City Engagement Specialist

General Information

Position Title
City Engagement Specialist
Job Category
Partnerships
Duty Station(s)
Brussels
Seniority Level
Mid Level
ICS Level
ICS 10
Contract Type
ICA \- IICA \- Regular
Contract Level
IICA 2
Posting Start Date
28\-May\-2026
Posting End Date
12\-Jun\-2026
Duration
Ongoing

Job Highlight

The position offers an opportunity to 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.

UNOPS Geneva also 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. 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 successful candidate will work closely with cities and partners to facilitate coordination, support implementation processes, and contribute to the rollout of technical assistance, knowledge sharing and collaboration activities that advance climate\-resilient solutions on the ground.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1\. City Climate and Energy Priority Development

• In close liaison with the Partnerships and Networks Adviser, lead the structured dialogues with city counterparts, including mayors' offices, technical departments to identify and prioritize climate and energy challenges and opportunities.


• Facilitate the translation of city needs and key priorities, into technically sound and bankable project pipelines aligned with available financing opportunities, while strengthening collaboration between cities and private sector partners by helping cities articulate investment needs and supporting businesses in understanding local procurement and regulatory contexts.


• Provide technical guidance to cities on the development and implementation of Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs), Climate Action Plans (CAPs) and related frameworks, ensuring coherence between planning, investment and implementation.

2\. City Stakeholder Management System

• In close collaboration with municipal stakeholders and focal points, support the design and implementation of a systematic, city\-level stakeholder engagement approach that maps, prioritizes and manages relationships across all relevant municipal actors, including political leadership, technical units (energy, transport, buildings, waste, etc.) and finance/budget departments. Equity and inclusiveness are key drivers in the approach.


• Design and deliver capacity\-building materials and training for GCoM team members and city counterparts on the stakeholder engagement approach, ensuring consistent application across the city portfolio.


• Maintain an up\-to\-date stakeholder data base and intelligence system, tracking engagement status, key contacts, open issues and follow\-up actions for each city.

3\. City\-to\-Business Matchmaking for Climate Solutions

• Identify and facilitate structured matchmaking between cities and private sector actors, including technology providers, solution developers, infrastructure investors and impact\-oriented businesses, to support the implementation of innovative and high\-impact climate and energy solutions at city level.


• Develop and maintain a database/ pipeline of city\-business collaboration opportunities, progressing leads from initial interest through scoping, partnership structuring and implementation readiness.


• Contribute to the design of matchmaking formats, such as challenge calls, innovation sandboxes,or investment forums, that create productive conditions for city\-business collaboration and move beyond one\-off introductions toward durable implementation partnerships.

4\. Partnership, Networks and Matchmaking

• Support the initiative representation in relevant forums and consultation groups.


• Contribute to knowledge products and learning outputs that document city engagement experiences, good practices and replicable approaches for outreach wider dissemination.

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.

Skills

International Business Development, Partnerships, Planning, Proposal Writing, Stakeholder Engagement

Competencies

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.
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

Required* Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) preferably in Environmental Science, Urban Planning, Climate Change or related fields with 7 years of relevant experience OR

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) preferably in any of the abo

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