Director Position at Cities Alliance

Cities Alliance; Brussel Hoofdstad; Hybrid; EUR 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Cities Alliance, hosted by UNOPS, is seeking a Director to lead inclusive urban development from Brussels. The role will position Cities Alliance as a global leader, strengthening member engagement, growth and resource mobilisation.

Based in Brussels, you will drive strategic partnerships with cities, donors and development banks to advance the SDGs, Paris Agreement and New Urban Agenda, delivering impact across urban poverty and climate resilience.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in senior leadership roles with strategy development and implementation.
• Experience in international political/diplomatic environments and governance bodies.
• Proven ability to mobilise significant institutional funding from donors and banks.
• Experience with concessional/non-ODA funding and public-private partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Develop robust financial architecture for the organisation.
• Oversee strategy, planning and performance at the Secretariat.
• Lead the Management Board and ensure effective governance.
• Drive partnerships, advocacy and communications with donors, banks and cities.
• Manage Secretariat operations and day-to-day activities.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Resource mobilisation

Policy influence

Programme management

Job description

Hosted by UNOPS, Cities Alliance is a global partnership working with cities to address urban poverty and advance sustainable development. Based in Brussels and supported by a Secretariat, it delivers grant funding and technical support to strengthen citywide planning, improve access to basic services, advance urban climate action and resilience, promote gender equality, support the inclusion of forcibly displaced populations, and foster inclusive urban economies that improve livelihoods.

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 Agreement, and the New Urban Agenda. Impact will be visible in empowered local governments, scaled community-led solutions, and demonstrable reductions in urban poverty and vulnerability to climate risks.

Key Functions

1. Development of robust financial architecture

2. Strategy and Planning

3. Management Board

4. Partnership, Global Advocacy and Communications

5. Management of the Secretariat

Requirements

• A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible professional experience, including senior executive leadership, institutional transformation, strategy development and implementation, resource mobilisation, financing, advocacy, and programme management.
• Senior-level experience operating in an international political/diplomatic environment, including engaging with governance or oversight bodies in support of institutional positioning and strategic decision making, preferably in areas related to urban development and the role of cities.
• Demonstrated capacity to lead and secure significant institutional funding with bilateral (including the EU), multilateral or institutional donors, with experience translating partnership and policy influence into funded programmes.
• Demonstrated experience and capacity in mobilising concessional and/or non-ODA funding, including through development banks, multi-donor funds, philanthropic foundations, the private sector and public-private partnerships.