Senior Partnerships and Engagement Strategy Advisor; Retainer

Senior Partnerships and Engagement Strategy Advisor (Retainer)

Job Category

Partnerships

Duty Station(s)

Home based

Seniority Level

ICS 12

Contract Type

ICA - IICA - Retainer

IICA 3

Posting Start Date

27-Aug-2026

Posting End Date

10-Sep-2026

Duration

1 year (up to a maximum of 100 working days) renewable subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance

The effective and successful performance of the Senior Advisor indirectly impacts on achievement of the Cities Alliance’s business development and partnership efforts that will lead to strengthening existing Cities Alliance’s USA-based members and partners, and in particular a deepening partnership between Cities Alliance and the World Bank.

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 peace building - 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.

From Geneva, UNOPS facilitates the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), working with governments, other United Nations (UN) agencies and partners by providing quality servces, integrated solutions and management support through strategic, cost-effective and results-oriented approches. This includes supporting platforms and hosting high-profile, flagship initiatives and funds focusing on health, nutrition, water and sanitation, sustainable cities, environment, energy, climate and trade.

UNOPS is a recognized resource for the UN system in Geneva – from fund management and oversight and advisory services, to providing hosting solutions to a range of global initiatives, as well as operational support to partner organizations.

Cities Alliance in 2026/2027 – Restoring and strengthening USA members and partners.

The Cities Alliance believed that, building on the success in Europe, more attention needed to be paid to Cities Alliance’ profile, and its members and partners in the USA. Subsequently during the last 18 months, there has been much groundwork undertaken on reinvigorating the World bank partnership and assessing the evolution of the US government funding model since the closure of USAID.

Cities Alliance initially had three significant members in the USA, all based in Washington DC:

The World Bank, co-founder and first host of the Cities Alliance;

USAID, one of the founding members in 1999; and

Habitat for Humanity International, one of the first global NGOs to join the Cities Alliance.

In addition, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is represented to Washington and American partners through the Washington Liaison Office (WLO), which also provides support to the Cities Alliance upon request.

The recent changes within the US Government have had a significant effect on Cities Alliance with the loss of USG representation on the Board, a loss of USG contribution to core funds and the closure of USAID funded programmes. Given these changes the engagement strategy now needs to focus significantly on the Cities Alliance on the relationship with the World Bank.

In the absence of USG representation, current membership/associate membership includes the World Bank, Habitat for Humanity and the Atlantic Council. A "watching brief" on the evolution of the US State Department has been maintained by the UNOPS office in Washington.

Senior Partnerships and Engagement Strategy Advisor will provide Partnerships advice, assist the CA Director in continued strengthening of the relationship with and development of…