Regional Director, Africa

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Development Coordination Office (UNDCO) was established to enhance the effectiveness of the UN's development efforts. It operates under the auspices of the United Nations Secretariat and is responsible for overseeing the Resident Coordinator system. The office was transformed into a stand-alone entity as per the UN General Assembly's Resolution A/RES/72/279, which emphasizes the need for a more integrated approach to development operations. The mission of the UNDCO is to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, ensuring that the UN's development efforts are coherent, coordinated, and aligned with the needs of member states. The office is staffed by a diverse team of professionals and operates in multiple countries, focusing on sustainable development goals (SDGs) and fostering partnerships across various sectors.

Job Overview:
The Regional Director for Africa plays a pivotal role in leading the United Nations Development Coordination Office's efforts in the region. This position is primarily responsible for advancing sustainable development initiatives and ensuring effective collaboration among UN agencies, regional bodies, and member states. The Regional Director will engage in strategic planning and implementation of development programs, focusing on the acceleration of the 2030 Agenda. This role requires a strong emphasis on partnerships, innovative financing, and the integration of various development approaches to address complex challenges such as conflict, humanitarian needs, and human rights. The Regional Director will also be responsible for providing guidance and support to Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams, ensuring that they receive timely and high-quality assistance in their efforts to implement the SDGs. The position demands a strategic thinker with a proven track record in development coordination and leadership, capable of navigating the complexities of interagency collaboration and fostering a culture of innovation within the UN system.

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 the region and facilitating strategic partnerships to drive SDG acceleration.
• Convening regional stakeholders, including UN agencies, regional economic commissions, and international financial institutions, to strengthen collaboration and enhance the effectiveness of development initiatives.
• Leading the development of regional partnerships and multi-country initiatives that align with regionally identified priorities.
• Integrating development approaches that consider conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and humanitarian needs, while applying risk analytics and foresight to enhance organizational resilience.
• Supporting Resident Coordinators in resource mobilization efforts and facilitating links to global funding mechanisms.
• Overseeing the implementation of UN reform initiatives and ensuring compliance with organizational policies.
• Managing the Regional Office's operations, including budget formulation, resource allocation, and performance monitoring.
• Representing the UN at international and regional meetings, providing expertise and fostering relationships with host governments and stakeholders.
• Ensuring the integration of gender perspectives and promoting diversity within the UN system. 1
• Contributing to the overall management of the UNDCO's activities and participating in senior leadership discussions.

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 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 or comparable international organizations is desirable, along with experience in the Africa region and the application of digital 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 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.

Experience:
A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in development cooperation coordination is required, including at least ten (10) years in senior leadership roles in international settings involving interagency and/or inter-organizational collaboration. 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. Substantive international development experience is required, including demonstrated engagement with public-private sector interfaces, SDG financing, and innovation. Experience in leading organizational reform and/or change management is required, including performance management of senior managers in multicultural environments and integrating gender equality/inclusion. Experience in overseeing both programmatic and administrative functions necessary for the effective operation of a large and complex organizational unit is required. Experience in managing budgets in a development cooperation context, with demonstrated risk awareness and exposure to complex, humanitarian and/or conflict settings, is desirable. Experience as a United Nations Resident Coordinator or demonstrated substantive knowledge of the UN Resident Coordinator system, the United Nations system more broadly, or a comparable international organization, is desirable. Experience working in the Africa region is an advantage. Experience in the application of digital, data, foresight, and/or behavioral science tools and approaches in development contexts is desirable. Experience in strategic resource mobilization and partnership-building, including with governments, the private sector, international financial institutions, and/or civil society, is desirable. A minimum of five (5) years of experience in a regional or sub-regional capacity, coordinating development actions across multiple countries and involving interagency and/or inter-organizational collaboration, is desirable.

Languages:
English is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. French is considered desirable, providing an additional advantage for candidates who are proficient in both languages. The ability to communicate effectively in both languages will enhance collaboration and engagement with diverse stakeholders across the region.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and is expected to be a full-time role. The contract duration and specific compensation details are not specified in the job posting. The role requires a high level of seniority and is aimed at candidates with extensive experience in international development and coordination. The organization is committed to promoting gender equality, disability inclusion, and youth participation in all areas of work.