Antecedentes

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the UN Resident Coordinator, the Head, UN Coordination Office, will lead efforts to strengthen the capacity of the UN Country Team and provide support to the RC in coordinating and planning an integrated UN response to national development priorities – in line with UN reform objectives, the MDGs and the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), for Egypt, as well as emerging priorities.

The incumbent will lead the coordination of activities emanating from the RC Office, setting priorities, and ensuring follow-up and feedback; and identifying and recommending proposals and actions for enhancing inter-agency coordination in line with UN reform objectives, the simplification and harmonization procedures and, as appropriate, initiating actions for implementation.

The Head of the Coordination Office works in close collaboration with the Resident Coordinator and UNCT members, programme and operations teams of the agencies, UNDOCO staff and government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful planning and implementation of UNCT activities.

Deberes y responsabilidades

Provides policy guidance and support to RC based on analysis of development and political trends and their possible impact on UN work, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Through analysis and research of political, social and economic situation in country, advise RC on developments having consequences for UN agencies’ work and priorities;
• Support and coordinate the process of continuously identifying, analyzing and prioritizing needs in Egypt in order to facilitate an appropriate, coherent programmatic response by UNCT, reflecting RC Work Plan, UNDAF priorities and MDGs;
• Support and facilitate assessments and other analytical work to help determine UNCT strategy and priorities, reflecting the overall framework of UNDAF and MDGs;
• Advise on adjusting strategies and implementation modalities, cost-effective and efficient implementation of joint UN programmes, common services and other UN functions;
• Support and facilitate the RC in defining the UN’s role, priorities and strategies and the various coordination mechanisms, including support to lead agencies of Theme Groups and Inter-Agency Task Forces.
• Monitor relevant developments in the General Assembly, Security Council, and within the peace and security departments of the United Nations HQ;

Manages strategic planning process, providing input and guidance in the design of RC Work Plan, in line with UNDAF, national MDG action plan, and based on analysis of UN reform and Paris Declaration objectives, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Support RC in preparation and coordination of RC Work Plan, based on assessments and other identified priorities and strategies;
• Provide strategic guidance and technical support to RC in strengthening capacity of UNCT to continuously design, coordinate and implement joint development assistance initiatives;
• Support RC and UNCT in the preparation of a Common Country Assessment (CCA) and preparation of UNDAF, annual and midterm reviews, when appropriate;
• Ensure appropriate linkages are made to other ongoing initiatives – e.g., preparation of the national budget, PRSPs, donor strategies, etc.;
• Ensure synergies of UNCT on institutional and organizational issues to promote a united and coherent UN system, consistent with the organizational mandate;
• Draw upon other UN experiences, lessons learned and knowledge networking to provide contributions to UNCT decision-making and learning;
• Promote use of simplification and harmonization strategies, including opening of common premises, etc., in order to reduce burden on national partners and maximize effectiveness of integrated UN operations.
• Work closely with the Ministry of International Cooperation in ensuring implementation of UNDAF Monitoring and Evaluation system.

Oversees and manages the work of UN Coordination Office staff:

• Oversee, manage and guide the work of the UN Coordination Office, a team of staff members working in inter-agency coordination, donor coordination, joint programming, and United Nations Volunteers activities, under the overall guidance of the Resident Coordinator and the United Nations Development Operations Coordination Office (UNDOCO) and based on the RC Annual Work Plan, UNDAF and the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness;
• Advise and guide staff on the theory, practice and implementation of UN and donor coordination activities, including but not limited to CCA/UNDAF processes, UNDAF annual and midterm reviews, UNDAF M&E, joint programming and programmes (including the MDG Spanish Fund), aid coordination principles as spelled out in the Paris and Accra Declarations;
• Guide staff in partnership building and strategic interaction with national partners, donor aid agencies, civil society and the private sector, adhering to UN principles and values.

