Resident Coordinator (South Africa)

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 implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The role involves coordination of UN operational activities, engagement with government and partners, and advancing sustainable development goals in South Africa.

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 (UNCT) in the development, monitoring and reporting on the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and enables its implementation in consultation with Government and partners.
• Coordinates UN system-wide support to Government, taking a preventive approach 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.
• 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, and multi-country initiatives to enhance 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 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.
• 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 in 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 abuse and harassment, and gender parity.
• Manages a matrixed dual reporting system with UNCT heads regarding contributions to the Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and collective UN development results.
• Advances country-specific measures to promote UN common business operations for greater efficiencies and coherence.
• In humanitarian contexts without a designated Humanitarian Coordinator, leads and coordinates UN and humanitarian response efforts.
• In conflict and post-conflict settings, facilitates integration of UNCT work with peacekeeping or political missions to support resilience, prevention, peace and transition management.
• 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).
• Over 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 required. Senior-level inter-agency coordination experience may be considered in lieu of RC experience.
• Solid experience in the management and/or coordination of multi-sectoral humanitarian programmes, operations and advocacy at the country level and preferably in a multilateral context, is desirable.
• Demonstrated capacity for sound analysis, insight, and judgement, is desirable.
• Experience in engaging high-level actors, and in addressing situations across the peace-humanitarian-development-human rights nexus is desirable.
• Experience in collaborating with DPPA-DPO and/or other similar entities is desirable.
• Experience engaging with women’s groups 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 proficiency in reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Skills

• Development Studies
• International Relations
• Political Science
• Economics
• Social Sciences
• Human Rights
• Law
• Leadership
• International Development
• Human Rights Advocacy
• Rule of Law
• Peace-building
• Humanitarian Work
• Country-level program management
• Multi-sectoral humanitarian response
• Inter-agency Coordination
• Strategic Analysis
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Security Decision-Making
• Experience as Resident Coordinator

Languages

English