City Engagement Specialist

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.

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.

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.

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 project...