Regional Director, Arab States

Organizational Context

The Development Operations Coordination Office (DCO) is a stand-alone coordination office within the UN Secretariat, overseeing the Resident Coordinator (RC) system to accelerate the 2030 Agenda and embody the UN 2.0 shift. The Regional Director, based in Amman, reports to the ASG/Director of UNDCO and leads DCO's regional interface, fostering collaboration across the UN Development System and supporting regional/country offices.

Job Purpose

The Regional Director serves as a thought leader, convenor, facilitator, and strategic analyst for sustainable development, with a focus on regional, sub-regional, and country-level support to Resident Coordinators (RCs). This outward-facing role involves leading regional thought leadership on SDG acceleration, convening stakeholders, and fostering partnerships with regional bodies, IFIs, and UN agencies. The Director integrates development approaches considering complex factors like conflict and crises, leveraging UN 2.0 skills such as foresight and data analytics. They coordinate regional communications, support resource mobilization, and ensure quality assurance for UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCFs), providing strategic guidance to RCs and UN Country Teams to drive progress on the 2030 Agenda.

Responsibilities

The Regional Director leads the UNDCO Regional Office, managing its strategy, work program, and budget. Key responsibilities include fostering regional sustainable development thought leadership, convening stakeholders, and building partnerships to accelerate SDG impact. This involves strategic direction for regional entities, strengthening collaboration with regional commissions and bodies, and developing multi-country partnerships. The role requires integrating development approaches, applying foresight and risk analytics, and influencing stakeholders using UN 2.0 skills. The Director coordinates regional communications, supports resource mobilization, and ensures quality assurance for UNSDCFs. They provide strategic guidance to RCs and UNCTs, oversee reporting, and track UN reform initiatives. Additionally, the Director manages the regional office staff, supports RC system operations, promotes UN 2.0 competencies, and contributes to UNDCO strategy formulation and policy development.

Work Experience

A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in development cooperation coordination, including at least 10 years in senior leadership roles with interagency collaboration. Five years of field experience in development cooperation, strategy formulation, and leading organizational reform is required. Experience in UN reform, change management, performance management, and budget management is necessary. Experience in the Arab region, with UN RC system, digital/data/foresight tools, strategic resource mobilization, and regional coordination is desirable.

Skills

Professionalism, Accountability, Client Orientation, Leadership, Judgment/Decision-Making, Strategic Analysis, Partnership Building, Management, Communication, Foresight, Data Analysis, Behavioral Science, Digital Transformation, Risk Management, Gender Equality, Youth Inclusion.

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