The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
Sustainable Development Cluster
UNOPS Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports the United Nations Secretariat and other New York-based partners by providing a range of services for global programmes. Our support, including technology and grant management services as well as for development and special initiatives, spans around 125 countries.
Technology Support Services
UNOPS Technology Support Services portfolio provides technology- and innovation-focused project services to a range of UN and non-UN partners at regional and country levels.
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Provides advice and support for technology- and innovation-related services and initiatives, encompassing areas such as data science, supply chain management, cyber security, and hybrid cloud platform management.
Key partners:
- Executive Office of the Secretary-General and its UN Global Pulse initiative
- UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs
- UN Development Coordination Office
- UN Global Service Center
- UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Technology Support Services: nielsg@unops.org
Grant Management Services
UNOPS Grant Management Services (GMS) serves as the one-stop solution for managing global programmes and projects, with a focus on community interventions and development finance. This includes the administration of small community-level grants that promote local capacity building and economic development. To date, the GMS has managed more than $200 million through the portfolio, benefiting over 26,000 communities via the Small Grants Programme.
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Implemented in partnership with UNDP and funded by the Global Environment Facility, the Small Grants Programme offers grant funding to projects benefiting local community organizations. This includes grassroots initiatives, women-focused organizations, indigenous people, and marginalized communities in over 120 countries. These grants address various environmental issues, including biodiversity, climate change mitigation and adaptation, land degradation, and sustainable forest management, among others.
Key partners:
- UN Development Programme's Bureau for Policy and Programme Support
- UN Development Programme's Nature, Climate and Energy
- UN Member States
Grant Management Services: edrissr@unops.org
Development and Special Initiatives
UNOPS Development and Special Initiatives team works with UN partners and Member States situated in New York. 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 and peacebuilding, among others.
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Provided program and project management expertise in sectors like climate, biodiversity, and the environment, with a focus on building coalitions and mobilising action for our planet. The team also provided support for the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, deploying a stand-by team of experts to help prevent global crises in coordination with the UN Mediation Support Unit. Additionally, the Development and Special Initiatives team provided financial services to the UN Peacebuilding Support Office, facilitating the release of grants for the humanitarian, development, and peace nexus. Special initiatives, such as the UN Alliance of Civilizations and the Group of 77, have also benefited from their efforts.
Key partners:
- Executive Office of the UN Secretary-General and its Climate Action Team
- UN Secretariat
- UN Office of Counter-Terrorism
- Global Center for Climate Mobility
- The Group of 77
- UN Office for South-South Cooperation
- UN Department of Political Affairs
- UN Development Programme
- Member States
- UN Peacebuilding Support Office
Development and Special Initiatives: isabellav@unops.org
