Portfolio Coordinator – Urban Missions (Home-Based) | UNDP – A Comprehensive Role Overview

March 17, 2025

11 minutes read

The Portfolio Coordinator – Urban Missions is a key position within the UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS. The role focuses on designing, developing, and coordinating urban transformation initiatives, primarily under two major programs:http://Portfolio Coordinator – Urban Missions (Home-Based) | UNDP

Mayors for Economic Growth Facility (M4EG)
- A European Union-funded initiative supporting cities in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) region (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine).
- Aims to help secondary cities create mission-driven economic strategies that attract investments, drive sustainable development, and support green and digital transitions.
- Provides capacity-building for local authorities through learning programs and grants.
Slovak Transformation Fund (STF)
- Focuses on urban innovations using systems-thinking approaches.
- Supports municipalities in testing and implementing experimental projects to drive economic, environmental, and social transformation.
- Engages local governments, businesses, and civil society organizations (CSOs) to co-create solutions.

The Portfolio Coordinator will oversee urban missions under both initiatives, working closely with local authorities, partners, and UNDP teams.

Key Responsibilities@vacancyspaces.com

✅ Design and Coordinate Urban Missions

Develop strategies for mission-oriented urban planning.
Support cities in identifying and addressing complex development challenges (e.g., energy transition, start-up ecosystems, cultural heritage digitization).
Facilitate the implementation of projects in 20 secondary cities in the EaP region.

✅ Facilitate Learning & Capacity Building

Train city governments and UNDP country offices on systems thinking and portfolio-based planning.
Organize and lead workshops, peer-learning sessions, and regional collaboration efforts.

✅ Monitor Progress and Document Insights

Track how urban projects evolve and ensure continuous learning.
Develop knowledge products, case studies, and reports to share best practices.
Ensure that initiatives generate insights every 3 months to guide future investments.

✅ Engage Stakeholders & Strengthen Partnerships

Work closely with donors, local governments, businesses, and NGOs.
Develop partnerships with international organizations, private sector actors, and financial institutions.
Advocate for innovative financing mechanisms to support urban economic transformation.

Required Qualifications

🎓 Education

Master’s Degree + 2 years of relevant experience OR
Bachelor’s Degree + 4 years of relevant experience

📌 Work Experience & Skills

Experience in designing mission-based urban strategies.
Background in urban planning, economic development, or innovation management.
Experience working with municipalities, cities, or local government actors (preferred).
Facilitation skills – ability to run workshops and stakeholder meetings.
Knowledge of systems thinking, design thinking, or visualization is an advantage.

🗣 Language Requirement

Fluency in English is mandatory.

Why This Job is Exciting

⭐ Work on Innovative Urban Solutions – Help shape the future of cities by designing cutting-edge economic development programs.
⭐ International Exposure – Engage with local governments, businesses, and donors across Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
⭐ Remote Work Flexibility – Although the position is home-based, the work aligns with Istanbul Regional Hub office hours.
⭐ Impactful Work – Contribute to UNDP’s mission of inclusive, green, and innovative urban transformation.

Application Details

📅 Deadline: March 21, 2025
📍 Location: Remote (Home-Based)
📋 Contract Duration: 1 Year (International Personnel Service Agreement – IPSA-9)

Would you like help with your resume, cover letter, or interview preparation for this role? Let me know how I can assist! 🚀

Sure! Here’s a detailed breakdown of the Portfolio Coordinator – Urban Missions (Home-Based) position at UNDP, expanding on every aspect of the role, its significance, required qualifications, and how it fits into UNDP’s broader mission.

Portfolio Coordinator – Urban Missions (Home-Based) | UNDP (Istanbul, Türkiye)

Introduction to the Role

The Portfolio Coordinator – Urban Missions is a strategic position within the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), specifically in the Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). This role is designed to support urban transformation projects, economic development initiatives, and local governance improvements in secondary cities across the Eastern Partnership (EaP) region, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.

This position is part of UNDP’s broader efforts to drive sustainable, green, and inclusive economic growth at the municipal level by empowering local authorities with modern tools, innovative financing strategies, and mission-oriented planning approaches.

The Portfolio Coordinator will primarily work on two key initiatives:

Mayors for Economic Growth Facility (M4EG) – A European Union-funded initiative aimed at supporting cities in improving their local economies and urban resilience.
Slovak Transformation Fund (STF) – A project focused on urban innovation, working with local governments and stakeholders to co-design solutions for complex urban challenges.

By combining systems thinking, mission-driven planning, and portfolio management, the Portfolio Coordinator will help cities address economic and urban challenges in a strategic and holistic manner.

Detailed Responsibilities and Key Tasks

The role involves four major areas of work:

1. Design and Coordinate Mission-Oriented Urban Strategies

Lead the design, development, and execution of the Mission-Oriented Economy Programme within M4EG.
Assist local authorities, municipalities, and city stakeholders in developing urban transformation strategies.
Apply systems thinking methodologies to urban planning, identifying key leverage points and opportunities for sustainable growth.
Work with 20 secondary cities in the EaP region to develop and implement tailored economic strategies that focus on green, digital, and inclusive growth.
Ensure urban strategies are aligned with local, regional, and global development priorities, including climate resilience, digital transformation, and socio-economic inclusion.
Facilitate the integration of innovative financing models, ensuring local authorities can effectively absorb and manage funding.

2. Capacity Building and Stakeholder Engagement

Provide training, workshops, and advisory support to municipal officials, UNDP country teams, and local stakeholders on systems thinking, iterative learning, and urban portfolio management.
Organize peer-learning sessions, where cities can share experiences, challenges, and best practices.
Collaborate with international partners, development organizations, private sector actors, and academic institutions to foster knowledge exchange.
Promote cross-sectoral collaboration by connecting governments, businesses, NGOs, and community groups.
Enhance the capabilities of local governance actors by introducing innovative approaches to urban development, economic transformation, and smart city planning.

Establish mechanisms to track the progress of urban mission portfolios, ensuring projects generate actionable insights every three months.
Develop visual representations of mission strategies, portfolio structures, and progress reports.
Analyze the impact of urban interventions, ensuring continuous learning and adaptation.
Document best practices, case studies, and success stories to be shared across the UNDP network and external stakeholders.
Create knowledge products, such as reports, policy briefs, and strategy documents, to inform future urban planning efforts.

4. Partnership Development and Advocacy

Work closely with donors, development partners, and local governments to strengthen financial and technical support for urban initiatives.
Develop funding proposals, partnership agreements, and investment strategies to attract new resources for urban transformation.
Engage with regional and international organizations to enhance cooperation on urban missions and economic growth programs.
Represent UNDP’s Innovation Team and regional projects in international conferences, forums, and expert meetings.
Advocate for inclusive, sustainable, and innovative approaches to urban development, ensuring projects are gender-responsive and socially inclusive.

Key Programs and Initiatives Managed

1. Mayors for Economic Growth Facility (M4EG)

The Mayors for Economic Growth (M4EG) Facility is a European Union-funded initiative supporting secondary cities in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) region. It aims to:

Improve local economic planning through hyperlocal and systemic approaches.
Strengthen municipal capacities in governance, finance, and economic development.
Provide grants and funding opportunities for cities to implement innovative urban transformation projects.
Support municipal authorities in adopting mission-oriented planning to address challenges such as:
- Green and inclusive economic transition
- Digital innovation and smart cities
- Urban resilience and sustainability

Under M4EG’s new Mission-Oriented Economy Programme (2025-2028), the focus is on:

Supporting 20 cities in developing mission-oriented urban economies.
Providing seed investments for transformative projects.
Enhancing municipal capacity to design and implement complex urban solutions.

2. Slovak Transformation Fund (STF)

The Slovak Transformation Fund (STF) is a UNDP initiative promoting urban innovation, green transition, and smart city development in the Eurasia region. It consists of:

City Experiment Fund (CEF): A program that helps cities test and scale innovative urban solutions using experimentation, portfolio approaches, and participatory design.
BOOST Acceleration Program: A capacity-building initiative that supports startups, entrepreneurs, CSOs, and academic institutions in developing scalable urban innovations.
Innovative Financing Strategies: Exploring new funding models for urban development beyond traditional government budgets.

The Portfolio Coordinator will oversee urban portfolios within STF, ensuring alignment with UNDP’s broader urban transformation agenda.

Qualifications and Skills Required

Educational Background

Master’s degree in International Development, Urban Studies, Economics, Public Policy, Innovation, or related fields. (Minimum 2 years experience required)
Bachelor’s degree in the above fields with 4 years of experience will also be considered.

Professional Experience

Proven experience in designing and implementing mission-driven urban strategies.
Strong background in urban development, local governance, or economic transformation.
Experience working with municipalities, local governments, and international organizations.
Knowledge of systems thinking, design thinking, and complexity science.
Experience in facilitating workshops, designing stakeholder engagement processes, and leading multi-stakeholder collaborations.
Strong ability to analyze urban trends, synthesize data, and produce strategic insights.

Language Proficiency

Fluency in English (mandatory).
Knowledge of a language from the Eastern Partnership region (Armenian, Azerbaijani, Georgian, Moldovan, Ukrainian) is a plus.

Work Conditions and Benefits

Contract Type: International Personnel Service Agreement (IPSA-9)
Duration: 1 Year (with possibility of extension)
Location: Home-based, but expected to follow Istanbul Regional Hub office hours.
Schedule: Full-time
Application Deadline: March 21, 2025

Conclusion

This position is an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of urban transformation in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The Portfolio Coordinator will play a crucial role in shaping economic development strategies, supporting municipal innovation, and fostering regional collaboration.

By leveraging mission-oriented planning, systems thinking, and cross-sector partnerships, this role will drive meaningful change in urban economies and governance models.

Would you like assistance in crafting your resume, preparing your application, or practicing for the interview?

Here’s an expanded and even more in-depth exploration of the Portfolio Coordinator – Urban Missions (Home-Based) position at UNDP. This version provides more details on the role’s strategic importance, its impact on urban development, and the skills, methodologies, and global trends that intersect with the job’s responsibilities.

Portfolio Coordinator – Urban Missions (Home-Based) | UNDP (Istanbul, Türkiye)

1. Understanding the Strategic Importance of the Role

Urban areas are at the heart of economic and social transformation. By 2050, nearly 70% of the world’s population will live in urban centers. For many secondary cities and municipalities—particularly in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) region—this rapid urbanization presents both opportunities and challenges.

The Portfolio Coordinator – Urban Missions plays a critical role in helping cities navigate complex development issues, ensuring they can:

Leverage sustainable urban development approaches to drive economic growth.
Adopt mission-oriented strategies to solve critical challenges like climate adaptation, social inclusion, and digital transformation.
Implement innovative financing mechanisms to strengthen public-private partnerships.
Foster cross-sector collaboration to build smart, green, and resilient urban environments.

This position is part of UNDP’s broader vision to enable “future-proofed” urban economies, ensuring cities can adapt to uncertainties, economic shocks, and climate risks while still providing high-quality services to citizens.

2. UNDP’s Approach to Urban Development

The UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub has been working on redefining urban governance and economic development through several innovative frameworks, including:

a) Systems Thinking and Portfolio Approaches

Traditional development interventions often fail to address the interconnectedness of urban challenges. A systems thinking approach helps cities identify hidden patterns and dependencies across multiple sectors. The portfolio method then ensures cities invest in a diverse range of initiatives instead of relying on a single solution.

As a Portfolio Coordinator, you will:

Guide municipalities in mapping complex urban problems using systems-thinking methodologies.
Help cities develop multi-layered portfolios that tackle urban challenges through adaptive experimentation.
Ensure cities have learning loops in place, allowing them to refine strategies based on real-time data and feedback.

b) Mission-Oriented Innovation

This role involves shifting from traditional project-based planning to a mission-driven approach. Instead of addressing urban challenges in isolation, mission-oriented strategies focus on long-term transformation by aligning efforts across government, private sector, civil society, and academia.

