Background

The Development Operations Coordination Office (DOCO) brings together the UN development system to promote change and innovation to deliver together on sustainable development. DOCO works under the leadership of the UNDG Chair and guidance of the UNDG. The team provides field evidence to inform policy, facilitates the achievement of shared results, and promotes excellence in UN leadership and coordination. The core objective is a relevant and impactful UN contribution to development.

DOCO works in close collaboration with the development, peacebuilding, humanitarian, human rights and administration arms of the UN and its partners, to ensure teamed-up efforts and results through the following:

• Provide ideas, analysis and advocacy on the UN’s common normative and operational agenda, including on integrated development policy;
• Develop and quality assure UNDG programme and operations methodology and instruments to facilitate the UN working together for development;
• Support UN development system coordination mechanisms at country and regional levels, including for Delivering as One;
• Support field practices on UN coordination and coherence, that result in improved efficiencies and impact;
• Support the UNDG Chair, regional UNDG Chairs, ASG Advisory Group and the UN Resident Coordinators in the discharge of their leadership and coordination responsibilities;
• Manage and facilitate inter-agency networks of expertise and knowledge sharing.

In the Directorate, the Director provides strategic leadership for DOCO, and advice and guidance to the UNDG Chair; oversees and leads efforts to implement the UNDG strategic priorities, and related coordination goals, and to meet DOCO’s Management and Accountability (M&A) system responsibilities. The Director ensures that DOCO meets its responsibilities to enable the UNDG at all levels to better support UN Country Teams and through the UN’s national partners in achieving international and national development priorities.

In meeting these responsibilities, the Director is supported by the Office of the Director. The Policy Advisor, under the direct supervision of the Director will support the Director in the following:

• Support to the UNDG Chair and ASG Advisory Group on substantive policy and strategic matters;
• The development and refinement of UNDG strategy and relevant GA/ECOSOC resolutions;
• Support to UNDG governance, strategic communication, policy data, policy analysis and review for delivery on evidence based reporting; and
• The overall strategic management functions of DOCO, including corporate planning and reporting.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of functions

• Strategic policy and analysis, and advisory support;
• UNDG coordination mechanisms and issued based initiatives;
• Strategic Advocacy;
• External relations.

Strategic policy and analysis, and advisory support

• Monitor and report on wider global and regional trends and developments relevant to the effective positioning and efficient functioning of the UNDG and UN operational activities for development;
• Lead strategic policy analysis in support of the effective contribution of DOCO and the UNDG in the key areas of UNDG substantive engagement;
• Provide strategic analysis with regards to the formulation and implementation of the UNDG strategic priorities and plans, including policy briefs on emerging issues as DOCO and/or with UN partners as required in collaboration with DOCO colleagues;
• Participate in strategic analysis, think pieces, briefs and reporting on matters pertaining to UNDG related policy, strategic priorities, work plans and working methods in collaboration with DOCO colleagues;
• Provide timely, high-quality advice to the DOCO Director and Deputy Director on strategic issues pertaining to DOCO’s mandate and interactions with high-level UN counterparts, Regional UNDG Team Chairs, and Resident Coordinators;
• Work closely with UNDG counterparts to prepare UNDG high-level meetings and troubleshoot to help facilitate implementation of outcomes, as appropriate.

UNDG coordination mechanisms and issued based initiatives

• Provide substantive secretariat support to the Sustainable Development Working Group;
• Provide substantive engagement on South-South Cooperation strategies, and the “data revolution” in relation to the sustainable development agenda;
• Support the UNDGand the UNDG ASG Advisory Group on the substantive development agenda as needed;
• Ensure inputs of DOCO teams to the sustainable development agenda through policy and analytics, and facilitate task teams in DOCO to work on issue-based initiatives.

Strategic Advocacy

• Lead DOCO strategic communications with external partners and oversee preparation of substantive advocacy products tailored to DOCO’s key stakeholders and partners in collaboration with DOCO colleagues;
• Participate in the preparation of inter-governmental corporate reporting requirements ensuring strategic alignment to overall communications on related matters.

