Senior Development Coordination Officer, Head of RCO/Strategic Planner

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 (UN RCO) play a crucial role in this reform, supporting countries in meeting their development priorities. The UN Resident Coordinator is the highest-ranking official of the UN Development System at the country level, representing the UN Secretary-General. The organization focuses on sustainable development analysis, strategic planning, programming, financing, communications, advocacy, and partnerships, operating in various countries worldwide.

Job Overview:
The Senior Development Coordination Officer, Head of RCO/Strategic Planner, is responsible for providing strategic guidance to the UN Resident Coordinator (RC) and the UN Country Team (UNCT) to ensure effective support for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. This role involves leading the Common Country Analysis (CCA) and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), facilitating partnerships, and coordinating resource mobilization efforts. The Head of RCO is accountable for the overall quality and timeliness of the office's work, managing resources effectively to support the RC and UNCT in their development objectives. The position requires a deep understanding of sustainable development, strategic planning, and the ability to navigate complex political environments.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Development Coordination Officer will lead the provision of strategic guidance to the RC and UNCT, ensuring timely and quality UN support for the 2030 Agenda. Responsibilities include overseeing the initiation and coordination of external partnerships, managing knowledge management and capacity development activities, and ensuring adherence to organizational policies. The officer will also coordinate the UNSDCF, manage RCO resources, supervise staff, and promote a culture of continuous improvement and client orientation in operational service delivery. Additionally, the officer will engage with various stakeholders to promote integrated services and support for the SDGs, ensuring effective communication and collaboration across different domains.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess proven knowledge and understanding of sustainable development theories, concepts, and approaches. They should demonstrate the ability to identify strategic issues, generate innovative solutions, and communicate effectively. Strong analytical skills are essential for producing reports and making sound policy recommendations. The candidate should also have experience in negotiating and applying good judgment in complex situations, as well as the ability to think strategically and manage multiple priorities effectively.

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 and team leadership is essential. Familiarity with the United Nations system and experience in designing partnership and resource mobilization strategies are desirable. Experience working with Somali government counterparts is also an advantage.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. 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, while 'Knowledge of' indicates a rating of 'Confident' in two of the four areas.

Additional Notes:
The appointment for this position is open for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension based on funding availability. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance in its staff and encourages female candidates to apply. The organization emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in its recruitment process and provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted.