Development Coordination Officer, Head of RCO and Strategic Planner

Org. Setting and ReportingThe UN Secretary-General 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 Development Coordination Office (DCO) and reports to the two Resident Coordinators for Sudan and South Sudan. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Development Coordination Officer, Strategic Planning and RCO Team Leader will be responsible of the following duties: Summary of Functions: 1. Strengthen coordination mechanisms to, inter alia, maximize inclusion of key actors (UN, NGOs, partners and stakeholders) in order to support the transition from relief to recovery in Abyei. 2. Provides strategic guidance to the RC and UN Country Teams (UNCTs) for Sudan and South Sudan on effective, quality and timely UN support for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda through the Abyei Joint Strategy and Abyei Joint Programme. 3. Initiates and coordinates external partnerships and joint resource mobilization efforts for the new generation UNSDCF 4. Coordinates the Business Operations Strategy and contributes to business innovations. 5. Manages knowledge management and capacity development activities in and outside the UN System. 6. Leads overall management of the RCs Joint Coordination Office to ensure efficient and effective substantive coordination support to both RCs and adherence to organizational policies and procedures. Description of Functions: 1. Provides 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: • Provides substantive support to the RCs/UNCTs 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; • Prepares strategic inputs and develops draft recommendations to facilitate decision-making by the RCs/UNCTs in relation to repositioning of the UN System in both countries, especially related to the Standard Operating Procedures for Delivering as One; • Oversee the implementation of the Abyei Joint Strategy, through coordination of AFPs work in the programme delivery under the Strategy and provide regular updates to the RCs; • Drafts 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 Sudan and South Sudan; • Represent UN AFPs, where applicable, in various UNISFA’s forums including but not limited to Senior Management Group (SMG), Security Management Team (SMT), weekly briefings and other relevant foras; • Provides guidance to the RCs/UNCTs 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; • Facilitates close engagement across the humanitarian, development and peace domains, as required by the Abyei context; • Leads the identification, analysis and prioritization of joint programmatic work of UN entities in response to RCs/UNCT priorities and in line with the UNSDCF and the 2030 Agenda; • Facilitate the coordination for community peacebuilding activities to promote social cohesion and co- existence, provide analysis of the Abyei context, recovery situation and attention to addressing the underlying causes of conflict; • Coordinates the Abyei Joint Workplans; facilitates monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and reporting; • Facilitates the engagement of all agencies – resident and non-resident - and other relevant UN entities, including at Headquarters and at the (sub-)regional level in inter-agency fora and in discussions with external development partners and donors; • Facilitates coherence in the different intra-agency coordination bodies, including with Humanitarian Country Teams and the Security Management Team. 2. Initiates and coordinates external partnerships and joint resource mobilization effort: • Initiates and coordinates effective working relationships with national and international public and private partners to facilitate knowledge sharing in support of Abyei Joint Strategy development, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation; • Provides substantive support for positioning the UN as a key provider of integrated services and as a platform in support of the SDGs, Abyei Joint Programme in consultations with a broad range of stakeholders; • In close collaboration with both RCOs in Sudan and South Sudan, leads or participates in the formulation and implementation of the UN Partnership Strategy as well as the Resource Mobilization Strategy, and other initiatives in support of SDG achievement through the Abyei Joint Strategy/UNSDCF; • Leads or contributes to the design, formulation, implementation, monitoring and reporting of joint programming processes amongst UN entities; • Facilitates and coordinates joint resource mobilization and partnering efforts at country level; • Contributes to strategic messaging and communication on all development related issues in Abyei under the guidance of the two RCs. 3. Coordinates the Business Operations Strategy and contributes to business innovations: • In collaboration with the Operations Management Team (OMT), provides substantive support on business innovations for both RCs/UNCTs in Sudan and South Sudan; • Provides substantive inputs in formulating, implementing and monitoring the UNCTs Business Operations Strategy; • Facilitates a culture of continuous improvement and client-orientation in operational service delivery; • Provides guidance on the establishment of common services arrangements to participating organizations/agencies at the country level. 4. Manages knowledge management and capacity development activities in- and outside the UN System: • Facilitates the transfer of knowledge and effective communications across different UN and non-UN entities; • Leads the sharing of best practices, trends, knowledge and lessons learned across the UN system and with external partners; • Coordinates thematic activities and knowledge-sharing forums and encourages others to participate; • Contributes to knowledge sharing (including through training and facilitating peer exchange) amongst UN staff on issues related to UN strategic planning frameworks, methodologies and tools; • Monitors and analyzes UN experiences, lessons learned and knowledge networking to contribute to strategic planning processes. 5. Leads overall management of the JCO to ensure efficient and effective substantive coordination support to the RCs/UNCTs and adherence to organizational policies and procedures: • Provides support for the formulation and implementation of the substantive work programme of the UNCT; allocates and monitors JCO resources for delivery of outputs and reporting on results; • Manages the activities undertaken by the Joint Coordination Office, ensuring that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion; • In close collaboration with RCOs in Sudan and South Sudan, manages processes related to human and financial resource management, procurement, general administration, security, and information technology for the JCO; • Manages, guides and trains staff under his/her supervision; facilitates teamwork and communications among staff in the RCO and across organizational boundaries; • Promotes a work environment 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. CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: Ability to apply sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic resources on the internet, intranet and other databases. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. 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. TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in business or public administration, law, sustainable development, social sciences, education or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in strategic planning, sustainable development policy, project/programme management or resource mobilization in the context of development cooperation or related area is required. Experience in humanitarian and transition coordination and management in complex setting is desirable. Experience in information management and reporting is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage. \"Fluency equals a rating of \"Fluent\" in all four areas (read, speak, write and understand) and \"Knowledge of\" equals a rating of \"Confident\" in two of the four areas. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise, which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special NoticeThis position is temporarily available for until 31 December 2025. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. 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. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. 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