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Director, Cities Alliance
UNOPSUnited NationsLeadershipExecutive LevelStaff - IP - FTA
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Full Description
**Job Highlight**
The Director leads the Cities Alliance Secretariat, and is responsible for ensuring the formulation, adoption, financing and implementation of the Strategic Plan, and its Annual Work Plans. This requires clear and consistent leadership, and strategic/diplomatic collaboration management to work with Cities Alliance members, partners and country stakeholders to fulfil the vision and mission of Cities Alliance. To fulfil this function, the Director maintains regular contact with the Chair of the Management Board on matters of strategy and substance and, where appropriate, with the President of the Assembly.
**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 the global partnership promoting the role of cities in poverty reduction and sustainable development. Headquartered in Brussels and supported by a Secretariat, 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 to support strategic citywide planning, slum upgrading and access to basic services; urban climate action and resilience; the inclusion of forcibly displaced populations in cities; women empowerment and gender equality in cities; inclusive urban economies and investment pathways that improve livelihoods and reduce urban poverty. Through UNOPS, the Cities Alliance operates a Multi-Donor Fund supported by an efficient, flexible grant-making mechanism with global reach.
The Cities Alliance has established an international reputation for its role in promoting coherence of effort in international development, identifying critical policy and knowledge gaps, convening members and partners, and delivering high-quality programmes. The context of its work is that of rapidly urbanising economies, the growth of cities of all sizes, and promoting the interests of the urban poor in general, and women in particular. Adopting a long-term and programmatic approach that recognises the catalytic nature of development assistance, the Cities Alliance seeks to work with and support local expertise and institutions, ensure citywide and nationwide approaches to development, and facilitate follow-up investments and impacts.
The Cities Alliance undertakes regular independent evaluations, as well as programme and financial audits. The Secretariat has recently embarked on a decentralisation strategy, with an empowered and effective management team and staff operating from three global hubs.
The Management Board (on which UNOPS is represented ex officio) is responsible for setting the overall strategic direction, priorities and budget of the Cities Alliance. The Secretariat is responsible for the implementation of the work programme and related activities, and shall report to the Management Board on these, through the Director.
The Director of the Cities Alliance is a UNOPS Director, subject to UNOPS policies and procedures.
**Role Purpose**
The Director will position Cities Alliance as a recognised global leader in advancing inclusive urban development. Results will be measured through strengthened member engagement, organisational growth and sustained resource mobilisation, and expanded influence and impact on cities at the global and local level. By driving strategic partnerships with cities, donors, development banks and other stakeholders, the Director will enhance Cities Alliance’s contribution to the implementation of the SDGs, the Paris Agreem
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