Overview
This role provides strategic leadership, technical guidance, and operational management for the UNOPS GCoM Support and Coordination Unit and serves as Co-Managing Director of the Global GCoM Secretariat. The purpose is to ensure effective coordination and implementation of programme activities, achievement of results, and maintenance of strong stakeholder relationships.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide clear strategic vision and leadership to position GCoM as a flagship delivery platform.
- Offer expert technical and policy advice to the European Commission on GCoM’s strategic development.
- Lead the design and refinement of GCoM implementation strategies.
- Drive the development and management of impactful and strategic partnerships.
- Ensure the achievement of programme results against approved plans.
- Oversee the deployment of individual experts, implementation partners and service providers.
- Spearhead the design, development and implementation of Business-to-City (B2C) matchmaking mechanisms.
- 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.
- Direct the Project Steering Committee’s governance.
- Maintain active engagement and effective coordination with all relevant levels of government, international organizations, project partners, stakeholders, and relevant organizations.
- Lead the Brussels-based SCU delivering on complex programme objectives and activities.
- Lead and oversee the inception and scaling phases to refine and continuously adapt the delivery architecture, KPIs, and the prioritization of activities.
- Oversee the establishment of impactful technical support networks and mobile expert teams for cities.
- Drive global stakeholder engagement and coordination.
- Design and manage curated high-impact partnerships that accelerate implementation at city-level.
- Operationalize a "facilitative implementation model," connecting cities with financiers and European technology providers.
- Participate in the Global GCoM Secretariat to ensure coordinated management.
- Co-manage the Secretariat operationally, coordinating closely with the other Co-Managing Director.
- 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.
- 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.
Required Experience
- Minimum 12 years proven professional experience leading diverse teams in the public, private sector or international development sectors.
- Minimum 5 years specialized 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.
Qualifications
• 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.
