Resident Coordinator (Panama)

The Resident Coordinator is the highest ranking representative of the United Nations development system at the country level, responsible for leading United Nations country teams 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 high-level representation, coordination, advocacy, and strategic leadership to advance sustainable development goals in Panama.

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 the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Lead the UN country team (UNCT) in the development, monitoring and reporting 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 goals.
• Coordinate UN entities' contributions to context and trend analysis including Common Country Analysis and share findings with Government and Secretary-General.
• Promote and advocate for UN Charter values including human rights and gender equality and the SDG commitment to leave no one behind.
• Engage and forge strategic partnerships at national and sub-national levels with diverse entities including civil society, trade unions, private sector, parliamentarians, academia, media and development community.
• Advance regional knowledge-sharing, south-south and triangular exchanges, multi-country and transboundary initiatives for greater system-wide results.
• Identify and leverage expertise and assets from 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 in support of national capacity development.
• 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 the 2030 Agenda and generate public support.
• When appointed as Designated Official, ensure effective coordination of 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 Cooperation Framework and collective UN development results.
• Advance country-specific measures to promote UN common business operations for greater efficiencies and coherence.
• Lead and coordinate humanitarian response efforts when no separate Humanitarian Coordinator is designated, facilitating linkages between humanitarian and development programming.
• Facilitate integration of UNCT work with 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 (or a first level university degree with relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience in lieu of an advanced degree).
• Minimum 15 years of substantive experience and results in leadership roles at the international level.
• 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 management and/or coordination of humanitarian programmes, disaster, and emergency response, preferably at the country level is desirable.
• Strong political acumen is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience working with a broad range of stakeholders including senior government officials, diplomats, regional organizations, indigenous leaders and civil society representatives is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to provide insightful analysis to senior officials and identify situations that could warrant preventive action is desirable.
• Experience engaging with women’s groups 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 and Spanish required at UN Level III proficiency in reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Skills

• Development Studies
• International Relations
• Political Science
• Economics
• Social Sciences
• Human Rights
• Law
• Leadership at International Level
• Development Programme Management
• Human Rights Programmes
• Rule of Law
• Peace-building
• Humanitarian Work
• Country-level Program Coordination
• Humanitarian Programme Management
• Disaster Response
• Emergency Response
• Political Acumen
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Senior Government Liaison
• Diplomatic Relations
• Regional Organization Coordination
• Civil Society Engagement
• Preventive Action Analysis
• Women’s Groups Engagement
• Security Decision-Making
• Strategic Leadership
• UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework
• Advocacy
• Bilingual Communication English Spanish

Languages

English, Spanish