DEVELOPMENT COORDINATION OFFICER, STRATEGIC PLANNING AND RCO TEAM LEADER

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. 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. This position is located within the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator (Head RCO) in Pristina, KOSOVO and reports to the UN Resident Coordinator (RC). ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Development Coordination Officer, Head of RCO, will be responsible for the following duties: 1. LEADS THE PROVISION OF STRATEGIC GUIDANCE TO THE DC AND UNKT OF EFFECTIVE, QUALITY, AND TIMELY UN SUPPORT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2030 AGENDA: • Leads and coordinates substantive support to the DC/UNKT in articulating and actively communicating a credible and convincing strategic vision for the UN, UN values, aligned with the 2030 Agenda and committed to the principles of universality, equality and leaving no one behind; • Provides strategic direction and develops recommendations to facilitate decision-making by the DC/UNKT to reposition the UN in Kosovo to advance the objectives of UN development system reform; • Develops policy recommendations to the DC/UNKT on the development, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of the UN Strategic Plan for Sustainable Development as the primary instrument for the planning and implementation of UN development activities in Kosovo; • Ensures effective guidance to the DC/UNKT 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; • Leads the identification, analysis, and prioritization of joint programmatic work of UN entities in response to Kosovo priorities and in line with the UN Strategic Plan for Sustainable Development and the 2030 Agenda; • Leads the coordination of the UN Strategic Plan for Sustainable Development through the Joint Workplan and results groups; directs monitoring, evaluation, learning (MEL) and reporting through the UNINFO platform; and guides preparation and provision of the annual UN Annual Results Report; • Promotes the engagement of all relevant agencies – with and without physical presence in Kosovo – 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 to the implementation of the UN Strategic Plan for Sustainable Development; • Ensures coherence across the different intra-agency coordination bodies, including with the UN Mission in Kosovo. 2. FACILITATES AND OVERSEES THE INITIATION, ESTABLISHMENT AND COORDINATION OF EXTERNAL PARTNERSHIPS AND JOINT RESOURCE MOBILIZATION EFFORTS FOR THE UN STRATEGIC PLAN FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: • Facilitates and oversees the initiation, establishment, and coordination of effective working relationships with local and international public and private partners to ensure knowledge sharing; • 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; • Oversees the formulation and implementation of the partnership approach as well as the resource mobilization strategy, and other initiatives in support of SDG achievement through the UN Strategic Plan for Sustainable Development; • Oversees strategic messaging and communication initiatives by DC/UNKT. 3. COORDINATES AND SUPPORTS ROLL-OUT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EFFICIENCY AGENDA: • In collaboration with the Operations Management Team (OMT), directs substantive support to the DC/UNKT on business innovations for the UN in Kosovo; • Provides substantive support to the DC and UNKT in formulating, implementing, and monitoring the UN Business Operations Strategy; • Supports the DC and the UNKT 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 Kosovo level in operations management team and represents the DC 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 DCO and in the UNKT. • Coordinates the effective communications within the DCO, in UNKT 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 DCO and UNKT to apply new ways of working, where relevant. 5. LEADS AND COORDINATES OVERALL MANAGEMENT OF THE DCO TO ENSURE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE SUBSTANTIVE COORDINATION SUPPORT TO THE DC/UNKT AND ADHERENCE TO ORGANIZATIONAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES: • Coordinates the formulation and implementation of the substantive work programme of the UNKT; allocates and monitors DCO resources for delivery of outputs and reporting on results; • Supervises the activities undertaken by the DCO and manage performance of DCO staff, ensuring that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion; • Within the sub-delegation authority, performs the role of certifying officer and approver role in UMOJA and INSPIRA over processes related to human and financial resource management, procurement, general administration, security, time management, and information technology for the DCO; • Manages, guides and trains staff under his/her supervision; promotes teamwork and communications among staff in the DCO and across organizational boundaries; ensures staff complete mandatory trainings and UMOJA certifications • Establishes and maintains a work environment in the DC 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. • Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Ensures that requirements, background information used for data analysis are documented. • Performs other related tasks as assigned. CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: 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. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and proficiency in 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. COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style, and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. 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. JUDGMENT/DECISION-MAKING: Identifies key issues in complex situations, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in business or public administration, sustainable development, social sciences, 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. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of seven (7) 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 coordination on the context of development cooperation or related area and experience in team leadership and management is required. Experience in UN interagency coordination is required. Experience in designing and implementing UN cooperation frameworks, partnership and resources mobilization strategies is required. Experience in conflict, post-conflict, and mission settings is desirable. Experience in promoting knowledge management in the context of development cooperation is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position fluency in English language is required; knowledge of Albanian and/or Serbian is an advantage. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable. NOTE: \"Fluency equals a rating of \"fluent\" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand)and \"Knowledge of\" equals a rating of \"confident\" in two of the four areas. AssessmentEvaluation 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 (MS Teams) or in-person where possible. Special NoticeThis is a Temporary Job Opening. This appointment is for a limited duration, available until 31st October 2025, and does not carry any expectation, either legal or otherwise, of renewal. Extension of appointment is subject to legislative body funding availability. Candidates for the National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located. National Professional Officers are nationals of the country in which they are serving, and their functions must have a national context, i.e. functions that require national experience or knowledge of the national language, culture, institutions, and systems. THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO NATIONALS OF KOSOVO ONLY. The 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, KOSOVO nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, in which case the candidate would be responsible for any costs related to traveling and relocating to Kosovo in the event of an employment offer. 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. 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. 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. 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. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. Online 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. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira \"Need Help?\" link. United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. 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