Overview
The Resident Coordinator (RC) is the highest-ranking representative of the United Nations development system at the country level, responsible for leading UN country teams and ensuring system-wide accountability for the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and coordinating UN support for the 2030 Agenda.
Key Responsibilities
- Represents the UN at the highest levels of state and fosters engagement with Government, civil society, and partners to address national needs and advance the 2030 Agenda.
- Leads the UN country team in the development, monitoring, and reporting on the UN Cooperation Framework.
- Coordinates UN system-wide support to Government, identifying and mitigating risks to SDG achievement.
- Supports and advocates for the work of UNCT member agencies, funds, and programmes.
- Coordinates UN entities’ contributions to context and trend analysis, including a Common Country Analysis.
- Promotes and advocates for UN Charter values, including human rights, gender equality, and the SDG commitment to leave no one behind.
- Engages, convenes, and forges strategic partnerships with diverse entities at national and sub-national levels.
- Advances regional knowledge-sharing and collaboration, south-south and triangular exchanges.
- Identifies and leverages expertise and assets from across the UN development system to improve shared results.
- Provides governance and oversight of system-wide country financing instruments and pursues funding for joint UN efforts.
- Leads continued engagement on and pursuance of the UN’s normative agenda.
- Fosters an enabling environment for collaboration, knowledge, and data gathering, analysis, and sharing.
- Facilitates access to national, regional, and global resources for innovation in sustainable development.
- Leads and enhances strategic communication to advance UN system efforts and collective results.
- Ensures effective coordination of country-level security when appointed as Designated Official.
- Promotes and nurtures staff learning and the implementation of staff rules and policies.
- Develops collective protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) strategies and ensures action plans are implemented.
- Manages a matrixed dual reporting system with UN country team heads.
- Advances country-specific measures to promote UN common business operations.
- Leads and coordinates humanitarian response efforts when required and a separate Humanitarian Coordinator is not designated.
- Facilitates the integration of the UN Country Team’s work with UN peacekeeping or political missions in conflict and post-conflict settings.
- Manages and provides strategic guidance and oversight to the Resident Coordinators Office.
Required Experience
Minimum 15 years of substantive experience and results in leadership roles at the international level is required (including five years of cumulative experience in development, human rights, rule of law peace-building or humanitarian work at country level outside of one’s own country). Previous RC experience is desirable. Previous experience as a senior official with accountability for security (for example UN Designated Official (DO) for Security or equivalent) or previous experience in security decision-making in a complex environment is desirable. Experience in the management and/or coordination of humanitarian programmes, disaster, and emergency response, preferably at the country level is desirable. Excellent judgement and strong diplomatic skills are desirable. Demonstrated ability to engage with all relevant stakeholders, including with government representatives, donors and civil society, as well as (sub-) regional/ international and multilateral partners is desirable. Experience engaging with or facilitating participation of women’s/youth/minority groups is desirable. Proven ability to analyse developments and dynamics with a view to facilitating preventive action or identifying entry points for UN engagement is desirable. Excellent communication and advocacy skills and experience managing engagement with traditional media and on social media is desirable.
Qualifications
Master’s degree – or equivalent post graduate qualification – in development studies, international relations, political science, economics, social sciences, human rights, law or closely related fields (for otherwise suitably qualified candidates, a first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced post graduate university degree).
