Regional Director, Asia Pacific

Organizational Context

The Development Operations Coordination Office (DCO) is a stand-alone coordination office within the UN Secretariat, managing the Resident Coordinator system under the UN Sustainable Development Group. This role, based in Bangkok, leads DCO's regional interface, fostering horizontal collaboration across the UN Development System and supporting regional/country offices. The Regional Director is a key member of the UNDCO senior leadership team, promoting system-wide SDG delivery.

Job Purpose

The Regional Director serves as a thought leader, facilitator, and strategic analyst for sustainable development, with a primary outward-facing role supporting Resident Coordinators (RCs) and UN Country Teams (UNCTs) at regional, sub-regional, and country levels. This role involves leading regional thought leadership on SDG acceleration, convening stakeholders, and strengthening partnerships with regional bodies and international financial institutions. The Director integrates development approaches considering complex factors like conflict and crises, leveraging UN 2.0 capabilities such as foresight and data analytics. Key functions include coordinating regional communications, supporting resource mobilization, ensuring quality assurance for UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCFs), and providing strategic guidance to RCs and UNCTs for effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The role also involves managing the Regional Office, driving digital transformation, and ensuring compliance with UN policies.

Responsibilities

The Regional Director leads the UNDCO Regional Office, focusing on regional sustainable development thought leadership, partnerships, and convening for SDG impact. This includes developing regional strategies, fostering collaboration with UN entities and regional bodies, and leveraging innovative financing and digital tools. The role involves integrating complex development approaches, applying foresight and risk analytics, and influencing stakeholders using UN 2.0 skills. Responsibilities extend to coordinating regional communications, supporting resource mobilization, ensuring quality assurance for UNSDCFs, and providing strategic guidance to RCs and UNCTs. Additionally, the Director manages the Regional Office's strategy, work program, and budget, oversees activities, drives digital transformation, and supports RC system operations. This includes managing dispute resolution, promoting systems thinking, integrating risk management, and facilitating cross-regional support. The role also contributes to senior leadership talent management, performance management of RCs, and ensuring compliance with UN policies on inclusion and well-being. Reporting and representation at interagency and intergovernmental meetings are also key duties, alongside staff management and development.

Work Experience

A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in development cooperation coordination, including at least 10 years in senior leadership roles involving interagency collaboration. Five years of field experience in development cooperation and demonstrated experience in strategy/policy formulation are required. Experience in international development, SDG financing, innovation, organizational reform, and performance management is essential. Experience managing budgets, risk awareness, and exposure to complex settings are required. Experience as a UN Resident Coordinator or knowledge of the UN system is desirable, as is experience in the Asia Pacific region, digital/data/foresight tools, strategic resource mobilization, and regional coordination across multiple countries.

Skills

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

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