Role purpose

The Regional Director, Asia and Pacific Region, plays a vital role in building and maintaining relationships with key regional partners to facilitate effective representation of UNOPS capabilities and deepen regional partnerships through in-depth understanding of partner needs.

They provide overall oversight to UNOPS Country Offices and Multi-Country Offices to support their delivery results and targets.

Reporting to the Deputy Executive Director, Delivery & Partnerships, who provides broad supervision and guidance, the Regional Director also serves as an advisor to the Deputy Executive Director, Delivery & Partnerships on corporate strategic planning, organizational development and management, and regional business development strategic priorities, engagement, and representation.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Corporate Function and Services
  • Contribute to the formulation of UNOPS' overall strategies and policies through advisory services to Deputy Executive Director, Delivery & Partnerships on current and future business operations and strategy development and planning.
  • Keep abreast of organizational changes to align regional strategy and approaches to business development and management of regional project portfolio and delivery of sustainable results.
  • Assess the performance and efficacy of the regional operations and take decisions and/or recommend to the Deputy Executive Director, Delivery & Partnerships appropriate changes in operations to enhance/maximize results for regional portfolio delivery and regional business development.
  • Collaborate with senior UNOPS colleagues and stakeholders, other Groups, especially the Partnership and Liaison Group, to exchange ideas on strategies to optimise strategic outreach and results for business development in the region.
  • Represent UNOPS at key global/regional events (including media and public relations events) and meetings to speak on regional or organizations goals, interests, and competencies, build and maintain alliances, and to promote/advocate UNOPS' position as a partner of choice in sustainable development in the region.
• Regional Leadership
  • Develop and propose the regional strategy, establish priorities in consultation with the Deputy Executive Director, Delivery & Partnership,, supervise and oversee the implementation of the annual business plan for the regional portfolio, including business development initiatives/activities as well as delivery efficiency and integrity.
  • Decide and/or recommend to the Deputy Executive Director, Delivery & Partnerships, and in consultation with PCG, on the establishment of new management structures, such as country-based Operations Centres.
  • Regularly review organizational structures in the region to ensure optimal structural setup for delivery of current business objectives. Make recommendations (to the Deputy Executive Director, Delivery and Partnerships) for establishment of new/ revised organizational structures, such as Country Offices.
  • Establish the Regional Office annual work priorities in collaboration with the team and partners, set objectives, performance measurements, standards, and results expected to ensure timely and partner oriented services and delivery.
  • Monitor implementation, oversee progress toward annual objectives, and take decisions to ensure the delivery of results as planned and according to partners’ expectations.
  • Evaluate overall regional activities/initiatives to ensure alignment with organizational strategic plans, framework, and standards of accountability, ethics, and integrity, and to ensure that portfolio delivery and business development are mutually reinforcing.
  • Plan and allocate resources (human, financial, and administrative) to achieve goals and ensure the cost effective and appropriate use of resources in accordance with UNOPS standards of ethics, integrity, and accountability framework.
  • Promote teamwork and collaboration by providing the team with clear direction, objectives, and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively, and efficiently.
  • Plan, recruit, and develop a diverse and flexible regional workforce with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance, and ensure gender and geographical diversity.
  • Foster a positive work environment, respectful of all, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
  • Provide oversight on safety and security within the region of operation for UNOPS personnel.
  • 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.
  • Provide oversight on safety and security within the region of operation for UNOPS personnel and their eligible dependents.
  • In consultation with the UNOPS Chief of Security act as the UNOPS Security Focal Point (SFP) within the country of operation, including participating actively in the Security Management Team (SMT) and perform duties on security as outlined in the Framework of Accountability in the UN Security Management System Policy manual.
• Representation and Inter-Agency Partnership
  • Represent UNOPS in senior inter-agency and external meetings/bodies in the region to promote the organisation, influence policy discussion, and identify potential areas for UNOPS partnership and engagement.
  • Contribute to the regional assessment exercise for UN Resident Coordinators.
  • Collaborate with internal and external partners, colleagues, and stakeholders to keep abreast of evolving trends, advocate UNOPS services, and build partnerships/alliances to maintain/enhance UNOPS visibility in project services in development cooperation.
  • Ensure corporate coordination and information flow around partnership engagement to support global and aligned partner strategy.
  • Build and maintain (regional) public/media relations to actively engage their interest/support in promoting and communicating UNOPS' achievements, competencies, and interest in global development.
• Risk Management
  • Drive high-quality, well-informed decisions that align with organizational goals for effective and measurable outcomes to the regional assessment exercise for UN Resident Coordinators.
  • Ensure reporting, information flow and appropriate escalation of awareness of emerging risks and relevant topics to the Deputy Executive Director, Delivery & Partnerships.
  • Champion risk management through a 'tone at the top' leadership approach, promoting alignment with applicable standards and policies.
• Knowledge Management and Innovation
  • Oversee the successful implementation of regional policies, standards, and tools to effectively manage business development within the regional portfolio to enhance/maintain UNOPS' competitive edge as a provider of effective project services for sustainable results.
  • Drive knowledge sharing and strategic communication across the region and in cross-cutting regional initiatives, and with corporate functions, ensuring collaboration and continuous feedback through the regional communications network and other channels, as appropriate.
  • Lead the ongoing research, development, and implementation of best practice and innovative approaches to maximize performance and sustain achievements.
  • Lead the planning, implementation, and organization of strategic capacity building of personnel, partners, and stakeholders for strategic business development and engagement.

Profile

Education

• A Master’s degree in a relevant field is required.
• A Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent) combined with 2 additional years of relevant work experience can be accepted in lieu of the Master’s Degree (total of 17 years of experience).

Experience

• A minimum of 15 years of experience that combines strategic and managerial leadership in public affairs, management, business development planning, and operations in a large international and/or corporate organization.
• Proven ability to manage, supervise, and lead a team.
• Experience in establishing partnerships with UN agencies, international development organizations, governments, foundations, international NGOs, or private sector organizations is desirable.
• Experience in the UN system organizations and/or a developing country is desirable.

Languages

• Fluency in English is essential.
• Proficiency in French and/ or Portuguese is an asset.R

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 organisation.
• Integrity & 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

Insert Terms of Appointment here.

Role Location

Bangkok, Thailand

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please ensure you complete the Application Form provided below by 20 October 2025 (23:59 hrs, GMT +7). 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 UNOPS to undertake this assignment.