The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) unites the New York Portfolios, including the Peace and Security team (PSC); the Geneva Office; and the Vienna-based Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) teams, to maximize global impact, foster efficiencies and streamline global programmes. Leveraging our collective expertise and networks, GPO supports UNOPS' strategic priorities and the SDGs across over 130 countries. We deliver project management, fund management, advisory services, project implementation, and HR services, working closely with major global partners. Our thematic focus includes sustainable development, climate action, health, peace & security, and humanitarian action.

As part of the Global Portfolios Office, UNOPS Geneva provides comprehensive solutions in secretariat hosting, operational support, and fund management. We manage global programmes, including the Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) Portfolio, offering project management, procurement, HR, and financial services. Geneva hosts the secretariats of eight global partnerships focused on health (RBM, Stop TB, ATscale), nutrition (SUN), water/sanitation (SHF), humanitarian leadership (GELI), urban development (Cities Alliance), and disaster displacement (PDD). We also provide fund management for EIF and UN Water, and operational support to Geneva-based partners like the Global Fund and UNHCR. 

Cities Alliance, which is hosted by UNOPS, is the global partnership promoting the role of cities in poverty reduction and sustainable development. Headquartered in Brussels and supported by a Secretariat, it is a unique partnership with a diverse membership which has come together to strengthen both impacts and coherence in urban development. Cities Alliance is a global leader, with a strong track record in grant-making to support strategic citywide planning, slum upgrading and access to basic services; urban climate action and resilience; the inclusion of forcibly displaced populations in cities; women empowerment and gender equality in cities; inclusive urban economies and investment pathways that improve livelihoods and reduce urban poverty. Through UNOPS, the Cities Alliance operates a Multi-Donor Fund supported by an efficient, flexible grant-making mechanism with global reach.    

The Cities Alliance has established an international reputation for its role in promoting coherence of effort in international development, identifying critical policy and knowledge gaps, convening members and partners, and delivering high-quality programmes. The context of its work is that of rapidly urbanising economies, the growth of cities of all sizes, and promoting the interests  of the urban poor in general, and women in particular. Adopting a long-term and programmatic approach that recognises the catalytic nature of development assistance, the Cities Alliance seeks to work with and support local expertise and institutions, ensure citywide and nationwide approaches to development, and facilitate follow-up investments and impacts. 

The Cities Alliance undertakes regular independent evaluations, as well as programme and financial audits. The Secretariat has recently embarked on a decentralisation strategy,  with an empowered and effective management team and staff operating from three global hubs.

The Management Board (on which UNOPS is represented ex officio) is responsible for setting the overall strategic direction, priorities and budget of the Cities Alliance. The Secretariat is responsible for the implementation of the work programme and related activities, and shall report to the Management Board on these, through the Director.

The Director of the Cities Alliance is a UNOPS Director, subject to UNOPS policies and procedures.

The Director will position Cities Alliance as a recognised global leader in advancing inclusive urban development. Results will be measured through strengthened member engagement, organisational growth and sustained resource mobilisation, and expanded influence and impact on cities at the global and local level. By driving strategic partnerships with cities, donors, development banks and other stakeholders, the Director will enhance Cities Alliance’s contribution to the implementation of the SDGs, the Paris Agreement, and the New Urban Agenda. Impact will be visible in empowered local governments, scaled community-led solutions, and demonstrable reductions in urban poverty and vulnerability to climate risks.

To achieve this, frequent interaction is required with, but not limited to the following:

• Managers and staff within the Cities Alliance Secretariat, senior representatives within Cities Alliance membership, as well as representatives of UN Agencies, multilateral and other international organisations.

• Constant interaction at senior level with Governments, Private Sector organisations, development banks and representatives of nongovernmental organizations. 

Summary of Key Functions : 

1. Development of robust financial architecture

2. Strategy and Planning

3. Management Board 

4. Partnership, Global Advocacy and Communications

5. Management of the Secretariat

1. Development of robust financial architecture : 

• The Director is accountable to the Management Board for restoring and sustaining Cities Alliance’s financial viability, including securing predictable multi-year financing and diversifying revenue streams beyond traditional ODA grants, and responding to shifts in the development finance landscape, and challenges related to operating in fragile settings.

• Ensures the development and management of an effective and proven resource mobilization strategy which underpins Cities Alliance’ sustainability and growth.

• Develops strategies to expand and diversify the existing core Donors and Funding Sources, as well as alternative sources such as development banks, multi-donor funds, philanthropic foundations, the private sector and public-private partnerships.

• Identifies ways to balance the relationship between core and project financing, to ensure that the Cities Alliance retains sufficient flexibility in pursuing new and/or strategic activities.

