Development Coordination Officer, Head of RCO and Strategic Planner

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945, currently comprising 193 member states. Its mission is to promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and cooperation among nations, and to address global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. The UN operates in various countries around the world, with a focus on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 203

• The UN Development System has undergone significant reforms to enhance its effectiveness and efficiency, particularly through the establishment of Resident Coordinator Offices (RCO) that support countries in achieving their development priorities. The UN RCO in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, plays a crucial role in this mission, providing strategic guidance and support to the UN Country Team (UNCT) and the Resident Coordinator (RC).

Job Overview:
The Development Coordination Officer, Head of RCO and Strategic Planner is a pivotal role within the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. This position is responsible for managing the resources of the office and providing comprehensive support to the Resident Coordinator and the UNCT in various areas, including sustainable development analysis, strategic planning, programming, financing, communications, advocacy, and partnerships. The Head of RCO serves as a key adviser to the RC, ensuring the overall quality and timeliness of the office's work. The role involves implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and supporting the country in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the National Development Strategy 'Agenda 2035'. The position requires a strategic thinker who can navigate complex development challenges and foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders to drive sustainable development initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Development Coordination Officer, Head of RCO will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including:

• Providing strategic guidance to the RC and UNCT on effective UN support for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda through the Common Country Analysis (CCA) and UNSDCF.
• Facilitating the establishment and coordination of external partnerships and joint resource mobilization efforts for the new generation UNSDCF.
• Coordinating the roll-out and implementation of the efficiency agenda, including Business Operations Strategy and Common Premises.
• Managing knowledge management and capacity development activities within the UN System.
• Leading the overall management of the RCO to ensure effective coordination support to the RC/UNCT and adherence to organizational policies.
• Developing policy recommendations for the RC/UNCT on the implementation of the UNSDCF.
• Ensuring quality control and oversight over strategic communications and advocacy activities.
• Promoting engagement across humanitarian, development, and peace domains.
• Supervising RCO staff and managing performance to ensure timely delivery of outputs. 1
• Establishing a conducive work environment that fosters innovation and engagement with stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong background in strategic planning, sustainable development policy, and project/programme management. A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in these areas is required, along with experience in multi-stakeholder coordination and UN interagency coordination. Candidates should demonstrate expertise in designing and implementing partnership and resource mobilization strategies, as well as experience in team leadership and management. Knowledge management in the context of development cooperation is also desirable. Candidates should exhibit professionalism, communication skills, creativity, trust-building, and sound judgment in decision-making.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, sustainable development, social sciences, education, 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:
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in strategic planning, sustainable development policy, project/programme management in the context of development cooperation, or a related area is required. Experience with multi-stakeholder coordination in development cooperation is essential, and experience in UN interagency coordination is desirable. Candidates should also have experience in designing and implementing partnership and resource mobilization strategies, as well as team leadership and management.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Spanish is required for this position, as these are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of French is desirable, and knowledge of another UN official language is considered an advantage. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'Fluent' in all four areas (reading, speaking, writing, and understanding), while knowledge is rated as 'Confident' in two of the four areas.

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. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and may be assigned to new functions periodically. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance in its staff and encourages female candidates to apply. The recruitment process is free of charge, and the UN does not require any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.