Senior 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 foster social and economic development. The UN operates in various sectors, including humanitarian aid, sustainable development, and human rights, 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 UN Resident Coordinator Offices (RCO) that support countries in achieving their development priorities. The UN RCO in Somalia plays a crucial role in coordinating development efforts and ensuring alignment with national goals and the SDGs.

Job Overview:
The Senior Development Coordination Officer, Head of RCO and Strategic Planner is a pivotal role within the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Somalia. This position is responsible for providing strategic guidance and support to the UN Resident Coordinator (RC) and the UN Country Team (UNCT) in implementing the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Head of RCO will manage resources effectively to support sustainable development analysis, strategic planning, programming, financing, communications, advocacy, and partnerships. This role requires a deep understanding of sustainable development principles and the ability to navigate complex political environments. The incumbent will lead the development and implementation of the Common Country Analysis (CCA) and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), ensuring that UN efforts are aligned with national priorities and effectively address the needs of the population.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic guidance to the RC and UNCT on UN support for the 2030 Agenda through CCA and UNSDCF.
• Facilitate and oversee the establishment of external partnerships and resource mobilization for UNSDCF.
• Coordinate the implementation of the Efficiency agenda, including Business Operations Strategy and Common Premises.
• Manage knowledge management and capacity development activities within the UN System.
• Lead overall management of the RCO to ensure effective coordination support to the RC/UNCT.
• Develop policy recommendations for the RC/UNCT on the implementation of CCA/UNSDCF.
• Ensure quality control over strategic communications and advocacy related to UNSDCF implementation.
• Promote engagement across humanitarian, development, human rights, and peace domains.
• Supervise RCO staff and manage performance to ensure timely delivery of outputs. 1
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and client-orientation in operational service delivery.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a proven knowledge of sustainable development theories and concepts, with the ability to identify strategic issues and opportunities. Strong analytical skills are essential for producing reports and policy recommendations. The candidate should demonstrate the ability to negotiate effectively and apply good judgment in complex situations. A solid understanding of the UN system and its programs related to the SDGs is required. The ability to think strategically and communicate effectively is crucial, as is the capacity to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, 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.

Experience:
A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in strategic planning, sustainable development policy, and program development and management is required. Experience in multi-stakeholder coordination in development cooperation is essential. Leadership and management experience are necessary, along with familiarity with the UN system and its operations. Experience in designing partnership and resource mobilization strategies is desirable, as is experience working with Somali government counterparts.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Knowledge of another UN official language, such as French, is considered an advantage. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'Fluent' in all four areas (reading, speaking, writing, and understanding). Knowledge of another language is rated as 'Confident' in two of the four areas.

Additional Notes:
The appointment is for an initial period of one year, subject to extension based on funding availability. The position is open to candidates from member states that are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat. The UN is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. All applicants must provide complete and accurate information in their applications, and the UN does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.