The UNDP’s Mission-Oriented Economy Programme supports cities in developing targeted missions, such as:

Achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2035.
Developing a 100% circular economy in urban waste management.
Ensuring digital inclusion for all municipal residents.

As a Portfolio Coordinator, you will help shape these missions, ensuring they are context-specific, evidence-based, and co-designed with local actors.

3. In-Depth Responsibilities of the Role

A. Strategic Urban Economic Development Planning

Lead the creation of long-term, resilient economic growth plans for at least 20 secondary cities in the EaP region.
Ensure economic growth strategies are climate-conscious and socially inclusive.
Facilitate city-to-city exchanges for knowledge-sharing and peer learning.
Help municipalities access alternative funding sources, including impact investments, green bonds, and municipal crowdfunding platforms.

B. Cross-Sectoral Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

Work with national governments, municipal councils, the private sector, academia, and civil society organizations (CSOs) to design and implement transformative urban policies.
Conduct multi-stakeholder dialogues to ensure urban planning strategies are inclusive and participatory.
Establish partnerships with global urban innovation networks to bring cutting-edge ideas to the region.

C. Capacity Development & Learning Frameworks

Train municipal officials and urban planners on systems mapping, futures thinking, and complexity science.
Organize bootcamps, webinars, and hackathons to introduce innovative urban transformation methodologies.
Develop toolkits and guidelines for urban practitioners to enhance their capacity in smart city planning and governance.

D. Monitoring & Impact Evaluation

Develop data dashboards to track urban transformation progress.
Implement qualitative and quantitative impact assessments to ensure projects are delivering tangible results.
Document case studies and best practices, sharing them across global UNDP platforms.

4. How This Role Connects to Global Urban Development Trends

A. The Role of Cities in Climate Action

With over 70% of CO₂ emissions coming from urban areas, cities play a crucial role in combating climate change. This role aligns closely with:

The European Green Deal – supporting cities in the EaP region in transitioning to low-carbon and circular economies.
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

B. The Future of Digital Cities & Smart Governance

As cities embrace AI-driven governance, digital twins, and urban automation, this role ensures municipalities can:

Develop open data ecosystems that enhance decision-making and citizen engagement.
Improve municipal digital services, making governance more transparent, efficient, and people-centric.
Adopt AI-powered predictive urban planning tools to improve infrastructure resilience.

C. Urban Resilience & Post-Crisis Recovery

Cities in the EaP region are still recovering from economic shocks, conflicts, and climate-related disasters. This role will focus on:

Strengthening municipal resilience by integrating crisis response frameworks into long-term economic planning.
Ensuring inclusive recovery by prioritizing marginalized communities.

5. Career Growth & Learning Opportunities in This Role

A. Professional Exposure to Global Urban Innovation Networks

By working at UNDP’s Istanbul Regional Hub, you will engage with:

The UNDP Global Centre for Technology, Innovation & Sustainable Development.
The MIT Urban Innovation Lab.
C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group.
The New European Bauhaus Movement.

B. Leadership in Mission-Oriented Urban Policy

This position is an excellent opportunity to become a recognized expert in urban development. It provides:

Hands-on experience in leading international urban transformation portfolios.
The chance to influence urban policies at national and regional levels.
A pathway to future leadership roles in UN agencies, international development organizations, or global think tanks.

6. Who Should Apply?

This job is perfect for professionals who:
✅ Have a strong background in urban development, local governance, or innovation policy.
✅ Are passionate about transforming cities through systems thinking and mission-driven planning.
✅ Have experience working with municipal governments, urban innovation labs, or economic development agencies.
✅ Possess excellent stakeholder engagement skills and can manage multi-stakeholder collaborations.
✅ Have a deep interest in sustainable cities, digital transformation, and inclusive economic development.

7. Application Process & Timeline

📅 Application Deadline: March 21, 2025
📍 Location: Home-based, expected to follow Istanbul Regional Hub office hours.
📑 Contract Type: International Personnel Service Agreement (IPSA-9).

📝 Next Steps: