Development Coordination Officer, Transitions – P4  

Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in United Nations Development Coordination Office in New York.  In its Resolution A/RES/72/279, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the transformation of the Development Operations Coordination Office (DCO) as a stand-alone coordination office within the United Nations Secretariat. DCO exercises managerial and oversight functions of the resident coordinator system under the collective ownership of the members of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG).  The incumbent reports to the Chief of the Programme Section in the Policy and Programming Branch. The incumbent shall work closely with colleagues working on humanitarian-development collaboration and on sustaining peace.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Development Coordination Officer, Transitions settings is responsible for the following:  

• Provides guidance and support to Resident Coordinators (RCs) and UN Country Team   (UNCTs), and Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) in mission settings, including on transition planning and cross-pillar collaboration. 

• Guides RCs and RCOs to facilitate strategic and pro-active engagement by UNCTs in transition planning 

• At HQ level, represents UNDCO in the joint analytical and planning initiatives of the relevant Secretariat entities, Agencies, Funds and Programmes in mission settings 

• At HQ level, actively supports and engages in the joint UN transition and integrated planning process. This includes covering country-specific HQ coordination bodies as requested by DCO (either DCO New York or relevant Regional offices). 

• Contributes to the development of joint UN transition planning methodologies; participates in the Working Group on Transitions. 

• Contributes to the development of joint UN integrated planning methodologies, tracks and supports DCO’s participation in the Integration Working Group 

• Provides advice to the peacekeeping and special political missions and members of the UNCT on entity-specific transition and integrated planning approaches. 

• Facilitates and supports joint UN lessons learned activities associated with mission transition and integration processes. • Contributes to knowledge sharing amongst UN staff (primarily through training and peer exchange) on issues relating to UN development system reform and its application in mission settings 

• Builds partnerships with relevant offices in the Department of Peacebuilding and Political Affairs (DPPA), Department of Peace Operations (DPO), the Department of Operational Support (DOS) and the Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) in order to contribute development-oriented inputs into the design of political and programmatic strategies for mission and transition settings. 

• Promotes the incorporation of peacebuilding and development dimensions in transition planning. Provides strategic support to the development of the Transition Plan with other UNCT members and in alignment with UN strategic planning priorities outlined in the UN Common Country Analysis (CCA), the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and Integrated Strategic Frameworks (ISFs). 

This includes but is not limited to:   

• Contributes to, monitors and reports on implementation of DCO guidance related to transition, integration and mission setting issues and proposes revisions. 

• Provides policy, technical and operational advice and support on advancing sustainable development in transition contexts and mission settings; promotes linkages with peace- building and humanitarian policy, planning and programming, including with regard to prevention and disaster risk reduction (DRR).

• Produces timely and quality analytical products linking transition and integration issues to broader cross-pillar Humananitarian, Development and Peace (HDP) collaboration. 

• Provides thematic support on transitions, integration and related issues to the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) and other coordination groups, including the drafting of policies or facilitation of processes that may be requested by the UNSDG or its bodies. 

• Forges and maintains strong cross-pillar partnerships with other parts of the UN System with a view of ensuring integrated cross-pillar support to Resident Coordinators (RCs), RCOs and UNCTs. 

• Engages with and facilitates system-wide and cross-pillar programme and policy guidance and support to RCs, RCOs and UNCTs working in integrated mission settings, ensuring an effective policy-practice feedback loop on HDP nexus matters. 

• Fosters and nourishes strategic partnerships for effective transition planning. 

• Keeps abreast of latest emerging trends and innovative approaches in focus area. 

• Prepares policy position papers on transition, integration and sustainable development issues. Assists in the preparation of reports, studies, background papers, policy guidelines, correspondence, presentations, background papers, policy guidelines, parliamentary documents, etc. 

• Serves as the primary focal point on specific topics or policy-related issues; keeps abreast of the latest developments, liaises with humanitarian organizations, donors, etc., ensures appropriate monitoring and reporting mechanisms; provides information and advice on a range of related issues. 

• Contributes to work-planning and preparation of Section budget and work programme. 

• Provides leadership and work direction to assigned work team, and/or mentees; supervises the work of junior officers. 

• Performs other related duties, as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of wide range of UN operations in complex settings, including humanitarian, development, human rights and peacebuilding nexus issues. Conceptual and strategic analytical capacity, to include ability to analyze and articulate the interconnected humanitarian-development-peace dimensions of complex crisis contexts that require a coordinated UN response. Demonstrated problem-solving skills and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of complex issues/problems. Ability to negotiate and to influence others to reach agreement. Ability to work under pressure. Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to UN peace operations, and knowledge of the institutions of the UN system. Demonstrated ability to complete in-depth studies and to formulate conclusions/recommendations. 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, social science, public administration, international studies, economics, engineering, earth sciences or a related field. 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 seven years of progressively responsible experience in sustainable development in conflict or humanitarian settings is required.    A minimum of two years of experience in peace and security is required.    Experience with programs to make the transition from humanitarian or post-conflict support to development is desired.    Experience in knowledge management is desired.    Experience working on the nexus of peace, development and humanitarian affairs is desired.    Experience in the United Nations system or a comparable international organization is desired.    Field experience in development cooperation or mission settings is desired.    Experience with inter-agency or interorganizational collaboration and coordination in the development sector is desired.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another official UN 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 followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This position is temporarily available for an initial 364 days. Extension of appointment is subject to the availability of funds. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.  

• 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.

This is how cinfo can support you in the application process for this specific position:

• Application preparation: Before you apply for this position: Improve your application documents by registering for a Job Application Support. Our coaches are here to help tailor your application to the requirements of the job (service provided at your own cost).
• Interview preparation: When invited to the interview: Prepare for the interview by registering for a Job Application Support.
• Additional services for  Swiss nationals who get invited to the selection process (written test, interview, assessment centre, etc.):
  • Let us know by writing to [email protected]. We flag matching applications to HR partners and SDC/SECO for visibility.
  • Benefit from free interview/assessment preparation by registering here : Interview and Assessment Centre Preparation for Jobs in Multilateral Organisations. Our coaches stand ready to help prepare for upcoming interview/assessment centre.