Head of the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office (RCO)

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Position Title: Head of the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office (RCO)
Location: Addis Ababa
Country: Ethiopia
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Development System was reformed on January 1, 2019, to enhance its effectiveness in achieving the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN Resident Coordinator Offices (RCO) play a crucial role in this system, supporting countries in their development priorities and SDG attainment. The RCO is led by an empowered UN Resident Coordinator, who is the highest-ranking UN official at the country level. The office manages resources to support the Resident Coordinator and the UN Country Team (UNCT) in various areas, including sustainable development analysis, strategic planning, programming, financing, communications, advocacy, and partnerships. The RCO operates in multiple countries, focusing on delivering impactful development assistance and fostering collaboration among various stakeholders.

Job Overview:
The Head of the RCO in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is responsible for leading and managing the office's resources to support the Resident Coordinator and the UN Country Team in achieving sustainable development goals. This position involves strategic development and alignment with national and regional priorities, coordination and stakeholder engagement, capacity building, and operationalization of the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Nexus approach. The incumbent will work closely with various partners, including the Government of Ethiopia, UN agencies, and civil society organizations, to ensure effective implementation of development strategies and enhance synergies across humanitarian and development planning cycles. The role requires a proactive approach to risk analysis and adaptive planning to navigate uncertainties and support progress toward the SDGs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Strategic Development and Alignment: Lead the development of the HDP Nexus approach in Ethiopia, ensuring alignment with national and regional development plans. Facilitate the creation of shared strategies and operational frameworks among UN agencies and the Government of Ethiopia. Regularly report on progress and challenges to the RCO Head of Office.
• Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement: Enhance collaboration between humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding actors. Lead the RCO Nexus team and participate in relevant coordination forums. Support stakeholder consultations to ensure inclusive approaches to HDP Nexus implementation.
• Capacity Building and Operationalization: Strengthen the capacities of the UN, partners, and the Government of Ethiopia to operationalize the HDP Nexus. Conduct research to identify gaps and opportunities for collaboration.
• Risk Analysis and Adaptive Planning: Facilitate joint risk analyses and context monitoring to adapt to uncertainties. Collaborate with development partners to identify conflict-sensitive interventions.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of humanitarian affairs, development policies, and strategies. They should have excellent communication and analytical skills, with a proven ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders. Knowledge of the UN coordination architecture and experience in humanitarian and development contexts are essential. Familiarity with participatory facilitation methods and the UN's programming principles is desirable.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, information management, statistics, sustainable development, social sciences, education, 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. Completion of programs in data analytics or related fields is an advantage.

Experience:
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs and development policy implementation is required. Candidates should have experience in humanitarian coordination and supporting development processes, particularly in transitional contexts. Proven leadership in developing strategies and operationalizing the HDP Nexus is highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required, with knowledge of another official UN language being an advantage. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas: reading, writing, speaking, and understanding.

Additional Notes:
This is a project post with an initial appointment period of one year, subject to availability of funds and budgetary approval. The position is classified as 'FTA limited.' The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. The recruitment process is free of charge, and reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities.