Org. Setting and Reporting

The Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) is the United Nations’ entity mandated to coordinate the UN System’s development work at the country level. The RCO supports UN agencies, programmes, and funds interventions in the country, including partnerships. In Saudi Arabia, the UN System is represented by 27 agencies, funds, and specialized programmes. The UN Country Team (UNCT) is made up of representatives of these entities. The UN Resident Coordinator (RC) guides and supports the work of the UNCT, ensuring effective coordination and cooperation across the mandates of each organization. The RCO strengthens the joint activities of the UN System in Saudi Arabia, maximizing, in a coordinated manner, the UN’s work so that the system can provide a collective, coherent, and integrated response to national priorities and needs under the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals and other international commitments. The position is located in the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and reports to the Head of RC Office.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Development Coordination Officer, Data Management and Results Monitoring/Reporting will be responsible of the following duties: Summary of Functions: 1. Coordinates monitoring and reporting of UNCT results under the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. 2. Provides substantive support for the development and implementation of UN Country Team (UNCT) data (with a focus on SDG data) and research strategies, especially as they relate to collective analysis and programming. 3. Develops and expands strategic research and data partnerships. 4. Supports knowledge management and capacity development relating to (SDG) data. Description of Functions: 1. Coordinates monitoring and reporting of UNCT results under the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework: • Supports inter-agency efforts on results and progress monitoring and reporting on the Joint Workplans of the Cooperation Framework and Joint Programmes, particularly through the UNINFO platform; • Supports the UNCT to report on its contribution towards the SDGs, in line with HQ guidance; • Provides advice and quality assurance review of the Cooperation Framework monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) framework/plan and results reporting to country, regional and global levels; • Supports independent evaluations of Cooperation Frameworks as a key element of the programme cycle and other interagency work related to monitoring, evaluation and reporting; • Serves as RCO focal point for country-level, regional and global MEL initiatives and networks; • Acts as the administrator for UNINFO, supports and coordinates the inputs from the UN Country Team into UNINFO and facilitates the development of the Annual UN Country Results Report. 2. Provides substantive support for the development and implementation of the UNCT data and research strategies, especially as they relate to collective analysis and programming: • Plans and facilitates the design, research methodologies and implementation of a data and research strategy, specifically in support of the Common Country Analysis (CCA) and UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework; • Plans and facilitates the design of an implementation plan for the SG Strategy on Data, or facilitates the development of UNCT data strategy where requested by Government partner or agreed by the UNCT; • Undertakes empirical analysis, data mining and visualization to assist the Resident Coordinator (RC) and UNCT, including results groups, in developing reports and working papers on a range of sustainable development topics; • Collects information on and becomes familiar with the use of new types of data sources and tools (e.g. big data) for sustainable development; • Identifies new data analysis process improvement opportunities; • Contributes substantively to the development and implementation of peer review and quality assurance mechanisms for UNCT research products. 3. Support development and expansion of strategic research and data partnerships, including with UN entities at regional and HQ level, government counterparts, research institutes, leading global thinkers on development, and civil society, among others: • Supports the work of the UNCT with national data and statistical systems, facilitating engagement with national entities and data systems; • Communicates and coordinates with existing partners and helps form new partnerships with academia, the private sector, and governmental agencies to further the use of data science for development; • Collects information on the latest developments of the use of new types of data sources and tools (e.g. big data) for sustainable development, including sourcing of private sector partnerships; • Communicates and coordinates with internal and external partners on data collection and project/research implementation; • Supports the convening of key thinkers on sustainable development and 2030 Agenda to provide inputs for, advise and steer the UNCT’s research and data agenda; • Assists in strengthening the UNCT’s partnerships with research institutions and similar entities across the UN system through concrete collaboration on areas of the 2030 agenda. 4. Contributes to knowledge management and capacity development related to data management, monitoring and reporting: • Actively participates in relevant communities of practice within and outside of the RC system (at regional and global levels), sharing good practices and lessons learnt on data, monitoring and reporting, contributing to the discussions, and promoting collaboration. Applies good practice/ lessons in his/her office where relevant; • Facilitates knowledge sharing, in particular, of good practices and lessons learnt around the SDG data, monitoring and reporting strategies, inspiring others within the RCO and UNCT; • Establishes and maintains knowledge partnerships with experts and institutions in the area of data management, monitoring and reporting. Brings useful expertise to the team, when required, to complement capacities of his/ her office; • Keeps abreast of emerging innovative approaches in the area of data management, monitoring and reporting, and proposes new ways of working, where relevant; • Reflects on processes of his/ her work area at key milestones, and generates knowledge valuable to others in the RC system/ UNCT.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to apply sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches. Ability to conduct independent research and analysis on sustainable development topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Shows skill in developing sources for data collection. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. PLANNING AND 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. TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. CREATIVITY: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in business or public administration, information management, statistics, 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.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in providing strategic support to research and data (especially SDG data) initiatives, research and analysis, & monitoring, evaluation and learning in the context of development cooperation or related area is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage. NOTE: “Fluency equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of “confident” in two of the four areas.

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 (3) months. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. 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. Internal Applicants: When completing the form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up-to-date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. Individual contractors and consultants (Non-Staff Personnel) who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered. 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. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Need Help?” link. NOTE: While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

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. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.