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HR Specialist - Learning and Development

UNOPS • Remote (US) • 1d ago

General Information

Position Title

Job Category

Human Resources

Duty Station(s)

Home based

Seniority Level

Mid Level

ICS Level

ICS 10

Contract Type

ICA - IICA - Regular

Contract Level

IICA 2

Posting Start Date

24-Sep-2026

Posting End Date

07-Oct-2026

Duration

Ongoing

Job Highlight

UNOPS People and Culture Group (PCG) is looking for a motivated Learning and Development Professional who has previous experience designing and implementing corporate learning programmes, including leadership development programmes.

The effective and successful achievement of results by the Human Resources Specialist in Learning and Development directly impacts UNOPS capacity to develop the skills and knowledge of our colleagues around the world. These affect client satisfaction as well as the readiness and capabilities of the human capital to effectively develop and implement the programmes and projects of UNOPS. This promotes the credibility of the organization as an effective service provider in project services and management.

About the Group

The People and Culture Group (PCG) positions UNOPS as a people-centered, high-performing organization by driving the development of HR policies, talent frameworks, and inclusive practices aligned with the strategic plan. Through the Integrated People Strategy, PCG empowers personnel, fosters an engaging and inclusive work culture, and enables the delivery of sustainable development solutions. Partnering closely with UNOPS leadership, PCG delivers on the organization’s People Goals—shaping culture, nurturing leaders, enabling flexibility and fairness, building future-ready teams, and setting people up for success. Core capabilities include strategic HR partnering, policy integration, and process simplification through digitization. PCG prioritizes leadership development, workforce diversity, personnel well-being, and innovation in HR practices. By focusing on culture transformation and talent excellence, PCG ensures that UNOPS remains agile, equitable, and capable of delivering results in complex operational environments.

Job Specific Context

PCG Learning team oversees the UNOPS global portfolio of learning programmes in close cooperation with the different technical/functional areas and the regions. The Learning Specialist positions will focus on the programmes and initiatives covering specific learning needs identified in specific regions and/or functional areas.

The Learning Specialists will work in close collaboration with different HQ Units and/or Regions identifying learning needs, leading, designing and delivering specific learning interventions. The role requires engaging with various internal and external stakeholders globally.

The role is expected to work independently to provide specialist expertise and advice on a wide range of learning matters and to partner with organizational units to achieve desired learning outcomes. The organizational unit is based in Copenhagen; however, we are open to considering applicants who are willing to be based in other locations where UNOPS maintains a country or regional presence, provided that situating the role there would be advantageous for the organization.

Role Purpose

Under the supervision of the Head of Learning and Development, the incumbent will be working together with PCG, regional and HQ stakeholders to coordinate and/or support the assigned initiatives.

In general terms the incumbent will:

Design and develop strategies for conducting learning needs analysis of target audiences

Coordinate and connect regional and HQ stakeholders with internal and external Subject Matter Experts and policy owners, ensuring alignment and coordinated efforts

Provide advice and guidance on corporate and regional learning plans

Lead organizational learning projects, with a primary focus on leadership development programmes, ensuring timely delivery and budget management.

Coordinate procurement processes, market research, and vendor management

Leverage opportunities for joint efforts across regions and within all levels of the organization

Provide guidance and technical advice on instructional design, pedagogy, etc. to specific initiatives

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Learning Coordination for Global Programmes

Provide expert advice on conducting learning needs analysis and strategies on how to elaborate the annual learning plan for a specific region or HQ unit.

Provide expert guidance to the regional offices to select the right target audiences for the different learning opportunities.

Act as project lead for organizational learning projects, with a primary focus on leadership development programmes, including ensuring timely delivery and budget management

Evaluate impact of selected global learning programmes

Coordinate and connect with internal and external Subject Matter Experts and policy owners ensuring alignment and coordinated efforts

Provide guidance to the regions and HQ units to implement global learning initiatives.

2. Project planning and coordination support

Responsible for planning and delivery of specific learning programmes in coordination with the Subject Matter experts and/or external providers.

Provide guidance and technical advice on instructional design, pedagogy, etc. to specific initiatives

Support the implementation of learning courses and programmes following UNOPS standards in coordination with PCG support team

Synthesize evaluation data, draw conclusions and directly communicate the impact of the specific learning activity to the Head of Learning and relevant stakeholders

Keep all stakeholders involved informed on progress and results

3. Procurement and vendor management

Keep updated on state of the art external learning providers in different areas, with a primary focus on leadership development

Identify specific areas where long term agreements should be put in place.

Define requirements and/or specifications for learning services to be required externally.

Manage procurement process for learning related activities and ensure timely and efficient use of learning resources. Advise HQ units and regions on the selection of external providers for specific initiatives.

Evaluate and report on vendors’ performance

4. Knowledge Management

Leverage opportunities for joint efforts across regions

Identify best practices/lessons learnt and share across regions

Conduct knowledge sharing sessions and exchanges

5. Support UNOPS Corporate Learning and Development

Support the Learning Team in continuously improve UNOPS learning processes and standards

Collect and disseminate input from the regions and HQ units

Provide technical input to diverse learning programmes

Contribute to knowledge sharing across inter-agancy groups

Provide input, feedback and technical expertise to the different learning projects.

Skills

E-Learning, Learning Management, Training & Development

Competencies

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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

Advanced University degree (Masters or equivalent) in relevant discipline. Preferably Human Resources management, Business Administration, social or behavioral sciences.

Or a First University degree in related fields combined with 7 years of relevant experience.

Experience Requirements

Required

A minimum of 5 years of professional-level experience, including Project Management and Corporate Learning & Development in an international and multi cultural environment.
.

Desired

Experience working with external training providers is highly desired.

Experience with leadership development programmes is desirable.

Language Requirements

Language

Proficiency Level

Requirement

English

Fluent

Required

French

Fluent

Desirable

Spanish

Fluent

Desirable

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. 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. 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.