Regional Director

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the United Nations Development Coordination Office (UNDCO), which was established to enhance the effectiveness of the UN's development efforts. The organization operates globally, with a focus on coordinating development operations and ensuring the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The DCO plays a crucial role in the UN's efforts to support countries in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) and operates in various regions, collaborating with multiple stakeholders including governments, international organizations, and civil society. The DCO is committed to fostering partnerships and leveraging resources to drive sustainable development initiatives.

Job Overview:
The Regional Director position is a senior leadership role within the United Nations Development Coordination Office (UNDCO) based in Bangkok. The Regional Director is responsible for leading the regional office's strategic initiatives and ensuring effective collaboration across the UN Development System. This role involves providing high-level support to Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams, facilitating partnerships, and driving the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The Regional Director will engage with various stakeholders, including regional economic commissions and international financial institutions, to promote sustainable development and SDG acceleration. The position requires a strong focus on strategic leadership, management, and the ability to navigate complex inter-agency collaborations. The Regional Director will also oversee the regional office's operations, ensuring alignment with the UN's goals and objectives while fostering an inclusive and innovative organizational culture.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Regional Director will have a wide range of responsibilities, including: leading regional thought leadership on sustainable development issues, convening partnerships for SDG impact, and providing strategic direction for regional initiatives. The role involves strengthening collaboration with regional mechanisms and stakeholders, leading the development of multi-country partnerships, and integrating development approaches that consider conflict and crises. The Regional Director will coordinate communications and strategic messaging for the Resident Coordinator system, support resource mobilization efforts, and ensure quality support for the implementation of UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCFs). Additionally, the Regional Director will oversee the management of the regional office, ensuring timely delivery of outputs, compliance with UN policies, and effective performance management of staff. The position also requires facilitating links to global funding mechanisms and providing strategic guidance to Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in development cooperation coordination, including at least ten (10) years in senior leadership roles within international settings. A strong background in interagency collaboration and development strategy formulation is essential. Candidates should demonstrate substantive international development experience, particularly in engaging with public-private sector interfaces and SDG financing. Experience in organizational reform, performance management, and managing complex organizational units is required. Familiarity with the UN Resident Coordinator system and experience in the Asia Pacific Region are desirable. Candidates should also have experience in applying digital, data, and behavioral science tools in development contexts, as well as in strategic resource mobilization and partnership-building.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in international relations, public administration, law, social sciences, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of international development and the operational frameworks of the United Nations.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in development cooperation coordination, with at least ten (10) years in senior leadership roles. Candidates should have a minimum of five (5) years of field experience in development cooperation, demonstrating their ability to lead strategy and policy formulation in this area. Experience in managing budgets and overseeing programmatic and administrative functions is also necessary, along with a demonstrated ability to navigate complex humanitarian and conflict settings. Candidates with experience as a United Nations Resident Coordinator or knowledge of the UN system will have an advantage.

Languages:
English is the mandatory working language for this position, with a required proficiency level of UN Level II in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French is also a working language of the United Nations, and proficiency in French is desirable. Additionally, knowledge of Chinese (Mandarin) is considered an asset, with the same proficiency level required as for English.

Additional Notes:
The appointment for this position is open for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension based on funding availability. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance in its staff and encourages female candidates to apply. The recruitment process is open to candidates from under-represented member states, and reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities. The United Nations does not charge any fees during the recruitment process, and all applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible.