General Information

Publication for

Hosted Entity

Entity Name

Cities Alliance

Position Title

Senior Climate Advisor

Job Category

Programme

Duty Station(s)

Brussels

Seniority Level

Senior Level

ICS Level

ICS 11

Contract Type

ICA – IICA – Retainer

Contract Level

IICA 3

Posting Start Date

02-Jan-2026

Posting End Date

18-Jan-2026

Duration

12 months, with possibility of extension subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance, and continued business needs

Job Highlight

Cities Alliance is seeking a highly motivated and dynamic Senior Climate Adviser (Business Development) to support donor engagement in Climate Change for global/regional programmes and country-based interventions.

About the Region

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.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

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.

Job Specific Context

Cities Alliance, which is hosted by UNOPS, is a global partnership promoting the role of cities in poverty reduction and sustainable development. Managed by a Secretariat based in Brussels, 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, which supports strategic city planning, slum upgrading strategies and national policies designed to make cities more inclusive and sustainable. Through UNOPS, the Cities Alliance operates a Multi-Donor Fund supported by an efficient, flexible grant-making mechanism with global reach.

Role Purpose

Under the guidance and supervision of the Head of Global Programmes, and in coordination with the Head of Strategy, the incumbent will work to maintain a responsive and proactive dialogue with donor governments and global, regional, and local development institutions pursuing and identifying opportunities to strengthen and leverage Cities Alliance’s track record and existing portfolio on Climate Change. As part of this work, the incumbent shall also identify and fund-raise for new portfolio streams. S/he will provide support the Head of Global Programs to cross-fertilize

other portfolios with components on Climate Change (especially gender, migration, conflict-prone areas, and youth) through applying a holistic approach. The incumbent”s primary role is pursuing opportunities for donor and stakeholder engagement, strengthening partnerships, sustaining support, and fundraising opportunities.

S/He will work with the Head of the Global Programs on the conceptualization of projects and programs that result from business development. S/he will also provide substantive inputs, advice on how other portfolios of Cities Alliance can grow their climate change components, particularly in relation to urban governance, informality in cities, adaptation and to climate change, and gender equality in accordance with the priorities of the Strategic Plan 2022-25.

This position is offered as a retainer contract, with an estimated workload of approximately 150 working days per year. Services will be provided on an on-demand basis, and while the total number of days is indicative, it is not guaranteed.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Fund-raising with donors partners.

• Establish targeted donor engagement strategies to strengthen partnerships, sustain support and leverage additional fundraising opportunities. with the Head of Global Programmes to develop and drive an ambitious, multi-year strategy to increase and diversify funding in line with the principles of locally-led adaptation and mitigation.

• Provide technical support to the Head of Global Programs on climate change in drafting position papers and leading policy work.

• Oversee the development of a portfolio of donors on climate change through strategic contacts to identify, conceptualize and design new projects and programs.

• Align fundraising efforts to key priorities of the Cities Alliance with a focus on integrating youth and gender to Climate Change.

• Maintain responsive and proactive dialogue with donor governments to build relationships, ensure regular communication, manage substantive consultations with donor governments, and raise awareness and support for Cities Alliance portfolio on Climate Change.

• Provide technical and managerial support for Cities Alliance advocacy and programmatic work on Climate Change and informality and other key themes relevant to Climate Adaptation in informal settlements.

• In collaboration with the Head of Global Programs and other members of staff, develop appropriate, high-quality funding submissions, information papers and donor reports.

• Identify and access new funding opportunities and sources. Draft internal and external correspondence, including talking points and briefing notes for senior management and to support them in advocacy efforts.

Skills

Business Development, Climate Change, Fundraising, Strategic Partnerships

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

• Master’s degree in environmental studies, urban studies, development studies, social and political science or related fields is required.

• A bachelor”s degree in any of the above disciplines, combined with additional 2 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master’s degree.

Experience Requirements

Required

• Minimum of 7 (seven) years of working experience in climate change programming and building partnerships is required.

Desired

• Experience in one of the following is desired: climate mitigation or adaptation, nature-based solutions or inclusionary implementation of climate change programming.

• Experience in drafting project and programme proposals is an asset..

• Demonstrated partnership skills, specifically with multilateral and bilateral development partners is an asset.

• Experience with UNOPS or UN entities is a strong asset.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirementEnglishFluentRequiredFrenchFluentDesirable

Additional Information

• 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.

Terms and Conditions

• 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.