opportunities, as well as risks (financial, political, operational and reputational).
- Lead and support high-level partner consultations on financing modalities and non-traditional financing in support of driving global project solutions at scale.
- Serve as the counterpart for engaging U.S.-based counterparts on high-risk portfolios across the globe and leading on the joint identification of timely solutions and pathways, taking a pro-active role in early risk identification.
- Keep abreast of events that have an impact on UNOPS, including dynamics across the political and financial spectrum.
- Establish a close working relationship with and be an active contributing member of the resident United Nations team present in Washington. Take the lead in coordinating with the representatives of the resident UN agencies, funds and programmes.
- Provide advice and assistance to Executive Management, the PG Director and Regional Directors regarding partnerships and future trends.
- Participate in key partnership-building meetings and ensure their systematic and timely follow-up. Represent UNOPS in strategic and relevant U.S.-based partner-specific conferences.
- Facilitate high-level meetings between senior management of UNOPS and the U.S. Administration, WBG and key stakeholders. Ensure well-informed and researched dialogue is facilitated.
- Establish annual targets in support of the new 2026-2029 UNOPS Strategic Plan and business/operating model.
- In close cooperation with the UNOPS Communications Group (CG) and PLG, propose and co-develop relevant information and visibility materials to promote and advocate for UNOPS with the U.S. Administration and other Washington-based partners.
People Leadership
- Create, foster and role model a culture of trust, empowerment and accountability in the Washington Liaison Office.
- Build engagement and foster a diverse and inclusive work environment, respectful of all, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
- 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.
- Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity by providing timely guidance and supervision to the team to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.
- Plan, recruit, manage and develop a flexible and diverse workforce, with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance.
- Oversee, monitor and direct appropriate measures to maintain the safety and security of UNOPS personnel and their eligible dependents, assets, property, and information in line with UNOPS security management rules and the UN Security Management System Policy manual.
Knowledge Management and Innovation
- Lead sharing of knowledge related to key partners across the organization, including identification and dissemination of best practices and lessons learned with a view of continuous improvement of partner engagement in the field.
- Contribute to the development and introduction of innovation to ensure UNOPS is continuously incorporating best practice approaches.
- Support the planning, implementation and organization of capacity building of personnel, partners and stakeholders.
- Share knowledge with peers in regional and country teams and other HQ groups to ensure a corporate coordinated delivery of services and synergies.
Impact of Results
The effective and successful achievement of results by the incumbent directly impacts the development and performance of the portfolio, visibility and image of the UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and consequently strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services.
Education, Qualifications & Experience
Education
- An Advanced University degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) combined with ten (10) years of relevant experience.
- A first-level University degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) combined with twelve(12) years of relevant experience is required.
Experience
- A minimum of 10 years of experience that combines strategic and managerial leadership in international development, business development, operations and/or program management in a large international and/or corporate organization.
- At least 3 years of senior leadership experience, including supervising senior professional staff and managing the financial sustainability of operations, including at least 2 years in a country office.
- Experience working in developing countries is desirable.
- Experience in hardship or post-conflict environments is desirable.
- Experience partnering with the public sector on developing, implementing and/or evaluating projects and programs of high national relevance is a distinctive advantage.
Languages
- Full working knowledge of English is essential.
- Knowledge of another official UNOPS language (e.g. French, Spanish, Arabic) is an asset.
Competencies:
- Strategic Perspective: Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization. (Applicable only for levels ICS-10 and above).
- Integrity and Inclusion: Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
- Leading Self and Others: 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, utilising appropriate leadership styles.
- Partnering: 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).
- Results Orientation: 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.
- Agility: 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 behaviour. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
- Solution Focused: 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.
- Effective Communication: 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.
Terms of Appointment
The position is a Staff contract at the D-1, ICS13 level, with an initial duration of one year, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and the availability of funding.
For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link:
Role Location
Washington, DC, United States
How to Apply
To apply for this position, please ensure you complete the Application Form provided below by 30 June 2025 (23:59 hrs, GMT -4). It is essential that you submit your CV in English, specifically in Microsoft Word format (.doc/.docx), not exceeding 10MB.
Applications in other languages or formats will not be considered.
Rest assured, all information will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.
SRI Executive is exclusively retained by United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) to undertake this assignment.
