Executive Assistant Senior Associate

General Information

Position Title: Executive Assistant Senior Associate
Job Category: Strategy & Corporate Services
Duty Station(s): Copenhagen
Seniority Level: Associate
ICS Level: ICS 07
Contract Type: Staff - GS - FTA
Contract Level: GS-7
Posting Start Date: 09-Nov-2026
Posting End Date: 18-Nov-2026
Duration: Initial appointment for one year with a possibility of extension

Job Highlight

Provide dedicated, high-level secretarial, communication, administrative and travel support to UNOPS' Executive Leadership, particularly the Deputy Executive Director - Delivery & Partnerships, ensuring the effective and efficient operations of the Executive Office

About the Group

The Executive Office (EO) leads and is accountable for the strategic direction, performance, and integrity of UNOPS, ensuring the organization implements its mandate in support of Member States and the UN system. Providing strategic leadership, the Office sets and oversees the implementation of the 4-year Strategic Plan, ensuring alignment on corporate priorities across the organization. The Office ensures robust governance, and accountability for resources and results while driving culture change and the transformation of the organization for cost-effective agile deployment in collaboration with sister agencies of the United Nations, and other partners.

The Executive Office represents UNOPS and ensures accountability to the Executive Board. The Office leads UNOPS engagement with Member States, UN partners, and other stakeholders to advance United Nations objectives by bringing practical solutions to bridge the implementation gap so that all people can live peaceful and dignified lives, where human rights are respected, and where countries and communities are on a path to sustainable development.

Role Purpose

The Executive Assistant Senior Associate provides comprehensive executive and administrative support to the Deputy Executive Director - Delivery and Partnerships, ensuring efficient and effective operation of the Executive Office. The role encompasses travel management, secretarial support, communication and information management, and other related duties as required

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Secretarial support to the Deputy Executive Director - Delivery and Partnerships

• Manage the calendar for the Deputy Executive Director
• Manage the planning and coordination of the Deputy Executive Director’s missions, including drafting agendas in collaboration with country offices and other high-level stakeholders.
• Prepare and maintain a calendar of proposed conferences and meetings to be attended by the Deputy Executive Director

2. Communication and Information Management

• Communicate effectively and liaise with internal and external stakeholders on behalf of the Deputy Executive Director, following appropriate protocol.
• Adhere to appropriate approval processes for documents that require the Deputy Executive Director’s signature.
• Respond to and/or direct inquiries to appropriate units for timely action/response.
• Draft, on behalf of the Deputy Executive Director, routine correspondences.
• Maintain lists of contacts of internal and external stakeholders
• Build knowledge of practices of diplomatic protocol, including practices developed within the United Nations System.
• Capture and digest information and prepare presentation slides, when needed.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the Executive Office.

3. Administrative and Logistical Support

• Manage travel arrangements for the Deputy Executive Director, including logistical/administrative matters, such as visa, hotel, security clearance, and protocol matters.
• Undertake procurement processes or process payments on behalf of the Executive Office, when requested.
• Collect data from relevant databases and prepare financial overviews in spreadsheets (Google Sheets), as required.
• Assist managers in the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions, as required.
• Plan and organize events and receptions with partners and other stakeholders.

4.Team building and Collaboration

• Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive team environment through open communication, knowledge-sharing, and respectful working relationships.
• Participate in team activities and initiatives, sharing relevant information, experiences and lessons learned to support effective collaboration.

5. Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor within the scope of the position.

Skills

Communication, Executive Administrative Assistance, Executive Support, Meeting Scheduling, Multitasking, Protocol, Travel Arrangements, Prioritization

Competencies

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

• High School Diploma with 7 years of relevant experience, OR,
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent with 3 years of relevant experience

Experience Requirements

Required

• Relevant experience in providing support and assisting senior-level management positions.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (Google workspace), experience in handling web-based management and ERP systems.

Desired

• Experience in arranging conferences and VIP Hospitality Management is an asset.
• Experience in public relations and communications with senior officials, representatives of diplomatic missions, and NGOs is desirable.
• Experience in UN/UNOPS rules and procedures will be an added advantage.
• Experience working specifically with oneUNOPS.

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.