Partnership and Network Adviser

Position description

The position will support a global initiative focused on climate action and sustainable urban development. Through this role, the successful candidate will actively contribute to innovation in partnership development, knowledge management and coalition building, working with a diverse range of stakeholders to empower cities and local governments in their transition to climate-resilient systems.

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. 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. As part of the Global Portfolios Office, UNOPS Geneva provides comprehensive solutions in secretariat hosting, operational support, and fund management.

UNOPS Geneva also hosts the secretariats of eight global partnerships focused on health (RBM, Stop TB, Ale), 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. The EU-UNOPS Lives in Dignity (LiD) Grant Facility is also based here.

About the Group

The Water, Environment, and Climate (WEC) portfolio, based in Vienna with offices worldwide, is part of the UNOPS Geneva Office. Over the past 15 years, WEC has built strong partnerships and effectively managed a portfolio exceeding 500 million USD, supporting key initiatives through fund management, project implementation, and administrative support.

WEC translates partners’ agendas into action through global, regional, and country-specific initiatives focused on climate action, environmental protection, and conservation. Partners benefit from WEC’s ability to implement and scale their strategic priorities, including support for key multilateral environmental and climate agreements such as the Paris Agreement, the Cartagena Convention, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Job Specific Context

Through this engagement, under the Water and Environment Cluster (WEC) Portfolio, UNOPS will provide implementation services to the European Commission to support the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM).

This will involve accelerating its initiatives and delivering advisory, management, coordination, and implementation services around three main outputs:

1. Cities have enhanced capacity, systems and tools to develop implementation plans and prepare bankable climate projects;
2. Cities are equipped to mobilise adequate finance for the implementation of their sustainable energy and climate action plans (SECAPs); and
3. Business-to-city matchmaking mechanisms are established to scale up innovative, sustainable solutions and technologies.

The position will support cities and local governments’ empowerment to accelerate their transition to climate-resilient, sustainable energy and low-emission mobility urban systems with enhanced capacity, accessed finance, and established private sector partnerships.

Role Purpose

Working under the guidance and leadership of the Director of the UNOPS GCoM Support and Coordination Unit, the Partnership and Network Adviser identifies and manages strategic partnerships for the development of a global pool of expertise covering all relevant areas of urban development, technical support and climate finance. In line with cities’ priorities for climate and energy, they design and implement the knowledge management and sharing approach and framework, in close consultation with the team and key stakeholders, driving end-to-end climate implementation coalition building.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Strategic Partnerships Development and Positioning

• Support the Director of the UNOPS GCoM Support and Coordination Unit and lead the development and implementation of a partnerships strategy aligned with the objectives of the GCoM. This includes analysing the development landscape and the urban agenda in particular, identifying strategic partners, and positioning within relevant operational niches;
• Identify and engage strategic partners including international financial institutions, donors, foundations, NGOs, academia and private sector actors to expand the network supporting GCoM and climate action initiatives;
• Advise senior management on partnership priorities, including identifying priority partners, countries, sectors and service areas;
• Research donor priorities and political contexts to identify funding opportunities aligned with GCoM’s objectives;
• Develop and maintain a pipeline of partnership opportunities and projects that contributes to a diversified portfolio of climate and urban development initiatives.

2. Stakeholder Engagement

• Participate in key partnership meetings and negotiations with donors and partners, ensuring mutually beneficial agreements and systematic follow-up;
• Facilitate high-level engagement between GCoM’s senior management and partners, including during major events and strategic fora;
• Support partners in identifying effective implementation approaches that advance climate action while promoting national ownership;
• Showcase GCoM’s capabilities, leading the development of strategic communication materials, knowledge products and success stories.

3. Knowledge Management and Technical Expertise Network

• Establish and maintain a global pool of technical expertise covering urban development, climate action and climate finance;
• Facilitate platforms and mechanisms for knowledge exchange, collaboration and capacity building among cities and partners;
• Promote the dissemination of best practices, tools and technical resources supporting the development and implementation of Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs);
• Develop PPP frameworks and blended finance mechanisms to support climate and public investment initiatives.

4. Climate Implementation Coalition Building

• Support the development of climate implementation coalitions bringing together cities, financial institutions, private sector actors and development partners;
• Identify barriers to climate action and facilitate partnerships and solutions that support implementation and financing;
• Organize and facilitate workshops, conferences and collaboration platforms that promote knowledge exchange and strengthen partnerships;
• Support coordination with UN partners and contribute to inter-agency collaboration processes, including those linked to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).

5. Partnerships and Programme Development Support

• Represent the initiative in relevant city networks and multi-stakeholder forums, positioning the GCoM as a key enabler of technically grounded, financed climate action at city level;
• Support project identification, concept development and proposal preparation in collaboration with partnerships officers and project managers;
• Undertake tasks in support of the initiative, in line with expertise, as directed by the Director of the UNOPS GCoM Support and Coordination Unit, to respond to emerging needs and priorities.

Qualifications

Skills

Climate, Coalitions, Communication, Knowledge Management, Negotiation, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Partnerships.

Education Requirements

Required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent), preferably in Environmental Science, Urban Planning, Climate Change or a related field, with 9 years of relevant experience; OR
• Master’s degree (or equivalent), preferably in any of the above or related fields, with 7 years of relevant experience.

Experience Requirements

Required

• Relevant experience in partnership development and knowledge management, and/or climate action or related areas;
• Experience in building and managing relationships with diverse stakeholders, including private sector entities, international financial institutions, and research organizations;
• Proven track record of driving successful coalition building and fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders.

Desired

• Experience working with cities and local governments on climate-related initiatives;
• Experience in developing and implementing knowledge management strategies and frameworks.

Language Requirements

English: Fluent (Required)
French: Intermediate (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.
• 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. Background checks are conducted for all final candidates.

Application instructions

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