Special Assistant to the CEO and UN SRSG
UNOPS
Remote
This position is embedded within the Executive Office, working closely with the Chief of Staff, Deputy CEO, Executive Management Committee (EMC), and global stakeholders. The Special Assistant will serve as a vital operational and substantive link for the CEO/SRSG, driving workflow efficiency, synthesizing complex policy briefs, coordinating official international missions, and supporting special strategic projects across SEforALL's global agenda.
About The Project Office
Sustainable Energy for All has a global mandate to accelerate progress on the energy transition in emerging and developing countries. Hosted by UNOPS, we work at the intersection of energy, climate and development, partnering with governments and organizations worldwide to end energy poverty, double energy efficiency, significantly expand renewable energy and combat climate change.
Our vision is a world where everyone, everywhere, can lead a dignified life on a healthy planet, powered by sustainable energy. We promote this vision by pushing for higher ambitions, stronger policies, greater finance flows, increased localization and green jobs, and faster results toward an energy transition that leaves no one behind.
Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched the Sustainable Energy for All initiative in 2011. Since then, our CEO has served as the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy.
About The Group
From Geneva, UNOPS facilitates the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), working with governments, other United Nations (UN) agencies and partners by providing quality servces, integrated solutions and management support through strategic, cost-effective and results-oriented approches. This includes supporting platforms and hosting high-profile, flagship initiatives and funds focusing on health, nutrition, water and sanitation, sustainable cities, environment, energy, climate and trade. UNOPS is a recognized resource for the UN system in Geneva – from fund management and oversight and advisory services, to providing hosting solutions to a range of global initiatives, as well as operational support to partner organizations.
Role Purpose
Under the overall guidance of the CEO and UN SRSG and direct supervision of the Chief of Staff, the Special Assistant takes operational responsibility for managing executive workflows, coordinating high-level stakeholder relations, synthesizing analytical briefings, and supporting special projects initiated by the CEO/SRSG. The role ensures that the CEO/SRSG is thoroughly prepared for high-level engagements, international summits, and UN-Energy proceedings, while driving systematic follow-up across internal teams and external partner networks.
In duty stations where the National Professional Officer (NPO) category has been established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), the contract modality (Local ICA or International ICA) may be evaluated based on the nationality and/or permanent residency status of the preferred candidate.
Functions / Key Results Expected
Executive Support & Workflow Coordination:
- Coordinate the day-to-day execution of core workflows, outputs, and strategic priorities for the CEO/SRSG, ensuring the CEO/SRSG is thoroughly prepared for all high-level engagements, UN summits, and international missions.
- Draft and synthesize comprehensive briefing materials, speaking points, analytical notes, and detailed presentations for internal leadership and external engagements.
- Oversee and organize the CEO/SRSG’s daily schedule, evaluating incoming engagement requests, establishing priority alignment, and ensuring effective time allocation.
- Support in taking minutes, tracking decisions and follow-up processes from meetings and interactions, guiding the flow of communication and direction from the CEO/SRSG to the Executive Management Committee (EMC) and ensuring actions are logged in Salesforce.
- Accompany and support the CEO/SRSG, as and when required, on official international missions, global summits (COP, UN General Assembly etc), and high-level partner meetings, addressing real-time workload priorities while traveling.
- Coordinate mission reporting workflows, leading the drafting, finalization, and distribution of official Back-to-Office Notes (BTONs), meeting summary notes, and executive action logs.
- Serve as operational liaison with counterpart Special Assistants in key stakeholder organizations across UN agencies, government ministries, development banks, and corporate partners.
- Conduct research and analytical tasks on behalf of the CEO/SRSG, gathering data and synthesizing policy on emerging energy transition issues, climate finance trends, and international development frameworks.
- Contribute to executive knowledge-sharing across SEforALL programme teams, ensuring integration and dissemination of data, strategic contacts, and mission outcomes.
Education Requirements
- A First Level University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in International Relations, Public Policy, Sustainable Development, Energy, Environment, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field is required.
- An Advanced degree (Master's Degree or equivalent) in International Relations, Public Policy, Sustainable Development, Energy, Environment, Business Administration, Economics or a related field is an asset and may compensate for some years of experience.
Experience Requirements
- Minimum 2 years of professional work experience at the national or international level in executive management support, administration, partnerships, protocol coordination or diplomatic support.
- Proven experience supporting senior/executive leaders (Directors, CEOs, SRSGs, Ministers, Ambassadors) within international organizations, government, or public sector entities.
- Demonstrated experience preparing executive briefing notes, drafting high-level talking points, and organizing international missions or summits.
- Familiarity with energy transition, Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), climate change, or international development frameworks.