Senior Programme Manager
Job Highlight
The GCCM Senior Programme Manager - Managing Director (Head of Secretariat) role is a high-impact leadership position dedicated to leading and overseeing complex, large-scale programmes that align with organizational strategic goals.
The incumbent is responsible for the end-to-end lifecycle of programme delivery—from strategic planning and financial oversight to risk mitigation and stakeholder engagement. A primary focus of the role is to drive operational excellence by fostering cross-functional collaboration and ensuring that all initiatives meet rigorous quality standards, performance benchmarks and high visibility.
This position offers the opportunity to lead a diverse team in a dynamic environment, delivering sustainable solutions that create measurable global impact.
Role Purpose
The primary purpose of the Senior Programme Manager (ICS 12/IICA 4) is to provide strategic leadership and high-level management for the successful implementation of the GCCM’s core initiatives.
Functions / Key Results Expected
The position supports the work of GCCM and will be responsible for the following:
Programme Governance, Implementation and Monitoring
Required
Experience Requirements
The GCCM Senior Programme Manager - Managing Director (Head of Secretariat) role is a high-impact leadership position dedicated to leading and overseeing complex, large-scale programmes that align with organizational strategic goals.
The incumbent is responsible for the end-to-end lifecycle of programme delivery—from strategic planning and financial oversight to risk mitigation and stakeholder engagement. A primary focus of the role is to drive operational excellence by fostering cross-functional collaboration and ensuring that all initiatives meet rigorous quality standards, performance benchmarks and high visibility.
This position offers the opportunity to lead a diverse team in a dynamic environment, delivering sustainable solutions that create measurable global impact.
Role Purpose
The primary purpose of the Senior Programme Manager (ICS 12/IICA 4) is to provide strategic leadership and high-level management for the successful implementation of the GCCM’s core initiatives.
Functions / Key Results Expected
The position supports the work of GCCM and will be responsible for the following:
Programme Governance, Implementation and Monitoring
- Lead the development of the GCCM concept design and work plan of the RNI and other relevant initiatives in consultation with all relevant partners;
- Coordinate the advancement of the workstreams and projects of the GCCM’s initiatives;
- Provide secretariat support to the support structures of the GCCM’s initiatives;
- Draft speeches, remarks and briefing notes in connection to GCCM events and official meetings;
- Organize strategic events supporting the work of the GCCM in multilateral fora (e.g.UNGA, COP)
- Ensure proactive programme and project risk identification and assessment, and implementation of adequate mitigation measures.
- Establish and execute the programme implementation plans in collaboration with the team and partners, including setting objectives, performance measurements, standards and results expected to ensure timely delivery and client-oriented services.
- Monitor and supervise the timely and cost-effective implementation of the programme according to UNOPS goals and partner expectations, agreed quality standards, approved budget and full cost recovery, and in line with signed Legal Agreements.
- Lead the strategic growth of the GCCM and its contribution to regional and global efforts, advising on opportunities to build global consensus on principles for addressing climate mobility, building synergy among knowledge and solutions partners, and sharing of good practices;
- Provide strategic advice on GCCM’s engagements on sea level rise and climate-forced migration & displacement;
- Oversee the development and execution of analytical and research work for the GCCM’s initiatives;
- Manage and oversee the preparation of programme documents (including business cases/strategies, policy briefs, programme plans and risk assessments).
- Coordinate partnership efforts and stakeholders engagements, with a view to growing global partnerships and coalitions to jointly advance climate mobility initiatives;
- Lead communication and outreach efforts;
- Lead resource mobilization and donor partnerships-building;
- Identify and develop new business and partnership/customer opportunities.
- Keep abreast of and incorporate best practices, approaches and technology to enhance the programme delivery and results.
- Operationalise and share best practices and lessons learned for knowledge building.
- Lead the planning, implementation and organization of strategic capacity building of personnel, clients and stakeholders within the programme.
Required
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) preferably in political science, business management, economics, environmental management or related fields or related fields with 12 years of relevant experience OR
- Master’s degree (or equivalent) preferably in any of the above or related fields with 10 years of relevant experience is required.
Experience Requirements
- Relevant experience is defined as progressively responsible work experience in political advocacy, multilateral diplomacy, intergovernmental affairs, and policy or related areas.
- Work experience in climate action, migration, humanitarian affairs, development, international law or related fields is required.
- An understanding of the Global Compact for Migration, the UN sea level rise agenda, the Secretary-General’s Our Common Agenda report, Agenda 2063, AU’s 2018 protocol on the free movement of persons, as well as relevant policy and guidance developed at the United Nations the AU, in Central and Latin America as well as the Pacific will be an asset;
- Practical professional experience in conducting in-depth research and analysis is required; experience in conducting interviews with practitioners for the purpose of research and analysis is desirable; previous experience in project management as well as organizing and presenting at briefings and conferences on relevant topics is desirable.