Development Coordination Officer, UN Transitions

Org. Setting and ReportingIn its Resolution A/RES/72/279, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the transformation of the Development Operations Coordination Office (DCO) as a stand-alone coordination office within the United Nations Secretariat. DCO exercises managerial and oversight functions of the resident coordinator system under the collective ownership of the members of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG). The position is located in United Nations Development Coordination Office in New York. The incumbent reports to the Chief of the Programme Section in the Policy and Programming Branch. The incumbent shall work closely with colleagues working on humanitarian- development collaboration and on prevention/sustaining peace. UN Transitions are complex, inherently political and strategic processes that present a moment of heightened risk and uncertainty to the host country and the United Nations. The withdrawal of a UN mission, or reconfiguration from one type of UN mission to another, signals a critical phase in a country’s journey toward resilient peace. How these transitions are planned for and managed can be a determining factor in the consolidation of progress made on peace and development. The 2018 Secretary-General Planning’s Directive sets out the expectations regarding the planning and management of UN transition processes, including those resulting from the drawdown or withdrawal of a multidimensional peace operation or a transition from a multidimensional peacekeeping operation to a smaller peacekeeping mission, special political mission or UN Country Team (UNCT) only presence. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Development Coordination Officer, UN Transitions settings, is responsible for the following: • Provides guidance and support to Resident Coordinators (RCs) and UN Country Team (UNCTs), and Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) in UN mission settings, including on UN transition planning and cross-pillar collaboration towards sustainable development. • Guides RCs and RCOs to facilitate strategic and pro-active engagement by UNCTs in UN transition planning. • Provides strategic support to the RC and RCO to facilitate strategic and pro-active engagement by UNCTs in UN transition planning. • Provide policy, technical and operational advice on the development of the Transition Plan with UNCT members in alignment with UN strategic planning priorities outlined in the UN Common Country Analysis (CCA), the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and Integrated Strategic Frameworks (ISFs). • At HQ level, represents UNDCO in the joint analytical and planning initiatives of the relevant Secretariat entities, Agencies, Funds and Programmes in UN mission settings • Provides thematic support on UN transitions, integration and related issues to the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) and other coordination groups, including the drafting of policies or facilitation of processes that may be requested by the UNSDG or its bodies. • Builds partnerships with relevant offices in the Department of Peacebuilding and Political Affairs (DPPA), Department of Peace Operations (DPO), the Department of Operational Support (DOS) and the Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) in order to contribute development-oriented inputs into the design of political and programmatic strategies for mission and transition settings. • Actively supports and engages in the joint UN transition and integrated planning processes. This includes covering country-specific HQ coordination bodies as requested by DCO (either DCO New York or relevant Regional offices). • Contributes to the development of joint UN transition planning methodologies; participates in the Working Group on UN Transitions. • Contributes to the development of joint UN integrated planning methodologies, tracks and supports DCO's participation in the Integration Working Group • Provides advice to the peacekeeping and special political missions and members of the UNCT on entity-specific UN transition and integrated planning approaches. • Facilitates and supports joint UN lessons learned activities associated with mission transition and integration processes. • Contributes to knowledge sharing amongst UN staff (primarily through training and peer exchange) on issues relating to UN development system reform and its application in mission settings. • Contributes to, monitors and reports on implementation of DCO guidance related to transition, integration and mission setting issues and proposes revisions. • Produces timely and quality analytical products linking UN transition and integration issues to broader cross-pillar Humananitarian, Development and Peace (HDP) collaboration. • Promotes the incorporation of peacebuilding and development dimensions in UN transition planning. • Promotes linkages with peace-building and humanitarian policy, planning and programming, including with regard to prevention and disaster risk reduction (DRR). • Forges and maintains strong cross-pillar partnerships with other parts of the UN System with a view of ensuring integrated cross-pillar support to RCs, RCOs, and UNCTs. • Engages with and facilitates system-wide and cross-pillar programme and policy guidance and support to RCs, RCOs and UNCTs working in integrated mission settings, ensuring an effective policy-practice feedback loop on HDP nexus matters. • Fosters and nourishes strategic partnerships for effective UN transition planning. • Keeps abreast of latest emerging trends and innovative approaches in focus area. • Prepares policy position papers on UN transition, integration and sustainable development issues. Assists in the preparation of reports, studies, background papers, policy guidelines, correspondence, presentations, background papers, policy guidelines, parliamentary documents, etc. • Serves as the primary focal point on specific topics or policy-related issues; keeps abreast of the latest developments, liaises with humanitarian organizations, donors, etc., ensures appropriate monitoring and reporting mechanisms; provides information and advice on a range of related issues. • Contributes to work-planning and preparation of Section budget and work programme. • Provides leadership and work direction to assigned work team and/or mentees; supervises the work of junior officers. • Performs other related duties, as required. CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of wide range of UN operations in complex settings, including humanitarian, development, human rights and peacebuilding nexus issues. Conceptual and strategic analytical capacity, to include ability to analyze and articulate the interconnected humanitarian-development-peace dimensions of complex crisis contexts that require a coordinated UN response. Demonstrated problem-solving skills and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of complex issues/problems. Ability to negotiate and to influence others to reach agreement. Ability to work under pressure. Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to UN peace operations, and knowledge of the institutions of the UN system. Demonstrated ability to complete in-depth studies and to formulate conclusions/recommendations. 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) in political science, social science, public administration, international studies, economics, engineering, earth sciences or a related field. 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 sustainable development in conflict or humanitarian settings is required. A minimum of two years of experience in peace and security is required. Experience with programs to make the transition from humanitarian or post-conflict support to development is desirable. Experience in knowledge management is desirable. Experience working on the nexus of peace, development and humanitarian affairs is desirable. Experience in the United Nations system or a comparable international organization is desirable. Field experience in development cooperation or mission settings is desirable. Experience with inter-agency or interorganizational collaboration and coordination in the development sector is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. French is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).