1. Strategy and Planning : 

• Lead a time-bound institutional review and renewal process, to ensure strategic relevance, financial sustainability, and competitiveness in a rapidly changing development finance landscape.

• Leads the development of the Strategic Plan and Annual Work Plans, with time-bound targets and milestones for fulfilling the Cities Alliance vision and ensures their timely approval by the Management Board.

• Ensures that the Cities Alliance Strategic Plan is aligned with, and actively contributes to, implementation of Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, the Paris Climate Agreement, and the New Urban Agenda;

• Leads organizational adaptation and planning and directs and oversees the setting of framework targets and monitoring tools.

• Ensures that all Cities Alliance policies and governance instruments are regularly reviewed and updated, including the Charter, Standard Operating Procedures, Conflict of Interest Policy and the Risk and Results Frameworks.

1. Management Board 

• Oversees the provision of high-quality strategic information to the Management Board to facilitate its role in setting policies and strategies. This includes regular, high-level strategic analysis, advice, and communication in its strategic, results and risk management roles, in active collaboration with the Chair of the Management Board.

• Facilitates and promotes communication between the Management Board and partners on policy and programme issues. This includes regular monitoring and clear reporting of progress toward key targets.

• Communicates on a regular basis with the Chair of the Management Board on ongoing progress and highlights emerging issues. Identifies operational challenges at an early stage that need the Board’s support, including any resource deficiencies.

1. Partnership, Global Advocacy and Communications : 

• In partnerships with the President and/or Chair of the Management Board where appropriate, acts as spokesperson for Cities Alliance and reports regularly to Members on progress on the implementation of the Strategic Plan.

• Supports the Cities Alliance partnership and seeks to extend  the existing partnership with key stakeholders relevant to a changing urban and developmental environment.

• Represents the Cities Alliance at high-level events, and/or appoints appropriate staff to represent the Cities Alliance.

• Leads the Secretariat in articulating and communicating Cities Alliance strategy, vision and values and return on investments to external stakeholders.

• Ensures that Members are kept fully appraised of all relevant Cities Alliance activities and provided with opportunities to co-create, lead and participate in events.

• Maintains an active focal point system to ensure consistent and personal interaction with Members.

• Makes a positive contribution to the values and mission of the United Nations system, and to improved development coherence. Liaises with key relevant organizations and agencies, including regional entities

1. Management of the Secretariat : 

• Provides clear and effective leadership to the Secretariat, being responsible and accountable for the administration, guidance and direction of its work.

• Provides both leadership and support to the Cities Alliance Management Team, allowing them to fulfill their own obligations in Secretariat management which would ensure cohesive and effective team operations and optimal staff motivation.

• Provide regular supervision and annual performance appraisal for the Management Team members and ultimate oversight of all Secretariat personnel.

• Ensures all operational structures, systems and processes are in line with UNOPS policies and procedures while championing innovative tools for organizational effectiveness. 

• Management and proactive oversight of organisational risks,  with regular reporting on key risks to the Board.

• Provides leadership in optimizing timely, cost-effective arrangements that meet value for money expectations and fiduciary standards.

• Works in close cooperation with the UNOPS reporting line to ensure smooth operational support and timely problem-solving, where necessary.

• Ensure effective planning, recruitment and development of a flexible workforce with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance, and ensure gender and geographical diversity.

• Foster a positive work environment, respectful of all, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

• Champion gender parity, gender mainstreaming and diversity.

Required

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent), preferably in urban planning, economics, social science, international development, public policy and administration, or related areas is required. 

• A first level university degree (Bachelor`s degree or equivalent) in the related fields with an additional two (2) years of experience may be considered in lieu of the Master`s degree. 

Required

• A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible professional experience, including senior executive leadership, institutional transformation, strategy development and implementation, resource mobilization, financing, advocacy, and programme management.

• Senior-level experience operating in an international political/diplomatic environment, including engaging with governance or oversight bodies in support of institutional positioning and strategic decision making, preferably in areas related to urban development and the role of cities.

• Demonstrated capacity to lead and secure significant institutional funding with bilateral (including the EU), multilateral or institutional donors, with experience translating partnership and policy influence into funded programmes.

• Demonstrated experience and capacity in mobilising concessional and/or non-ODA funding, including through development banks, multi-donor funds, philanthropic foundations, the private sector and public-private partnerships.

Desired

• Deep understanding of urban development challenges in the Global South, including citywide and national policy approaches, gender and climate issues and citywide approaches to inclusive development.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• Please note that 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. 
• 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.

• 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.