Senior Development Coordination Officer, Strategic Planning and RCO Team Leader Posting Title:  Senior Development Coordination Officer, Strategic Planning and RCO Team Leader, NOE Job Code Title:  Senior Development Coordination Officer, Strategic Planning and RCO Team Leader Department/Office:  Resident Coordinator System Duty Station:  PRETORIA Posting Period:  05 March 2023 - 19 March 2023 Job Opening Number:  23-Sustainable Development-RCS-203629-R-Pretoria (X) Staffing Exercise  N/A Org. Setting and Reporting The UN Secretary-General's launched on 1 January 2019 a bold and new global reform which repositioned the UN Development System to deliver more effectively and efficiently with the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As part of this reform, UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO), under the leadership of an empowered and independent UN Resident Coordinator - the highest-ranking official of the UN Development System and Representative of the UN Secretary-General at country level - support countries in the achievement of their development priorities and the attainment of the SDGs. The position is located in the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) in Pretoria, South Africa and reports to the UN Resident Coordinator (RC). The Head of the RCO manages the resources of the Office in order to provide support to the Resident Coordinator and the UNCT on sustainable development analysis, environmental scanning, strategic planning, programming, financing, communications, advocacy and partnerships. The Head of RCO serves as a key adviser to the RC in the pursuit of all their functions and is accountable for the overall quality and timeliness of the work of the office. Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the incumbent will perform the following functions: 1. LEADS THE PROVISION OF STRATEGIC GUIDANCE TO THE RC AND UNCT OF EFFECTIVE, QUALITY AND TIMELY UN SUPPORT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2030 AGENDA THROUGH A NEW GENERATION CCA/UNSDCF:
• Leads and coordinates substantive support to the RC/UNCT in articulating and actively communicating a credible and convincing strategic vision for the UN, articulated through the UNSDCF, which is consistent with national development goals and priorities, UN values, aligned with the 2030 Agenda and committed to the principles of universality, equality and leaving no one behind;
• In line with CCA/UNSDCF, provides strategic direction and develops recommendations to facilitate decision-making by the RC/UNCT to reposition the UN in country to advance the objectives of UN development system reform;
• Develops policy recommendations to the RC/UNCT on the development, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of the new generation CCA/UNSDCF as the primary instrument for the planning and implementation of UN development activities in country;
• Ensures effective guidance to the RC/UNCT in asserting vision and accountability for the UN to operate as a nimble, innovative and enterprising development partner, demonstrating characteristics of a knowledge-based organization and thought leader;
• Leads the strategic design of UN’s policy and programmatic services, operational capabilities, and partnership mechanisms;
• Establishes and promotes close engagement across the humanitarian, development and peace domains, as required by the country context;
• Leads the identification, analysis and prioritization of joint programmatic work of UN entities in response to national priorities and in line with the UNSDCF and the 2030 Agenda;
• Leads the coordination of the UNSDCF through the Joint Workplan and results groups; directs UNSDCF monitoring, evaluation, learning (MEL) and reporting through the UNINFO platform; and guides preparation and provision of the annual UN Country Results Report to the Government and other stakeholders;
• Promotes the engagement of all relevant agencies – with and without physical presence in country – from across the UN system, including at Headquarters and at the (sub-)regional level in inter-agency fora and in discussions with external partners;
• Ensures quality control and oversight over strategic communications and advocacy activities related the implementation of the UNSCDF;
• Ensures coherence across the different intra-agency coordination bodies, including with Humanitarian Country Teams and the Security Management Team. 2. FACILITATES AND OVERSEES THE INITIATION, ESTABLISHMENT AND COORDINATION OF EXTERNAL PARTNERSHIPS AND JOINT RESOURCE MOBILIZATION EFFORTS FOR THE NEW GENERATION UNSDCF:
• Facilitates and oversees the initiation, establishment and coordination of effective working relationships with national and international public and private partners to ensure collaborative action and knowledge sharing throughout the UNSDCF cycle.
• Directs substantive support for positioning the UN as a key provider of integrated services and as a platform in support of the SDGs, in consultation with a broad range of stakeholders;
• Based on the UNSDCF, and in close collaboration with the Development Partnerships and Communications Officer, oversees the formulation and implementation of the partnership, outreach, and strategic influencing approach as well as the resource mobilization strategy, and other initiatives in support of SDG achievement through the UNSDCF;
• Oversees the implementation of the SDG Country Fund/country-level pooled fund (where relevant) in support of the UNSDCF and SDG acceleration;
• Coordinates strategic messaging, engagement, and communication initiatives by RC/UNCT. 3. COORDINATES AND SUPPORTS ROLL-OUT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EFFICIENCY AGENDA (BUSINESS OPERATIONS STRATEGY, COMMON PREMISES AND LOCAL SHARED SERVICE CENTERS/COMMON BACK OFFICE):
• In collaboration with the Operations Management Team (OMT), directs substantive support to the RC/UNCT on business innovations for the UN in country;
• Provides substantive support to the Resident Coordinator and UNCT in formulating, implementing and monitoring the UN Country level Business Operations Strategy;
• Supports the RC and the UNCT in their leading role in implementing common premises, and in establishing a common back office for location-dependent services;
• Promotes a culture of continuous improvement and client-orientation in operational service delivery, including the implementation of high impact standardized common services, fostering the SDG impact through common operations;
• Coordinates effective participation of entities at the country level in operations management team and represents the RC in the OMT. 4. MANAGES AND DIRECTS KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES IN- AND OUTSIDE THE UN SYSTEM:
• Creates an enabling environment for the knowledge generation, sharing, collaboration, as well as usage of existing good practices and lessons learnt within the RCO and in the UN Country Team. Leads by example.
• Coordinates the effective communications within the RCO, in UN Country Team and among other stakeholders;
• Leads and coordinates the sharing of good practices and lessons learned on issues related to UN strategic planning frameworks, methodologies and tools, among others, within the DCO (at regional and global levels), across the UN system and with external partners;
• Oversees the analysis of UN experiences, lessons learned and knowledge networking to contribute to strategic planning processes.
• Keeps abreast of emerging innovative approaches and encourages the RCO and UNCT to apply new ways of working, where relevant. 5. LEADS AND COORDINATES OVERALL MANAGEMENT OF THE RCO TO ENSURE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE SUBSTANTIVE COORDINATION SUPPORT TO THE RC/UNCT AND ADHERENCE TO ORGANIZATIONAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:
• Coordinates the formulation and implementation of the substantive work programme of the UNCT; allocates and monitors RCO resources for delivery of outputs and reporting on results;
• Supervises the activities undertaken by the RCO and manage performance of RCO staff, ensuring that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion;
• In close collaboration with Service Providers, performs the role of certifying officer in the UNDP IRIS platform and performs the UMOJA approver role over processes related to human and financial resource management, procurement, general administration, security, time management, and information technology for the RCO;
• Manages, guides and trains staff under his/her supervision; promotes teamwork and communications among staff in the RCO and across organizational boundaries; ensures staff complete mandatory trainings and UMOJA certifications
• Establishes and maintains a work environment in the RC Office and across UN entities that is conducive to innovation and engagement with a diverse set of stakeholders and delivers results in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need.
• Performs other relevant duties as assigned. Competencies PROFESSIONALISM: Proven knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to sustainable development. Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Ability to generate and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction. Ability to communicate clearly links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Demonstrated ability to provide innovative technical leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, and management of operation. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment. Proven ability to analyze complex data and produce reports leading to sound policy recommendations for achieving sustainable development; Solid understanding of the political environment and the programmes and activities of the UN system in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals; Ability to think strategically, to identify key emerging sustainable development issues and related policy implications. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in business or public administration, sustainable development, social sciences, international relations, economics, education or related area, is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Certification in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage   Work Experience A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in strategic planning, sustainable development policy, and programme development and management in the context of development cooperation or related area, is required. Experience with multi-stakeholder and institutional coordination in the context of development cooperation or related area, is required. Experience in team leadership and management is required. Experience in UN interagency engagement and coordination is desirable. Experience in designing and implementing partnership, advocacy, and resource mobilization strategies. is desirable. Experience in promoting knowledge management and capacity building in the context of development cooperation is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. Languages English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage. Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment, such as a written test, which will be followed by a competency-based interview by phone/teleconference or face-to-face. Special Notice This position is available for an initial period of one year. Extension of appointment is subject to the availability of funds and/or subject to satisfactory performance. Appointment against this post is on a local basis. THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO NATIONALS OF SOUTH AFRICA ONLY. National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located and will be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of the office. If no suitable local candidate is identified, South African nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, in which case the candidate would be responsible for any costs related to traveling and relocating to South Africa in the event of an employment offer. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. Note to current staff members at the General Service level: Should a current General Service staff member (not on Continuing or Permanent Appointment) be selected for this post, he/she would need to resign from his/her General Service appointment before receiving a new appointment at the National Officer level. Locally recruited General Service staff members applying for this post must meet the minimum requirements, including academic qualifications and years of relevant experience. Relevant experience in the General Service category at G-6 and G-7 levels may count towards experience requirements. "Internal Applicants: When completing the form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. " The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. 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Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Need Help?" link. 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Addressing the General Assembly in New York, he appealed for urgent action now to achieve peace, economic rights and development, climate action, respect for diversity, and inclusive societies – both today and for generations to come.  Before unfolding his 2023 roadmap, the Secretary-General extended condolences to the families of the victims of the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, adding that the UN is mobilizing to support the response.  Rights-based approach  Mr. Guterres stressed the need for transformation this year, grounded in the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. “As we look to priorities for this year, a rights-rooted approach is central to achieving our ultimate priority: a safer, more peaceful, more sustainable world,” he said, urging countries to "act decisively before it is too late." Doomsday Clock ticking  The UN chief began by referring to the news that the symbolic Doomsday Clock - developed more than 75 years ago by atomic scientists to measure humanity’s proximity to midnight, or self-destruction - was just 90 seconds away from that hour.  The Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the climate emergency, rising nuclear threats, and the undermining of global norms and institutions have pushed the world closer to annihilation.  “This is the closest the clock has ever stood to humanity’s darkest hour – closer than even during the height of the Cold War.  In truth, the Doomsday Clock is a global alarm clock.   We need to wake up – and get to work,” he said.   Think of tomorrow  Stressing that “we need a course correction”, the UN chief said action is possible, however politicians and decision makers lack the strategic vision to see beyond the short term.  This “preference for the present” only focuses on the next poll, power move, or business cycle, making the future “someone else’s problem” – a mindset he described as deeply irresponsible, immoral, and self-defeating.  “My message today comes down to this: Don’t focus solely on what may happen to you today – and dither. Look at what will happen to all of us tomorrow – and act,” the UN chief said.  ‘A time for transformation’  The international community has an obligation to act, he continued, as “this is not a time for tinkering” but, rather, “a time for transformation.”   Action should be grounded in the UN Charter, the Organization’s founding document, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which turns 75 this year.  “When I look at human rights in the broadest sense – with a 21st century lens – I see a roadmap out of the dead end,” he said, noting that it begins with the right to peace. Work for peace  With the Russian invasion of Ukraine last February 24 inflicting untold suffering on the country’s population, and far beyond, prospects for peace keep diminishing while the risk of further escalation and bloodshed keeps growing.  “I fear the world is not sleepwalking into a wider war.  It is doing so with its eyes wide open. The world needs peace.  Peace in line with the United Nations Charter and international law,” he said. “We must work harder for peace everywhere.”   Mr. Guterres referred to the situations in the Middle East, where the two-State solution between Palestine and Israel is becoming more distant; in Afghanistan, where women’s rights are being trampled; in the Sahel, where insecurity is rising; in Myanmar, which is facing new cycles of violence and repression, and in Haiti, where gang violence is holding the entire country hostage.   Recommit to the UN Charter  “If every country fulfilled its obligations under the Charter, the right to peace would be guaranteed,” he said.  “It is time to transform our approach to peace by recommitting to the Charter - putting human rights and dignity first, with prevention at the heart.”  The Secretary-General called for “a holistic view of the peace continuum” that identifies root causes of conflict and focuses on prevention, mediation, reconciliation, peacebuilding and greater participation of women and young people.  These are among the UN’s proposed New Agenda for Peace, aimed at addressing both old and new threats, and maximizing coalitions for diplomacy, as evidenced by the Black Sea Grain Initiative which is operating even amid the war in Ukraine.    Nuclear war risk   This year also marks the 75th anniversary of UN Peacekeeping, which will see increased commitment to reform, he added.  Mr. Guterres also called for bringing disarmament and arms control “back to the centre” to both reduce strategic threats from nuclear arms and work towards their total elimination.  “We are at the highest risk in decades of a nuclear war that could start by accident or design,” he warned, urging countries with nuclear arms to renounce these “unconscionable weapons”.    Transform global finance   With poverty and hunger rising, developing countries drowning in debt, and social safety nets frayed, among other signs, the Secretary-General called for “radical transformation” of the global financial architecture.  This will require new commitment and resolve, including to address the appalling inequalities and injustices exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the response to the global crisis.  New determination will also be needed to ensure developing countries have a greater voice in global financial institutions, and that vulnerable nations, including middle-income countries, can have access to debt relief and restructuring.  Multilateral Development Banks in particular, must change their business model and leverage their funds to attract more private capital that can be invested to help developing countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) before the 2030 deadline.   “Without fundamental reforms, the richest countries and individuals will continue to pile up wealth, leaving crumbs for the communities and countries of the Global South,” he cautioned.  Sustainable development in danger  This year will also provide opportunities to “rescue” the SDGs, such as the Summit of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) next month and another in September devoted to the goals.  With the SDGs “disappearing in the rearview mirror”, countries should come to the summit with clear benchmarks on tackling poverty and exclusion, and on advancing gender equality.   However, the world must unite now to mobilize resources, said Mr. Guterres, so that developing economies have the liquidity to invest in education, universal healthcare, pandemic preparedness, decent work and social protection.  Climate Visuals/Supratim Bhattacharjee/ Tidal waves on Namkhana Island, West Bengal, India, flood coastal communities. Climate action ‘reckoning’  As the right to development goes together with the right to a clean, healthy, sustainable environment, “we must end the merciless, relentless, senseless war on nature,” said Mr. Guterres, repeating a message that has become a mantra for his tenure.  “2023 is a year of reckoning. It must be a year of game-changing climate action. We need disruption to end the destruction.”  Countries are hurtling past the 1.5-degree limit on global temperature rise, therefore focus must be on the urgent priorities of cutting greenhouse gas emissions and achieving climate justice.  Shift to green energy  He said global emissions must be halved this decade, including through “far more ambitious action” in shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy, especially in the G20 group of industrialized nations.  Additionally, businesses, cities, regions and financial institutions that have pledged net-zero carbon emissions, must present their transition plans, with credible and ambitious targets, by this September.   “I have a special message for fossil fuel producers and their enablers scrambling to expand production and raking in monster profits.  If you cannot set a credible course for net-zero, with 2025 and 2030 targets covering all your operations, you should not be in business,” said Mr. Guterres.  Deliver on COP27 pledges  Climate action is impossible without adequate finance, and the Secretary-General urged richer countries to, at minimum, deliver on promises made at the UN COP27 climate change conference in Egypt last year.  These commitments include establishing a fund to address loss and damage, doubling adaptation funding, and advancing plans on early warning systems globally within the next five years.  The Secretary-General will convene a Climate Ambition Summit in September, ahead of the COP28 conference in the United Arab Emirates in December.    It will be open to all government, business and society leaders, he said, though under one condition: “Show us accelerated action in this decade and renewed ambitious net zero plans – or please don’t show up.”  Diversity under attack  Turning to his fourth priority, Mr. Guterres spoke of how respect for diversity and the universality of cultural rights are under attack, as evidenced in part by the rise in antisemitism, anti-Muslim bigotry, the persecution of Christians, racism and white supremacist ideology.  At the same time, ethnic and religious minorities, refugees, migrants, indigenous people and the LGBTQI-plus community, are increasingly targeted for hate, both online and off.  Meanwhile, many people in positions of power are profiting from caricaturing diversity as a threat, sowing division and hatred, while social media platforms use algorithms that amplify toxic ideas and funnel extremist views into the mainstream.  Fighting hate online  The Secretary-General underlined the UN’s commitment to protecting cultural rights and diversity, including through programmes on the Holocaust and the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, as well as its Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech.   “We will call for action from everyone with influence on the spread of mis- and disinformation on the internet – Governments, regulators, policymakers, technology companies, the media, civil society,” he said.   “Stop the hate. Set up strong guardrails. Be accountable for language that causes harm.”  © UNICEF/Christine Nesbitt/ Girls attend an Accelerated Learning Centre (ALC) class in Wardak Province in the central region of Afghanistan. (file) Patriarchy pushing back  With half of humanity “held back by the most widespread human rights abuse of our time,” the UN chief underscored the right to full gender equality.  He especially emphasized the plight of women and girls in Afghanistan, now “exiles in their own country” due to laws banning them from public life, and their counterparts in Iran, who have taken to the streets to demand fundamental human rights at great personal cost. Gender discrimination is global, he said, and things are getting worse.  “We face an intense pushback against the rights of women and girls. Women’s sexual and reproductive rights and legal protections are under threat.  At the international level, some governments now oppose even the inclusion of a gender perspective in multilateral negotiations,” he said.  Gender equality is fundamentally a question of power, and the patriarchy is reasserting itself, he said, but the UN is fighting back and standing up for the rights of women and girls everywhere, including in its own ranks.  Mr. Guterres also pledged to “double down” on support for measures towards greater gender equality, including quotas to close gaps in women’s representation, in elections, corporate board rooms and peace negotiations.  ‘Pandemic’ of rights violations  Meanwhile, the civil and political rights that are the basis of inclusive societies are also under threat, as democracy is in retreat.  “The pandemic was used as cover for a pandemic of civil and political rights violations,” said Mr. Guterres, warning that civic space “is vanishing before our eyes”. He reported on threats such as repressive laws that restrict freedom of expression, new technologies that serve as a guise for controlling freedom of assembly or even movement, and the increase in attacks against the media.  Through the Secretary-General's Call to Action for Human Rights, the UN is working to advance fundamental freedoms, promote civil society participation, and protect civic space around the world.   “And we are strengthening our support for laws and policies that protect the right to participation and the right to freedom of expression, including a free and independent media,” he added.  UNFCCC/Kiara Worth/ Secretary-General António Guterres with young climate activists at the ​​​​​​​Climate Implementation Summit at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Championing young people  The Secretary-General emphasized that the threats undermining rights today will also have an impact on future generations, who are often perceived as barely an afterthought.  He expressed hope that the Summit of the Future, scheduled for next year, will bring these rights to the forefront of the global discussion.  “There is no greater constituency to champion that future than young people – and the new UN Youth Office that will be up and running this year is designed to strengthen our work,” he said.  These efforts are also an opportunity to boost global action and build a UN that is fit for a new era, he added. 

In a statement issued by his Spokesperson, UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the attack, which left the South African ‘blue helmet’ dead, and another wounded. Emergency landing According to news reports, the severely injured peacekeeper was able to continue flying, and along with the rest of the crew, managed to land at the airport of the provincial capital, Goma. There is no indication so far who was responsible for the attack, or what weapon was used in the assault. Eastern DRC is home to multiple armed groups, including the rebel M23 force, which has been fighting a major campaign against Government troops in recent months, supported by the UN mission there, known by its French acronym MONUSCO, as part of its protection-of-civilians mandate. Hundreds of civilians have been killed during the violence at the hands of armed groups, including women and children. Last March, eight peacekeepers were killed when their helicopter crashed in an area of North Kivu province where the Congolese army was engaged in heavy fighting with M23. Call for immediate ceasefire At a summit of the East African Community on Saturday in Burundi, regional leaders renewed their call for an immediate ceasefire by combatants involved in eastern DRC. Kinshasa has accused the Rwandan Government of supporting the M23 rebels, a charge categorically denied by authorities in Kigali. M23 has seized many areas of North Kivu province in eastern DRC since last October, threatening to advance on the provincial capital. More than 500,000 have reportedly been displaced by intense fighting in the province since last March, and earlier in the week, Pope Francis made his first visit to DRC calling for an end to violence. An agreement signed in November when rebels agreed to withdraw, failed to come to fruition. The head of MONUSCO, and Special Representative to DRC, Bintou Keita, briefed the Security Council in December, telling ambassadors that the security situation had “deteriorated dramatically” in previous weeks. Guterres pledges continuing support In his statement, Mr. Guterres expressed his deepest condolences to the family of the fallen peacekeeper, and to the Government and people of South Africa, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured following the dramatic helicopter landing. He recalled that such attacks against peacekeepers "may constitute a war crime under international law." He asked Congolese authorities to investigate the heinous attack, and bring those responsible to justice as soon as possible. “The Secretary-General reaffirms that the United Nations, through his Special Representative in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, will continue to support the Congolese Government and people”, the statement continued, “in their efforts to bring about peace and stability in the east of the country.” Published by UN News

This edition of InFocus showcases some of our work in South Africa, ranging from responding to the floods in KwaZulu-Natal Province and other areas, to supporting programmes on gender-based violence, youth, among others. These highlights are a fraction of the ongoing, high impact work the UN has undertaken in the country. I look forward to collectively building on this work to create greater impact. Through multi stakeholder collaboration, whole-of-society approaches, and innovative approaches we can co-create people-centred and planet-sensitive solutions for South Africa. Here’s to a successful 2023 for the UN Family which must include, without compromise, impactful change towards a South Africa where no one is left behind and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Download a copy HERE. InFocus Magazine