Deputy Director, Infrastructure & Project Management, Copenhagen, Denmark

General Information

Position Title
Deputy Director, Infrastructure & Project Management (a.i)

Vacancy Type
Internal candidates only

Job Category
Strategy & Corporate Services

Duty Station(s)
Copenhagen

Seniority Level
Senior Level

ICS Level
ICS 12

Contract Type
Staff - IP - FTA

Contract Level
IP P-5

Posting Start Date
03-Nov-2026

Posting End Date
10-Nov-2026

Duration
6 months

Job Highlight

This is a pivotal temporary leadership role designed to navigate and manage complex organizational change. The position requires a seasoned professional adept at operational management and change management. You will serve as the Director's trusted operational partner, ensuring that IPMG teams remain focused, supported, and effective during a period of significant structural overhaul.

About the Group

The Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG) provides policy, standards guidance and support in three UNOPS service lines of Project Management, Infrastructure and Financial Management Services (Grant Support and Fund Management). IPMG leads the design and implementation of a project, programme and portfolio management (P3M) system centered around the needs of UNOPS partners, beneficiaries and frontline personnel. IPMG also drives UNOPS efforts to leverage sustainable, resilient and inclusive infrastructure and maximize local capacity through grant support management to achieve sustainable development. Through thought leadership, we aim to position UNOPS with its partners, foster innovative solutions for sustainable and inclusive development, and accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This includes speeding up the implementation of urgent infrastructure and scaling up infrastructure service delivery, particularly in relation to climate action and energy. Our delivery approach to project management, infrastructure and grant support management prioritizes development needs, empowers institutions and communities, builds partners’ capacity, champions gender equality and social inclusion and reduces environmental impact. IPMG translates policy into practice by providing strategic direction, standards and oversight, while facilitating knowledge sharing and capacity-building for UNOPS teams globally.

Job Specific Context

THIS VACANCY IS OPEN TO INTERNAL UNOPS CANDIDATES ONLY.

This assignment may be considered a stretch assignment, with the possibility of returning to the original position upon completion, subject to the agreement of the releasing office.

The Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG) is currently undergoing a comprehensive structural reorganization to better align with the strategic goals of UNOPS and adapt to a changing global delivery model. To ensure business continuity and steady leadership during this transitional phase, the temporary role of Deputy Director (ai) has been established for a 6-month, non-extendable duration only.

Reporting directly to the Director, Infrastructure & Project Management (a.i), the Deputy Director (a.i) provides critical day-to-day operational support and oversees the seamless functioning of cross-practice teams. The incumbent acts as a stabilizing force, supporting the Director in managing operational priorities, and guiding the workforce through the uncertainties associated with the restructuring process.

Role Purpose

The Deputy Director (a.i) supports the Director (a.i) by taking charge of key day-to-day operational matters across all teams. The role acts as a primary operational hinge and change management anchor, ensuring continuous service delivery while simultaneously guiding the IPMG workforce through a complex restructuring process. Core responsibilities include:

• Day-to-Day Operational Leadership: Overseeing the routine operations of IPMG practice areas, technical teams, and support teams to ensure uninterrupted, high-quality service delivery.
• Restructuring and Change Management Support: Acting as a central pillar of support for the IPMG team during the overhaul, addressing concerns, ensuring clear communication, and mitigating the disruptive impacts of structural changes.
• Cross-Team Coordination: Fostering collaboration, resolving operational bottlenecks, and ensuring alignment across various units within IPMG.
• Strategic Partnership with the Director: Acting as the Director's delegate on operational matters, enabling the Director to focus on high-level strategic alignment and corporate relations.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Operational Management and Day-to-Day Support

• Operational oversight: Direct and manage the daily operational workflows across IPMG's various teams and practice areas, ensuring targets are met despite the ongoing organizational changes.
• Troubleshooting: Proactively identify and resolve operational bottlenecks, acting as the first point of escalation for internal team challenges and resource constraints.
• Resource allocation: Support the Director in the agile deployment and management of personnel and financial resources to maintain business continuity during the transition.

2. Change Management and Restructuring Leadership

• Team support and stabilization: Provide strong, empathetic leadership to guide the IPMG team through a difficult and protracted restructure, actively managing team morale, reducing anxiety, and fostering resilience.
• Change communication: Ensure transparent, consistent, and timely communication regarding the overhaul process, translating high-level restructuring decisions into clear operational impacts for the staff.
• Process continuity: Ensure that legacy processes are smoothly transitioned, retired, or adapted without causing service disruption to regional hubs and country offices.

3. Cross-Functional Coordination and Integration

• Silo reduction: Drive cross-practice collaboration across Project Management, Infrastructure, Grants & Funds Management, and Sustainability units to ensure a cohesive service offering.
• Hub alignment: Maintain robust daily communication with regional technical hubs to ensure they remain fully supported and integrated with HQ operations during the structural transition.

4. Strategic Advisory and Risk Management

• Advisory to the Director: Provide the Director with real-time operational insights, risk assessments, and strategic recommendations on how to adjust the restructuring approach based on team feedback and operational realities.
• Risk mitigation: Identify operational, reputational, and delivery risks stemming from the overhaul and rapidly implement mitigation strategies.

Skills

Change Management, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Interpersonal Communication, Operations Management, Problem Solving, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Planning, Transition Management, Empathy

Competencies

Strategic Perspective

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.

Respect

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Collaboration

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, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Partnerships

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).

Excellence

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.

Adaptability

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 behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Decision-making

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.

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.

Education Requirements

Required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Project Management, Engineering or related disciplines with 12 years of relevant experience OR Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above disciplines with 10 years of relevant experience is required.

Desired

• Certification in Change Management (e.g., PROSCI) or Project Management (e.g., PRINCE2, PMP).

Experience Requirements

Required

• Progressively responsible leadership experience in operational management, programme delivery or corporate strategy is required.
• Demonstrated experience in operationalizing and continuously improving operating models, organizational structures, management processes or delivery-support mechanisms within international project-based organizations/environments is required.
• Demonstrated experience in supporting and leading teams through significant organizational change, restructuring, or crisis periods.
• Proven track record in managing day-to-day operations across multi-disciplinary technical or project management teams.
• Strong background in advising senior leadership on operational risks and resource management.

Desired

• Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.
• Experience of working in UN system organizations is desired.
• Experience managing decentralized or globally distributed teams and hubs.

Language Requirements

Additional Information

• 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.
• 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.

Terms and Conditions

• 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.

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.