>REGIONAL DIRECTOR, Arab States (Development Coordination Office), D2 (Temporary Job Opening)
>REGIONAL DIRECTOR, Arab States (Development Coordination Office), D2 (Temporary Job Opening)
Org. Setting and Reporting
To ensure a United Nations that is fit-for-purpose to deliver on the ambition of the SDGs, the
General Assembly adopted the most far-reaching development reforms in the history of the
organization in May 2018. At the core of resolution 72/279 was the establishment of a
reinvigorated, independent, impartial, and empowered Resident Coordinator (RC) system to
support a new generation of UN country teams (UNCTs).
A critical investment in RC system capacities is the strengthening of the Development
Coordination Office (DCO), including, for the first time, at the regional level. The DCO
Regional teams play a pivotal role in supporting the work of RCs, RC Offices (RCOs), and
UNCTs and facilitating coordination of the UN's regional assets to deliver efficient and
effective operational activities at the country level and in cross-border settings.
The DCO Regional teams are part of DCO headquarters capacities, located in the same region
as the countries within their remit. The Regional Director reports to the Assistant Secretary-
General (ASG) and Director, DCO, as First Reporting Officer, and to the Chair of the
Regional UN Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) as Second Reporting Officer.
Responsibilities
The primary role of the DCO regional teams is to channel strategic support to Resident
Coordinators (RC) and UN country teams (UNCT), and foster interaction, cross-region
sharing of experience, and synergies among RCs / UNCTs to advance the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development and the SDGs.
Within delegated authority, the Regional Director will be responsible for the following:
• Directs and manages the DCO Regional team, including management of the
work programme and resources, ensuring relevant links with counterparts in other regions and with
DCO New York.
• Provides strategic support to RC leadership and support RC offices to deliver on their
functions, responding to RC/UNCT queries and requests for support, guidance and strategic
advice.
• Manages day-to-day operations of the RC system in the region, including operational
backstopping of RCOs in collaboration with DCO New York.
• Supports the Assistant Secretary-General for Development Coordination in performance
management of RCs at the D1 and D2 level.
• Provides strategic guidance to UNCTs to ensure quality and timely support to Member
States in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
• Provides leadership and strategic thinking to identify existing and emerging development
challenges and priorities in the region and advises the UNSDG on emerging regional issues.
• Engages with DCO New York and the UN development system partners at the regional level
to facilitate enhanced tailored support to RCs/UNCTs in crisis/complex settings, and support
the integration of UNCT work with UN peace operations and Special Political Missions, as
relevant.
• Provides effective Secretariat support to the Regional Collaboration Platform (RCP) and its
associated subsidiary bodies. Coordinate engagement of RCs and UNCTs with the RCP,
enabling access to regional UN expertise.
• Promotes regional level knowledge exchange, including through regional and global RCO
communities of practice.
• Chairs the regional Peer Support Group to ensure high quality Common Country
Assessments and Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks.
• Supports RCs in implementing the Management and Accountability Framework at the
country level and manage the UNCT dispute resolution mechanism in the region
• Promotes and supports the roll-out of common operational services initiatives/business
innovation at the country and regional level, contributing to enhanced efficiency gains.
Support RCs and UNCTs in their efforts to establish SDG-related partnerships with external
partners at regional levels, including with IFIs, international organizations, CSOs and private
sector, at the request of RCs/UNCTs.
• Reports on regional results and provides support and quality control to RCs, UNCTs, and
RCOs in the region on planning, monitoring and results-reporting tools.
• Supports, tracks and reports on implementation of UN reform initiatives in the region.
• Contributes to the formulation of DCO strategies and policies by participating in the Senior
Management Team and various committees, preparing documents on policy issues, and
acting, as required, in an advisory capacity to the Director and Deputy Director of DCO;
contributes to the overall management of the Office's activities and operations.
• Facilitates DCO engagement with host Governments, donors and counterparts; chairs
meetings and seminars on substantive issues; represents the Organization at international,
regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars and conferences, providing expertise, as needed.
• Performs other related duties as requested by the senior management of the Organization.
Competencies
• Professionalism: Knowledge of the substantive field of work in general and of specific areas being supervised. Shows ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Shows ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
• Planning& Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates
appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for
contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time
efficiently.
• Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
• Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.
• Judgement/decision making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly. Gathers relevant information before making a decision. Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. Checks assumptions against facts. Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in international relations or public administration, law, social sciences or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
Over fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in the management and
coordination of development cooperation is required.
A minimum of ten years of experience serving in leadership positions in the field (outside the
candidate's country of origin) is desired.
A minimum of 5 years' experience serving in international and/or multi-lateral organizations is desired.
Experience serving in a senior management role in the United Nations is desired.
Experience in delivering sustainable development policy and programme results is desired.
Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams to effect change and deliver joint results is desired.
Experience managing multi-cultural teams is desired.
Experience serving as a UN Resident Coordinator is desired.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
• This position is temporarily available for three months. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their
careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff.
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of
staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity,
with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of
qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse
and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff
regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic
backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may
be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated
in the application.
For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or
underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 January 2022, are strongly encouraged to
apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei
Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, China, Comoros, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People's
Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau,
Haiti, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia,
Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia,
Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea,
Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa,
San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan,
Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America,
Vanuatu, Viet Nam.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount
consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards
of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment
with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law,
violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual
harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the
commission of any of these acts. The term "sexual exploitation" means any actual or
attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes,
including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual
exploitation of another. The term "sexual abuse" means the actual or threatened physical
intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The
term "sexual harassment" means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might
reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct
interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or
offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of
the perpetrator's working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than
minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical
basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and
women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and
subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the
necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By
accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority
of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the
United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally
recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions
within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment
platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the
Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on "Manuals" hyper-link on the upper right side
of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in
the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable
internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations,
resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative
issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information
pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in
inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion,
revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates
under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the
information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time)
on the deadline date.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE
RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING,
OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH
INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS' BANK ACCOUNTS.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
