Head of Resident Coordinator Office

Org. Setting and ReportingTo ensure a United Nations that is fit-for-purpose to deliver on the ambition of the SDGs, the General Assembly adopted the most far-reaching development reforms in the history of the organization in May 2018. At the core of resolution 72/279 was the establishment of a reinvigorated, independent, impartial, and empowered Resident Coordinator (RC) system to support a new generation of UN country teams (UNCTs). A critical investment in RC system capacities is the strengthening of the Development Coordination Office (DCO), including, for the first time, at the regional level. The DCO Regional teams play a pivotal role in supporting the work of RCs, RC Offices (RCOs), and UNCTs and facilitating coordination of the UN's regional assets to deliver efficient and effective operational activities at the country level and in cross-border settings. The DCO Regional teams are part of DCO headquarters capacities, located in the same region as the countries within their remit. The Regional Director reports to the Assistant Secretary- General (ASG) and Director, DCO, as First Reporting Officer, and to the Chair of the Regional UN Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) as Second Reporting Officer. The position is located in the United Nations Resident Coordination Office (RCO) in Gaborone, Botswana and reports to the UN Resident Coordinator (RC). The Head of the RCO manages the resources of the Office to provide support to the Resident Coordinator and the UNCT on sustainable development analysis, 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. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Development Coordination Officer, Strategic Planning and RCO Team Leader will be responsible of the following duties: (These duties are generic and may not be carried out by all Development Coordination Officers, Strategic Planning and Team Leader.) Summary of Functions: 1. Provides strategic support and guidance to the RC and UN Country Team (UNCT) on effective, quality and timely UN support for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda through the Common Country Analysis (CCA) and UN Sustainable Development cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2. Initiates and coordinates external partnerships and joint resource mobilization efforts for the new generation UNSDCF 3. Coordinates the Business Operations Strategy and contributes to business innovations 4. Manages knowledge management and capacity development activities in and outside the UN System 5. Leads overall management of the RCO to ensure efficient and effective substantive coordination support to the RC/UNCT 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 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; • Prepares strategic inputs and develops draft recommendations to facilitate decision-making by the RC/UNCT in relation to repositioning of the UN System in country, especially related to the Standard Operating Procedures for Delivering as One; • Drafts policy recommendations to the RC/UNCT on the development, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of the new generation CCA/UNDAF as the primary instrument for the planning and implementation of UN development activities in country; • Provides 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; • Facilitates an integrated approach to sustainable development and provide strategic foresight in the context of Botswana; • Leads the identification, analysis and prioritization of joint programmatic work of UN entities in response to national priorities and in line with the UNDAF and the 2030 Agenda, Pact for the Future, outcomes of the FfD4 & WSSD2 and other major UN conferences relevant to Botswana, based on analysis carried out by the Sustainable Development Policy Advisor; • Coordinates the UNSDCF and Joint Workplans; facilitates UNSDCF monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and reporting through UNINFO; organizes preparation and provision of the annual One UN Country Results Report to the Government and other stakeholders; • 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 partners; • Facilitates coherence in the different intra-agency coordination bodies, including with Humanitarian Country Teams and the Security Management Team, as applicable. 2. Initiates and coordinates external partnerships and joint resource mobilization efforts for the new generation UNSDCF • Initiates and coordinates effective working relationships with national and international public and private partners to facilitate knowledge sharing in support of CCA/UNDAF 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, in consultations with a broad range of stakeholders; • In close collaboration with the Development Partnerships Officer, 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 UNDAF; • Leads or contributes to the design, formulation, implementation, monitoring and reporting of joint programming processes amongst UN entities; • Based on UNDAF and joint programmes, facilitates and coordinates joint resource mobilization and partnering efforts at country level; • Manages and monitors the implementation of the SDG Country Fund (where relevant) in support of the UNDAF and SDG acceleration; • Contributes to strategic messaging and communication initiatives by RC/UNCT. 3. Coordinates the Business Operations Strategy and contributes to business innovations • In collaboration with the Operations Management Team (OMT), provides substantive support to the RC/UNCT on business innovations for the UN in country; • Provides substantive inputs in formulating, implementing and monitoring the UN Country Business Operations Strategy; • Assists the OMT in implementing common premises, and in establishing a common back office for location-dependent services; • 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 RCO to ensure efficient and effective substantive coordination support to the RC/UNCT 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 RCO resources for delivery of outputs and reporting on results; • Manages the activities undertaken by the RCO, ensuring that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion; • In close collaboration with UNDP, manages processes related to human and financial resource management, procurement, general administration, security, and information technology for the RCO; • 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 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. 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. CREATIVITY: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in business or public administration, 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 years of progressively responsible experience in strategic planning, sustainable development policy, project/programme management in the context of development cooperation or related areas is required. Experience with multi-stakeholder coordination in the context of development cooperation or related areas is required. Experience in designing and implementing partnership and resources mobilization strategies is desirable. Experience in preparing SDG monitoring reports or cooperation framework is desirable. Experience coordinating diverse stakeholders at the country level is desirable. Experience in promoting knowledge management, foresight and system thinking in the context of development cooperation is desirable. Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. 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).