Resident Coordinator (Eritrea)

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 coordinating UN support to countries in implementing the 2030 Agenda and fostering partnerships with government, civil society, and other stakeholders.

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 in the development, monitoring and reporting on the UN 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 the Common Country Analysis, sharing findings with government and the Secretary-General.
• Promote and advocate for the values, standards and principles of the UN Charter, 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 system-wide results on Agenda 2030.
• 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, 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 exploitation, abuse and harassment, and gender parity.
• Develop collective protection from sexual exploitation and abuse strategies and oversee their implementation.
• Manage a matrixed dual reporting system with UN country team heads regarding contributions to the UN Cooperation Framework and 2030 Agenda.
• Advance country-specific measures to promote UN common business operations for greater efficiencies and coherence.
• Lead and coordinate humanitarian response efforts where no separate Humanitarian Coordinator is designated, facilitating linkages between humanitarian and development programming.
• Facilitate integration of UN Country Team’s 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 postgraduate qualification in development studies, international relations, political science, economics, social sciences, human rights, law or closely related fields (a first level university degree with relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted 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.
• Previous experience as a senior official with accountability for security (e.g., UN Designated Official for Security) or experience in security decision-making in a complex environment is desirable.
• Experience in management and/or coordination of humanitarian programmes, disaster, and emergency response, preferably at country level is desirable.
• Excellent judgement and strong diplomatic skills are desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and build trust with government representatives, donors and civil society is desirable.
• Proven ability to analyse developments and dynamics to facilitate preventive action or identify entry points for UN engagement is desirable.
• Experience engaging with women and youth groups, including on local economic development, is desirable.
• English is required at UN Level III proficiency.
• Arabic is desirable at UN Level III proficiency.

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
• Security Decision-Making
• Humanitarian Coordination
• Disaster Response
• Emergency Response
• Diplomacy Skills
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Preventive Action Analysis
• UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework
• Government Relations
• Donor Engagement Strategies
• Civil Society Engagement

Languages

English, Arabic