Oversees formulation and implementation of UN Country Team (UNCT) communications strategy and plan:

• Focus on crafting proper branding and messaging, demonstrating the concrete, measurable contributions of the UN family in addressing Egypt’s development priorities and in achieving tangible results that translate into positive impact in people’s lives;
• Ensure (1) tracking of latest developments and issues on UN reform in the media, UN system and other partners that require attention and on which UN system should respond; (2) drafting of speeches for the RC on inter-agency initiatives, (3) improving the internal and external websites (4) development and production of a trimestrial UNCT Newsletter.

Oversees planning strategic engagement with non-resident UN agencies, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Based on country assessment and needs, pinpoint areas and gaps where non-resident UN agencies (NRAs) could play a role;
• Establish links to non-resident agencies in technical areas not covered by the UNCT and facilitate inputs from NRAs to joint planning, and ensure that NRAs are informed and participating to UNCT initiatives.

Facilitates knowledge building and management, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Identify sources of information related to coordination, and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to country policy goals;
• Identify national policies and institutions that require strengthening to ensure effective UNDAF implementation and provision of advice in close consultation with UNCT;
• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
• Organize trainings for UN staff on coordination issues.

Acts as focal point for High Level missions:

•  Coordinate and organize high-level UN missions to Egypt in collaboration with the UN Department for Safety and Security (DSS), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Protocol Department and UNDP Operations;
• Act as focal point for the coordination of UN system-wide related international and regional conferences.

Competencias

Core Competencies:

• Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;
• Building support and political acumen;
• Building and promoting effective teams;
• Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
• Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards;
• Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning;
• Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Functional Competencies:

Communication:

• Excellent English verbal expression and drafting skills;
• Knowledge of Arabic an asset;
• Ability to generate professional high-quality documents and products under tight time constraints and to defend and negotiate difficult issues and positions to senior staff and officials.

Teamwork:

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build multi-cultural teams;
• Recognizes and responds appropriately to the ideas, interests and concerns of others;
• Builds trust and engenders morale by displaying open, transparent and credible behavior;
• Respects individual/cultural differences;
• Utilizes diversity to foster teamwork;
• Ensures others’ understanding of, involvement in, adaptation to a change process;
• Sets clear performance goals and standards;
• Executes responsibilities accordingly;
• Provides and responds constructively to feedback (correction or recognition);
• Self analyzes performance problems;
• Seeking appropriate direction and support.

Planning and organizing:

• Able to managing conflicting deadlines and priorities for own and team’s work;
• Able to coordinate activities such as missions, special events, etc.

Accountability:

• Must take full accountability for activities of the team as well as self, ensuring that the mission’s goals are met in a transparent and inclusive manner.

Creativity:

• Able to find creative solutions to daily issues, working within an ever-changing work environment

Client orientation:

• This position serves the UNCT, donors and the Government;
• The incumbent must be attuned to the particular needs of these populations and respond accordingly;
• Able to build and sustain effective partnerships with UN agencies and main constituents;
• Advocates effectively; communicates sensitively and effectively across different constituencies;
• Seeks and applies knowledge information and best practices from within and outside the UN Country Team.

Commitment to continuous learning:

• Must be willing to keep abreast of innovations in relevant technical fields, and communicate and integrate them into the work environment.

Technological awareness:

• Advanced computer and internet skills, including proficiency in word processing and other commercial software packages.

Leadership and vision:

• Ability to lead a diverse multi-cultural team to achieve the UNCT goals while also creating a positive environment conducive to staff development, personal growth and satisfaction;
• Facility in empowering others, building trust, managing performance, and decision-making.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:

• Advanced degree in international development studies, political science, economics, management, coordination or other relevant field;
• A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience  of 9 years may be accepted in lieu of an advance degree.

Experience:

• Professional, with at least seven years work experience in development and/or humanitarian operations, including at the country level or nine years if with first-level university degree;
• Good knowledge of UN system, procedures and operational activities for development;
• Previous experience in management and UNDAF development/planning will be considered a plus.

Language:

• Fluency in English; Arabic an asset.