Regional Director

Job Posting Organization:
The job is posted by the United Nations Development Coordination Office (UNDCO), which was established to enhance the coordination of development operations across the UN system. The office plays a critical role in supporting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and operates under the leadership of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG). The organization is committed to fostering collaboration among various UN entities and ensuring effective delivery of development assistance in various regions. The UNDCO is focused on integrating innovative approaches, data-driven strategies, and fostering partnerships to achieve sustainable development goals.

Job Overview:
The Regional Director position is a senior leadership role within the United Nations Development Coordination Office (UNDCO) based in Istanbul. The Regional Director is responsible for leading the regional office's strategic initiatives aimed at accelerating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across multiple countries. This role requires a strong focus on collaboration, partnership-building, and providing strategic support to Resident Coordinators (RCs) and UN Country Teams (UNCTs). The Regional Director will engage with various stakeholders, including regional economic commissions, international financial institutions, and UN agencies, to drive SDG acceleration and ensure coherent support for development initiatives. The position demands a high level of strategic thinking, management capabilities, and the ability to navigate complex inter-agency collaborations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Regional Director will lead the Regional Office in several key areas, including:

• Providing thought leadership on sustainable development issues pertinent to SDG acceleration at both regional and country levels.
• Convening and directing strategic collaborations with various UN entities and regional mechanisms to enhance development outcomes.
• Strengthening partnerships with regional economic commissions and other stakeholders to unlock opportunities for SDG acceleration.
• Leading the integration of development approaches that consider conflict, crises, and humanitarian needs.
• Coordinating communications and strategic messaging for the RC system at the regional level.
• Supporting resource mobilization efforts for joint programs and pooled funds.
• Overseeing the management of the Regional Office, ensuring timely delivery of outputs and compliance with UN policies.
• Facilitating links to global and regional funding mechanisms to support country-level initiatives.
• Providing strategic guidance to RCs and UNCTs for effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda. 1
• Reporting on regional results and supporting the implementation of UN reform initiatives. 1
• Representing the organization at international and regional meetings, providing expertise as needed. 1
• Managing the recruitment and performance of staff within the Regional Office, ensuring compliance with UN principles.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in development cooperation coordination, with at least ten (10) years in senior leadership roles. Experience in international settings involving interagency collaboration is essential. A minimum of five (5) years of field experience in development cooperation is required, along with demonstrated experience in leading strategy and policy formulation. Candidates should have substantive international development experience, including engagement with public-private sector interfaces and SDG financing. Experience in organizational reform and performance management in multicultural environments is also required. Familiarity with the UN Resident Coordinator system or similar international organizations is desirable.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in international relations, public administration, law, social sciences, or a related area is required. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in development cooperation coordination, including at least ten (10) years in senior leadership roles. A minimum of five (5) years of field experience in development cooperation is required, along with demonstrated experience in leading strategy and/or policy formulation in the area of development coordination. Experience in managing budgets in a development context and exposure to complex humanitarian or conflict settings is desirable.

Languages:
English is required for this position, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level II in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Russian is desirable, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level I in the same skills.

Additional Notes:
The appointment against this post 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 position may involve periodic relocation to different duty stations as per UN mobility policies. All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted.