Regional Director

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Development Coordination Office (UNDCO) is a pivotal entity within the United Nations Secretariat, established to enhance the effectiveness of the UN's development efforts globally. The office was transformed into a stand-alone coordination office as endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly in its Resolution A/RES/72/27

• The mission of the UNDCO is to ensure that the Resident Coordinator system operates efficiently and effectively, supporting the acceleration of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The office is committed to fostering collaboration across various UN entities and regional mechanisms, ensuring that development initiatives are coherent and aligned with global goals. The UNDCO operates in multiple countries, providing strategic guidance and support to Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams, thereby enhancing the UN's impact on sustainable development. The office is led by the Assistant Secretary-General/Director and is supported by a diverse team of professionals dedicated to advancing sustainable development goals.

Job Overview:
The Regional Director position at the United Nations Development Coordination Office (UNDCO) is a senior leadership role that involves overseeing the UN's development coordination efforts at the regional level. The Regional Director is responsible for leading strategic initiatives that promote sustainable development and facilitate collaboration among various stakeholders, including UN agencies, regional bodies, and international financial institutions. This role requires a deep understanding of sustainable development challenges and the ability to influence and mobilize resources to address these issues effectively. The Regional Director will work closely with Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams to ensure that development strategies are aligned with the 2030 Agenda and that support is provided in a timely and coherent manner. The position demands strong leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to navigate complex inter-agency dynamics to drive impactful development outcomes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Regional Director will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including but not limited to: leading regional thought leadership on sustainable development issues, convening partnerships and strategic alliances to drive SDG acceleration, and providing strategic direction for regional initiatives. The Regional Director will strengthen collaboration with Regional Economic Commissions and other regional mechanisms, ensuring that development approaches are integrated and responsive to the complexities of conflict and crises. The role involves overseeing the management of the Regional Office, formulating work programs and budgets, and ensuring timely delivery of outputs. The Regional Director will also support resource mobilization efforts, engage with stakeholders to influence actions for SDG acceleration, and provide guidance to Resident Coordinators on strategic communications and joint resource mobilization. Additionally, the Regional Director will be responsible for reporting on regional results, managing staff performance, and ensuring compliance with UN policies on gender equality and inclusion.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, public administration, law, social sciences, or a related field. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. The position requires a minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in development cooperation coordination, including at least ten years in senior leadership roles within international settings. Candidates should have substantial experience in leading strategy and policy formulation in development coordination, as well as experience in managing complex organizational units and budgets. Knowledge of the UN Resident Coordinator system and experience in the Arab region are advantageous. Candidates should also demonstrate expertise in digital, data, foresight, and behavioral science tools in development contexts.

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 for this position. Alternatively, a first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate possesses the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to navigate the complexities of international development and coordination effectively.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in development cooperation coordination, with at least ten years in senior leadership roles that involve interagency and inter-organizational collaboration. Candidates must have a minimum of five years of field experience in development cooperation, demonstrating their ability to lead strategy and policy formulation in this area. Substantive international development experience is essential, particularly in engaging with public-private sector interfaces, SDG financing, and innovation. Experience in organizational reform and change management, as well as performance management of senior managers in multicultural environments, is also required. Familiarity with managing budgets in complex humanitarian and conflict settings is desirable, along with experience as a United Nations Resident Coordinator or knowledge of the UN system.

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. Arabic is considered a desirable language, also requiring a proficiency level of UN Level II. The ability to communicate effectively in both languages is crucial for engaging with diverse stakeholders and facilitating collaboration across the UN system and regional partners.

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 from the legislative body. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance within its staff and strongly encourages female candidates to apply. The position may involve periodic relocation to different duty stations as part of the UN's mobility policy. Candidates are advised to follow all application instructions carefully and ensure that their profiles are complete and up-to-date in the online recruitment platform. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.