VACANCY: Senior Development Coordination Officer, Strategic Planning and RCO Team Leader

Senior Development Coordination Officer, Strategic Planning and RCO Team Leader

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.

Upon separation from service, including, but not limited to, expiration or termination of, or resignation from, a fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointment, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment on the basis of a temporary appointment for a period of 31 days following the separation. In the case of separation from service on retirement, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment for a period of three months following the separation. This equally applies, mutatis mutandis, with respect to a former or current staff member who has held or holds an appointment in another entity applying the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules and who applies for a temporary position with the Secretariat.

Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." 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.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

APPLY HERE