Resident Coordinator (Senegal)

The Resident Coordinator is the highest ranking representative of the United Nations development system at the country level, responsible for leading UN country teams and ensuring system-wide accountability for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The role involves coordination of UN operational activities, engagement with government and partners, and advancing sustainable development goals in Senegal.

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).
• Ensures, as leader of the UN country team, the coordination of operational activities for development of the United Nations and system-wide response on the ground in support of countries in their implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
• Leads the UN country team (UNCT) in the development, monitoring and reporting on the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, and enables the UNCT’s implementation of the Framework 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 key findings with the Government and keeping the Secretary-General informed.
• Promotes and advocates for the fundamental values, standards and principles of the UN Charter, including respect for human rights and gender equality and advocacy on the SDG commitment to leave no one behind.
• Engages, convenes and forges strategic partnerships at the national and sub-national level with diverse entities including civil society, trade unions, private sector, parliamentarians, academia, media and think tanks.
• Advances regional knowledge-sharing and collaboration, south-south and triangular exchanges, multicountry and transboundary initiatives for greater 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 national development needs and priorities.
• Provides governance and oversight of system-wide country financing instruments and pursues funding for joint UN efforts and initiatives.
• Leads continued engagement on and pursuance of the UN's normative agenda in support of national capacity development.
• Fosters an enabling environment for collaboration, knowledge and data gathering, analysis and sharing to underpin UN contributions to sustainable development solutions.
• Facilitates access to national, regional and global resources to advance innovation around financing and new technologies for sustainable development.
• Leads and enhances strategic communication that advances UN system efforts and collective results to promote the 2030 Agenda.
• When appointed as Designated Official, ensures effective coordination of country level security and leads the inter-agency Security Management Team.
• Promotes and nurtures staff learning and the implementation of staff rules and policies, including on prevention of sexual abuse and harassment, and gender parity.
• Manages a matrixed dual reporting system with UNCT heads with respect to their contributions to the Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework objectives.
• Advances country-specific measures to promote UN common business operations to enable joint work and generate efficiencies.
• In contexts requiring humanitarian assistance and no designated Humanitarian Coordinator, leads and coordinates UN and humanitarian actors' response efforts.
• In conflict and post-conflict settings, facilitates integration of UNCT’s work with UN peacekeeping or political missions to contribute to resilience, prevention, sustaining peace and transition planning.
• 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 acumen, solid diplomatic skills, and experience working with senior government officials and diplomats are desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to provide insightful analysis/advice to UN senior officials and identify situations that could warrant preventive action, is desirable.
• Previous experience working closely and coordinating with DPPA, Special Representatives of the Secretary-General and/or a Regional Office (SPM), including supporting good offices is desirable.
• Experience engaging with women’s and youth’s groups, is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to engage with all relevant stakeholders, including with government representatives, donors and civil society 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.

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
• Peace-building
• Humanitarian Work
• Country-level Program Coordination
• Disaster Response
• Emergency Response Coordination
• Political Acumen
• Diplomacy Skills
• Senior Government Engagement
• UN Senior Official Advisory
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Security Decision-Making

Languages

English, French