Principal Coordination Officer/Managing Coordinator

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located in the Office of the Secretary-General of the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD). UNCTAD was established in 1964 and is a part of the United Nations Secretariat. The organization focuses on trade, investment, and development issues, particularly in developing countries. UNCTAD operates in over 190 countries and has a mission to promote the integration of developing countries into the global economy, ensuring that trade and development policies are aligned with sustainable development goals. The organization employs a diverse workforce of over 800 staff members from various backgrounds, contributing to its mission of fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

Job Overview:
The Principal Coordination Officer/Managing Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the implementation and management of UNCTAD’s projects, particularly those under the Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China (MOFCOM). This role involves coordinating technical cooperation activities across various divisions within UNCTAD, ensuring that projects are executed effectively and efficiently. The incumbent will work closely with the Deputy Secretary-General and the Steering Committee to align project outputs with the needs of least developed and vulnerable countries. The position requires a strategic approach to project management, ensuring high-quality standards in all outputs and compliance with UN mandates. The role also includes administrative responsibilities such as budget preparation, performance evaluations, and organizing meetings and seminars on substantive issues.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Principal Coordination Officer/Managing Coordinator will lead and supervise the implementation of projects, ensuring that all work products meet high-quality standards. Responsibilities include coordinating efforts across different work units and UN agencies, providing substantive reviews of drafts, and ensuring strategic alignment across divisions. The incumbent will assist in reviewing and approving proposals, determining priorities, and allocating resources for timely delivery of outputs. Administrative tasks such as budget preparation, performance evaluations, and organizing substantive meetings and seminars are also part of the role. The officer will participate in international, regional, or national meetings, providing expertise and engaging in discussions with representatives from other institutions.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of the substantive field of work, with the ability to produce and review reports on technical issues. They should demonstrate effective communication skills, both verbally and in writing, and have the capacity to coordinate multiple stakeholders. Professionalism, accountability, leadership, and sound judgment are essential competencies for this role. The candidate should be motivated by professional concerns and demonstrate persistence in overcoming challenges. The ability to apply UN rules and regulations in work situations is also crucial.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, finance, accounting, 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. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of trade and development issues.

Experience:
A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in program coordination and development initiatives at both national and international levels is required. Candidates should have experience in intergovernmental fora dealing with trade and development or related issues. Experience in negotiations with Member States and the private sector is desirable, indicating a need for strong diplomatic and negotiation skills.

Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, proficiency in English is required at UN Level III. Additionally, knowledge of either French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), or Russian is desirable, with varying levels of proficiency required for each language.

Additional Notes:
The position is funded by extra-budgetary resources for one year, and the appointment is subject to the availability of the post or funds. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, encouraging applications from candidates of all backgrounds. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Staff members appointed to this position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment and annually thereafter. The United Nations Secretariat operates under a non-smoking environment and provides reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities upon request.