Regional Director, Africa

Organizational Context

The United Nations Development Coordination Office (UNDCO) in Addis Ababa, under the UN Secretariat, manages and oversees the Resident Coordinator system. This role, reporting to the ASG/Director of UNDCO, is crucial for advancing regional collaboration, supporting UN 2.0 initiatives, and ensuring effective SDG acceleration. The Regional Director interfaces at the regional level, collaborating with regional economic commissions and providing field support.

Job Purpose

The Regional Director serves as a strategic leader, convenor, and facilitator for sustainable development and SDG acceleration within the region. This outward-facing role provides strategic support to Resident Coordinators (RCs) and UN Country Teams (UNCTs), fostering regional and multi-country partnerships, and leveraging UN 2.0 capabilities like foresight and data analytics. The Director leads thought leadership, influences stakeholders, coordinates regional communications, and supports resource mobilization. They ensure quality assurance for UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCFs), provide guidance on complex settings, and oversee regional reporting and UN reform initiatives. The role also involves managing the Regional Office, driving digital transformation, and ensuring compliance with UN policies on inclusion and staff well-being.

Responsibilities

Lead regional thought leadership and strategy for SDG acceleration, convening stakeholders and providing strategic direction in collaboration with UN entities and regional bodies. Strengthen partnerships with Regional Economic Commissions and other mechanisms, leveraging innovative financing and digital tools. Develop regional and multi-country partnerships, integrating development approaches that consider conflict, crises, and human rights, utilizing foresight and risk analytics. Influence stakeholders using UN 2.0 skills, coordinate regional communications, and support RCs in resource mobilization and joint programming. Ensure quality assurance for UNSDCFs and provide strategic guidance to RCs and UNCTs. Oversee the UNDCO Regional office, including strategy, work programs, budgets, and performance management. Support daily RC system operations, manage dispute resolution, and promote UN 2.0 competencies and risk management. Foster matrix linkages, contribute to senior leadership talent management, and ensure compliance with UN policies on equality and well-being. Prepare regional reports for intergovernmental bodies and manage regional office staff.

Work Experience

A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in development cooperation coordination, with at least 10 years in senior leadership roles in international settings. Requires 5 years of field experience, demonstrated experience in strategy/policy formulation, and substantive international development experience. Experience in organizational reform, change management, and managing budgets in complex settings is needed. Experience with the UN Resident Coordinator system, regional coordination, and digital/data/foresight approaches is desirable.

Skills

Professionalism, Accountability, Client Orientation, Leadership, Judgment/Decision-Making, Strategic Analysis, Partnership Brokering, Management, Communication, Foresight, Data Analysis, Digital Transformation, Risk Management, Gender Equality, Staff Development.

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