Senior Partnerships and Engagement Strategy Advisor (Retainer)

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.

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 servces, integrated solutions and management support through strategic, cost-effective and results-oriented approches. This includes supporting platforms and hosting high-profile, flagship initiatives and funds focusing on health, nutrition, water and sanitation, sustainable cities, environment, energy, climate and trade. UNOPS is a recognized resource for the UN system in Geneva – from fund management and oversight and advisory services, to providing hosting solutions to a range of global initiatives, as well as operational support to partner organizations.

Cities Alliance in 2026/2027 – Restoring and strengthening USA members and partners.

The Cities Alliance believed that, building on the success in Europe, more attention needed to be paid to Cities Alliance’ profile, and its members and partners in the USA. Subsequently during the last 18 months, there has been much groundwork undertaken on reinvigorating the World bank partnership and assessing the evolution of the US government funding model since the closure of USAID.

Cities Alliance initially had three significant members in the USA, all based in Washington DC:

• The World Bank, co-founder and first host of the Cities Alliance;

• USAID, one of the founding members in 1999; and

• Habitat for Humanity International, one of the first global NGOs to join the Cities Alliance.

In addition, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is represented to Washington and American partners through the Washington Liaison Office (WLO), which also provides support to the Cities Alliance upon request.

The recent changes within the US Government have had a significant effect on Cities Alliance with the loss of USG representation on the Board, a loss of USG contribution to core funds and the closure of USAID funded programmes. Given these changes the engagement strategy now needs to focus significantly on the Cities Alliance on the relationship with the World Bank. In the absence of USG representation, current membership/associate membership includes the World Bank, Habitat for Humanity and the Atlantic Council. A “watching brief” on the evolution of the US State Department has been maintained by the UNOPS office in Washington.

Senior Partnerships and Engagement Strategy Advisor will provide Partnerships advice, assist the CA Director in continued strengthening of the relationship with and development of US based partners. The advisor will support the engagement with USA-based partners, most notably the World Bank, represent the organization, and provide senior technical and strategic advice in relation to the partnership with these networks and stakeholders, as required.

Under the direct supervision of the Cities Alliance Director, the Senior Partnerships and Engagement Strategy Advisor will be responsible for the below:

• The Senior Advisor must familiarise with the current CA strategy, approaches and work, and keep up to date with this through regular CA meetings and engagement with CA staff.
• Engaging on a regular basis with the World Bank and on a semi-regular basis with Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) and United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Washington.
• Identifying and suggesting over time, new organisations and people with whom the Cities Alliance should establish a relationship.
• To explore the most practical options through which the profile, influence and work of Cities Alliance could be expanded across existing and potential partners, including those based outside of Washington and representing CA in discussions with these potential partners.
• Engaging with the focal point and key staff of the World Bank so that they are aware of the work of CA and new opportunities are explored. Keeping abreast of climate initiatives in the bank - in terms of funding architecture and programmes for broadening and deepening the World Bank / CA relationship.
• Identifying opportunities for partnership with the World Bank, not only in Washington, but importantly in decentralised operations.
• Providing Strategic technical input, review and advisory services on identified programmes. 
• Advise Cities Alliance staff in developing and framing concept notes for partnership with World Bank projects. This should leverage the Technical Assistance capacity of Cities Alliance and its experience in thematic issues such as migration and forced displacement, urban expansion planning and the development of infrastructure / project safeguards. 
• Actively seek opportunities for Cities Alliance in World Bank funding / project windows and alert Cities Alliance management on these opportunities.
• Identifying relevant conferences, meetings and events at which Cities Alliance representation is recommended and informing the Director accordingly.
• To represent the Director of CA at relevant meetings and events.
• To represent CA on panels and discussions with USA based partners / events held in the USA.
• The Senior Advisor might be requested to travel to attend events, conferences, meetings.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Urban Studies, Economics, Political Science, Public Administration, Business Administration/Management or related fields with 12 years of relevant experience or
• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with 10 years of relevant experience is required

Required

• At least ten (10) years of professional work experience in sustainable and inclusive urban development is/are required.
• Experience of working for multilateral development institutions/international financial institutions is required.
• Experience in senior representation, stakeholder/donor management and acknowledged expertise in urban development is required.
• Experience in engaging with partners and stakeholders in the Urban Sector is required. 

Desired

• Thorough knowledge of the operations of the World Bank.

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
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