Resident Coordinator (Lao People's Democratic Republic)

The Resident Coordinator is the highest ranking representative of the United Nations development system at the country level, responsible for leading the UN country team and ensuring system-wide accountability for the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and coordinating UN support to countries in their implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The role involves engagement with government, civil society, partners, and the private sector to advance sustainable development goals and foster collaboration across the UN system.

Responsibilities

• Represent the United Nations at the highest levels of state and foster engagement with Government, civil society, bilateral and multilateral partners, academia and private sector to advance the 2030 Agenda and advocate for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Lead the UN country team (UNCT) in coordinating operational activities for development and system-wide response to support countries in implementing the 2030 Agenda.
• Develop, monitor and report on the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and enable its implementation in consultation with Government and partners.
• Coordinate UN system-wide support to Government, taking a preventive approach and mitigating risks to SDG achievement.
• Support and advocate for the work of UNCT member agencies and support Country Representatives in reaching agency-specific goals.
• Coordinate UN entities' contributions to context and trend analysis, including Common Country Analysis, sharing findings with Government and Secretary-General.
• Promote and advocate for UN Charter values, human rights, gender equality, and the SDG commitment to leave no one behind.
• Engage and forge strategic partnerships nationally and sub-nationally with diverse entities including civil society, private sector, parliamentarians, academia, media and development community.
• Advance regional knowledge-sharing, south-south and triangular exchanges, multi-country and transboundary initiatives for system-wide results on Agenda 2030.
• Leverage expertise and assets across the UN development system to improve shared results and ensure alignment with national development priorities.
• Provide governance and oversight of system-wide country financing instruments and pursue funding for joint UN efforts and initiatives.
• Lead engagement on the UN's normative agenda supporting national capacity development in normative and operational areas.
• Foster an enabling environment for collaboration, knowledge and data sharing to underpin UN contributions to sustainable development solutions.
• Facilitate access to national, regional and global resources to advance innovation in financing and technologies for sustainable development.
• Lead and enhance strategic communication to promote UN system efforts and collective results on the 2030 Agenda.
• When appointed as Designated Official, coordinate country level security and lead the inter-agency Security Management Team.
• Promote staff learning and implementation of staff rules and policies including prevention of sexual abuse and harassment and gender parity.
• Manage a matrixed dual reporting system with UNCT heads regarding contributions to the Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and collective UN development system results.
• Advance country-specific measures to promote UN common business operations for greater efficiencies and coherence.
• Lead and coordinate humanitarian response efforts in contexts requiring international humanitarian assistance when no Humanitarian Coordinator is designated.
• Facilitate integration of UNCT work with UN peacekeeping or political missions in conflict and post-conflict settings.
• Manage and provide strategic guidance and oversight to the Resident Coordinators 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. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced post graduate degree for otherwise suitably qualified candidates.
• Minimum 15 years of substantive experience and results in leadership roles at the international level is required.
• At least 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 Resident Coordinator experience is desirable.
• Experience in the management and/or coordination of humanitarian programmes, disaster, and emergency response, preferably at the country level is desirable.
• Strong political acumen and experience working with senior government officials and diplomats is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to provide insightful analysis to senior officials and identify situations that could warrant preventive action is desirable.
• Previous experience as a senior official with accountability for security or previous experience in security decision-making in a complex environment is desirable.
• English language proficiency at UN Level III for reading, writing, listening and speaking is required.

Skills

• Development Studies
• International Relations
• Political Science
• Economics
• Social Sciences
• Human Rights
• Law
• Leadership at International Level
• Development Work
• Human Rights Work
• Rule of Law
• Peace-building
• Humanitarian Work
• Country-level program management
• Humanitarian Coordination
• Disaster Response
• Emergency Response
• Political Acumen
• Government Relations
• Diplomatic Engagement
• Security Decision-Making
• UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework
• Stakeholder Engagement
• English Language Proficiency

Languages

English