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General Information

Position Title
Director of the UNOPS Support and Coordination Unit, and Co-Managing Director of the Global GCoM Secretariat
Job Category
Programme
Duty Station(s)
Brussels
Seniority Level
Senior Level
ICS Level
ICS 12
Contract Type
ICA - IICA - Regular
Contract Level
IICA 4
Posting Start Date
19-Mar-2026
Posting End Date
06-Apr-2026
Duration
Ongoing

Job Highlight

This is a unique opportunity to lead a critical flagship initiative of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM), driving sustainable urban development and climate action on a global scale. The position offers significant leadership responsibilities, strategic engagement with key stakeholders, and the chance to make a tangible impact on urban sustainability and climate resilience in line with the global climate agenda, while promoting approaches to climate action that are inclusive, equitable and responsive to the diverse needs of urban populations.

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.

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. The EU-UNOPS Lives in Dignity (LiD) Grant Facility is also based here.

Job Specific Context

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.

The Water, Environment, and Climate (WEC) portfolio, based in Vienna with offices worldwide, is part of the UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO). 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.

The Director leads the UNOPS Support and Coordination Unit (SCU) based in Brussels, and serves as the Co-Managing Director of the Global GCoM Secretariat. Responsible for transforming GCoM into a delivery-focused accelerator, the Director is driving urban climate action acceleration by bridging implementation gaps, and helping cities and local governments transition to climate-resilient, sustainable energy and low-emission mobility systems with enhanced capacity, finance, and private sector partnerships.

Role Purpose

The Director of the UNOPS Support and Coordination Unit (SCU) and Co-Managing Director of the Global GCoM Secretariat provides strategic leadership, technical guidance and operational management to ensure the effective coordination and implementation of programme activities, the achievement of results, and the maintenance of strong relationships with stakeholders.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Strategic Leadership and Alignment 

  • Provide clear strategic vision and leadership to position GCoM as a flagship delivery platform, ensuring alignment with EU priorities for measurable and equitable impact at the city level.
  • Provide expert technical and policy advice to the European Commission on GCoM’s strategic development, operational delivery, and impact assessment.
  • Lead the design and continuous refinement of innovative GCoM implementation strategies, mechanisms and instruments that lead to city-level accelerated climate action, investment mobilization and technology up-take, while supporting inclusive and sustainable urban transitions.
  • Serve as trusted advisor to the EC on GCOM’s evolution, development and impact.
  • Drive the development and management of impactful and strategic partnerships geared to facilitate implementation of priorities at city-level, ensuring diverse geographic perspectives and supporting local climate solutions.
  • Position GCOM as a delivery vehicle for partner cities and countries, including for central EU priorities, such as the European Green Deal, EU Global Gateway, and the Clean Industrial Deal.
  • Serve as the primary liaison for structure dialogue, strategic engagement and focused information exchange with the European Commission (DG-CLIMA).


2. Programme Management and Coordination Oversight 

  • Ensure the achievement of programme results against approved plans and roadmaps in a timely fashion, integrating gender equality, social inclusion and equitable participation as relevant.

  • Oversee the deployment of individual experts, implementation partners and service providers for the delivery of timely and high-quality outputs, ensuring compliance with UNOPS standards on integrity, ethics and prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

  • Spearhead the design, development and implementation of Business-to-City (B2C) matchmaking mechanisms to scale up innovative green technologies.

  • Catalyze  city investment readiness by streamlining the preparation of bankable, investor-ready project packages.

  • Oversee timely reporting, including financial donor reporting.

  • Ensure active programme risk management and performance monitoring with a view to enable responsive, context-driven adaptive management.

  • Direct the Project Steering Committee’s governance, setting the strategic agenda and overseeing Project Manager-led support to ensure the delivery of measurable, equitable impacts and transparent reporting to DG-CLIMA.

  • Maintain active engagement and effective coordination with all relevant levels of government, international organizations, project partners, stakeholders, and relevant organizations for meaningful engagement across diverse geographic and development contexts.


3. Management of the Support and Coordination Unit (SCU)

  • Lead the Brussels-based SCU delivering on complex programme objectives and activities incl. planning, high-quality execution, financial management, monitoring and closure, while fostering a collaborative, respectful, and inclusive team environment valuing diverse perspectives and professional growth.

  • Lead and oversee the inception and scaling phases to refine and continuously adapt the delivery architecture, KPIs, and the prioritization of activities in line with the evolving context.

  • Oversee the establishment of impactful technical support networks and mobile expert teams for cities.


4. Partnership and Curated Coalition Building

  • Drive global stakeholder engagement and coordination across regional, national, and sub-national levels that converts high-level dialogue into equitable  investment facilitation and project implementation.

  • Design and manage curated high-impact partnerships that accelerate implementation at city-level.

  • Operationalize a "facilitative implementation model," connecting cities with financiers (e.g., EIB, EBRD, World Bank) and European technology providers.


5. Co-Management of the Global GCoM Secretariat

  • Participate in the Global GCoM Secretariat to ensure coordinated management.

  • Co-manage the Secretariat operationally, coordinating closely with the other Co-Managing Director.


6. People Management

  • Foster a positive, respectful and inclusive work environment that promotes collaboration, innovation, and professional growth. Proactively address any behaviours that undermine equity or ethical standards.

  • Provide guidance, mentoring, and coaching to team members, supporting their development and ensuring equitable opportunities for learning, leadership and career progression.

  • Conduct performance evaluations, identify training needs, and implement strategies to improve team performance and individual contributions.

  • Ensure compliance with UNOPS policies and procedures related to human resources management, including recruitment, performance management, and staff development.

Skills

Climate Change, People Development, Policy Analysis, Project Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Partnerships, Sustainable Development
Strategic Perspective
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.
Respect
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.
Collaboration
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.
Partnerships
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).
Excellence
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.
Adaptability
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.
Decision-making
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.
Communication
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 social sciences, economics, urban planning/development, finance or related fields with 12 years of relevant experience OR

  • Master’s degree (or equivalent) preferably in any of the above or related fields with 10 years of relevant experience is required

Experience Requirements

Required

  • Minimum 12 years proven professional experience leading diverse teams in the public, private sector or international development sectors.

  • Minimum 5 years specialized l experience in sustainable urban development, climate action or sustainable energy, including a proven track record of aligning projects with EU priorities and policy frameworks.

  • Minimum 2 years proven professional experience building up and maintaining strategic cooperation between sub-national entities (cities, regions, or local authorities).


Desired

  • Experience of working in an international organization.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirement
EnglishFluentRequired
FrenchFluentDesirable

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. 
  • UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse 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.