General Information
Position Title
Senior Advisor (Counter-Terrorism)
Job Category
Programme
Duty Station(s)
Home based
Seniority Level
Senior Level
ICS Level
ICS 12
Contract Type
ICA - IICA - Retainer
Contract Level
IICA 4
Posting Start Date
11-Aug-2026
Posting End Date
24-Aug-2026
Duration
Until 31 December 2026, with possibilities of extension based on performance and funds availability.
Job Highlight
This position at UNOPS is designed to support the activities of the UNOCT office in Baghdad. The selected candidate for this role will become UNOPS personnel under its full responsibility. The incumbent will work closely with other experts from the Roster for the duration of their contract and will undertake short-term assignments, with possible field deployments, depending on the needs of the UNOCT.
About the Region
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The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, and expert teams operating globally, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding - including in some of the world’s most challenging environments. By leveraging our collective expertise and global networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries. We work closely with major global partners - including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies - to deliver a wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.
About the Country/Multi-Country Office
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UNOPS Development and Special Initiatives team works with UN partners and Member States. This portfolio offers support for various initiatives and priorities of the UN Secretary-General in pursuit of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, it helps the UN Secretariat in implementing global programs in areas such as political affairs, climate, counterterrorism and peacebuilding, among others.
Job Specific Context
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UNOPS DSI has signed an agreement with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism to implement project activities under the Global Programme on Prosecution, Rehabilitation and Reintegration within UNOCT.
The United Nations Office of Counter Terrorism (UNOCT) was established by the General Assembly in June 2017. UNOCT has five mandated functions:
(1) Provide leadership on the General Assembly counter-terrorism mandates entrusted to the Secretary-General from across the United Nations system;
(2) Enhance coordination and coherence across the Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact entities to ensure the balanced implementation of the four pillars of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy;
(3) Strengthen the delivery of United Nations counter-terrorism capacity-building assistance to Member States;
(4) Improve visibility, advocacy and resource mobilization for United Nations counter-terrorism efforts; and
(5) Ensure that due priority is given to counterterrorism across the United Nations system and that the important work on preventing violent extremism is firmly rooted in the Strategy.
- Please note this vacancy primarily aims to establish a pool of qualified Senior Advisor (Counter-Terrorism) interested in retainer, lump sum, ongoing, or short term assignments in various locations.
Role Purpose
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Under the supervision of UNOPS, the Senior Expert on Counter-Terrorism will provide high-level strategic, operational and advisory support to strengthen Member States counter-terrorism capabilities within their national law enforcement structures. The Senior Expert on Counter-Terrorism will work hand in hand with the national authorities to enhance the effectiveness, professionalism and operational coordination of national law enforcement responses to terrorism threats.
Functions / Key Results Expected
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Under the supervision of UNOPS Director, Global Portfolios, the incumbent will perform the following functions:
Lead comprehensive assessments of national law enforcement capacities related to counter-terrorism, identifying operational gaps, institutional weaknesses, and priority areas for intervention, while anticipating emerging threats and challenges;
Design, implement and oversee targeted technical assistance and capacity-building aimed at strengthening the operational readiness, intervention capabilities, and institutional resilience of national law enforcement entities involved in counter-terrorism efforts;
Provide high-level strategic advice and mentorship support to national senior law enforcement officials on the development and modernization of organizational structures involved in counter-terrorism efforts, including their operational practices.
Support national law enforcement services involved in counter-terrorism efforts in developing and refining operational policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and guidelines for the response to terrorism-related incidents, including the planning, command and control of CT operations;
Deliver advanced training and mentoring to senior officers and specialized units within national law enforcement institutions contributing to CT efforts;
Promote the integration of human rights standard, accountability principles and gender-sensitive approaches across all activities supported by the Facility, ensuring these also become reflected in the institutions’ practice related to which advice and mentoring is being provided by the expert;
Prepare a variety of high-quality, written substantive outputs, including analyses, presentations, training materials, summary reports, related to their assignments.
Skills
Capacity Building, Counterterrorism, Policy Analysis, Technical Assistance
Competencies
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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.
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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
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Required:
Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent), preferably in security studies, international relations, public administration, or any related field with ten (10) years of relevant experience is required; or
First-level university degree (bachelor's degree or equivalent) with twelve (12) years of relevant experience is required.
Experience Requirements
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Required:
Relevant experience is defined as experience holding senior command positions, preferably at the rank of police superintendent / colonel or above in an operational role within a law enforcement institution contributing to national counter-terrorism efforts;
Minimum of five (5) years of experience working on counter-terrorism, preferably in an international policing context is required;
Expertise in building operational law enforcement capacity of units involved in counter terrorism response, preferably while ensuring compliance with international laws, human rights standards, and ethical guidelines of operational units is required.
Desired:
Experience working internationally with law enforcement/security organizations is desired;
Experience in designing and providing technical assistance to a range of audiences, including senior law enforcement officials within institutions contributing to national counter-terrorism efforts, is desired;
Experience working in a multilateral or regional organization would be an asset;
Experience working with law enforcement/security organizations in Africa would be an asset;
Experience working in post-conflict or complex settings would be an asset.
Language Requirements
Language Proficiency Level Requirement
English Fluent Required
Arabic Fluent Required
French Fluent Desirable
Spanish Fluent Desirable
Russian Fluent Desirable
Additional Information
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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.
.justified-content { text-align: justify !important; } Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments. UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities. We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation. 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. 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.
