Resident Coordinator (Namibia)

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 UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. The role involves coordination of UN support to countries in implementing the 2030 Agenda, fostering partnerships, and advocating for sustainable development goals.

Responsibilities

• Represents the United Nations at the highest-levels of state and fosters engagement with Government, civil society, bilateral and multilateral partners, academia and private sector to advance the 2030 Agenda and advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Leads the UN country team in the development, monitoring and reporting on the UN Cooperation Framework and enables its implementation in consultation with Government and partners.
• Coordinates UN system-wide support to Government, taking a preventive approach and identifying and mitigating risks to the achievement of the SDGs.
• Supports and advocates for the work of UNCT member agencies and supports Country Representatives in reaching their agency-specific goals.
• Coordinates UN entities’ contributions to context and trend analysis, including a high-quality Common Country Analysis, sharing findings with Government and the Secretary-General.
• Promotes and advocates for the fundamental values, standards and principles of the UN Charter, including human rights and gender equality, and the SDG commitment to leave no one behind.
• Engages and forges strategic partnerships at national and sub-national levels with diverse entities including civil society, trade unions, private sector, parliamentarians, academia, media and the development community.
• Advances regional knowledge-sharing, south-south and triangular exchanges, multi-country and transboundary initiatives for greater system-wide results.
• Identifies and leverages expertise and assets from across the UN development system to improve shared results and ensure alignment with national development priorities.
• Provides governance and oversight of system-wide country financing instruments and pursues funding for joint UN efforts and initiatives.
• Leads engagement on the UN’s normative agenda in support of national capacity development in normative and operational areas.
• Fosters an enabling environment for collaboration, knowledge and data sharing to underpin UN contributions to sustainable development solutions.
• Facilitates access to national, regional and global resources to advance innovation around financing and technologies for sustainable development.
• Leads and enhances strategic communication to promote the 2030 Agenda and generate public support.
• When appointed as Designated Official, ensures effective coordination of country-level security and leads the inter-agency Security Management Team.
• Promotes staff learning and implementation of staff rules and policies including prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, and gender parity.
• Manages a matrixed dual reporting system with UN country team heads regarding contributions to the UN Cooperation Framework and collective results.
• Advances country-specific measures to promote UN common business operations for greater efficiencies and coherence.
• Leads and coordinates humanitarian response efforts in contexts without a designated Humanitarian Coordinator or lead agency.
• Facilitates integration of UN Country Team’s work with peacekeeping or political missions in conflict and post-conflict settings.
• Manages and provides 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 (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.
• Experience in the management and/or coordination of humanitarian programmes, disaster, and emergency response, preferably at the country level is desirable.
• Strong political 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 (for example UN Designated Official (DO) for Security or equivalent) or previous experience in security decision-making in a complex environment is desirable.
• English is required at UN Level III for reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Skills

• Development Studies
• International Relations
• Political Science
• Economics
• Social Sciences
• Human Rights
• Law
• Leadership at International Level
• Development Project Management
• Human Rights Program Management
• Rule of Law Implementation
• Peace-building
• Humanitarian Work
• Country-level Program Coordination
• Disaster Response
• Emergency Response Coordination
• Political Engagement with Government Officials
• Diplomatic Relations
• Security Decision-Making
• Security Management
• UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework
• Partnership Building
• Advocacy for Sustainable Development Goals

Languages

English