Senior Manager, Partnerships (Global Climate Action Partnership – GCAP)

United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
Vienna (Austria)

Job Category

Partnerships & Knowledge

Duty Station(s)

Vienna

Seniority Level

Senior Level

ICS Level

ICS 11

Contract Type

ICA – IICA – Regular

Contract Level

IICA 3

Posting Start Date

28-Oct-2026

Posting End Date

11-Nov-2026

Duration

One-year with the possibility of extension subject to performance and funding availability.

Job Highlight

Set strategic direction, drive global resource mobilization, and optimize governance reorganisation for the Global Climate Action Partnership (GCAP) across its secretariats, regional platforms, and thematic working groups.

About the Region

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 peacebuilding – 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.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

The Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) portfolio, based in Vienna, and with offices based globally is part of the UNOPS Global Portfolio Office. The Portfolio has built strong partnerships and is effectively managing a portfolio of over 500 million USD over the last 15 years to support key initiatives with fund management, project implementation and administrative support. WEC effectively operationalizes partners’ agendas with global approaches, as well as regional and country specific activities focused on climate action, protection and conservation of the environment. Partners profit from WEC’s ability to operationalize and/or scale up their important substantive agendas, including in support of key multilateral environmental and climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, the Cartagena Convention as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.

About the Project Office

The Global Climate Action Partnership (GCAP) supports developing countries in advancing low-emission, climate-resilient development strategies through regional platforms—AfCAP, ALP, and LEDS LAC—and specialized thematic working groups.

Following a comprehensive Calibration Assessment, GCAP is executing a transitional workplan across four core workstreams: Institutional Governance Reorganisation; Hosting, Management, and Coordination Finalisation; Donor Engagement and Fundraising; and Systems and Practice Refinement. The Senior Manager, Partnerships (Global Climate Action Partnership – GCAP) will serve as the dedicated senior leader required to set strategic direction, drive resource mobilization, optimize governance structures, and coordinate across global and regional secretariats during this strategic transition.

Job Specific Context

While this position is primarily advertised for Vienna, Austria, an alternative duty station may be offered or considered based on organizational needs and the successful candidate’s profile.

Role Purpose

The incumbent provides overall strategic leadership and oversight in donor engagement, resource mobilization, network governance reorganisation, and inter-secretariat coordination. S/he leads the execution of GCAP’s transitional workplan following its Calibration Assessment, establishing a host-performance review mechanism, deploying a narrowly defined finance-facilitation capability, and embedding a common M&E indicator framework. Operating under the direct supervision of the UNOPS WEC Head of Portfolio and in coordination with GCAP Steering Committee Co-Chairs, the Senior Manager positions GCAP as a leading, demand-driven platform within the global climate action landscape.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Under the direct supervision of the UNOPS WEC Head of Portfolio and in coordination with the GCAP Steering Committee Co-Chairs, the incumbent will execute leadership across four primary functional areas:

1. Governance Reorganisation & Strategic Direction

Lead the operationalization of the GCAP Calibration Assessment recommendations across global and regional levels.
Finalize and implement updated Terms of Reference (TORs) for GCAP’s governance and operational structures, including the GCAP Steering Committee, Global Secretariat, and thematic working groups.
Support GCAP Steering Committee decision-making regarding governance models and manage conflict-of-interest mechanisms.
Reconcile relationships and alignment between thematic working groups, Communities of Practice (CoPs), regional platforms, and the Global Secretariat under a synchronized workplan towards a strengthened one-initiative identity.
Articulate and promote GCAP’s value proposition, including its regional architecture, thematic working group structure vis-a-vis governments, technical partners and the broader stakeholder group of GCAP.
Design and lead a positioning strategy to strengthen GCAP’s visibility and recognition within the global climate action landscape, including targeted engagement at major climate fora, coalitions, and knowledge-exchange platforms.
Oversee the development of consistent branding, messaging, and communication products (institutional profile, positioning briefs, knowledge products) that reinforce GCAP’s identity across the Global Secretariat and regional platforms (AfCAP, ALP, LEDS LAC).
Coordinate with thematic working groups and regional secretariats to ensure a unified external narrative and avoid fragmented or inconsistent messaging about GCAP’s role and offer.

2. Hosting, Management & Network Coordination

Manage GCAP’s institutional-support arrangements, establishing a host-performance review mechanism for future cycles.
Oversee the design and launch of a narrowly defined finance-facilitation function (modelled on LEDS LAC’s ArticuLAC) to bridge CoP outputs with actionable climate financing channels.
Facilitate strategic alignment and deep engagement with multilateral and regional development banks (MDBs/RDBs), technical assistance windows, and regional partners.

3. Strategic Fundraising & Resource Mobilisation

Implement the GCAP fundraising strategy and achieve approved target sheet thresholds.
Lead donor engagement initiatives to diversify the funding base beyond core sources, targeting climate-development sources, philanthropies, AfDB facilities, and the Africa Carbon Markets Initiative.
Refine donor-facing value propositions and update messaging frameworks to highlight development linkages and climate action impacts.
Oversee the allocation and tracking of the interim per-region funding baseline and unearmarked contributions within the pooled GCAP fund managed by UNOPS.

4. Systems Refinement & M&E Oversight

Direct the benchmarking of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) practices against peer organizations and oversee the adoption of a unified, quantified indicator framework across AfCAP, ALP, and LEDS LAC.
Evaluate and implement technical tools (such as impact-calculator models) to improve reporting accuracy and eliminate double-counting.
Standardize light operating workflows and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) governing the strategy-priority-outreach-response cycle.

Skills

Climate Change, Donor Engagement, Fundraising, Project Governance, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Partnerships, Strategic Planning

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational 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. For people managers only: 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.

Education Requirements

Required

Master’s degree (or equivalent) preferably in International Development, Public Administration, Economics, Programme Management, Environmental Science, Climate Policy or related fields with 7 years of relevant experience OR
Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with 2 additional years of relevant experience is required.

Experience Requirements

Required

Relevant experience is defined as experience in international development, sustainable development management, climate change policy, or global network governance.
Demonstrated leadership experience within an international organization, multi-donor trust fund, or global coalition.
Experience in climate finance facilitation, donor outreach, and drafting institutional governance frameworks.

Desired

Experience in developing and managing high-level partnerships with national or local governments, multilateral institutions, or civil society actors to advance country-led climate-resilient development strategies.
Prior experience with UN system operations or UNOPS fiduciary and management frameworks.

Language Requirements

Language	Proficiency Level	Requirement
English	Fluent	Required
French	Intermediate	Desirable
Spanish	Intermediate	Desirable

Additional Information

UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.

Terms and Conditions

For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
For more details about the contract types, please click here.
All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

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