Development Coordinator (Kosovo)

The Development Coordinator in Kosovo leads and coordinates the United Nations Kosovo Team (UNKT) to support Kosovo in implementing the 2030 Agenda. The role involves high-level representation, coordination of UN operational activities for development, advocacy for the Sustainable Development Goals, and ensuring system-wide accountability and coherence in UN development efforts in Kosovo.

Responsibilities

• Represents the United Nations development system at the highest-levels of government and fosters engagement with government, civil society, bilateral and multilateral partners, academia and private sector to address Kosovo’s needs and advance the 2030 Agenda and SDGs.
• Ensures coordination of operational activities for development of the United Nations and system-wide response on the ground in support of Kosovo in its implementation of the 2030 Agenda as leader of the UN Kosovo Team (UNKT).
• Leads the UNKT in the development, monitoring and reporting on the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and enables its implementation in consultation with UNMIK, government, and partners.
• Coordinates UN development system support to government, taking a preventive approach and mitigating risks to SDG achievement.
• Supports and advocates for the work of UNKT member agencies and their representatives in Kosovo.
• Coordinates UN entities' contributions to context and trend analysis, including a high-quality Common Kosovo Analysis, sharing findings with government and Secretary-General.
• Promotes and advocates for UN Charter values, human rights, gender equality, and the SDG commitment to leave no one behind.
• Engages and forges strategic partnerships with diverse entities including civil society, trade unions, private sector, parliamentarians, academia, media, and development community.
• Advances regional knowledge-sharing, south-south and triangular exchanges, and regional initiatives for system-wide results on Agenda 2030.
• Identifies and leverages expertise and assets from across the UN development system to improve shared results and ensure alignment with Kosovo’s development needs.
• Provides governance and oversight of system-wide financing instruments in Kosovo and pursues funding for joint UN efforts and initiatives.
• Leads engagement on the UN's normative agenda supporting Kosovo’s capacity development in normative and operational areas.
• Fosters an enabling environment for collaboration, knowledge and data gathering, analysis and sharing to underpin UN contributions to Kosovo.
• Facilitates access to regional and global resources to advance innovation around financing and new technologies for sustainable development.
• Leads and enhances strategic communication to promote the 2030 Agenda and Kosovo’s sustainable development goals.
• When appointed as Designated Official, ensures effective coordination of security in Kosovo and leads the inter-agency Security Management Team.
• Promotes staff learning and implementation of staff rules and policies including prevention of sexual abuse and harassment, and gender parity.
• Manages a matrixed dual reporting system with UNKT heads regarding contributions to the Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and collective UN development results.
• Advances measures to promote UN common business operations in Kosovo for greater efficiencies and coherence.
• Leads and coordinates humanitarian response efforts when no separate Humanitarian Coordinator is designated, facilitating linkages between humanitarian and development programming.
• Facilitates coordination of UNKT work with UNMIK in line with UN Security Council resolution 1244/99 and the UN status neutral position on Kosovo.
• Manages and provides strategic guidance and oversight to the Development Coordinator’s Office.

Requirements

• Master's degree – or equivalent post graduate qualification – in development studies, international relations, political science, economics, social sciences, human rights, law or closely related fields (for otherwise suitably qualified candidates, a first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced post graduate university degree).
• Minimum 15 years of substantive experience and results in leadership roles at the international level is required (including five years of cumulative experience in development, human rights, rule of law, peace-building or humanitarian work at country level outside of one's own country).
• Previous RC experience is desirable.
• Previous experience as a senior official with accountability for security (for example UN Designated Official (DO) for Security or equivalent) or previous experience in security decision-making in a complex environment is desirable.
• Experience in the management and/or coordination of humanitarian programmes, disaster, and emergency response, preferably at the country level is desirable.
• Excellent political judgement and strong diplomatic skills, with prior experience navigating a politically sensitive environment as a senior official, is desirable.
• Proven ability to analyse socio-political developments and dynamics with a view to facilitating preventive action or identifying entry points for UN engagement is desirable.
• Excellent communication and advocacy skills and experience managing relations with government officials and local leaders is desirable.
• Previous experience working in or alongside a special political mission or peacekeeping operation is desirable.
• English is required at UN Level III for reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Skills

• Development Coordination
• International Relations
• Political Analysis
• Human Rights
• Rule of Law
• Peace-building
• Humanitarian Programme Management
• Disaster Response
• Emergency Response
• Security Decision-Making
• Political Judgment
• Diplomacy Skills
• Socio-Political Analysis
• Advocacy
• Government Relations
• UN System Coordination
• Senior Executive Leadership
• Peacekeeping Operations

Languages

English