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Senior MDB Engagement Advisor, Multiple positions

Home Based - May require travel

  • Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
  • Location: Home Based - May require travel
  • Grade: Mid level - IICA-3, International Individual Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Urban Development
    • Urban Planning/Design
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background Information - Job-specific

The Cities Alliance is a global partnership promoting the role of cities in poverty reduction and sustainable development. Hosted by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and managed by a Secretariat based in Brussels, the Cities Alliance is a unique partnership with a diverse membership, which is committed to strengthen developmental impacts through improved coherence in urban development. Cities Alliance is a global leader with a strong track record in grant making, that supports strategic city planning, slum upgrading and national policies designed to make cities more inclusive and sustainable. Through UNOPS, the Cities Alliance operates a Multi-Donor Fund supported by an efficient, and flexible grant-making mechanism with a global reach. 

The Cities Alliance history has been closely linked to the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs). The World Bank has been a founding member of the Cities Alliance, provided a trustee function and hosted the Secretariat until 2013. Several other MDBs (Asian Development Bank (ADB), Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), European Investment Bank (EIB), African Development Bank (AfDB), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)) have been either a member of the Cities Alliance, and/or worked with the organisations at different point in time.

In fact, as a technical assistance organisation in the urban sector, the upstream work of the Cities Alliance in cities has always been regarded as complementary to the pipeline of the MDBs and it has been used often in preparation of follow up operations. Due to its technical expertise, the Cities Alliance has also been consulted extensively for advice on sectoral work.

The Cities Alliance is now seeking an MDB Senior Engagement Advisor to be responsible for the development and implementation of a new Cities Alliance partnership strategy with the MDBs that would take into account its reinvigorated focus on investments as well as the changed international context in development assistance. The incumbent will be also responsible for driving the engagement forward and improve the prospective role and alignment of Cities Alliance with MDBs. The goal is to expand the collaboration opportunities, identify projects and programs to be implemented by Cities Alliance and tailored to the needs and objectives of the MDBs.

Functional Responsibilities

1. . Partnership development and planning

  • Keep abreast of the trends, monitor and analyse selected MDBs policies and operations related to the urban sector and other sectors which are relevant to the work of the Cities Alliance such as WASH, Energy, Infrastructure, Climate Change. 

  • Develop a broad network of key senior staff of MDBs through targeted outreach and based on the above assessments and understanding.  

  • On behalf of Cities Alliance, organize and/or participate in MDBs related events to elevate Cities Alliance’s visibility as well as provide general support and contribute to specific requests from MDBs. 

2. Strategic positioning 

  • Conduct research and gather information on strategies, policies, portfolio and pipeline of selected MDBs to identify areas for potential collaboration and pilots. 

  • Backstop Cities Alliance country offices, to help them to align Cities Alliance operational portfolio to MDBs emerging pipelines.

  • Strategically position the Cities Alliance as a technical expert and implementing partner for selected MDBs and identify Cities Alliance’s potential operational roles across the MDBs typical business lines (lending, advisory services and technical assistance).

3. Develop business opportunities between Cities Alliance and MDBs 

  • Coordinate the identification, design, and negotiation of new MDBs’ projects and programs to be implemented by Cities Alliance and tailored to the needs and objectives of the selected MDBs.

  • Coordinate the formulation and drafting of the technical and financial proposal in support of the identified project and programmes.

  • Follow up on the identified opportunities and establish the working relationships with the partner MDBs in support of the implementation. 

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

A Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Economy,  Business Administration, Public Administration, International Development, Finance, Engineering, Urban Studies, Political Sciences or related fields required.

A combination of Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

Experience:

Minimum ten years’ of progressively senior experience in international development is required.

  • Experience in working with MDBs is required;

  • Experience in project development and proposal writing is required;

  • Experience in urban development issues and/or related sectors such as Urban Infrastructure, Urban Services (WASH, Energy, Waste), Strategic Urban Planning, Slum Upgrading and Housing, Local Economic Development,  Environment and Climate Change Gender and Women Empowerment, Migration, is required.

  • Experience in private sector engagement and development financing is required;

  • Familiarity with and exposure to Cities Alliance and UNOPS programmes are highly desirable. 

Languages:

Full working knowledge of English is essential. 

Fluency in one or more additional official UNOPS languages is an advantage. (UN languages are: Arabic, Chinese Mandarin, English, French, Russian, Spanish).

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others.  Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.

Contract type, level and duration

[Instructions: Please delete this paragraph and insert relevant information below:

  1. Contract type : INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT (ICA)
  2. Contract level:  INTERNATIONAL SPECIALIST LEVEL 3*
  3. Contract duration: RETAINER up to 60 working days per calendar year subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx 

* selected candidates may be offered an equivalent Local ICA fee if applicable in their home duty station country.

Additional Considerations

  • Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
  • Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
  • Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
  • Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
  • UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
  • Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
  • For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
  • The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT APPLICANTS INCLUDE A SHORT COVER LETTER INDICATING THEIR MOTIVATION AND FIT FOR THE POSITION.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.
This vacancy is now closed.