Resident Coordinator (Nigeria)

Organizational Context

The Resident Coordinator (RC) system, established by the General Assembly, empowers a dedicated, impartial, and development-focused coordination function for the UN system at the country level. The RC is the UN's highest-ranking representative, leading UN Country Teams to ensure accountability for the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and coordinate UN support for the 2030 Agenda. Reporting to the Secretary-General, the RC advances sustainable development and poverty eradication.

Job Purpose

The Resident Coordinator (RC) serves as the highest-ranking UN representative at the country level, leading UN Country Teams to implement the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and coordinate UN support for the 2030 Agenda. This role involves representing the UN at the highest levels, fostering engagement with diverse national and international partners, and advocating for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The RC coordinates system-wide support, identifies and mitigates risks, and supports the work of UN agencies. Key functions include promoting UN Charter values, building strategic partnerships, advancing regional collaboration, and leveraging UN system expertise to address national development needs. The RC also oversees financing instruments, promotes the UN's normative agenda, and fosters an enabling environment for UN contributions to sustainable development solutions. Additionally, the RC may coordinate security, manage PSEA strategies, and oversee joint business operations.

Responsibilities

Represent the UN at the highest levels, engaging with government, civil society, and partners to advance the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. Lead the UN Country Team in developing, monitoring, and implementing the UN Cooperation Framework. Coordinate system-wide UN support, proactively identifying and mitigating risks to SDG achievement. Advocate for and support the work of UNCT member agencies. Contribute to context and trend analysis, including Common Country Analyses. Promote UN Charter values, human rights, gender equality, and the SDG commitment to leave no one behind. Forge strategic partnerships with diverse national and sub-national entities. Advance regional knowledge-sharing and collaboration. Leverage UN system expertise to improve shared results and align efforts with national priorities. Provide oversight of country financing instruments and pursue funding for joint UN initiatives. Lead engagement on the UN's normative agenda and support national capacity development. Foster an enabling environment for collaboration and knowledge sharing. Facilitate access to resources for innovation in sustainable development. Enhance strategic communication to promote UN system efforts and collective results. Coordinate country-level security as Designated Official, ensuring accountability for personnel, premises, and assets. Promote staff learning and implement relevant policies, including PSEA and gender parity. Manage matrixed dual reporting systems and advance UN common business operations. Coordinate humanitarian assistance and facilitate linkages with development programming when required. Integrate UNCT work with peacekeeping or political missions in conflict/post-conflict settings. Provide strategic guidance and oversight to the Resident Coordinator's Office.

Work Experience

Over 15 years of international leadership experience is required, including at least five years in diplomacy, political affairs, peacebuilding, development, human rights, rule of law, or humanitarian work outside one's own country. Proven ability to coordinate and lead a UN Country Team or similar network in a complex context is essential. Previous Resident Coordinator experience is required. Experience in inter-agency coordination, stakeholder engagement, and humanitarian assistance management is desirable.

Skills

Leadership, coordination, strategic partnerships, advocacy, human rights, gender equality, sustainable development, risk management, communication, security coordination, staff development, inter-agency collaboration, political acumen, negotiation, resource mobilization.

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