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 mechanisms to accelerate the 2030 Agenda.

Job Purpose

The Regional Director is a strategic leader and development practitioner responsible for overseeing the UN Development Coordination Office (UNDCO) in the Asia Pacific region. This role focuses on thought leadership, partnership brokering, and strategic analysis to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Director convenes regional stakeholders, strengthens collaboration with regional economic commissions and UN agencies, and develops multi-country partnerships. They integrate complex development approaches, leverage UN 2.0 capabilities like foresight and data analytics, and provide strategic guidance to Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams to ensure coherent and effective support to Member States in implementing the 2030 Agenda. The position also involves managing the Regional Office's strategy, budget, and operations, 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 SDG acceleration. Key duties include convening regional stakeholders, fostering collaboration with UN entities and regional bodies, and developing strategic partnerships. The role involves integrating complex development approaches, applying UN 2.0 skills for innovation, and coordinating regional communications. The Director supports Resident Coordinators (RCs) and UN Country Teams (UNCTs) with strategic guidance, quality assurance for UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCFs), and reporting on regional results and UN reform initiatives. Additionally, the Director manages the Regional Office's strategy, work program, and budget, oversees daily operations of the RC system, promotes UN 2.0 competencies, integrates risk management, and supports talent management and performance of RCs. They also ensure compliance with UN policies on gender equality, disability, and youth inclusion, and contribute to UNDCO's overall strategy and policy formulation.

Work Experience

A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in development cooperation coordination, including at least 10 years in senior leadership roles in international settings. Requires 5 years of field experience, demonstrated strategy/policy formulation experience, and substantive international development experience. Experience in organizational reform, change management, and managing budgets in complex settings is also required. Experience as a UN Resident Coordinator or with comparable international organizations is desirable.

Skills

Professionalism, Accountability, Client Orientation, Leadership, Judgment/Decision-Making, Strategic Analysis, Partnership Brokering, Development Coordination, Management, Communication, Innovation, Foresight, Data Analysis, Behavioral Science Application.

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