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.
The Water, Environment, and Climate (WEC) portfolio, based in Vienna with offices worldwide, is part of the UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO). 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.
The Director leads the UNOPS Support and Coordination Unit (SCU) based in Brussels, and serves as the Co-Managing Director of the Global GCoM Secretariat. Responsible for transforming GCoM into a delivery-focused accelerator, the Director is driving urban climate action acceleration by bridging implementation gaps, and helping cities and local governments transition to climate-resilient, sustainable energy and low-emission mobility systems with enhanced capacity, finance, and private sector partnerships.
The Director of the UNOPS Support and Coordination Unit (SCU) and Co-Managing Director of the Global GCoM Secretariat provides strategic leadership, technical guidance and operational management to ensure the effective coordination and implementation of programme activities, the achievement of results, and the maintenance of strong relationships with stakeholders.
1. Strategic Leadership and Alignment
2. Programme Management and Coordination Oversight
Ensure the achievement of programme results against approved plans and roadmaps in a timely fashion, integrating gender equality, social inclusion and equitable participation as relevant.
Oversee the deployment of individual experts, implementation partners and service providers for the delivery of timely and high-quality outputs, ensuring compliance with UNOPS standards on integrity, ethics and prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
Spearhead the design, development and implementation of Business-to-City (B2C) matchmaking mechanisms to scale up innovative green technologies.
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 with a view to enable responsive, context-driven adaptive management.
Direct the Project Steering Committee’s governance, setting the strategic agenda and overseeing Project Manager-led support to ensure the delivery of measurable, equitable impacts and transparent reporting to DG-CLIMA.
Maintain active engagement and effective coordination with all relevant levels of government, international organizations, project partners, stakeholders, and relevant organizations for meaningful engagement across diverse geographic and development contexts.
3. Management of the Support and Coordination Unit (SCU)
Lead the Brussels-based SCU delivering on complex programme objectives and activities incl. planning, high-quality execution, financial management, monitoring and closure, while fostering a collaborative, respectful, and inclusive team environment valuing diverse perspectives and professional growth.
Lead and oversee the inception and scaling phases to refine and continuously adapt the delivery architecture, KPIs, and the prioritization of activities in line with the evolving context.
Oversee the establishment of impactful technical support networks and mobile expert teams for cities.
4. Partnership and Curated Coalition Building
Drive global stakeholder engagement and coordination across regional, national, and sub-national levels that converts high-level dialogue into equitable investment facilitation and project implementation.
Design and manage curated high-impact partnerships that accelerate implementation at city-level.
Operationalize a “facilitative implementation model,” connecting cities with financiers (e.g., EIB, EBRD, World Bank) and European technology providers.
5. Co-Management of the Global GCoM Secretariat
Participate in the Global GCoM Secretariat to ensure coordinated management.
Co-manage the Secretariat operationally, coordinating closely with the other Co-Managing Director.
6. People Management
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, supporting their development and ensuring equitable opportunities for learning, leadership and career progression.
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, including recruitment, performance management, and staff development.
