Overview
The Resident Coordinator (RC) is the highest-ranking representative of the United Nations development system (UNDS) 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, partners, academia and private sector.
- Leads the UN country team in the development, monitoring and reporting on the UN Cooperation Framework.
- Coordinates UN system-wide support to Government, taking a preventive approach and identifying and mitigating risks to SDG achievement.
- Supports, catalyzes 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, human rights, gender equality and the SDG commitment to leave no one behind.
- Engages, convenes and forges strategic partnerships at national and sub-national level with diverse entities.
- Advances regional knowledge-sharing and collaboration, south-south and triangular exchanges, multi-country and transboundary initiatives.
- 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 to advance innovation.
- Leads and enhances strategic communication that advances 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 no Humanitarian Coordinator is 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
- Over 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 required.
- Senior-level inter-agency coordination experience may be considered in lieu of RC experience.
- 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.
- Solid experience in coordinating effectively with multiple stakeholders, national authorities, national, and international partners, is desirable.
- Solid experience in the management and/or coordination of multi-sectoral humanitarian assistance operations and preparedness efforts at the country level and preferably in a multilateral context, is desirable.
- Representational and negotiation experience, including humanitarian advocacy at national and international level is desirable.
- Strong political acumen and experience working with senior government officials and diplomats, in politically sensitive countries, including operating in a complex and highly fluid conflict environments is desirable.
- Demonstrated ability to provide insightful political analysis to senior officials and identify situations that could warrant preventive action is desirable.
- Knowledge of regional political dynamics, especially regarding Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Türkiye, 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).