External relations

• Follow intergovernmental processes relevant to the UNDG, and liaise regularly with UN Secretariat entities on the policy agenda and related matters;
• Engage with the permanent missions in NY, and support the DOCO Director as the primary focal point for relations with these partners;
• Provide advice and support to the Director in interactions with member states generally, and with donors who contribute to DOCO (including preparation of analyses and briefings as needed);
• Identify and propose opportunities to strengthen relationships, enhance donor interest in UNDG initiatives and expanding the DOCO resource base, including ongoing outreach and information-sharing initiatives;
• Establish and maintain open communication and relationships with representatives of member states, key managers and senior staff from UNDG member organizations, the UN Secretariat, and other entities to facilitate achievement of DOCO objectives and to advance UNDG strategic priorities for enhanced development coordination;
• On behalf of the Director, attend inter-governmental meetings; provide feedback to DOCO and to the full UNDG on results and their implications for achieving UNDG strategic priorities.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrates and promotes the highest standards of integrity, impartiality, fairness and incorruptibility in all matters affecting his/her work, acting as a role model for all staff;
• Advocates and promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of the UN;
• Ensures an organizational environment that respects diversity, gender equality and cultural sensitivity, and fosters openness to diverse perspectives;
• Treats all people fairly and without favoritism;
• Promotes and enforces organizational policies that increase diversity and ensure equity in the UN;
• Builds staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation; empowers and motivates team members;
• Builds, motivates and promotes effective team(s); supports and promotes inter-agency cooperation and recognizes participation of staff in cross-functional and inter-agency teams;
• Communicates strategic direction to team(s) and external stakeholders effectively; creates an environment of open communication, and encourages others to be diplomatic and use tact;
• Makes difficult and sensitive decisions clearly and appropriately, ensuring criteria and reasons for important decisions are communicated and explained to those affected;
• Creates, promotes and supports an enabling environment for  knowledge-sharing and learning in the organization; captures personal and team learning that makes it accessible to others;
• Acts as role model for positive handling of situations of potential conflict within and outside the organization.

Functional Competencies:

• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain inter-agency networks and partnerships;
• Strong knowledge and understanding of  RC system at field and Headquarters levels, including the inter-agency context;
• Broad understanding of talent management and leadership development issues at the country level;
• Keeps abreast of new developments in leadership development;
• Good understanding of UN common system, the UN reform, and roles of UNDG and DOCO and relevant international development partners and stakeholders at global, regional and country levels;
• Proven ability to coordinate and support formulation and development of policies, procedures and guidance, employing effective facilitation and consensus-building skills;
• Demonstrated political savvy and intellectual capacity to provide high-level coordination of policy development;
• Demonstrated ability to provide advice in the design and implementation of change strategies/processes, and to manage implementation effectively at the team/unit level;
• Demonstrated ability to adapt best management policies and practices to support the achievement of Unit/team goals;
• Demonstrated ability to lead team-and serve as a role model- in contributing to the development of approaches to capacity-building, knowledge management and organizational learning;
• Ability to lead effectively in the setting and achieving team priorities in a consultative process;
• Leverages the different experiences and expertise of team members to achieving better outcomes;
• Ability to write clearly and convincingly, adapting style and content to different audiences; speaks clearly and convincingly, demonstrating strong presentation and facilitation skills;
• Strong technical editing and writing skills;
• Proven ability to advise and develop strategic and operational solutions with clients; anticipates constraints in the delivery of services and identifies solutions.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in political, social, economic, business management or other related social science field is required.

Experience:

• At least ten years of relevant experience in strategic policy and research on development issues, with focus on evidence-based policy analysis, advisory services and communication;
• Of which ten years work experience guiding strategic direction, management and priority setting in an international public and/or private sector setting;
• Of which at least five years of experience working in a developing country context, preferably in a strategic policy capacity, with the UN or other international organization;
• Experience in UN inter-agency collaboration and coordination is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in oral and written English is required;
• Proficiency in another UN working language is desirable.

Selection Process:

Only candidates who pass the long listing process will be required to participate in a written test that will help define the finalists for apanel interview.