Executive Associate in London

The successful candidate will contribute to innovative outcomes funds, transforming how education and skills are financed and delivered. EOF offers its team the opportunity to drive systems change at scale, while working in a mission-driven, high-performing team.

About the Region

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.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

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 services, integrated solutions and management support through strategic, cost-effective and results-oriented approaches.

Job Specific Context

The Education Outcomes Fund (EOF) is a global initiative transforming how education and skills are financed and delivered. We partner with governments, donors, investors, and implementers to make education systems more effective, equitable, and accountable. Through our Outcomes Partnership model, funding is tied to measurable results, aligning incentives across all actors to ensure that resources lead to real improvements in learning and employment outcomes.

Role Purpose

The Executive Assistant will work closely with, and under the supervision of, the EOF Director to support the effective functioning of the CEO’s Office. This includes a range of operational and coordination activities.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Supports the Director’s time management by overseeing the calendar, coordinating with the Secretariat, scheduling meetings, prioritising requests, resolving conflicts, and ensuring timely preparation of briefs and talking points.
• Brings urgent or sensitive matters to the Director’s attention, identifies issues requiring action, and follows up as needed.
• Manages the Director’s travel arrangements.
• Coordinates logistics and administration for internal and external meetings and events.
• Helps prepare agendas for staff meetings.
• Participates in meetings, takes notes, and ensures timely circulation and follow‑up.
• Prepares materials for the Director, including briefing notes, presentations, slides, and background documents.
• Researches and summarises information for reports, briefs, and speeches.
• Drafts and prepares correspondence and compiles documents for meetings and travel.
• Ensures quality control of outgoing documents, including proofreading and editing for accuracy and style.
• Supports the Director’s external communications.
• Prepares and tracks the Director’s expenses, ensuring accuracy and proper documentation.

Coordination and events

• Coordinates meetings and travel with relevant personnel, preparing complete briefing packages for accompanying colleagues.
• Supports the Director in drafting and reviewing email communications and maintains electronic filing, minutes, and contact reports.
• Assists with the organisation and logistics of EOF governance meetings.
• Organises team-building events, including logistical arrangements and liaison with facilitators, caterers, and hosts.
• Supports administration of virtual and in‑person events, including logistics, external communications, and minute‑taking.
• Schedules meetings by coordinating availability with participants.
• Prepares and maintains agendas for meetings and events related to work‑group commitments.

Skills

• Problem Solving, Stakeholder Engagement, Time Management, Results oriented.
• 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.
• Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit.
• Collaborates and supports the development of others.
• Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first.
• Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal.
• Open to change and flexible in a fast-paced environment.
• Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions.
• Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner.

Education Requirements

• Required: Secondary education combined with 6 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor’s degree in Education, International Development, Public Policy, Social Sciences, Project Management, or a related field combined with 2 years of relevant experience.
• Masters degree in Education, International Development, Public Policy, Social Sciences, Project Management, or a related field is an asset and may be accepted in lieu of requisite years of experience.

Experience Requirements

• A minimum of six (6) years relevant professional experience combined with secondary education, or two (2) years of relevant experience combined with a Bachelor’s degree.
• Relevant professional experience includes executive support, event management, and/or coordination roles.
• Experience supporting a senior leader with administrative, operational and/or coordination activities.
• Experience conducting research to support management activities.
• Experience in event management, preferably multi-day and international events.
• Experience coordinating international travel.
• Experience working in the international development sector.
• Experience in the global education sector.
• Experience working in the innovative finance sector.

Language Requirements

• English: Fluent (Required)
• French: Fluent (Desirable)
• Arabic: 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.