Senior Development Coordination Officer, Strategic Planning and RCO Team Leader

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945, currently comprising 193 member states. Its mission is to promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and cooperation among nations, and to address global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. The UN operates in various countries, including Côte d'Ivoire, where it has established a Resident Coordinator's Office (RCO) to facilitate sustainable development efforts. The RCO in Côte d'Ivoire plays a crucial role in coordinating the UN's activities and ensuring alignment with national development goals and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Job Overview:
The Senior Development Coordination Officer, Head of RCO/Strategic Planner is a pivotal role within the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office in Côte d’Ivoire. This position is responsible for providing strategic guidance to the Resident Coordinator (RC) and the UN Country Team (UNCT) to ensure effective and timely support for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The officer will lead the development and coordination of the Common Country Analysis (CCA) and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), which are essential for aligning UN efforts with national priorities. The role requires a deep understanding of sustainable development, strategic planning, and the ability to foster partnerships and mobilize resources effectively. The officer will also oversee the implementation of the efficiency agenda and manage knowledge-sharing initiatives within the UN system and with external partners. This position demands strong leadership, analytical skills, and the ability to navigate complex political environments to achieve sustainable development outcomes.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic guidance to the RC and UNCT on UN support for the 2030 Agenda through CCA and UNSDCF.
• Facilitate and coordinate external partnerships and resource mobilization efforts for UNSDCF.
• Support the implementation of the Efficiency agenda, including Business Operations Strategy and Common Premises.
• Manage knowledge management and capacity development activities within the UN system.
• Oversee the overall management of the RCO, ensuring adherence to organizational policies and effective coordination support to the RC/UNCT.
• Lead the development of policy recommendations for the RC/UNCT regarding CCA/UNSDCF implementation.
• Ensure quality control over strategic communications and advocacy related to UNSCDF implementation.
• Promote engagement across humanitarian, development, and peace domains.
• Coordinate UNSDCF monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. 1
• Supervise RCO staff and manage performance to ensure timely delivery of outputs.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess proven knowledge and understanding of sustainable development theories and concepts. They should demonstrate the ability to identify strategic issues and generate innovative solutions. Strong analytical skills are essential for producing reports that lead to sound policy recommendations. Candidates should also have a solid understanding of the UN system's programs and activities related to the Sustainable Development Goals. The ability to communicate effectively and build relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders is crucial. Candidates must exhibit professionalism, accountability, leadership, and the ability to manage performance effectively.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, sustainable development, social sciences, education, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in strategic planning, sustainable development policy, and program development and management is required. Candidates should have experience in multi-stakeholder coordination within the context of development cooperation. Leadership and management experience in team settings are essential. Experience in UN interagency coordination and in designing and implementing partnership and resource mobilization strategies is desirable. Additionally, experience in promoting knowledge management in development cooperation contexts is beneficial.

Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, proficiency in both English and French is required, with specific language skills outlined in the UN Language Framework.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, and does not specify a deadline for applications. It is essential for candidates to be aware of the UN's commitment to gender balance and to ensure equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. The role is expected to be full-time and may involve international collaboration.