Country: Afghanistan
Closing date: 20 Jun 2019
Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Resident Coordinator’s Office, Kabul. The Strategic Planning and RCO Team Leader reports to Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General/Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator.
Responsibilities(1) Leads the provision of strategic guidance to the RC and UNCT of effective, quality and timely UN support for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda through a new generation CCA/UNDAF.
- Leads and coordinates substantive support to the DSRSG/RC/HC/UNCT in articulating and actively communicating a credible and convincing strategic vision for the UN, articulated through the UNDAF, which is consistent with national development goals and priorities, UN values, aligned with the 2030 Agenda and committed to the principles of universality, equality and leaving no one behind;
- Provides strategic direction and develops recommendations to facilitate decision-making by the DSRSG/RC/HC/UNCT in relation to repositioning of the UN System in country, especially related to the Standard Operating Procedures for Delivering as One;
- Develops policy recommendations to the DSRSG/RC/HC/UNCT on the development, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of the new generation CCA/UNDAF as the primary instrument for the planning and implementation of UN development activities in country;
- Ensures effective guidance to the DSRSG/RC/HC/UNCT in asserting vision and accountability for the UN to operate as a nimble, innovative and enterprising development partner, demonstrating characteristics of a knowledge-based organization and thought leader;
- Leads, through the Programme Management Team, the strategic design of UN’s policy and programmatic services, operational capabilities, and partnership mechanisms;
- Establishes and promotes close engagement across the humanitarian, development, peace and security, within the UNCT and together with UNAMA and HCT.
- Leads the identification, analysis and prioritization of joint programmatic work of UN entities in response to national priorities and in line with the UNDAF and the 2030 Agenda, based on analysis carried out the Sustainable Development Policy Advisor;
- Coordinates the UNDAF and Joint Workplans; directs UNDAF monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and reporting through UNINFO; guides preparation and provision of the annual One UN Country Results Report to the Government and other stakeholders;
- Promotes the engagement of all agencies – resident and non-resident - and other relevant UN entities, including at Headquarters and at the (sub-)regional level in inter-agency fora and in discussions with external partners;
- Ensures coherence in the different intra-agency coordination bodies, including with Humanitarian Country Teams and the Security Management Team.(2) Initiates, establishes and coordinates external partnerships and joint resource mobilization efforts for the new generation UNDAF.
- Initiates, establishes and coordinates effective working relationships with national and international public and private partners to ensure knowledge sharing in support of Common Country Analysis (CCA)/UNDAF development, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation;
- Directs substantive support for positioning the UN as a key provider of integrated services and as a platform in support of the SDGs, in consultation with a broad range of stakeholders;
- In close collaboration with the Development Partnerships Officer, leads the formulation and implementation of the UN Partnership Strategy as well as the Resource Mobilization Strategy, and other initiatives in support of SDG achievement through the UNDAF;
- Leads, through Programme Management Team, the design, formulation, implementation, monitoring and reporting of joint programming processes amongst UN entities;
- Based on UNDAF and joint programmes, coordinates joint resource mobilization and partnering efforts at country level;
- Oversees strategic messaging and communication initiatives by DSRSG/RC/HC/UNCT.
(3) Coordinates the Business Operations Strategy and develops business innovations
- In collaboration with the Operations Management Team (OMT), directs substantive support to the DSRSG/RC/HC/UNCT on business innovations for the UN in country;
- Provides substantive direction in formulating, implementing and monitoring the UN Country Business Operations Strategy;
- Guides the OMT in implementing common premises, and in establishing a common back office for location-dependent services;
- Promotes a culture of continuous improvement and client-orientation in operational service delivery;
- Ensures effective guidance on the establishment of common services arrangements to participating organizations/agencies at the country level.
(4) Manages and directs knowledge management and capacity development activities in- and outside the UN System
- Coordinates the transfer of knowledge and effective communications across different UN and non-UN entities;
- Leads the sharing of best practices, trends, knowledge and lessons learned across the UN system and with external partners;
- Directs thematic activities and knowledge-sharing forums and encourages others to participate;
- Coordinates knowledge sharing (including through training and facilitating peer exchange) amongst UN staff on issues related to UN strategic planning frameworks, methodologies and tools;
- Oversees the analysis of UN experiences, lessons learned and knowledge networking to contribute to strategic planning processes.
(5) Manages support for joint UNCT Risk Management
- Develops, directs and coordinates active risk management based on a common data platform among UN agencies to support exchange of risk related information on vendors and implementing partners;
- Leads development of pro-active risk assessment and risk analysis to support longer term risk and conflict sensitive programming based on ‘do no harm’ principles;
- Oversees training and capacity building for risk management and conflict sensitivity;
- Explores other cross-cutting areas, where the RCO can provide support to the UN in country.
(6) Leads and coordinates overall management of the RCO to ensure efficient and effective substantive coordination support to the DSRSG/RC/HC/UNCT and adherence to organizational policies and procedures.
- Coordinates the formulation and implementation of the substantive work programme of the UNCT; allocates and monitors RCO resources for delivery of outputs and reporting on results;
- Supervises the activities undertaken by the RCO, ensuring that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion;
- In close collaboration with UNDP and UNAMA, manages processes related to human and financial resource management, procurement, general administration, security, and information technology for the RCO;
- Manages, guides and trains staff under his/her supervision; promotes teamwork and communications among staff in the RCO and across organizational boundaries;
- Establishes and maintains a work environment in the RC Office and across UN entities that is conducive to innovation and engagement with a diverse set of stakeholders and delivers results in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Competencies
- Professionalism
- Planning and Organizing
- Client Orientation
- Judgment/Decision-making:
Education
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in business or public administration, sustainable development, social sciences, education 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
A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in strategic planning, sustainable development policy, project/programme management, or resource mobilization in the context of development cooperation or related area is required.
Experience working in a ’conflict or post-conflict context is desirable.
Experience in programme / project management in the context of development or humanitarian operations is desirable.
Experience in the provision of strategic advice to senior managers is desirable.
Experience working with an international organization, such as the United Nations, is desirable.
Languages
Fluency in English is required.***Female Candidates are Strongly Encouraged to Apply***
How to apply: